The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-06-25
DO NOT FORGET THAT
LABOR is THINKING
Contributed

Politicians who have been deluding
themselves with the notion that labor
cannot be induced to seriously con-
slider politics are learning their
error. They discover, much to their
chagrin, that the workers of this ma
ton were never more thoroughly
aroused to the need of effective and
intelligent political action, and
enough reactlonaries have already
fallen by the wayside to put the
fear Of impending punishment into
the hearts of others who have been
recreant to their trust.
The ringing declaration of the
American Federation of Labor that
political action is the salvation of
the workers finds responsive APP
proyal in the hearts of millions Of
toilers. 1t is frankly admitted by
shreWd politicians that never before
have party labels meant so little, has
party discipline been so loose. Hun
dreds of thousands of workers today
are pledged not to vote for candi-
dates whose records and pledges are
not in harmony with labor's construc-
tive program.
1t would, perhaps, be too much to
hope or expect that all workers have
been impressed with the Importance
Of making wise use of the ballot
Many Of them will continue to vote
for men and measures which mean
absolutely nothing, so far as they
are concerned. But there is a vast
and growing army of enlightened
tOllerS who realize the hopelessness
of attempting to convert politicians
after they become office-holders, and
intend this year to know before
hand how men will act when they
have taken up the reins of power.
They propose that men shall be
tested before they are tried.
Strong as is the reactionary ele-
ment, it dare not openly defy labor.
Rather it will attempt to mislead it
I by specious promises that will be
made without the slightest inten-
| ton that they shall ever be redeemed
Party platforms will contain some
high sounding phrases that may
mean anything or nothing. But the
workers will require something more
specific than generalities. They will
insist that every candidate for con-
gress shall define his attitude to-
ward questions of great moment be-
fore they will vote for him.
Labor may not be all-powerful, but
it at least controls the balance of
power. In hundreds of congressional
districts it can, if it disregards
meaningless party labels, determine
what kind Of representation those
districts shall have in the next con-
gress. And unless all signs are
wrong, some Of the gentlemen who
imagine that they can indefinitely
fool the electorate will realize that
for once they have been mistaken
1t is estimated that several scores
of reactionary members Of congress
have been defeated in primaries or
have pulled through by such I'M
stable pluralities that their fate is as
good as sealed when they are sub
jected to the winnowing process of
the general election. Congressman
and senators who before have been
nominated and elected with scarcely
any opposition have been compelled
to put forth every effort to save
themselves. Labor is feeling its
strength, and it has come to the con-
clusion that it is time to exert il
intelligently and to its own bene-
fit. And this is why many congress-
men rushed away from Washington
with a heavy feeling about then
hearts.
And while you are jogging your
memory don't forget that both OF
our senators and our five represen-
tatives voted to return the railroads
to private ownership.