Organized Labor's Threat

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 14, 1908

Organized Labor's Threat

A MANIFESTO has been issued by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, instructing organized labor throughout the country to adopt resolutions demanding that their representatives in Congress vote for the labor bills before that body. One of the resolutions to be adopted reads thus:—

We pledge ourselves individually and collectively to the exercise of our fullest political and industrial activity now and in the future to the end that we may aid in the election of such candidates for president of the United States and representatives in Congress, and such other executive, legislative, and judicial candidates for office, as will safeguard and protect the common interests of the workers.

While a recent decision of the United States Supreme Court has made the boycotting methods of the Federation of Labor unlawful when applied to a business firm, there is nothing in it to prevent boycotting candidates for political office who are not subservient to the demands of the federation, and such a movement promises to be a factor which must be reckoned with in future political contests. Inasmuch as certain professional reformers have recommended the use of this same agency in order to obtain religious legislation, it is difficult to see how they will be able to condemn the principle when adopted by the representatives of labor. Thus, step by step, progress is being made toward that general religious boycott to be instituted against those who refuse to accept human law in place of the divine law.