The Connecticut labor news., 1921-09-16
RAPIDLY OVERCOMING FAULTS THAT ONCE MADE ITS EFFORTS
 SUBJECT TO MUCH SUSPICION
Social Service Federation Summarizes Good Works Accomplished Toward Benefitting Working Classes and Finds Them
 Legion and For Good of All.


 lines; reliance upon coercion and preva- lence of strong arm tactics; lack ot broad political program; failure to face the problem of economic productivity and responsibility. Recently some develop ments have arisen which attempt to rem edy these defects. We summarize them that our readers may judge for their value. This starts off The Social Ser vice Bulletin of the Methodist Fedora ton of New York, issued this week. It continues:
 Our craft line divisions have been gradually giving way to broader organ1- zation The following are well-develop- ed examples of industrial unionism, type of organization which takes III the workers of a given industry on broader scale than is possible within traditional trade union limits.
 The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, covering workers on mems and boys clothing. Organized i'll 1914 as secessionist movement from the United Garment Workers American Federation of Labor refused to recog- nize 1t, but 1t Is now one of the most powerful sections of the working class movement outside its ranks. It embraces at the lowest estimate 83 per cent of the workers in the industry Within six years has extended its jurisdiction and influence throughout United States and Canada. and built up an organization of close to 100000 members, embracing a score of nationa1ities. Has achieved the 44-hour week for workers formerly sweated 70 and 80 hours; has developed the best machinery existing in this coun- try for the settlement of industrial dis putes; established eight newspapers j; adopted an educational program raised wages 100 per cent; Co-operated with Amalgamated Textile Union; contributed $l00,000 to striking steel workers, and during recent lockout, extending from June to December, 1920, raised, accord ing to statement of the President, Sid ney Hillman, $2,OOO,OOO.
 Concerning the 1920 convention of this organization, a writer says They had emerged from the sweated and exploited group their whole economic po- sition altered by organization so A that there was deep spiritual significance Bin the fact that the Symphony Orchestra hpened the convention, that flowers load ed the platform; that gifts were made to the officers. It was the peoples way of saying: We can at last have the beautiful things of life from which we were so long excluded.
 The Amalgamated Textile Workers of America: (Not affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.) Organ ized April, 1919, covering mainly weav- ing and spinning of silk, wool and knit goods, with strong centers i'll New York Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey and New England. Since its organization has reached maximum of 500O0 mem- 1har rc171 cb iofx to business depression, 10000.
 Reduced Hours.
 Has reduced hours of work i'll 1ooi and cotton textile weaving from 54 to AS; in silk and knit goods from B to A achieved 50 per cent increase in wages. Has introduced collective bar gaining in New York silk and ribbon in- dustries and in some of the New Jersey mills, and machinery for settling dis putes. In the Lawrence strike of 1919 it won Is per cent wage increase and re- duced hours from 54 to AS; in 1919 in Paterson 1t won the 44-hour week; in New York and Chicago i'll 1919-192O, it secured the 44-hour week, and recogni- tion of the union for knit goods work CTS In Utica, in 1919, 25 per cent in- crease in wages was secured.
 The Steel Workers: At its annual convention of 1918 the American Feder- ation of Labor adopted a resolution call ing for a conference of delegates of all unions whose interests were involved in the steel industries, and of all the city and state labor bodies in the steel dis tricts, for the purpose of uniting these organizations into "one mighty drive to organize the steel plants of America. , A National Committee for Organizing Iron and Steel Workers was formed consisting of one representative from each of the twenty-four cooperating unions. These delegates represented about two million organized workers, or about half the strength of the American Federation of Labor. Over a million dollars was raised and expended in the organization campaign conducted by this committee. During the strike period a system of food rationing was established and put into operation whereby every needy striker whether a member of the union or not was cared for. Forty-fve local commissaries were set up through out the strike zone, and a nationwide organization effected by which shipments of food were sent regularly into the strike districts.
 During recent years, largely through initiative of organized workers, variou: types of machinery have been developed by which employers and employees are enabled to deal with one another in or. derly and democratic fashion. The fol lowing are examples:
 Boards of Control
 Joint Boards of Control The out. standing instance of this form of indus trial government is the machinery deve1- oped by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Under this p1ar in each of the six great clothing markets an impartial chairman is retained, paic jointly by employers and employees, who presides over a board representing botf parties. "This court is not like an ordi nary court. There are no sheriffs
 no pomp and ceremony and red tape no lawyers if you have anything to say, you say it in your owr way If you happen to be worker anc want to say something against your bos! no one can fire you for express ing your feelings This is youl court. You help to hire the judge ane you help to pay the judges salary . Likewise if you are an employer there is no labor dictator to hold a c1uf over you here"
 An International Joint Conference Council. In April, 1919, the constitution of a Printers Council was adopted. Thi. Council represented three national em