davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09

against Individual officers, and the
true function of the capitalist state as
class institution is not rightly
understood.
Middle Class Ideology Rules.
The reason for this is obvious
enough. The growth of industrialism
in America has been so rapid and
intense that the spirit of the middle
class liberals who furnished the ideol-
ogy for the American revolution is
still kept alive, although absurdly in
congruous. These men, who were
despised by the privileged class Of
their time, are now represented in
the schools and the press as saints
and heroes. Their fine sounding gen.
eralities about liberty in the abstract
serve admirably as a glorification of
the political system under which
capitalism flourishes.
The American worker knows too
much and too little for his own good.
He is educated in capitalist school
and learns to read capitalist news
papers. Hence he drinks in poison
from two sources from which many
Russian workers were free. And on
the other hand he does not learn
enough to enable him to think for
himself.
Vital Need Of Education.
So the problem Of revolutionary ac-
tivity in America at the present time
appears to me to be the relatively
prosaic problem Of education. The
question Of the form which organiza-
ton shall take--the question over
which different groups Of radicals
wrangle so bitterly--seems to me
more or less academic, and not of
much present Importance. Why dis
cuss so heatedly the relative value
Of political and industrial organiza-
tion when each side has only hand
ful Of adherents, and the great mass
Of workers, needless Of the disput-
ants takes it's own way, forging spon-
taneously out Of its practical needs
It's craft unions and its farmer labor
parties?
Would II not be a good idea for the
social revolutionistl who has mes
sage for organized labor to present
himself occasionally at those places
where organized labor may be found 7
! think so. That is the policy l have
always followed, and that Is why
can represent an American Labor
Council at Red Internationale.
II is sometimes said by It's critics
Continued on page 2nd)
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
HULET. M. WELLS

Contrasted with this main move
ment are several small revolutionary
unions numbering all told perhaps
two per cent of the larger bodies.
These radical unions, of which the
Industrial Workers Of the World is
the best known, contain a fine mill
tant group Of revolutionary enthu-
sasts who labor devotedly to spread
their ideals; but in a decade and a
half they have made little progress
in organization.
The American Federation of Labor
then, must be considered as the typical
labor body Of the United States, and
since I represent one Of the units Of
that body, body whose president
considers the Amsterdam Interna-
tional too radical, it must also be plain
that the section which | represent is
not typical Of the Federation.
AS a matter Of fact the workers Of
few localities, including my own,
have been partially imbued with a re-
volutionary ideology. This does not
mean that all Of them at any time, or
most Of them at oil times, see clearly
the irreconcilable conflict in society
and the role in that struggle that
their class is to play. 1t does not
mean that they are altogether free
from foolish prejudices and, false
economics Of capitalist teaching.
All 1t means is that in the minds
of the mass Of the workers few
fundamental thruths have taken root,
upon which foundation active and sim
cere workers in the revolutionary
cause may develop sound tactics.
Among these truths are the principles
that the interests Of the capitalist and
the laborer cannot be reconciled; that
poverty is unnecessary; that un-
employment Is primarily due to a
fatal defect in the capitalist system,
and secondarily, because those who
are employed work too much; that
the capitalist press cannot be trusted
and that wars are Of capitalist origin.
Lastly, they vaguely perceive that
various governmental agencies turn
upon the workers at critical junctures,
The poor man, II Is seen, Is not on
equal footing with the rich before the
law. The Department OF Juatice ar
rests strikers, the courts issue in.
functions against them. and award da.
mnges TO their employers, and the 10.
cal or general government sends sol.
diers to shoot them down. These
things arouse bitter resentment but
the resentment Is largely directed
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
Vacations Mark
HOwat Trial.

Columbus, Kansas. Hundreds of
miners have assembled here to at
tend the trial of Alexander Howat,
president of District ID of the
United Mine Workers of America.
The miners are being housed in
tents during the trial, having, in
dividually, gone on vacations" dur
ing the trial, as they have done
during Howat's previous trials in
Pittsburg. Not a mine is expected
ITO operate during the course of the
trial.
The local union of Frontenac en-
gagged a brass band to herald the
trials opening and special cars were
run on the interurban, connecting
Columbus with Pittsburg miners
headquarters. The spirit Of the miners
has converted the trial days into
holidays.
An attempt will be made by at
tomeys for Howat, led by ]. /
Sheppard, Of Fort Scott, to prove
that the motive for the creation Of
the Industrial Court Act, for the VIC.
lation Of which Howat stands trial
was purely political, without relation
to any desire for industrial "peace.'
Witnesses subpoenaed for Howat
include R. A. Burch, justice of the
state supreme court; W.tL. Hug
gins, presiding judge of the indus
trial court; W. P. Lambertson, former
speaker of the Kansas House and
former political ally Of Governor
Henry J. Allen, and four former
state senator's.
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
BY MOhJ'rz ]. LOEB.

1t is getting tofpe fashionable to
criticize such separationist tactics
There are many Swho do SO without
giving the matterAny serious thought
and many who accept the criticisms
without understanding what 1t is all
about. To condemns dual Unions loosely
and unreservedIS Is a very simple
thing to dq ms the favor Of
redlc ytstayes alike. But
JUST as < n sri sss n our
interpretations OF f'osterism. Tnere is
room for as many conservative ana
menshevik interpretations OF one as
there is Of the other.
Dual unionism Defined.
just what IS dual union! mat Is
a question that must be answered COR
rectly before there can be any intel
ligent discussion about the matter. Is
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Union a dual union! Surely the Of
ficials Of the United Garment Work
ers Union considered 1t as such and
fought it with all the means IN their
power Inc TWO ur'ons sun eNis' sue
oy siae' iel IN 'ne ae'uai meaning ."e
Amalgama'ea ca''''os DC co''s,uefeu d
aual union Aho ~ one cou'u accuse
!. oi pe'hs separa'lon's' o,sa'''Aa,
'ioh' II we can arrNe a'' anu accept
a working deiinioion Tor dual unions
much MISUNDERSTANDING ana many er-
rors IN thinking any ~ Sac'ics may oe
avoided ou.slae = ene one ,' example
citea IN rosters pampniee Inc Fan,
roaders Next Step, all Oh the aua,
unions We're organizations comprised
Oh the RADICALS anu reoels Oh ehe III
uus'ries VINO proke away from 'ne
oii'c'al unions auop.eu reVo'u'ioh-
airy program ana ca'led upon all re-
voiutionlsts IN tne industries TO JON
them' ~ is tnese separatlomsts OF
isoiationlsts that are IN erect the dual
uhionists'
If we accept this as working de-
finition we place ourselves in a posi-
t;oy, fro,,, x,h;ch txyn. pov, dao1 with fha
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
AMERICAN LABOR TODAY
By HULET, M. WELLS.

! am representative of national
labor movement which is one of the
strongest and weakest of the world.
So far as revolutionary spirit, inter-
national solidarity, social vision, or
class-consciousness in its larger as
poets is concerned, the American labor
movement, as whole, is pitiably
weak. Yet numerically and potential
ly it represents enormous power.
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09

The representative labor movement
of the United States contains normal
ly about five million members. 1t con-
sists Of the American Federation Of
Labor, numbering over four million
members, and certain railway and
clothing workers unions which do not
differ fundamentally from the larger
body, and are only casually separated
from it.
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09

that is possible in the way of wages
conditions and advantages. 1t is for
these purposes that the American
trades unions and most Of the unions
Of other countries were called into
existance. Only as long as they fulfil
this function can they continue to ex-
ist. 1t is when a trade union fails to
perform this function or when Il faili
ts perform II sfs!cisrtt..y tkat ths
workers start to look about them for
an organization that will serve their
purposes. 1t is only when the official
unions fail to represent the workers
in their daily economic struggle with
the employers that the opportunity
for the formation Of the rebel unions
presents itself.
"Outlaw" Unions.
These so called rebel or OUTLAW
movements do, not result from any
urge from radicals outside the unions.
The new unions are not formed at the
cnll of any outsiders at all, but grow
directly from the discomfort and dis
affection within the union ranks. That
the rebel unions lead by radicals and
progressives is natural, for it is the
progressives and radicals that always
take the lead against the reactionary
or grating labor leaders, or in the
struggle against the bosses. The out
law railroad strike Of the fall of 1919
was one striking example of such a
situation. The strike was more of a
strike against the Official" trade
union leaders than it was against the
employers. The new Yard Mems union
that grew out of the situation was
formed not as a scparationist move
ment but resulted from the wide
spread discomfort among the rank
and file Of the workers.
There are other causes for the for
nation Of parallel unions that can
not under the definition be termed
dual unions. Certain unions making
use Of the union label limit their ac-
tivities so as to produce only as much
label goods as will make the label an
asset. Employers who accept the
Label d o so bee u g
1t is good business for them only as
long as the production Of union label
goods meets or stays below the de-
mand for such goods. 1t the union In.
creased its field the value Of the
union label would decrease In proper.
tion to the increase in label goods
Thus large fields in certain industries
are purposely left unorganized. The
formation OF q parallel union to cover
these fields certainly cannot be termed
dual unionism. Such is the case In I'll,
shoe industry whore the Boot and
Shoe Workers have purposely refuset
to take in great masses Of the work
ers in the industry. Narrow minded
short sighted and selfish workers Il
the industries Of course thought the,
benefited by this restriction In tllei,
craft. As always II was the progress
sive workers that saw the necessit,
Of taking all the shoe workers into tn,
industry and It was these progressiv,
and radicals who, finding that Il coul,
not be done in the old union forme,
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
TRIUMPHANT!

Now that her great trials are over
And most Of her enemies dead,
Russia can live in clover
With a halo about her head!
Edward ]. Irvine.
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
THE ECONOMICS OF Thu dual UNION PROBLEM.

For many years the question Of the
dual union has been very bitter
one. Up until recently by far the
greater number of American radicals
were firm supporters of the policy to
break up the reactionary unions and
to set up in their place revolutionary
unions openly dedicated to the class
struggle. At the same time there was
considerable group styling them
tselves, aBofers fi6n Withln'' WHO
were utterly opposed to such dual
unionist and separationist tactics. In
the past months the swing over to the
latter point if view has been rapid.
Influenced greatly by the stand taken
by the Third International, revolu.
tionists and revolutionary parties have
turned en- masse from the dual union
stand and have taken up their position
in the ranks Of those who advocate
the working within the existing
unions. There is great danger in such
a mass reputation of old ideas in
favor of new ones. Many are crying
out against the dual unions with a
fervor equal to that with which they
used to damn the A. F. of l.. Many
are falling over backwards in their
attempt to get off the "dual union
wagon and at the same time commit.
ing as serious errors in thinking and
tactics as ever they did as dual union
lists.
The stand taken by many Of the
radical leaders in the A. F. of L. has
often been expressed on this subject.
The groups typified by William z.
Foster have long called to the radi-
calls Of the American labor movement
to cease their dual union and disrup.
tiMist tactics. They have called upon
the progressive workers to participate
in building up the A. F. Of L. unions,
to work within the conservative
unions, to help educate the member.
ship, to give the unions radical ex-
preston and to prove by their activity,
their devotion to the rank and file of
the different organizations, 1t is in
this way that the progressives gain
control, they tell us. it is in this way
that the unions are made into fight
ing organizations Of the class strug-
gle.
Isolation makes for conservatism.
The lessons Of the struggle in the
past years have amply born out these
teachings. No one who has an UNDER
standing Of the labor movement can
deny that Foster has been right and
that the policy Of isolation which
radicals such as the I. W. w. have
pursued has been largely responsible
for the failure Of the American labor
movement to keep pace with the
other countries. Even many members
Of the !. W. w. itself are admitting
that such policy is wrong. None Of
the intelligent radicals are calling
upsn the radical workers to leave the
conservative unions and form revolu.
ticnary ones that are separated from
the masses Of the workers. 9g'
II Is oil very well to condemn the
dual unionist tactics. It is necessary
duty Of all those who have the well
fare Of the movement at heart. But as
zinoviev said Of the Third Interna-
tional, 1T is getting to be the style" +"
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
UNEA AfPLOYED IN
NEWIYORK.

Four hundred thousand workers
are jobless in New York City ac-
cording to estimhtes made by the
Co-ordimating Cohmittee of Unem-
ployment Activitiks. This number is
equal to 10 perfcent of the city's
working force.
The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09
A. F. OF L. CONVENTION RE.
PORT DELAYED.

The concluding report of the A. F..
of L. Denver Convention by Caleb
Harrison had nod been received at
time Of making arms for this issue.
We hope to havefhis report for next
week i
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
MORE AID FOR
RAILROADS
Congress Postponed Law
Effective January ]

Washington Railroad owners have
been handed additional millions Of dol
lars as a result of legislation that was
quietly rushed through congress with
no debate and no publicity.
The bill postponed the law effective
January l which prohibits railroads
from dealing with concerns that are
connected, through interlocking di-
rectorates, with the railroads. This
law was passed to stop the grating
Of millions of dollars which stock
holders lost, but the loss has been
shifted to the treasury Of the United
States, which is called upon, under
the Cummins-Esch act, to guarantee
dividends to stockholders.
Now railroad owners may enter into
any contract they see fit with concerns
that are controlled by them
They may abolish repair shops, for
instance, and turn this work over to
private owned companies in which
they are interested. These companies,
have a free hand in making charges
to the railroad for their work, and if
the railroad has a deficit, the govern
ment comes to the rescue, and pays 6
per cent to stockholders.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
In JAPAN
Foreigner Can Own No Real
Estate

Philadelphia a letter to the
Public Ledger, v. F. Penrose encloses
the following information forwarded
to him from the Orient:
1T is interesting how the japanese
are appealing to Americas sense of
feir play regarding japanese immigra-
tion in California. ! hope that the
states will act fairly but in doing SO,
cognizance should be taken Of these
two facts; First, that no foreigner
can be naturalized as a japanese with
out marriage into Japanese family
and adoption of japanese name;
second, no foreigner can own real
estate in Japan.
Again, the japanese do not admit
of an entrance of foreign coolie labor,
including Chinese and Korean labor.
Recently 400 Chinese coolies were sent
back from Japan to China. They have
just hitherto denied to foreigners the
rights they demand for themselves.
Two things, and not one thing, pro.
duce war. One is injustice and the
other is sentimental weakness. Amer.
lea abhors injustice but does not al.
ways abhor sentimental weakness"
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
CHAS. BENNETT
Is President of Railway
Clerks Brotherhood

At their regular meeting in Mac
cabees hall Friday night the Greater
Hamilton Brotherhood of Railway
Clerks No 1888 elected and installed
the following officers:
Charles Bennett, president; Martin
Philabaum, vice president; Clarence
Collins, financial secretary and treas
urer; SEVERN Amiot, recording sec
retary; Ed. Taylor, chaplain; Glen
Mccoy, sergeant alarms; Lester
Scarborough, outer guard; Raymond
Young, inner guard.
Members of the various committees
are B, & 0. Protective committee: NJ
Philabaum, chairman; Clifford Beiser
and Clarence Collins, also Miss Won
ME Stewart, associate member.
P Fl. Protective committee: Cliff
ford Brown, chairman; Chas Bennett
and Geo. Webb.
G. T. & W. Protective committee:
a. D LIewellyn. chairman; Jack
Warren and Miss Hazel Devine.
The executive board will consist Of
Clifford Beiser, chairman; Lowell
Philabaum and A. D. Llewellyn
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
"a a q
SORROW EXPRESSED
BY Newspaper That Tax
Dodgers Are Too Poor
To Pay

Baltimore Baltimore News is
sorrowful because wealthy individuals
and corporations have no money to
pay income and excess profits taxes
In the New York district alone there
is a delinquency of between $4,000,
600 and $50,000,000. These taxes
were assessed on incomes and profits
made during the year 1919. They
were payable last March, the last day
of grace being December Is, 1920.
Instead of paying these taxes the
delnquents used the money, and now,
with falling values IN stock and other
holdings. they plead poverty.
The law provides that 10 days after
December Is, the last DAY on which
taxes can be paid, the government
shall attach property of the default
ers, and 80 days after these assets
shall be sold. Congressman Edmonds
of Pennsylvania has introduced bill
to set aside the penalty of 5 per cent
until March Is next. 1t is claimed
that the government must stand the
loss or many large concerns will be
bankrupt because of their inability to
secure money.
The delinquents find that the ex-
pected sympathy is not forthcoming
and many of them are paying up.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
TRADES COUNCIL

The Cooperative Trades and Labor
Council met Tuesday night in the new
labor temple, South Second street.
President Stanley Ogg presided over
the meeting and nearly all trades
were represented.
The minutes of the previous meet
ing were read and approved.
The per capita tax for the Ohio
State Federation of Labor and the
American Federation of Labor were
allowed.
A communication was received
from the Brooklyn, N. Y, Central
Labor Council in which they stated
that the American Can Company re-
fused to bargain with their members
collectively. Received and complied
with.
A communication was received from
the American Federation of Labor in
which they state that the Excelsior
Motor Cycle Company adheres to the
open shop policy. Received and COM
piled with
Notice was received from the Dal-
las Central Labor Council in which
they state that outside of their dis
trict there is a well-financed cam
paign to induce working men to
come 10 that city. Received and con-
tents noted.
Many of the delegates reported that
trade was slack and some of their
members working short time. The
molders reported that the strike is
still on at the Niles tool works. The
machinists reported that the Liberty
Machine Tool Company reduced the
wages of their employees Is per cent
Other trades reported conditions fair
Several of the unions reported that
they voted favorably on the $100 per
year per member for the building
fund. The painters favored the new
proposition and sent in their check
for $4,000 for their entire member
ship.
The indoor fair committee reported
that they will probably make a few
dollars profit after the bills are all
paid.
The building committee reported
that the painters and paper hangers
are now working in the building and
in few days all of the halls will be
ready for the meetings.
The trustees stated that the rental
for hall No. would be $500; hall
No. ?, $500; hall No. on the third
floor, $500, and in large hall on the
second floor, $500
@ "a E
- BUY A BUILDING BOND -
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
9

The Nonpareil has the swellest line
of Calendar backs for 1922 ever seen
in Hamilton. Call and see them.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14

shoe workers with being responsible
for increasing the price Of a SIS shoe
to SO and S12 and $7 shoe to $15,"
says the general executive board of
the Boot and Shoe Workers Union
Our members should not forget
that reduction in wages in any
one factory or in any locality viii re-
suit in similar reductions in other
factories in other localities, so that
in the end, insofar as the labor eos5
affects competition between manufac-
turers the situation will resume the
same position as regards employmen
except that the shoe workers will be
working for lower WAGES
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14

cts with the slight surplus of money
they are able to save in other places
in hopes that in Dallas and vicinity
work is plentiful and conditions are
ideal It is not the purpose Of this
letter to place a fence around the
town for personal reasons or to ere
ate a shortage to promote our vel
fare
We advise you most sincerely to dis
regard any and all statements from
this point relative to shortage Of
labor and consult the local of your
respective crafts before you come
here
Write to the Dallas local Of youl
brotherhood before you make q de
cision.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14

Please remember that there is a
surplus Of labor here, and the (open
shop, non-union shop fight, is on
here and has been for one year.
Rents are high and housing condi-
tions are bad We, at least, urge
you to investigate conditions before
coming this way seeking employment.
Read this letter to your unions and
have this notice printed in your local
paper, and post in conspicuous place.
With best wishes, we beg to remain,
sincerely and faternally yours,
Dallas Central Labor Council,
w. S. Burchfel, Ex Sec
"a 80 -
BUY A BUILDING BOND -
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14

- p
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1921-01-14
NOTICE

TO All Local Unions and Central
Bodies -Greeting
Outside of this district, we under.
stand, that well financed campaign
is under way to induce men to come
to Dallas for employment at high
wages. The advertisements state that
there is a shortage of men ard further
state that living costs are low here
rents are medium, and housing is
plentiful The result is that every
train from the outside contains a ma
jority Of workers. who purchase tick