The Connecticut labor press. (New Haven, Conn.) 191?-1921, 1919-11-15

forts have been made to discredit lead
ership propaganda has been used for
the purpose of destroying confidence in
the Grand lodge officers of our organ
ization, this with the evident purpose of
placing us in position that we, could
not defend the rights of the workers.
"This propaganda must cease and we
stand ready to enforce the constitution
in every case brought to our attention.
We must line our forces up .as one
solid mass, and in order that we may
be properly advised regarding the &C
tions of the membership, upon the re-
ceipt of this communication you are in
structed to cali a special meeting of your
lodge for the purpose of taking strike
vote, said vote to be taken on the ques-
ton of authorizing the Grand lodge
officers to cooperate with other trades
on the railroads of the United States in
declaring strike on the railroads in
the United States, at such time as may
be found to be necessary to preserve
Our rights against the encroachment of
the so-ca1led anti-strike legislation now
pending before Congress. In taking this
strike vote you will be governed by the
constitution every member to cast a
secret ballot, these ballots to be counted
in the lodge room and the attached
form to be properly filled out, sealed
and mailed to the Grand lodge at Wash
1ngton Immediately upon the closing of
the meeting. This information to be
furnished by special delivery letter, in
order that the officers may be advised
in entering into this conference and
agreement with all other trades on this
question.
"In this connection, | would ask that
you Immediately send communication
to your representatives in Congress and
the United \States Senate, also a copy
to the President of the United States,
setting forth your decision regarding the
anti-strike legislation now pending be-
fore Congress, together with request
troduced and supported providing for
an extension of government operation
of the railroads of the United States, in
order that this proposition may be prop
erly taken care of.
Under no circumstances will we
agree to any compromise looking to-
ward the sacrifice of the rights of Our
members to strike in case a strike be-
comes necessary whether said condition
is the result of legislative enactment or
any other means used to accomplish
the purpose of the denial of the right
to the workers to exercise their econ
omic power in case of necessity, by 60
ing on strike, provided this stand is sup
ported by the membership.
eve would ask that every lodge take
this question into the central bodies and
the state federations of labor and into
all other affiliations and if possible Sc
cure their endorsement to our action.
"We must have discipline within our
organization in order to accomplish our
purpose at this time. No strike should
take place until properly authorized and
put into operation by the proper inter-
national officers of the l. A. of M.
In presenting this situation to you, it
must be with the thorough knowledge
that while we may not be able to pay
constitutional strike benefits in this in
stance we cannot afford, regardless of
the financial situation surrounding this
condition, to sacrifice Our rights even
at the expense of the constitutional re-
quirements regarding benefits, and this
vote must be taken with the thorough
knowledge to the membership that it
does not carry with it provision for
the payment of constitutional benefits in
case of strike.
From time TO time you will receive
circulars on this and other questions,
ton of every member of the Interna-
stand on this question.
"Fraternally,
"E. c. DAWSON,
General Secretary Treasurer.