The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-02-09
LABOR UNIONISTS
enter POLITICS
Smash Foes at Polls, is Plea
Of GOmperS.
ISSUES CALL FOR ACTION
Calls to Unions to Stand Together in
Fisht-Deolares coSaress Failed to
Do Its Duty.

Do Its Duty.
Washington, Feb. 9-Samuel Com
pers announced labar's entry inte poll
tics.
He has sent a statement to the 49,
600 locals whose membership is
claimed % embrace 100000 trade
unionists, affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor, declaring that
at is the duIy of trade UnlUnists,
heir friends and sympathizers, and
all lovers of freedom, Justice and de-
mocratic institutions, TO unite in de-
feating those seeking public office who
are Indifferent or hostile to the peo-
pies interests and the aspirations of
labor"
Mr.. Gompers directs that the forces
of labor be used in the primaries 20
defeat members of congress who have
been unfriendly to labor or apathetie
toward the constructive program of
labor Endorsed by the Atlantic City
convention of the American Fedora
ton of Labor last June.
The statement is a ringing indict-
ment of congress, and inferentially at
lacks the administration through At
t0rney General Palmer, whose activi-
ties it condemns.
"The congress-" says the statement,
has failed to do its duty. 1t has fail
ed to meet the emergency 1t has
70
autocratic and reactienary policies. Its
dominating thought has been repres'
sion of labor"
Mr.. Gompers does not urge the for
nation Of a new party. In fact, 1t Is
well known that he is opposed to The
labor party, which has been formed
by the radical group headed by JOIN
| Fitzpatrick, inside the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. His plan is fer la
Dor and its sympathizers to unite il
| congressional districts where indus
| trialism predominates, to nominate
and elect, either Republicans or Demi
! Gratis, as the case may be, who arr
either from the ranks of labor o
| avowed friends of the unions.
Moreover, he asserts that labor's de
mands will be presented to both tn
Republican and Democratic nationa
| conventions, and indicates that it
support will be given 70 the presiden
tial candidate of that party who's
platform more nearly conforms to Ia
| boris ideals.
Not the least interesting feature o
| the Gompers statement is the fac
that it was induced by the forthcom
| ing meeting in Chicago this week o
the all-American cooperative confer
ence of farmers and labor, at whic
| it is understood that some 1000 dele
ates will be present.
At that conference, a definite pre-
posal is expected to be made for tn
formation of an Independent party an
| the nomination of an Independent pres
fdential candidate in the event +ha
both the Republican and Democrat
conventions should prove reactiOnar
in their choice of candidates and i
| their platforms.
At this same conference, plans w
be discussed for farmers and labor t
combine iN the primaries 70 nominal
candidates for congress who wi
pledge themselves to a liberal plat
form on the great issues of the da!
This play for gaining control of col
gress was suggested last week. i
Labor, the organ of thePlumb League
and it is claimed by officials of +ha
organ that already $4,000 letters il
dOrsing it have been received.
The politicians of the old partie
have only Just begun to discover tn
power which this propaganda organ c
the Plumb League has gained. Star
ing last October with less than 5000
circulation, it has already reached
circulation of more than 100000 an
is rowing at the rate of 1900 da.
So much has been accomplished will
out any circulation department at al
Nevada Ratifies Suffrage.
Reno, New. Feb. 9.-The Nevad
legislature, in special session, rattle
the federal suffrage amendment. Tn
vote was unanimous in the senate, an
<ut one vote was cast in opposition i
the assembly.