New-York tribune., 1920-02-09
Labor Fig hts
For Control
OF Congress
Federation Is.
sues Statement Outlin.
ing Plans for a Nation
Wide C a m pai gn

l. = :"
From The Tribune's Wnshinoto,1 Burenm
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.-Scorinr Con-
gress for It's failure to enact the legis-
lation organized labor has demanded.
the American Federation of Labor to-
night issued statement announcing
its Intention to wage a non-partisan
campaign for the election of a Con-
gress next fall that will represent
union labor.
ut 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 are Indifferent or hostile to
the peoples interests and the rights Of
labor" the statement declares.
wherever candidates for reelection
have been friendly to labor's interests
they should be loyalty supported.
Wherever candidates are hostile or in
different to labor's interests, they
should be defeated, and the nomina-
tion and election Of true and tried
trade unionists or of assured friends
should be secured"
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor; Frank
Morrison and James O'Connell have
been selected as an executive commit
tee to manage labor's political cam
paign. They were chosen by a general
committee composed Of the executive
council Of the A. F. l.. and representa-
tives of ten labor unions. including
railroad employees organizations.
Labor's Statement
The statement of labor issued to-
night reads in part as follows:
"In compliance with the directions
Of the last convention of the American
Fede ration Of Labor and Of the Decem-
Der 13, 1919, conference Of representa-
tives Of labor and the farmers organi-
izations, three days. conference was
held at the Federation headquarters in
this city to consider the part which
labor should take in the coming cam
paign, primaries and election.
"The following declaration was
unanimously adopted:
"'The inherent rights and principles
Of our people are threatened.
"'The free institutions of our coun-
try are menaced.
"'The ideals of democracy are in dan
ger.
"'The Congress Of the United States
has failed to do its duty. 1t has failed
to meet the emergency. 1t has given
encouragement and support to auto
Gratis and reactionary policies. It's
dominating thought has been the re-
preston of labor.
"'Every effort to secure remedial and
c1
strangled. Every appeal for redress has
met with subtle and open hostility
The halls of Congress have been used
by labor's enemies to foster and spread
vicious propaganda against the efforts
Of the tOilers to exercise their normal
and lawful activities for the protection
and promotion of their interests and
welfare. Labor has appealed for re-
lief in vain.
"'The hour has arrived when those
who believe in the maintenance of DEM
ocratic institutions must marshal their
forces in defense of their rights and
ideals.
Labor Demands Ignored
est is intolerable that people who
spared no cost to make the world safe
for democracy should be forced to sub
NIT to any restriction Of the glorious
of our nation. The perpetuation of our
fundamental rights and the enactment
of essential constructive legislation
demand the election Of men, regard
less of their political affiliations, who
are truly representative of American
ideals Of liberty.
"'No favorable legislative action upon
the recommendations contained in the
American Federation of Labor recon-
struction program, OR those expressed
at the December conference, has been
taken by Congress. Instead, many
Congressman have endeavored to enact
legislation providing for compulsory
labor. Despite the patriotism and sac
rifice Of the masses Of labor Of Amer
ica during the World War, under the
guise of anti-sedition laws the effort
has been made to repress free asso-
citation, free speech and free press.
"'Scorned by Congress, ridiculed and
both houses, the American labor move
ment finds it necessary to vigorously
apply its long and well-established non-
partisan political policy.
"'Sinister forces are already actively
engaged in efforts to confuse and null
lily labor's political power. Their OBJ
ject is to divide the labor vote SO that
the election of reactionaries and ene-
mics of labor will be assured. Unless
labor holds steadfastly to its non-par-
tisan political policy, the enemies of
labor will be successful in their ef-
forts. Labor cannot, labor must not
permit its political strength to be di-
vided in the present crisis. Organized
labor owes allegiance to no political
party. 1t is not partisan to any politi-
cal party. It is partisan to principles
the principles Of freedom, Of justice
and of democracy.
To Begin in the Primaries
"'Complying with the instructions Of
the last convention and the labor and
farmer conference of December 13,
1919, the American Federation Of Labor
announces its determination to apply
every legitimate means and all of the
power at its command to accomplish
the defeat Of labor's enemies who as
pire for public office, whether they be
candidates for President, for Congress,
for state Legislatures or any other of
fee.
""The American Federation Of Labor
calls upon all affiliated and recognized
national, international and brother
hood organisations, state federations OF
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