The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-03-26
A WORKER FROM
new YORK GETS
A. C. W. LESSON
Not a Communist Yet
But Has Brains
ey [. K.

Several years ago, when came
from New York to Chicago, I was told
by some members of the Amalgamat-
ed Clithing Workers, that it would be
very hard for me or for anyone COM
ing from that city, to remain working
in Chicago in the clothing industry.
In answer to my question why the
situation would be so gloomy to one
coming from the East was told that
the union in Chicago is the reason
for it.
Didn't Believe Left Wlnuers.
Further discussion on the same
question convinced me that my infor-
mants, being left wingers, who were
dissatisfied with the policies Of the or
ganization and were proposing some
changes to better or improve condi-
tions, upon hearing me say, during the
discussion that, if corruption and
graft, or other foul and dishonest prac-
tice on the part of the official is
found, then it is up to the members of
the organization to bring such individ-
uals before the various boards to de.
mand justice and thereby rid the or
ganization Of such men or women who
indulge in this kind of practice.
l also argued that, if it is true that
a machine exists among the officials
for the purpose of abusing their pow
er, and so control everything within
tha Oroa ~ ;1otfov %bot ~ ooo mould
ever get any results if attempting to
expose them, seemed to me at that
time to be absurd and unjustified,
since there are so many boards to
consider any grievance which may be
brot before them for consideration,
and therefore by such provisions the
organization would be free Of individ-
uals who are inclined to indulge in
foul practice.
Discovered Left Wlnuers Told Truth.
expressed such view on a theoreti-
cal assumption, and my informants
assured me that things are not smooth
in reality, and was told that l will
soon be convinced of the contrary.
My informants were, therefore, right
when they said it would be hard for
me to stay here, judging from history
and experience that conditions, as far
Is tho power of union official is con-
cerned, is far less limited here than
In the East
/ have learned since. have had
some practical experience to what ex-
tent business agent can abuse his
power and get away with it. There
is sometimes sufficient reason not
only for the condemnation of his acts
but ground enuf for ousting him as an
official and member of the organiza-
lion.
So far as know, this was not done
and will not be done until their acts
as officials are subject to examination
or, much better, the proposal to de-
prive him Of his opportunities result
ing after serving several terms as Of
fetal.
Heart Sickness Calls for Action.
shall now give some experiences I
had here with business agents, which
hnally led me to believe that some
change must take place before the
workers can be freed from the heart
sickening effect of the thought that
we suffer too often as result of be-
Ing betrayed by our own leaders.
A business agent ordered people in
certain shop to do additional work
for the same price. The people of
that shop struck against the order of
their agent. At the time of the
strike this agent used his influence
and power to brighten the people into
submission to his order, and when
not successful in the attempt he
would abuse the one who encouraged
the strike or bring one from New York
and therefore had no right in this or
ganization.
Union Official on the Other Side.
He used all kinds of foul tactics and
kept this up until even the labor man.
ager, the man representing the con-
tractor, admitted our just claim. The
result was that the people in that shop
won their fight at the time when their
own business agent fought together
with the boss against the workers.
The same business agent, on an.
other occasion, when having for con-