The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-05-11

NH to itA ATTITUDE to the Negro.
For Years 1t Has Declared That 1t
Makes no Distinction Between
Race. Color or Creed.
For some time past we have received
large number of inquiries relative to
the attitude of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor toward the negro worker,
and the subject has been widely dis
cussed by philanthropists, some negro
workers themselves, and particularly
by some colored men who have advance
ed positions of prominence in the realm
Of thought. We have endeavored upon
all occasions to give all possible infor-
nation upon this as we'll as other mat
tiers of interest to the workers.; and
While we have no desire to impugn the
| motives of anyone by a charge of sup
preston, yet for some reason or other,
| the information we have furnished on
! this topic has not been given that same
wide publicly as have the charges Of
| insincerity or. anita gonsm. We believe,
| therefore, that few plain statements
| of facts here will serve to correct err
roneous Impressions, and will receive
Nluef anu DeC(er Afternoon.
For years the American Federati ton
Of Labor has declared in favor Of, and
| the necessity for, the organization OF
all workers, without regard to creed,
color, sex, nationality, or politics. In
making the declaration for the complete
| organization of all workers, it does not
| necessarily proclaim that the social
| barriers which exist between the whites
and blacks could or should be Obliter
ated; but it realizes that when white
and black workers are compelled to
work side by side, under the same
equally unfair and adverse conditions,
| it would be an anomaly to refuse to ac-
cord the right Of organization to work.
ers because Of a difference in their
color.
We have more than 700 volunteer or
ganizers and a number of organizers
under salary, among which are several
who are devoting their time exclusive
i ly to the organization of the cOlOrel
workers. This certainly should indi-
cate not only our desire and interest,
but also the work which is being ac-
complished.
THAT because we realize the necessity for
i the organization of cOlored workers
} that for that reason we can grant TO
them privileges which are denied to
} white workers. We want them to Or
ganiZe in the unions of their trades and
; callngs, and to take their equal chance
with the white Workmen-they are en-
titled to no less, they should ask nc
more. We say this because there are
some colored men who imag CINE that the
organization Of the colored workers
comes under their especial superior
wing of protection; who manifest sus-
picion that the colored workers when
organized will require the solicitous and
fostering care Of these colored "super-
iors' from what they Indirectly init
mate to the the design Of the unions
Of white workers. We are frequently If
! receipt of communications from these
{ self-constituted "superiors,'' who make
! inquiries as to privileges to which tn:
{ colored workman would be entitled il
! the event of these "superiors'' giving
their consent or assistance in organic
ing the colored workmen.
Il The American Federation. of Labo
{ grants to national and internationa
! unions of trade the right, autonomy
and independence to make and enforc,
rules governing their trade, so long a
{ they do not infringe upon the juris
! diction of other national or information
al unions and observe the laws, polio!
J and principles Of the American Fedora
{ ton of Labor.
} The American Federation of Labo
seeks to place the organizations of labo
upon the highest possible plane of ETH
{|cal, progressive, civilized and human
considerations, and among these recog
{ nizes potentially the identity of the in
terests Of the workers irrespective 0
creed, sex, politics, color or nationality
Time and again have our organization
>Iin conventions emphatically declare
and insisted upon the practice of 'thes
I principles; and often have white unio1
{ men deprived themselves of opportuni
II ties and advantages in order to protec
81 the rights of colored Workmen. It ma
! not be generally known that the grea
81 strike Of the New Orleans white unto
q workers some years ago was in defens
81 and for the promotion of the interest
of colored laborers.
81 For their protection, as we'll as for tn
q promotion of their interests, the color
s. ed workers should organize and in a
! cases become affiliated with the organ
{ izations of white wage-earners or forl
colored workers unions in full sympd
thy and cooperation Of the. whit
\ workers unions.
At the Louisville convention of tn
American Federation of Labor auth
GRITTY was granted to organize and graz
charters to separate local and centr>
bodies of colored workmen, whereve
such two bodies would promote the il
terests of all the workers.
The American Federation Of Labc
has a large number Of unions affiliate
composed exclusively of colored Worl
ers, who feel that their interests a,
safeguarded by the officers of our NOV
ment as justly and wisely as the organ
izations of any other toilers.
Again, we have unions composed
whites and blacks, and generally the: