The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-02-20

1iOn-W1uP
All affiliated and recognized
labor organizations are called
unon to create district and local
committees to cooperate with
the National Committee.
Every legitimate effort will be
made To accomplish the defeat
of Iabors enemies who aspire
for public office, whether they
he candidates for President, for
Congress, for State Legisia-
lures, or any other office"
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-Con-
gress has given encouragement
and support to autocratic and re-
actionary policies and it's dominat-
ing thought has been the repres-
sion of labor, say representatives
of the American Federation of La
bor, in declaration for non
partisan political action at the
forthcoming campaign and cleo
tion.
The declaration was authorized
by the last A. f. of l., convention
and the conference of December 10
last. which was attended by repre-
sentatives of the A. F. Of l.. ma
tional and international affiliates,
the railroad brotherhoods and
farmers organizations.
The declaration is signed by
President Gompers and associate
members of the A. F. of l.. EXecu-
tive Council, the Presidents and
Secretaries of the various A. f. OF
L. departments; John P. Frey, edl-
tor International Molders' Journal;
Mrs. Sara A. Conboy, Secretary
United Textile Workers: Miss Anna
Fitzgerald, President Women's In
ternational Union Label League;
Miss Melinda Scott, of the united
Felt Panama and Straw Hat Trim
mers and Operators, and Miss Anna
Neary, of the international Broth
erhood of Bookbinders.
The record of every aspirant
for public office must be thorough
lv analvzed. stated in unmistakable
language and given the widest pos
sible publicity. Labor's friends and
enemies must be definitely known
1t is stated.
"To this end the A. r. of l.. has
created the National Non-Partisan
Political Campaign Committee and
it now calls upon all affiliated and
recognized labor organizations to
create district and local commit
tees to cooperate with the Nation
al Committee and to coordinate
their efforts"
The declaration notifies hostile
Senator's, congressman and other
public officials that they Will be
fought at the primaries, during the
campaign and on election day by
organized wage earners and sym
pathizers.
"No favorable legislative action
unon +he recommendations con-
tanned in the A. f. of l.. reconstruc-
ton program, or those expressed
at the December conference mas
been taken by Congress, says the
declaration. Instead, many con-
gressmen have endeavored to enact
legislation providing for compul-
sorry labor. Despite the patriotism
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
repress free association, free
speech and free press.
"Scorned by Congress, ridlculed
and misrepresented by many mem
bers of both houses, the American
labor movement finds it necessary
to vigorously apply its long ana
established non-partisan po-
litical policy.
Sinister forces are actively en-
gagged in efforts to confuse and nul-
lify labor's political power. Their
object is to divide the labor vote so
that the election of reactionarles
and enemies of labor will be assur-
ed. Unless labor holds steadfastly
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