Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-01
ORGANIZED LABOR
TO MIX IN POLITICS
WORD OF GOMPERS

Washington. Dec. 3l-(By A. P)-
Organized labor. while. forcing its
battles in the industrial fields. during
1924 expects likewise to stay in poll
tics. participating mot only in the
final election but in the selection of
candidates in the primary elections
everywhere" Samuel Gompers, preSi-
dent of the American Federation OF
Labor said today in a public New
Years greeting.
Amending the Constitution to eli
inmate child labor. restriction of
'usurpation of power by judges" and
the carrying forward Of our concept
Of industrial democracy he cnum-
Grated rs among the items of the
years program for lapCr union MEM
bCrG.
tremendous issues Mir. Gompcrs
continued. During 1928 we have
met great great issues. and many of
them successfully. AS labor secs the
outlook. the following Is partial
enumeration OF the political issues OF
the coming year:
The Injunction abuse. the child
labor amendment to the Constitution
made necessary by the adverse de-
cisions of the United states Supreme
Court on two child labor laws, the
railroad question involving the rail-
road labor board. the usurpation OF
power by Judges in contempt cases
rs well as i'll injunction cases, the
question of whether avs may con-
tinue to be killed by court decisions.
ana efforts to enact anti strike and
compulsory arbitration laws.
I'm addition to these legislative is
sues there is in the political field the
oVCrShadowing matter of the national
election. Labor confrouts this great
struggle with the determination tn
carry forward the banner of progress.
justice and democracy and to record
in broader terms Il victory such az
was won last year. Labor will par
ticipate not only in the final election.
but in the selection of candidates in
the primary elections everywhere.
"On the industrial field there will
he great issues. We look back upon
1928 with qualification. We have
achieved much for which all wage
earners may be thankful: much that
means for greater freedom and bet
ter life in tho future. But the future
is not the past and the future brings
its fresh struggles.
$50 long as there are mon who
think and act only in the terms of
profit, labor must he vigilant. And
organized labor must organize.
Rights that have been won must be
held. American labor has abundant
ly justified its organized existence.
The wage carncrs Of America enjoy
higher standards of living than those
of any other country. They have a
fuller, better life in every respect.
They labor with the mighty
machinery Of our land and pro-
GuCc moro per man and in the ag-
Grcpatc than the toilers Of any other
land: they come nearer to being mas
tcrs of the machines with which they
work than do the workers in any
other land. And in addition, they do
not have their hands nj the throat of
their government, as is the unhappy
case in so many other countries.
During 1924 we shall seek to per-
feet our organizations. to increase
our solidarity, to improve our stan
dards, 10 come one step nearer to our
ideal. We shall seek to carry for
ward our great concept Of industrial
democracy. which means freedom Of
mankind in industry through the OK
crcise Of an effective voice in the
councils Of industry building Of
ar indestIuctible and glorious indus
trial life that shall make America
great beyond dreams. Eut, IN going
forward. VIC shall as in fhe past. keep
our feet upon the ground. having be-
fore us the facts of life as they pre-
sent themselves.
FINALLY tho labor movement--tho
American Federation Of Labor-ex-
tends to al the sincere greetings of
the season: may there be for all
Americans n happy New Year, Il bet
ter 1928. and may it be so for all
the world"