Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-12
What is the Difference Between the
A. F. of L. and the Socialists?
BY CHARLES A. SUMNER

To begin with. there are fifty.seven
varieties OF Socialism. The three prin-
cipal divisions in American are: The
Socialist party, the Industrial Workers
of the World and the Social Democrat
party. These arc again divided ad
infinitum.
Not all Socialists are enemies Of tho
American Federation OF Labor. Max
Hayes Of Cleveland. perhaps as well
known a working class" Socialist a.
distinguished from the ''parior'' OF in.
tellectual' Socialist, as there is in this
country. works almost always in thoru
accord, in recent years, with the Amer.
lean Federation OF Labor. He has been
one Of the representatives of the Inter
national Typographical Union for years
ut the conventions of the federation.
There are fundamental differences in
theory between Socialists and the ad-
ministration or controlling forces in the
American Federation of Labor.
Men like Max Hayes see the distinc.
tion more generally seen in Germany
that the trade union il trade union
and not a political party; IL is the
agency thru which working men are able
to improve their present status in in
dustry; while the Socialist creed of the
abolition OF private ownership of the
tool- OF production, the ushcring in OF
the cooperative commonwealth" and
the abolition of rent. interest and profit
shall be discussed and fought out in a
political party on the political field.
Socialists OF the Haywood or !. w. W
type. have given up the idea Of doing
anything by political action and discour-
age all thought of voting at elections.
They favor what j. called direct ar-
tom by fighting for what they want
on the industrial field and by strikes
and sabotage" keeping tho industrial
excitement that the employers, in dis
gust. win turn over tho industries to
the employees.
The straight out party Socialist be-
lieves the American Federation OF Labor
ought TO be organized NJ a political
party. controlled. of course. by them.
The difference between the !. w. W.
and the American Federation of Labor
is one OF tactics on the industrial field.
The /. W. W. and most Socialists for
that matter, believe in the organization
of workmon by indust ries instead OF
along craft lines. The American Fed
Grafton Of Labor is oganized. chiefly.
by crafts. There are some notable eN.
ceptions.
The controversy between the Ameri.
can Federation and the Socialists !.
known IA "Indps trialism VI. Trade or
Craft Autonom' :" This controversy is
based largely on n misconception of what
the federation really stands for.
Prior to the formation Of the Amer.
lean Federation of Labor the old
Knights Of labor was the body thru
which the workmen voiced their national
demands. II was orga nized on the prin.
ciple OF "fndustrialism," and lodges were
formed in industrial centcrs where men
were placed, regardless of trade or call.
ing, in one lodge. This proved 40 un.
satisfactory TO the men of the skilled
trades that secession became general
The men OF the different crafts formed
unions OF the crafts. Later they organ
lied national and international unions oI
these crafts.
The American Federation of Labor
was created in 1881, by affiliating to
gether in federation these various M
tional and international unions, prom
ising them trade autonomy or independ-
ence Of action.
The federation is n voluntary organ
ization and has no power of discipline
except that Of expulsion Of the offend
ing union. The opposition is impatient
of results and believes force and coercion
should be used, not TO cxpcl, but TO re
tain and compel obedience.
The American Federation Of Labor
is not opposed TO "Industrailism,' but
believes it should come, II it comes nj
all, by vote of the crafts themselves
by n natural process of evolution as the
constituent members come to see that
that form Is best adapted to their needs
II does not believe In handing down from
above orders to be obcyed. It Is thorol,