The union times. (New Haven, Conn.) 1941-1948, 1944-03-11

TEXT OF LETTER
''Dear Sirs and Brothers:
1.-THE Executive Council of the
American Federation of Labor gave
special consideration to the impOr-
lance of the 1914 political cam
paign at a meeting held at Miami,
Florida, beginning January IL,
1914.
Because of the importance of said
political campaign, the Executive
Council expressed the opinion that the
traditional non-partisan political policy
of the American Federation of Labor
should be closely and carefully fol-
lowed by the officers and members OF
all unions affiliated with American
Federation of Labor.
"A NOn-Partisan Committee will
function for the American Fedora
ton of Labor. 1t will acquaint all
organizations affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor of
the records of candidates for cleo,
ton to Congress. The officers and
members of State Federations of
Labor and City Central Labor
Unions will be called upon to ap-
point nOn-partisan political COM
mittees for the purpose of carrying
out the nOn-partisan political policy
of the American Federation of La
Dor to support candidates who are
sympathetic and friendly to legis-
Iative policies of the American
Federation of Labor and to oppose
those who are against us; in other
words, to support our friends and
oppose our enemies.
THE Executive Council directs that
all affiliated unions carry out this
non-partisan political policy free from
association with or obligations to other
organizations. The Council directs
that under no circumstances must
State Federations of Labor, City Cen
trail Labor Unions or our directly
affiliated unions collaborate with rep
resentatives of dual organizations or
allow the representatives OF dual
organizations to participate in the
formation and execution of the non
political policy of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor.
Eve cannot compromise in this
matter. We cannot allow the pres
tige and standing of the American
Federation of Labor to be exploited
or used by dual, rival, rebel move
ments. The only way to have unity
i'm the house of labor is through a
return to the house of labor by the
dual, rebel, rival movements who
left us. When this step is taken
they can then participate i'm the
formulation of American Fedora
ton of Labor policies, but until
they do, we cannot cOncede that
any unit of dual movement can
participate i'm the formulation of
American Federation of Labor
economic or political policies.
Il therefore call upon State Fed
erations of Labor, City Central Bodies
and other organized units which have
been or which are collaborating with
the dual, rebel movement, to cease and
desist Immediately. | repeat again,
maintain the prestige, the traditions
and the vital principles and policies
of the American Federation of Labor
which call for the formation of our
non-partisan political policies. free
from collaboration or consultation
with rebel, dual, rival labor move
ments.
'sThis official communication is
being sent you by direction of the
Executive Council of the American
Federation of Labor with the ur-
gent request that all American Fed
Grafton of Labor units comply with
said instructions fully and COM
pletely, both in spiri. and in the
letter.