The Washington herald., 1922-08-15

tions peculiar to certain occupa-
tions."
You are correct as to the past.
previous to 1919. in your statements
but the attitude of labor unions
since that time has undergone
considerable change.
During the nineties I was a
locomotive firemen on the D. and
II. system and held to the posi-
tion that fireman had only to
perform his functions faithfully
to be independent. and in no wise
subordinate to the engineer.
The engineers position was at
that time. I'VE affiliate with none"
On the engineers inquiry as to
my position In case of a strike.
my answer was to take your place.
as all firemen and brakemen should
do. as you engineers would work
with scab firemen and brakemen.
Iron moulders would work with
scab mounters and bricklayers with
scab carpenters.
In the year 1908 the i. w w.
was organized at Chicago and its
program was the solidarity of Ia
Dor and its organization was on in
dustrial rather than craft lines.
The original platform declared for
political action, which since has
been dropped, leaving il solely an
industrial organization.
Prominent in the organization of
the /. w. w. was Eugene Debs,
Daniel De Leon and Bill Haywood.
The organization of the /. W. w.
proceeded among the non-union ele-
ment that the A. F. of L. had not
bothered with and was in no sense
a movement of unionism.
It organized the lumberjacks.
agricultural laborers. transport
workers, etc.
1t had a satisfactory working
agreement with the Nonpartisan
League Of North Dakota but was
accused of working against the
league in the recall of Gov. Frazier.
In the year 1912 the .dea of in
dustrial unionism was adopted by
the machinists who then took in
their helpers. who otherwise would
have stood ready to take their
places.
The building trades will no longer
work with non-union men outside
their craft. II a non-union painter
Is assigned to a job with union
hricklayers. the latter will quit the
job. Thus the A. F. L. has itself
become an industrial union >in part.
The craft union has always used
violence in assaulting scabs and de-
stroying property. but contrary to
the public understanding the I. w.
W. never use violence or assault
scabs because not being skilled
workers they are not attached to
any particular Job.
In asserting that craft unions de-
pend on violence. I know whereof
speak, having been closely associat-
ed with the oficials of several
craft unions for years.
In the year is11-1s12. there was
published In Washington a lying.
puritanical sheet called the Nation
alist Socialist. which was edited by
narrow-minded intellectuals who
had no use for a rough-neck. It's
purpose was to drive hig Bill Hay
wood from the Socialist party and
retire Gene Debs from the leader
shin.
The fallacy Of IT'S position was
that Bill Haywood being a member
of the I. W. VT. which had dropped
political action hac therefore be-
come Ineligible for the Socialist
party.
This was political roorback
that would have done credit to old
rartv politicians. for had Bill Hay
wood been member OF the Meth
od'st Church. which did not indorse
political action, It should not affect
his standing In the Socialist party.
The A. r. OF L. never fndorsed DO
lttical action. but most of the So
cialist party members (about two
thirds) were members Of that body.
e D n