Vol. XV.

No. 5

T

HE question of the most effective use of the political and industrial power of the workers during the coming Congressional campaign was the most important subject considered by the Protest Conference of the workers and their sympathizers held in Washington on March 18-19 to consider the situation in which they found themselves as a result of recent Supreme Court decisions and the apathy of Congress toward their interests.

One of the most important contributions to the deliberations of the conference was the presentation of the tabulated statistics of the vote cast for Congressional candidates in 1904 and 1906. These figures acquired additional importance from the fact that in 1906 labor, for the first time, made a strong effort to elect its friends to Congress and defeat its enemies.

That the dominant majority in Congress was cut from 112 to 56 by labor's efforts in the campaign of 1906, is a fact which has been sedulously ignored by the partisan press of the country, yet this, a most remarkable and encouraging result, grew

out of a campaign entered upon very late by the workers, without adequate means to carry on the work in Congressional districts scattered throughout the country. The statistics of the Congressional vote cast in 1904 and 1906, with the comparison of relative pluralities, were carefully compiled by Mr. Thos. F. Tracy and Mr. Arthur E. Holder, the Legislative Committee of the American Federation of Labor. They were presented to the Protest Conference and are herewith published for information of all.

The results of the Congressional elections as shown in the tables are worthy of the careful study of the members and friends of Labor. The figures are absolutely authentic and were obtained from the Secretaries of State in the various states. The increases or decreases in pluralities demonstrate beyond doubt the practicability and influence of the American Federation of Labor plan of campaign, and should be an incentive to all ardent, active unionists and their friends to give renewed activity to this movement this year when so much is at stake.

In a perusal of the tables, it will be noticed that a number of states are omitted, the most noticeable being the southern states. The explanation is that it is almost invariably the rule in that section of the country to make nominations in the primaries, rather than by nominating conventions. The result of the primary vote is equivalent to an election, and it is impossible to get any information from the results of these primaries, as they are not made a matter of state record, therefore the results of Congressional elections in those states can not be ascertained in a form suitable for tabulation.

In presenting these tables, showing the enormous reductions in pluralities of some of the candidates who were not friendly to labor's interests and the defeat of others either for renomination or election, there is no desire to antagonize, but it is only fair to record this history for the encouragement of our members and friends in the future.

The efforts of the workers in 1906 to elect their friends and defeat their enemies yielded results that are rich in suggestion as to what may be accomplished in the future by a still more united effort.

The comparison of the increased and decreased pluralities is a most interesting study. It will be especially valuable to the voters in the respective districts because they are able to judge for themselves what were the influences which decided the vote in 1906 and they alone can carry into full effect the determination of the people of the country to protect and defend the natural and inherent rights of the workers.

Every one must realize that in a campaign of this kind funds are necessary to pay the legitimate expenses, such as hall rent, printing, and postage. When it

is considered that our total income for carrying on this work in 1906 was only $8,225.94, all of which was donated by local unions and friends and in view of the fact that recently the press of the country has been exposing the enormous amounts of money that were raised from corporations or their representatives for corruption. purposes the American Federation of Labor, its members and friends, may well be proud of its achievements in the past and may hope for a far greater measure of success in the future.

The campaign as conducted was on

clean, honest, non-partisan lines in every particular, and was a credit to those who had it in charge. An itemized statement of every penny of income and expenditure has been printed, and given full publicity, something that has never been done before in the history of a political party or movement.

The same course will be pursued in the impending campaign.

We have every reason to believe that in view of the serious crisis which confronts the workers, there will be far greater political activity this year than ever before. Our campaign work will still be dependent upon voluntary contributions from friends and sympathizers, but we have no fear whatever of the result, for our cause is just and righteous.

While no distinct effort was made to form labor parties per se in 1906, the policy was followed of electing men who had paid-up union cards in their pockets, where the opportunity presented itself. In many states, this proved successful to a degree. When it was not possible to do this candidates for office were questioned and their records noted, and where they expressed themselves favorable to labor's measures, regardless of party, they received the support of labor. The action of every member of the 60th Congress in regard to labor's measures and interests has been carefully noted and this information will be available in every district for campaign purposes.

In addition to the efforts made in the Congressional campaign in 1906 the results accomplished in the various states, in the elections of our friends to the state legislatures, as well as to municipal offices, should not be lost sight of. We will publish later some statistics on that point.

The policy advocated by the American Federation of Labor was effectively carried out by the state and central labor bodies. in many instances successfully in 1906, and they will be prepared this year to profit by that experience and accomplish still greater results.

The practicability of our political movement has demonstrated itself in the action of the 60th Congress. Members of that body who, prior to the last election, imagined that labor measures were something with which to play the game of "battledore and shuttlecock," and who were either hostile