The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-07-11
FOR PRESIDENT.

WV at Taunton, Massachusetts,
Feb. IS, 1881. Father, Irish. Mother
English. One Of 20 children.
Went to work at 10 years Of age,
after only three years Of schooling.
Has been successfully sculptor's
apprentice, type founder, factory
worker, steam engineer, steam
filter, railroad brakeman, railroad
fireman, logger, salesman, street car
motorman, longshorman, farmer, la
borer, deep water sailor, and many
other occupations. Principal trade
at present is railroad car Inspector.
is a member Of the Brotherhood of
Railway Carmen Of America, affll-
lated to the American Federation
of Labor.
Joined the socialist movement in
1900. Remained In the right wing
for few years, then began moving
toward the left In 1909 was ex-
PEELED with the left wing Of the So
ciaIist Party by reactlonary nation
al socialist bureaucracy In the State
Of Washington. Refused to join
that organization again. Instead,
he Joined the Industrial Workers of
the World, and took an active part
in the Spokane free speech fight,
being arrested in connection there
with. In 1910, went to Europe,
spending 10 months there study
ing the labor movement in France,
Germany, Austria and other coun-
tries. Was a delegate from the
|. w. w. to the Budapest meeting,
1910, Of the international Trade In
ions Secretariat, and contested the
seat of the A. F. Of !. delegate to
that body, but unsuocessfully.
During the European trip Foster
became a convinced syndcalist.
Also came to the conclusion that
the |. w. w. policy Of dual union
ism was wrong. Came back to
America and travelled over the
country trying to induce the |. w.
w. and other revolutionarles to re-
join the trade union movement.
Took part in the formation of the
Syndiealist League of North Amer
lea in 1911, an organization to or
ganize the militant minority in the
trade unions. This organization
carried on considerable activity,
but died in 1914 because the revolu-
tionary movement was entirely
taken up with the dual union idea.
Helped, also, to organize the Inter-
national Trade Union Educational
League in 1916. This died for the
same reason as it's predecessor.
During the war period was active
in the trade unions, being secretary
of the committee that organized
100000 packing house workers in
1917. After this, in 1918, was secre-
tary of the committee that organ
lied 100000 steel workers and con-
Quoted the great 1919 strike Of AGO.
600 steel workers.
In the spring of 1921, made trip
to Russia, attending the congresses
of the Communist international and
the Red international Of Labor I'm
ions. Upon return, declared himself
a Communist and has since been
active in the Communist movement.
Is now secretary Of the Trade Union
Educational League, which was or
ganized in the fall of 1920, before
he went to Russia and the official
organ of which, the Labor Herald,
is the leading magazine directing
the work of the Communists and
left wing generally in the unions
and turnout industry.
Foster has written number Of
pamphlets and books, having &C
'quired an education by self-effort,
Including the principal European
languages. Among his works are
"syndlcaIism," "Trade Unionism,
the Road to Freedom" "The Great
steel Strike" "The Russian RevoIu-
tlon," "The Revolutionary Crisis of
1e18-1e21 in Germany, England,
Italy and France" 1.-THE Railroad
ers' Next Step" "AmaIgamation,"
1.-THE Bankruptcy Of the American
Labor Movement" In respect TO
Fosters literary ability n. L.
Mencken, the leading figure among
Americas literary inteIIigentsia, has
said that "Foster is the only labor
leader in America who is able to
write good English"
In January 1924, Foster was elect
ed to the position Of Chairman Of
the Workers Party. He Is still oo-
oupyIng that office.