United labor bulletin., 1912-07-25
LEGIEN FOR LABOR UNIONS;
SOME SOCIALISTS OPPOSED
Industrial Workers Menace to Trade. Union Move
ment in United States Views of Carl Lesien,
German Socialist.


through the American Federation Of
Labor and other labor organizations
against the action of portion of the
Socialist membership in labor organiza-
tions. This element is at all times fight
ing the trade union movement-assault-
ing the integrity of officials of interna-
tional unions and causing factional dis
putes and factional hatred. Some organ
izations have taken decided stand
against this element, while other organ
izations have become absolutely helpless
by the agitation against the present
trade union movement. This question is
considered one OF the most serious in
the trade union movement at this time.
The Industrial Workers of the World
or the element that is aligned with
them-is the portion OF the membership
that is leading in the campaign against
the labor organization. While the So
cialist disclaims any connection or ale
glance to the Industrialists, yet many OF
their views are given support by the
Socialist in preference to the positions
u the trade unionist. The breach is
widening. and split is looked Tor unless
there is developed in the Socialist party
a man big enough TO lead the way and
combine trade union sincerity with So
cialist progressiyeness.
The Bakery and Confectionery Work
ers, the United Brotherhood OF Carpen-
ters, the typographical union, the
Fitted Mine Workers. the Western Fed
Grafton OF Miners, and dozens OF other
large labor organizations are alive with
discomfort. which exhibits itself through
the voice OF the Socialist or the Indus
trialist.
The attack against President Charles
III. Mover of the Western Federation OF
Miners, at the Victor convention this
week, is but a sample of the work of the
Industrialist. While they are not strong
enough to cause the displacing of the
militan president, yet the fight agitates
the membership and wcakens the head
of the organization with the MEMBER
shin and with the public. We should not
be understood to mean by this that the
Socialist party is advocating this cam
paign IL Is, as yet, the battle OF that
norton OF the Socialist membership that
can see rottenness in all heads OF or
ganizcd society, and these are supported
BY the unsophisticated members OF
trades unions who are deceived by the
outbursts into believing that something
exists that warrants them In supporting
the man with undertaking procliNlues
and industrial tendencies.
The Socialist is the progressive In the
trade union movement. but he has not
got a franchise on all progressive ten
dencies. The Socialists need leader
in this country that is bigger man
than that party has yet dcvcloped-a
man that will lead the party out ef the
wilderness and combine its political
force with the trade union thousands.
AIN n recent issue of the Toledo Union
Ivader the following article. under the
caption. "Legien Proves His bisness,
annears. Karl Legien. German Social
ist. now touring this country. has SHOWN
he is big man by acknowledging ms
party was mistaken IN Germany When
a opposed the trade union movement
Ieyien came to America on invitation
Of the American Federation OF LABOR.
About his first public utterance was that
he looked on the A. +. OF l.. as the only
trade union movement In TINS country,
and that he would advise other duai
bodies to join with 1t Little pupuci,s
has been given this bold stand OF lie
rien's by men who are clearly uisap
nointed and who would be Immensely
nleased n he favored one OF the several
ner capita gathering crowds that caii
Themselves unions. and who deiude their
followers that they In time VIII sup
plant the A. f. of L.. when, IN truth,
they only divide workers. Legien mas
T. In several speeches he has said that
tho German Socialists have seen they
made n mistake, years ago, when they
onposed the trade unions. NOW tne!
realize they were wrong, anu nay
adonted the view that every gain maue
on the industrial field eauips men lot
,oiitical action and stntecraft. The nrst
,hanrv of German Socialists was carried
20 America by revolutionists who were
sorced 10 fee from the wrath OF Prince
bismarck, the Iron Chancellor. ihese
revolutionists were brave men ana prohe
vround for present day democratic senu-
ments that are rocking european
thrones But these men were mis,aken.
economically. They believed that Things
cany yct better till they get worse. and
therefore opposed union demands on the
irdustrial field This theory Is called
tbe philosophy of misery which was
yi,orously combatted by Karl Marx. VINO
wrecked the Workmens lnternatiohai
association to stop 1t from being con
trolled by the anarchists VINO ureee tne
.misery' theory. When the anarcnisuc
moyement was destroyed many OF its
members drifted into the Socialist move
ment. where they propagated tner uoc
trine. When these men were driven ou.
NJ Germany In the early '7os they founa
America, then entering on inoustrlai
changes. n fruitful field for their tneory'
and the result of their enorts is sun ~
narent although the doctrine now taxes
,ne form OF opposition to the A. +. OF L.
,,h,ch ia recognized by European Social
,sts as the American labor movement
and who sit with A. F. OF L. delegates IN
k,he international trade union movemen.
Men like Legien. however, now see tne,.
,,,ts,a,se' and are big and broad enough
20 acknowledge It. The American So
ciaIist movement has not yet developed
n man big enough to take similar ac-
s,om hut it's only question OF time. for
The A. r. OF L. is slowly convincing the
\ most Stubborn that 1t is indestructioie'