The labor standard., 1922-02-15
CHICAGO CONFERENCE
 THAT IS DIFFERENT
Executives of Associated Rail- road Labor Organizations Call Leaders of Progressive Forces of America Together

Leaders of Progressive Forces
 of America Together
 AGO1Realization that work CTS must have an intelligent inter est and effective participation in poli- tics, if they are ever to make any progress with their multitudinous problems, the chief executives of the associated railroad labor organizations have called a conference of the leaders of the progressive forces of America, to be held in Chicago, beginning Feb ruary 20. .~
 This step has been declared by many leaders of thought to be the most momentous and significant taken in the last decades. ~
 It is notice to the predatory powers that labor is going to meet them at the polls and contend with them for the future control of government.
 William H. Johnston, president Of chinists, in issuing the conference call, said: .
 eve are not seeking to bring about a coalition of forces friendly to la bor, but rather an understanding be- tween all people who are genuinely in- terested in the public welfare. 4
 "We feel that the reactionary forces and special interests which are now in control of every branch of govern ment are pursuing policy which has already wrecked American industry and agriculkure, causing widespread bankruptcy and nationwide unem- ployment, and which, if not arrested, is destined to destroy the fundamental principles of liberty upon which the government was established. We are inviting to this conference representa- tive men and women from all groups in American life"
 The invitation to the conference, which has been accepted by large number of persons, reads:
 "We are inviting you to attend a conference of Progressives to be held in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, Chicago, H., February 20, 1922.
 "We are living in land blessed with inexhaustible resources, with a productive capacity far in advancef of our needs. We are people of unex- ampled skill and industry, fully capable of developing to the utmost our vast natural resources. In the midst of this profusion of wealth we find the, farmer unable to proftably market his crops, factories idle, with millions demanding their products, and lthe men and women who long to labor denied that inherent right
 "We have idle wealth tied up in un- used plants, idle men denied the right to labor unless they will accept less in order that profits may be more, and those who work the land unable to exchange their products for the lost labor of idle men in other industries. All of the inherent rights of men guaranteed by. our Constitution are being rapidly destroyed by the agents of privilege. In legislative halls they pass laws to oppress. In the courts, by false construction, they assail these human liberties which the fathers sought to safeguard when they found ed the Repubic-L--
 These evils are the results of so- cial and political embellishments There must be some fundamental eco homie principles that can be invoked to restore the opportunities of this Nation to the people of the Nation.
 There has been no common under standing to bind the workers of all walks of life together. For lack of this common understanding we have been divided and betrayed. To the S.ASA e1~e eAtSAS tAAay OO e Ol that wisdom which comes only through. understanding the fifteen standard railroad labor organizations, through the undersigned-thei duly authorized committee-invite you to attend conference to be held in Chi cago, H., February 20, 1922, at 10 a. m., Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, to which conference represen- tatiyes of the progressive elements in the industrial and political life of our Nation have been invited to discuss and, adopt fundamental economic program designed to restore to the people the sovereignty that is rightly theirs, to make effective the purpose for which our Government is estab- iished, to secure to all men the enjoy ment of the gains which their industry produces.
 ''This is not an attempt to form new political party. It is an effort to make use of those constructive forces already in existence and by co-opera- tion bring about political unity"
 WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON.