The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-08-01
Short Declares One Big
Union Plan Failure and
Will Result in Defeat

WV NAs HNtteA OF the rank nnd&Hie,
and that will be 20 proceed to form
the one big union along Industrial
lines This positively means seces-
sion. Let there be no camoufiarsa
about that II IL hardly necessary 10
add that secession means failure and
defeat for tile workers of Washing.
ton. The pitlehle failure OF the pres.
ent EFFORT in Western Canada afforda
example enough. IL the whole history
OF eur labor movement were not re.
pletc with similar lessons.
Points out Difference
There are two separate groups
OF Industrial unionsists in the
American labor movement Tho
first group. headed hy the United
Mine Workers. believes In indus
trial : organization hy industry
within the American Federation OF
l.ahr. the second group. headed
BY the |, w. w. believes In one
big union along Industrial lines.
separate and apart from the
American Federation % Labor.
belong To the former group. and
believe the tendency among the
rank and file IL to align themselves
With the former group.
"A large portion Of this former
group "a being misled by the latter
group. by heing told that the reso-
luton would establish the ideal
they believe In. Nothing could be
more misleading. Thia resolution
Is an exact copy OF the one intro
duecd IN the Calgary conference
which brought about the Western
Canadian @. II. g. with us seees-
sien-~ It's disruption and failure.
The organized miners % District
is (which comprises Eastern Brit
lsh Columbia and Alhrrtal. were
deiudcd into following the Q, n. Z.
VIII o. the wlsp'. they severed
their connections with the tnltcd
Mine Workers OF America. and
have for some time been on strike.
while the non.union miners OF
Vancouver island have been at
work. Without the support OF
their powerful International defeat
quickly faced them. aud fully dIa-
iiiusionea. they have again appeal
ed to their international 10 save
them from disaster and defeat.
What has proved true with the
miners Is proving true with most
OF the other unions The %. II. "
Is losing ground each day. and
the experiment OF Western Canada.
like all similar experiments. Is
proving costly 10 the workers
shall wa foolishly pay the same
pricer think not.
To Give Warning
This letter IL s.nt TO you for
two purposes First. 20 reveal
clearly to the rank and file just
what the resolution really means
And, second. TO urge that every
member OF every local affiliated
with the federation participate In
the referendum. There Is a danger
Gus tendency on the part of those
opposed 10 the resolution TO ignore
action on it. This Is a fatal mis-.
take. II only those who favor the
resolution vote on this question the
conferences will be called. Thns.
who oppose Il. and fail to vote. wiil
not be represented. The conference
thus held will. Carrying out the pro
visions OF The resolution. proceed 10
form the o. n. t. while all the
other organizations win decide 10
stay with the existing movement
and will do so with the unlimited
financial and moral backing OF their
intrrnationais- a split In the soiid
ranks Of our movement will result
and result 10 the injury Of all con.
cerncd. I want the greatest prog
ress humanity possible for our move
ment but progress ls always defeat
ed By dlsunion.
~ fun vote Of every union must
be registered. and II the solidarity
OF our movement is to BE- main
'aGned and Its opportunity for sub
stantial progress preserved. the vote
should be overwhelmingly against
the resolution"