The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-07-07
By Eugene Lions

The American Federation of La
Dor, at its national convention in
Cincinnati, adopted a resolution set
ting forth the flimsineSs of the evil
dence on which a death verdict was
returned against Nicola Sacco and
Bartolomeo Vanzetti. and calling for
new trial in their case. The resolu-
ton was introduced by the delegates
from Boston Central Labor Union.
The vote was unanimous.
The A. f. of l.. endorsement comes
not as an isolated phenamenon but as
the climax to long series of signs
on the part of the labor masses in
America that they look upon the
Sacco-Vanzetti case as a test of their
solidarity. On numberless occasions
since the trial was cOnsummated so
grotesquely a year ago at Dedham,
Mass, organized workers have indi-
accept the verdict as a deadly af-
front, that they will not rest until
the insult to the working class is
wiped out by the triumph of JUS
tice.
A few of the most recent demon
strations are d sufficient index to
the temper of the American toilers
in relation to this case:
The Farmer-Labor party of the
United States, convened at Chicago
several weeks ago, adopted resolu-
tions declaring its sympathy for the
victims of the Massachusetts case
and proferring it's moral support of
the fight carried on by the defense.
This action came close upon that
taken in the same city by the con-
vention of the international Ladies
Garment Workers Union and by the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America in Cleveland. Soon there
after the international Fur Workers
Union, meeting at Philadelphia also
went on record in condemnation of
the Dedham death edict.
The writer is also in position to
state that a powerful appeal adj
dressed directly to organized labor
in this country by those authorized
to represent it-a very trumpet call
Of an appeal, complete, incisive, and
mincing no WOrds-will soon be pub
lished. The compete text will be sent
to the labor press.
Signatures to that appeal are still
coming in at defense headquarters.
But already it contains the unani-
| nous endorsement of the central la
Dor bodies in Seattle, Tacoma, Chi
cago, Detroit. Minneapolis, st. Paul,
| Utah, Tampa, Fla, Evansville, Ind,
York, Pa, and many other places.
| 1t contains the names of such true
and tried champions of labor as
James H. Maurer, head of the Penn
sylvania State Federation of Labor;
John H. Walker, head of the ILL
nois State Federation of Labor;
| Mother Jones and others.
That the heart of the American
Labor movement is with Sacco and
Vanzetti no one who is at all abreast
Of development can doubt. The A
f. of L. endorsement is the official
expression of a sentiment that has
made itself felt more and more in
sistently.
But whether the sentiment will
translate itself into specific aid at
this moment, when the defense
needs it most. is another question.
1t will depend largely upon the in
itiative taken by Individually you
who are reading these words-in
| bringing the matter Of financial aid
! before their organizations. 1t is inn
possible for the defense group to
make a direct appeal to every local
union and fraternal body in the
country 1t must depend on the me-
diation of its friends.
The most significant way Of wind