The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-02-14
WILL WAR ON
SrANDP Att ERS
American Federation Of Labor to
Enter Politics in Non-Par-
tisan Way.
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which arose since that convention it
became imperative that the repre-
sentatives Of organized labor and Of
farmers should assemble and confer
to devise ways and means for safe
guarding their rights and liberties as
free men and citizens. On Dec. 10,
1919, a conference of representatives
Of labor and Of farmers met in WASH
ington, D. C.
''Th1s conference expressed 'labor's
grievances, protests and demands
mo favorable legislative action
upon the recommendation s contained
in the American Federation Of Labor
reconstruction program, or those ex-'
pressed at the December conference,
has been taken by congress. Instead,
many congressman have endeavored
to enact legislation providing for i
compulsory labor. Despite the pa
triotism and sacrifice Of the masses
of labor Of America during the world
war, under the guise of anti-sedition
laws, the effort has been made to re-
press free association, free speech and
free press.
Scorned by Congress.
"Scorned by congress, ridiculed and
misrepresented by many members Of
both houses, the American labor
movement finds is necessary to vigor-
ously apply it's long and well-estab-
lished nonpartisan political policy.
"Confronted by succession of hos
tile congresses, the American Fedora
ton of Labor, in 1906, announced it's
historic bill of grievances This was
followed by a vigorous and successful
nonpartisan political campaign in
1908, 1910 and 1912, the same pro-
gram was energetically applied, and
as result many Of labors' enemies in
congress were defeated and all of the
essential legislation in 'labor's bill Of
grievances Of 1908 was enacted.
Constructive Legislation.
"Constructive legislation has never
has it been so essential to secure the
defeat of labor's enemies and the
election Of its friends and supporters.
"Sinister forces are already actively
! engaged in efforts to confuse and
nullify labor's political power. Their
object is to divide the labor vote, so
that the election of reactionaries and
| enemies Of labor will be assured. I'm
less labor holds steadily to it's non
partisan political policy, the enemies
of labor will be successful in their ef-
| forts. Labor cannot. labor must not
permit it's political strength to be d.
| vided In the present crisis. Organ
lied labor owes: allegiance to no poll
teal party It is not partisan to any
political party. It is partisan to prin-
ciple-the principles of freedom and
justice and of democracy. ~.
.Labor's Duty.
1T is. the duty of tr; de unionists,
their friends and sympathizers and
all lovers Of freedom, justice and de-
mocratic ideals and institutions to
unite in defeating those seeking pub
lie office who are indifferent or hos
tile to the peoples interest and the
rights Of labor.
whenever candidates for re-elec-
ton have been friendly, to labor in
terests, they should be Loyalty sup
ported. Wherever candidates are hos
tile DOR indifferent to labor's interests,
they should be defeated, at the nomi-
nation and election, 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 Dec. 13,
1919, the American Federation of La
apply every legitimate means and all
Of the power at its command to ac-
complish the defeat of labor's enemies
who aspire for public office, whether
they be candidates for president, for
congress, for state legislature or any
other office.
Plea for Support.
'"The American Federation of La
Dor calls upon all affiliated and re-
cognized national, international and
brotherhood organizations, state fed
erations of labor. central bodies, local
unions and labor's friends and sym
pathizers to unite and give loyal sup
port to the nonpartisan political cam
paign now set in motion.
This. political campaign must be-
gin in the primaries. The record Of
every aspirant for public office must
be thoroughly analysed. Labor's enc
mics and friends must be definitely
known. To this end the American
Federation of Labor has created the
national nonpartisan political CAM
paign committee, land it now calls up
on all affiliated and recognized labor
organizations to create districts and
local committees and cooperate with
the national committee and co-ordi-
nate its efforts.
"The future welfare, the very abil-
ity of the trade union movement to
carry on its work for humanity, de-
ponds upon the success Of the cam
paign herewith inaugurated.
There can be no hesitancy.
:. ''There must be no turning aside.
1.-THE time for vigorous and deter
mined action is here" =