The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-12-03
Seattle, Wash,

Nov. 22nd, 1920.
Mr.. George w. Louttit, First Nation
al Bank Building, Everett, Wash.
Dear Sir: Received your letter
this morning and, in view of your
close connections with the Nonpar-
tisan League, | am not at all sur
prised at it's contents, inasmuch as
have found it to be consistent
policy of those who dominate the
affairs of that organization, to want
all those who might have the au-
dacity to question their right to
dominate, to step aside and give
them a clear field. Your impudent
/ invitation to me to resign, IS quite
consistent and fully in line with that
policy.
However, let me assure you that
the Labor Movement is quite capa-
bic of taking care Of its own bust
ness, and, whenever in its judgment
its interests are not being properly
conserved by those whom it has
chosen to represent it, any change
that it deems necessary will be i'm
mediately brought about. But in
doing this, it rarely seeks the ad-
vice of outsiders.
Your statement in your letter to
me that: "You and all the men
upon whom you vent criticism and
whose motives you distrust are
strangers to me-" seems to be based
on a misconception of my knowledge
of the intimate relationship that eX-
lists between you and the gentlemen
referred to in my letter.
The opening sentence of the con-
GLIDING paragraph of your letter,
wherein you state: 81 am not ques-
tioning your motives or honesty or
sincerity" is quite amusing when
compared to some Of the other por-
lions of your letter, such as: "You
have thrown down the gauntlet and
have challenged a fight because men
you wanted nominated were not
nominated;" and again: "And when
ever a leader gets so his ambition
is bigger than the movement, his
usefulness is at an end, in fact
his work will prove a curse to the
movement"
This, together with your invita-
ton to me to resign, is a conglomer-
alton of statements that doesn't
seem TO quite nafmOnlZe.
Let me assure you that, person
ally, | had no nominations that |
desired to make to the Primary Day
Convention. But had the Labor
Movement been given the proper
opportunity it would gladly have ex-
ercised it. Let me assure you also
that my ambition is not bigger than
the Movement, but is just as big as
the Movement, and for the Move
ment, for a square deal and fair
treatment for it, and for the same
thing for those associated with it,
and if the time comes when my
interest in our Movement will lag
to the point where | will not be
willing to fight to obtain a square
deal and fair treatment for it.,
then l will gladly resign. The Labor
Movement rarely reposes confidence
in anyone who is unwilling to de-
fend them against injustice, and
me, they would not continue to hon
or me with the position l hold.
l recognize as clearly the neces-
sity for-and desire as keenly as
anyone in our State-co-operation
and harmony between the farmer
and forces in their struggle against
the common enemy. But l also rec
ognize that such cooperation and
harmony will never be established on
any other basis than one of open
and square dealing and justice to all
concerned; and had your letter been
directed at those responsible for the
injustice and the resultant distrust,
rather than at those who strike
back in self defense, and whose only
motive is to remove the cause of
distrust, and thereby bring about an
enduring cooperation and harmony
based on square dealing, you would
have made a much more valuable
contribution to the common cause of
the workers and farmers of our
State.
Very truly yours,
w. M. SHORT.
President, Washington State Fedora
ton of Labor.