The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-09-10

views or else friction arises. In Ger
many. where socialism is perhaps more
deeply engrafted in workmen than in
any other country, there is a distinct
line Of demarcation between the unions
and the Socialist party. Each one per-
mlts the other to occupy its chosen
sphere with a minimum of contention.
The movement Of the German working
people first conferred on the political
fleld, but experience demonstrated that
political action alone could not achieve
industrial emancipation. Then came
the unions of labor, which have had a
prodlg1ous growth, and they have dem
onstrated that the economic organiza-
lions are absolutely essential to the
maintenance of orderly political action.
In America the Socialists, as a rule,
not only inveigh against the progress
OF trade unions, but also grasp every
opportunity to belittle and ridicule the
officials of the unions. The Socialist
press Of the country teens with male
dictions against the constituted trade
union movement for the reason that
the unions are constantly adding to
their achievements and recording tan
gible results. The difference between
h German and American Socialist
method is striking. The German So
cialists will not admit to their party
any II who is engaged in a trade or
calling who does not belong to the bona
tide trade union to which he is eligible.
provided, of course, there is such a
union in existence. The reverse is the
case in this country. Millionaires, non
union men and even strike breakers are
admitted or retained.
Base Of the Federation.
The base of the American Federation
Of Labor is broad and comprehensive
and rests upon the voluntary assent Of
its members. 1t does not discriminate
against sex. color, race. creed or nation
ality. Section S of article 3 Of the con-
stitution says. Party politics, whether
they be Democratic, Republican, Social
istic. Populistic. Prohibition or any
other, shall have no place in the con-
ventions of the American Federation
of Labor"
The mission of the trade unions is to
deal with and solve the problems con-
fronting working men and working wo-
men. Experienced and seasoned men
who are familiar with movements of
great bodies of individuals comprehend
the futility and danger of strapping the
collar OF any political party around the
necks OF a multitude of persons not or
ganiZed for the specific purpose Of talk
ing definite partisan political action.
The trade union movement is a VOL
untary one, and the freedom Of it's
members is carefully and sacredlv
guarded. While the unions deal with
many problems that only remotely af-
feet labor, yet wherever these actiyi-
ties are carried on there is no compul-
sorry drafting Of union members to fol-
low any specific line of action.
The American Federation of Labor
guards the best interests of the work.
men as 1t sees them. History is full Of
efforts made by labor unions to become
partisan political factors. Wherever
there has been a combination of eco
nomic and partisan political effort
forced upon even a small minority the
dissolution begins. There are three
things sought by unionists.
They are every union man wants the
highest wages Obtainable, the shortest