The Daily Worker Newspaper, September 15, 1925, Page 2

Page Two FORM DEFENSE REPRESENTING 18,000 WORKERS 90 Delegates Launch Local Unit of I. L. D. (Continued from page 1) ate release of Paul Crouch and Wal- ter Trumbull, confined to Alcatraz prison, under sentences of three years and one year respectively, for being Communists; and supporting the 18 Zeigler miners who are charged with murder by kluxers and mine union officials because of their fight against the corruption of the Farrington ma- chine, were also passed. The resolu- tion on Crouch and Trumbull will be sent to the war department and that on the Zeigler miners will be sent to the United Mine Workers of America. A report was made to the confer- ence by Henry Corbishley, leader of the Zeigler miners, who went into detail on the alliance of the klans- men and the mine union officials against the miners, which led to the murder of one of the miners by a klansmen. Rose Karsner reported on the cas- es handled by the International Labor Defense, since its formation in Chi- cago, Comrade Karsner told how the I. L. D, is aiding the sick wife of Tony Stafford, an Italian coal miner, who was deported a few days ago, af- ter spending some months in jai]. He was arrested during the 1920 strike of the coal miners. The I. L. D. tried to secure Stafford’s release but he was railroaded to Ellis Island and deported before counsel could be se- cured, Comrade Karsner also report- ed on the A. V. Severino case in Cleveland, the Crouch and Trumbull cases, and the Zeigler miners’ case. Severino is in danger of having his citizenship papers taken from him because he is active on behalf of the workers’ interests. So far, the International Labor De- fense has been able to keep Benjamin Gitlow, member of the Workers (Com- munist) Party from going to Sing Sing prison. Gitlow lost his appeal to the United States supreme court. He is charged with violating the “criminal anarchy” laws of New York state. Other cases touched on by Com- rade Karsner were the arrest of 23 Communists in Pittsburgh, the Mich- igan cases against the Communis' the attempted deportation of 8. Zin- feh, working class editor and E. Vaj- tauer, and the L W. W. cases. The miners of southern [Mlinois (Continued from page 1) ure entered into relations with the 16 unions, the universal eight-hour day, increased wages and better conditions won, But this did not come from the activities of the union officials, but |from a temporary “peace” maneuver lof the companies, who actually drove | tens of thousands of workers into the | unions. How Unionism Has Lost. Prior to 1916, the railway clerks had about 5,000 members, but this in- creased to over, 200,000 in 1920. The carmen, who had 29,000 in 1915, had over 200,000 in 1921. The sixteen standard unions rose from about 500,- 000 in 1916 to 1,260,000 in 1921, Untider the national agreement wages had increased. In 1916 the average wage was $892. Then came the war and in 1917 the average was $1,004; 1918, $1,419; 1919, $1,486; in 1920, $1,820. The total wages had more than doubled from 1916 to 1920. But all these conditions wete abnormal, not due to any fighting policy df the union officials, but were a maneuver to pacify labor carried out conscious- ly by labor’s enemy—the companies and the capitalist government, in or- jder to avoid interference with the war program. Anyone could have foreseen that when the war was’ over capitalism would take away what it had given, No Officials Who Would Fight. With fighting leadership which had a program such a favorable situation would have been seized upon and the unions made invincible. Instead, the leaders were going into coal mining, banking, real estate and other busi- nesses, now not even caring if the membership does dwindle to naught as dividends from banks, etc., pays their salaries. The post war offensive of the com- panies was explained in detail, the passage of the Esch-Cummins bill and the setting up of the railroad Jabor board beginning the drive of capital against rail unions. The open shop drive began. Capitalism began to at- tack the unions one at a time. Wages were cut here, and when the cut was put over, then wages were cut there. A war strategy of the companies against the workers was put in effect, Layoffs, outside contracting, »wage cuts, withdrawal of conditions: were the order of the day. The railroad la- bor board compelled the unions strict- ly to obey its orders but the» com- panies openly and successfully flouted its rulings. The net result in the de- feat of the shopmen symbolized” the success of the companies. Betrayal of the Shopmen, In that strike the betrayal of the, union leadership became most appar- ent. All workers were anxious to aid Rail Militants Hear Report .| the shopmen. Some struck in ‘spite have formed a Franklin county de- spit fenae committee, which has the sup- |f the officials’ opposition. The Main- port of the I. L. D. and a local of | tenance of Way men had a vite strike, the I. L. D. has been formed by the | but that unfon’s officials sold out the West Frankfort miners. The mem- bers of the Industrial Workers of the World victimized by class justice are also being aided by the I. L. D. Fred Mann, member of the I. W. W. attend- ed the ‘conference. George Maurer reported on activity and organization. He declared that the conference indicates that the local or- ganization can be built up into a real mass organization, with individual membership and affiliation from labor organizations, many of which have already asked to be connected. There are 72 permanent branches of the I. L. D. represented at the conference, Comrade Maurer declared, with 1,400 members. The delegates, Comrade Maurer pointed out, represented trade unions, fraternal organizations of workers, 55 permanent branches of the I. L. D. and other working class organizations. Comrade Blankenstein reported on the white terror and showed the in- ternational aspect of the defense of the workers against the assaults of the employing class and the govern- ments which are but their tools. The mass meeting held last night in Temple Hall, addressed by C. E. Ruthenberg, William Z. Foster, Dun- can MacDonald and Henry Corbishley will be reported in Tuesday’s issue of the DAILY WORKER. Organized Teachers of Chicago Reiterate Demand for Councils strike for a mere two cent raise for this one union. The government threw all its power against the strik- ers. The Willard-Jewell agreement . of Sept. 13, that year, was the first big surrender of the union officials and it demoralized and shattered the ranks of the strikers. Their cause was lost, The work of 25 years was undone. The shop unions melted away. like snow before summer sun. From 400,- 000 they fell to 100,000 or less. It.was a terrible monument to the stupidity of craft unionism and the folly or worse of the leaders with no vision. The Present Situation. The Carmen, which went into the strike with about 200,000 have now only 40,000 left. The machinists, which had a railroad membership of about 125,000 today have ‘only 10,000 on the railroads, The total membership of jall 16 trades fell from 1,260,000 in | 1922 to about 750,000 at present. The whole machinery of protection by the union in the shops was destroyed. Wages have been lost in ten occupa- tions ranging from 7 to 39.2 percent between 1921 and 1925. They are still going down. In February, 1925 rail workers got $7,000,000 less than in February, 1924; 11,334 tewer men were employed. Two dollars a month was lost in one year off the average pay of all railroad workers, For the entire month of February, 1925, a quarter of a million railroad workers received less than $75 each. An immediate drive for wage in- creases is the call of necessity to all rail workers. A total of 297,466 rail- road workers have been thrown out of work during the past four years, Organized teachers of Chicago are | those left being compelled to do extra adding to the labor ferment by formal | work. protests against the factory methods Officials Oppose Movement. of their employers. To the abolition] The Amalgamation Movement, of teacher councils on school time,|which met the severest obstacles in the increase in pupils per classroom, |the depression and demoralization of the warning from the boss not to be|the unions and the campaign of slan- sick too often, the proposed wage|der and opposition of union officials, scale which would give most of the|has, however, continued to grow in pay boost to the higherups and other | volume and strength. devices, has been added by the em-| Following the December, 1922 con- ployers a variation of punching the|ference the question of a general time clock. amalgamation convention, or a refer- The Chicago Federation of Men/endum for such convention had been teachers points out to the board of|submitted to the officials of all the education that noother profession is |16 standard organizations. Only three subjected to a similar humiliation” |replied. The others ignored it en- and that “large systems tend at best |tirely. Fijozdal of the Maintenance to become mechanized and to develop |of Way had stated readiness to par- in teachers the feeling that they are|ticipate. Ryan of the Carmen stated mere cogs in a machine.” Encour-|there was “no desire” for amalgama- agement of teacher councils must be|tion in that union. Kline of the the answer, the union declares. Blacksmiths merely evaded the, is- At @ mass meeting of the Chicago|sues. Further effort to get officials Teachers’ Federation Pres. Mary M.|to lead the movement or even ap- Abbe asserted “we have stood about | provee of it had met with bitter op- all we can bear.” position Recommendations. The growth and spread of the Am- algamation Movement was traced by Brother Wangerin, as detailed in the DAILY WORKER of Saturday, with considerable particulars given of work in the various unions, A number of recommendations, based upon the ideas enveloped in the course of work by active workers for the movement were made, including the broadening of the program, a better method of financing the work and the question of moving the headquarters of the movement from St. Paul to Chicago, the greatest railroad center of the country. Strong demands had been made to include in the program a position of opposition to all sortg of class col- laboration schemes and to make of supposed “co-operative” institutions, real co-operatives and not mere priy- ate business institutions for officials. The union membership must actually control such institutions. International Trade Union Unity. The isolation of American rail un- ions from their brothers in other lands had been criticized by many ac- tive workers. The British unions had taken the lead for international trade union unity and it is demanded that international relations be set up with the rail unionists of other countries. The workers must be given a new deal all around. The 1,000,000 unor- ganized railroad workeys must be brot into the unions. The conference must formulate to a progressive and mili- tant policy-and build up the move- ment within every uniog to inspire the fank and file to action. Sixty Delegates Present Roy H. Woods, chairman of the In- ternational Committee for Amalgama- tion in the Railroad Industry, opened the conference with approximately sixty delegates present. The credent- ial€ committee reported many dele- gates not yet arrived, and that many present represented district, system federations and so on. Five or six brothers present without credentials, but expressing an interest in the con- ference were seated as fraternal dele- gates, The report of the rules committee was adopted providing for the follow- ing agenda: Report of credentials committee, report of officers, address by chairman, report of secretary- treasurer, report: of committees, in order—resolutions, finances, press and organization; new business, election of International Committee and ad- jorunment. Committees Appointed Chairman Woods opened the con- ference with a brief but interesting address, and committees were announ- ced as follows: Resolutions; John Fo- ley, B. of R. T., Cleveland; W. H. Wangerin, Rock Island amalgamation committee, Inver Grove, Minn; Donald Menzies, Railway Carmen, Local 488, London, Ontario; J. A. McGovern, I. A. M. No. 111, Montreal, Quebec; J. B. Carmichael, Maintenance of Way, Spo- kane, Wash, On press and finance, the following were chosen on committee: Pete Jen- sen System Federation No, 130, Chica- go; M. O. Slipher, I. A. M. No, 181, LaFayette, Ind.; Frank Reinameier, Blacksmiths No. 589, New Butler, Wis. The organization committee was con- stituted as follows: Scott L. Gipple, Railway Carmen, Dist. 1, St. Paul, Minn.; A. L. Harbin, C. and O. Feder- ation, Covington, Kentucky; W. BE. Long, machinists No. 111, Montreal, Quebec; C. H. Clarke, machinists No. 103, Stratford, Ontario; W. J. Pierce, Amalgamation Committee, London, Ontario. > Secretary Otto H. Wangerin then reported on the situation in railroad unionism and the progress of the amalgamtion movement since the last conference in December 1922, A sum- mary of Wangerin’s report is printed elsewhere in the DAILY WORKER. Discussion followed by Brothers, Cor- bett, Foster, Wangerin, Jensen, Long and Forbes, after which the report was accepted. Adjournment was taken to allow committees to complete their work, NEW YORK MAYORALTY CAMPAIGN EXPOSES LOW PAY OF LIBRARY HELP (Special to The Daily Worker) NEW YORK, Sept. 13—Low wages of New York library workers are an issue in the mayoralty fight. Frank D. Waterman, millionaire republican candidate, charges that 46 per cent of the trained library workers of the metropolis get from $19 to $23.50 per week, manifestly less than a living wage in this city of high costs. Waterman promises that he will have the wages raised if he gets the mayor’s job. He does not ex- plain how he will do it in view of the peculiar contract entered into jointly by the city, the Carnegie corporation and the trustees of the Lenox, Tilden, Astor Foundations under which the city pays the bills of upkeep but has nothing to say about wage scales or other ques- tions of management. Nor ie there comfort to be dri from Water. man's own record as an “open shop” fountain pen manufacturer. SR REE R SR EI SES eh Sea SIE Goh EE Sa bt, SE E RA R TRE EM Scat Rs RT itt SSO lth lie ct nn A i A Ee Ph A et 8. SO SNE A LE. Tt Ta hl na RD * AEE A OE eal ein Gale wt sacl Mo lA Els elem ee 0 oe ee THE DAILY WORKER BRITISH TRADE UNION CONGRESS SCORES EMPIRE Left Wing Wins Over Yellow Socialists (Continued from page 1) the congress tho present as a guest. The lead in the fight against the re; solution was taken by J. H. Thomas, former colonial minister in Mac- Donald’s cabinet, é Bitter Pill for Mac. Another resolution Whi¢h ‘was op- posed by the MacDonald, Snowden, Clynes, Thomas combifiation was the one opposing the Da: jan. Con- gress declared it to Be & capitalist scheme for the exploitation of the German workers, This was the pet scheme of MacDonald and .was one of his principal achievements for the in- ternational financiers during his term in office. The motion condemning it was gall and wormwood to him, The congress went on record authorizing the general council to do everything in its power to secure world-wide unity of trade anions thru an all-inclusive federation.) Thruout the congress the left wing was in the ascendancy and the Thomas, Clynes, MacDonald support- ers suffered ighominioug defeat. oe imperialists Worrying. LONDON, Sept. 18—Sir George Hunter, prominent in the ship build- ing industry, today addressed a letter to Premier Baldwin, demanding that a commission be appointed forthwith to investigate and report upon the economic position of all of the indus- tries in the country. “We are on the road to ruin” said Sir George “it is evident that some- thing is wrong with the industries. Is it capitalism? Is is ie) unionism? The future of the whole ¢ountry and of the empire is at atakefij Without any doubt the British rul- ing class is worrying @s/it had not worried even during the’ darkest days of the world war. POSTAL WORKERS VOTE TO STICK BY LABOR UNION a (Specialto The Dailvjgworker) DETROIT, Sept, 18:+World-wide organization of postal workers to cor- respond to the world-wide Universal Postal Union of employers (the na- tional post office departments of the various governments) was proposed to the convention in Detroit of the National Association of! Letter Car- riers by J. W. Bowen, general secre- tary, British Postal Workers’ Union. The convention reiterated its faith in combined organized labor activity by overwhelming a motion to sever affiliations with the Américan Feder- ation.of Labor. The motion was in- troduced by Branch 66, eeling, W. Va., and supported only' by the two votes allotted the eéling dele- gation. Evidence was presented that the speed-up system is responsible for the greater sickness rate that exists among the postal workers compared with employes in industry. The following are a few of the reso- lutions passed: To discontinue the practice of asking carriers to do double duty during the vacation sea- son, the making of all service reduc- tions in strict accordance with seni- ority rights, no mail deliveries by reg- ular carriers on Christmas, more adequate protection for letter carriers on duty against assault, fixing of the maximum weight to be taken out by a carrier at 35 pounds, advance pay- ment of salaries before vacations, payment of double wages for over- time, the utmost, curtailment of night work and the institution of a 15 minute time differential for hours be- tween 6 p. m. and 6 a; m. and the payment of salaries weekly. M, Clyde Kelly, of Pittsburgh, father of the postal pay increase bill, was applauded when he addressed the con- vention and the name of Albert B. Burleson, Woodrow Wilson’s post- master general, was booed in a vigor- ous demonstration, " The Letter Carriers reported 32,500 members to the A. F, ofL, in 1924, a constant figure since 1920, Wall Street Sends Sheffield Back. WASHINGTON, Sept. 183—James R. Sheffield, United States ambassador to Mexico, will confer here on Wed- nesday with President Coolidge and Secretary of State Kellogg, it was an- nounced, Sheffield is now at Atlantic City recuperating from a recent fll- ness. He is expected return to Mexico City after his) conferences here. Sheffield represented the inter- ests of the U. 8. capitalists in Mex- feo, —_———— Chinese T Soviet Fair. MOSCOW.—The People’s Commis- sariat of Foreign Trade granted a li- cense to Chinese firms to import up to ten thousand poods of tea to the Nijnt-Novgorod Fair, which wag pro- longed until September 15 Wisconsin and New York City Elections Offering Experiences to Workers By J. LOUIS ENGDAHL. ‘ODAY, two political campaigns, in Wisconsin and New York City, should keenly interest the workers. In neither campaign does labor offer a united front to its oppressors, with the result that the political agents of the great capital- ists can afford the great luxury of fighting among them- selves. ‘ Yet the workers and farmers will come out of both these political struggles with added experiences fortifying them for future battles. * * * * The bankruptcy of the “socialists,” who went into the LaFollette third party last year, meekly and quiescent, is evident in both the eastern municipal election and in the western state poll to select a successor for the late Wisconsin senator. In New York City the “socialists” refuse all proffers of a united political front repeatedly made by the Workers (Communist) Party. Instead the “socialists” are active, with the Sigman regime in the International Ladies’ Gar- ment Workers’ Union. in breaking the resistance of the workers to the needle trades employers, thru destroying the unity of the workers. The republican congressman, F. H. LaGuardia, who was last year re-elected on the “socialist” ticket, is now off the Hillquit bandwagon, and is being definitely mentioned as candidate for president of the board of aldermen on the pro- posed Hearst-Hylan third party ticket, that will be put in the field in Case Mayor Hylan is defeated in the democratic primaries. LaGuardia, the “socialist’-republican of yester- day, is desired today by the Hearst-Hylan democrats, not because of any principles he may espouse, but purely as bait to “catch the Italian vote,” showing the kind of material with which the “socialists” played. LaGuardia is a bridge between the eastern and western campaigns. He is not out speaking for the “socialists” in Wisconsin, not at all, altho he was often included with Victor L. Berger as “the two socialist congressmen” in the last con- gress. In Wisconsin LaGuardia is for LaFollette, Jr., on the republican ticket, finding a seat in this camp with Hendrick Shipstead, the Minnesota farmer-labor senator, who is also stumping the state for “the crown prince" of Wisconsin politics. e 2 e a Thus we find this situation: FIRST:—The farmer-laborite leaders, who fought the Communists last year because they urged a labor party severing all ties with the capitalist parties, are still in open alliance, like Shipstead in Wisconsin, with the pet political harlot of Wall Street, the republican party. SECOND:—The “socialists” who have professed them- selves in favor of a labor party, and claimed that the La Follette movement was “the labor party,” have now crawled back into their shells. From their isolation they fight the Communists with what remaining strength they possess. This is especially true in New York City and Wisconsin, the two remaining “socialist” strongholds, and incidentally the scene of the present political campaigns. . * With the discrediting of these two anti-Communist in- . fluences, that have raised the scare of the Moscow dictator- CALVIN'S TOOLS ship as an argument against the pata of the Labor Party, the workers and poor farmers must rally more energetically than ever for independent political action. They will realize this great need as they witness the exploiters carefully ma- neuvering to tighten their grip on congress, thru securing the election of their chosen stool pigeons at next year’s national congressional elections. : To effectively fight the capitalist masters, the workers must first effectively break with all capitalist influences. One of the first steps in this direction should be the complete break with the capitalist political parties thru independent political action. | ASWESEEIT -: ByT.J. O'Flaherty (Continued from page 1) the actions of the national socialist parties, were nobody's darned busi- ness but those concerned. Soe HE resolution on Soviet Russia, finally adopted opposed any ‘war of aggression on the Soviet Republic, but encouraged the social revolution- aries to carry on a campaign for the overthrow of the proletarian dictator- ship under the camouflage of “democ- ratizing” the Soviet regime. Part of the resolution also favored Russia’s entrance into the league of nations. This, it was hoped would enable the counter-revolutionists to use the capi- talist powers to better advantage in their treacherous work. ee 8 MONG the_leaders at the congress were men who had distinguished themselves during and since the war as loyal servants of capitalism. It can be stated authoritively that Vic- tor Berger was among the most radi- cal delegates to the congress, Those who know Berger can form a fair estimation of what the others stood tor. M, Vandervelde of Belgium, is- sued an order deporting several Com- munists from Belgium a few days af- ter the congress adjourned. Noske of Germany, who murdered Lieb- knecht and Rosa Luxemburg, was there and so was Scheidemann, Every leading socialist traitor in Europe was present including Karl Kautsky. of @ banat shysters and renegades met and departed without having ac- complished anything except proving to the capitalist class that they are the‘ main bulwarks of capitalism against revolution. In another month a different kind of meeting will be held, It will be a meeting of the executive of the Communist Interna- tional, Unlike the Marseilles pow wow the C, I,’session will consider the situation in the world labor move- ment with a view to improving its machinery for the performance of its task, viz. to organize the proletariat for the overthrowof capitalism all , over the world. Its decisions, unlike those of the fake socialist interna- tional, will be binding on all its sec- tion. ene LARMED because British seamen called a partially effective unait- thorized strike against a wage reduc- tion of five shillings a week, leaders of the decrepid American Seamen's Union are forming an alliance with Havelock Wilson, the chief strike- breaker of the British seamen, lest this “pernicious” practice should spread. Victor Olander, secretary of the Illinois Federation of Labor, a dry land sailor of many year’s experience in a swivel chair, is taking the lead in the United States. The fakers are drawing up a plan which provides for immediate expulsion of any seamen who carry on propaganda for an in- crease in wages unless such a de- mand is sanctioned by the officials. That’s democracy for you. And yet those gentlemen rant agai: the workers’ dictatorship over the capital- ists in Russia! Canadian Hotels Employ Orientals. MONTREAL, Sept. 13—Asiatic ho- tel and restaurant worke: pecially in Western Canada, are still under discussion after the close of the con- vention in Montreal of the Hotel and Restaurant Employes Intl. Alliance, “I found that from’ Winnipeg to Vancouver, in the food-catering estab- lishments, the great bulk of the work- ers are Asiatics,” Pres. Edward Flore had told the delegate: ‘Worker Sues Shipping Board, NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 18—Charg- ing permanent injuries because of un- reasonable orders from an officer on the freighter, West Wkonk, John Frenkler a seaman has filed suit in federal court for $50,000 damages against the U. S. shipping board. Frenkler said he was denied proper scaffolding when painting by the of- ficer in charge, . PULL WIRES TO TRICK MINERS John L. Lewis Plays with Gov. Pinchot MILFORD, Pa., Sept. 18.—The oper ators side of the anthracite coal con- troversy was presented to Gov. Pin- chot yesterday by Major Wm..W. In- glis, of Scranton, chairman of the an- thracite operators wage scale negot- iating committee. John L. Lewis, international presi- dent of the United Mine Workers of Ameriga, is to come here tomorrow to present the miners side. Governor Pinchot has made it clear that his move in inviting the leader of the operators and. miners to meet him in separate conferences is without thought of intervention at this time, but merely to “seek first hand infor mation’ on the situation, The price of anthracite coal will be boosted from 25 to 59 cents a ton be- fore Monday, according to M. E. Keig, coal sales manager of the Consumers company. “The price will not rest there, either,” said Mr. Keig, “But will rise steadily.” Many, Negroes in Seamen's Strike. Many Negro seamen,are partitipat- ing in the seamen’s strike timt is taking place in the British Empire, Denmark and the Orient. Many for- eign vessels use Negro sailors, and it is a sign of the coming solidarity of the workers. of the world to see seamen of all races and climes stick together for better working condi- tions and recognition of their union. Build the DAILY WORKER with subs. Serer IIIs sy Fight the 3 Zeigler - Frame-up! They are framing-up on Zeigler. They are trying to break the Zeigler spirit. They removed Zeigler's fighting union officers, They murdered Mike Sarovich. They arrested 26 of his com-— rades. They are trying to railroad 15 of them to the penitentiary. The mine bosses, the Ku Klux Klan, Farrington's machine and the State Power are all lined up in this dastardly conspl against the Zeigler minal oe The Danger Is Great! TIME IS PRESSING! HURRY UP with HE LP! International | Labor Defense is on the job. Attorneys have been engaged. Funds are neces- ry at once, 2 ACT QUICKLY! : international Labor Defense, 23 South Lincoln Street, cago, ie Here is my contribution jollection tists and | will try to get some money from my friends)