United labor bulletin., 1915-01-16
PLACING KIBOSH
ON PEEVISH UNIONS
Play the Game Right or Else
Score a Cipher
Brooklyn CentralLabor Union Sets Pace
by Refusing Aid to ORGANIZATIONS
That Peep Through the Fence

Brooklyn IN. " Central Labor Union
has taken drastic action concerning Ia
Dor unions which become peeved over
trivial matters and withdraw affilia-
tion. 1t is usually noted that when
these non -affiliating bodies get in trou.
BILE the first thing they do is to head
straight Tor the central body and ask for
help IN fighting their battles. Brook
lvn has amended its constitution so
that in future only those unions which
assist in carrying the burden will be
given assistance in strikes and other
troubles.
With the idea of interesting other
central labor bodies in this method
circular letter is being sent out and was
read in the Denver Trades and Labor
Assembly meeting last Sunday. II met
with hearty approval of delegates pres
ent and committee was appointed to
draft and report on a plan for putting
n similar course of action in effect here
/ The committee consists of W. c. Thorn
ton of Bookbnders' Union No. 40;
I Henry Lavoe. Painters Union No. 10,
and Clint C. Houston, Typographical
/ Union No. 40.
/ Following is the letter received from
/ Brooklyn Central Labor Union:
] To All Central Bodies of Labor Affiliat-
ed with the A +. of l.:
Greetings of the vital questions
/ that l. agitating the active members OF
! all central bodies Is. How can we force
I the organizations of the various trades
to affiliatef"
Up to this time We have found no
answer To the question. This body has
7 spent much time and money in an ef-
fort TO solve this problem We have
sen; delegates 20 the convention or the
American Federation Of Labor; We have
sent letters 90 the executive council OF
the American Federation of Labor. We
have communicated directly with the in
tcmational organizations. we have sent
committees to the local unions; but ali
to no avail.
You no doubt have noticed. however,
that when an international organization
j ha- any trouble ON it, hands the sirst
TO whom II turns for help is the central
bodies OF labor You no doubt have re-
/ ceived committees from local unions not
attached to- your body who describe the
/ horrible conditions under which they
were foroed 10 work. and usually wind
I up their plea Tor financial assistance,
with the statement that this is your
Z fight" and walk away with practically
all the money in your treasury. to which
{ they have not contributed one cent.
I We have come to these conclusions;
Z First. the American Federation will do
nothing TO force the international unions
Z TO act in this matter; second. the in
tcrnational unions will do iSthing to
compel their local unions to attach
themselves TO the central bodies; and
third. the local unions have no interest
in the central bodies unless they wan-
financial help from them. and therefore
this central labor union, believing in the
principal that God helps those VINO help
themselves" has amended its constitu-
tion in the following manner;
J. No money shall be loaned or
donated to a local organization that is
not seated in this body.
.. An organization from another city
affiliated with a national body which
applies for financial help. there being
union OF the same trade or calling IN
Brooklyn not attached to this body,
there shall not be granted loans. dona-
tions or credentials to the union apply.
ing for same.
We believe Won are interested in this
matter as much as we are. We believe
If all central bodies will act together
we VIII compel the international as well
as the local unions to recognize the fact
that If they want our help rnev must
give us their support. If YOU will adopt
this plan. change your constitution as
we have done and live up TO it. then it
will he but short time until all local
unions will belong to the central bodies.
Fmtcrnally yours.
OTTO NICoIS.