CEMENTING AMERICAN LABOR
CRM RNTING AMERICAN LABOR The Pan-American Federation of Labor—Its Work f%t fan A m.ricu* federation pf faker, wkuh »e* organization* a/ jutai*-> " ** ' •' "• '•«'.••"...
...We are convinced that any attempt to force principles, policies or tactics upon minorities in an international federation of Labor such as this must lead to the destruction of those fraternal bondB which now unite us...
...It is essential to the success of this Pan-American Federation of Labor that its policies and programs should be established only through mutual agreement The great strength which this Federation can develop must exist wholly through the free consent of those who participate...
...This campaign is being conducted by the Negro Trade Union Organization Committee of the A. F. of L. unions in New York...
...His generosity and real devotion to the Socialist Party sarnad for him tha deep attachment of thousands of Comrades...
...Those who toil must have within themselves the power to declare that injustice shall eaaa...
...Political freedom and equality are the first step in giving liberty to those who toil, but this freedom and equality when achieved has not and cannot save the toiler from injustice and exploitstion...
...Comrade Speyer founded the Rundschau, a monthly organ of German Socialism in America, which was but recently succeeded by the People's Voice, a weekly paper...
...Legislative enactments to achieve and maintain equal rights, the right of association, the right of free assemblage, the right of free speech, the right of free press, the right, singly or collectively, to withhold our Labor power—the right to strike...
...If the employers, the capitalists, of Pan-America thus unite for the protection of their common advantage, it becomes all the more evident that the wage-earners of these countries must also unite for their common protection and betterment...
...His particular interest lay in the German section...
...The first orgsnization meeting will be held this Tuesday evening, August 26, at Elks' Auditorium, 160 West 129th street...
...CHESTER M. WRIGHT, EnglishSpeaking Secretary...
...These interests are actuated by three Motives...
...A Means of Communication Until a short time ago there had been no means of communication between the masses of the peoples of the American countries...
...During his membership in the party, Comrade Speyer wss slso sn active member of Typographical Union, Number 7. Speyer also interested himself in the affair* of the New York Call Printing Company, of which he was president and active manager until three months ago when he relinquished his work to undergo the operation from which he never recovered, i ,' Funeral services were held Tuesday, August...
...The Labor movements of the various countries constitute the instrumentalities that can best accomplish this purpose and give expression to national ideas and convictions that have been too inarticulate and impotent...
...In like manner every attempt by minorities, through strategy or otherwise, to force their decisions upon majorities must be equally fatal...
...Men are not and cannot be truly free, regardless of their full measure of politicsl liberty, unless industry presents sn equal opportunity for self -expression and a*lf -government To Destroy—^^O...
...Pullman Porters Organizing a Union An orgsnization campaign to round up the Pullman porters, all of whom are Negroes, and who are miserably underpaid, is now well under wsy...
...Also we offer to you every information on every subject matter that may interest the Labor organizations of any country...
...Comrade Speyer wss a member of the Socialist Party since its organization...
...Even with its limited strength and facilities the Pan-American Federation of Labor already has done much to meet these requests for help, some at them pitiful and tragic in their criea for elementaVy justice...
...This organization has before it an opportunity to plav » great justice-promoting, peace-begetting role in PanAmerican industrial, social and political life...
...In recent years, following the Left Wing split, Comrade Speyer was instrumental in carrying on tho work of the German movement until it had passed through the dangerous period brought about by the party wreckers...
...Tyranny in Industry In the same mariner that men established free political institutions so that tyranta could no longer oppress them, the trade union movement established an institution of industrial freedom which enables the men and women of Labor to overcome snd destroy tyranny in Industry and establish in its place liberty, Justice, equality and fair dealing between all those who participate in the production of wealth...
...Through these two institutions, each acting within their proper sphere, civil snd industrial democracy is made to function continuously, so that in civil life and in industry there shall be no rule, regulation, law or authority except by the consent of the governed...
...The only relations existing were those established by the financial, commercial and industrial interests, and, as every one knows, these interests are not always actuated by a desire to promote the welfare of the people, nor do they represent the higher and nobler ideals of the peoples of the American countries...
...So long as free men work for their Organisation the Determining Factor daily bread, whether as employes in private industry or employes of the State, their status as workers will be determined by the strength, intelligence and activity of their economic organizations, more than by any other factor...
...THE Pan-American Federai ion of Labor is composed of .rnliated national Labor movements in the Western Hemisphere...
...COMRADE SPEYER'S DEATH IT WAS'with great sorrow that New York Comrades heard this week of the death, on Satuwlay, August 15, at 8 p. m., of Comrade George J. jSpeyer, one of the veterans of |the German, section of the American Socialist movement...
...Preparation For Mutual Protection In the Congresses of the PanAmerican Federation of Labor, all of these problems will be rendered easier of solution if all the Pan American Labor movements contribute with their moral and material support Therefore, to tha end that the workers of all tha American countries may be baiter prepared to act concertedly for their mutual protection end advancement, we again urge them to organise in their respective countries in unions of their respective trades or callings, these to affiliate under the banner of one national federation, which will in turn affiliate to the Pan-American Federation of Labor so that the collective action of the wage earners of the American continent may batter serve to promote the interests of humanity and to impose a check upon those forces which would subordinate them to their own material aggrandizement...
...Comrade Masin was a leading member of the Forward Association...
...The law may declare that industrial wrongs shall not exist, but the printed page is not sufficient...
...In the meantime we invite all countries to give their first attention to securing'better standards of life and work in accordance with the principles of trade unions: Higher wages, shorter workdays, more safe and sanitary conditions in all places of employment, better homes, better surroundings, prohibition of child labor, protection of children...
...There may be matters regarded as essential by some, but not by all, and where such conditions arise, the final decision should be held in abeyance until understanding and experience have developed agreement among us...
...SANTIAGO IGLESIAS, SpanishSpeaking Secretary...
...Samuel Masin Dies Samuel Masin, for many years one of the most active members of the Socialist Party in Brooklyn, died Tuesday under operation at the Post-Graduate Hospital, New York City...
...This Executive Committee hopes to help and facilitate the noble and grest task of the Pan-American Federation of Labor and all Latin-America, and call on all the Latin-American Labor organizations to communicate with our office when any matter of interest or conflict may occur, sending us reliable information, counsel and advice...
...CRM RNTING AMERICAN LABOR The Pan-American Federation of Labor—Its Work f%t fan A m.ricu* federation pf faker, wkuh »e* organization* a/ jutai*-> " ** ' •' "• '•«'.••" Aim Bt„anitotton* «* all La tin...
...Principle* Outlawed Our hope for today and the future is based upon the application of the principles and the methods of democracy, to the solution of all of the problems with which we are compelled to deal...
...In their mad rush for material aggrandizement they completely lose sight of the rights and interests of humanity...
...The Pan-American Federation of Labor was formally organized and Its objects declared to be: The establishment of better conditions for the working people who emigrate from one country to another...
...The one object is helpfulness in mutual agreement...
...Appeals for aid are constantly coining to the American Federation of Labor via the Pan-American Federation <J Labor from all of the twenty Latin-American Republics...
...Tha* have this power in the principles, policies and methods of the trad* unions which compose the Pan-Americas Federation of Labor...
...Address your communications to the Pan-American Federation of Labor, 207 American Federation of Labor Building, Washington, D. C. Very fraternally yours, WILLIAM GREEN, President...
...The establishment pf a better understanding and relationship be twaen the peoples of the Fan Amer iean Republic...
...It is with these thoughts and hopes uppermost in our minds and our hearts, the spirit of which we have but barely expressed, that we appeal to our fellow-workers of PanAmerica to give this, our solemn purpose, their immediate, hearty and constant support...
...He was active in the affairs of the Workmen's Sick snd Death Benefit Society and the Socialist gymnastic clubs...
...3 To utilize every lawful and honorable means for the protection and promotion of the rights, the interests, and the welfare of the peoples of the Pan-American Republics...
...The law may declare that men are free, but the existence of freedom will be found only among those who are determined to protect and to exercise this basic human right...
...Since the financial, commercial and industrial interests of Pan-America are so closely allied and are every day extending their activities over a wider field for exploitation, it is all the more evident that the wage-earners of Pan-America must unite for their own protection, for in our present day the organization of the wage earners on a purely national acale will not be adequate for the protection and promotion of their interests and for the attainment and realization of their hopea and aspirations...
...Politicsl institutions which enable free men to mske the laws of the State which govern them cannot serve all purposes or solve all human problems...
...An Essential Step Toward Democracy We deem it an essential step toward democracy and justice that there shall be established for the masses, who have hitherto bene without regular agencies for expressing their views and desires, opportunities that will enable them to have a voice in helping and determining international affairs...
...18, at Engel's Funeral Chapel, 316 East 83rd street, The following day his body was cremated at the Fresh Pood Crematorium...
...Each affiliated Labor movement retains its full autonomy and freedom of action...
...namely, profits, profits and more profits...
...ft hold that tha principle of sett - government in industry are one and identical, the first functioning through political institutions snd the second through these industrial institutions which trad* union saovamoata have established...
...To utilise every lawful and honorable means for the purpose of cultivating the most favorable and friendly relations between the Labor movements and the peoples of the Pan-American Republics...
...A mtrican noJtw** Wttk tk* i it* of *xttndmg ut alt to tk* warktrt in or gunning tk*m Mto tr*d* union* t*nd Having th*m «$""'' ' i' • ' . ->..,..< in p., tollowi...
...It has for its purpofe the general advancement of the rights, interests, and welfare of all the wageearners of America, and the promotion of international understanding and good will between peoples and governments...
Vol. 2 • August 1925 • No. 34
