ADVOCATE AND GUIDE. 135 



criterion, every union will vote to support the movement both morally 

 and financially. While the platform is yet in the stage of formation, 

 it will be completed within two weeks, and submitted to the locals for 

 their approval. 



"But few of the planks that will be nailed to the platform were 

 discussed yesterday, the time being given over to the expression of 

 views held by those attending the meeting. Every person taking the 

 floor declared that the time is ripe for organized labor to have a voice 

 in the administration of city affairs. Various abuses of power by past 

 and present city officials were mentioned as valid reasons why the labor- 

 ing men and women should have something to say about how the city 

 in which they live and pay taxes is run. 



" It was pointed out that the Topeka business interests are given 

 first consideration in every matter coming before the city commission 

 for action, while the laboring man's interests are completely ignored. 

 Speakers declared that it is impossible for a committee of laboring men 

 to secure a hearing before the mayor or city commission. It was as- 

 serted that the police force is compelled to work from eleven to thirteen 

 hours daily, seven days a week and for wages that are scarcely suf- 

 ficient for the members to support their families. Many other com- 

 plaints were registered against the city administration as it has been 

 manipulated for many years. 



"While the meeting was held under the auspices of the Industrial 

 Council, that body will have nothing to do with the real campaign that 

 is being planned, it was declared by James O. Stevic, president of the 

 Council, who was selected temporary chairman of the organization 

 formed for the purpose of completing the details concerning the out- 

 line of plans for future action. The committee appointed to call upon 

 each local union will work in relays, three men spending one night ap- 

 pearing before the various unions that meet in Labor Hall, outlining 

 the plan of campaign and asking for a definite answer from that par- 

 ticular local. Each local ratifying the plans will choose a committee* 

 which in turn, will meet with the committees from all the other locals 

 and form the working organization, which will ultimately become the 

 link between the political machine and the members of the locals. 



"When the permanent organization is formed, a campaign manager 

 will be chosen, the locals will finance the candidates chosen for the vari- 

 ous city offices, thus eliminating what was termed the only reason a 

 poor man has been unable to enter the city campaigns. 



"If the union candidates are successful in the city election it is 

 probable that one of the first steps taken will be the inauguration of a 

 movement to secure a municipal cold storage plant, and the installa- 



