The Connecticut labor press., 1920-07-17
LABOR HAS CLEAR
POLITICAL issue
NOW BEFORE IT
Party Platforms Leave No Room
for Doubt as to Where
They Stand.
TAKE Your CHOICE
Labor Merely Seeks a Square
Deal and Protection From
Special Privilege.

Labor's appeal to the two great ma
tional parties were unequivocal, and
the replies thereto are equally clear
Labor asked for the bread of equal
opportunity to work out untrammelled
its logical destiny, and whether it has
received the stone of contemptuous
and defiant rejection will be indicated
by a study of the party platforms
which will be the basis of appeals for
the support of the electorate.
Organized labor seeks recognition
of the right to organize and bargain
collectively. But in common with all
producers, it, demands much more than
the party which expects to command
its support shall deserve it by offer
ing reasonable assurance that due re-
gard will be given to the struggling
masses who are groaning under
crushing load of exploitation.
Labor expects the party which So
licits its sympathetic and practical con-
sideration to have workable plan for
the reduction of the high cost of living,
the curbing of profteers, restoration
of the right of speech and assemblage,
the re-establishment of peace at home
as well as abroad, and wise, construc-
tive treatment of cricical industrial,
social and economic problems.
Labor really seeks but little, but
more than privilege is willing to grant.
Privilege would, if unchecked, revert
to a state of feudalism, in which the
workers would be regarded as subjects
for merchandise exploitation, and
where the millions would be completely
under the domination and at the mercy
of the oppressors. What labor asks
and must have involves no selfish con-
t.
ing in its own behalf Labor voices the
thought and the wishes of the great
body of the public, of which it consti-
tutes SO large part. 1t wants every
thing that is guaranteed by the con-
sstitution and the bill of rights it wants
strict application of the Jefersonian
principle of equal opportunities to all,
special privileges to none"
Labor's reaction to the Republican
platform was as quick as it is impress
sive. Samuel Gompers, speaking for
more than 100000 organized workers,
has declared that the Chicago conven-
ton has turned, its back on labor" Of
the IA .planks that were present as the
sum of the workers aims and aspira-
tons but one was given any considera-
ton
Republican congressionag and state
leaders and the party platforms for
putting them in \position where they
are unable to defend themselves with
out being charged with disloya1ty.
The producers are organizing an eff
fective non-partisan campaign to inn
press their views upon the national
election, and in many districts con-
gressmen who are seeking reelection
find that they are going to have the
hardest kind of uphill-hauling to gain
the ear of their constituents. If they
repudiate teh party pronouncement,
they will get in disfavor with the ma
tional leaders, and if they accept it as
written they will be in disfavor with
the voters.
Quick to take advantage of the situa-
ton, the workers and the farmers have
undertaken to force out in the open all
candidates who are striving TO capture
the so-called labor vote They will be
faced with their records, where they are
available, and those who heretofore
on performance will be requested to step
forward and state plainly, without any
frills or furbelows, just where they
stand on questions that are of primary
concern to the toilers.
The most encouraging phase of the
political situation is the eagerness and
t1nanimity with which the workers have
accepted the challenge of reactionary
platform declarations. The old shibbo-
1eth of party fea1ty has lost its punch,
and this year, as never before, voters
will vote their convictions and forget
their Democrat or Republican or
what-not, but it is supreme1y important
whether he is reactionary or for
i H. Al If l-C.
views on pertinent political issues and a
fair conception of the task that is to be
confronted by the nation and a right
solution evolved before we can expect
to have peace and tranquility and due
recognition of the rights of those who
produce as well as those who consume.