The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-04-15
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ident Mike Tighe has become the per-
sonification of this reaotionary stand
patism.
The progressive members Of the
Amalgamated Association OF Iron,
Steel and Tin workers must remedy
this deplorable condition. They must
produce better leadership for the I'M
ion, initiate more effective methods,
instill it with a spirit of militant strug-
gle ready to pit against the ruthless
suppression, wage cutting and exploit
tation by the steel trust the organized
power of the workers fighting for
steady improvements for their class
and the ultimate establishment Of
working class power.
This tremendous task demands as
first step an intensive campaign of
organization by the Amalgamated As
ISOLATION Of Iron, Steel and Tin work
ers until it embraces all the workers
within the steel industry.
History Shows 5etraysIs.
The recent history of the officials Of
the Amalgamated Association is one Of
failure to respond to the needs Of the
steel workers and at instances even
deliberately betraying the principles
Of solidarity of labor. During the drive
to organize the steel industry in 1919,
in the month of May, this of1cialdom
led by Mike Tighe, Of the national
committee Of organization, made a
separate bid for peace with the U. s.
Steel corporation in letter addressed
to Judge Gary.
When the steel strike broke out the
Association had contracts in certain
mills covering only the skilled mem
bers. The officials ordered all work
ers from these mills, who had joined
the union, back to work, thus seriously
Gripping the strike. They revoked
charters Of locals in Cleveland, Ohio,
which refused to obey this ruling. All
this went on in the name Of sanctity
Of contract with the employers, but
how about the contract and solemn
agreement entered into with the other
organizations when the Amalgamated
Association became a part Of the ma
tional committee? And how about
the outright violation Of the principle
Of labor solidarity?
In the words of Mike F. Tighe, tes-
tifying before the senatorial commit
tee of investigation, the secretary of
the Amalgamated Association issued
10000 dues cards during the period
Of the organization drive. While the
rank and file members gave whole
hearted support the officials acted as
a brake and quit the drive before It
was over This one time large mem
bership has now dwindled to the re-
ported 1882 on Dec. 80, 1924, be-
ing reduced TO a point below that
reached in 1882 when the membership
numbered 1908.
Reduction Of Wages and Less Of
Members.
The oficialdom has shown a com
plete bankruptcy in all its activities.
Their methods of participating in a
so-called campaign Of organization of
the steel workers, conducted by the
national committee of the American
Federation Of Labor and carried on
mainly IN the Calumet Region, Indiana,
brought no result whatever and not
one new recruit into the Association.
Instead Of increasing its numbers it
has been constantly losing in member
ship. The last year, despite the I'M
precendented boom in the industry,
shows a net loss of 313 members. Not
only are the ranks decreasing, but
conditions won by the struggles Of
the past are disappearing. While the
cost of living is rapidly increasing,
wages IN the steel industry have long
ago struck the toboggan slide and
wage cuts have become the order Of
the day. All thinking members
Of the Amalgamated Association are