The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-03-22

Now and then the Labor World
continues to receive an inquiry as to
what is meant by "syndicalism." A
good many magazine articles and a
few books have appeared on this sub
ject, which came into particular
prominence in this country at the
time of the Lawrence strike. Syndi-
calism is of French origin. and gets
its name from the French name for
}trades unions-'syndicat ouvriers''
(Workingmen syndicates.) A COM
prehensive yet very brief summary of
what is meant by syndicalism is Civ
Ell in one chapter Of a little book
on "Problems of Organized Labor"
by A. J. Portenar. just published by
the Macmillan company.
Naturally it is the violent side Of
syndicalism that has attracted most
attention and gained least sympathy
This writer, who is opposed to syn
dicalism, points, however, to two
principles in it that he believes have
appealing power and opposition to
which is likely to give strength to the
!. w. w. One is the idea that labor
organization should be along indus
trial rather than trade lines and the
other is that the interests of the un-
skilled laborers and those whose
wages are lowest should receive first
and greatest consideration. Hateful
as have been the workings Of the I.
w. w. in many respects this latter
principle has won sympathy.
Other ideas of the syndicalists are
not likely to gain much Roadway.
Syndlcal1sm ignores the state as now
organized, and expects to destroy both
by the industrial and political or
carnations at the same time and by
the same means-by what it calls di-
rect action. The theory is to make
private ownership Of the utilities Of
production impossible by making it
entirely Improbable. It's method Of
reaching this result is by the general
strike, which means cessation Of
work by the entire Industrial popula-
ton. Untitled farms, idle machinery,
empty factories, immobile transporta-
ton facilities-a]l these produce no
profits and are valueless to their
nominal! owners. Not only would this
DE true a s result Of the general
strike, but the government would be
poWerless Says Mr.. Portenar:
IoouetS VI Iue SSnd1cdllSt move
ment are we'll aware that the general
strike is only theory But with the
general strike. as its ultimate object,
syndicalism gives practical effect to
its conceptions by tactics designed to
decrease continuously the margin of
profit accruing to the private owners
OF an industry. Wage increases are
constantly sought because no wage
increase Is held to be just which is
less than 100 per cent of the income
OF an Industry. syadicalism will not
ton ton Of wage scales for a definite
time, for it must be free to strike at
any time 1t is not so important
whether a strike succeeds or fails of
It's immediate object Strikes cause
loss and decrease profits If the strike
IS won. 1T Is the prelude to another; If
the strike is lost it is the prelude to
another. And there may spread from
group to group until the general strike
strikes.
There remains in the ammonium of the
syndicalist one other terrible weapon.
At work inside the mill or factory he
Is more to be dreaded than on strike
outside. Sabotage will even more re-
duce the profit making power of the
industry than the Interruptions caused
not know the meaning Of the word
therefore an explanation is permits
sible It is related than on an occa-
sion a French workman, in a fit of
anger, took off his sabot. or wooden
shoe, and threw it into the midst of
some machinery. He was amazed at
the devastation he had caused. The
idea of doing injury to the machinery
or pruduct found many applications,