Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1911-07-13


They seek to increase the fighting eff
ficiency of the workers by educating
them to sense. of their class solidar-
ity and by organizing them into
compact, Independent and class-con-
sicou sbody. industrially and political
VI
The. National Civic Federation, on
the other hand, regards the struggles
between the workers and their en-
ployers as purely accidental, as re-
suits of deplorable Misunderstanding.
ms social philosophy is based upon an
assumed harmony Of interests be-
twee nthe exploiting capitalists and
the exploited workers, and its policy
is to bring the two classes together.
to patch up their differences, to cover
up their struggles. This is the ex-
press function of your Industrial Con
ciliation, Industrial Economics and
Employers Welfare Departments,
and the implied purpose of your an
nual Harmony dinners"
The game played by the Civic Fed
Grafton is the shrewdest yet devised
by the employers of any country. Il
takes nothing from capital, it gives
nothing to labor, and does it all witt
such an appearance of bcnndless
generosity, that some of the more
guielless diplomats in the labor move
ment are actually overwhelmed by it
Take your stand On Workmen's
Compensation~t is Characteristic OF
your Federation. The pamphlet, O.
which you have been kind enough t.
send me the proof, summarizes the
subject in the following language:
ITO all employers of labor it is
Of the highest Importance that a
fair and equitable compensation
law be placed on the statutes of >
our various Industrial States in
plae eof the present liability laws.
IF THIS IS NOT DONE, THE
WORKINGMAN WILL INSIST
ON LEGISLATION WHICH
WILL SWEEP AWAY ALL THE
DEFENSES OF THE EMPLOY
Err, leaving him at the mercy of
jury decisions in suits pressed by
shyster, ambulance chasing law
yers."
What is really mean by this elo-
quent and touching admonition is
about this: The workers of this
country have recently begu tho show
signs of revolt against our barbaric
system of law, which practically gives
them no redress for injuries sustained
| in the course of their employment.
They are discussing and formulating
demands for radical legislative re
forms on this subject and there is
DANCE rthat thi asgitation may give
rise to a powerful political labor
movement along Socialist lines. To
| forestall this dire possibility the
watchful Civic Federation has drafted
measure Of its own, "Compensa-
ton Act that would not compensate
the workers or hurt the employers
and now it seeks to divert the move
ment OF the workers into the shallow
channels thus created by it. And SO
| it is with all other reforms" of the
Federation. They are cheap and
trivial, and their main purpose is to
avert the threatening revolt of the
workers. To the organized labor move
ment the policy OF the Civic Fedora
ton is the most subtle and insidiou
poison. 1t robs l. of its independence
yirility and militant enthusiasm;
! hypnctizes or corrupts it's leaders
weakens It's ranks and demoarlizes It,.
fights. The Socialist Party is employ
ing all efforts at its command to save
American labor from the benign in
fluence Of the Nationa! Civic Fedora
ton. hence there is so little love be
tween the two organizations.
/ Very truly yours,
MORRIS AILLQUIT
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