United labor bulletin., 1912-12-12
INDUSTRIAL UNIonIsM.
Stand Taken by A. F. of L. What
the Movement Means
to Labor.

The much-heralded discussion on in
dustrial unionism came on in the conven-
ton of the American Federation of Labor
at Rochester and the subject was thor
|oughly aired. The executive council in
its repor1 to the convention, under the
head of Other Jurisdiction Questions"
In dealing with the former controversy
existing between the Glass and Bottle
Blowers and Flint Glass Workers, incor-
porated what is termed the autonomy de-
claration of the Scranton convention, and
as corrected by the New Orleans con-
vention- Following the declaration here
by referred to the executive council
made use OF the following language:
In connection with this declaration, 1t
is necessary to call attention to a fire.
quent misconception of the term "auton-
omy' as IL is used by the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor Some have mistaken
ly interpreted II to mean that a trade
union cannot expand It's Jurisdiction. or
amalgamate with another organization
of the same or OF a kindred trade in the
same industry. The term autonomy"
as applied, has been used as an obstacle
to such extension. growth and amalga-
nation No such construction or inter
probation can be Justly given the term.
Broadly and specifically speaking. the
~.
as automaton and automatic, self-acting;
autobiography. self-writing the history
of ones own life; automobile. self-pro-
pelling; deriving its general application
from the root word auto, self. We are
prompted to this explanation by scvera
instances in which the term "indusd'
unionism" Is applied. as against trade
unionism. with its autonomous self-gov-
crnment. as well as by a circular which
MN Ia EI Inv ghss Not doe
Council OF Toledo. in which the affiliated
organizations and the delegates to this
convention are urged 10 favor an amend
ment to the constitution OF the American
Federation OF Labor. so that
National and International trade
unions shall have the right to ANAL
gamation. such amalgamation must be
indorsed by a referendum vote OF the or
ganization affected. and two-thirds af-
upon such amendment in each organiza-
ton shall be necessary to make the
amendment legal and binding"
Such a proposition is based upon the
misconception that the American Fedora
tion of Labor prevents. or has the power
TO prevent or place obstacles in the way
OF amalgamation of national or interna-
tional trade unions when they so desire
TO amalgamate, when. as matter OF
fact. every effort has been made by the
American Federation of abor, the execu-
tive council and our organizations to
bring about amalgamation of national
and international unions, and where that
has been impossible for the time being,
TO endeavor TO have them cooperate and
fcderate for their mutual advantage.
Attention is also called to the pro-
vision OF this suggested amendment to
the constitution of the American Fedora
ton of Labor, that II II were adopted It
would require twothirds affirmative
vote of the members voting to bring
about amalgamation. when, as n matter
of fact. amalgamation of several organ
izations has been effected by conference
and agreement, ratified by majority of
the convention voting upon the question.
Thus 1t will retard and not facilitate
amalgamation.
The committee on adjustment brought
in n majority report to nonconcur in res
oution No. 116. Delegate Walker OF the
Miners brought in a minority report. The
majority report rearfirmed the autonomy |
declaration OF the Scranton convention. |
After thorough discussion of the sub |
ject. the majority report was sustained |
by vote OF 10.934 to SPAS, thus reveal |
ing that the sentiment against so-called |
industrial unionism was overwhelming.
Just subsequent to the action of the |
of the American Federation |
of Labor at Rochester, N. Y, on the ques- |
tion of industrial unionism. the Fresno |
(Cal) Morning Republican commented |
editorially upon the result The article |
is carefully written, and the writer dis |
plays such intimate knowledge of the |
history of the trade union movement as
to make the article worthy of reproduc-
ton. 1t is written under the caption,
Trade Unions VIM" and is as follows:
BY the decisive vote OF 264 to 72, the
American Federation Of Labor yesterday |
went on record In favor of trade union
ism as against Industrial unionism.
Measured by the actual voting strength |
OF the unions represented, the victory |
was quite as decisive. The vote would
be 10.934 for trade unionism and 5.929
for Industrial unionism. But included In
the minority were 3,l26 of the two mine |
workers unions, leaving only 2,S0S OF
the general handicrafts. as against TO-
934. There are special conditions af
fecting the miners votes. which In n way |
eliminate them from consideration in
CONTINUED on page ~