Evening star., 1922-10-01

granted that no thinking progressive
man or woman will contend that
there can be progress in industry any
more than in our political life unless
are to be accepted. The general
check and rebuke that have been ad-
ministered to the reactionary forces
In our most essential Industries is an
indication that the future belongs to
those who espouse the democratic
field and, If 1 may interject, we have
hope also on the political field con-
corning which it may be interesting
to speculate briefly.
Labor's Political Position.
In politics American labor is non-
partisan. 1t espouses principles, but
Is not concerned as to parties. The
American Federation of Labor is
active politically, buT in strictly
non-partisan sense in every state in
the Union. 1t is proud to have con-
tributed materially to the recent down.
fall Of some of the outstanding leaders
OF reaction and it is equally proud to
have contributed materially to the
sweeping victories of progressive men
who have been nominated in the pri-
mary elections during the last few
weeks.
IL Is safe to say, even before the
elections are held, that the next Sen
ate and the next House of Represen-
tatives will contain a sufficient num-
Der Of progressive, intelligent men to
prevent the enactment of any reac-
tionary legislation during the next
two years: There will. it is certain.
pc a goodly number in the House of
representatives and among these
there will be gratifying proportion
OF trade union members. In the Sen
ate there will be formidable group
OF such men as La Toilette, Brook
hart. Frazier. Norris. Johnson. Borah.
Harrison. Ladd. Swanson. Mckellar
and others. In addition to those who
may be relied upon to be progressive
in every contest there are those who
VIII espouse certain progressive
measures and who will to that extent
be OF service to the common welfare.
Among such men is Senator McCor-
mick who has introduced the child
labor amendment to the United States
Constitution.
| should like to make it clear that
tics is the champion of the interests
of the great masses Of our peope.
Labor is interested in politics in no mar
row or partisan sense. There has
never been a legislative proposal
espoused by labor that was not in the
interest of all Americans except those
who are aligned with special priv
ilege and the great financial powers.
Labor is not interested in politics
as a means Of solving the problems
of industry. however. Labor is inter-
eSted in politics for the protection of
liberties and for the promotion Of JUS
tice and equity in all things which
are actually political. So far as in
dustry is concerned the best service
which politics can render industry is
to refrain from restriction and coer-
cioh in order that industry may be
free to work out its own destinies.
Labor Is convinced that there is no
political solution of industrial prob
lens. The various factors in industry
must and will work out the destiny Of
industry.
Labor is hopeful and confident. Our
people are inherently and naturally
constructive. They rebel at coercion
and repression and they will not toll
crate enslavement. AS free men they
will. through natural. orderly. rational
and constructive methods, find the So
lutions of the vexing problems of to-
day and make of the world a better
place in which to live.