Denver labor bulletin., 1916-02-12

democratic, both in its beliefs and
methods.
As a matter OF fact, the labor unions
affiliated TO the American Federation Of
Labor are in constant state of change
Unions are constantly going out and
coming in; di-integrating from indus
trial unions into craft unions or giving
up their craft unions for industrial
unions.
In its body are unions organized by
lndustIies-u notably the United Mine
WORKERS, the Western Federation OF
Miners and the United Brewery Work
ers. II also has unions Organized NV
eraits--tho printing trades being an
illustration.
In the mining industry everybody i'm
and about the mines, be they earpcnters
inaehinists, engineers or just miners
even beipers-are In one union. When
amplified to embrace all workmcn every.
where this will be "Industrailism'-ar r..
turn TO the old Knights of Labor idea,
On the other hand, in the PRINTING
trades there are six international unions
live of which are federated in the Allied
pnnting Trades association. and one. tho
Lithographers, standing alone.
In these international unions ar, To-
cal units again broken up by craft lines.
In some cities there are eighteen or
twenty separate crafts recognized in the
printing industry meeting together in
Aimed Printing Trades Councils, each ".
tanning absolute craft independence of
the Others.
The International Typographical Union
at one time was an Industrial union hay.
ing Jurisdiction over all men in tn.
printing industry The brieLlayers
pla-tcrer-. ston. ma-on-. granite .-tters
and concrete workers are fast analga-
mating IN an organization known a. the
Mortar Trades
The Socialists would put an end to
all this by n mandate from al-p.. and
compel these organizations to organize
by industries. Then each shop would
have chapel" instead of each craft in
the shop. and one union in tn. city
composed of the members OF these
chapclS"
The difference j. that the American
Federation OF Labor believes in using
the means at hand TO advance; and by
recognizing that the wagc system is the
system under which il works, improve
the conditions until the workers. in ti4,.
get the full product OF their toll. be that
Socialism, industrial democracy or what
not. II believes this should be done By
peaceful means, IL possible, and thru
collective bargaining" negotiate for con
tracts to be held inviolate when entered
into, using the methods of Cancellation
and arbitration to obtain them. Arbi-
tration being voluntary and not com
pulsory. the unions, at all times, re
serving to themselves the right to strike
except when contracted away.
This is not Objectionable to many So
cialists. Most of them deny that this
is what the American Federation of La
Dor stands for; others believe it too slow
a process and must be accelerated by
agitation against II. Others, the
/. w. WIS for instance, refuse to sign
contracts at all and believe conciliation
and arbitration are tools of the devil.
and wish to superimpose the form OF or
ganization thru which the ends shall
be attained.
All of the various groups believe that
the worker should have the full prod
uct of his toll. Some call IL Socialism,
some industrialsm, some single tax. The
goal is the same; the methods of attain
ing It differ.