The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-13
REVIEW WORK AND
AIMS Of AMERICAN
LABOR FEDE ION
Matthew VOL Outlines Its
Laws, Strength And Man.
ner OF Working

Inc 1O1loW1ns story ueaHnR with
the organization of the American
Federation of Labor, its laws,
strength and manner of working was
prepared by Matthew Woll president
of the International Photo Engravers'
union and vice president of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor:
THE American Federation of Labor
was organized in Pittsburg, Pa, in
1881. 1t is fundamentally and prin-
cipally, though not exclusively,
federation of complete and autono-
NOUS trades and labor organizatio tons.
There are embraced in this Fedora
tion of Labor 113 international trades
unions. These international unions
number approximately 100000 or
ganized wage earners.
These federated trade unions are
designated international organiza-
lions because they include in member
ship wage earners of the United
States, Canada and Mexico. In so far
as economic and industrial activities
are concerned they are not influ-
enced by national considerations.
Neither are they influenced by racial
/ or religious considerations. These
international trade unions are in
4 themselves complete ORGANIZATIONS
and autonomous in character. There
/ is vested in the American Federation
tf Labor only such power and author
/ ity as these federated international
unions have delegated or may dele
gate to the American Federation of
Labor.
Free Play of Forces.
THE international trade unions
comprising the membership of the
American Federation of Labor are
! founded on nc preconceived or pre-
scribed method or form of organiza-
ton. The method and form of or
] ,i1o 1or of
velopment. The free play of eco
nomic forces and industrial tenden-
+ cies largely influences the form and
method of organization. Some of the
/ international unions are founded upon
strictly trade or craft lines, while
others embrace, to greater or less
degree, all wage earners within a
given industry, regardless of trade
or craft lines.
1.-THE principal requirement, con-
tanned in the articles of federation,
or the constitution of the American
Federation of Labor. is that no inter-
national union shall interfere with.
transgress upon or overlap the recog-
nized trade or calling of an[ Their in
ternational union. No two interna-
tional trade unions are permitted to
embrace in their membership work
ers engaged in the same character of
work or calling.
"Difficultes present themselves at
times in clearly defining trades and
Industries. Likewise conflicts arise
between different concepts Of trade
lines. and branches Ct trades within
industries. Then. too, the constant
changes taking place in the methods,
tools, processes and materials for
production develop contentious. Sin
gly or combined these developments
make necessary from time to time the
revision of the lines of demarcstion
RI I'd nr-l.a or u
in given industry By the require
ment contained in the articles of fed
Grafton referred to, the American
Federation of Labor is called on to
adjust or to determine conflicting
claims of jurisdiction as they arise.
| Considerable difficulties are expert
enced at times in the adjusting of
/ these conflicting claims
Great Moral Strength.
while the international unions
have delegated this authority to the
American Federation OF Labor, the
American Federation of Labor is
without power to enforce its decision
other than to suspend or revoke the
charter of an affiliated recalcitrant
international union. This can only
be done by two-thirds vote OF the
convention.
Nom affiliation with the American
Federation of Labor does not involve
the enforcement of any penalty or
m aasure of discipline. International
unions may associate or associate
from the American Federation OF
Labor at will. The American FEEDER
alton of Labor is purely voluntary
federation. Its great strength is de-
pendent entirely upon its fair and
just dealing toward all federated
unions.
while it is said that the American
| r. i 1f aIo lor al
bles the United States government
in it's form and principle of organi-
cation it's distinguishing difference
lies in the fact that the American
Federation of Labor has no police
power to enforce it's decision or to
unions by other than moral influ-
ence It's sole power and influence
rests upon the recognition and re-
Spouse to the maxim, United we
stand; divided we wall"
A striking Char.eteri.tic.
another peculiar characteristic of
this federation of international trade
unions is the varying numerical
strength of the several federated
unions. At the convention in June of
1922, the entire voting strength of
the federation was 31,465. The vot-
ing strength embraced the member
ship of 95 federated International
unions of which 16,003 votes, bal
ance of power, were confined to nine
| federated international unions. If
the American Federation of Labor
had the power to compel obedience to
its directions and decisions a very
small minority of the larger interna-
| tional unions could easily dominate
and control the whole of the affairs
of the American Federation of Labor.
What may therefore appear as a fun
damental weakness in organization Is
in fact the very element of life,
strength and solidarity of the fed
| Grafton.
Because of the absence of power
to enforce its decisions. the American
1 Federation of Labor must of noes
sity proceed carefully, cautiously
and intelligently. 1t can advance
| only in such a way and to such de-
gree as will command constantly the
respect and adherence to it's leader
ship, by the federated international
unions. 1t is therefore body that
cannot be easily swayed by passion or
prejudice. On the contrary, it is com
PEELED to move along firm and sound
channels that have been we'll charted
| o.I rrh