The Washington herald., 1919-07-01

the Socialists never will vote for a
trade unionist-s
The campaign to defeat enemies of
labor and elect its friends after the
gress in 1S0S is given in detail. When
the Federation went into both par
ties to carry out that policy the poll
ticians became alarmed. They sought
to make labor impotent in politics by
surreptitiously encouraging inde-
pendent labor parties. This failed,
as all union men look with suspicion
on such movements. But the A. +.
l.. policy declared in 1906 bore fruit,
as every grievance except one then
presented and many others have been
remedied by Congress.
Labor secured trial by jury in con-
tempt cases and new Magma
Charta, a declaration in law that
labor is not a commodity or article
Of commerce" No other country on
| earth has such a principle in its
statutes.
influence Grew Rapidly.
tory Of the Federation are said to
have added to its influence and power.
Its economic progress broadened with
s'O AhSi Soo"b bibdtiohs W lI5
idly growing membership. A few of
the principles fought for and the
campaigns launched are given in a
round robin. as it is said TO be difi-
cult to tell which proved the most
influential in building the American
labor movement Among them are:
The eight-hour day agitation. re-
fusing to launch a labor party, es-
tablishing the American Federationist
and Weekly News Letter. placing
paid organizers in the field. estab-
fishing Labor Day, high dues, anti
child labor campaign. attitude OF ia
Dor in peace and in war. organiza-
ton Of the American Alliance for
Labor and Democracy. opposition to
compulsory arbitration, pan-Amer-
lean labor movement. introduction OF
the union label and crusade against
the white plague.
Seventy thousand words are given
to labor's history in peace and in
war. The book claims that no
body OF men and women were more
loyal. 1t points to this declaration
made before war was declared to
prove that If any obstacles were
placed in the way to victory they
were not the work of labor:
Labor's War Declaration.
But despite all our endeavors
and hopes, should our country be
drawn into the maelstrom of the
European conflict, we, with these
ideals of liberty and justice herein
declared as the indispensable basis
for national policies, OFFER our ser
vices to our country in every field
of activity to defend. safeguard and
preserve the republic of the United
States of America against its enc
mics whosoever they may be. and
we call upon our fellow workers
and fellow citizens, in the holy
name of Labor. Justice. Freedom.
and Humanity to devotedly and pa
triotically give like service"
That the pledge was kept is
proved by the declarations of Pres
ident Wilson and other officers of
the government that organized Ia
bor's solidarity made victory GER
tain.
Students will find the work the
most complete history of the labor
movement ever conceived. 1t shows
how the trade unions have grown
like a language. each day adding
something permanent to the well
fare of the working people. The
book will be a handy reference, for
no question can arise affecting Ia
Dor that at some time has not been
considered and acted on by the
American Federation of Labor. II
is a reflex of the Federation, and
will give to those who misunder-
stand the trade union movement
and it's aims the knowledge neces-
sary to interpret its principles.