The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1943-10-15
who are attending and reporting upon
the activities of the convention.
The Political Future

the activities of the convention.
The Political Future
The politicians, too, are keeping
close tabs on convention developments
For this is the last annual meeting OF
the AFL to be held before the crucial
national elections of 1914. The lead
ers of both major political parties are
anxious to know how the labor vote
will 60 They fully realize that the
workers of America will decide the
1914 elections by their votes.
: However, there will be few mani
festations of partisan politics in the
convention proceedings. The American
Federation of Labor unquestionably
will adhere to it's traditional non-par-
tisan political policy. 1t will not en-
dorse any national ticket as a whole
AS in the past, it will pick and choose
among the candidates whose records
have been friendly and cooperative
and endorse them. Candidates with
hostile labor records will be opposed
This, of course, is the usual proceed
ure.
But the political activities of the
AFL in the coming year will not be
cas- usual" They will be enlarged and
expanded and popped up to an extent
that is likely to surprise the nation.
For throughout the rank and file of
the AFL there has developed a surg
ing tide of indignation against those
office-holders w o have betrayed
American workers and their precious
freedoms. This feeling is shared by
the Federation's leaders. Therefore
for the first time in many years the
AFL will conduct nationwide politi-
cal drive, well-organized and effective
ly directed, to drive out of office the
labor-haters and the labor baiters.
This convention, therefore, will
service notice on the leaders of both
political parties to clean house, to di-
vorce themselves of labor's enemies
or take the consequences on Election
Day.
The Business Future
Business representatives also are
keeping sharp eye on what labor
does at this convention. For the lead
ers of private industry in this country
are growing more and more disturbed
about postwar developments. They
are reconciled to large extent about
Government encroachment upon the
sphere of free enterprise during war
time, regarding it as a temporary evil.
But they are really worried about
whether industry will be able to re-
capture its independence and free it
self of burdensome Government regu-
lation when peace comes.
Of course, there is more than one
school of thought among businessmen.
There are still more rugged individ-
ualists left who regard free enterprise
as free anarchy, sort of economic
warfare with no holds barred and
devil take the-hindmost. Naturally,
these rugged individualists foresee the
destruction of trade unions along with
the elimination of any and all Federal
regulations.
But more modern and intelligent
school of thought-and it is constantly
growing stronger - among American
businessmen realize a return to the
good old days" is impossible, that
labor unions are here to stay and that
refusal of industry to accept it's re-
sponsibilities and duties to the public
constitutes real menace to free en-
terprise. These business leaders con-
template postwar alliance with or
ganized labor which will eliminate un-
necessary and costly conflicts in in
dustrial relations and make possible
the retirement of Government from