The San Francisco call., 1906-07-26


lists upon the proposal TO es-
tablish an international +rave1,ns
card system for union men has excited
great interest in this city and senti-
ment seems to be unanimously in favor
OF the plan, which is designed 70
solidify the union interests of the en-
tire civilized world There seems to be
no question that President Gonners'
report on the proposal will be an en-
thusiastic Endorsement and it is likely
that the American Federation of Labor
VII commence an active campaign in
is laNor Among a score or more Of
labor leaders who have expressed them
serves on the subject. all have favored
lhe plan. Those published herewith
express the consensus Of opinion as ex-
pressed by the men prominent in the
movement in this city.
George b. Benham. former presiden+
OF the Labor Council and former seere-
tary-treasurer Of the State Federation
OF Labor, is q strong advocate of the
International interchange card system.
In speaking Of the subject he said:
here can be no question as to the
merit OF the proposition for an inter
national system Of recognition of
clearance or withdrawal cards in the
various crafts or trades organizations
The plan simply emphasizes the fact
long recognized by the working people
that the interests Of labor organfza-
lions are worldwide. and should be so
considered There is no national or
geographical limit to the extension of
the investments Of capital, and where
, capital Is successful there must be la
bOrers and mechanics to operate it
This system may give aid to an inter-
natlonaI recognition of the necessity Of
2 better understanding between en-
pioyers and employees, as the mobility of
the workers is what has made the
unions possible in their present sue
cess, and is likely TO increase their
power IN the future. When a working
man is not tied to a locality he loses
his identity as a fixture in a community
and is less likely TO be docile under
conditions which are not satisfactory;
and with his independence thus in
creased and his income likely TO be ad-
vanced, the whole Community is likely
10 feel the effects of the changed rela-
LiOn Of the worker to the community
and the world, as well as 10 his en-
ployer."
o. A Tveitmoe. secretary of the
Building Trades Council, is outspoken
regarding the scheme. He says:
The proposition advanced in the
resolution lately adopted by the Exec
utive Council Of the American Fedora
system between all the organized wage
workers OF the world is not a new one.
The idea is thoroughly in accord with
the broad humanitarian principles of
trades unionism. and has been discuss
ed and advocated by intelligent trades
unionists for the last four or five years
The question must be settled, how
ever, BY the international and national
unions, and II q system of transfer is
devised and agreed on il must necessar-
lily be reciprocal
In addition TO the greater solidar-
ity It viii give TO the labor movement,
the practical and direct benefits TO be
derived from such an arrangement are
many, although, perhaps, not apparent.
The philosophy of trade unionism is
that the local union gives protection to
the Individual members; the central
bodies, the international unions and the
national federations give added
strength to the organization. This be-
ing true il naturally follows that an
international federation and congress
or parliament comprising all the or
gsnized wage-werkers of the civilized
world viii give still greater power TO
the movement, If the details Of the
chinery are established and arranged
along just and practical lines
7 believe the question is one that the
international and national unions, as
well as the twenty-sixth annual con-
vention Of the American Federation OF
Labor should give due and careful at
tention. which no doubt will be forth
coming. and in that case greater good
will Immediately result from IL"
Gus Frankel, member of the execu-
tive committee OF the Labor Council,
is a strong advocate for an interna-
tional interchange Of travelling cards
His organization already recognizes
such Z system and Mr.. Frankel would
says:
i am certainly in favor of bringing
about q closer afiliation of labor
unions BY establishing a system Of
recognizing each others membership
cards the world over. In fact, the or
ganizstion to which / belong has al
ready established this system for a
number OF years. AS an Illustration:
II q brewery worker in Germany, for
instance being q member in good
standing, leave the confines OF his
country he is welcomed as q member
OF the international union OF the brew
cry workmen OF this country. This sys-
TEN, in my opinion, is the logical out
growth Of modern economic conditions
Trades unions have been created for
the purpose of protecting the working
man against the powers Of organized
capital. The latter being international
makes IL incumbent upon the trades
unions 70 meet the OpPOSlAS @Dl - ~
the same broad field. Back Of all these
propositions stands the one determin-
ing factor-modern industry Is group
ing itself outside Of national boundar-
les. Why then should organized labor al
low itself 20 be confined by an imag-
mary frontier Hne2 This move, started
by President Gompers, is certainly one
in the right direction, and ali indica-
tions point 10 a successful outcome
Richard Cornelius, president Of Car
mems Union No. 2O5. also believes In
free Interchange Of travelling cards,
limited only by the bounds OF trades
unionism. lie says:
Il am absolutely in favor Of an in
terchange OF travelling or clearance
cards wherever trades unions exist
I believe in removing everything which
may be an obstacle TO men entering
labor organizations am In favor OF
2 closer relationship Of all trades ano
caIlines, for the reason that the IN
terest OF one is the concern OF all Ihe
sooner we realize that fact and strive
TO live up TO that principle the sooner
we shall reach the goal for which or
ganized labor is struggling.