The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-10-26
ORGANIZED LABOR HEADS
URGE SUPPORT OF WILSON

sons reelection was made public at
the American Fedeation of Labor haad
quarters. 1t is in the form of a cir
cular letter o all officers of organic
ed labor, calling on them to hold spe-
cial meetings if necessary to consider
the issues of the campaign and see
% it that wage earners go to the polls
to protect their interests against
Wall street."
The letter is signed by Samuel Com
pers, president; James O'Connell, vice
president, and Frank Morrison, sec
rotary, as the federation's labor rep
fesentation committee and it had
been sem to the heads of all affiliat-
ed organizations. 1t praises the pres
ident's course in foreign affairs, de-
claring that without war he has Sc
I'D oil the protection and benefits
that would have accrued from a sue
:essful wal and asserts that at home
TIE ldbOl movement, hdo bNSA "'lN
to secure recognition for the rights
of human beings and opportunity for
al Ito participate in the afafirs of the
nation in a degree that never before
las been accomplished"
Following is the letter in par:
GREETING: Never at any time
within the last fifty years have the
workers had more at tsake in any
political campaign than in the one
hat is to be decided in the eection of
Nov. Z.
During the present administration
and particularly in this campaign.
there has been developed clear cut is
sues between the workers-the pro-
ducers-and thos who manipulate the
products of the labor of others-the
exploiters. The issue is represented in
the campaign by the conflicting inter
ests represented by labor and Wall
street.
During the present administration
he organized labor movement has
)een able to secure recognition for
he rights of human being and OPP
%portunity for all to participate in the
lfafirs of the nation in a degree that
has never before been accomplished.
"The dignity of human life and the
value of the cooperation of those
whose work are necessary 0 the pro-
cesses of industry and during the past
our years there has been enacted by
congress and signed by President
Wilson humanitarian protective legis-
lation nnnrecedented in amount and
scope. Legislative enactment has Sc
cured to wage earners fundamental
rights necessary for the very exist
ence of the organizations of labor
without which wage would
have nothing of freedom and no real
)poprtunity for self betterment. = II +"
After mentioning the eigh-hour day
act, the seaman's law, and the child
labor law, the letter adds:
1T is impossible to give the full
list, of remedial and protective legis-
alton hat carries it's beneficent IN
fluences into the homes of millions
OF American workers. We can only
efer to that change in the spirit of
the nation that is of more conse-
luence than statutory enactment, with
broader appreciation of the rights of
humanity and the ylue of the human
relationships necessary in the coor-
dination which is the basis for indus
try and commerce.
"On Nov. ELECTION day-a decis-
ion will be made which determine the
uture development of our country
md the spirit of our national life for
years to come.
AS representatives of the organic
ed labor movement, which is the mill
80
ant protective organization of all the
workers and which stands primarily
for human rights, we urge that he
tssues be considered at a regular or
special meeting held by your organ
~ization.
The meeting should be a general
one and. if necessary, called specially
Tor the purpose of seeing that those
who have so much at stake should
go to tn epolls to protect their in
t~erests.
While property must be protected
and respected, man-men. women and
children, human being-must have
The first consideration.
Wage earners cannot afford r.
lose their rights and opportunities
through negligence and inaction.
Meet, discuss the great issues TO
be decided on election day, Nov. Z.
and then go to the polls. cast your
vote as your conscience directs for
labor. justice, freedom and humanity"
- a 49,