The Daily Worker Newspaper, January 20, 1925, Page 3

i Tuesday, January 20, 1925 TRADE UNION E CHICAGO REPORTS VARIED AND GREAT LEAGUE ACTIVITY Garment “and Metal Trades in Lead The Chicago local group since July of last year, has been subjected to a bitter attack from all sides, A united front of the labor bureaucrats has been formed, if not organically at least ideologically, Even Levin, of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers, a so- called: progressive, has joined in this attack, The program of the league has been carried lately thru a series of elec- tions in the unions. No matter what the elections were, delegate to the central labor bodies, district councils, national elections, the program of the league and the right of a Communist to hold office were the issues. In the Chicago Federation. Red baiting in the Chicago Feder- ation of Labor is the order of almost every meeting. For a time only the 26 league members voted for revolution- ary. working class issues. The persist- ency of the left wingers, however, is beginning to bear fruit, and many rank and file delegates are again be- ginning to line up in support of left wing issues. The endorsement of the citizens’ military training camp by the delegate to the A. F, of L, convention was severely criticized by the left wing delegates. This brought a bitter at- tack from Nockels and his reaction- ary folowing. They were ‘shocked by the support that the “reds” got—many of the rank and file delegates support- ing the left wing in their fight against the military training camps. A Gobd Basia, eh Fitz? Fitzpatrick unknowingly paid a compliment to the league members when he said: “These people are clever enough to base their propa- ganda upon fundamental issues.” In the City Election. The league is carrying on an active campaign to help put the Workers Party candidates on the ballot for the coming aldermanic election. Plans are ready to present to the next meet- ing. of the local general group for intensified activities in the defense of the Michigan cases, against child labor, for the building“'up ofthe DAILY WORKER, the strengthening of the local industrial groups, etc. Chicago Metal Trades. The metal trades group is paying special attention to the nomination for general officers in the Machinists’ Union. There are three slates in the field, but the left wing is the only one going to the rank and file with @ progressive program. Their program is based upon the policies laid down by the T. U. E. L. The issues are clear in this election campaign. It is the left wing class struggle policy vs. the Johnston reactionary class collabora- tion scheme. Two thousand copies of the special machinists’ election edition of the Metal Trades Amalgamation Bulletin have already been distributed contain- ing the names of the candidates and the left wing program. So far, four locals have endorsed some or all of the left wing candidates. Chicago Building Trades. The building trades group have waged their first left wing election campaign~in the Carpenters’ Union. In the unions and on the jobs there were 15,000 left wing election pro- grams distributed; 5,000 copies of the special carpenters’ election edition of the Progressive Building Trades Worker were circulated and 1,500 DAILY WORKERS were sold on the day of the election. Altho the left wing did not carry any of the local unions, it established itself during the campaign as a real left wing in the union, Since the election five members of the union have been expelled, Altho expelled, they still attend their union meetings; deprived of a working card, they still work on union jobs. The members of Local 181, Harry Jensen’s own local, are solidly behind the ex pelled members- The Fake |. L. G. W. Election. . Again the Perlstein-controlied joint board of the I, L. G, W. U. have re- moved from the ballot those who are opposed to the machine. A farce elec- tion was held, the election committee setting the date for the election so that there could be no meeings of the locals beforehand, therefore preventing any protest being made against their ac- tions until after the election, The strike of the dressmakers, called off last fall, ts expected to be renewed this spring. A corps of or ganizers have come into Chicago. The expelled members have offered their support in this drive, They point out, however, that no organizing cam- paign can be successful unless the purpose is to carry on a militant strug- gle against wage cuts with a counter- offensive for wage increases. Nor can a logical appeal be made to workers to join the union when these yery officials are expelling the pro- gressives which are needed in build- ing up the union, Subscribe for “Your Daily,” fy CENTRAL DISTRICT This local league is also active in the organizing of the cooks and wait- ers, in getting endorsements for the left wing slate in the Machinists’ Un- ion, and they have taken up with re- newed energies the defense of the class war prisoners. The Detroit league is one of the first three to re- port the passing of the resolution in the Auto Workers’ Union in defense, of C, E. Ruthenberg and the remain- der of the Michigan defendants, Illinois Coal Miners Fight Both the K. K. K. and Faker Farrington Thruout the mining fields of Illi- nois, the T. U. E. L, is carrying on a constant agitation for the forming of unemployment councils. In Belleville, yesterday, a conference was called to discuss the unemployment situation, The unemployment program of the league was placed before this meet- ing for their adoption and a plan of} Omaha League on organization outlined. 2 Despite the support of the K. K, K., ~— c Two reat Campaigns which is very strong in Illinois, Far- rington was defeated in the district election. But, defeating Farrington} ‘The Omaha branch of the T. v. w in the election and getting him out| 1, is carrying on a vigorous campaign of office are two different things. The] against child labor. They were the Lewis-Farrington machine has two|second local league to have passed in major tactics—one is, to steal enough/the union a resolution endorsing and ballots to count themselves in; two, supporting the Michigan cases. if the rank and file is so overwhelm- They responded to the call of the ingly against them that it is impos-lranor Defense Council unanimously, sible to steal or pad the ballot box, not waiting for the sentence to be pro- then remove the candidates from the nounced upon Comrade Ruthenberg, ballot. who is now in the penitentiary serv- In Illinois they can still operate with tactic number one. In Kansas seed res dawianse iaherstman i Rian: E i h aaaee tee ey have to use tactic me bak Dicky tile Sunita bby bu The editor of this section did not|P™e™me court upheld the conviction of have time to compile the votes cast|©: ©. Ruthenberg. for the miners’ left wing slate in IIli- nois. This will appear in next week’s Saint Paul is section. No Place For Saints Lately . In St. Paul, the reactionaries were and Organizers} able to expel trom the Trades and ‘ Labor Assembly two members of the The Detroit league’s activities in} T. U. HE. L. To do this they had to the carpenters’ election were crowned | resort to all kinds of deceit and trick- with success. They carried Detroit|ery. The chairman would not even al- for: Morris. Rosen, the left wing candi-| low a clause from the A. F. of L. con- date for general president. This so| stitution to be read. enraged Wm. L. Hutcheson that he| An appeal is being sent to the local withdrew the organizer from that dis-| unions thru a referendum vote. Both trict and at the same time tied the|of the delegates expelled are members hands of the district counoil. This is | of the Machinists’ Union and have the a covert threat thet the district will|full support of their local and many either support Hutcheson or be de-j|other unions. The fight in St. Paul stroyed. has just begun. CANADIAN DISTRICT ALBERTA MINER Detroit Scraps Czar Hutcheson Nova Scotia Coal Diggers Elect a Left Wing Slate The Canadian section of the Trade Union Educational League scored a victory over the arch-faker, John L. Lewis, in district 26, of the U. M. W. of A. The Nova Scotia miners, under the leadership of the T. U. EB. L. and Kept Of Ballot the Communist Party of Canada, a left wing district slate. Our comrades in the mining section! ‘They immediately showed their con- month strike which was betrayed by|icy of Lewis by voting 100 per cent the renegade radical, President Sher-| gor a strike against wage cuts. The defeat of the strike meant Sherman’s doubtedly will show a victory for the defeat in the district election unless| progressive miners’ national slate. He could not get the support of the rank and file. So he ‘simplified the . f the ballot and declared himself in Toronto M ‘rom the ballot and declared himse! ie elected by acclamation, Demands for Relief the militant miners in Alberta, altho] severe than in the United States, In nominated for president by every local] fact, Canada has not yet recovered even nominated for another office by| spite these handicaps, the league in that one, yet was removed from the| Canada has launched a paper for the A demand is now being made for a} ities, called the “Left Wing”. special convention for the removal of} In Toronto unemployment councils the reinstatement of Burns as check| members. They are demanding from weighman, the government unemployment doles, check weighman, but the company re-| pening up of public works. fused to allow him on the tipple. force his reinstatement. Sherman, not SEE FRONT PAGE REPORT daring to come to the meeting sent been called into the district by the tana The great strike of 60,000 anthra- coal operators. The miners would not cite miners now impending in Dis- the platform. However, they agreed about in the story beginning on the to go back to work when promised first page of this issue. Because of er aes front page to see the rank and file Struggle which always is the field of Kid Burns, Militant, / | threw off the Lewis yoke and elected of Alberta have just come thru a six- tempt for the class collaboration pol- man, the Cappellini of Canada. The] ejection returns from this district un- fraudulent methods were resorted to. Unemployed Councils sitation by removing his opponents Kid Burns, the recognized leader of Unemployment in Canada is more union in Drumheller except one and| trom the effects of the world war. De- ballot because he was a Communist.| carrying on of the T. U. B. L. activ- Sherman, for a fair election, and for} have been formed with some 3,000 Three times Burns was elected|Unemployment insurance, and the Finally the miners called a strike to Levitt, henchman of Lewes who’ had ON ANTHRACITE STRIKE Cavek: <0 Levitt Gad Crore itt 00) wae One, i, Me Wi IOP: tol told that Burns would be reinstated within this, readers are referred to the the T. U. E. L. READ THE DAILY WORKER JACK JOHNSTONE WILL SPEAK ON A. F. OF L. CONVENTION AT THE NEXT MEETING OF CHICAGO BRANCH T.U.E.L. Jack Johnstone, assistant secretary of the Trade Union Educational League, will report on the El Paso convention of the American Federation of Labor at the next regular monthly meeting of the Chicago branch of the league. i The meeting will be held on the last Wednesday in January at 8 p. m. in North West Hall, corner of Western and North avenues. Comrade Johnstone reported the El Paso convention for the DAILY WORKER and traveled to Mexico with, but not as guest of, the labor fakers who accepted President Calles’ of Mexico invitation to witness the Inaugural ceremonies in the Mexican capital, , hould be t of tha jvity. Get Johnstone has ‘unusual distinction of being the first Communist re ths potas * talk, and ie on talking porter in America to bai acne athe tac! yg about the DAILY WORKER, THE DAILY WORKER ORKERS! SEND IN YOUR NEWS TOTHET, WEL, Write Up the Fights of All Workers This section of the DAILY WORK- | ER depends upon your correspond- | ence. There are happenings every day all over the country, events in which the left wing and the Commun- ists in the labor unions are taking a leading role. Write in about them to the T. U.E.L., 1113 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, Ill. But even if there isn’t a left winger on the job, even if there are no Com- munists in sight, write up the meet-| ings of your central labor body, what | it did and what it failed to do. Write up your local union meetings and the vital matters handled there. Write up the unemployment situation in your city, or district and what, if any- thing, is being done about it. Send it all in to the T. U. B, L. Write up your job. The struggles of your craft or industry. Write up the struggles of any workers you are acquainted with, Above all, write up strikes! ‘ Do not thi ou have to be a mem- ber of the Workers Party or have to get credentials to write these’ things. Do not think that the strikes must be led by the Workers Party or T. U. B. L. militants to be justified for you to write about. No! We want stories of the struggle all the time going on, stories not printed now because we don’t know about them. Be alive! Don’t think that because you know what is going on in your union, your shop, your industry or your town or mining camp, that every- body alse knows. They don’t! But they like to know. Write it in to the T.U.E.L., 1113 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago. Don't try to write fancy articles or arguments for a new system of so- clety. Just write what happens, write facts, facts! Write them in as few words as possible and send them in any day or any night, but if you want to get them in this page next week, get them in by Friday of this week. Address every letter, “T. U. E. L., 1113 W. Washington Blyd., Chicago, I. SUPPORT SPECIAL Page Three EASTERN Pittsburgh in Fight to Get Prisoners Out The activities in the district league have been of the kind that spurs one on to greater efforts. Not the least of their successes has been the pardoning of twenty-five of the thirty-eight class war prisoners, victims of the coal barons in the Col- linsville strike, The fight for the release of the other thirteen is being carried on with even greater energy. Fagan, the reactionary president of district No. 5, U. M. W. of A., is sabotaging the com- mittee’s work, even going so far as to pay a visit to the penitentiary and stop the DAILY WORKER from going to the prisoners. In the miners’ election, the Pitts- burgh league reports the results from thirty-two local unions—the reaction- ary Lewis receiving 848 votes as against 2,935 cast for the left wing candidate, Voyzey. In the district election, in thirty-eight locals, the left wing candidate, Guiler, received 2,612 votes as against 1,175 for the reaction- ary, Fagan. Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 17. Results of the U. M. W. of A. elections in the following locals are: Local 2012—Lewis, 29; Voyzey, 15; Murray, 17; Staples, 26; Green, 29; Nearing, 15; Fagan, 26; Guiler, 22. Local 2278—Lewis, 2; Voyzey, 172; Murray, 7; Staples, 181; Green, Nearing, 17; Fagan, 16; Guiler, 172. Galloway, W. Va,, Local 2311—Lew- is, 91; Voyzey, 125; Murray, 95; Staples, 120; Green, 109; Nearing, 106. Philly Hits Ball in Carpenters’ and I. L. G. W. U. Work The Philadelphia league has con- ducted its first left wing election cam- paign in the Carpenters’ Union. The DISTRICT results were surprising to the reac- tionary machine. In three locals, Ro- sen received 550, Hutcheson 224, and Brown 29 votes. Rosen, the left wing candidate, scored a two-to-one victory over the machine. candidate, Hutche- son. These militants distributed 5,000 left wing programs and 1,000 of the special carpenters’ election edi- tion of the Progressive Building Trades Worker. The I. L, G. W. U. is launching an organization campaign in Philadelphia for the purpose of trying to win back the ground lost thru their stupid: ex- pulsion policy against members of the | T. U., EB. L. The industry is practicai- ly unorganized. The expelled mem. | bers sent a letter to the union offer- ing their services in the organizing campaign, At a mass meeting of the members called for the purpose of outlining the campaign, Barrof was asked: “If you organize a shop where expelled members are working, will you expel them from the shop, or will you take them into the union?” He called upon Sigman to answer, but Sigman was in New York. Im- possible to get rid of these darned T. U. E. L.-ites in or out of the union, they hold the confidence of the work- ers. union Boston Leaguers Call Conference of Three Groups Boston league reports a bad situa- tion among the boot and shoe, textile, and tobacco workers. These workers are poorly organized. Conferences have been called by the T. U. BE. L. in the textile and the boot and shoe industries. The purpose of these conferences is to solidify the ranks of labor thru the amalgamation of the numerous craft unions, to organize the unorganized for the purpose of combatting wage cuts and the lengthening of the work day, and for a militant fight based up- on the class struggle. WESTERN DISTRICT Francisco ~- Beginning to Come to Life CAMPAIGNS FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS Fight on All Fronts Against Bosses All activities of the Trade Union Educational League are important. At this time, however, special emphasis should be placed upon and special campaigns conducted on the following points: Fight Wage Cuts. Against wage cuts and increasing of hours of labor. The league is the heart and soul of the united front movement. It works as a unified left wing bloc within the trade unions. Upon them devolves the task of get- ting their unions to join the united front movement, raising the slogan, “Against wage cuts” and the length- ening of hours. For wage increases and shortening of hours.” Oppose Child Labor. Against child labor and for the cliff labor amendment. There are over 1,000,000 child wage slaves, while mil- lions of adults are unemployed. These children receive less wages than adults, which explains the vicious at- tacks by the employers against the child labor amendment. To make the child labor amendment really effective the @ proposes government main- tenance of the workers’ children to insure their care until they are of an age to work. Defend Your Class Leaders. Defense of the Michigan cases. Re- solutions should be passed in your lo- cal union for the endorsement of, affi- lation with, and donations to the La- hor Defense Council, which is handl- ing the defense of C. E. Ruthenberg and the other Communist defendants. Comrade Robert Minor is the next to be placed on trial. A conviction of Minor will mean the trial and prob- able conviction of Comrades Foster, Dunne, Browder, and 26 others. This is a major activitys i Boost the Daily. The DAILY WORKER campaign must receive the full support of all sections of the T, U. E..L. The pres- ent drive to insure the DAILY WORK- ER for 1925 is a major campaign of the league. More than that, the DAILY WORKER is a part of all our activities. Subscribing to the DAILY WORKER is not sufficient. Pushing the DAILY WORKER is an activity for every league member. Every campaign of the league, be it for amalgamation, against child labor, or what not, the DAILY WORKER The San Francisco league went thru a very bitter experience with the La- Follette movement. Many adherents of the league swung over to the La- Follette camp. The latest report from Frisco shows a reorganization of the league taking place, and splendid progress being made. The local general group is be- ing built up and four industrial groups have been organized. They are push- ing the fight against child labor, and are laying plans for an active cam- paign in defense of Comrade Ruthen- berg. A movement ip under way to form unemployment touncils based upon the unemployed program of the league. A conference is being arrang- ed on a united front basis between the Workers Party, T. U. E. L., the Build- ing Trades Council and many other union organizations. In Oakland an unemployment coun- cil has also been formed upon the bas- is of the unemployed policy of the league and defense of class war pris- oners. “B. & O.” Official Sits Up Nights Reading Our Stuff The Workers Monthly reports that C, W. Galloway, vice-president of the B, & O. railroad, has subscribed to the Workers’ Monthly. Evidently he is very anxious to know what the T. U. E. L, thinks about the B. & O. plan which is sponsored by his friend, Wm. H. Johnston. He was a constant read- er, if not an ardent supporter, of the Labor Herald. Mr. Galloway is not sure whether his pal Johnston is going to get the nomination or not. He is afraid that Julius Emme, the T. U. E. L, candi- date, may beat him to it and substi- tute the class struggle for class col- laboration. We are only a minority, but when our enemy takes the trouble to study us closely, it is an indication that they recognize our growing strength and influence. When you buy, get an “Ad” for the DAILY WORKER. Los Angeles Says “Here’s $50 of Russian Gold” The Los Angeles league is another one of our local groups that is being attacked by the reactionary Hutche- son machine. Eleven members of the Carpenters’ Union have been expelled for being members of the league. All of them have been in the union for from five to thirty years. Despite this attack, the league is doing good work. All local general groups should take note that the Los Angeles league is the first one this year to put on an entertainment for the benefit of the national office. They sent in a check for $50.00. Despite the stories of “Russian gold,” this sort of revenue, together with the sale of pamphlets, is the league’s only income. Los Angeles answered the call! What about your group? Say it with a check! I. W. W. Is Aided by Red International ° Affiliation Committee The Red International Affiliation Committee which took up the fight on an international scale to stop the de- portation of Herbert Mahler, Petro Ni- gra, Joe Oates and William Moran, announces that the campaign has suc- ceeded in getting a pardon for these workers. ‘ The R. I. A. C., which carries on ac- tivity in the I. W. W. in behalf of the Red International, is publishing a statement supporting a free press in the I. W. W. and abolition of the censorship which has nearly wrecked that organization. We Are Waiting to Hear From Other Leagues The progressive miners of Christo- pher have the honor of passing the first resolution in the miners’ unton in support of the Michigan cases since the upholding of the conviction of Comrade Ruthenberg. The Omaha league was second and Detroit third, DUCATIONAL LEAGUE WEEKLY SECTION WHAT LENIN SAID ON THE PROBLEMS OF TRADE UNIONS A Weekly Contribution from Comrade Ilyitch No writer on trade union problems has given us so much clear-cut and definite insight into their solution than has Vladimir Ilyitch Lenin. “Without the support of the trade un- ions,” he said a couple of years after the October revolution, “the dictator- ship of the revolution would not have lasted months, let alone years.” Because he considered the conquest of the trade unions for the program of Communism as a pre-requisite to the final victory over capitalism, Lenin gave profound and detailed attention to trade union questions. Below we reproduce a_ resolution written by Lenin on the trade unions for the 1906 conference of the Russian social-democratic labor party (now the Russian Communist Party). In this resolution we see the clear foresight of Lenin, which was able, 19 years ago, to see the policy that holds good for Communists in the trade unions today. Every week a contribution from the wisdom of Lenin on some question re- lating to the trade unions will be printed on this page. Resolution on Trade Unions. Whereas: (1) The trade union movement is a necessary and integra element in the class struggle, and trade unions a necessary and organic element in the class organizations of the proletariat: (2) In order to attain their goal the trade unions must strive to or. ganize the widest proletarian masses; (3) Among the Russian proletariat particular notice must be taken of the broad flow in the direction of trade union organization; (4) The economic struggle can lead to a lasting betterment in the situation of the toiling masses, and to the strengthening of their real class | organizations only by a true co-ordina- tion of the economic struggle with the political struggle of the proletariat; (5) In the atmosphere of a revolu- tionary epoch, the trade unions, in ad- dition to defending the economic in- terests of the working class, draw the proletariat into the immediate political ~ |Stpuggle, and aid in achieving a broad organizational and political unity for the working class. (6) In this revolutionary atmos- phere the toiling masses, becoming or- ganized and politically united, are more and more corhing to take their stand beneath the banner of social de- mocracy. (Ed. Note: * Meaning the Bolsheviks, now the Communist Party.) The convention resolves that: (1) The party must support? the movement of the workers toward trade union organization, and by every means help in the organization of non- party unions; (2) Keeping this in view, and mak- ing use- of all legal possibilities, and especially of the laws regarding trade unions, it is essential continually to widen these legal limits, steadily fight- ing for the full freedom of the trade unions; (3) Tihat all party members must Join the trade unions, actively partic: ipating in all union activities, and con- stantly strengthening among the mem- bers their class solidarity, and their class consciousness, in order to bind the unions organically to the party both in their struggles and their agi- tation work. Textile Mill Workers Strike Against Pay Cut Sporadic strikes thruout the textile centers of New England are breaking out, in protest against the latest wage- cut of 10 per cent. The Granite, Bar. nard, and Lincoln mills in Fall River, Mass,, were the scenes of strikes be- ginning last weeky The Davis and Kerr mills went on strike several days before. Lawrence, Providence, New Bedford, are also witnessing strug- gles. The strike movement is spreading rapidly, under the stimulus of leaflets containing the call to action of the T. U. E. L, and the Workers Party, for a united front and strike against wage cuts, against the multiple loom system, and against longer hours. The left wing is calling meetings thru- out the district and organizing its forces to unify the labor organizations of the textile workers and to make the We are waiting to hear from all the leagues. What about it? Build the DAILY WORKER! MILITANTS ATTENTION! The Chicago Trade Union Educational League is arranging several cam- paigns which will require the services of about a hundred people for the distribution of leaflets. If you recognize the necessity of the battle against the labor bureaucrats volunteer for this work. Get in touch with Martin Abern, Room 303, 166 W. Washington St. or Tom Bell, 1113 W. Washington Bivd. Send in your name, address, and phone number. present moyement effective. Fight the “B. & O.” Plan With a New “Left Wing” Paper In New Brunswick the league is fighting against the B. & O. plan, Johnston, taking advantage of the un- employment situation, has been able to put his working class betrayal scheme into operation at Moncton, N. B. The T. U. B L. and their official organ, the “Left Wing” are waging a constant struggle for the defeat of the plan,