Labor in 1924-A Year of Progress and Setbacks
WALINSKY, OSSIP
Labor in 1924—A Year of Progress and Setbacks Continued Use of Injunctions to Break Strikes and Loss of Membership by A. F. of L. Matched by Rise of Labor Banks and Conference for Progressive...
...Those impatient with this sort of thing bit* their thumbs in solitude...
...To the Socialist, who sees the mechanism of capitalism so distinctly and the adjustments necessary to democratise industry to serve society so clearly, it is hard to watch for the slow acceptance of that as a goal...
...The factional fights in the needle industries caused by the so-called left wing Communists are dying out...
...Although nearest te tag land, let • us stfy, our nation sees no counterpart of the long, steady building up of an organization like that of the Britiah Labor party, created of the unions and animated by the Socialist breath of life...
...Likewise, the present depression and hard times are inexplicable and unavoidable accidents, similar to the blowing out of a tire because of some one else's careless scattering of glass on the road...
...The plan for unemployment insurance in that industry' diffeis from those of the International Ladies' G .rmeiit Workers' Union and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, The employers paid three p...
...The quality will differ...
...What were the main topics of discussion at the convention of the American Federation of Labor...
...The shirtntakers of New York scored a great victory...
...Yes, one has to ask these questions only to find much disappointment...
...To search for permeating social forces in this chaos of conflicting impulses is to cast forth on a long journey...
...But even in England, with the making of progress comes the admission and assimilation of every other element, not even the Idle wealthy excepted...
...Such prosperity,' meaning plenty of work, as has blessed us in the past is assumed by the Republican party to be the direct rays from its high tariff furnace...
...Quite far from it...
...under the jurisdiction and control of the union, whereas the other funds are contributed equally by the employel* and workers alike and under ' Joint supervision and control...
...while the days of exploration are over pretty much in fact, they trail along as part of the mental stock-in-trade of the "night minds...
...Some Advanced Ground The clothing workers under the banner of the Amalgamated also repelled all attacks and frustrated all attempts of employer* to reduce wages...
...0 the if followed...
...While I wsiting, there csn be no harm in Nrcumstance* banding half way to meet the Socialist requirement...
...In every industry there are men, many if not most responsible for the...
...Anti-union strongholds heretofore impregnable and unapproachable were conquered, and even the famous locality of Greenpoint, so well known for its immunity against unionism harboring a large percentage of shirt manufactures*, is now under union jurisdiction Snd control...
...From now' on, Labor is raising its voice . in politics...
...But always we shall look ahead...
...It seems anything but that...
...Th«y ar* keenly alert to th* >sham and mockery and pretense ol what pose as public mediums...
...coat, of the total payroll for the unemployment fund, which fund la sole...
...Plans for expansion lay no particular stress upon the human factor...
...It records among other gains tha provlai'n for unemployment insurance...
...The Health Center of the International Ladies' Garment Union may in this case serve as a model example for all other unions...
...Tha International Poeketbook Workers' Uhlon rtnewtd Us agreement in 1024 and gained for the workers of the industry a wage increase of 10 per cent., besides full control over outside ..hops...
...the term ia far less narrower than it was before tha war...
...What persists ss the essence, however, is the purpose to bring sbout the elevation of Labor in industry to the point of fetching social democracy...
...When consciousness grows, the emphasis will be shifted, but continuing progress will have to be made...
...What cannot be gainsaid is that the influence of Labor as such in party councils remains the dominant note...
...Even Russia now has retired from complete nationalization, not only in practice but even in theory...
...How is it with the Socialist Party...
...The domains are extensive...
...It had to preserve its identity...
...With the even partial awakening of Labor, the stressing of its aloofness in political matters becomes secondary with the Socialist PartyParty members will atill prefer to atay outside the garden while the voters bite into the wormy Interior of the forbidden fruit of old party progressive candidates...
...Not that there ia not a plenty of fulsome boaster...
...They have yet to be stirred to as much semblance of protest as is manifest in the American Federation of Labor...
...There, is, however, no unanimity among the various railroad Laboc (Continued on Pag* 11) The Inevitable Drift to Socialism j By JOSEPH E. COHEN TN this country at this time I it would be improper to stress the conscious effort i foP socialization as the most pronounced...
...On every newspaper and magazine and in every other agency of capitalist publicity are men who either stultify their convictions or conceal tham while they drool over inconsequential details...
...For the Labor movement it-can be quite readily admitted...
...That is what really counts...
...2,926,468 Taking in consideration that the open-shop drive against trade unionism died in 1924, the decline in membership during the .year is significant...
...It is Sit-too ready to tie up with arrangements pleasing to the employers, on the plea sf stability...
...3,260,068 1920...
...Some unions are establishing health clinics for the benefit of their fellow-members...
...The capitalist press played up prominently the jiew insurance feature of the convention, but our onions had long Lusy-bodied themselves with various insurance schemes and the Exec tive Council has yet to devise a plan generally acceptable to the trade union movement of our land...
...Labor in 1924—A Year of Progress and Setbacks Continued Use of Injunctions to Break Strikes and Loss of Membership by A. F. of L. Matched by Rise of Labor Banks and Conference for Progressive Political Action...
...good season the fur workers enjoytd in the year of 1924 did not deter them from working out plans for unemployment insurance snd providing for the rainy days to coma.'' The United Cloth Hat and Capmakers also renewed their agiaw ments with tha employers, and secured greater control over the industry...
...The irreconcilable, who delude themselves with tha moonshine that the great bulk outside the craft unions want stronger drink, organize their I. W. W. and sound their bird call in vain...
...Undoubtedly they all will...
...To provide for insurance 1 against sickness, old age and death II a commendable work the trade union membership should be grate- 1 tul for, but that all kinds of benefits 1 offered by the unions do not make 1 for continuous growth of unions ; nor for the chaining- of old members 1 to the organisation, not to speak 1 of inducing new recruits into or- 1 ganised Labor's army, has been ' Proven more than once by the vari- i °us benefit unions (as I call them) 1 Jithin the fold of the American ' Federation of Labor...
...Many internationals held their conventions in 1924 and recorded substantial progress...
...Those who today are Socialists in the sense of wishing every activity to %e conducted by a bureaucracy are rare...
...The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, one of the largest unions in the country, has acquired 1,684 acres of land in Lakeland,Florida, to provide a home *ad shelter for the 'Id union memIks resching the a;e of sixty...
...What a contribution they coull make to the popularization of real information...
...They should come into the progressive fold readily enough...
...It is rslsing it ss Lsbor...
...For Labor unions to call such a gathering as that which met in Cleveland last July and which nominated La Follette is to make history...
...If this be censure, it can only be mild...
...And sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof...
...The New York Joint Board of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America conducted a successful reorganization strike, with the result that it has reestablished collective dealings with the men's clothing exchange, • body of responsible employers in the New York market, The guerilla warfare wagfjd for the last few years in the men's clothing industry in the New York market to the detriment of sll concerned ceased, and collective bargaining and impartial machinery are taking its place...
...The unemployment scheme will bring succor and relief to the victims of sn industrial system who sr* forced into idleness because of a selfish snd profit-seeking employing claas controlling the tools and means of life...
...Actually, however, individualism is supposed to be rampant still...
...It I* fearful to b* caught harboring any such Ideals ss ultimate emancipation from capitalism...
...The United Hatters of North America have been waging war against poisonous dyes used in the making of colors...
...That movement displays a rather selfsufficient exterior which is not psrcel of the European brand...
...The laat convention, like all previous ones, was far from aervlng as an inspiration to the laboring men and women of the country: the usual jurisdictional disputes, the old-fashioned approach to every social and economic issue, the oldtime attitude towards the formation of an independent Labor party...
...That an unbreakable bond must be formed between workers and farmers is not disputed anywhere...
...We are no more contented with the simple provision la our union contracts to the effect that sanitary conditions shall prevail in factories, workshops and all places of employment...
...Industrial Organisation The railroad Labor union* have continued their agitation against th* so-called Railroad Labor board which has been serving the interest of the railroad corporation* to break down union standards and condition*, ^s well a* against injunctions issued for the purpose of breaking tha strikes of the railroad union...
...All efforts to ctir up trouble In the year 1924, sueh a* tha attacks af**a*t the leaders for increasing anion dues and uni a revteauts, a* well aa against certain provisions *tk the new agreement sign*', resulted Js, complete defeat of the union breakers who were playing directly into the hand* of all enemies of Labor...
...What do the other, broader kind of Socialists, wsnt...
...The Cloakmakers gained a stronger grip over the industry and for the first time brought the jobber and heretofore irresponsible employer of contracting labor under control...
...That may b* said to be happening...
...The conventions of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Lnion held in Boston, and the.convention of the Amalgunrnted Clothing Workers of America, held in Philadelphia, were inspiring to the rink and file...
...What are the accomplishments...
...Socialism, In the living sense, will be the activities of those who are making a hard and persistent effort to put as much economic power as possible into the hands of the masses, and to destroy as thoroughly as possible the ftrangle-hold that private wealth now haa on the community...
...In more experienced countries it is realized that Mm, national assets must be handled by the Government, others by fairly large privet* business, while still others sre best conducted in very small units...
...Other unions are frcing the same problem—that of caring for the aged and feeble, the people modern capitalist society does not pro- i vide for...
...But in his moments of relaxation he can content himself with the knowledge that there is no escaping such an outcome...
...3,906,628 1922 3,195,685 1923...
...total administration of affairs, who remsin a class apart from the owners, often treated with contumely, and suffering the exquisite refinements of hirelings from those who are in every civilized way their inferiors...
...But ws cannot close our eyes to the fact that there are such progressives, genuine and militant...
...The baker unions called for the support of organized Labor for the union label...
...Until the two-party prejudice Is broken down, there will hsve to be some waiting for Labor to make itself decisive in the politics and government of this country...
...That granted, there cannot come too quickly the broadening of the movement to include every element willing to sustain social change...
...Also in the scales are the droves of small dealers, manufacturer* and people of the professions, many of them of continuing individual production such as works of art, who are squeezed ever more hard by exploiting capitalism...
...The Flux of Idehs It is but natural, then, that the resulting ideas should be loosejointed and far-flung...
...The discontent which runs through all classes must be gathered and piped for the common outlet Discontent in Industry There is not a capitalist institution, economic or otherwise, in which such discontent is not seething...
...True, President Gompers issued warning to the captains of our industries to beware of the temper of the American laboring men in the new conspiracies to slash wages, hut the trusts, chambers of commerce and manufacturers' associations took very little heed of all {last threats...
...The Painters' Union has conducted a big campaign against the growing danger of the spraying machines...
...But is that so...
...4,078,740 1921...
...Rewards of no inconspicuous size yet await those who have the talent and are willing to play the game with tha cards marked by the corporations...
...They knew what it all meant- and they know that it doesn't mean any more at the present time...
...1 The trade nnio: movement must 1 aeek aaivation not in benefits, however important they m-.y be, but iredirect frontal attack against all enemies of Labor, inspiring the rank and file of Labor with a spirit of idealism and devotion for Labor's cause...
...The Ward Baking Corporation, one of the largest, inaugurated the openshop...
...The very fact that the American Federation of Labor Convention sLould have made a plea against further wage reductions in face of promised prosperity due to the Coalidge landslide and the Wall 'ifaast •tctories is itself an admission ot* the -deplorable conditions of the trade union movement...
...4 Some Notable Achievement* Many of our unions have made every effort to protect life and limb of the workers of their respective Industries...
...Because the drift may continue as such for some time to come...
...The Socialist Party To distinguish itself at all, it had to form a party separate and apart from all others...
...Deflate and Victories The last report f 'he A F. of L. Executive Council claims, and rightly so, "that the bigotry and obviously selfish movement of reactionary employers to destroy the unions and inaugurate \ hat has been variously described as \pen shop' and 'American plan' waa contrasted in the public mind with the constructive, logic and thoroughly American declarative, of Tiabor for the steady growth and development of democratic practice in our industrial life, and the comparison of these two decisions ha- lef...
...reactionary and bourbon employers n a most unfavorable position...
...However limited opportunities are, captains of industry still rise from the ranks before the eyes...
...Captains Still Rise" Back of this viewpoint are the indigenous conditions of the land...
...Even if s Labor party were formed, with the Socialist Party a contributing factor, it would have to keep its own orgsnizstion for its work other than political, just ss the Labor union* would keep their organizations for their work other than political...
...Yet, many union* had to fight for their very existence during the year 1924...
...But the appeal must be such as to reach far over that...
...Governmental interference in business is assaulted as a policy, although it manages to make headway in practice...
...Beyond the organized movement are the less determined workers...
...There is no assembling data and deeds into one body...
...For there can be no other drift to progress...
...The trade unions of America have been constantly losing ground as indicated by the following record: 1919...
...The exceptions...
...There can be no dispute about that...
...By OSSIP WALINSKY F/*pHE forty-fourth convenX tion of the American Fed' oration of Labor force* every student of the movement to fiance over the light and shadairy sides of the trade union I jMvement for the year 1924...
...Many true bliys unior...
...The needle Indnetriss sre seasonal industries and suffer %>ost because of unemployment...
...Incidently it must, no matter what happens...
...Maybe only because it is Latin doea it accept the shibboleth of "Labor Omnia Vinelt...
...The regular Labor movement is very near an understanding of conditions as they are...
...For the most part industrial development is meant to be left to take care of itself and just grow, like Topsy...
...The New York market is bound to recover, which recovery will make for a stronger Amalgamated Union in th* City of New York...
...The details, the devices, will be settled as the issues come to maturity, and settled differently in different countries...
...That knowledge, too, will have to be sufficient for him to strive with these others, especially the Labor unions, to make progress politically...
...Even will It have to do when they are not ready to accept the notion of a goal...
...The report of the Executive Council indicates a membership of |,8I6,0T9 for the fiscal year of f924, a loss of 60,489 over the year iff 1923...
...i; SOCIALISM* By NORMAN HAPG00D THERE are more persons In the world todsy who call themselves Socialists than ever before, but the meaning of...
...With immigration seriously restricted, so long as there is smoke going up tha factory chimney, the Labor unions can hold their own and the toilers keep their larders provisioned...
...The newly created baking trust was especially bitter i < its onslaught against the baker unions...
...That being given, it should go without saying that the character of these conditions must be reflected in the Labor movement and the Socialist Party...
...men and women heeded their plea...
...It is almost smug in Its tolerance of leaders who ape the grosser affectations of the newly rich...
...After all, is not that the soul of luman salvation...
...Fabulous fortunes are amassed in the highways and even the byways of commerce...
...They would let their genius get full play...
...Many unions have renewed i'.-ir contracts and have scored in their respective agreements better working standards and conditions for the toiling masses...
...Tha Cloakmakers also gained the use of a sanitary label on all garments manufactured in union shops, a long cherished dream of the leading spirits of our movement, * But the greatest reform of sll In the cloak industry it undoubtedly the provision for unemployment insurance...
...Socialism would bring them merited approbation...
...All the more so, since no Labor party of national Mope ia functioning...
...What were the issues raised...
Vol. 2 • January 1925 • No. 1
