Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-02-12

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Labor In 1906 announced its historic bill
Of grievances This was followed by a
vigorous and successful non partisan
roliticol campaign. In 1905, 1910 and 1912.
the same proyra y, was energetically APP
piled. AS result, many OF In boris enemies
In Congress were defeated and all Of the
essential legislation In nator's bill of
grievances Of 1905 was enacted.
LABOR's ENEMIES ACTIVE
Constructive Legislation has never
been so necessary as at present Never
has II been in essential TO secure the de-
feat Of labor's enemies and the election
Of its friends and supporters.
Sinister forces are already actively en-
gagged in efforts to confuse and nullify
labor's political power. Their object Is to
divide tho labor vote so that the election
Of rcact!onaries and enemies OF labor will
be assured. Unless labor holds steadfastly
TO its non-Dartisan political policy. the
enemies OF labor will be successful In
their effort. Labor cannot. labor must
not permit It's political strength to be
divided in the present crisis. Organized
labor owes allegiance to no political
party. II Is not partisan to any political
party II is partisan to principles-the
democracy.
TRADE UNlONlSTS' DUTIES
"Ii is the duty of trade unionists. their
friends and sympathizers. and all lovers
Of freedom, justice and democratic ideals
and Institutions TO unite in defeating
those seeking public office who indif-
ferent or hostile to the peoples interests
and the rights of labor.
have been friendly to labor's interests
they should be Loyalty supported. Wher-
ever candidates are hostile or indiffer-
ent to lsbor's interests they should be
defeated and the nomination and cleo
tlon OF true and tried trade unionists or
OF assured friends should be secured.
complying with the instructions OF the
last convention and the labor and farmer
conference of December 13. 1919, the Amer
lean Federation of Labor announces it's
determination 10 apply every legitimate
means and all of the power al its com
mand to accomplish the defeat Of labor &
enemies who aspire for public office.
whether they be candidates for presi-
dent, for Congress. for state legislatures
or any other Office.
CALL FOR SUPPORTERS
THE American Federation of Labor
calls upon all affiliated and recognized
national, international and brotherhood
organizations State federation Of labor.
central labor bodies, local unions and
labor's friends and sympathizers to unite
and give loyal support to the non-parti-
san political campaign now set in motion.
This political campaign must begin in
the primaries. The record OF every
aspirant for public office must be thor
boz IN, iSf toll m h Ia
language and given the widest possible
publicity. Labor's enemies and friends
must be definitely known. To this end
! the American Federation of Labor has
created the National Non-Partican Politi-
cal Campaign Committee and 1t now calls
upon all AFFILIATED and recognized labor
organizations to create district and loca
! committees and to cooperate with the
national committee and coordinate Its
efforts.
THE future welfare, the very ability
of the trade union movement to carry on
It's work for humanity depends upon the
success of the campaign herewith in
eugurated
| There can be no hesitancy.
| There must be no turning aside
THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
/
| action is here"
The general committee in charge OF the
| campaign consists OF the executive com.
mittee, the eight vice-presidents OF the
| federation, James Duncan of Quincy
Mass, Joseph F. Valentine of Cincin.
natl, Frank Duffy OF Indianapolis, Will
| liam Green OF Coshocton, Ohio, W. D
| Mahon of Detroit, T. a. Rickert OF
Chicago, Jacob Fischer Of Indianapolis
Matthew VOL of Chicago; Daniel J. Tobn
of indianapolis, treasurer of the fedora
ton; John Donlin of Chicago president
and William j. Spencer of Washington
secretary of the Building Trades depart
ment; A. J. Berries of Washington. secre
tary OF the Metal Trades department
John w Hays of indianapolis, president
and John j. Manning of Washington, sec
rotary OF the Union Label Trades depart
ment; James Lord of Washington. presi
dent Of the Mining department: Bert NJ
Jewell Of Washington. acting president
and John Scott Of Washington. secretar,
of the Railroad Employees department
John p. Frey of Norwood Ohio. editor
! international Molders' Journal: Mrs
Sara A. Conboy of New York secretar,
of the United Textls Workers; Miss Ann.
| Fitzgerald of Chicago. president OF tn,
| Women's International Union I.abe
League; Miss Melinda Scott of New York
| United Felt, Panama and Straw Ha
Trimmers and Operators, ana Miss Anns
| Neary of Baltimore, International Broth
erhood of Bookbinders