The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-05-30
home safe he would be protecting
his own at the same time.

Any encroachment upon that
which has proved its worth and sta
bility should be met with the same
kind Of resistance that you would
use against an attack upon any
thing in which YOU have a sole in
terest. and the trade unionist
should guard the institutions that
bring him prosperity and happiness
the same as he would his home.
There are invaders abroad at this
time who seek the destruction of
the State labor movement, and this
article is written as warning to
all those who desire to see preserv-
ed the organization that has been
responsible for betterments untold
for the men and women of toll in
the state of Washington.
You are aware, all you who are
reading and thinking, Of the dan
ger which confronts the construct
i've policy of the Federation-that
men and groups of men are deter
mined to control the Federation
that they may substitute an IRA
tional and destructive policy for
the present one Of constructivism
and progress.
These fitful, fretful radicals
who would have us tread the road
that leads we know not where, .
and who are Worship ers at the
Shrine of something else" are at
tempting in their customary man
ner to pervert the minds of the I'M
thinking convention delegate and
so gather to themselves strength
sufficient to defeat the present adj
ministration of the Federation that
control of the affairs of the organ
ization may be given over to them.
These self-styled "intellectuals'
have had considerable to say late
ly about the Federation and its Of
ficials. They have attempted to
have organizations and councils APP
point committees to meet in adj
vance of the convention so that a
new policy may be formed. But in
this move they are meeting with
little success and their plans for
wrecking the labor movement are
not making notable or satisfactory
progress. Yet they are still on the
job and will be active until the fl
nal session of the Bellingham con-
vention.
Their main plea is that our Fed
Grafton is too reactionary; that it's
officials are behind the times -
The plan they have in mind they
term progressive, but to the initial
ed it is solely descriptive. The for
tunate thing is that the world is
marching toward constructive bet
terment for all mankind, not to-
ward destruction to suit the wishes
of a few.
Destructive tactics have had their
day. Labor is living in a new day
and a new age, and to permit the
obliteration of established institu-
tions, such as our State Federation,
with its record of achievement,
would be little short of industrial
suicide
Therefore, men and women of
the Washington State Federation of
Labor, weigh carefully before you
act Consider all things in connec-
ton with a change of officials or
of policy, in your state organiza-
ton. If change will benefit our
movement if our officials are inef-
ficient or neglectful of your best
interests, well and good; a change
is desirable But if a change is to
be made because a group of IRA
tionalists desire control, or is de-
sired to satisfy the personal likes
or dislikes of a few individuals.
such a move would. be most unde-
sirable.
Can anybody dispute honestly
the ability and integrity of Presi-
dent VIM. Short? Can you find
within the confines Of the state a
more earnest, conscientious or cap
able young trade unionist than
your President? He has made
record Of which any man might
well be proud since he has had the
honor Of becoming the head of the
state labor movement His work at
the last Legislature stands out as
the best that has been performed
since the Federation adopted the
policy of keeping a legislative
agent at Olympia during the ses-
sions of the law-making body.
BY his earnestness and consider