The labor world., 1922-08-19

nOnpartlSan pOntlcal campaign OF
the American Federation Of Labor
has taken a remarkable hold on the
wage-earners of the country. Not
only the wage-earners are demanding
the election Of public officials who
will bring the national and state gov
ernments back to the people, but in
every state there is a we'll defined
movement among the voters gener-
ally for the election Of men who will
help to bring about that desirable
end.
The nonpartisan campaign of labor
in New York state has become so
widespread and enthusiastic that
those who have directed pernicious
legislation in the past are growing
fearful of the outcome. The entire
electorate of the state Is aflame with
demands for honest government.
The Monitor. the official publiCa-
tion Of the Associated Industries, an
"open shop" organization, declares
that, 'Iabor--mad and militant" is
better organized politically in that
state than ever before. 1t is so fear.
full of the future that it is crying for
help from those who exist through
special legislative favors.
The wage-earners, as we'll as the
farmers, have been alarmed over an
ultimatum given them by Governor
Miller in an address at a recent con-
vention of the New York State Fed
Grafton of Labor. The governor
warned organizations Of wage-earn-
ers against attempting to exert their
political power" in favor of legisla-
tion of benefit to all the people. He
declared that it would be hostile to
American institutions for them to
do so. He gave the same advice to
the farmers at the state fair. But no.
where in either address was there
word of criticism of the commercial
and financial groups for exercising
their political power" in shaping
legislation at Albany and Washing
ton in a way that is indeed "hostile
to American institutions"
Governor Helps Reaction.
The. governors edict to labor and
the farmers is in furtherance Of the
campaign to abolish primaries. It is
claimed that the peope are not COM
petent to select candidates for office.
Therefore this task is to be left to
the political bosses who will deliver
to their bosses the desired pliable
candidates.
The program Of the wage-earners
Of New York state can we'll be fol-
lowed by all state federations Of la
Dor. Every local union in New York
has appointed an active nonpartisan
committee and the city central bodies
have organized these individual
union committees into a general COM
mittee to take care of the respective
localities. These general committees
include representatives from the rail-
road brotherhoods. The records of
the members of the state legislature
and of congress have been distribut-
ed among the committees. AS MANY
speakers as possible are furnished
by the state federation Of labor to
set forth the side Of labor and the
farmers which means the great
mass of the people, so that every
voter will know who is who" in the
primaries and the election. Twelve
legislative demands have been adopt
ed as follows:
l. Incorporation in State Anti
Monopoly Law Of declaration: THE
labor of human being is not COM
modify or article Of commerce."
2 No injunction to be. issued in
labor disputes unless authorized by
a verdict of jury after trial of the
facts.
3. Establishing the state insur-
ance fund as the only form of in
surance for Workmen's Compensa-
tion in this state.
4. Restoration to the state de-
partment Of labor of the power of
effective enforcement. of the labor
laws; restoration of original penalty
stopping payments on contracts when
eight-hour and prevailing rate of
wages law is violated.
5. An elght-hour work dav for
employed women and minors and
a commission with women workers
represented to fix minimum stand
ara wages. fai
6. Free text books and medical,
surgical and dental treatment and
care for all school children; with
school lunches at cost.
I. Restoration Of direct primary
nomination of state officers, judges
and United States senators.
8. Repeal of motion picture GEN.
sorship law and so-called Lusk laws
repressing freedom OF opinion, of
speech and Of publication.
8. Amend state constitution to
provide for direct law making by
voters and for recall of elected Of
ficials by electors, through the ini-
tiative, referendum and recall.
10. State and municipal develop
ment and distribution at cost to
homes, farms and workshops of
electric light. heat and power gen.
Grated from water powers, as op-
posed to the present policy of cor
porate exploitation.
IL. LegaliZing Of light wines and
beers as beverages in the interest of
health, temperance, morality and
law enforcement.
II. Defeat of any proposal to
compel labor unions to incorporate
and Of any proposal to limit right of
wage-workers to strike.
Attack on Labor Department.
w., Circulars have been sent to all
local unions acollaintinp them with