The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-13
LABOR LEADER
FLAYS RECORD
OF LII ARTHUR
Senator Is an 0pportuniSt,
Anderson Unions Told
by Macpherson.

ANDERSON UNIONS 0lQ
by Macpherson.
Continued From Page One)
United States senate has he ever
stood up and done battle in the
cause Of labor?
Think now; some of you say his
record on labor legislation is clear,
but can you say that he ever has
been a positive force in advance
ment of labor's rights?
Never Authored Labor Bill
LET us look through Senator
Robinson's record in the last ses-
sion of congress. Up to then and
until now, he never has been the
author of any labor bill. Up to then
and until now, he never has been
the author of any noteworthy
amendment. Is that the kind OF
labor representation We want in the
chamber of the United States SEN
ate? I say No
1T is not enough for a senator to
sit quietly on the sidelines and see
how the wind is blowing before
casting his vote in the affirmative,
or else running to the cloakroom.
IF labor had to depend on that
kind of representation in congress,
our voice never would reach the
President; our programs never
would become laws"
Mr.. Macpherson admitted that
Senator Robinson voted against the
| confirmation of the anti-labor
Judge Parker as federal judge
when he was nominated by Presi-
dent Hoover, but did not take the
floor against it.
Jumped on BandwagOn
"A silent voice on that vital labor
issue easily can be construed as a
compromise with political eXpedi-
ency," the speaker asserted.
Accusingly he continued: Senator
Robinson waited to see how the
wind blew. Labor was about to win,
so he got on the winning side. Yes,
Senator Robinson voted for the rail-
road workers legislative program;
but his enthusiasm there was like
that of a bridegroom at a shotgun
wedding and again he got on the
winning side. He spoke not a word
for labor
He half-heartedly supported
amendments to the labor adjust
ment acts, but then who knows
what he will do tomorrow if some
political influence stronger than that
of labor should arise?
"He voted for the national recov-
cry act, but now shouts that he is
against it and admits he voted for
an unconstitutional law although
no court has said it is unconStitu-
tional. These are the ways of po-
litical opportunist; not the ways of
a true friend of the laboring man."
Ducked' Wagner Bill
The speaker accused Senator
Robinson of "ducking" the vote on
the Wagner Hatfield amendment to
the communications bill which
would have insured equality of OPP
portunity and consideration for
educational, religious, agricultural.
labor, cooperative and similar non
profitmaking associations.
Can a senator be called sin
cere friend of the working man."
asked the speaker, when he votes
against taking cut in his own sal
airy, paid by the taxpayers, and then
turns around and banks and snaps
at reasonable governmental eXpen-
ditures for the social and economic
recovery of our people?"
Mr.. Mcpherson paid high praise
to Mr.. Minton, the senator's oppo-
nent, and virtually Endorsed his can
didacy on behalf of labor.
IF I were permitted to nominate
the candidate to whom organized
labor in Indiana should give its in
dorsement, it would be Sherman
Minton, the Democratic candidate
for the United States senate" he
asserted
Stand by President
"Organized and all labor must
stand by Roosevelt or else perish
from it's own folly. We indorse
Roosevelt and his faithful sup
portors, or we commit suicide. We
cast our votes for those who give
us place in the sun and who take
up arms in our defense.
I'VE can not be misled by po-
litical. opportunists, do-nothing leg
islators, men who play along with
us until the time is ripe to swing
to some more influential group of
voters.
Senator Arthur r. Robinson will
not deserve the Endorsement of or
ganized labor in Indiana until he
has taken up our sword and as
sailed our foe. Let's be selective
and extremely jealous of our rights
and support those candidates who
will keep the faith and uphold the
policies of Franklin Delano Roose-
velt."
State Representative William j.
Black, Anderson, acted as tempo
rary chairman. Other speakers
were Thomas Hutson, of the Tile
Workers and Brick Makers Inter
national; Arthur Wat, president of
the Fit. Wayne Federation of Labor,
and Robert E. Mythen, of the
PreSsmen's union, indianapolis.