ABOR, because of the unfair treatment received from those who have represented (or misrepresented) it in the legislative halls of the Federal and State Governments decided a few months ago to enter the political arena. The preliminary "bouts" between the toilers and the reactionaries began when Labors' non-partisan ticket was put in the field at the recent city elections, which were held in many different states. Labor has cause to rejoice at the results attained, for it was a most satisfactory and gratifying showing considering the fact that our political organization is still in an embryo state.

The democratic and republican parties in many cities endeavored to bent the labor vote by fusion. East St. Louis, a city of nearly one hundred thousand population and the home of a stand-pat reactionary, Congressman Rodenberg, elected a straight labor ticket. Hundreds of other cities did likewise. The fight is now on in earnest and it behooves the toilers and their friends to enter into this political campaign vigorously and if this is done there is no question about the final result.

The conviction of the labor leaders that organized labor would support their non-partisan political policy with energy and enthusiasm has been proven beyond a doubt. The movement has been overwhelmingly indorsed by the activity displayed in the spring elections. Co-operation has been heartily given by central bodies and the affiliated organizations in the A. F. of L. The Executive Committee of the American Federation of Labor's National Non-Partisan Political Campaign Committee needs not only moral co-operation and support, but financial support in order to make this movement complete in each detail.

The old "line" politician is worried more than ever before. They have

been making sport of the claim that Labor was going to control the legislative functions of the country by electing Congressmen to the next Congress, but it is evident that they are now entertaining different views on this subject. Through the American Federation of Labor and affiliated organizations. Thousands of committeemen are being organized to "elect our friends and defeat our enemies."

No true union man or woman will fail to heed the plea of the officers of the American Labor movement that partisan politics should be forgotten and cast aside in the coming elections and every effort must be put forth by each member of organized labor to secure the support of the voters for candidates who have been tried and found not wanting by labor and its friends.

Every method known to the astute and versatile politician will be used in his endeavor to win once more-mud of various hues will probably be thrown in an effort to becloud the real issues of the campaign. Let none be deceived by the clever oratory of the pernicious office seekers, but adhere to the policy which has been outlined by the non-partisan committee in charge of the campaign. The workers and producers have a wonderful opportunity open for them at this time, and it is anticipated that the workers of America will be as progressive in the political field as they have been in the industrial and agriculture industry.

The toilers of the European countries have recently displayed wonderful progressive tendencies in the political sphere, and secured concessions from Government that was only a few years ago considered a utopian dreamThe American workers can and must do better. The enactment of such laws as the recent railroad bill-the Kansas anti-strike law and many other pernicious and iniquitous laws which have been placed on the statutes books of the Nation and States by our misrepresentatives has forced those who labor industrially or agriculturally to accept the challenge.

Labor views with alarm the brazen effrontery of the United States Attorney General (now reported as a candidate for President) and a Federal judge in their efforts to prevent the miners from using their constitutional rights and privileges, and the toilers have justification in their views regardless of the fact that miners have finally won nearly all concessions expected.

Labor did everything possible to prevent Congress enacting the present railroad laws, knowing that it was a pernicious act against the general public as well as the railroad workers. Notwithstanding our efforts, it was recognized that our endeavors would be in vain, due to the fact that those who were supposed to represent the people were bent on representing only certain interests. This fact is clearly indicated by the action of Congress passing hurriedly the Esch-Cummins measure as it came from the committee instead of scrutinizing it with a careful and critical eye and mind and thereby arriving at a thorough understanding of the proposed law. It is assumed without any partisan bias that only a very small minority of the representatives who voted for this bill really knew what they were voting for. They probably realize at this time, for the railroad workers have demonstrated by the illegal strikes which have taken place during the past few days their opinion of such legislation. By this demonstration let Congress take warning.

Labor must elect men as representatives in the lawmaking tribunals who will heed the call of the people. This can only be done by putting your shoulder to the political wheel and work for candidates who are sincere friends of those who labor.

Millions of American workers enter the political campaign full of confidence and with the assurance that right shall prevail and that victory shall perch upon the brow of labor.

Handling United States Mail

Several weeks ago the Interstate Commerce Commission issued an order which became effective March 1st, reading in part as follows:

"Where the railroad companies are required by the department to perform side, terminal or transfer service, they shall be separately compensated for such service, unless the service is performed in or directly contiguous to railway terminals and depots, The amount to be paid therefore shall be measured by the amount paid by the railroad to contractors plus 3 per cent; and where the service is performed by agents or employees of the railroad companies the payment shall be for the value of the pro rata time of such railway agents or employees while engaged in rendering the service, including cost of vehicular service that may be necessary, with the addition of 3 per cent.

"The railroad companies shall also furnish the postmaster general each year, on or before July 1, a detailed statement of the daily time consumed in handling the mails by their agents or employees at each point where side, terminal or transfer service is performed, which statement shall be verified by a responsible official of the company conversant with the facts, and such verified statement shall compute the pro rata payment of the agent or employee performing the service, based on the time actually consumed, and the amount named in the statement plus 3 per cent shall constitute the basis of payment for the next ensuing year, unless in special cases, and for good cause, the postmaster general may require further statements and verifications from any particular railroad company at other periods of the year." Our organization has opposed the handling of the United States mail and parcel post to and from the station and post office and the question has been one of bitter and acrimonious debate in our conventions. The report of President H. B. Perham to the Seattle Convention in May, 1917, read in part as follows anent the handling of mail and parcel post:

"In accordance with the railway mail pay enactment the PostmasterGeneral has rendered his statement to the Interstate Commerce Commission. In the near future hearings will be arranged at Washington, at which time the subject of railway mail pay will receive consideration. On account of there being no special appropriation for side and transfer service, and our membership in many places being still required to carry the mail without extra compensation, therefore request has been made that we intervene, and it is likely that such request will be granted if appearance and oral request be made. The intention has been to request that an adequate appropriation be made for side and transfer service, in order that we may be in position to obtain proper allowances from the carriers where our members are required to perform the service. About seventeen thousand exhibits have been secured to support our contentions, the arguments have been prepared, and we now await notice of the hearings.

It is recommended that this program be carried out."

While it has taken several months for the Interstate Commerce Commission to consider this matter before rendering a decision, the telegrapher and station agent is gratified that our contentions have been sustained. President Manion has issued instructions to the General Chairmen to use their efforts to have the handling of United States mail and parcel post taken away from our members.

Labor's Political Banner Unfurled

(By SAMUEL GOMPERS.)

Americans are beginning the process of formulating judgment as to what kind of government they are to have during the four years following March 4 next. Democracy is shaping its mind for the expression of a verdict of paramount importance.

Every American citizen has a right to express his opinion about the issues at stake and every American citizen has a right to a vote in helping to determine what shall be the concrete expression of the whole people. Likewise every group has the same right.

There have been few general elections in the United States which involved to a greater degree the every-day welfare and happiness of the people. few which to a greater degree involved fundamental rights and liberties.

The American Federation of Labor, fully conscious of the character of the issues involved in this struggle, has declared the necessity for concerted action by Labor for the election of candidates who are friendly to Labor and particularly the defeat of those who are enemies of Labor. Pursuant to instructions voted by the Atlantic City Convention of the American Federation of Labor, Labor's National Non-Partisan Political Campaign Committee has been organized for the purpose of directing the fight for the interests of the American working people.

The fight is on. In this fight Labor will seek the election of fit candidates by a show of the records and of the facts. Labor has no weapon but the truth, no force but the force of reason and argument. Its appeal is to the heart and the brain of America. Its aim is the welfare of the American nation, the safeguarding of the American democracy.

The position now taken by Labor is not new. Labor has always sought the supremacy of right.

Labor's partisanship, in America, has been to principles, not to parties or to men. The partisanship of Labor in this campaign is a partisanship to principles vital to American life and liberty.

As in all human affairs men are the agencies for the development and safeguarding of principles. So men must be elected in the contest to come. But they must be men who stand tried and true for principles.

The rights of Labor have been seriously menaced by many present holders of political place.

The right to cease work, to strike, has been placed in jeopardy.

The writ of injunction has been so abused that the injunction process of today would scarcely be recognized by its originators.

Greed and power have sought to distort every process to the end that human aspirations may be suppressed and human welfare made secondary to profits and plunder.

More than a year has passed since silence settled over the battlefields, yet in all that time not one measure of really reconstructive character has been placed upon the nation's statute books. The national machinery of government seems to have been paralyzed into either inaction or reaction by the cessation of hostilities. And never was the world so starved for great, fundamental progress.

Millions of men and women in America and everywhere came out of the war with a devout and inspiring faith in the future. There was a magnificent willingess to give time and effort to the bettering of human conditions and human relations. Aspiration and ambition were purer throughout the world than ever in the time of our written history. The vulture of the world had been slain and faith in the inherent goodness of democracy was sublime and complete.