The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-04
A. F. OIL. Statement

Our course is clear. In pointing to the platform and records of the inde- pendent candidates, we do so with the confidence that no other course can be pursued, If we are to remain true to our convictions and our traditions. Those who are hostile to labor and to the people generally and who devoted their energies to the service of re- action and special interests, must be opposed.
 We call upon the wage earners and the great masses of the people every where who stand for freedom. justice democracy and human progress, to rally Tn this campaign to the end that the representatives of reaction and spe- c1al interests may be defeated and the faithful friends and servants of the masses elected.
 Not Party Support
 Cooperation hereby urged is not pledge of Identification with a.. inde- pendent party movement or a third party, nor can it be construed as sup port for such party, group or move ment except as such action accords with our non-partisan political policy. | We do not accept government as the solution of the problems of life. Major problems of life and labor must. be dealt with by voluntary and organiza- tiOns, of which trade unions are an es- sential integral part. Neither can this cooperation imply our support, accep- tance or indorsement of policies or principles advocated by any minority groups or organizations that may see fit to support the candidates of Sena- tors La Toilette and Wheeler: the first an independent republican, the second an independent democrat, running as such.'
 Those candidates, it continues, have preferred a platform in which the economic issuesI of the day are met in a manner more nearly conform ing tO labor's proposals than any other"
 ''In the campaign to elect to Con- gross, regardless of their political group political group or party utilization men deserving of labOr's support there must be unity of purpose and method, there fore leadership must lie with the only organization having the right to speak for the entire labor movement. In this the American Federation of Labor yields to none but will maintain stead fast its leadership, guidance and direc- ton.
 ''In the selection and election of men to public office within the several states, leadership must lie with our state federations of labor and in city Or county elections this right must rest with central labor bodies
 Organized labor owes allegiance to no political party or group. It is not partisaI to any political party or group. It is partisan to principles the principles of freedom, of justice, of democracy.
 Solemn Duty
 ''It IS the duty of trade unionists, their friends and sympathizers and all lovers of freedom, justice and demo- cratic ideals and institutions to unite in defeating those seeking public of flee who are indifferent CT hostile to the peoples rights and interests. It is the duty of all to support such can didates to public office who have been fair, just and outspoken in behalf of the welfare of the common people.
 We shall analyze the record and attitude of the every aspirant to pub lie office and shall give our findings the widest possible publicity. LabOr's enemies and friends must be clearly known and he definitely indicated.
 ''In calling upon all affiliated and recognized national and international brotherhoods, state federations of labor, central labor bodies, local unions, labOr's friends and sympathizers, to give united, unrestricted loyalty and active support to the nOn-partisan cam paign now set in motion, we empha- size the imperative need of an in tensive educational campaign to enable all to act with discrimination and wisdom in this election and to stand faithfully by our friends and elect them and to oppose our enemies and to defeat them"