The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1915-01-14
SOCIALIST PARTY
AND LABOR UNIONS
Harmony Should Exist Between
These Great Forces.
ORGANIZE THE UNORGANIzED

Political organization and economic
organization are alike necessary In the
struggle for working class emancipa-
tion. The most harmonious relations
ought 10 exist between the two great
forces Of the working class movement
the Socialist purity and the labor
unions.
The labor movement of the United
States hns OF recent years made mar
velouS progress In all directions. IT
has stendily increased In numbers and
hns rencbpd trades and Industries
which were before unorganized 1t has
In many Instances concentrated its
power aud increased It's efficiency by
the anal ganlntion Of related trades into
declarations and Industrial unions.
Mnny unions have opened their meet.
lngs and journals to the discussion OF
Vita social aud political problems Of
the working class and have repudiated
the demoralizing politics represented
by the National Civic federation. The
organized workers are rapidly develop
ing an enlightened and militant class
consciousness.
The reality of this progress Is attest
ed by the increasing virulence with
which the organized capitalists wage
war against the unions. This improved
economic organization IL not matter
OF abstract theory. but grows ont Of
;he experience of the wageworkers in
the daily class struggle. Only those ac-
tualiy engaged In the struggle In the
various trades and Industries can solve
the problems OF form OF organization.
The Socialist party therefore re-
aiiirms the position 1t has always taken
ganizrd labor:
First That the party has neither
the right nor the desire to interfere
IN any controversies which may exist
within the labor union movement over
questions of form Of organiZatio or
technical methods of action in the in
dnStria struggle. but trusts to the la
nor organizations themselves to solve
these questions.
Second. That the Socialists call the
attention of their brothers in the labor
UNIONS to the vital Importance of the
task Of organizing the unorganized.
especially the immigrants and the I'M
skilled laborers. who stand in greatest
need of organized protection and who
will constitute a great menace to the
progress and welfare of organized la
Dor If they remain neglected. The So
snl; .,t ~
operate with the labor unions in the
task of organizing the unorganized
workers and urges all labor organiza-
tons that have not already done SO
to throw their doors wide open to the
workers of their respective trades and
industries. abolishing all onerous con-
ditions Of membership and artificial
restrictions In the face Of the ire
mendous powers of the American capt.
talists and their close industrial and
political union the workers of this
country can win their battles only by
a strong class consciousness and close
ly united organizations on the econom-
ic field. a powerful and militant party
on the political field and by joint at
tack on the common enemy.
Third.-That 1t is the duty Of the
party to give moral and material sup
port to the labor organizations in all
their defensive and aggressive strug-
giles against capitalist oppression and
exploitation. for the protection and ex-
tension of the rights of the wage
workers and the betterment of their
material and social condition.
Fourth. That it is the duty of the
members of the Socialist party who
are eligible to membership in the
unions to join and be active in their
respective labor organizations.