Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1924-09-12
LABOR'S AGITATION AFFECTS
BOTH OLD-PARTY CANDIDATES

The expected is happening -abor's aggressive non
partisan agitation is forcing the odparty candidates 10
more advanced positions. Labor has rejected their plat
FORMS and every effort Is being made To have the workers
forgive and forget.
Now. Mr.. Coolidge and Mr. Davis would abandon the
labor sections of their platforms They, together with
their political managers are striving TO attract labor Just
in proportion to laborS agitation Of Its principles.
It may be fairly assumed that these odparty tactics
will be intensified labor continues to urge the election
of IaFolette and Wheeler.
The strategy of the odparty candidates was in
dcated in their Labor day speeches
The organized workers have so thoroughly exposed
the odparty platform shas that the two candidates did
not refer to them, but struck out on new paths.
This attitude is unconscious tribute to laborS re-
fusa be fooled and its determination to stand by those
who have so earnestly espopsed its cause
The most notable statement made by Candidate Cool
dge in his Labor day speech was his opposition to COM
pulsory arbitration and the right to strike n private
ployment."
He said labors right to bargain collectively and to
negotiate through their own chosen agents. has been es
tablished."
This statement will be questioned by employees of the
Pennsylvania railroad the steel trust the harvester trust
the textile barons and even the United States shipping
board which joined private ship owners in smashing the
seamen's strike two years ago.
Mr. Coolidge also said I'VE attempting at the
present time to secure constitutional amendment giving
congress jurisdiction over child labor.
He did not specify who I'VE" are or what practical
effort is being made along the lines mentioned
He said the labor sections of the transportation act
could probably be moded through mutual agreement
to the benefit of all concerned"
Mr. Coolidge expressed pleasure that labor was not
Dictated in the last few yar and gave his party credit
for this situation He ignored the terrific drives that
were made against labor and the charge of excessive
wages and low production that was echoed by every
spokesman for privilege organized abors stand
that blocked wage reductions
He was silent on the labor injunction. Most OF his
speech based on the theory that egsauon such as
the tariff as compared with conditions in Europe.
Mr. Davis in his Labor day speech, declared for free
dom of speech and other freedom guarantees lie has
taken new position the labor injunction and now
favors limiting this writ ito its proper functions and TO
give the right of trial by jury to those who are charged
with criminal contempt.
Or, in other words judges may issue labor inJune.
tions and when workers are charged with violation OF
same they may have trial by ury-a modified form OF
government by injunction.
Mr. Davis declared in favor OF the child labor amend
ment His party platform lodged that issue.
He favors the right of "free contract and declares
that anything other than this believe to be impossible
undesirable, corrupting and tyranncal"
This statement is of especial interest because IRON
out of West Virginia-Mr Davis home state-came the
infamous yellow dog contract by which worker seek
ing employment signs agreement that ne Will not JON
a union if he is permitted to labor.
The "vellow dog" has been sustained by the supreme
court of the United States (Hitchman case).
Mr. Davis favors revision" of the labor section OF
the railroad act Labor demands the abolition OF this
section. -
The two speeches are significant. They will stimulate
the workers to greater activity in impressing upon the
public mind their principles and their reasons for support
ing LaFollette and Wheeler
Labor wins only when it educates
e,,Dr, CCIcT ATIVE COM