The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-09-07
DETROIT DECISION FOR TRADE UrlIoNlSM

not entitled to- representation in the
American Federation Of Labor. While.
therefore, deprecating the necessity
which has arisen Of refusing, to admit
those who seek our comradeship, we
feel compelled to make. the following
recommendation"
"That the delegates to the cenven-
senatives from the Socialist Labor
Party as a political party, declare
themselves tolerant to all phases of the
reform movement and would bar no
delegate as an individual because of his
belief, whether radical or conservative"
This report was the subject of earn
est and protracted debate, and was
adopted by an overwhelming vote Of
the convention.
This decision has been reaffirmed
with the following additions at SUBJ
sequent conventions:
1--WE assert as forcibly as we are
capable Of asserting, that the trade
union movement herein represented is
the true and legitimate channel through
which the toilers of our country should
seek not only present amelioration,
but future emancipation. We hold that
the trade unions throughout our coun-
try and Canada do not now, nor do
we believe that they will in the future,
declare against the discussion of any
question in their meetings either of an
economic or of a political nature, but
;1lx %1xyN
mitted against the introduction or in
dorsement of race prejudices, religious
differences, or PARTISAN politics.
1--WE as firmly declare that it is not
within the constitutional or any other
power of the American Federation of
Labor to legislate, resolve, or specify
to which political party members of our
unions shall belong, or for which party
they shall vote"
After this matter had been settled
the convention devoted it's attention
to other business before 1t.
An excellent feeling of fraternity
seemed to have been established, so
much so that Mr.. Sanial and Mr.. Nor
gan, upon the platform of the conven-
ton, declared that they would return
to their homes and urge the Social
list party to accept the decision of the
convention in good faith, and do what
it could to promote the trade union
movement.
How faithfully they fulfilled that
pledge is evidenced by the piratical
policy pursued against trade unions by
the Socialist Labor party ever since.
Had the American Federation of
Labor at that convention allowed the
Socialist party to equal representation
with the trade unionists, it would have
committed the organization to the prin-
ciple of political as we'll as industrial
representation.
1t would have been in danger Of domi-
! nation by that or any other political
| party. AS a result, the growth and
| potential influence of the national and
international trade unions of America
and the American Federation of Labor
would have been very seriously, and
perhaps permanently, impaired, be.
cause their members belong to various
political parties. =.
BY reason of the strong, c1ear-cut
stand taken by the Detroit and subse.
quent conventions, the maintenance Of
the integrity of existing national an6
international trade unions was secured
| The establishment since of a. very
large number of other national trade
organizations was made possible. The
constant and steady advance of the
whole cause of labor, and it's crystal.
1zation into a general body of thought.
full, rational, yet militant force in thu
labor warld, was secured.