The Washington herald., 1920-02-09
TO WAGE
WAR AT POLLS
BEAT FOES
Compers, Morrison and
O'Connell Issue State
ment Of Intentions.
OUTCOME OF MEETING
Leaders Declare They Have
Appealed to Congress
For Aid in Vain.

The American Federation Of Labor
has determined hence forth 10 night fts
battles in the political arena. This is
made plain In a statement issued yes
terday. setting forth plans OF the fed
Grafton for the coming political CAM
psign.
The federation has decided 20 wage
an active campaign iu every Congrcs-
sional district In an effort 20 cIc,t
Representatives known TO be frfcrdiy
to policies advocated i,y orssnlzod Ia
Dor and TO defeat Candidates anIa.o-
nistic TO the federation.
Samuel Gompers. frank Morrison
and James o'ConneII comprise the ca
ecutive committee selected last week
10 work out plSra for setting sucn
assistance as ihay be necessary IN
furthering organized Iabors campaign.
a large general campaign committee.
composed Of representatives OF all tn.
principal organizations represented
in the federation. has just been an
nounced.
Declaration Is Adopted.
The following is the declaration. in
part, as unanimously adopted by the
executive committee. after a three
days conference at headquarters here:
The inherent rights and prin-
ciples of our people are threatened.
The free institutions OF our
country are mensced.
The ideals of democracy are in
danger.
The Congress OF -. United
StGtes has failed TO ,a .'l e.t.. u
has failed to meet he sl.E zsrc,-
1t has given encou -s Es1-rt ara
support to autocratic 49, --E-.r---
airy policies. 1t F-1-.,as.f..
thought has been tn -srrs-l5r or
labor.
Every effort TO seruro ran.-a7si
.AAa constructive IeezFsusr -
bee1 stranEled. Ev-. s4--ar --r
redress mas met W. s..G- --.-
open hostility. The .-s. -. srr--
Eress have been ue1 Go.
enemies to foster .ra .---a~ -
vicious propaganda Ea'a-. r47 s--
forts Of the toilers {. * else az
normal and lawful activities -
the protection and promotion II
their interests and welfare. Labvr
has appealed for relief in vain.
The hour has arrived when those
who believe in the maintenance OF
democratic institutions must mar
shall their forces in defense Of their
rights and ideals
/ Attacks AntI-sedition III.
1T is intolerable that a people
who spared no cost to make the
world safe for democracy should
be forced TO submit to any restric-
tion OF the glorious liberties inher-
tied from the founders OF our na~
tion.
Conscious OF its responsibilities,
impressed by the grave problems
resulting from the great war, the
American Federation OF Labor al its
annual convention in June. 1919,
adopted reconstruction program.
''on December IS. 1919. a confer
ence Of representatives Of labor and
of farmers met in Washington.
d. c.
This conference expressed La
bor's Grievances. Protests and De-
mands."
/ No favorable legislative action
upon the recommendations contained
in the American Federation Of Labor
Reconstruction Program. or those eN-
pressed al the December conference.
has been taken by Congress. In
stead many Congressman have en-
deavored 10 enact legislation provid-
ing for compulsory labor. Despite the
/ patriotism and sacrifice of the masses
of labor Of America during the world
war, under the guisc Of auti-sedition
laws the effort has been made 10 re-
press free association. free speech
and free press.
''ScorIHd by Congress. ridiculod
and misrepresented by many mem-
her OF both Houses. the American
labor movement finds Il necessary TO
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.