The Daily Worker Newspaper, November 25, 1925, Page 5

By TOM BELL. This ig the seventh instalment of a series of articles dealing with the question of World Trade Union Unity. This instalment deals with the American Federation of Labor and World Trade Union Unity. © (Continued from Last Issue.) Me. Lele. eee, The American Federation of Labor and World Trade Union Unity. JN 1919 Gompers attended the first congress of the International Federation Federation of Trade Unions at Amsterdam. He - aided the bureaucrats of the unions;in the Allied countries to ap- ply the policy of the Allied diplomats there. But when these bureaucrats were forced thru pressure of the European workers to place on their program the abolition, of capitalism and the socialization of industry, Gompers could.not. stand it and with- drew from:Amsterdam. The leaders of Amsterdam being anxious to secure the affiliation of the American Federation of Labor, tried to explain to Gompers that he was taking the socialization of industry plank in the program too seriously, and this was no bar to the affiliation of the A. F. of L. to Amsterdam. But Gom- pers could not even stand for a program of sdcialization which was never intended to be the guiding line of the activity of Am- sterdam. . +4 Wo GBD % In spite of the fact that the A. F. of L. is not; affiliated with Amsterdam, some of the international unions sare, affiliated with the industrial séecretariats affiliated with Amsterdam, such as the United Mine Workers of America which is ‘affiliated with the Miners’ International. These affiliations, of course, mean nothing so far as achieving international unity is concerned. The rela- tionship-with the industrial secretariats merely consist of re- warding some. deserving official with a trip to Euro) to attend the meetings of.the secretariats. SR \. , This isolation of the A. F. of L. from the international trade union’ movement reflects the foreign policy of the department of state of the United States imperialist government. The policy of the A. F. of L. follows in the most careful manner the policy of the imperialist diplomats, as can be seen by the following facts: '’ Before the entry of the United States into the war in 1917, Woodrow Wilson urged all Americans to be “neutral even in thought.” At that time it did not suit the financiers and indus- trialists to enter the war, and their president preached neutrality. The A. F, of L. policy was also “neutral even in thought.” , In 1917 the financiers finally decided that this country would enter the war on the side of the Allies. Wilson, the “peace presi- dent” of 1916, became the advocate of war against “Hun militar- ism.” The policy of the A. F. of L. was just as easily changed to advocacy of a war of extermination against the Central Powers. Thruout the A: F. of L. unions’ propaganda in favor’of'the war was carried on vigorously. Trade unionists who opposéd’the im- perialist_ war Were denounced, and the trade unions beéame part of the récruiting machinery of the U. S. army. Gompérs Spon- * sored the formation of the Alliance of Labor and Democracy, a united front of leading labor fakers and yellow socialists h as Walling, Spargo‘and Russell, to line the labor movett be- hind the war of the Allies and the United $ om- pers also went o tnission to the Allied countries to and- ize the wor! of shose countries, who were.tiring of the butch- » ery, in: fa) c@ntinuing the war and assuring them that the workers of ' ed States were supporting the Allies. At the end of the war the United States imperialists actively participated in Huropean affairs during the peace conference of Versailles: «While Wilson’ represented American imperialism at the Versailles peace ‘table, Gompers co-operated in the-térhtifla- tion of the idea of the labor office of the league of natiofis “along with the labor fakers of the Allied countries. Active participation in European affairs by the imperialist diplomats of thé* United States had its counterpart in the participation of the A/'F: of L. in the European: labor movement. 2 Me The landslide’ Victory of the republican party in 1920'dn a omg of withdrawal of the United States from Eutopeati af- ‘airs, the defeat‘of the league of nations, and the estab iisiment of the policy of United States isolation, found a ready response from the A. F;-of‘L. Gompers spurned the Amsterdam ‘Iiiterna- tional. It is interesting to note that one of the reasdn& for the A. F, of L. withdrawal from the Amsterdam International Was the clause in the constitution binding all affiliated section’’to carry out the decisions of the executive bureau. On the same ‘grounds | OUR DAILY PATTERNS CHILD'S OUTFIT. , GIRLS’ DRESS. 5238. ‘Cut in 4 sizes: 8, 10, 12 and 14 years. A 10 year size requires 2% yards of 40“inch material, Price 12c. CHILD'S “PARTY” DRESS. Cut in 4 sizes: 2,4, 6 and 8 years. A 4 year size requires 1% yard of 36 inch material, Price 12c, *6009. Cut in 5° sizes: 6 months, 1 year, 2, 3 and 4 years. A 2 year size requires of 36 inch material % yard for the Drawers, 1% yard for the slip, and 1% yard for the dress if the dress,is made with long sleeves. With short, sleeves, %4 yard less is required. If slip 48 made without ruffle % yard less is required. Price 12c¢. CHILD'S DRESS 4968. Cut in 4 sizes: 4, 6, 8 and 10 years. A 6 year size requires 1% genegins being. voig chr Oke DAIL yard of 32 inch material, and the | WORKER pattern department are fur- by a New York firm of pattern manufacturers. Orders are forwarded by the DAILY WORKER every day as re+ cel Bnd hey are malled by the man. ufacturer direct to the customer. The DAILY WORKER does keep @ stock of patterns on hand. yay, of pat. terns ordinarily will take at it 10 * FASHION BOOK y irom the date of mailing the order. Send ic in silver or stamps for out | out impatient if your pattern is Fe Ne 3 Book of Fas! Po Mg ge MMe Me fh it, co guimpe will require 1% yard if made with long sleeves, If guimpe is made with short sleeves 1% yard is re- quired. Price 12c. That worker next door to you a ign he hep to os to-|) t. Han this copy H DAILY WORKER. a THE DAILY WORKER "for World: Tra publican party advocated that the Unita@/States should not join the league of nations. : So exactly does the policy of the A. F. of L. parallel that of the United States government that there can'be no question as to the A. F. of L. officialdom being the labor wing of the American imperialist government, The following formula shows this to be true: Under Wilson: 1916—‘Neutral even in thought”; 1917 —War to end war’; 1919—United with European labor fakers in labor office of league of nations and Amsterdam International. Under Harding: Withdrawal from Amsterdam International. Now that the financiers of Wall Street see the necessity of plunging headlong into European affairs and openly taking over control of several European nations to protect their invest- ments, and at the same time break the grip of Britain in Europ- ean affairs, they have started a movement for the entry of the United States into the world court of the league of nations—the first step toward formal entry into the leagye itself. Coolidge is the chief propagandist for this step, and is supported by the other republican leaders. Naturally the A. B..of L. also supports this step and comes out for the entry of therUnited States into the world court. aa No matter what the imperialist Washingtén government ad- vocates it will be supported by the A. F. of L,, officialdom. But the isolation policy of the republican party of 1920 under- went a change until in 1924 the United States again intervened officially in European affairs by the bringing“of Germany under the Dawes plan. Again the A. F. of L. policyindergoes a change and Gompers sets his sails for re-entering “the European labor movement thru negotiations with representatives of the German and British trade unions at the El Paso conyention of the A. F. of L. in October, 1924. The Dawes plan is supported by the capitalists of Germany, France and Great Britain (Ramsay MacDonald was premier of Britain at the time). The Dawes plan brin; loans from Amer- ica saved German capitalism from utter collapse. The reaction- ary labor leaders of these countries support the scheme also. The burden is borne by the German workers in the shape of reduced wages, longer hours and more intense exploitation. The work- ers of the rest of Europe are menaced by a reduction of their standard of living because the bosses demand wage cuts, the abol- ition of the eight-hour day and more production in order to com- pete with the cheap commodities produced in. Germany under the Dawes plan. Great revolts of labor will be brought about because of the Dawes plan in Europe. American financiers support the Dawes plan as a means of safeguarding their investments in Europe. * The United States government re-enters European affairs to aid the financiers. The A. F. of L. follows suit to prevent the European’ workers revolting against the Dawes plan, and the burdens plaeed-upon them to pro- duce interest on the American loans.'* s The A. F. of L. plans to establish con#ié¢tions with the Am- sterdam International to strengthen the right wing officialdom in their fight aganist the movement for trade ‘union unity directed by the Anglo-Russian Unity Committee and, rapidly gaining the support of the rank and file of the trade union movement of Europe. . For this purpose Gompers carried on Otiations with the British and German delegates to the A. F..oflfx El Paso conven- tion regarding the entry of the A. F. of L. into the Amsterdam International. +onl At the Atlantic City convention of thée#A: F. of L., October, 1925, the policy of the A. F. of L. as the itwark against trade union unity became clear. “A. A. Purcell, ternal delegate to the convention from the British Trades Union, Congress, and president of the Amsterdam International, made a brilliant speech in. favor of recognition of Soviet Russia and; international trade union unity at the Atlantic City conventions: During his speech Purcell said: i 3 1 come to make a call for the unity of the wo Irid’s’ workers—for the world brotherhood of all those who toil. mF es: In Britain we have twelve per cent of our workers permanently un- employed. And our experts tell us that unemployment must grow in- creasingly worse, ” 1 am proud of the genius for organization andthe essential grip of things which my class in Russia has displayed. 1 say that you, workers of America, have muct'to“learn from Russia. | do hope that, from now on, the organized wotkers of America will establish the closest fraternal relations with the organized workers of Russia. oe Just as the general council of the Trade Union “Congress, representa- tive of the whole trade union movement of Britain, has sent delegations to Russia, so ! hope and trust the American Federation of Labor will do the s: Green, in replying to Purcell’s speech denounced the move- ment for world ‘trade union unity as Bolshevism, as a plot of Moscow,” and so on. He said that the A. F. of L. rejects all attempts to + substitute for our philosophy the philosophy of Communism. We are not ready to accept that, and we wish that our friend, who has so kindly advised us and has offered us such frank suggestions might take back to the Russian Red International this message, that the American labor movement will not affiliate with an organization that preaches that doctrine or stands for that philosophy. ad The report adopted against world trade uhion unity says: We convey to the world the most solemn war .of which we are capable that we will not willingly tolerate in the western hemisphere any old world movement which seeks to impose itself upom American peoples over the will of those peopl What the United States government, thru President Monroe, expressed to Europe as a warning’ against armed territorial aggression we convey in equally emphatic terms regarding ag- gression by propaganda. The Americas stand for democracy. The Pan- American Federation of Labor is the recognized international labor movement of the Americas, Through it the American republics give expression to the aspir: is and ideals of their wage-earning masses and the American people: ‘e determined that it shall so. continue, Neither the Red International of autocratic Moscow nor any other international may in complacency ignore this definitions of American labor policy. —— Thus the A. F. of L, officialdom disposed of the question of world trade union unity. Very cleverly the question was linked up with Communism, Bolshevism, and every other bogey used to scare the American trade unionists, who have been thoroly pois- oned against all revolutionary workers’ movements by the capi- talist press, and the capitalist trade union offftialdom. But in spite of all the anti-Red propaganda of Green & Co. the fact that they fight world trade union unity is plain. But the A. F, of L. officialdom only opposes unity with that section of the world trade union movement that desires unity to fight capitalist exploitation and imperialist wars. Toward the reactionary Amsterdam International leaders Green is quitc friendly. In his speech against trade union unity Green made a small reservation which is worthy of note: ¥ + we are willing to join with and co-operate with labor move- ments thruout the world, that rest upon sound, fundamental principles of democracy and justice and righteousness and human liberty, . . Toward the reactionary trade union delegation from the Ger- man Trade Union Federation Green displayed the utmost friendli- ness, because Fritz Tarnow, their spokesman, déhounced Bolshe- vism and stated: a stevothe greatest problem which has to be solved in urppe is the restor- yationoof a sound economy. . . : fin 9 Naturally Green welcomes such a fine Supporter of the anes aati. de Union Unity Dawes plan and the efislavement of the German workers to in- crease the wealth of the House of organ. In reply tothe speech of Tarnow, Green replied: AY ys 1 want to call upon all our national unions, our state and central bodies, our local unions everywhere to meet these brothers as they travel from place to place and extend to them every facility for making the most comprehensive and all embracing study of the problems in which they are interested. Purcell, who toured the country speaking before mass meet- ings of thousands of enthusiastic trade unionists for world trade union unity, received only. opposition from the A, F, of L. offi- an “undesirable” on its front page. The convention also passed a resolution instructing the ex- ecutive council to continue negotiations with the Amsterdam In- ternational regarding affiliation. f again participate in the European labor movement in response to the need of the American financiers for the protection of their European investments. To fight against world trade union unity, to aid the reactionary officialdom of the European trade unions to prevent revolts of the workers which would endanger Wall Street’s investments—these are the reasons for the tendency on the part of the A. F. of L. officialdom to affiliate with the Amster- dam International. Regarding the recognition ‘of Soviet Russia the officialdom showed its hatred toward the workers’ republic in the resolution which said: The American Federation of Labor urges the government of the United States to maintain the position it has taken in favor of the non- recognition of the Soviet regime. 4 This attitude lines the officialdom up with the Coolidge gov- ernment in opposition to Soviet Russia. It is a more reactionary stand than that taken by the capitalist politician Borah, who favors recognition of Russia. These imperialist agents in the labor movement fit the policy of the A. F. of L. to the policy of the capitalist government of Washington. They even parrot the phrases of American diplo- macy when they use the phrase, “Monroe Doctrine of Labor.” In this phrase they declare that the present reactionary officialdom will dominate the trade union movement of this continent in the interests of the United States capitalists. They also intend to use the trade union movement of this country as a bulwark against the movement for world trade union unity. The interests of the capitalists of the United States demands that the trade union movement shall base its policy on class co- operation: Craft unionism as a mean of dividing the forces of the workers; the trade unions to become a unit in the capitalist pro- ductive machinery, the “B. & O. Plan,” compulsory arbitration and no strikes; bitter warfare against all elements who dare to oppose this policy and bitter opposition to world trade union unity. The interests of the workers’ demand: Amalgamation of the craft unions into industrial unions each covering an industry; organization of the unorganized; class struggle against the capi- talists; a labor party uniting thé workers for political action against the capitalists and the objective of the entire movement to be the establishment of a workers’ and farmers’ government. The movement for world. trade union unity in the trade union movement of this country means a fight against the entire policy of the officialdom. It means wresting the unions from the labor agents of imperialism who dominate at present, linking up with the trade union movement ofthe world to unite the forces of the workers for warfare against capitalist exploitation of the working class, International trade union unity is a step toward a united front of the workers in the battle for their emancipation from capitalist wage slavery.. In this. movement all those workers who are Class conscious, courageous ‘and militant will work for its success. ITALIAN FASCIST DICTATORSHIP KEEPS JAILS FILED WITH WORKERS (Special to The Daily Worker) ROME, Italy, Nov. 23—The persecution of workers in Italy is becoming greater now since the Italian dietator Mussolini has been able to get the fascist-controlled parliament to virtually grant him powers that not even Julius Caesar dared demand when he was in the height of his glory. According to the latest figures issued by. the Italian Red Aid there are on an average no less than ten thousand workers in the jails of Italy at all times. In the motnh of July, the#—————_____________ report points out that there were Bar Chaplin Film. cialdom, and the Washington Post demanded his deportation as The A. F. of L. officialdom will | 8,950 prisoners, in August 9,450, and in September the number had risen CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov, 23—The Turkish censor forbade the exhibition to 10,131 altho the “amnesty” was supposed to have released 1,606 pris- oners, of “Shoulder Arms,” Charlie Chaplin’s film comedy of life in the trenches. Arrest More Workers. ‘When the bourgeois press and the Italian fascist news agencies were| heralding to the world that 15,000 pris- oners were released from jail inder the “amnesty” order of the Mussolini | government, 1,954 workers were ar-| rested and thrown into jail because | they dared to resist the fascist dicta- torship. In an earlier dispatch to| The DAILY WORKER it was shown that out of the 15,000 prisoners that) were released under the amnesty or- der that only 1,606 were workers and that the others were fascist murder- ers and thieves who assist the black- shirted monarch to oppress the Italian | workers, In July, 380 were released and 934 arrested, in September, 957 were re- leased and 2,275 were arrested. Recent Trials. During-the month of July were 270 political trials involving 1,485 workers of which 713 were sen- tenced to jail, In August, there were 85 political trials, with 854 accused and 461 were sentenced. In Septem- ber, there were 112 trials, with 3 Read—Write—distribute The DAILY WORKER. Now! Paper; | there accused and 530 were sentenced. In all of the sentences long terms at hard labor were handed out to the workers involved, brother to American Children's Health. / Are American children undernour- shed? The U. 8. Children's Bureau n its weekly notes on child welfare, ‘tates that physicians and nurses rolding child health conferences in | RATES | | 43 states under the federal maternity | sera om ¥ Enclosed $. and infancy act report that malnutri: | di dare afd scription to ion, or undernourishment, is preva: ||” $6.00 bend lent among the children they exam-/f] $3.50 6 Months | Name: ....., ne. Other frequent defects are eye, f} $2.00 °'3 Months lose, and throat abnormalities, cavi- In Chicago: Street: , jes in the teeth, orthopedic’ defects, $8.00. A, Year tee. slandular enlargements of © insut-'H"s4.59 % Months | C1tY?” vencles. 2.50. % Months: | State: If you want to thor Mu derstand Commu " i This is the best time to decide you will do your bit for The DAILY WORKER--your This is also the best way tobe | | sure The DAILY WORKER ° | will continue to fight for the American workers: Subscribe! Get your shop-mate and union scribe for him. Do it right now --on this blank. THE DAILY WORKER 1113 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, Il. Page Five | Your Daion Meeting Fourth Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1925. 144 Amalgamated Clothing Work ers, 1569 N. Robey St. Shoe Workers, 1939 Mil- Ave. 12 W. Monroe St. Workers, 133 21 378 Bi Paving etors, ashington, 166 W. W. saint Council, 514 W. 117th rs, Diversey and Sheffield. rs, 1023 E. 75th St. rs, Moose Hall, Chicago Witten’s Hall, High- ark, Ul. Carpenters, Springfield and 26th, Ctgreee Rroonry, 9 W. Van Buren treet. 16 Conductors (Sleeping Car), Capitol Bidg., 10 a. m. Electricians, 505 3. State St. Electricians, 741 S, Western Ave. 802 Engineers (Loc.), 6058 Wentworth ve. Engineers, 180 W. Washington St. Engine oh 2433 W. Roose- -),, 2647 W. 38th St. ectors, 418 N. Clark St. | Employes, 64 'W. Randolph "Union, ‘3046 W. 26th St, and’ Enginemen, Ogden 141 272 1786 Firemen and Taylor. lor. 20 Hatters (Trimmers), 166 W. Wash- re, 225 €, 15th St., Chi- cago Ht ts, I, 6 Hod Car 14_W. Harrison St. 27 Hod Carriers, 62nd and Le Vergne ves Hod Carriers, 814 W. Harrison St. 81 Ladies’ Garment Workers, 328 W. Van Buren, 12 Leather Workers, 777 W. Adams St. 17 Leat! ‘Workers, 777 W. Adams 84 Homan Ave, Mac! ts, 2548 915 Machinists, 4126 W. Lake St. Machinists, 6234 Princeton Ave. Meat Cutters, 175 W. Washingten Street. Meat ‘Cutters, 9206 Houston Ave, Mecioe Fire and Ollers, 357 Me is, 175 W. Washington St Funk's Hall, Oak Park, Painters, 20 W. Randolph St. Pajnters, N._E. cor, Callfornia and 184 OP, a! 191 Pa . cor. 275 PAINTERS, 220 W. OAK . 521 Painters, Trumbull and Ogden Ave, Plasterers, Monroe and Peorla Sts Plumbers,’ 1507 Ogden Ave. Plumbers, 180 W. Washington 4111 W. Madison 8t. armen, Odd Fellows’ Hall, Biue Island, til., 7:30 p.m Railway Carmen, 11! Michigan e. Railway Carmen, 6324 8. Halsted Railwa: 352 Railway Clerks, 549 W. Washington reet. 729 Railway Clerks, Moose Hall, Chi- cago Heights. 906. Railway Clerks, 6488 8. Halsted St. 2219 Railway Clerks, 609 W. Washings for ce 375 Railroad Trainmen, 3359 W. Madl- son Street. sters’ ‘Dis. Council 220 land Bivd. ters (Auto), 220 S. Ashland ere, 180 W. Washington 234 WwW. Randolph's. ~ Indiana Klan Head Spent $350,000 to Escape Jail Term Tile Lay: 7 Waiters, INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 23.— D. ©. Stephenson,:' former head of the ku klux kian'and a factor in Indiana poli- tics, who is now wearing prison garb for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, instead of ‘cavorting around the In- dian@' sand “dunes in a nightshirt} spent’ $350,000 in an attempt to es- cape “sentence for the murder for which he was convicted. Out of ‘the: “$500,000 that he was able to gather in one way or another, he has but $147,000 left at his com- mand. When questioned as to whether he would 'setve his life sentence, he smiled knowingly and declared that he would be freed eventually. It was said his attorneys’ fees amounted to $127,000." Instead of being known as the head of the klan in the state of Indiana, he is now plain number 11,143, To those who work hard for their money, | will save 50 per cent on all thelr dental work, DR. RASNICK DENTIST ig 645 Smithfield Street, PITTSBURGH, PA, subscribe!---or sub- months sub-