The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1917-19??, 1918-05-25
LOCAL LABOR FOR SHIELDS
Satisfied With the Record Of the SEM
Tor Senator

Union labor in Chattanooga is re-
ported to be lining up solidly for SEN
ator Shields. Within the past few day
there have been conferences of the
leaders for the purpose of studying
his record from the standpoint of la
Dor, and it is reported that he has
been found entirely acceptable. In
his action and vote in the senate. is
found the only record of his senti-
to labor. In the senale his chief
record was in his championlng of The
Clayton antitrust bill, of which he was
joint author, and utteranccs and re-
cord of his vote are in the hands of
the laboring people. One of the lead
ing Spokesman of labor here ives say
ing that there could be no important
issue raised as between Shields and
Gates from the standpoint of union
labor, the latter having no record
whatever on the subject and the for
mer being regarded as a conservative
man friendly to the wage-earner.
Bearing directly upon the question
letter from Senator Shields to c. L.
Lindsey, heard Of the local carpenters
union and leader of labor here, was
released yesterday. 1t followed
Washington, D. c., May Z, 1918.
c. L. Lindsay, Esq. United Brother
hood of Carpenters and Joiners oil
America, Chattanooga, Tenn.
my Dear Mr.. Lindsay---I greatly
appreciate your kind letter received
some time since concerning my can
didacy to succeed myself in the Uni
ted States senate in the democratic
primary of August next, and assure
you / am grateful to you for your
friendship and support.
II am glad you approved my atti-
tude towards organized labor for it
has always been my sincere effort to
be fair and just between all interests,
both while was judge of our highest
courts in Tennessee and since have
been member of the United States
senate. / have always believed that
labor had right to organize to bet
ter conditions and increase wages and
that in no other way could it compete
with powerful aggregations of capital.
With these views, as member of the
judiciary committee, assisted in
framing what is known as the Clay
ton antitrust bill which secured the
rights of peaceful strikes to labor,
injunctions without notice
and provided jury trials in cases of
contempt for violations of injunctions
which provisions are the first legisla-
tive recognition of organized labor in
these particulars. l also advocated
this bill upon the floor of the senate
and voted for it upon its passage.
shall always, while in public life, rec
1gnize the rights and interests OF all
,ld6SCo VI Jul pCOPlS anu |
strive to treat them fairly and impair
tally and do justice to them.
/ have heard some charges that
While l was judge and here in the
enate, that / entertained views con-
rary to what is above expressed and
wish, il they come to your attention
o challenge them and demand speci-
ications in details, SO that / can give
on the facts.
There is a remarkable thing about
he charges against me and my public
ecord, in that my opponents deal in
eneralities and never specify partic-
lar acts so that they can be denied
r explained, which is q very unfair
ray of treating anyone.
/ hope / may hear from you occa-
lonally concerning my candidacy and
assure you / shall always be CRATE
II for your friendship.
With kindest regards, l am,
Very truIy yours