The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-09-22

Democracy IN the Union.
A menace to the life Of the carpen
ters' union is the recent attempts tc
stifle free speech and press, and tC
violate the inner-union democracy
seen in the expulsion of eleven mem
bers of the Los Angeles locals. These
explosions were made in an effort to
prevent agitation for amalgamation
for labor party, and for other pro
gressive measures now before our un.
ion.
The problems of the labor move
ment cannot be solved by suppressing
discussion. Progressive measures
cannot be killed by furnishing those
who advocate them. The class strug
gle exists, not because a few "radi-
Gals" agitate about it, but because OF
the very structure of society. And
when reactionary officials try to expel
members for their opinions on policy
then the very life of unionism is in
danger. Freedom of opinion and ex'
preston in the union must be protect
ed, whether the opinions be held by
majority or minority. The minor
ity must be guaranteed the right to
advocate it's views, and to try to con.
vince the majority. The convention
must reinstate the expelled members
if this vital principle is to be protect
ed.
A Strong Union-A Strong Policy
A Strong Fight.
These and hundreds of other ques.
tions will come before the carpenters
in convention. Upon your decisions
will depend whether the future shall
be full of achievements and advance
ment, or whether it shall witness de-
feat and falling back. If approached
in a narrow craft spirit, with jeal-
ousies toward other workers and dis
trust, if attacked from any point of view
except faith in the solidarity of labor
and the necessity for relentless strug-
gle against the capitalist class, these
problems cannot be solved. Only by
adopting the line of class struggle
strong union, strong policy, and a
strong fight-can the next big open
shop" drive be stopped and defeated,
and our union begin it's triumphal
march forward toward a workers and
farmers government.
So let us band together all the
~ ~
fight for these, among other, vital and
necessary policies:
Repudiate such policies Of surren.
der and class collaboration as those
shown by the Chicago agreement
Fight for the establishment and
strengthening of job control!
Affiliate to the Building Trades De.
partment as step towards greater
unity, and final amalgamation of all
building trades!
Propose and fight for the amalgam.
alton of all present separate crafts in
the building trades into one Industrial
union, with departments for the
branches and trades as found neces.
sary or desirable!
Break away from the capitalist pol
itical parties. and support independent
political action of the workers as.
class!
A national campaign to organize the
unorganized must be started imme.
diately!
Restore democracy in the union!
Reinstate the expelled membersl
Support and sympathetic solidarity
with the first workers republic, So.
Wet Russia, and demand recognition
by the United States government!
Abandon the policies of class col
liberation, and conduct the fight
against capitalism upon the lines of
the class struggled
With good wishes for the victory of
the progressive delegates and meas
ures before your convention, we are,
Fraternally yours,
The Trade Union Educational
League,
J. w. TOMBSTONE, Acting Score
tary.
Suhecriha for "XoiIY DaiIv"