Phoenix tribune., 1920-06-26
A. F. OF |. PROMISES
SQUARE DEAL TO
COLORED LABORERS

1t was very gratifying to those of
our race who are interested in the
labor problem to note in the press
dispatches last week the attitude of
the American Federation of Labor
toward the Negro.
For long time it was questionable
in the minds of many Negro labor
organizations whether it was profit
allie to align themselves with the Fed
GRAFTON or not. But within the past
few years the shifting of the Negro
population to large Industrial centers,
and the consequent decrease of for
eign labor, due to the war, there has
been manifested upon the part of the
Federation a desire to unionize all
Negro labor
That much good can come from af-
filiation in certain industries and in
certain places is a foregone conclu-
sion, but from what can learn from.
some labor leaders of our people, it
is not desirable as a national propo-
sition.
in union there is strength" Every
way we turn we ind men tanding
themselves together to confer and
unite upon some definite line of ac-
tion to better their general as well as
individual ends. The more complex
civilization becomes, the more neces-
sary it is for men to work together;
in fact, as our civilization now exists,
it is impossible to work alone, as
there is always an interdependence
of one group of workers upon another.
If the miners quit work, the factories;
trains and steamboats, at once are put
out of business, and a whole line of
interdependent industries must cease
operation. 1t is felt even in our
homes where coal is needed for heat,
light and cooking.
These are some of the main advan-
tages for which unionism of labor con-
tends. To a great extent to regulate
unrestricted competition and direct it
into advantageous channels; to regu
late wages according to the pay that
the average man in the trade might
demand; to take labor from the list
of perishable articles that must be
sold on the spot, and Immediately or
not ALL and give to the workman a
reserve power, and to his labor a re-
serve price; to prevent unfair com
petition between labor or prevent un-
derbidding among workmen; in fact,
to substitute collective bargaining for
individual bargaining.
Now all of these aims are worthy
ones and would be beneficial to Negro
labor if given a square deal. In order
to see how powerful this organization
is, may quote few of the many acts
of legislation in which it is interested?
Child labor, convict labor, co-opera-
profit system; to be exempted from
taxation, education of adult illiterates,
government employees, proposed
lengthening of work day defeated, and
bonus granted housing systems, pro-
posal for homestead allotments for
soldiers and sailors, meat packing
monopoly.
You can judge from the list what
wide field of interest the American
Federation of Labor covers. There
fore its efforts for the betterment of
the working class should not be con-
demned in wholesale manner; for
whatever is done to improve the eco
nomic and social conditions of the
working class helps the whole coun-
try at large.
The influence of this organization
is felt in every phase of our every
day life. The recent strikes, and their
consequent sufferings, can be traced
to the door of this great giant.
The question uppermost in the
minds of the capitalist, of the jurist,
of the statesman, is, What must be
done to check its influence?"
On account of lack of production,
shorter hours, and increased wages,
many attribute the now prevailing
high cost of living. This may not be
wholly true; but there is some truth
in it. That we cannot unqualifiedly
support all of it's methods is fact,
but let us hope, and work for, regula-
tive enactments that will remedy the
now existing evils We welcome it's
more generous attitude toward Negro
labor. F. D. WHEELOCK.