The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-07-12
SECESSION MUST BE STAMPED OUT
FOR GOOD OF TOILERS OF AMERICA
American Labor Takes Firm Stand Against Dual
Union Organizations, Citing the Colorado Miners for
Example

And now, for some reason wholly
inconsistent with that constructive
course, by inaugurating policy of
rebellion, secession and rivalry, are
the achievements of the past twenty
years to be thrown back and into
the scrapheap by the attempted or
ganization and recognition of the
dual, rival and hostile organization
of miners? For, be it remembered
that if the Colorado dissidents are
TO be granted charter or recogni-
:ion of any kind by the organized
,abor movement, national, state or
local, the successes of the dissidents
in establishing their organization
would mean the destruction of the
United Mine Workers of America
Such movement must not and will
lot succeed What is described in
he foregoing paragraphs is true at
his present hour among several in
iustries.
Recently, in Chicago, a rebellious
secession movement was about to be
aunched in the Cigarmakers' In
ternational Union of America.
Agents were sent to New York who
here undertook an agitation for
iivision, secession and rivalry At
meeting held by the dissident ele-
nent in New York, a resolution was
ldopted demanding fourteen changes
n the constitution of the interna-
5ional union and gave the interna-
ional union officers fifteen days
ime in which to reply and that un-
less the demands were granted,
lew organization of cigarmakers
would be organized. Recently the
representatives of this Bolsheviki
movement stated to the president and
first e-president of the Interna-
ion union, that they knew that the
demands could not be granted. Never
,heless they started the rival, hos
lie organization, conducting shop
strikes. making the demands that
hese factories should not be regard
I'd as international union shops.
These men are traitors to their
fellow workers and to the cause of
'abor, and be it said to the credit of
the Central Federated Union of New
York, that the secession movement
was roundly denounced and a reso-
luton adopted and fully carried into
effect that neither recognition nor
support be given, to the secession
lsts, that they were regarded as CIV
'ng aid and comfort to the enemy,
not only to the enemy of labor but
o the enemy of our country.
Information comes to US also that
,ncipient attempts of the same char
acter have been and are being made
n small industries and some threat
en- in a few of the essential indus
tries.
Reverting back to the action of
The seeding miners of Colorado, we
appeal to them, their conscience,
.heir labor and international patriot
ism, to cease their efforts to divide
he miners of America, or even of
Colorado, to make their contentious,
they have any just cause, within
he limits of the organization. If
hey refuse to follow the course of
rue trade unionists, then they. are
ntitlcd to the scorn of every faith
'ul, conscientious labor man of
america. They should receive neither
id nor comfort from the organized
workers. of Colorado, of Denver, or
of any other locality.
If ever in the history of labor
nifty, solidarity in action, in fact
nd in spirit, are necessary, now is
he time.
Secession in the labor movement
must be effectually crushed if the
interests of the toilers of America
Nre to be protected and advanced
'ust as secession in our republic was
overcome, for the good of the re-
public and the maintenance of our
freedom and the ability to enter in
70 any contest for their perpetua-
ion.