Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1923-11-23

Many of our friends seem to have
thrown their trade union caportuni-
ties overheard and appear to be rely
ing on political action and politicians
for even Socialist members of Par
Lament are politicians-to such an ex-
tent that the old sturdy trade unoin
spirit seems likely to disappear and
the gulf between the soi-distant labor
politicians and the trade unionists
pure and simple will widen every day.
This will not make for good progress
and the well being of the industrial
community. 1t is likely to foster
and i'll advise class spirit and retard
the growth of that idea of the COM
munity of interest and purpose be-
tween all those engaged in an industry
whether as producers or distributors,
whether as managers or hand work
ers which must be approached and
understood if this country of ours is
to become prosperous again.
Politicians Aim Is Voc Catching.
After all what are the real objects
of real trade unionism? They are
generally understood to be the regu-
lation of wages and the regulation of
working hours and working condi-
tions. And what are the objects Of
the politicians-Labor or any other
label? In the main they will be found
to be vote catching for the good of
the party. Of course, all politicians
say that the immediate good of their
particular party is the ultimate good
of the whole of the community. And
any one party has just as much right
to make this claim as any other. 1t
is only when the results are exam
ined that we can find out whether the
claim made is well founded.
Men and women join trade unions
for industrial reasons. No questions
are asked as to either their political
or religious views. Until a compare
lively recent date all religious and
political questions were barred at the
trade union meeting, which then con-
cerned itself solely with industrial
matters; and history tells us that it
was then that the status of the indus
trial workers took the upward trend
and it was then that their standard of
life began to improve.
The one common ground on which
all the members of a trade union met
in the past, on which they meet now,
and on which they will meet in the
future, is on questions affecting their
industrial conditions. They may diff
fer on questions of political theory
and on questions of political practice
just as they differ on religious ques-
tons. Neither of these things have
any more influence on the industrial
life of the trade unionist than they
have on each other.
There is not trade unionist in the
country but who would protest in the
strongest possible fashion against the
proposition that his trade union men,
bership implied the acceptance or re-
lection of any particular religious
formula. Why then should his trade
union membership be held to imply
the acceptance Of a particular poll
teal formula and the rejection of all
others?
Results Obtained BY Labor Party
Negative.
Can it be said that the formation
of a political Labor party has in
creased the wages of any section of
the industrial community or light
ened the days toll of a single worker :?
Can any of the political trade union
leaders say that they have secured
more result sfor the members of their
unions through the political Labor
party than they have secured by
trade union methods and the play
ing off of one political party against
another? The answer to both these
questions is bound to be a negative
1t will be said that the miners Sc
cured their eight hour day through
parliament. That may be true; but
it was not through a political Labor
party. 1t was by using the politi-
clans.
What force have the decisions OF
the Trade Union Congress now? Not
so very long ago its decisions had
some weight when they were put be.
fore the responsible ministers of the
Crown. The views of the deputations
were listened to with respect anC
careful replies were always given to
them. Now, in some cases they are
bluntly told that the Minister will not
see them. As to whether the minis
terial policy in such matters is a wise
! policy is beside the point. There is
the fact. Trade Union Congress de-
ciSions are not now respected as they
were IN the past; and nothing else
can be expected. In daily life when
one man asks another for something
whether as a right or as a favor. he
| does not begin by announcing that
he is going to knock his block off.
Yet in effect that is the position
with Labor politicians asking conces
! sionS and consideration for Labor
from ministers of the Grown.
Politics Menace Industrial
II Organizations.
There is grave danger to the in
dustrial organizations in being usee
by politicians for party purposes. Tn,
safest line is, Use them but don't b,
used by them. 1t is submitted thai
the policy of the American Fedora
ton of Labor is the safe and san,
policy-"Party politics, whether the,
be Democratic, Republican, Socialis
tic, Populistic, Prohibition or an,
other shall have no place in the con
Ventlons Of the American Federation
of Labor"
BY the steadfast pursuit of thi.
policy, and by studying and actine
! upon industrial questions solely from
the industrial and economic view
point, without regard to politics OF
political parties, the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor has placed tn,
American worker in a wonderful DO
sition. The birthright has not beer