The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-06-05
Discussion.

LONDON, june "a number of
trade unions are revising their consti-
tutions, speeding up their machinery for
the more expeditions handling of dis
rutes, and generally endeavoring to fit
in the new shop stewards and shop com
mttecs movement into their scheme
Of things. Others arc busily engaged |
in schemes of amalgamation, while at
least one other, the national union Of
railwaymen, has formulated proposals,
for consideration at the annual general |
meeting, which seek to divorce the pure
~ Industrial side Of the railwaymen S |
movement from the political side
This has been attempted before, but
without success The "industrialist
theories, however have made immense
strides during the past few years, and
the resolution on this occasion has q
fair chance of being carried. Ii 50. the
effect Of the new policy will be to deny
the right Of any of the railwaymen IS
organizers, their general secretary, or
other full-timc official to act in dual
| capacity. J. II, Thomas, NJ. p, for in
stance, will he asked to decide which
position he would prefer to retain, the
| general secretaryship Of the national
union of railWaymen, or his scat in the
| house of commons as the member from
Derby.
Ii has been said that great men
think alike whatever element OF
truth is to be found in this statement.
it is certain that great unions think
alike, for the above proposal of one
man, one Job is also making rapid
Roadway among other important organ
izations; for instance, the South Wales,
miners, who, as the advance guard of
the greater miners federation, are al
most certain in due course 10 thrust
the policy before that body for consid-
! Grafton.
One man, one job has sweet
soIsnding note that appeals 10 the aver
| age man in he street, bat the real rea-
son actuating the leaders Of he agita-
/ tion is not 50 much tho Objection 10
one man holding two Jobs. as the posi-
hility of trade union official, who is
also member of parliament. being com
PEELED to compromise or modify his pol
icy so as not 10 hurt tho susccptibilities
legged. that he cannot faithfully fulfill
his duties as a servant Of the union,
carrying out its aggressive policy, while
ut the same time nursing his constit-
uency; and they remind their critics Of
the ncnviable position in which those
Of their leaders who are also NJ. f. 5
found themselves among their constit-
uents during he miners agitation for
Joint control.
Again the decision 10 appoint a per:
mancnt secretary and chairman of the
miners federation was accompanied by
the proviso that the officers selected
should devote their whole tire to the
work Of the federation and Mr. Robert
Smilie and Mr.. Frank Hodges. who
we're both prospective parliamentary
: candidates. have, in consequence. beer
I compelled to abandon their parlianen
| tary careers.
4 In other directions, too, the indus
i trialists are busy and active in the pur
\ suancc Of the detectives upon which
II they have set their hearts In spite o
\ the opposition of many of their genera
Il officers, there has just been launched
II scheme Of amalgamation for three o
II the most important trade unions in tn
II ship-bulding and ship repairing indus
II try The societies concerned are In
II Boilermakers. Iron and Steel Shipbuld
II erS society; SHIP Constructors and Ship
II wrights Association, and the Black
Il smith and Ironworkers Society.