An Empty Hall for the Labor Movement
A call for unity in Everett’s political organizing goes largely unanswered by local union delegates.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
It is our painful duty sometimes to criticise instead of praise. The meeting of last Sunday afternoon in the Labor Temple, which was addressed by Mr. Kauffman, is the subject of these few remarks. This meeting was supposed to be under the auspices of the Trades Council. Mr. Kauffman had expressed his desire to meet the members of the Council and the matter was taken up at a regular meeting and a date set. The purpose was to discuss proposed political action. The Trades Council being an integral part of the Federation, they owed it to the parent body to at least acquaint its members with the aims and objects of this organization. This meeting was thoroughly advertised in the Journal, yet the humiliating fact is that not one officer of the Council was present, and very few delegates. Had it not been for the fact that the printers were in session and generously donated their attendance, there would have been a very small audience.
“Eternal vigilance is the price of safety.”
Everett’s labor history is marked by deep ideological shifts and the struggle to keep members engaged beyond the immediate heat of a campaign. Today, labor organizations still navigate the challenge of voter apathy and the difficulty of maintaining a cohesive political front in a busy, fractured world.
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