The Daily Worker Newspaper, September 30, 1925, Page 3

| THIS PAGE Is Devoted to the Activity and Interests of the Trade Union Edacational League ' (T. U. B. L.) North American Section of the RED INTERNATIONAL OF LABOR UNIONS (R. IL. U.) THE T.U.E.L. Represents the Left Wing of the Labor Movement. Ite Purpose Is to Strengthen the Labor Unions by Amalgamation of Existing Unions, Organization of the Unorganized, and by Replacing Reactionary and Class Collaboration Policies with a Unified Program for the Transformation of the Unions Into ‘Organs of Revolutionary Class Struggle for the Overthrowal of Capitalism and the Establishment of a Workers’ and Farm: ere’ Government. FAKERS SEEK FAT JOBS, NOT CLASS STRUGGLE Willing to Peddle Labor to Capital LOS. ANGHLBS, Cal. Sept, 28—On the eve of the state convention of the California Federation of Labor in San Diego, the labor bosses of southern Canifornia are -busily engaged in feathering their-own nests for the few years. All the Los Angeles delegates are being propagandized to the effect that “the presidency of the federatidn must come to the south (meaning Los Angeles) and taken away from the north (San Francis- 00).” The officials of the Los Angeles Central Labor Council are making every effort to get John S. Horn, their former secretary, elected to the presi- dency. Hort, it must be remembered, was the fellow who as secretary of the Central Labor Council, connived with the’ police to raid the meetings of the T, U. B. L., seize their records and get dozens of militant workers expelled from their trade unions. Judas got his Reward. For this service to the bosses Horn was rewarded by the city administra- tion by getting appointed to the boara of public works, and to show his grati- tude he “lined up” labor’s votes to re- elect the tool of the gamblers’ trust, George Oryer, as mayor of the fair city of sunshine and jails. But Horn is not. satisfied. His am bition..is.not satisfied even when he ‘will be elected president of the State Federation of Labor. According to the Citizen, offtcial labor paper of this city, thig will, be the beginning of a campaign for the state elections next year, in which an attempt will be gmade to unseat Governor Richardson from his throne because he doesn’t “patronize” labor enough. Refuses.to Divvy Up. Richardson’s administration is no- toriously antilabor, having killed more “progressive” legislation than almost any previous one, but what * Horn seems to be grieved about, is that he doesn’t get as many “favors” as he deserves, considering how many thousand votes he is willing to trade off in return for said patronage. So it is being noised about that “California labor” is going to fight Richardson next year. Of course, the Citizen doesn’t come out openly and say s0; it doesn’t even mention Horn’s aspirations to the presidency of the federation, except im the casual words, “there appears to be a strong sentiment to bring the presidency back to the south, and Brother Horn is much mentioned for the honor.” One oan put two and two together, and consider this as part ef Horn’s publicity campaign. We might even suspect that this same John 8. Horn plans to run for the governorship of California, or per- haps some other hide-bound conserv- ative of the same type, from the hints thrown out by the Citizen. The chambers of commerce are shrewd enough to know that this is one of the ways most popular nowadkhys to de- tract the workers from thinking of wide-spread unemployment, low wag- es and open shop conditions, and so a “labor” candidate might not have as much opposition as might be sup- posed by either the ku kluxers or the Better America Federation. Got to Have Something to Sell, To run as a candidate Horn would have to go on one of the reactionary party tickets, and would of course bid for the support of the capitalists by promising them “harmony” between capital and labor. This bid for the leadership of the labor federation is @ move to get enough prestige to make a “deal” with the bosses, which means another betrayal of the work- era. The Communists must point out that the only way labor could be rep- resented in the political campaign next year is for organized labor to get behind a united labor ticker against all the reactionary candidates, and on a program dealing with the needs of the workers of California. Horn or any other “labor” candidate would be merely betraying the work- ers whom he is supposed to repre- sent if he fails to run on the basis of the support of the Idbér movement to protect itself froni ‘the attack of the open-shoppers who: ite all-power- ful in California. Plenty of Issues—-Who' f Fight for *Em? 21: There are many important issues at present which will probably NOT be discussed at the state convention in San Diego, but which _of vital in- terest to the workers.. One of them is racial discriminatio against Ne- groes and Japanese, 0 are not al- lowed entrance into’ mést of the trade unions ;and who form the. basis for the open-shop reserve force of the employers. The fight against imperialism will center in the Pacific, and consequent- ly in California, im the near future, and the California workers should take heed of the militant stand re- cently taken by the British Trade Union Congress against imperialism. Who WIII Organize California? Another important problem, espe- cially in southern © California, the “open shop paradise,” is the organiza- tion of the unorganized workers. There are only one hundred thousand workers organized in the trade unions of California, and most of these un- ions are deplorably weak and unable to do anything to better the condi- tions in the state, because they are in the hands of a reactionary trade union leadership not interested in the class struggle against the bosses, but only in perpetuating their own soft jobs and fat salaries. Yet the state convention will take “B, & 0, BILL'S” OWN LODGE HANDS HIM RECALL RESOLUTION NEWPORT, R. |., Sept. 28.—Ma- Chinist Looal 119 of Newport fol- lowed the action taken by Local 147 of Providence ("B. & O. Bill's” own lodge) in endorsing the resolu- tion for the recall of all Grand Lodge officers. Also, by unanimous vote Local 119 protested against the circular letter ordering the expulsion of members of the Workers (Com- munist) Party and the Trade Union Educational League. A letter from “B. & O. Bill” Johnston to a fellow spirit who is member of Local 119, had this to say about the recall proceedings— “tam not worrying about the recall resolution started by Local 1125, for the whole procedure is illegal.” ee In IRIN evan aevenoenseners a tanec up none of these issues and many others of like importance, because the convention is predominantly made up of business managers and the tools of the machine, none of whom actually represent the workers. Why Not a Labor Party? Reports from the Citizen indicate that only one important issue of in- terest to the workers might come up, and that is the question of the labor party. Brother William Schneider- man, delegate from the Office Em ployes’ Union No. 15251, will present a resolution unanimously adopted by his local endorsing the organization of a labor party based on the same prin- ciples as the British labor party, ana calling upon the state convention to take steps for its organization locally and.nationally. This could be made the basis of labor's political campaign next year in the state, elections, with a militant working class program and candidates who must accept that pro gram. John Horn niu show his true colors now. Will he accept the chal- lenge that the militant workers every- where raise with the slogan of a united labor ticket and independent working class political action, or will he continue his role of treason by making “deals” with the business in- terests? A united labor ticket as the basis for organization of an indepen- dent labor party, must be labor's slogan. John Horn, where do you stand? While Amalgamation Waits Bosses Play Unions for Suckers , Ralph Budd, president of the Great Northern Railway company, has* been cited by the United States railroad labor board to appear before that body October 8 to explain why his road had failed to carry out an order calling for recognition of the Switchmen’s Union of North America in negotiat- ing a new wage contract. The company, instead, negotiated the new contract with the Brother- hood of:.Railroad Trainmen, a rival organization. The switchmen had voted, 471 to 439 in favor of the switchmen’s union as against the trainmen’s organization, which had previously represented them, trying thus—and successfully—to set one group of workers more bitterly against each other than ever before. The Order of Railroad Telegraphers has opened a hearing before the board against three railroads for wage in- creases and changes in working rules. They ask «an increase of 5 cents an hour on the Great Western, 6 cents an hour on the Burlington, while on the Chesapeake & Ohio they are ask- ing only for changes in working rules. Make your friend a friend of the DAILY WORKER. Send in his subscription. ae Not ath ie WOR KE R “FINE-SET OF MEN” DISRUPT IL MINERS Jobless Have Lesson Before Them By ALEX REID (Secretary'of the Progressive Minera’ Committee) it Is reported ‘that the two mines situated at Lincotn, Illinois, belong- ing to the Brewerton Coal company are to be junked, as the coal operators are unable to compete with the larger and more economical mines in and out of the state. ' Some time’ ago the miners were offered a chance’to work and finance these mines with their own money, if they had aly, at the rate of $100.00 each, The company would give no guarantee that they would get the money back, or even get much work It seems now the miners either had no money or did not intend to invest in the coal company under the terms proposed as the mines are now being dismantled, with hungry miners on the road looking for work and.no work to be found. Yes, They're a Fine Set! In one of the Lincoln newspapers, published a short time ago, Mr. Brewerton of the Brewertop Coal com- pany tells the miners that the “dis- trict officers are a fine set of men.” The starving miners at Lincoln un- derstand by this time that they are indeed a fine set of men ‘to allow coal companies thruout the state to oper- ate the mines in such a way that while many are receiving all the work, and in many cases more than they want, others are in semi-starvation and idle. When coal companies are using the newspapers to make miners believe that their officials are fine men, the miners have good reason to believe that they may be fine men for the coal companies, but very poor men for starving coal diggers. The following letter to the secre- tary of the local union at Lincoln is very instructive and the Lincoln miners will do well to consider the substance ofthe same at this time. This letter was written a short time ago by Jack Watt to the above men- tioned secretary and will no doubt bring home the truth contained there- in, in view of ijine fact that they are now forced to seek ployment in the mining industry me other place than Lineoln, while their fine set of officers “are living,on the fat of the land at the expense of their starving wives’ and familfés.” Part of the letter follows: “I am sorry’to learn that work has been so poor, in that mine, and I further say, Brother Yates, that I can- not see any felief in the future for the mine workers unless the work- ing hours are reduced, and I feel that especially: those mines that gre now shut down, or only working a few days a week, must demand that our officers fight for a six-hour day and five-day week, and the same must be written into our next con- tract. Unless:this is done the shorter work day from now on will receive very little consideration from our of- ficials. Somewhat Inconsistent. “The program of our official family seems to be the discharge of 200,000 miners from the industry and in this proc it looks if the Illinois miners are to receive the thinning out in earnest, and out of proportion to the miners in the other fields. At the same time this is going on we see thousands of dollars being spent by the lead- ers in having organizers attempt to AUSTRIAN DELEGATION OF YOUNG WORKERS ON VISIT TO THE SOVIETS ‘MOSCOW, Sept. 3—(By Mail).— The Austrian young workers’ dele- gation consisting of seven delegates, has arrived in Moscow. The dele- gation is made up as follows: One young Communist, three young so- cial-democratic workers and three young independent workers. The delegation was enthusiastically wel- comed by the Young Communist League of Russia and delegations from the shops. The social-demo- cratic delegates declared that they had come to learn the truth about the Soviet Unton despite their ex- pulsion from the socialist working youth organization. organize miners into thet union, who no doubt will be told afterwards, when they become members of the union, that there are 200,000 too many miners in the industry, and to get out! “The policy of our leaders keep me in mind of a dog chasing his tail around 4nd around. I say that we have not 200,000 too many miners in the industry. .We are organized to better our working conditions, shorten our work day, and to secure the full social value of our toil. The only re- lief that can be had is that we receive an équal division of the work avail- able and take out of the hands of the coal barons the ownership of the mines, and place them in the hands of those depending on them for a liv- ing. Yours very ane een John J, Watt.” A NIGE LITTLE UNION REMAINS NICE, AND LITTLE Never Thinks of Organ- izing the Workers By LEONTICH (Worker Correspondent) NEW YORK CITY, Sept. 28.—The officials and the “very active mem- bers” of the Bookkeepers & Steno- graphers’ Union, Local 12,646, to make up their slackness in the work of or- ganization of the unorganized 400,- 000 office workers in New York started a real campaign against the Communists in the union, The “builders and supporters” of the union hate to see the union progressing, they will rather see it stand still on one place, so if Rip Van Winkle wakes up in 100 years from now, he should find the small union smaller yet. They have de- veloped skill in this respect. They do not want to see that by this they are breaking up the union; the little respect and influence that the union had gained among the unorganized is lost thru the effort of these fighters. Fine Welcome. Any new member, when he comes up for initiation into the union, does not hear a single report of activity but prosecution of good union men. At the June membership meeting, charges were brought out against Primoff by a brother who since then never showed up to the meetings. On July 20 charges were brought up against Kitzes, Cooper, and Chernow. On September 21, they were expelled. So far it is not known as yet who comes next on the list. So month after month passes by in trying and expelling members and in the meantime the unorganized re- main unorganized. Not only are the Broadway and Wall St. offices not or- ganized, even the labor offices and “labor” banks are not organized. Low Grade Activity. No one can respect a union that NORSE REJECT on antanite AB Page Threw CLASS PEACE FOR STRUGGLE Swift Kick for League of Nation’s Lackeys JOHNSTON STOOL IS GIVEN HIS HAT AT LOCAL Attack on T. U. E. L. Not Exactly Appreciated By N.H. (Worker “Correspondent) FOREST PARK, Ill.—At the meet- ing of the local Machinists’ Union a delegate from the district brought in the statement issued by J. F. Ander- son, suspended by Bill Johnston, show- ing that our local was on the list of those locals whose ballots were thrown out by Davison and Johnston, By Andrew Overgaard. The Norwegian Trade Union Con- gress, which concluded its sessions in Oslo Sept. 1, resulted in several vic- tories for the Communists and an ab- solute defeat for the reformists, es- pecially on the question of the labor bureau in Geneva which is part of the league of nations. The proposal for representation in Geneva was voted down 147 to 76. The proposal that the various affill- ated unions should be allowed to send representatives was also voted down by an overwhelming majority. The congtess also endorsed the Anglo- Russian trade union unity committee and the seoretariat was instructed to appoint representatives to the com- mittee if such would be provided for Russian Unions Represented. The Russian trade unions were rep- resented by Comrade Belinsky, who was received by great ovations in.the congress and who participated both in the discussion on Geneva and trade} union unity. The Norwegian unions, in spite of | the reformist leadership, have main- tained friendly relations with the Russian unions which have sent fra- | ternal delegates to the various union congresses. Reformist Fraternal Delegate Insults | Congress. The fraternal delegate from the Swedish unions, Johanson, told the congress that if it would not go to Geneva it would be impossible to have any unity of action with the Swedish unions, and thus demonstrated that | the reformists are against trade unton unity on the basis of the class strug- | gle, but will rather work to become part of their respective capitalist gov- | ernments. The struggle against the | labor bureau of Geneva was led by the Communists in the congress. The Communist candidate for presi- dent, Comrade Volan, who led the minority. in the congress received 64 votes as against the Tranmaelite Hal- vard Olsen, who was elected by 155 votes.. ‘The Norwegian unions in this congress have taken steps to the left and wilk;no doubt be a great factor in the, efforts for trade union unity. In future congresses they will surely select a leadership which will break completely with reformism and thus they -will become instruments for the social revolution. does not possess the organizational spirit. A union that can waste its time and energy only to frame up and expel Communists is not werthy to be trusted with the task to organize any office, Only such members are respected in the union who can put up a fight when the question of a_ tea-party comes up, but if a member will fight and try to push the officials to do some organizational work, he will be framed up, branded as a Communist and ex- pelled from the union. The members of the Bookkéepers’ Union will have to think about this and put all their effort to bring the union to the level of a geal labor union that will fight the capitalists for the interest of the workers, other wise the union will disappear as a useless organization. Wrap your lunck in a copy of the DAILY WORKER and giv it (the DAILY WORKER, not the lunch) to your shop-mate. Shall the British Workers Arm By EARL A. BI R. BROWDER question at the head of this ar- ticle is not one of theory. It is not a question which is being arti- ficially raised by the Communists. It fs a question that has arisen out of the very nature of the revolutionary eituation now existing in Great Bri- tain, and which is now being openly asked and debated by the widest of English workers, In the Daily Herald, official organ the labor party and the Trade General Council, there is now on a lively debate, under the headline: § “Should the Workers Arm?” And who argues for arming the workers? Is it the Communists? But Communists are not yet admitted the columns of the Daily Herald. who argues for arming? the issue of Sept. 7th, the advo- cate of arms is none other than John Wheatley, M, P. former minister fn the MacDonald gove: a cath: olic, a member of the idle class, publisher of books in Glasgow. The following quotations. a fair idea my statem ent that ‘in order to main- tain industrial peace the workers must be ready to resist successfully the at- tack that is now being prepared. . . Wo want ten million men who are prepared to suffer rather than see Britain made a land of coolies,’” “For ten days I have been beyond and reach of newspapers, and if it is not-too late I would like now to tell mind.” ‘EH all know that parliament is not the driving force in reform, but rather the driven machinery. The driving force is in the country, and all our nice speeches and parliament- ary ability, however useful in the pro motion of our careers, are only val- uable to the waiting workers in so far Pi inerease the driving force out- side, “Mr. Bevin recognize this when he supports the withholding of labor as one of the chief weapons of the work- ing class. But he is careful to caution the workers that, altho they may strike, they must Atrie lke gentle- men. “We have feached the stage where the withholding of labor, in which Mr. Bevin believes, must be national to be successful. This being so, trade unionists must have a new outlook. The railwayman cannot join his union povbrsr hoi bby to maintain or improve the rallwaymen alone, regarding | conditions ef rw > my friends frankly what is in my |‘ now organizes to defend not only him- self and the other railwaymen, but the miners and dockers and enginees, to whose aid he is pledged to go in cer- tain circumstances. In other words, the railway worker joins the railway union to defend and promote the in- terests of the working class. The same is true of the miners and dockers and others. 'NLESS we are willing to go back, the possibility of a national strike has to be faced. We are told it may lead to bloodshed. I sincerely hope it will not, but I frankly fear tt may. In such a gigantic conflict, and all that it implies, the capitalists of this country, in my opinion, would not hesitate to stave off defeat by the use of a few bullets. “It a fascisti organization that can be obtained by voluntary contribu- tions of a few thousand pounds 4 year is sufficient for this purpose, well and good, The workers, true to their pact fist teachers, may ‘turn the other cheek,’ and, having got a bultet in it, return to their work, confident that they have done all that respectability permits. But if in the ranks of the workers there should be a fair sprinkl- ing of heathens, who are not ‘other- cheekers,’ it may be necessary to em~ ploy machine-guns against them. “This method of conversion has of- ten succeefied with backward races, , ne man can oneal what the future has in store for us, or what sacrifices the workers in crisis may have to make, We are,only asked to decide now whether we should advance or retreat. I want,to go forward.” ‘OST of the, “discussion” in the public press consists of passion- ate exhortationss:by religious right- wingers (an@ many so-called” lefts also) against the idea of the workers arming to protect themselves. Why this flood of pacifist propaganda for the workers? {i Because among the rank and file the discussion is-all going the other way. The workers want™to be able to resist the British fascisti, which is becoming more tening every, day. It is not pre ‘to bow before the new secret army constabulary that is being recruited for next spring’s bat- tles, So the pacifist leaders are argu- ing with the workers against this movement. Thus we find Lansbury in his Labor Weekly putting the question: “We would ask our comrades whe- ther they seriously: intend to organize tor a violent revglution? {: is necés- sary that this question should be taced and answered in a straight-forward manner. We “at Peeve and aeopert the appeal to n Hot to take up arms or | way attack or blackleg the during a time of dispute. We go farther and we urge British workers —~—eer against the workers of other lands. If the Minority Movement means no more than this, well and good, but !f, on the contrary, its aim is to establish a ‘Red Army’ in Britain, then much ait than’ words and high-sounding phrases are needed. There must be organized drilling, purchases of arms, explosives, airplanes, etc.” ND in the same issue comes the answer in a letter from a rank and filer (reprinted in full in the DAILY WORKER of Sept. 19, tn art- icle “British Labor Breaks with Im- Perialism”) who shows that the em- ploying class is wild with fear, look- ing upon even “moderate” labor lead- ers as “Reds,” and is seriously pre- paring to smash the British labor movement by force, This rank and filer is a “moderate,” but he say: “I would therefore plead earnestly with all who have the labor cause at heart that they prepare to meet this danger while they have still time, Force must be met by force. Fasctsm is purely and simply a military organ- ization, and is not amenable to argu- ment, It can only be successfully countered by a similar organtzation on the other side, With luck, we shalt have nine months to perfect our ar rangements, so there is no time to be lost. The thing must be properly or- ganized on @ national ba: and I would propose that the T. U. C. gen- eral council také up immediately the This angered our membership to such an extent that they howled con- demnation of Johnston. The ballots were thrown out on the mere tech- nicality that they were “counted in a private house.” The real reason is that Anderson received 70 votes and Johnston only four, Stoolpigeon and Proud of It. By “chance” there was present & Johnston stoolpigeon from another local, who often comes there to spy. This bird. had the nerve to ask the floor, altho nobody but the chairman knew what he was going to speak about. But before he got the floor one member asked him the question: “Who informed Johnston that our ballots were counted in a private house?” This character then answered —"I did.” Then when he started to slander the Communists and the Trade Union Educational League (real Spolansky stuff) he was soon interrupted from all sides. The meeting became a turmoil with members yelling epithets at him. He finally had to pack up and leave the hall, o Trap Walts Another Rat This bird has been expelled from the Workers Party a few years ago and since then has gone s0 low as to reach bottom in his attacks against the Communists. He is employed by Johnston now—and the devil knows who else. Anyhow, he got an idea of what is waiting for him if he shows is traitorous faee again in this local. Of course there must be someone fn the local who translates for him what is going on, because he—being @ Swede—cannot understand a word of Czecho-Slovak language in which the meetings are carried on. But this is a matter of time for the other bird to show his feathers, This Is the otrte, SRE It was surprising, when he started to slander the Workers Party, that he was so quickly stopped. Nobody wants to listen to such a stool pigeon and it shows that the prestige of the Workers Party and the T. U. B, L. grows despite the crusade of the labor takers who fear the T, U. EB. L, will ditch them, It is necessary to carry on the fight against all fakers persistently and with devotion. Communists should challenge the fakers everywhere as strongly as some of the progressive locals do, They wouldn’t dare try to expel them so quickly as when only a feeble and timid opposition is made. The best way to support the DAILY WORKER is to subscribe and get others to subscribe, Mine Picketing Enjolned. FAIRMONT, W. Va., Sept. 28— Picketing of the Consolidated Coal Co.'s New England mine at Watson is forbidden the United Mine Workers, in an injunction issued by Judge Mer edith of the local circuit court, In the petition, the claim is made that two attacks have been made upon the non- union workers, and that but for the intervention of deputies and state po- lice much damage would have been done. Themselves? creation of a’Labor Defense Corps, centrally controlled, with local head- quarters under each trades council. The fascist organization 1s a splendid example for them to follow as “ae details.” ‘HAT has brought forward the issue of armed struggle so quick- ly and burningly? The answer is the revolutionization of the British labor movement, and the determination of the British gov- ernment to (in the words of advice given it by the Chicago Tribune) “smash this menace while tlfere is yet time.” The Scarborough Trades Congress, representing the, organized millions of British labor, decided upon a revolu- scan course, marked by the follow- ing: (1) “This congress declares that the trade union movement must or- ganize to prepare the trade unions in conjunction with the party of the workers to struggle for the over, throw of capitalism.” It warns against sch 8 of co-partnership, and declares for a shop committee movement “to force the capitalists to relinquish thelr grip on industry.” (2) Approved of the Anglo-Rus- sian Unity Commlasion, and deolar- od “We consider it our duty to stand by the Russian workers.” (8) Declared for world unity of the trade union movement on the is of a struggle against capital- sens (4) Denounced the British em-= pire as stained with the blood of slaves, and declared for self-determ- ination even to the point of separa: tion for all colonial peoples. HE question, “Shall the British workers arm themselves,” is the question whether the British workers are going to fight for these things, or if they will submit to the violence of i British imperialism and relapse into apathetic slavery. An indication of whether they will arm or not ts con- | tained in the speech of A, B. Swales, | chairman of the congress, who con- cluded his speech in the following words: “All around are signs of an awaken- ing consciousness in the peoples of alt countries that the present system of society is condemned. The backward centers of industrial and political sla- very are organizing and rising in re- volt against the capitalist. order of society; and so we see India, China, and other Eastern countries in tne throes of upheaval and demanding the right of self-determifatton, Who can predict the ratg at which the confia- gration will trgvel, or how wide it wilt spread? Wefcannot do other than re- jJoice that aff last there are clear tndt- cations of ajworld mévement rising In revolt and determined to shake off the shackles of wage-slavery,” ———