New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
of Seattle, affiliated with the A. F.
of L. So far as l know, it has not
been printed in full in the East.
Here it is:
To All Organizations Affiliated
With the American Fedora
ton of Labor

ton of Labor
Greetings:
"The Seattle Central Labor Council
respectfully urges your most careful
and thoughtful consideration of the
inclosed proposals for the reconstruc-
tion Of our organization along lines
dictated by presentday industrial con-
ditions, and earnestly requests your
most energetic cooperation in bring
ing about these essential improvements
il the interests of the wage earners
"President Lincoln, speaking at Hart
ford in 1860, said: Thank God we
have a system of labor where there
can be strike. Whatever the press
ure, there is a point where the work
ingman may stop
"Yet, what does the right to strike
avail us if we strike in such small units
as to make US an easy prey to those
who seek to exploit US? AS a matter
of fact, the more effectually we prepare
to strike, the less striking we will have
to do.
Let US remember the advice of
Wendell Phillips: Organize and stand
together. Lee the nation hear united
demand from the laboring voice.
"Sometimes rivals criticse US be-
cause of our obvious weaknesses, but
we have nothing to fear from rivals
so long as we will profit by experience
and through the application of the re-
suits of our best thought and study
keep strengthening our organization ac-
cording to the dictates of common
sense and practicability.
believing that the above represents
the sentiment Of an overwhelming ma
jority Of the membership of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor, this council
submits the following propositions to
You with the modest request that they
be analyzed and judged solely upon
their merits, and if you feel as we do,
that you put forth your utmost efforts
to carry them into effect.
"WIEREAS, Experience of the most
ardent and loyal trade unionists in
carefully and deliberately, planning to
invoke the use of the strike weapon
as a last resort in their efforts to
secure certain measures Of justice
ESPECIALLY at times when delay might
proved fatal to their cause) have de-
p,opS+rotoI weaknesses in o,r orrop;,o
tions which should be promptly rem
edicd, notable among which is the ne
cessity of as many as twenty different
local unions represented in one plant
(and desiring to act as a unit under
a blanket agreement) communicating
with that number of internationals for
sanction and securing twenty replies,
all Of which must harm onize before
joint action can be legally taken, the
detrimental effect of which must be
obvious to all; and,
"WHEREAS, The continued existence
Of craft units in given localities as at
present appears to be distinctly desir-
able and necessary for the transaction
of business Of a technical nature; now,
therefore, be it
"RESOLVED, That the Central La
Dor Council Of Seattle and vicinity re-
quest all local unions within its juris-
dction to call upon their respective in
ternationals to Immediately submit the
following propositions to a referendum
vote of their membership:
PROPOSITION NO. l. Shall this in
ternational, by referendum vote, select
three of its members to represent this
international in conference, at a time
and place to be named preferably by
the president of the American Fedora
ton of Labor) at as early a date as
possible after such election, for the
purpose of effecting the amalgamation
and consolidation of all international
unions into as nearly as possible twelve
units, grouped approximately as fol-
lows:
Amusement Trades,
Building Trades,
Clothing and Textile Trades,
Culinary and Provision Trades,
Marine and Transport Workers,
Metal Trades,
Mine Workers.