The Union Times

A.F.L. In Illinois Opens Campaign For '48 Election

E. ST. LOUIS, ILL.—(FP)—Aiming at reaching 750,000 voters in the southern Illinois area, the AFL is conducting a quiet, intensive campaign of economic and political education in preparation for the 1948 elections.

Started four months ago with delegates from four AFL central labor bodies, the Southern Illinois Wage Earners Education & Political League has grown to an organization of approximately 225 delegates from 34 central trades groups and has been holding meetings throughout the area to carry its message to the voters. Secretary of the league is Bus. Agt. John Coleman of Local 970, Intl. Bro. of Teamsters.

Members of the CIO, Dist. 50, United Mine Workers, the Progressive Mine Workers and other independent organizations have been attending the league's monthly sessions, Coleman said.

"We're trying to get the people acquainted with the facts and what labor thinks about current legislation and problems," he said. "We send out minutes of our meetings to each organization affiliated with the league. The members of these organizations then discuss the minutes and the points made in them.

In this way, we are combatting the material publicized by such organizations as the Natl. Assn. of Manufacturers.

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