Tobin and the Teamsters
Teamster, A.
Tobin and the Teamsters By A. Teamster W? sometimes wonder whether Daniel J. Tobin, president of the International Brotherhood at faaaeter*) »n<* reputed to ba th* most powerful member of th*...
...It has extended the realm of totalitarianism to include large areas of Eastern and probably Central Europe, and, in all likelihood, much of East Asia...
...dramatic events which marked the end of the second World War, have given new emphasis to certain basic problems...
...And he does it, in the main, with the usual lucidity and respect for facts which has won him such deserved recognition from honest and well-informed students of world affairs...
...For example: while voting in the AFL council against participation in the Soviet conspiracy for th* destruction of the International Federation of Trade Unions and the establishment of a new world labor federation under Soviet domination, Tobin has urged,'indirectly, reconsideration of th* council's position, and has advocated the aending of a labor delegation to Russia...
...Tobin awar* of th* repeated attacks leveled by the leaders of the totalitarian Soviet "trade unions" against the American Federation of Labor' Does not T*bin know that Soviet leaders and th* Soviet pre** have on many occasions denounced th* leadera of the AFL a* "pro-Fascist" and, therefore, "pro-German...
...The task before as it admittedly complicated and difficult...
...The most argent, perhaps, of all th* problems confronting our civilizstion is thst of developing s sense of responsibility for the vast power we now posses...
...In the light of Mr...
...intellectual Cooperation in tbe last analysis, to be well fed, while the rest of the world starves, ia both wicked and foolish...
...The decisive phase of America's relations with Soviet Russia ia ahead of us...
...Louis Finke/srein, F. Ernett Johnson, Harold D. Lots-wolf, 4fain L. Locke, ft...
...How tragic it would be to witness the democratic opponents of Stalinism in this country playing into his hands aimply because they are disappointed at our failure to leap overnight from l lie realm of necessity—the necessity of Kusso-American military collaboration in this war, with its largely inevitable measure of "appeasement" — into the realm of world freedom...
...In this respect they are blood brothers of their Communist hosts...
...This is because the goals of peaceful endeavor are not so elearent a* those of war...
...They were developed as a result of deep-seated passions, rooted in our training, just at the patsiont of the Germans and the Japanese, which have led to their undoing, are rooted in their training...
...A war that began on the dizzy heights of a perhaps exaggerated idealism is ending in a morass of the crudest and most cynical power politics...
...Our first task is that of discovering a method for bringing about adequate interchange of thought on the high level needed...
...One cannot accept this contention without absolving this country of the terrible responsibility it will incur should it again turn ita back upon the world in the situation in which it now finds itself, regardless of the provocations...
...There is no use telling the American people that isolationism as a national policy ia no longer tenable, as does Chamberlin, while at the same time giving encouragement, albeit indirectly, to a return to the old ways...
...German militarists and German Communists who have found favor in Stalin's eyes are now active in various official capacities in the Russian zon* of occupation in Germany—and surely not for purposes advantageous to the United States and our democratic allies...
...These pro-Germans obviously do sot hate Russia, for if they did, they would not be treated with such kindness sad hospitality by the government of th* USSK: they hate only the United Statat, Britain, France, and democracy ia general...
...As for Tobin, we suggest that he pul himself together politically and intellectually...
...And hardly less marvelous hat been the capacity of industry to design and of labor to operat* the machines and method* to do things never done before so that the brain child of many mind* came forth in physical shape and performed as it was supposed to do...
...The title of this masterpice i* "Pro-(iermao* Hate Russia," which may be true enough, although pot all pro-Germans hate Russia...
...Chamberlin makes this amply clear in his book with a convincing array of evidence...
...American cooperation, be removed...
...Those familiar with th* proceedings In the AFL council on re-admission of the United Min* Worker* know what we mean...
...With the one serious exception to what Chamberlin haa to say on the threat of a .revival of American isolationism after ' the war,' this reviewer finds his book a most timely and authoratative contribution to an understanding of the international situation and its perspectives...
...The victory of the democratic nations in the Pacific was hastened through the use of atomic ttiergy...
...they now rely...
...It is this dualism in Mr...
...The atomic bomb needed for ita development and perfections intimate collaboration of natural scientists, technologists, statesmen and mllitsry leaders...
...The Daily Werket jvill reprint it, we are sure...
...This example is only on* of several casting light on Mr...
...Why, then, encourage a repetition of the* tragic mistake committed by thin country twenty-five years ago a imply because the totalitarian USSR, under Stalin's leadership, has moved or is moving into the power vacuums inevitably created by the defeat of Nazi Cermany and Japan...
...There it no it cur U y in theer power...
...Other Onnaus who do not hate Russia are the German Communists, who throughout the long period of the Stalin-Hitler part helped Russia help Hitler to mash ? ? ance and gain mastery over th* European continent...
...There it no culture in tha present world which is adequately adapted toward the establishment of world peace...
...The Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion has pioneered in thit collective thinking...
...The most important of these is the nted for collective thinking and cooperation among men of different backgrounds, for the pursuit of great goals in our time...
...The problem* of peaceful civilization require...
...The chapters dealing with the consequences of the war, the shift in world power forces, the relative positions of England, Russia and the United States, the problems of the Far East and the tasks confronting this country in that theatre are masterpieces of clear and factual presentation and analysis, done in the best Chamberlin manner...
...On* could cite other...
...This needs to be supplemented by more intensive atudiet and exchanges of thought worked out in broader collaboration by individuals from the various disciplines and varied backgrounds of experience...
...Tak* the question of peace in American labor...
...It was the cynicism and disillusionment propagated with respect to these vistas and opportunities, the failure to take advantage of them, which contributed so materially to World War II...
...I* not Mr...
...it ha3 iiiaJe them more urgent Mankind is seeking the way to cooperation...
...Facts are stubborn things, as the saying ? nes, and Chamberlin drives home well the point that this country, the greatest and most powerful factor in the world, cannot hope to formulate, let alone pursue, a fruitful foreign policy without a thorough understanding of the facts...
...Wt wonder'alio, on occasion, whether Tobin means what he *ays when he votes is support of important action* and utterance* of the Executive Council...
...The effort ef religious teachers to transform culture into such a force hat been only partially successful...
...If the free nations should now rejex't the moral lesson of the war, and place their trust in the possession of power, we may be iure that sooner or later they will find themselves overwhelmed by the very force on which...
...Had the perversity of human beings not interfered, had the democracies— and the democrats of the leading countries—taken a more positive view of events and pursued constructive policies, the world would have been made safe for democracy and World War II might well have been averted...
...Nothing seemed clearer in 14*39 to these nations than, that having organized themselves for conquest, they could flout the established principles of human justice, and impose their will on the rest of mankind...
...Of the weapon thus invented the President of the United States said, "But the greatest marvel is not the size of the enterprise, its tecrecy, or its cost, but the achievement of scientific brains in putting together infinitely complex pieces of knowledge held by many men in different fields of science into a workable plan...
...On this basis, Mr...
...Bet the opposite may also be true: in our search for a better world we may, if we are not careful in stressing the line of principle, thwart our own best purposes...
...Hunt refers also to some economic interests in this country which "are fanatically fighting the growing friendship for Russia in the United Stales...
...The very presence of the United States in the League of Nations, determined to throw its weight against an aggressor, would alone, in all probability, have sufficed to maintain the peace...
...Nothing would please Stalin more than the return of the United States to isolationism...
...Stalin haa always considered "Anglo-American imperialism" the principal stumbling block to the victory of world Communism...
...Th* Daily Worker and the A'eio Mattet like Tobin and hi* magazine because he has facilitated th* policy of the Communists in their objective of keeping the miners out of the federation in response to the desires of those element* who do not want a united labor movement in this country, because labor unity would interfere seriously with their own political schemes...
...It would be a pity if he went down in labor history aa aa unprincipled politician, a ranroua hulk of meretricious pomposity, a fellow-traveler of th* totalitarian enemies of labor...
...The victory of the Allied Armies in Europe was made possible, according lo the commanding general, .primarily through close cooperation between the ground and the air forces...
...Our educators are in the moat violent disagreement among themselves on basic issues regarding education...
...Thy agree with Mr...
...Books in Review The World After Two Wars Review By JOSEPH SHAPLEN AMERICA : PARTNER IN WORLD ROLE...
...there it tecurity in the application of moral and tpiritual principle* to thl daily1problemt of life...
...But we believe that the persistent pursuit of these studies, together with the continual emphasis on the goals to be sought, will in the end prove valuable...
...In addition, th* collaboration of scholar*, men of letters, leaders of the economy, and leader* of philosophical and religious thought...
...Chamberlin's thinking which vitiates the value of his book...
...Like the Union of Prussian Officers, German Communist leaders also found refuge and hospitality in Moscow...
...There are occasions when "realpolitik" becomes reactionary utopianism...
...Chamberlin presents a clear and incontrovertible picture of the world as it appears after two great wars and the revolutionary upheavals of our time...
...Was the Executive Council Vo-German" in taking its position on *¦» question of Soviet totalitarianism, * was it merely doing ita duty in ""••"»ding liberty for the Russian people and denouncing Soviet activities againat th* democratic labor movement of th* world, activities which continue to this day...
...Hunt would be justified in charging that all those who did not like Mussolini and hii brand of totalitarianism, hate Italy «ml the Italian people...
...Hunt, a rather servile press sgent of his boss, is right: pro-Germans do hate Russia...
...Power Will Not Bring Security Need For Intellectual Cooperation in Peacetime Etcerpti from ? ttatement by William F. Albright, Lyman Bryson, Harry J. Carman...
...The problem with which we are dealing Is, by ita very nature, endless...
...Chamberlin, in his chapters dealing with this question, shows us the nature and importance of the problem with the clarity and understanding of his writings on this subject...
...It is more clear than ever that we can, if we will, create a world of greater happiness, knowledge, and breadth of moral and spiritual outlook, or failing that, we shall discover that we have loosed energies which 'will imperil civilization as we know it...
...Nor is he himself wholly pessimistic of 'a possible positive turn in the relations of the USSR with the democratic world, although, properly, he warns against illusions on this point, considering the nature of the Russian totalitarian regime and its failure, to date, to adapt itself honestly to the needs, the rights and aspirations of other nations, and to the true and vital interests of the Russian people themselves...
...Or, having achieved power, he might well have hesitated to throw the world into another holocaust had he not made himself secure in the East through his pact with Stalin in August, 1939, and had he not been convinced that under no circumstances would the United States again become involved in a European conflict...
...Atomic energy, like all other form* of power, is *n opportunity, a* well a* a peril...
...It is on this point that one must challenge his thesis...
...S3.00...
...Chamberlin himself admits this, although he contends, quite erroneously, that American isolationism had no part in the picture, that all the causes of World War ? «ara concentrated elsewhere...
...A former "isolationist" (with a bit of noataglia for the isolationist position), he accepts the need and inevitability of America's participation in the task of rescuing this bleeding world from its present tragic estate and of averting another catastrophe, but at the same time he points out, with apparent approval, that unless the world accepts and implements the program and principles of a truly democratic reconstruction as conceived by this country, the American people may again retreat to their old isolationist policy...
...Had this been the case, Hitler might never have risen to power, despite the encouragement given his movement by Moscow through its instrument, the Cerraan Communist Party...
...Tha errors which we committed after the First World War, and which led to tha Second, were not mere mistakes of judgment...
...an example of what we mean, wo rite an editorial appearing in the Auguit j„ue of the /nfentafioaai Teamtter under the signature of Lester M. Hunt, the editor, and also Tobin's pres* agent...
...The American people must l>e told the farts as they are, but they must also learn that the road to a better world, in the light of the bitter realities, is not likely to be smooth, that the "program maximum," which we must always keep before our eyes, will not be achieved hy a maximalist approach to the problem...
...Unfortunately, Tobin has failed to demonstrate the consistency expected from a labor leader of his standing and responsibility...
...The problem of educating ourselves, so that we can help educate other nations, to such a love of peaceful pursuit's and goals as will make the possession of vast power by our generation an asset rather than a liability, can be solved only through the kind of collective thinking that helped produce the power-weapons themselves...
...Collaboration is as vital to the attainment of the aim* of peace, as it was to the attainment of the aims of war...
...But is It not rather early to pronounce this as a final judgment, a judgment recalling the fatal ridicule heaped upon the Wileonian conception of the first World War as a war to make the world safe for democracy ? Contrary to the propaganda of pacifists and misguided liberals, the first World War did broaden the vistas and opportunities for democracy in many lands, including Russia and Germany...
...THIS reviewer has no sympathy with "realpolitiker" who ridicule "perfectionists'* in foreif ? policy and are all too ready to follow the line of appeasement for the sake of Allied "unity," always with a bow in the direction of Joseph Stalin...
...But intellectual persuasion alone will not chanjre the attitude of our people on such issues...
...Tobin's record, it Is, after all, not surprising to find Hunt'* editorial in the International Ttamtter...
...Officially, Tobin is all for peace and unity, but behind th* scenes he ha* done all he could to thwart it...
...Now, why does not Dan Tobin read "••felly hi* own union organ and stop Hint from writing his balderdash ? As •»•aiber of th* AFL Executive Council, Tobin has voted for the many resolutions and declarations adopted by the eooeeil assailing Soviel total itariam*m •N Soviet foreign policy, including the *» of German slave labor by the Soviet pwornment...
...If generally accepted, it may serve to encourage the very forces which would welcome a recrudescence of violent isolationism in this country as quite suitable to their achemes...
...The same will remain true in the future, even more so, after the demonstration of decisive power exhibited by this country in the determination of the present struggle...
...And it would not be surprising if before long we should see his agenta in America again clamoring, as they did during the period of the Stalin-Hitler pact, fur < non-intervention by this country abroad, in line with the ultimate objectives of Soviet foreign policy and the logic of the new Communist line in this country...
...These enemies of labor constitute a pro-Stalinist Cliveden set in this country who are quite willing to sell American principles for profit in trade with Soviet Russia...
...The blindness of many of our pa*pi* to the necessity of placing moral and spiritual values first ia perhaps nowhere more clearly manifest than in their unwillingness to make th* feeding of the hungry in Europ* and m Asia, and th* reconstruction of their economy, a major responsibility of the American people...
...By William Henry Ckamberlin...
...Indeed, the nature and extent of collaboration and collective thinking in peace must be greater and more complicated than in war...
...Such action, under conditions prevailing in Russia, would serve only to undermine the position of the AFL and of free unions everywhere...
...But, as a general proposition, Mr...
...He 1* a big man in th* labo* movement — big in influence and ia physical stature...
...York: The Vanguard Pret: 318 page...
...From the point of view of these faiths, much of western life remains "pagan" to this day, in the aensa that it is still directed toward power over other men and placet its trutt in power, rather than in justice, faith and charity...
...There can be no quarrel with his "perfectionism" as a basic program, as a "program maximum," as an expression of ultimate needs and ideal % but the manner in which he states his conclusion is subject to grave misunderstanding...
...Above all, one welcomes his tocsin warnings against failure to recognize the true nature and aims of totalitarianism, his emphasis on the need for our rededication to the ideals of democracy, his call for a positive foreign policy as distinguished from superficial "realpolitik," his thrusts against misleading propaganda, and his demand fur a more frank relatu nihip between the government and the people on vital questions of foreign affairs...
...M. Macfvor, Harlow Shapley and Paul Waits, members of the executive com mitte» of the Conference off Science, Philosophy and Religion...
...America, above all, mutt In these days be careful not to be dazzled by the prospect of world power which has com* to her...
...Tllh, fate which has befallen the totalitarian peoples of Germany and Japan should warn us of the peril of seeking salvation in sheer power...
...The release of atomic energy has not abolished our continuing moral problems...
...Tobin's penchant for double-talk...
...We regard the outcome of the war as inextricably involved in this hunger after power...
...Apart from Hitlerism as the immediate cause of this war, it should be made clear to all that Russian Bolshevism and American isolationism contributed most to the catastrophe: Bolshevism by deliberately deepening the social and political crisis after 1918 on the principle of "the worse the better," and American isolationism by'making impossible the complete, affirmative, consistent and timely intervention on the side of the anti-war forces before the forces of evil had gained the upper hand...
...Look at the Union •f Prussian Officers still functioning in Moscow ss guests of the Soviet Govern-ment...
...Then, indeed, would the main obstacle to his world triumph, the influenca and power of the United 8tatea and Angla...
...It* intellectual Iradert can help by overcoming temptation* to eet themielve* againtt each other, by learning to labor and think together for the common good ef the human race and itt civilization...
...So pleased are the Communist* with his double talk that the Daily Worker baa repeatedly used Tobin'* utterances to bolster the Communist position on vital questions affecting American labor and Soviet policy...
...Wa know that it will take many years of collaborative thinking to be able to suggest adequate remedial steps for the ills of our civilization...
...Only ao can wa hope to solve our present-day problema of collective thinking and cultural reorientation...
...Chamberlin is...
...What makes his editorial vicious, however, is the snide implication that those who criticise the Soviet totalitarianism (as did th* late President Roosevelt, for example, during the period of the Stalin-Hitler pact) hate Russia and the Russian people* and are, ipso factor, "pro-German...
...Hunt that all critic* of the Soviet regime are "pro-Gtrman," and they assail all those who "•ow distrust" of Soviet ¦ Russia, a •uphemisna for telling the truth about th* Soviet regime...
...We cannot bomb ourselves into physical security or moral unity...
...If the latter be true, it is equally true that the defeat of Nazism and Fascism has made the United States, the British Commonwealth and other democratic countries "safe for democracy," with a great opportunity, if properly embraced, to make it safe for the world...
...the monthly magazine of hi* owa great union...
...To believe that it is to the interests of our children...
...rightly disturbed by the fact that a war that is "supposedly being fought against totalitarianism'' haa "made the first of the totalitarian states, the Soviet Union, the strongest land power in Europe and in Asia...
...Tobin and the Teamsters By A. Teamster W? sometimes wonder whether Daniel J. Tobin, president of the International Brotherhood at faaaeter*) »n<* reputed to ba th* most powerful member of th* Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor, rtti...
...No ona now living knows how to deal with the problems of educating a whole people to the type of responsibility which Is falling upon, us...
...W» do not know the specific interests in question, but we do know that, next to the American Communists, the most enthusiastic apologists for the Soviet regime, with its suppression of civil liberties, free trade unions, strikes, and freedom of thought and conscience, ate to be found among powerful American financiers and industrialists...
Vol. 28 • September 1945 • No. 35
