Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-12
LABOR CLEARS UP
STAND ON ASIATICS
California Federation Issues
Letter to Labor Press
Explains How Courtesies Shown Jap
Delegates Brought About Misap-
prehension in Some Quarters

A circular letter to the labor press has
been issued by President d. p. Haggerty
and Secretary Paul Scharrenburg OF the
California State Federation of Labor to
correct a misunderstanding concerning
the attitude of organized labor on the
Pacific coast as to the courtesies shown
two labor delegates from Japan, about
which various articles have been pub
lished in the daily press OF the country,
as well as labor papers. The letter says.
During the past year two Japanese,
coming direct from their native land and
bearing credentials from the Laborers'
Friendly society OF Toxic, were cordially
received and extended every courtesy by
the labor organizations of California.
These two japanese came to America in
order to learn something about our
working class movement. our methods of
organization, and if possible, to use the
I knowledge thus acquired to improve the
cndition of the working people in Japan.
As to Welcome Extended.
Unfortunately, a serious misappre-
hension seems to have arisen in certain
quarters upon the motives which
prompted California trade unionists TO
welcome the japanese delegates and to
permit them to sit in the meetings of
I fully Crafty their thirst for knowledge.
The correspondence which is attached
hereto makes it entirely clear that kind
ness and courtesy toward our visitors
should not be construed to mean a weak
ening in labor's demand for the exclu
sion Of all Asiatic laborers from our
shores. TIE executive council Of the
California state Federation OF Labor ras
therefore decided TO give generally pub
licity to said correspondence so that the
organized workers of our country may
BE- plsced in a position to refute all mis-
leading statements with reference to this
phase Of Asiatie exclusion"
Senator Phelan Protests.
Then follows copies OF letters ex-
changed between the state labor Off
eiAls and United States Senator James
d. Phelan. who intimated the courtesies
shown japanese delegates by organized
labor on the Pacific coast would retard
an effort being made in Congress to pass
an Asiatic exclusion law.
These two delegates, who represented
the I.aborers' Friendly society of Toxic,
were seated as fraternal delegates in the
last convention Of the American Fedora
they were recognized in like manner at
a convention of the California State Fed
Grafton of Labor.
The letter p6ints out that at the very
gathering OF labor at which these jap
anose delegates We're present and made
addresses, the following resolution was
adopted;
Policy of California Labor.
"whercas. Asiatic immigration and
the resultant competition has for many
years past been menace to the indus
trial welfare OF our people, especially in
California and the Pacific coast states;
and
-sWhercas, Because of this menace it
is the duty of our people to refrain from
patronizing OF employing Asiatics in any
manner. as well as to demand extension
of the provisions of the Chinese eNclu-
sion law so as to bar all Asiatics; and
Whereas, The anti-Jap Laundry
league composed of Steam Laundry
Workers Union No. 20 and Laundry
Wagon Drivers Union No. 256 of San
Francisco. has for many years sought
strict Asiatic exclusion legislation as
well as opposed Asiatic competition; and
Whereas. The California State Fed
Grafton OF Labor has at all times per
sisently fought Asiatie immigration and
competition; therefore be it
"Resolvcd. That the California State
Federation OF labor in regular conven-
ton assembled again extends to the
Anti-Jap Laundry League its moral sup
port and endorsement; and be it further
Resolved, That the California State
Federation of labor again records itself
ms opposed to the patonizing or employ
ing OF Asiatics in any manner; and IN
favor of an extension to the Chinese eN-
clusion law so as to bar all Asiatics.