The labor world., 1922-07-15
A.F.,OFL. VIGOROUSLY CONDEMNS
SCHOOL TEACHERS'Lo LoYAlTY TESTS

the renewed adoption of the follow
ing declaration Of the Atlantic City
convention, which has only been
given added point during the last
three years.
"1t is unquestionAb1e that teach
ers have mo- right to impose their
personal views on pupils. But it is
necessary in some quarters to- en-
phasize that neither do school au-
throities have that right. And it is
further necessary to ask this con-
vention to endorse with all its pow
er the principle that men and wo-
men in becoming teachers do not
thereby surrender their rights as
American citizens, and that inquisi-
tions by school authorities into the
personal, religious, political and eco
non1ic views of teachers is intoler-
able in free country, strike at the,
very basis of our public school sys-
tenn. and can result only in the de-
-velopment Of mental and moral SER
Witty, and the qualification of teach
ers and pupils alike.'"
All organizations of labor are
urged to appoint committees on edu-
cation in the report of the commit:
tee on education adopted unani-
mously by the convention.
Action Of the executive council in
entering into relationship with the
Workers Education Bureau of
Amerca is commended and contin-
uance of negotiations looking toward
an organic relationship is ordered.
with the vast increase in the size
and power of organized labor, the
education Of the adult workers has
become one of the fundamental de-
mands of the labor movement"
says the report. constant progress
is achieved through the increasing
intelligence of the rank and file of
the membership. The worker must
know the relation Of the industl in
which, not only to the labor mts7e-
ment, but also to- the structure Of
our modern society. He must be con-
scious of the spiritual forces which
direct and shape the course of the
labor movement and inspire the
Willingness to stand by the move
ment. Workers education is the very
basis of a permanent and RESPONSE
BILE workers organization: it must
be co-ordinated with the labor move
ment and therefore should be re-
garded as an integral part of the
trade union itself. To develop this
sense Of relationship on the part of
the individual worker and quicken
this feeling of responsibility on the
part of the trade union, is part of
the function of adult workers edu-
cation.
"In addition it is becoming in
creasingly apparent that the char
acter of the American democracy
depends upon the wisdom and un-
derStanding Of the adult citizen and
that adult education is not to be re-
garded as privilege for a few, nor
the concern for short period of
early manhood anC womanhood, but
is an indispensable part of demo-
cratic citizenship and should be uni
versal and lifelong. Adult workers
education gives emphatic support to
this principle of Democratic gov-
ernment. Indeed, as President Com
pers has said, '.t~'may. ve.y we'll be
that organized labor which took such
an active part in the esta blishment
Of popular education in the United
States will now take the lead in an
other movement of vital significance
to the cultural development of this
country"
During the past year the educa-
tional committee of the American
Federation of Labor, with the sane
ton and approval of the executive
council, entered into a cooperative
relationship with the Workers Edu-
cational Bureau of America, for the
prom otion of workers education in
the trade union movement of this
country. The value of that co-opera-
tion was undoubted, but it was felt
that closer unity should exist in orr
der to give greater strength and add
ed support to this movement. Ac-
cordingly negotiations were entered
into looking tos closer affiliation.
While these negotiations are still
pending, it is confidently expected
that within a short period of time
the arrangements will be complete,
whereby this vital service can be
placed at the disposal of the An1e
can labor movement as an organic
part of 1T.
"Your committee recommends
that this forty-second annual con-
vention commend the executive
council and the permanent educa-
tional committee for the progress
Of the negotiations with the Work.
ers' Education Bureau of America,
and instruct them to continue these
negotiations in the interests of the
promotion of comprehensive
scheme of adult workers education.