The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-04-16
Problems Before
The Railroaders.
By E. K. HENRY.

By E. X. HENRY.
On Monday, May of this year
at Savannah, Ga.,, will begin th'
regular biennial convention of th'
Order Of Railroad Telegraphers, on,
Of the so-called Sixteen Associated
Recognized Standard Railroad Labol
Organizations" This organization
has a membership of approximatel.
10000. While the telegraphers enjo.
a "key" positibn in the railroad in
dustry they nave been in the pas
somewhat backward in taking advan
tage of their tactical position, due
to the fact that the majority Of the
membership are rather conservative
and uninformed>as to the Significance
of the labor movement in its wider
aspects. There. are many reasons fol
this, one Of which is that most Of
the telegraphers live widely separat-
ed from each other in way stations
and block offices, over the country
and are unable to meet, with their
fellow workers to discuss and con-
slider the burning labor questions Of
the day. Although they have access
to the telegraph, this medium is but
poor makeshift for direct contact
with their fellow workers in meet
ings.
But while the majority member
ship is very conservative and in. some
few cases reactionary, there is a
wide-awake minority of fellow work
ers in this organization who at all
times keep themselves informed on
the more important labor questions,
both national and International, and
who are ever ready to bring enlight-
eminent to their comrades in the rail-
road industry. These fellow workers
can not be too much commended for
the great work they are doing. Self
sacrificing, they at all times should
merit the support of increasing
numbers of the rank and file. '
At the Savannah convention, so
we are informed, there will be taken
up on the floor many questions
which are now .agitating the labor
of the world. According
to their Importance, l classify them
as follows:
1. Affiliation with the new Inter
national Council of Trade and In
dustrial Unions the counter organi-
cation to the "ysllow" Amsterdam
international Federation of Trade
Unions, which was organized in
Moscow, Russia, July Is, 1920, with
a membership Of approximately TO-
000, 900 workers. This new interna-
tional is the only organization Of
labor unions sufficiently class-con-
scious and able to- combat the rapid
ly reactionary policy of the infa-
nous Labor Bureau of The League
Of Nations, Of which the Amster-
dam international is but an off,
shoot.
2. Trade with the Russian Soviet
Government that production in in
dustry may be resumed and the
widespread unemployment now exist
ing be alleviated.
/. 8. Active support, both moral and
financial, in the frame-up cases Of
and Billings, Sacco-V -Vanzetti,
which are now being exposed in all
their rottenness. The recent confes-
sions Of the perjured witness Nc
Donald and the disclosures made by
many who took part in the frame
up of Mooney and Billings, are now
stirring the labor movement TO ac-I
lion as never before. fhe Sacco-
Vanzetti case, which from all ap-
pearances will be a second Mooney
case. is but another indication of the
depth to which the master class de-
scend in their dastardly desires to
imprison or take the lives of active
class conscious workers.
"A. The One Big Union Of the rail-
road industry. This was considered.
at last convention but failed for
lack Of support.
s. And last but by no means least,
better support Of the radical labor
press. This means the papers that
are not "yellcw"-THE ,T0ILER,
TRUTH, etc.
That the introduction Of these
questions will create great interest
and be the cause Of much heated de-.
bate in the convention is not to be
That they will be taken up
Tor consideration in other railroad
,nion conventions we may feel as
'ured. Even though they may fail
II passage, their being brought to
he attention Of the rail workers will
10 much to enlighten the workers
in the industry and clear |
he way for a much better UNDER