Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1918-05-30
LOCAL LABOR FOR SHIELDS
c, L. Lindsay Releases Letter Stating Pos


G. L. Lindsay Releases Letter Stating Position
Union Labor in Chattanooga is reported to be
lining up solidly for Senator Shields Within the
past few days there have been conferences of the
leaders for the purpose of studying his record
from the standpoint OF labor, and it is reported
at he has been found entirely accapo.4.g.e.
his action and vote in the senate is found the only
record for his sentiments touching questions Of
interest to labor. In the senate his chief record
was in his championing of the Clayton antitrust
bill, of which he was a joint author and utteran-
ces and record of his vote are in the hands of the
laboring people. One Of the leading spokesman
of labor here was saying yesterday that there
the subject and the former being regarded as a
conservative man friendly to the wage-earner.
Bearing directly upon the question, letter
from Senator Shields to g. L. Lindsay head of the
local carpenters union and leader of labor here,
was released yesterday It follows:
Washington, D. G., May Z, 1918
&c. L. Lindsay, Esq, United Brotherhood of Car
penters and Joiners of America, Chattanooga,
Tenn.
/. MY Dear MI, Lindsay greatly appreciate
lyour kind letter received sometime since concern
ing my candidacy to succeed myself in the United
States senate in the democratic primary of Au-
gust next, and assure you am grateful to you for
your friendship and support.
could be no important issue raised as between
labor, the latter having no record whatever on
Shields and Gates from the standpoint OF union
am glad you approved my attitude towards
organized labor for it has always been my sincere
emort to be fair and just between all interests,
| IN while was judge of our highest courts in
| Tennessee and since have been member OF the
nited States senate have always believed
that labor had right to organize to better con-
ditions and increase wages and that in no other
way could 1t compete with powerful aggregatlonS
of capital with these views, as member of the
Judiciary committee, | assisted in framing what
is known as the Clayton antitrust bill which Sc
cured the rights OF peaceful strikes to labor, for
bidding injunstions without notice and provided
jury trials in cases of contempt for violations of
mJunctions which provisions are the first legisa-,
tive recognition OF organized labor in these part
culars. | also advocated this bill upon the floor
OF the senate and voted for it upon it's passage. [
shall always, while in public life, recognize the
rights and interests of all classes of our people
and earnestly strive to treat them fairly and inn
partially and do justice to them
i have heard some charges that while | was
Judge and here in the senate, that entertained
views contrary to what is above expressed and
WISH if they come to your attention, to challenge
them and demand specifications in Details so that
| can give you the facts.
There is remarkable thing about the charges
Iagalnst me and my public record, in that my OPP
Iponents deal in generalites and never specify par
tcular acts so that they can be denied or explain
$ ed, which is very unfair way Of treating anyone
> hope may hear from you occasionally con
corning my candidacy and assure you shall al
ways be grateful for your friendship
With kindest regards am,
Very truly yours
JOHN K SHIELDS