The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-22
HAS POLITICAL
BLACKLIST READY
To Take Scalp of Every
Candidate Who Fails to
Respond to Demands.
GOVERNMENT
OWNERSHIP
Urge Extension of Cred
its, andDenounces Anti
Strike Legislation as
Undemocratic.

Washington, March 81 THE political
platform of the 100000 members Of
associated trade unions was made pub
lie today in an advance editorial in the
American Fcderationist. labors official
organ by Samuel Gompers.
The editorial. entitled
La hors Political Banner Unfurled~
~ generally considered to be Of
hciaF analysis of labors platform In
the coming presidential campaign.
A united effort on the part OF unipn
labor is called for by MIR. Gompersst ~
defeat all candidates who are indiffer-
ent or hostile to the peoples interests
and the SEPARATIONS of labor"
a political blacklist" already has
been compiled by the American Fede-
ration of Labor. containing the names
of all probable candidates for oYics
who have shown themselves to be
inlmical to the demands of labor
This list, ii Is understood. is to he
augmented as the campaign approaches
to include all candidates whom labor
wishes defeated.
In enumerating the campaign prir-
ciples for organized labor, Mr. Comp
ers states that mot one measure Of
really constructive character" has been
placed upon the statute books since
the arnnistice and that labor must take
action in the campaign to bring about
the selection OF candidates who viii
change this situation.
AFTER IL. C. L.
One OF the first evils to be attacked
Mr.. Gompers points out, is the high
cost of living.
No factor contributes more to in
dustrial unrest and instability than
excessive costs of necessaries of life
the editorial states,
ut is demonstrated truth that the
cost of living has advanced more rap
idly than have wages. We urge the
dehation of currency; prevention OF
boarding and unfair price fixing; estAb-
lfshment of cooperative movements
operated under the Rochdaie system;
makig accessible all icome tax returs
and divided declarations"
The publicity OF profits OF all coroo-
rations and their federal supervisors
and control by government examiners
| is a constructive measure which should
| h v e congressional attention, Mr..
Gompers states.
The establishment of a new system
| of government credits, whereby labor
might borrow money at low rates Of
interest to build their own homes, tho
editorial points out would free own
ership of homes from tho grasp 10
exploitative and speculative intereb1&,
will make far more efficient workers..
more contented families and better
citizens.
/ Credit should also be extended to
voluntary non-profit making housing
and joint tenancy associations StAtes
and municipalities should be freed
from restrictions preventing their un-
dertaking proper housing projects"
GRADUATED TAX.
A graduated tax upon all usable
land which Is not actually cultivated
is recommended to prevent the private
ownership of large unproductive es-
fates. AS to the general principles OF
/ taxation Mr. Gompers says:
There should be provided a pro-
gressive increase in taxes upon In
comes, inheritances and land values
of such nature as to render Il un-
/ profitable to hold land without put-
I ing it to use, to afford a transition 10
! greater economic equality and to sup
ply means to liauidating indebtedness
| growing out OF the war"
/ In the interests OF public and Demo-
cratic education the right of teachers
to organize must be recognized, Mr..
Gompers states.
Government ownership and opera-
ton Of all public and semi public utili~
ties including wharves. docks and
shipping should be placed in erect
for the interests of the general publtE.
The development of the merchant
marine under government contrOl
should be continued as a vital need.
Mr.. Gompers asserts, and seaman
given the same rights and priviiex&a
exercised by workers in all other 80:
Payments. Full development OF the
nations enormous water power u ad~
vocated and its operation under roy
eminent control to- prevent private
! exploitation.
tNT1-STRIkE LEGISLATION.
I Anti-strike legislation, in whateWne
| form. is denounced In the campaign
editorial AZ undenaocratae End S6st1fEns
/ of the rights OF workers.
| Mr.. Gompers will use the an91p
strike issue as the keynote OF q casS
paign against labor's enemies, Wh01
he will speak in Trenton. n j., ESs
morrow in answer to Governor Att
of Kansas who has been lecturin9Sfk
New Jersey in favor OF the new xS4r
saa anti strike, and caTn 1nls0rE .aSa1R
tration law
Central bodies Of Organised IAAor
i throughout the country are to n1oots
shortly for the purpose of Appoim114s
! committees to carry on the work r.
what probably will prove IAbor's l
active political campaign. " ton MI
able organization n being nu1l u
here ~ directing pucl1ua 1o1 IA
icAmpai9n N 4a6eMk On nnm1 \ NV