The Daily Worker Newspaper, October 2, 1926, Page 14

The Labor Day Number of the Federation News A REVIEW—By P, L. HE Chicago Federation of Labor, com- prising around 300,000 organ- ized workers, has done itself “proud” this year in it cel- ebration of La- bor Aay. Dis- daining such out-worn and 2 old - fashioned Labor Day features as parades, dem- onstrations, picnics or mass meetings, it has extended itself to bringing out a special enlarged number of its offi- cial organ, the Federation News. Sixty pages this Labor Day issue contains, but in reality it contains only half that number since fully half the magazine igs (in Post fashion) taken up with advertise- ments. Advertisements of asd for unions? No, not at all. The adver- tisements are of, banks, real estate concerns, construction companies, in- wurance houses, undertakers, manu- facturers, etc. Let us see what the leaders of labor have to say to labor. On the very first page we have an article by John Fitzpatrick, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, Reading thru this article, we find that Fitzpatrick’s inspiring message for Labor Day is— actually it is—that the popularized use of the automobile has greatly in- creased the vacation value of Labor Day. You don't believe it? Then listen to Fitzpatrick himself. He writes: “When labor day was first inaugu- rated it was celebrated on each re- curring occasion by great demonstra- tions, parades, picnics and speech mak- ing were among the many laudable activities—but since the development and popular use of the automobile union men and women have been able to devise ways and means more to their liking for the enjoyment of the holiday. © “The automobile has made it possi- ble not only for the bread winner to participate in Labor Day activities, but the entire family from the oldest to the youngest.” t Fitzpatrick goes on to ecstasize about how the autemobile affords the working man the opportunity for “three days’ recreation and enjoyment out in the country, breathing the pure air and enjoying God’s sunshine, get- ting back to nature, living the natural way intended by the creator of man- kind, instead of the artificial way created by man, which results in the housing of ourselves and our families like rats in a trap.” Deoesn’t this seem childishly pa- thetic, coming as it does from the os- tensible legder of 300,000 workers? One wonders whether Fitzpatrick really believes that the bulk of the workers own automobiles? Does Fitz- patrick forget the problems that face the workers on their 300 or so real labor days? Is there no message from the leader to the workers, on Labor Day, other than that an automobile makes this day worth while? “Incredible tho it may seem, it is so. Let us now pass on to the Labor Day message of another leader, this time the head of America’s organized workers, President William Green. What is his message? It is this: “Two main issues of far-reaching importance should be emphasized on labor Day. They are: “(1) An intensive trade union organ- ization campaign. “(2) The non-partisan pdlitical cam- paign of the American Federation of Labor.” Only half bad, a progressive one would be inclined to think after see- ing this. But reading a little further along would cause him to change his mind, for Green, in arguing for the ne- cessity of organizing the workers, brings forward the remarkable reason that it is the only sure way of main- taining industrial peace. Green does ‘ee the ,workers organized so that they can put up a stronger front . the bosses, so that they can enforce | iperease their demands—but so that they will submit to the boss. Un- unately for Green's wish, and for RR Saturday, Evening | | = of harmony and good feeling tunately for the workers’ interest, or ganization does not tend in that direc- tion—tho Green's leadership certainly does, In regard to non-partisanship politt- cal action, Green declares that labor should be sure to vote and vote for candidates who will be loyal to the— people! Mind you, not loyal to labor —that would be skirting too close to the edge of a labor party—but to the people. Can a more empty, and illu- sory and vicious Labor Day message be conceived of? In the very next column to Green’s message we have one from that guard- jan angel’of the miners’ union—John L. Lewis. Lewis devotes his space to | lamentations over the tendency of the operators to “break their agreements ~and to shove the workers backwards and downwards—by wrecking and de- stroying their only real protectors, the union.” “What good has come of it all?” he Plaintively asks. Then answers: “None whatever.” “Let us all hope that next year will see the end of this assault upon the integrity of industry and business. (What the hell does the faker mean by this?) Let us all strive for the at- in industry.” Lewis is unconsciously frank in this instance. This is precisely what he is striving for in his role as president of the miners’ union, and as the be- trayer of the miners’ interests. Lewis;in unions, recognition of Soviet Rus- is doing hig utmost to stake the as- sault “upon the integrity of (the coal mining) industry and business,” by wrecking the miners’ union, There are other “inspiring” mes- sages from the “leaders of labor” con- tained in this notable Labor Day issus of the Federation News, There is also @ Summary of the A. F, of L. program, including the “advanced” position it takes on such issues as Communista sia, the Labor Party, amalgamation, ete., all of which are “emphatically repudiated, rejected and condemned.” Also, on the very last page, we are treated to the sight of Brother Green and a whole retinue of his fellow lead- ers, grouped around amiling Cal Coo- lidge and “cordially discussing the problems of labor.” It's a grand issue ‘from cover to cover, In the Next Issue: Karl Marx, Personal Recollections by Paul Lafargue. With photographe and illustrations, A New Generation In the Making by Nat Kaplan. to young workers. A Lesson from the Holy Scriptures. Of particular interest Humorous drawings and comments on the struggles of the Mexican Church. ‘ “The Scab,” a Story by the young proletarian writer Max Geltman. With illustrations, Tom O'Flaherty begins a series of lively articles on the senatorial slush funds, Illustrated by Hay Bales. e The British Trade Union Congress. An Editorial. A Sport Column, Movie and Theater Reviews. Also the third article by Ruth Kennel oa the Theater Season in Moscow. Drawinga by Jerger, Vose and Bales, Poems by Oscar Ryan. And Other Features, 7 A WEEK IN CARTOONS _ By M. P. Bales q ) a “Cine ~ SS “DOMINATION OF AMERICAN RKERS PARTY ENTERS ELECTION CAMPAIGN FIGHT HAVE TO FIGHT TOOET Mooney our” EUROPEAN CAPTALISTS oe 3 ; RMLY FIGHTING AGAIN ST THE, ALN Pe oe a CAPALISTS ees NOT UNTIL youve ACCEPTED apne LENGE, YOU AINT / CARE ~) eS aaa