Speech #720036761

The logical conclusion of such an argument would mean Railroad Trainmen. this group representing directly affili- the immediate abandonment of the development of our own ated members in a number exceeding five and onehalf natural resources in any case where American capital had dismillion. practically all of whom are citizens and voters. covered. purchased. or obtained control of similar resources in foreign lands. The statement is as follows: Labor has an especial interest in such suggestions. It need The workers In the oil industry. joined by workers in allied surprise no one that labor is wondering whether the same theory Industries not directly connected with the production. trans- will not be carried into the immigration field as well as into portation. and refining of petroleum. are requesting from Con- other fields. gress the same protection which in the past has been accorded to One logical conclusion of this theory that American producers other industries and their workers. We are asking that American operating abroad have prior rights to American markets would markets be reserved for American products in order that American carry the suggestion that it is as proper for American capitalists labor may maintain American standards of living. that we may to import foreign labor as to import the products of foreign labor have for our jobs that degree of security to which we believe we and place them in competition with the products of American workers. From the standpoint of labor. there is no difference are entitled. aretitle dhe whatever between American labor being brought into competition American patriotism is silenced in many of the oilproducinYg with cheap foreign labor in this country or with the products procommunities. where workers are listening with active interest to duced by the same. or an even lower class of cheap labor in some the doctrines of Bolshevism and communism. while clever and foreign countries. such as Russia or Venezuela.