Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-03


humanitarian laws have been enacted
by Congress. increasing the number
with cvcry session, Of Congress since
the iifty-siNth session
WELL. TO CALL ATTENTION TO
BlG ISSUE or CAMPAIGN
Ms Labor Day. 1916. comes in ono
Of The most critical political campaigns
since the Civil War period it is we'll
to call attention to tho big issue OF
the campaign. which has a national
as well ms an international. relation
Ihc issue is the attitude Of the politi-
cal parties toward questions Of -hu-
mainly and human welfare. Tile party
now in power has in it's legislative
achievements placed the highest valua-
ton upon human life and human at
tributes that has YMr been declared
and enacted by any political party In
power
The question that concerns the
workers is how TO hold their present
advantages and how to secure from
political parties still greater oppor-
tunities for freedom. The thing which
is fundamental is section L Of the Clay
ton antitrust act. the labor OF a human
being is not Il commodity or article Of
commerce. The representative Of the
American Federation "f Labor went
10 the political parties and asked
!
principle. The answers that the po-
litical parties gave arc in their plat
forms. where all may read.
The Democratic party openly and
favorably declared and emphas sized its
position. The Republican party took
40 notice OF lahor's request that they
declare themselves upon that which
the workers considered OF greatest i'm
pOrtance To them. J
''rhc international issue that now
comes closest to the labor movement
is the policy OF our government toward
Mexico. The cause Of humanity is in
the balance in Mexico. The psople
there are trying I" work out their own
problems and tn establish their own
ideals or political. social and economic
Justice iii" labor movement In Mex
leo has developed: that Is. the most
power aud the most constructive prod
uct Of tho revolution. Representatives
Of the labor movement in Mexico hnve
joined the representatives of the labor
movement Of America to insure TO the
workers and citizens Of Mexico the
rights Of human beings, opportunities
Tor freedom aud for Independence
Many Of the problems OF the Mexican
workers arc problems OF the workc
or the United states. Their welfare is
our welfare. The boundary line be-
tween the TWO countries is only an
artificial division that has little or no
effect upon the course and the nature
OF industrial and commercial develop
ment.
SELFISH INTERESTS ARE:
SEEKING DIFFERENT pOIICY
The problem OF industrial welfare
In the states Of the Southwest is large
~ Mexican problem. With low stand
ards "f life aud work prevailing uron
the l5.0"o. 900 Of McNicans. there ex-
lists an obstacle to the establishment
OF higher standards within the United
states There are capitalists and eX-
plotting interests of the United States
who. because they have property in
Mexico GOTTEN corruptly and dishonest =
ly obtaincd) desire 10 maintain gov
crnmental agencies by which they can
hold the people In subsection and deny
To them the opportunity for protecting
themselves through the organized In :
hor movement and other opportunities
for growth and Development These
selfish exploiting interests arc couccn-
tratins' their political power in the
present campaign 10 secure different
policy Oh the part OF our government
toward Mexico. Even under the Euise
OF intervention. no matter how nm
necessary and understandable. the adj
vocatcs OF that policy really aim at
the conquest and annexation OF Mex
ico. y few Of the most reckless, such
as the Otis and Hearst interests come
out brazenly in the demand for in
tcrvention. invasion. conquest and en-
neNation OF Mexico. OF course, every
effort must be made TO safeguard the
lives and the property of our pcopl,
living along the border line. hut who
can honestly say that the Mexican ma :
rauders were the only Offenders. The
allied forces OF greed and prof, would
deny the Mexican people the oppor-
tunity FOR their developments: they
would gladly enbroil the United States
in an unnecessary and unwarranta bile
war with Mexico. To them property,
property rights, profits are held far
more sacred than human beings, in
tcrnational honor and human liberty.
These arc some Of the Issues that
primarilN concern the workers and all
libcrty-ioviuE citizens Of tho United
states: they are the issues upon which
every wage carncr--cvery citiZen-will