The Daily Worker Newspaper, September 3, 1926, Page 6

Page Six THE DAILY WORKER Published by the DAILY WORKER PUBLISHING CO, 1113 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, Il, Phone Monroe 4732 Mad id ie: dancer a beac SUBSCRIPTION RATES By mali (in Chicago only): By mail (outside of Chicage): $8.00 per year $4.50 six months $6.00 per vear $3.50 six months $2.50 three months $2.00 three months Address all matl and make out checks to THE DAILY WORKER, 1113 W. Washington Blivd., Chicago, IlInols J, LOUIS ENGDAHL \. WILLIAM F, DUNNE MORITZ J, LOE Entered as second-class mail September 21, 1923, at the post-office at Cnt cago, Iil., under the act of March 3, 1879. <P~ 290 _— Advertising rates on application. The Cloakmakers’ Strike in New York The strike of 40,000 members of the International Ladies’ Gar- ment Workers’ Union in New York is in danger. Not because of any lack of fighting spirit of the rank and file, which has shown itself willing and anxious to battle militantly for the demands neces- sary to the well-being of the workers and the healthy growth of the union, but because of the eager willingness of the right wing Sig- man elements to compromise the struggle. The left wing itself is not without fault, for its lack of assert- iveness of its own leadership, particularly when its methods and its leadership are known to have the full support of the membership. Developments have now reached a crisis. This is shown by the disgraceful letter written over the signatures of Morris Sigman, president of the International, and Louis Hyman, chairman of the strike committee and joint board leader, to Governor Smith of osha York state. This letter was in reply to Governor Smith’s demand, practically amounting to an ultimatum backed by the full power of the state, that the garment workers go back to work and submit to compulsory arbitration. It is easy to see what the motive of this is, in view of the governor’s program of “industrial peace” with which he is ap- pealing to the capitalists for support of his presidential ambitions. Breaking strikes, by armed force or compulsory arbitration, is the bid of all reactionary aspirants for president. This is understood by all class-conscious workers. But what was the reaction of the union leadership to this at- tack on the workers? The right wing Sigman group, socialists, ‘combined with Hyman, representing the center, a leader from whom the workers had a right to expect better things, in a craven letter, full of eulogistic sweetness toward this enemy of labor and his com- mission that, while it rejected the immediate demand of the governor, opened the way for his further pressure upon the union to do just what was “reluctantly” declined “in our present conditions.” The left wing is apparently playing only a negative role in this affair. Its fault is in remaining too much in the background, letting the right wing, which refuses to support a militant strike policy, Editors ..Business Manager take the lead—to the injury of the union and the possible frustra-| tion of its demands for which the membership have put up a heroic struggle. The lessons of the Furriers’ strike could well serve as an ex- ample of reactionary leaders seeking ‘to weaken a militant strike policy. They were defeated there, bécause the left wing would not allow the fighting morale of the struggle to be undermined and destroyed by Green and Frayne. And it is worthy of comment that Governor Smith’s ultimatum follows in suspicious coincidence from Green’s visit to Smith. The right wing’s immediate surrender to the principle of compulsory arbitration and its sickening laudation of “impartial” arbitrators and outside tribunals such as the goy- ernor’s commission, completes the picture. Instead of denouncing the capitalist governor who aspires to be a capitalist president by enforcing “peace” at the expense of the garment workers, Sigman of the right wing, objectively leads to this end by applauding him and his commission, asserting “grati- tude” for his “keen interest” in the workers, throwing bouquets at the commission that denied every essential demand of the union, for its wisdom and “high-minded devotion” and accepting arbitra- tion in principle. That arbitration is declined “in our present ¢onditions” and conferences directly with employers favqred, is a half surrender, for what employer would agree in conference to the terms of the union when the way is opened to trick the workers into arbitration? That Hyman, who covered himself with glory when he fought Sigman last year for the rights of the New York membership, should allow himself to be made use of by the compromising right wing in this shady maneuver, is a matter for sharp criticism by the fighting garment workers of New York who have a right to demand that he correct his mistake and look to them for support in so doing—where support must be mutual, and cease to lean upon the discredited Sig- manites, whose strength lies only in duplicity, intrigue and the weakening of the strike. As for the left wing, it must take a lesson, as stated above, from the Furriers’ strike. Only the left wing, this latest development shows, can be trusted to lead the union in struggle. Only the left wing can express in action the fighting spirit of the workers, to whom they can and should appeal for full authority to lead’ the strike from now on until victory, There is nothing weak in the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union except the leadership. The strike has so far been successful despite the compromises of the right wing. The left wing must take control and lead the strike to victory, We are confident the membership will back them up to the hilt. . Mexico Makes it Snappy The government of Nicaragua, which is a subsidiary of the House of Morgan, protested to the league of nations that Mexico {gave aid and comfort to the revolutionaries who are just now mak- ing things torrid for those who run Nicaragua in the interests of ‘American imperialism. In due time the league of nations notified Mexico of Nicaragua’s {protest and the Mexican foreign minister won the world’s cham- |pionship in diplomatic brevity when he sent the following cablegram | to Sir Bric Drummand, British secretary of Great Britain’s league: “Referring to your telegram of August 27, I have the honor to state that Mewico has no foreign relations with the league, but 1 thank you for your attention —Saenz, foreign minister. HE DAILY WORKER has pre- viously published the letter of the New York Joint Board of the Furriers’ Union to William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, expressing surprise and protest against the so-called “investigation” ordered by the A, F, of L. executive council of the successful general strike conducted by the Joint Board against the employers, in which the union won a remarkable number of demands, among them the 40-hour week, by mil- itant strike action. We now give in continuation the fol- lowing correspondence, the letter of Gteen to the Joint Board and its re- ply, again protesting the unprecedent- ed action of the A. F, of L. proceed- ing upon a hostile investigation be- cause the union won a strike, Green's letter follows: Mr. Ben Gold, Manager, Joint Board Furriers’ Union, New York, New York, Dear Sir and Brother: I herewith reply to your letter of August 5. It is difficult to reconcile your expression of surprise and astonishment over the appointment of a committee, by authority of the executive council of the American Federation of Labor, for the purpose of making an investiga- tion into the internal affairs of the In- ternational Fur Workers’ Union, when you take into consideration the fact that you knew that such an investiga- tion would be made. At a conference held at the Cadillac Hotel on or about April 18, at which the officers of the International Fur Workers’ Union, yourself and others, representing the general strike com- mittee of the Fur Workers’ Union, my- self and Brother Hugh Frayne, rep- resenting the American Federation of Labor, were present, it was definitely understood that after the strike wh involved thousands of fur workers in New York City: was over an investi- gation into the internal affairs of the International Fur Workers’ Union would be made by a committee repre- senting the American Federation of Labor. The representatives of the Ameri- can Federation of Labor participated in this conference to which I have just referred upon the request of you, as member of the Joint Board of Fur- riers’ Union, and the officers of the In- ternational Fur Workers’ Union. It was my understanding that you and your associates, as well as the of- ficers of the International Fur Work- ers’ Union acquiesced in the proposai that an investigation. be made. It is obvious that you knew that after the strike was over this investi- gation would be made; that it would be made by a committee representing the American Federation of Labor and that all the allegations and charges made by the contending factions with- in the International Fur Workers’ Union regarding internal dissension, strike, duplicity, brutality and bad faith would be proved and investi-- gated, You did not.express surprise when the question of an investigation being made was discussed, consequently it is difficult to understand why you would express astonishment now when the original understanding is being car- ried out. International Officers Favored It. The international officers of the Fur | Workers’ Union understood this mat- ter quite well. They looked with fa- vor upon the proposed investigation. It is true that the American Fed- eration of Labor delegates to inter- national unions broad powers and wide authority and, under ordinary circum- stances, the American Federation of Labor does not interfere in the exer- cise of autonomous authority by inter- national and national unions duly char- tered by the American Federation of Labor, but the situation in the Inter- national Fur Workers’ Union is extra- ordinary and because of this extraur-. dinary situation the American Federa- tion of Labor, which granted the char ter of the International Fur Workers’ Union has full authority to institute an inquiry into its internal affairs. Furthermore, the American Federa- tion of Labor was called upon by the officers of the International Fur Work+ ers’ Union to assist in the negotia- tions between the striking fur work- ers and the manufacturers for the pur- pose of arriving at a settlement. We rendered such service as we could give, under the circumstances, upon the request of the representatives oi the International Fur Workers’ Union and the Joint Board Furriers’ Union. Accusation “Not Necessary.” It is not necessary to make any di- rect acéusation against either the of- ficers of the International Fur Work- ers’ Union: or the representatives of the Son Board Furriers’ Union prior to the institution of an inquiry into the internal affairs of the Interna- tional Tur Workers’ Union, We have not filed charges against any one, nor are we making direct accusations against any of the individuals at this We are ready to bei big money at odds that Sir Erie dropped a time, perfectly good monocle on the polished floor of the league head- ‘quarters at the same time ejac wlating with raised eyebrows: “My word!” when he read this astounding telegram. We are also willing to risk our reputation for political preco- city on the assertion that this is-one action of the Mexigan govern- ment that will not cause displeasure at Paul Smith's. SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY WORKER! ev However, it is common knowledge that there exists within the Interna- tional Fur Workers’ Union a condi- tion that does not conform to trade union ethics and trade union policies, During the recent strike a number of things transpired which attracted the utention of the officers of the Amert- can Federation of Labor to the fact that there was an-utter absence of co- THE DAILY WORKER Membership Supports Left Leaders operation, understanding and harmony between the officers of the Interna- tional Fur Workers’ Union and the representatives of the Joint Board Furriers’ Union, Successful Strike Doesn't “Conform.” Summing up the situation, as the concluding reply to your communica- tion, the executive council of the American Federation ‘of Labor or- dere? an investigation into the inter- nal affairs of the International Fur Workers’ Union. The action of the executive council was based upon common knowledge Of many things which transpired during the recent strike which did not ¢onform to the traditions, policies and principles of the American Federation of Labor. You and your associates, as well as the internatiqnal officers of the Fur Workers’ Unnion, knew, ever since the conference which ‘took place at the Cadillac Hotel about April 18, that this investigation would be made after the strike of the fur workers was con- cluded, Committee Like Caésar’s Wife. By authority of the executive coun- cil of the American Federation of La- bor, the committee has been appoint- ed. It is composed of men of high standing in the trade union movement, men whose integrity cannot be ques- tioned and whose characters are above reproach.’ All of them have been members of organized labor for many years. This committee, clothed with authority conferred upon it by the executive council of the American Fed- eration of Labor, will make its inves- tigation into the International Fur Workers’ Union, It will file a report of the investi- gation with the exectitive council of the American Federation of Labor at the completion of its. duties: This committee has already made a partial investigation, consequently it would be impossible and inaiVisable to add additional members to the committee. The committee, as now constituted, is being instructed to proceed with its work and to carry it forward to final conclusion. Demands Submission. In conformity with the authority conferred upon the president of the American Federation of Labor, I call upon you to co-operate with the in- vesfigating committee, to submit to it such information as it may request of you and to supply the committee with all books, records apg accounts of financial transactions “Made by you and your associates ing the recent strike of the fur workers of New York City. It is expected that this official call will be answered in the spirit which should characterize the actions and conduct of members of the American Federation of Labor. Respect for the authority of the American Federation of Labor, for its laws and for its prin- ciples requires you to respond favor- ably, without delay. — With every good wish, I am, Fraternally fours, William Green, President, American Federation of Labor, To the above letter vot Green, the New York Joint Board: of the Fur- riers’ Union responded with the fol- lowing communication; under the date of August 17: Mr, William Green, President, American Federation of Labor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir and Brother: We regret, after having carefully considered your last letter, that you have failed to comply with a single one of our re- quests. In our first letter we were very emphatic. We stated we wanted to know what charges were presented against us that induced the executive council to order an investigation. Your letter sheds no light on this question, You propose an investiga- tion of the recent strike successfully conducted by our Joint Board as well as the internal affairg of our organi- zation, Your statement that an extraordi- nary situation exists in the Interna- tional Fur Workers’ Union justifying an investigation by the’ American Fed- eration of Labor cannot satisfy. We should at least know upon what you base such a statement, Especially is this necessary since you state that no charges have been filed against any- one nor are direct actusations being made against any individuals at this ime, Too Vague. However, if you aré of the opinion hat the statement in your letter, as ‘ollows: “However, it is common ‘snowledge that theré exists within the International Fur Workers’ Union 1 condition that does not conform with he trade union ethics and trade union policies, During the recent strike a number of things transpired which at- racted the attention of the officers ot the American Federation of Labor o the fact that there was utter ab- sence of co-operation, understanding ind harmony between the officers of ‘he International Fur Workers’ Union ind the representatives of the Joint Board Furriers’ Union,” is sufficient, ‘hen we must answer that is much foo vague, jugt a statement of gener- ulities not backed up by specific sharges. What Crime Have Ye Committed? Specifically, what have we done in the recent strike tht does not con- form with trade uniog.ethics and trade union policies? Specifically, what transpired which attracted the atten- tion of the officers of the American Federation of Labor? Specifically, what makes the situation in the In- ternational Fur Workers’ Unfon an ex- traordinary one? We believe we are entitled to know what we sare charged with. Never Agreed. Furthermore, you raise the point that we agreed to the holding of such an investigation. We ‘categorically deny that we ever agreed at the con- ference held in the Hotel Cadillac on or about April 18 to the holding of such an investigation.” At no time did you or the officers of the Interna- tional Fur Workers’ Union imply any such investigation, as you are now conducting without our knowledge and behind closed doors. We never agreed to accept an in- vestigation that is fundamentally in violation of the constitution of our in- ternational and the laws and proced- ure of the American Federation of Labor, Question Authority. : We. question the authority of the American Federation of Labor to make such an investigation. It is a violation of the principal of autonomy of the international and national bod- ies affiliated with the American Fed- eration of Labor. The right of auton- omy is guaranteed by the constitution of the American Federation of Labor. The American Federation of Labor has always religiously guarded the autonomy rights of its affiliated bod- les. We could cite numerous in- stances of the most extraordinary sit- uations existing within international organizations affiliated with the Amer- ican Federation of Labor. Yet the American Federation of La- bor respected the autonomy of these organizations. © These organizations were not interfered with and were al- lowed in their cwn way to solve their problems. We insist that autonomy be not violated in our case and that we be accorded the same rights and privileges in this respect as all other organizations with the A: F. of L. Can Be Settled Within the Union. We further wish to point out that no formal requests for an investiga- tion by the international has been in- dicated in your letter. If the interna- tional officers have agreed to the in- vestigation, then they have done 80 in violation of the authority entrusted to them by the constitution of our inter- national. If they have charges against the Joint Board Furriers’ Union let them present them to the membership. The constitution of the international provides adequate meané with which to consider charges. Moreover, the constitution of our in- ternational provides for the calling of conventions. The conyention is the highest and final authority of the in- ternational in matters under dispute. It has always been the procedure and tradition of our international to solve the internal problems of our organiza- tion at legally constituted conventions. If the difficulties between the New York Joint Board and the officers of our international must be immediately dealt with, then the officers of our international should exercise their authority and call a special conven- tion for that purpose. Investigate a Victorious Strike. We doubt whether ever before un- der similar circumstances has the ex- ecutive council ordered the investiga- tion of a strike. The executive coun- cil has ordered the investigation of a strike that was successfully conducted, that won material gains for the work- ers, strengthened the control of the union over the industry and estab- lished the 40-hour week. The furriers’ strike marked a tirn- ing point in the history. of organized labor. It ended the period of the Inability of most unions to resist the encroachments of the bosses. The victory was won at a time when wage cutting, speeding up, the institution of company unionism, etc., were the order of the day as far as the open shoppers were concerned, Perhaps This Is the Reason. Furthermore, we are proud of our achievements, particularly since the workers under the leadership of our Joint board rejected the eight points agreed to by you and international of- ficers in agreement with the employ- ers, and thru their militancy and soli- darity forced better terms of settle- ment from the bosses than were con- tained in the eight points, ‘It is impossible in the face of this fact to understand what could have motivated the executive council to or- der an investigation. Wé have noth- ing to be ashamed of as far as our record ig concerned. We desire to record for the benefit of the entire labor movement the strategy em- ployed and the methods used that brought us such a notable victory. It is unfair that on the committee appointed to investigate our Joint Board was denied representation, At least we should have been granted such representation in order to be in- formed to every phase of the devel- opments of the investigation. Questions the “Unquestionable” Frayne. In addition we object sonnel of the commit! We must re- peat that a commiteego tive C) the New York Joint Union which includes,-Brother. Hugh \ ed to the per- ‘d-Furriers’ Left Wing Leadership Wins a Strike—Smashes Employers’ Attack on Fur Workers—Green, Frayne and Company Fails to Save the Bosses~-—Green Orders Hostile Probe—Union mittee, upon the éight points. Brother Hugh Frayne, above the heads of the Joint Board, arranged for'the callitig }of,the Carnegie Hall meeting,’ at which meet-. ing the officers of the soint Board were excluded, i Besides, Brother Hugh Frayne pre- sided at that meeting. Brother Hugh Frayne: appeared before the Central Trades ‘and: Labor’'Council of New York and spoke against the Joint Board and. -féquested that body to withdraw its endorsement of the strike, All these incidents prove that with Brother Hugh Frayne on_ fhe committee of investigation an impar- tial-investigation is impossible, Opposes Star Chamber: Sessions. We wish to remind you that we re- quested. that all hearings be public hearings.,;; The New. York Joint Board favor. a. pubic open investigation into all its. activities. It wants the full light of publicity thrown upon its,con- duct and activities. You can imagine our great surprise when we learned from .your,Jetter that. the investiga- tions are already, proceeding.. We have had absolutely no knowledge of this being so. We.are emphatically opposed to se- cret star chamber proceedings, The organized labor movement is entitled to know what is actually going on, what the investigations disclose, how the investigations are being conduct- ed. We again insist.that the investi- gation be brought into, the open and made a public affair, . Punish Successful Leaders, After the mest careful and delib- erate consideration of all the issues involved in the investigation, we have come to the conclysion that the inves- tigation is directed against the mili- tant and progressive leadership which conducted a splendid strike, the meth- ods employed not only bringing a not- able victory to the. workers. but, also better terms, of settlement than. those proposed. by the officers of the A. F. of L. and the International Fur Work- ers’ Union, It would be an outrageous proced- ure, a procedure to be condemned by the entire organized labor, if this in- vestigation is prompted by a desire to punish and discredit this militant lead- ership on account of their success in this respect, ~ Direct Aid to Bosses. The investigation, coming as it does right after the strike; does not help the union, but diverts the energy of the union into channels other than the question of the enforcement of the agreement, thus directly aiding the bosses who are trying to evade the terms of the agreement on which the strike was settled. It can have no other than a demoralizing effect upon the workers, baie. Submit Under Protest, In closing, however, as we stated in our previous letter, we wish to state that altho there is no justifica- tion under the, ‘constitution. of .the American Federation of. Labor, nor any facts in relation to the strike that demand investigation, the New York Joint Board will not. block the inves- tigation. We will appear before the committee when requested and agree to turn over books when ordered to do so. Appeal to All Labor. We wish to enter a formal protest against the whole procedure as in vio- lation of: the constitution of our inter- national and the laws and procedure of the American Federation of Labor and we reserve the right for ourselves to make an appeal on this matter to the next convention of the American Federation of Labor. We are certain when we present our case before the entire labor movement our. activities will not only. be ap- proved, but we will secure the full manner in which tha strike was con- ducted and for our, service to, the cause of organized labor, We remain, Fraternally yours, Joint Board Furriers’ Union, B. Gold, - enoer: Union Mado! be, endorsement of organized labor for the NOTE:—Tomorrow, the: declaration of the shop chairmen of the Furriers’ WHY DOES GREEN INVESTIGATE? Ernst Haeckel on “Last Words ‘on Evolution” CHAPTER Il. THE STRUGGLE OVER OUR GEN- EALOGICAL TREE, gar Ape-Relatives and the Vertebrate- Stem. (Continued from previous issue.) But, important as these arguments of comparative embryology are, one needs’ many years’ study in the unfa- miliar and difficult province of: em- bryology before one can realize their evolutionary force. There are, in fact, not a few embryologists (especially of the modern school of experimental em- bryology) who do not succeed in go- ing so, It is otherwise with the pal- pable proofs that we take from a re- mote science, paleontology. The re- markable fossil remains sand impres- sions of extinct animals and plants give us directly the historical evi- dence we need to understand the gue cessive appearance and disappearance of the various species and groups. Geology has firmly) established the chronological order of the sedimentary rocks, which have been successively formed of mud at the floor of the ocean, and-has deduced their age from the thickness of the strata, and deter- mined. the relative date of their. for- mation. The vast period during which organic life has been developing on the earth runs to many million years. The number is variously estimated at. less than a hundred or at several hun- dred million years.* If we take the smaller number of 200 million years, we find them distributed amongst the five chief periods of the earth’s or- ganic development in such a way that the earlier or archeozoic period. ab- sorbs nearly one-half. As the sedi- mentary rocks of this period, chiefly neisses and crystalline schists, are in @ metamorphosed condition, the fos ‘sii remains in. them are unrecognis- able. In the next succeeding strata.of ‘the paleozoic period we find the ear liest remains of fossilized vertebrates, Silurian primitive fishes (selachii) and ganolds. These are followed, in the Devonian, system, by the first. dip- neust fishes (a transitional form from the fishes.to the amphibia). In the next, the Carboniferous system, we find the first terrestial or four-footed vertebrates—amphibians of the order of the stegocephala. A little later, in the Permian rocks, the earliest am- niotes,- lowly, lizard-like reptiles (to- warm-blooded birds and mammals are still wanting. We have the first traces of the mammals in the Triassic, mesozoic age; these are of the mono treme sub-class (pantotheria and allo theria). They are succeeded by the first marsupials (prodidelphia) in the Jurassic, the ancestral forms of the placentals (mallotheria), in the Cre taceous. See p. 165. But, the richest development of the mammal class takes place in the next or Tertiary age. In the course of its four periods—the eocene, oligocene, and pliocene—the mammal species in- crease steadily in number, variety and complexity, down to the present time. From the. lowest common ancestral group of the placentals proceed our divergent branches, the legions of the carnassia, rodents, ungulates, and primates. The primate legion sur- passes all the rest. In this Linne long ago included the lemurs, apes, and man, The historical order in which the various stages of vertebrate de- velopment make their successive ap- pearance corresponds entirely to the morphological order of their advance in organization, as we have learned it from the study of comparative anat- omy and embryology. * In his presidential speech of the last meeting of the British Associa- tion, Professor Darwin sald: “It does ‘not seem unreasonable to suppose that 500 ‘to 1,000 million. years may have elapsed since the birth of the moon.” (Trang.] (To be continued.) ~ A subseription to The DAILY WORKER for one month to the mem- bers of yaye union Is a good. way. bate all tis seth Nasha Gazeta (Our Newspaper) of eae pictures the harvest “4 the Soviet Union in the above whuategnton under the title, “Comrade Harn — cosauria) make their appearance; the earliest sedimentary rocks of the | Pan