New-York tribune., 1918-12-09
Central Union Proposes to
Hold Meeting i'll January
TO Plan for Convention
''Clean'' Methods Sought
One Leader Says No One
With Axe to Grind Is
Wanted i'm the New Body

politics for itself That is the inter
probation placed upon recent develap-
ments in the New York trade unior
movement, coming 20 a head Friday
tight by the passage at the meeting
Of the Central Federated Union of q
rsolution urging gathering in Jan
uary to call a national convention OF
labor to form an American labor party
Sentiment seems ripe for the new
movement tn American Labor party
was Incorporated in Bridgeport, Conn
last October. Last week a slmllat
project was launched in Chicago, with
subsequent Endorsement by the Illinois
State Federation of Labor. New Y ork
swings into lin, union officials roclar-
ing that the rank and file of labor will
support "clcan labor party
Must Work for Itself
z. W. Edwards, secretary Of the Al
he'd Printing Trades Council, who, as
member Of the reconstruction commit
tee Of the Central Federated Union
read tho programme at Fridays meet
ing in the Labor Temple, threw an in
teresting sidelight on the situation for
The Tribune last night He said
at is my opinion that the last gen
eral elections have had great deal
to do with the labor party sentiment
Labor had great faith in President
Wilson. and felt that it would get q
good deal from the Federal government
as long as Congress was with the Pres
ident But the results of the election
have killed great hope. Labor now
sees that if it wants anything it will
have to get it for itself.
IL. H.
ratizins industry and giving the work
ors control of the nations big indus
tries has found fertile ground in the
minds of the workers. They are begin
ming to think they ought to have it.
Certainly believe that where large
number of men are employed they
about the conditions of their employ
this point. Added privileges for labor
sponsibilities.
Honest Convictions Demanded
"I am heartily in favor of the new
party TO be successful it Will have to
divest itself Of all previous affiliation.
No one with other affiliations can be
tolerated within it's ranks. We must
beware the man who goes into it with
an axe to grind. The rank and file, of
course. will come in with honest con-
vctions.
"My observations lead me to say
that labor S going to take the new
very seriously. 1t has had
many disappointments in the past.
Mayor Hylan, for example, was sup
posed to be our candidate We elected
him. it is said Our votes did the
trick Yet what consideration has
la Dor received from the Hylan admin
istration? We really got more from
Mitchell than we are getting from Mayor
Hyl&n. Labor's eyes are opened at
last"
An interesting phase of the matter
is the frankness with which labor lead
ers are discussing the situation. So
cialists in particular are frank. Nor
ris Brown, for many years an exceed
ingly active Socialist and holding Office
as financial secretary of the Central
T federated Union, said:
"In spite of my twenty years ac-
tivty on behalf of the Socialist party,
I will be glad to cast aside my affila-
tions as red card member and join
the new party if | find that it is hon
estly trying to work politically for
labor's sole benefit"
Too Long Used AS Catspaw
John Sullivan, eastern representative
of the United Brewery and Soft Drink
Workers of American, said, during a
lengthy address on the question:
Owe should throw off all political
affiliations. Labor has too long been
used as a catspaw for the other parties.
Too long we have elected men to office
to represent us-Soci as we'll as
Democrats and Republicans-and they
have forgotten their obligations when
they took office"
Leon Wortholl, of Toronto, Can,
travelling representative of the Bar
bers' international Union and an
avowed Socialist. was lavish in his
praise of the venture.
at is the finest thing that could
happen to the American labor move
ment," he said last night. I'VE in
political action. We have received
more recognition from the government
because of it, Last election we had
candidates in the field, and
while we did not elect anybody we re
ceived added courage by our united
political front. One thing which we
have achieved is representation at the
peace table, which American labor has
not.
Too Many Politicians
THE trouble in the American labor
is that it has too few labor
men and too many politicians.
"The American labor movement is
wofully deficient in any reconstructive
plan of action. This at once shows a
lack Of political education. But even
if it had a definite plan how could labor
enforce it without the necessary poll
tical organization? | claim that labor,
in those countries where it has political
entity. is stronger more capable,
militant and educated movement
During the discussion of the project
at the Central Federated Union diff
rulties arose concerning which elements
should participate in the proposed CON
ference. The committees draft of the
resolution invited all "afiiliated organ
izations' to be represented. The meet
ing changed this to include all organ
lied labor bodies. regardless of whether
they were affiliated with central body.
This was done principally to admit the
building trades. which have their own
central body and are not directly
affiliated with the Central Federated
Union
f,tornsf -, NroSt};,,r 1J,..l