The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1921-07-02

position TO SOVlellSm ana DOlSueVlSlll,
the Russian people.
On Soviet Russia.
These two reports, together with
the report on Pan-American affairs, in
which the hope for early recognition
of Mexico was asked, constitute the
Federations declaration of interna-
tional policy this year.
On Soviet Russia the convention
adopted the following committee re-
pert:
Your committee has read with ab-
sorbing interest, the illuminating, in
structive and vivid portrayal of the
conditions in Russia under the pres
ent regime.
Much is said in the report con-
corning trade agitation, labor in
Soviet Russia, the absolute lack of
democracy and substitution of auto
cracies. We find there are 604,OO0
members of the Communist party of
Russia, and that of this number 80
per cent of this me mbership are gov
ernment or town officials. officers and
soldiers, party employees. while only
II per cent are workmen.
International Denounced
The report also calls attention to
and recites the fact that the Com
nlurlst party and the Soviet govern
ment of Russia have denounced and
repudiated the International Fedora
ton Of Trade Unions and have at
tempted to establish the Communists
International, which is known and
generally referred to as the Third
to
out the activity of the representatives
Of the Soviet government in our own
Am erican trade union move ment. as
we'll as in England. France, Italy and
many other countries.
We are impressed with the great
need Ct lending all possible assist
ance to the trade union movements
OF other nations. We have also been
impressed with the necessity of first
preserving our own movement and
safeguarding it's integrity, both as to
function and policy.
Principles Rcvolutionary.
In brief, however, we find that
the executives of the International
Federation of Trade Unions, have COM
mitted the International Federation of
Trades Unions to principles and to
policies which are accurately de-
scribed by our executive council as
revolutionary, contrary to the policies
and the philosophy of our move ment
and in conflict with the pronounce.
ment of the Montreal convention of
the A. F.. of L.
we note with utter amazement
and resentment the action of the
bureau of the International Fedora
ton of Trade Unions in addressing
: official communications to the ORGAN
lzatlons affiliated to the American
Federation of Labor when all COM
munications should be addressed to
the executive officers of our national
trade union center. the American
Federation of Labor.
"Particula-ly Offensive"
~rtlcularly is this most offensive
as II was done Immediately preced-
ing the opening of this convention
ana In disregard of the rights to
"ilch our movement is entitled,
we are confident that no such
a'eempt would be made by the in
terhatlonal bureau nor would it have
tne tenerlty to directly address Of
!icial documents to the unions af-
Hilated with the British Trade Union
congress, the Confederation de Cen
eraI, the French Confederation of
1"aoor' the German Federation of
LABOR or to those of any other na-
tlonal trade union center.
we particularly call your atten.
uon 10 the fact that the executive
= council says: No one can regret more
Keenly than do the members Of tho
executive council, the inability of the
>Anlerlcan Federation of Labor to he
OF greater service in the field Of in
tefnatlonal relations than it has been
.uurlng the past year. but there has
peen no alternative course to pur-
sue' P
= Open Negotiations.
we also note and commend for
your consideration and approval the
TACT That the executive council says:
Inc american Federation of Labor
stanos ready to affiliate whenever the
laws are amended so as to preserve
the integrity the right to self-gov.
ernnent and determination on the
part OF each trade union center and
more especially that of the Amer.
lean trade union center. We recon-
mend that the executive council he
and ls hereby instructed to continue
its negotiations in an effort to have
the laws amended so that the Amer.
lean Federation of Labor may have
- the opportunity of affiliating at the
earliest possible date, and that such
negotiations be continued in tht
spirit acS principles enunciated il
this report and by the executive
council
81