The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1946-08-22
THE A. F. OF L. AND POLITICS

ABOR POLITICAL action is again in the fore
IL front of public interest. There have been
garbIed reports that the American Federation OF
Labor was considering political action commit
tee of its own-something in the nature of the
CIO-PAC. This we are glad to note, is not the
case. :,
AFL concern with this years elections will
express itself along non-partlsan lines laid down
by that great American and revered founder OF
the federation, Samuel Gompers. This-when Sc
much of Americas future is at stake-ls hitting
and proper. indeed, the time has come to call
upon the 100000 AFL members and their lam
lilies to help elect Congress that IN more than
mechanical sense will be responsive to the will OF
the people and the long-range trends OF our econ
Omy.
The Executive Council meeting in Chicago is
weighing this and other important issues. Means
to stir the sluggish civic spirit among the union
membership must be found. The facts, all the
facts, must be made available so that the working
people may freely make their choice
However, the issue is not collective endorse
ment of one or another candidate. That way lies
machine corruption and democracys decay The
real issue is the awakening of the citizen TO ms
public obligations and responsibilities. Neither is
it a choice between black and white good and bad
So many factors becloud the picture that it is v-
tualy impossible for the average voter, enmeshed
in daily toll, to find his way through the iegisla-
tive labyrinth.
The question, then, revoves around the sound
ness of the voters judgment and those who ad-
wise him. What is sound political judgment
Well, to turn down candidate because you dislike
his party label or have fallen for smear slogans
and cleverly manipulated polls is neither sound
nor democratic America and our labor movement
need men with the courage Of their convictions
and the stamina to stand up and be counted.
None of the other questions debated by the
Council-a domestic program against imitation
and depressions, lasting world peace etc.-can be
considered out of context with this paramount
issue Indeed, it is doubtful whether mankind will
ever find remedy for depressions and wars. But
there are ways Of cushioning the impact OF these
evil forces. 1t behooves labor to devote its great
power toward the attainment of these ends.
Equally, it behooves labor to support candidates
with wisdom understanding and long-range
grasp of national and world issues-not ward
heeers and hacks guided by expediency, govern
mental will o-the-whisp and the wre-pullng of
corrupt political machines.
Out of the councils deliberations, we hope,
will come synthess of the interests of labor and
the nation as a whole. TO be sure, differences as
to the best means of furthering labor's progress
will continue to exist. But when early in October
the 65th AFL convention meets in the midwestern
metropolis, the mighty voice of American labor
will be heard. 1t is here that in the words Of the
convention call the AFL will express itself cour
ageously and constructively upon all the prob
lens, national and international which are upper
most in the hearts and minds of the working men
and women of the nation"