The labor world., 1916-01-08
Luke Grant, Well Known Labor
Writer, Sees Much Promise
in Plan. 3,
BUT HE INSISTS LABOR
SHOULD BE ON GUARD
Unions Must See That Ware
Farmers Are Represented On
Commission.
Bx LUKE GRANT.


Like a tidal wave, the sentiment in
mission is sweeping over the country.
Politicians, who at first tried to stem
the tide, are fleeing to the high
places. They are finding they must
go with the tide or be swamped. Re-
ports from Washington indicate that
the opposition to tariff commission
is on the point of surrender.
Organized labor is playing it's part
In the campaign Since the American
Federation of Labor convention at
San Francisco sounded the keynote
that the tariff must be taken out of
politics, the unions everywhere have
taken up the refrain and are pushing
the issue. Samuel Gompers, the
Grand Old Man. of the labor move
ment, is sending labor's message
throughout the land in ringing tones.
The campaign virtually is won.
Note Warning Given.
But a note of warning to labor
must be sounded. There no LONGER
appears a doubt that the present
Congress will create a tariff commits
sion of some kind. The question is,
will it create the kind of a commits
sion that labor demands and that it
is entitled to have? Will labor be di-
rectly represented on that commits
sion? That is the point demanding
labor's immediate attention.
The Tariff Commission league has
from it's inception declared that a.
tariff commission must be represent
tative Of all the interests in the coun.
try, and that it must be non-parti-
san. The league is non-political in
character, with no axes to grind. It
holds that labor and agriculture are
as vitality interested in the tariff
question, as are manufacturers and
commerce. 1t proposes, therefore,
that labor and agriculture must be
Fre9resente on e. tariff, commtssion.
! 7; 49,. = Labor Must Be Recognised. s.s-. r.
: This proposed recognition OF 1abor
has aroused opposition in certain
quarters. There are those who fear
the power and influence of organized
labor. Others oppose it for economic
reasons. This opposition must be de-
feated. Labor must see to it that 1t
has direct representation on any
tariff commission that is created. The
time for action is now, before Con-
gress acts. 81
The tariff commission proposed by
the Tariff Commission league gives
labor the recognition to which it. is
entit tiled. Will you get behind the
league and help fight your, own bat
tie? Or will you by inaction and lack
of interest, allow this opportunity to,
go by? Remember it rests with you
and if organized labor is ignored in
the bill creating a tariff commission,
the blame will rest upon you.
No Need for Argument.
1t is unnecessary here to point out
why there ought to be non-partisan
tariff commission. The old log-roll-
ing, political methods Of making tar
iff schedules are we'll known to all.
Practically every responsible leader
of labor in the country has con-
demned the old methods and has de-
manded a change. The people gen.
orally are aroused, for this is a move
ment of the people. They demand
scientific accuracy instead of political
guesswork in tariff enactments.
Act now. Adopt resolutions and
send them to your Senators and Rep
in Congress. IL