The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1917-02-03

dlC dlncIldDlc 10 reason, some 10 sense
OF fair play, but one and all are moved
to action by sounds from homc"-those
notes of approval or disapproval which
come from their electoral districts
In 1906 the American Federation Of
participation in politics for the purpose
Of securing the election of those in ia
vor of the aims and purposes of the la
Dor movement and the defeat of those
who had demonstrated their hostility to
the cause Of Labor That policy has
been successfully followed and has re-
suited in a splendid record of legisa-
tive achievements.
During the past year there has been
issued a pamphlet entitled Legislative
Achievements of the A. +. of L.," which
shows the gradual increasing volume of
humanitarian legislation that has been
secured from each Congress from the
Ifty-ninth through the sixty-third
LABoR'S right TO REPRESENTATION.
Labor has right to representation
on all agencies that control or determine
public policies or matters of general
concern. This assertion of rights has
come with the startling challenge of
new demand. Democratic organization
OF society IS commonplace term that
has not the force of full reality in the
affairs of life and work
With this proof before us Of the in
cstimable value of systematic legisla-
tive supervision by national state and
central bodies Of labor over aw-crcat-
ing lcgislators-bc they senators, repre-
sentatves or city father-it is our plain
duty to improve our labor legislative
machinery so that its parts will stand
ardizc to the highest model of efficiency.
We must compare notes and exchange
experiences, and to this end the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor now calls upon
every secretary of every central labor
union and state federation of labor for
cooperation i'll the following program
of work:
We ask you to
|. Mail to the American Federation
OF Labor building in Washington, the
latest copy of your central labor union
or state federation constitution.
.. Send list Of labor laws enacted
by your city fathers or state legislators
through the efforts of your organiza-
ton.
,. Send list Of labor laws now most
needed in your locality
I. Suggest laws for passage through
Congress
). Give a short summary of your cx-
pcrienccs in eifecting the passage of
labor laws.
Il. Tell of the manner Of aid YOU have
received from your labor press in the
passage of labor laws
I Tell of the manner OF aid YOU have
received from Your daily local press in
the passage of labor laws.
y. State whether there is a daily pa
per in your city having labor depart
mcnt or a labor editor.
8. Give the names and political aililia-
tions of the daily press in your city most
friendly to labor.
10, Give name and address oi the sec
rctary OF your local legislative commit
| tee.
| The list Of questions submitted is sug-
gcStlvc and for your convenience. II
YOU can not give complete information,
whatever YOU have available will he
helpful and appreciated
In view of the present critical sitlia-
tion in which the organized labor move
ment finds itself, and the struggle which
conironts MS now to maintain voluntary
institutions, and to defeat the efforts to
enact legislation containing any com
pulsory features, IT is necessary that all
the workers take counsel together, how
to unite our forces in order to protect
our rights against invasion, and to es-
tablish ideals and conceptions OF free
dom.
In addition to the general thought
which is expressed in this circular let
ter wish you to be considering the use
of the general principle employed in our
political policy toward all the interests
OF labor There is no member of the
organized labor movement who has not
felt kccnly the need for greater pub
licity and for the development of agcn-
cicS by which the needs and views of
the workers can be presented definitely
to all citizens, as well as to fellow-work-
ors.
The economic power of the workers
is their fundamental power. That this
may be maintained and promoted is our
chief concern. Political power is always
a result of economic power.
In order to fight our battles in any
field we must first look to our economic
power and to the strength of our eco
nomic organizations.
| hope that | shall hear from you in
regard to this matter as soon as pos
II.