Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-17
LABOR WILL.
Be FACTOR
IN POLITICS
OF COUNTRY

Overwhelming Vote De-
cides to Abandon Lifelong
bipartisan Attitude.
Organization Will Actively
Enter American Politics
Next Year-Pro- German
Plot Unearthed at Buffalo
Convention.
Buffalo, N. Y, Nov. 17.-By a vote
of 215 to II, the American Federation
Of Labor today determined to abandon
its lifelong non-partisan attitude and
actively enter American politics next
year.
This action took the form Of q reso-
hutton to change the federation's con-
stitution to provide for the annual con-
vention in June of each year, few
months prior to the elections. instead
of late IN November after the elections.
ENTIRE COMPLEXION CHANGED.
It is said by labor leaders to change
the entire complexion of the organized
labor movement in this country.
amounting virtually to the organiza-
ton Of a third party. in opposition to
both the old line Republican and
Democrat organizations.
This vote assures a strong labor
tinge to the congressional elections
next fall. The American Federation of
Labor convention here after 1t Is ex
pected will be looked upon as almost
rs much Of a presidential nomination
convention as either the Republican or
Democratic conventions.
Counselling this inpor OF the world to
hoe its own row and not NEEDLE in
either peace or war politics at this
time, President Andrew J. Furuseth of
the Seamen's International union, ap-
peared at the convention today to
sponsor that program.
Above all, he cautioned labor not to
hate.
OUTLINES HIS POSITION.
Although taking no active part in
the open convention as yet Furuseth
outlined his position to the United
Press.
Anent oAr+ain resolutions and the
report of allied conference delegate
John Golden advocating that American
labor be represented at all world labor
conferences, Furuseth said:
The labor of no nation had voice
In the starting of this war. It cannot
afford to concern itself In the politics
of the war and peace situation without
taking upon It's shoulders some of the
responsibilities for the war.
This applies to any faction in the
country, including Germany and to" all
the labor of, any nation or group of
nations not representing all the labor
Of all tho ntaions.
CAN SEE NO ADVANTAGE.
Il can see no advantage to labor's
participation in war and peace politics
at this time. There will come a time
when the accredited representatives of
all labor. including that OF the central
powers can get together.
There is nothing for labor to do
now but concern itself with it's duty
to its respective nations as nationals
Let It follow the flags of Its nations
while the war Is fought out by those
who started 1t.
above all. let labor refuse to hate.
Ours is not the bloodguilt for this war
Ours Ia not the animosity."
Meantime the convention itself got
down to action and adopted a number
OF the 1853 resolutions.
SHORTAGE OF LABOR.
President Gompers was authorized to
appoint a special committee to report
before adjournment on the alleged ma
tional labor shortage and upon condi-
tions under which women are being
absorbed in industry.
A resolution was adopted condemn
Ing Judge Hayden of Boston as hasting
"biased mind and a contracted view
Tor his alleged statement that 'if had
my way I would suspend every labor
law during the war. for the only peo-
pie in this country who are disloyal are
the laborers and If I could, l would
have every man who dares to strike
put up against the barbed wire from,
Tine"
PRo.cERMAN PLOT.
A plot to give organized labor's of.
fetal war program a pro-German twis
was uncovered today.
All that was available through Pres.
ident Gompers himself was repetition
Of the statement that German spiei
and Teutonic agents" honeycomb thi.
convention.
But from well informed members Il
was learned that this pro-German at
tack has taken definite form In eff.
forts to push through insidious reso.
buttons originating in all parts Of the
country. to shape local labor affairs to
their own ends.
The Unusual delay In getting dowr
to concrete business. It was learned, Ii
because of the exceptionally careful