The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-02-09
LABOR ENTERS The
POLITICAL ARENA
WITH BROADSIDE

WASHINGTON. Feb. St y the As
sociatcd Press --Organrzcu Labor, S,Oo".-
600 strong has thrown It's hat into tho
political ring.
vigorously denounCing congress. whl'h
II was said has failed to do IT, duty
the American Federation IF Labor TO-DAY
announced the appointment OF natl"h-
al nuu-partisan political campaign COM
mitt"c which will mobiliZ" trade unioh-
lists and "uil lovers OF freedom IN an
effort TO defeat candidates Indifferent Q"
hostile to labor and to elect true ana
tried" friends OF the trade UNION move
mCnt.
Not waiting for the general election
in November. tho campaign Will b" starr =
ed Immediately and pursued without re-
taxation through the primaries, IN whl'h
II is stated all aspirants for oftC" Will
have. their records "aualyIcd. stated III
unmistukahlc Mnguag" ana given Inc
widest possible publiCity.' This pro-
gram applies to all candidates. fro"'
presidential. nominees down.
Samuel Gompcrs. president OF tn" f"l-
Grafton. Frank Morrison. secretary. ana
james O't'unncll. president Of the t"h"t e
nlionS metal trades depart m"nl. wer" an
pninicl as an executive committee. "m-
powered To obtain such assistant as n"'-
ssary. Four women are included IN the
national committee.
\ national crisis. threatening IN" fr"H
institutions Of the country. by NC 70
dictionary attitude Of congress /. Was
said impelled organized labor Ia apply
this wear the partisan policy form
mated in 1906 and used in several sub
scuuent campaigns.
Announcement Of the decision was
nudc in an official circular emhodyinE
,h. conclusions Of the fcderation'S Ecn-
eral committee which has beer IN Sos
sion here several days. This circular
will he distributed TO trade uni0niS'S IN
every state through tho local unions. nv
which il VIII be callcd.a ais" 10 the atirn-
ton Of friends or organized labor
The inherent rights and PRINCIPALS az
our people arc threatened the circular
begins. Fro" institutions Of our coun-
try nrc mcnaccd The ideals or DEM
ucracy are in danger"
The congress OF the United States
has failed TO do it's duty. II has ialI""
to meet the emergency. II has gwen
announcement and support 10 auiocratic
and rcactionary policies. lts dominating
thought has been the repression of labor.
"Evcrv effort 10 SeCur" remedial ana
constructive Legislation has b""h
>,ranglcd. Every appeal for redress has
met with subtle and open hostility Tn"
halls Of congress have been used by Ia
hor's enemies to foster and spread
viciou. propaganda against IN" efforts
Of the tnilerS TO exercise their Koruna
and lawful activities for the rr"i""ii"h
and promotion Of their interests anu
welfare. Labor has appealed f." r"Ii"i
in vain.
The hour has arrived Whom lh"S" VIII
believe In III" maintenance of h"m""rn'i@
institutions must mashnl their forces IN
defense Of their rights md Id ais
1T IL intulcrahl" that dp""pl. who
spared no cost to max" til" Wort" safe
for democracy should l." forced u sub
nit To any restriction Of the glorious
liberties inherited from TIA" founders ~
our nation The perp"tuati"n Of our
Fundamental rights and ia" ."ua"im"H'
ur essential conStruCiiN" Legislation de-
mand The. election Of mon, regardless Of
their political affiliations, who ar"
truly representative OF American ideals
Of liberty"