The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1916-03-03
OPPOSED IN FUNDAMEh TAILS

Working For the Same End, but
Methods of Attaining 1t Differ-Fed-
GRAFTON Thinks lndustrialism Should
Come by Evolution.
An article on the difference between
the American Federation of Labor and
the Socialists, written by Charles A.
Sumner, vice president of the Interna-
tional Stereotypers and Electrotypers'
union, appears in the February issue of
the journal of that union. Mr. Sumner
says:
To begin with there are many va
rieties of Socialism The three principal
divisions in America are the Socialist
party, the Industrial Workers of the
World and the Social Democratic party.
These are again divided
Not all Socialists are enemies of the
American Federation Of Labor.
There are fundamental differences
in theory between the Socialists and
the administration or controlling forces
in the American Federation of Labor.
Men like Max Hayes of Cleveland
see the distinction more generally seen
in Germany the trade union is u
trade union and not a political party;
it is the agency through which the
workingmen are able TO improve their
present status in industry while the
Socialist creed of the abolition of pri-
vate ownership Of the tools OF produc-
ton. the ushering in Of the "co-opera-
tive commonwealth" and the abolition
of rent interest and profit shall be dis
cussed and fought out in a political
party on the political field
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 worlmen by industries instead Of
along craft lines The American Fed
GRAFTON of labor is organized chiefly by
crafts. There are some notable excep-
tions.
The controversy between the Ameri-
can Federation and the Socialists is
known as "lndustrialism Versus Trade
of Craft Autonomy" This controversy
is based largely on misconception of
what the federation really stands for
The American Federation Of Labor
was created in 1881 by afIiliating to-
gether in a federation various ma
tional and international unions, prom
ising them trade autonomy or inde-
pendence Of action.
The federation is a voluntary organi-
,,f
except that of expulsion of the offend
ing union.
The American Federation of Labor
is not opposed to indusraIism. but be-
Heyes it should come, if it comes ut all.
by vote of the crafts themselves by a
natural process OF evolution as the con
stituent members come to see that that
form is best adapted to their needs. 1t
does not believe in handing down from
above orders to be obeyed. 1t is thor
oughly democratic both in its belief
and methods.
As matter of fact, the labor unions
affiliated to the American Federation
of Labor are i'll q constant state of
change, Unions are constantly going
out and coming in, disintegrating from
Industrial unions into craft unions or
giving up their craft unions for indus
trial unions
In its body are unions organized by
Industries, notably the United Mine
Workers, the Western Federation of
Miners and the United Brewery Work
ers.
In the mining industry everybody in
and about the mines, be they carpen-
ters, machinists, engineers or just min
ers-even helpers-are in one union
On the other hand, in the printing
trades there are six international
unions, five Of which are federated in
the Allied Printing Trades association
and one, the photographers, standing
alone
In these international unions are
local unions again broken up by craft
lines. In some cities there are eighteen
or twenty separate crafts recognized in
the printing industry meeting together
In Allied Printing Trades Councils, each
retaining absolute craft independence
of the others.
The Socialists would put an end to
all this by mandate from above and
compel these organizations to organize
by industries.
The difference is that the American
Federation of Labor believes in using
the means at hand TO advance and, by
recognizing that the wage system is
the system under which it works, inn
prove the conditions until the workers
In time get the full product of their
toll, be THAT socialism, industrial de-
mocracy or what not. 1t believes this
should be done by peaceful means If
possible and through collective bar
gaining negotiate for contracts to be
held inviolate when entered into, using
the methods of conciliation and arbi-
tration to obtain them. arbitration be-
Ing voluntary and not compulsory, the
unions at all times reserying TO them
selves the right to strike except when
contracted away.
All Of the various groups believe
that the worker should have the full
product of his toll. Some call it Social
ISM some industi'ialism. some single
tax. The goal is the same; the methods
OF attaining 1t differ.