Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-09
GRANGE WON'T AID
LABOR IN POLITICS
Farmers Oppose Trade Union
lists on Several Questions,
Says T. c. Atkeson
A. F. l.. AIM IS N0NPARTISAN

Washington. Feb. 9.-Farmer organ
iZationS will not join the American Fed
Grafton of Labor in its nonpartisan
campaign to elect this year only friends
of the trades union movement. accord
ing 10 T. c. Atkeson, representative
of the National Grange, which has
700 900 members.
Mr.. Atkeson said today his organiza e
tion had decided not 20 support or
gani2ed labor's political activities. He
pointed ont that representatives of the
grange, National Farmers Union. In
ternational Farm Congress. American
Farm Bureau Federation. Farmers Ma e
tional Congress. and National Milk
Producers Federation recently met here
and formulated platform of principles,
but decided that individual members
should be allowed to exercise their right
of personal preference in voting.
The program has been sent to every
member of Congress, Mr.. Atkcson said.
and it may be expected that farmers
will observe the attitude Of legislators
on bills affecting their interests.
Interests Are Not Identical
''Wc decided" Mr.. Atkeson said.
that the interests of the farmers and
of organized labor were not identical :
in fact, We're diametrically opposed on
some questions. The union man wants
shorter hours and higher pay. which
means higher prices to the consumer A
similar attitude on the part of the farm
ers would mean curtailment of pro-
duction of food until the people were so
hungry they would pay eXorbitant prices
rather than Starve.
Instead, it is our policy to cncour
age as much work as possible TO slim
IIIutp nrn1upt thot nnpp,nl
ditions may be restored"
Organized Iabor's announcement Of
its entry into politics, a call TO "alI
lovers of freedom to marshal their
forces in defense of their rights and
ideals. and to all trade unionists and
their friends to unite in defeating those
seeking Office who are hostile or indif
fcrent 10 the rights of labor, is being
sent broadcast over the country today.
The declaration, issued officially BY
the American Federation of Labor, after
rcciting what it termed vain efforts to
secure remedial and constructive legis
lation for the interest and welfare of
the toilerS. denounced Congress for its
failure to do its duty and its re-
preston of labor
Aim TO Defeat Labor's Foes
"Scorncd by Congress. ridiculed and
mlsrepresented by many members of
both houses the announcement said.
the American labor movement finds,
It necessary to vigorously apply its
long and we'll established nonpartisan
political policy. The American FEEDER
alton of Labor announces its deter
mination to apply every legitimate
means and al! of the power at its COM
mand to accomplish The defeat of la
Dor enemies who aspire for public of
hcc whether they be candidates for
President for Congress, for state Leg
iSlatures or any other office"
The appointment of national non
partisan political committee. which will
mobilize the trade unionist movement
was announced and the campaign will
be started Immediately. The work will
begin in the primaries and will be car .
ried through TO the general elections.
Each aspirant for Office, the an
nouncement said, will have his record
"analyzed' and those regarded as ia {.
vorable TO labor will be supported re g.
gardless Of party affiliations, while those
antagOnistic to the labor movement will
be opposed.