Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-09-22
SOCIALISTS ASK LABOR
union About POLITICS

The Socialist party at It's meeting
last night sent the following letter
to the Central Labor Union IN reply
to the latter body's refusal 10 join
with the Socialists in certain munich
pal projects bedause the Socialists
are a political party:
$50 Market St, VIII. Del.
September p. 1917.
The Wilmington. Del, Central Labor
Union, Mr.. John c. Saylor, Secre-
tary Wilmington, Del.
Gentlemen--We have received your
fletter OF September IS, 1917. Il Ia
rather a general impression that the
Central Labor Union. and the entire
American Federation OF Labor OF
which It is the local organization. are
officially non partisan, as you state
regarding your body.
Is Il not also a fact however. that
the American Federation OF Labor. at
the Pittsburgh National Convention
some years ago, officially abandoned
! the position OF aloofneHs from pollti-
cal affairs and the former policy of
mo politics in the union? Is Il
not also q fact that the A. +. OF l..
! officials have aided In the political
/ campaigns where they considered It
] TO the interest OF the organization,
and that they would at any election
willingly entertain proposals from
any political party II they considered
I those proposals. 10 their advantage
No. only that but that they would ask
! political parties that certain things
be included IN their platforms. thu:
not only not rebuflng political parties
but themselves taking the initiative
IN opening up negotiations witt
them?
n. therefore, & at frs seemed I'm
proper that we or any other political
party or organization should com
municate with you (as a political
party or organization) will you not
please reconsider the matter and ex-
+ onerate us FROM any Intentional i'm
! propriety?
As a political party we have at
times had our sins of omission and
cnmn'ies' on.
Is this not true OF the other parties
and Of organized labor also? IL re-
dulres no very long memory 20 recall
the general lack OF esteem In which
labor unions were held not long ago.
They are yet in sections Of our country.
Is not this opposition and misunder-
standing the common lot Of forward
movcments2
In view OF all these matters OF the
past. may we not hope that you Will
adopt Just that attitude toward all po-
lltlcal parties lthe Socialist party in
cluded) which, after your own experi-
ences. YOU would consider the right
one and In conformity with the policy
Of the A. F. Of l..
All this. however, leaves somewhat
out OF sight, the matter OF municipal
ice plant and cold storage for the city
OF Wilmington, about which we wrote
you.
You know something about how Il
defeats or delays your progress n those
who should be united IN the efforts
YOU make are divided because or dli'
ference In language. religion or othel
matters, civil or political.
II we need a city Ice plant, or colo
storage or other municipal facilities
should we not use every reasonable en-
deavor TO combine and secure themI
Since political action. and a politica
marty seems 10 be required for the pur'
pose OF securing these thlngs until
other political parties also take then
nm and advocate them. may we mop
II VIII not seem amiss II we call u
The attention Of all interested in then
al any time that the Socialist party now
stands for them. Respectfully.
CENTRAL BRANCH, SOCIALIST PAhi1