The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-02-09

ganizers and the Labor Press.
Dear Sirs and Brothers:
The annual conventions of the Am
erican Federation of Labor are grow
ing in Importance. The work accom-
plshed by each succeeding convention
in formulating plans for the future
adds to our responsibilities, and de-
mands of us to increase our activities
as our opportunities are enlarged.
The Baltimore Convention exceeded
in Importance those which have pre-
ceeded it, and the officers of the A.
F. of L. have been directed to carry
out an extensive program.
In order that we may proceed IN
comprehensive and methodical man.
ner to carry out the judgment of the
convention, it is necessary that you
be informed of the action taken which
directly concerns the character OF
work we are expected to accomplish
and with which you have become fam
iliar by your experience of the past.
National and international unions
were requested to instruct their local
unions to join city central bodies and
state federations of labor. This action
is in accordance with section 2, Article
XII. of the constitution of the A. F.
of l.. 1t is unnecessary to urge the
Importance of building up strong local
movements. This can only be accom-
plished through the marshaling OF
Labor's forces into the state and city
central bodies.
Those organizations which have
thus far not contributed one hours
wages to the fund for the Danbury
Hatters as requested by the San Fran
cisco Convention are urged to do SO
Immediately.
The convention emphasized that all
state federations of labor and organ
lied labor everywhere should make the
Injunction question the paramount
issue in all of their future political
activities; that they continue such
activity until law has been placed
on the statute books of every state
in the union which will safeguard and
protect the rights and liberties of all
our citizens in so far as the illegal,
unconstitutional and unwarranted use
and abuse of the writ of injunction is
concerned in labor disputes. The
CITY central bodies are earnestly re-
ouested to cooperate fully with the
state federations of labor in this mat
ter. The Clayton Act, which declares
that the labor of human being is
not a commodity or article OF COM
merce, insofar as the federal statutes
are concerned corrects the illegal is
suance and abuse of the writ of in
junction in trade disputes. The con-
vention declared:
"We hold that the paramount issue
now confronting organized labor spec
ifically and unorganized labor in gen
eral. is the extension Of the provisions
of the Clayton Act until it becomes
a law operative in every state OF the
union"
State and city bodies were warned
to be on the alert to secure state leg
ilation to correct the evils now prevail
ent in the various penal institutions
whereby convict labor comes in COM
petition with free labor. 1t is urged
that the members of organized labor
communicate with their senators and
congressman asking them to support
the Booher-H Hughes bill now before
Congress.
The convention declared that the
people should directly control educa-
tional facilities through the popular
election of boards of education; for
system of free text books; for ade-
ouate pension provisions for public
school teachers; for teachers to have
a voice in the administration of the
school system; that schools must be
removed from politics by the merit
principle of civil service to the en-
ployment, advancement, and dismissal
of teachers; that teachers should re-
ceive financial recognition more nearly
commensurate with the Importance of
their service in the community; that
vocational education should be en-
couraged, and that the right of teach
ers to organize and affiliate with the
organized labor movement shall not
be questioned.
= The convention directed that efforts
be continued to organize school teach
ers throughout the country. 1t was
recommended that every local, nation
al and international union, central and
state federation of labor be requested
to do everything possible to secure
+ba poanhership of every school teach