Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1925-01-16
WALKER MAKES
AN APPEAL FOR
STATE APPLICATION

10 All subordinate LABOR OfganlZa-
tons In Illinois That Are Eligible
To Membership In The Illinois
State Federation OF Labor That
Are Unaffiliated.
Dear Sir and Brother:
Illinois at the present time, has a
larger territory, greater physical re-
sources and industry, than have many
of the empires of the world. We have
surpassed some of ; the smaller of
them, and are fast approaching many
of the larger ones in population.
Every eligible local trade and fed
eral union and central body should be
in the Illinois State Federation of
Labor. There is no division of the
general labor movement in our eoun-
try that is of more importance to the
membership. Some authorities say
that the laws of the state, and the
state government itself, affect the
lives of its constituents in the ratio
OF SIX to one, as compared with the
national laws and government.
The State Federation of Labor as
sists in strikes, by getting the facts
made known TO the membership gen.
orally, securing the moral support of
the whole movement for those men,
bers who may be engaged in the
struggle, soliciting funds, etc. 1t
makes boycoets effective by urging
the membership not to patronize the
unfair shops or purchase the unfair
articles, and to patronize the fair
shops and purchase the fair articles.
1t furnishes the records to its men,
bership, of the representatives in
government who make laws as legis-
lators, who make decisions as judges,
and who act as executives, pointing
out the fairness of those who are COM
petent and just, and the unfairness
and injury of those who are incompe-
tent or unjust. On the basis of this
information, it tries to secure the
election or appointment of men who
are fair to labor, and the defeat of
those who are unfair.
In education, increased knowledge,
mental development and character,
lies the hope of the workers for pro-
gress in the future. In doing the
work necessary to bring this about,
the State Federation of Labor acts as
the representative of the American
Federation Of Labor. 1t can only
function insofar as the membership
of the trade union movement within
the state, are affiliated with ii and
participate in that work.
Among the laws which the State
Federation of Labor is trying 10
enact in Illinois are: The Injunction
Limitation law, which would have the
effect of prohibiting judges from issu-
ing injunctions to deny the workers
the rights guaranteed them by the
Declaration of Independence, the con-
stitution and laws of the state and
nation. 1t is trying to amend the
Conspiracy law, so that it will apply
to trade unions in the same manner
that it applies to farmers union organ
izations.
1t is trying to reestablish the right
to jury trial in all criminal cases, as
is provided for in the constitution of
the United States, but which right
has been largely taken from the
workers by the improper use of their
powers on the part of judges, states
attorneys for the different divisions
of our government, sheriffs and other
court officials.
1t is trying to improve the Com
pensation law, which involves the
safety and health of all the workers
and provides a means of sustenance
for them and their families if they
are injured, or the widows and or
phans in the event they are killed. 1t
is trying to get an 0ccupational Dis
ease law enacted; Child Labor law,
Old Age Pension law, Unemployment
Insurance law, One Day Rest in Seven
law.
The State Federation of Labor is
entitled to credit for the defeat of The
Military Police bill. 1t was the de-
termined influence in defeating the
proposed new constitution, which
would have abolished American Gov
eminent in Illinois.
1t is trying to secure the enactment
of the Women's Eight Hour law;
to provide for a State Insurance fund,
out of which to administer the Com
pensation law. Ii is dealing with all
the laws involving and affecting the
education of the children as well as
the status of the teachers. II as
sists the organizations in every indus
try in securing the enactment of any
laws which they are seeking IN the
interest of their particular member
ship. Its influence is used with the
state government in behalf OF the
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