Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-11-06
BY JACOB SPOLANSKY.
Chapter XXI.


Although in the main the efforts of
Communist leaders to add the enroll
ment lists of American labor as d
whole to that of their own revolu-
tionary organizatio have been fruit
less, it cannot be said that these at
tempts have been entirely unavailing.
Records of labor unrest during the
last five years would quickly dispel
any such Illusion. The formation Of
the Red Internationale to organize
trade unions throughout the world,
the operations of Foster and his trade
union educational league and the
workings of busy nuclei members all
had their effect To William u. Fos-
ter, according to the finding of in
vestigations made by the bureau of
investigation. can be attributed much
of the labor unrest which was eX
perienced in the United States during
the entire period following the war.
Back in 1911 and 1912 Foster was
one Of the principal contributors to
|. w. w. solidarity. AS one of the
leading spirits of the l. w. w. he
made a trip to France and upon his
return severed his connections with
that organization and published his
now notorious book called "SyndicaI-
ISM At the same time he made
advances to the American Federation
If Labor in order that he might start
there his boring from within methods
in support of radicaliSm.
Fosters Hand Seen.
For while, during the period of
1888, it was commonly reported
that the Federation OF Labor had
allied itself with the "adicals. This.
though, was never Of sufficient GER
tainty to allow charge of revolu-
tionary tendencies against the organi-
3ation to stand. However, in 1918, at
the convention of the federation in St.
Paul, Foster was elected secretary
and treasurer of committee for
organizing the iron and steel work
erS.
With the formation of this COM
mittee there was rejoicing in revolu
uonary camps and it was generally
DclIeVed that the Communists were
on their way toward the capture Of
the Federation of Labor. In Septem-
Der and November. 1919, occurred one
of the most serious of these economic
disturbances-the call for general
strike Of workers in the steel indus
try. The Department of Justice i'm
mediately ordered an investigation of
the strike with a view to determine
ing its cause, and ], with three other
agents, was assigned to make a re-
port on conditions as found.
Foster, it was found, had begun his
eHectlYe agitation almost as soon as
he was elected to head the organiza-
ton committee of~the Federation of
Labor. After this committee was
organized the campaign to unionize
the steel industry started. 1t was
begun in the Chicago territory. The
majority of the steel workers were
foreign and unskilled and this made
the work of organizing them into
revolutionary groups an easy propo-
sitton. Late in the Fab of 1918 Fos-
ter opened headquarters in Pitts
burgh, adopting the usual method of
establishing certain agitators in the
InduStry's branches and through them
gradually obtaining control.
Strike In Steel Industry.
About the same time the l. w. w.
also began attempts to organize the
steel workers, but finding that Fos-
ter was in position to carry out the
plans formulated during his years of
association with l. w. w, the /. w.
W. agitators agreed to discontinue
tnelr attempts in the open and to as
sist Foster in every way. always
keeping their operations hidden from
the eye of tho public, however.
In July. 1919. it was found. Foster
sought out Vincent st. John, a promi-
nent |. w. w. leader, and requested
from him the assistance of all radi-
cal aGitators in the United States who
were associated with the /. w W.
This st. John agreed to get in return
for which Foster agreed to secure bail
for L. w. w. members in prison at
Leavenworth. AS the Summer closed
it was thought that the organiza ton
mOVpmPnt on i
to call general strike OF the steel
industry. This was done in Septem-
Der. Now, when the steel industry
walked out, it was expected that the
Federation of Labor would necessar-
lily have to sponsor the cause of the
steel strikers. 1t was SURPRISE
therefore, when the Fedora ton of La
tor not only refused to place it's ap-
prevail on the strike. but even de-
nounced it as unauthorized and threw
all its cooperation to the Govern
ment in tracing down the causes
leading up to the strike. Thus ended
the first real attempt Of the Com
munists to capture American labor.
Mine and Railroad Strikes.
Close upon the steel strike came
the strike of bituminous coal miners.
This strike was contest between the
radical and patriotic elements of the
unions and during it there was a
large amount of radical and revoiu-
tionary literature distributed among
the miners. The Communist party
was particularly active, as was also
the union of Russian workers Nu-
merous individual cases were inves-
tigated by the Department of Justice
and deportation proceedings insti-
tuted against aliens who were found
active in preaching the use of force
and violence among the strikers.
Prompt action on the part of the
Federal Government and loyal support
from American Federation of Labor
leaders broke the strike in time to
save the country from a fuel famine.
Then came the railroad strike of
1920. This was also a strike testing
Of mr.