The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-12-03

achieve the most elementary demands
of the working class he would be
fighting directly against the despotism
of the mine owners. His organizers
would be touring the country arousing
the workers to the sthreat of exter-
mination facing the largest union
within the A. F. of L. q
If the A. F. of L. ofticialdom we're
really interested in the growth of the
labor movement until it could chal-
lenge the capitalist tyranny in this
country it would throw its power
against the treacherous procrastina-
ton of John L. Lewis and the other
officials of the miners union. The
mine barons would soon abandon their
arrogant. attitude If the American la
Dor leaders would demand the extern
sion of the strike too the bituminous
fields and the calling out of the main
tenance men who nows with the full
consent of the union, keep the bosses
property in good condition in order
to protect the capitalist exploiters
from any loss while the strikers are
being gradually starved and terrerized
into submission. While its very struc-
ture, as loose federation, prevents
compulsory action against interna-
tional unions, the A. B. of l.. could
at least hold such infamies as, are now
being committed by the union, officials
in the anthracite strike up to the
workers of the nation and SO arouse
the membership of the United Mine
Workers that they would drive out
the treacherous leaders. If Green and
company really desired to use their
limited power they have they could
help to coordinate the labor movement
of the country, but they are the
agents of the capitalist class and
hence at all times serve the interests
of their masters.
Political Treachery.
WHILE betraying the workers into
W the hands of the employers on
the industrial field, the A. F. of L.
machine repeats the performance on
the political field. It proclaims it's
political character in its constitution
Article II, Section I, of the consti-
tuition of the American Federation of
Labor says:
"The object Of 1.-The Federation
shall be the ENCOURAGEMENT and for
nation of local Trade and Labor
unions, and the closer federation of
such societies through the organiza-
ton Of Central Trade and Labor
unions in every city. and the further
combination of such bodies into
State, Territorial Or Provincial or
CARNATIONS to secure legislation in
the interests Of the working
masses" Do
It's political character is plainly
stated. 1t pretends to secure legisla-
ton in the interests Of the laboring
masses. Its very structure is not indus
trial but political. Instead Of organic
ing according TO Industrial units, it's
organization is based upon political
divisions; on the identical divisions
or the capitalist government and its
various states and cities.
Just why are the headquarters of
the A. f. of l.. in Washington, instead
of in some industrial center? Simply
because Washington is the political
capital ofNthe nation. In those states
where the state declarations of labor
are not in the capital city, the prin-
cipal officers of the declarations spend
their time in the capital, or actually
live there as is the case of the pres.
ident of the Illinois sstate Federation
of Labor. The A. r.. of l.. machine at
Washington, during the life of Com.
pers was an adjunct Of the democratic
party, although it.ikpocritically pro-
fessed a non-partizan policy. When