The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-11-23
BIG STRIKE IS WON
22OO Textile Workers Make Sweeping Victory
Message to President Wilson
COMMITTEE on industrial Relations.)

The reelection of President Wilson
leaves the way clear for Organized
labor and other progressive forces 10
work out further the program of bet
ter Industrial justice which the 6rst
Wilson administration had already
done so much to advance.
For the next six months or so. the
congressional and administrative
forces of the labor and economic
movement remain the same. After
that, so far as the house of represen-
tatives is concerned, there will be
changes. At this writing it is not
definitely known just what members
OF the present labor group have been
returned for the succeeding congress
or what new members have been add
ed to it. 1t is known, however. that
between the two major parties there
IS a very slight margin Of numerical
strength, and the balance Of power
seems to be with a small group of
| progressive or radical representatives.
It is known too, that at least some of
the most valuable and independent
OF the present labor group and its
allies will be in the next congress.
4
While taking stock of what has han
pened and of what is ahead of the in
cidents worthy of first note is that
Justice Hughes, who took part in the
Danbury Hatters' decision, has been.
in practical effect, recalled" from the
judicial bench as we'll as defeated for
the presidency
1t is history that the American labor
movement in all organized depart
ments went on record for the re-eIec-
tion of President Wilson. Without
partisanship that was; and ii was on
non-partisan lines that every member
OF the committee on industrial rela-
lions, without previous agreement as
TO concert of action, was aligned on
the same side. So were certain other
organized groups and larger un-or-
ganized masses of workers and pro-
ducers (such as farmers).
The vote Of the nation simply con-
hrned the lineup of forces whose
general views had been expressed be-
lore the election. In addition to the
more than eight million votes cast
Tor Mr.. Wilson, the approximately
one million votes cast BY the more
radical groups, such as Socialists. pre-
terred Mr.. Wilson to Mr.. Hughes.
Inc election and its result are of
notable importance to the progressive
and labor movements because. under
meath all superficial or purely local
ISSUES, the abiding issue had been
clearly defined between the one side
OF Privilege (with the control of gov
ernment and economic power by the
tew) and the other side of free enter
prise by the producers, free action by
trades workers, and democracy in the
control of government.
4
If the black slavery issue OF half
century and more ago be eliminated.
no other presidential election was ever
set on so far forward mark as this
one. No other political contest was so
clearly an economic contest.
The referendum" of this popular
election has put the peoples approval
on the constructive labor program
whose chief points were, the Tabor
IS not a commodity" clause of the
Layton Antitrust act; the child Ia
Dor bill; the Seamen's act, driving
slavery from American ships, and in
directly from all ships; restriction of
tne inlunctive power Of federal courts;
the eight-hour day for railroad work
ers' with the accompanying endorse
ment OF the eight-hour principle for
all workers.
The work of the United States com
mission on Industrial relations and
rs results as embodied in the main or
Manly report of Chairman Frank p.
Walsh, and the three labor members
Mr.. John B. Lemon, Mr.. James O'Don-
nell, and Mr. Austin B. Carretson.
were also approved by the popular
referendum. That work and its re-
suits were vigorously commended in
the campaign by the forces snpport-
ing the Wilson program. and were
vigorously attacked by the forces Of
Mr. Wilson's opponents.
The workers of the country on farm
and in factory were also most potent
against a militarist or imperialist
American policy. Their votes attest
ed their voices which had been raised
in protest against the exploitation Of
Mexico for the benefit of private in
vsestrnents from the United States or
elsewhere
Under the further leadership Of Mr..
Wilson, the prospect in congress and
in other departments Of government
is certainly most assuring for con-
tinued advance along lines of social
and industrial justice. An aggressive
~ alert and encouraged labor move
nent viii no doubt mold or influence
the next Congress to its righfful de-
inands, as that movement most DOW
erfully nodded and influenced the late
congress. There is no doubt also. that
the machinery Of good industrial laws
already secured, with more to follow
Will be utilized for the investigation