Evening journal., 1919-09-26
FOSTER IN Writings
URGED REVOLUTION
Overthrow of Industry and
Abolition Of Wage Sys-
TEN Proposed
He WOULD USE
Ar MED FORCE

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 26.-Willlam 2.
Foster, secretary treasurer Of the ma
tional committee for organizing iron
and steel workers and the directing
genius Of the steel strike, Is a revo-
uiionist OF the Lenine type. Proof OF
this IS available IN his Red Book en-
TITLED "Syndicalism, In which he de-
tails plans and theories for a social
revolution In the United states.
This Is the first time that a self-ds-
fined revOlutiOnist has been intrusted
by the American Federation OF Labor
with the conduct Of a great labor con-
ilict. According 10 Fosters own state
ments he entered the American Fedora
tion with the purpose OF capturing
that organization for his revolutionary
purposes. He labored diligently and in-
cessantly to achieve his present po-
sitlon.
The teachings OF his book "Syndlcal-
ISM can be summarized thus:
The present sO-callcd capitalist sys-
ten must be destroyed
The way 10 accomplish 70 Is 10 or
ganize The working people into great
labor unions.
"The political state as at present con-
stituted must be blown up. wrecked
and cast aside.
The way 10 accomplish this Is BY
direct aciion--the general strike.
Labor must not stop 10 choose its
weapons IN its struggle against the
great industrial organization OF today
and the state as a whole. All consid-
erat.ons Of ethics and morality must
he discarded as so much dead wood. as
so many fetters blocking labor's lib
eriy OF action.
Preparations must be made 20 OBJ
tain control OF the armed forces OF
society. This can best be done by
propaganda. but the workers must be
ready 10 resist the capitalist class and
the state by force II necessary. Sabo-
tago must be employed both against
the capitalist class in the Industries
and the State outside
Labor must cut loose not only from
conservative trade union methods. but
also from the Socialist party. 10 must
pay no attention 10 political action
The ballot Is only a scrap OF paper
Tho strike, and. above an. the general
strike, is the sword il must learn 90
WELD By The application OF The gen
cFal strike capitalism and the state can
be destroyed at one stroke and the
new society or autonomous syndical.s'
ORGANIZATIONS established
Foster comes not 90 heal. but 70 de-
siroy. lie does not conceal his sword
beneath his cloak. lie carries II con-
spicuously dangling at his side. For in
oynd'calism he says:
"The wages system OF robbery Is
for the great extremes Of
poverty and wealth 90 be found in mod
srn soc ETY.. u has existed ever since I
the very beginning OF industrialism. |
and its effects grow worse daily. Every
Invention Of a labor-saving device, by I
Increasing the army Of unemployed and I
max ng the competition for Jobs keener. I
'nables the owners Of the industries 20 .
more thoroughly exploit their slaves. .
Thus the wage system has the effect OF |
making inventions Of hbOr-saving de- |
-ices curses TO the bulk Of society in 1
stead Of blessings. as they should be-"
And thus does Foster pronounce the /
loom Of the society he IS den0uncing: l
"The wages system Is the most
,razen ard gigantic robbery ever per-
letraied since the world began. So /
disastrous are It's consequences on the