Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1925-05-01
UNION WORKERS
BIG FACTOR IN
TRACTION ISSUE
BY JOSEPH WISE

BY International Labor News Service.
Chicago, April 2S.-Although or
gained labor officially only took a
half-hearted interest in the great
fight here which recently resulted in
the overwhelming defeat at the polls
of the billion-dollar traction unload
ing ordinance which the financial
barons and their political lackeys
tried hard to cram down the threats
of the citizens of Chicago, still the
union men and women of the city, il
is certain, were an important factor
in the referendum vote taken on this
important question.
More than 100000 votes were cast
at the election and the unloading
ordinance was defeated by majority
in excess Of 100000 votes.
New Ordinance Mus. BE Devised
lnasmuch as the street railway
franchise expires in 1927 it will be
necessary to devise a new ordinance
in the near future that will be accept
able to the voters. Several groups are
laying plans with this end in view,
and it is anticipated that there may
be another referendum vote taken
some time next fall.
Boiled down, the proposition sub
mitted to the people was for the city
to purchase the surface and elevated
lines for $24S,000,000, and then TO
spend S500,000,000 and perhaps much
more in improvements and extensions
of these lines and for the construction
of a subway system. The city was
to "own" the lines, but the bankers
were to operate and milk them for 90
or 60 years, when the city might
come into full possession of the prop
critics provided 81 per cent of the
debt had been paid off.
A juicy melon to be split by three
of Chicago's leading banking groups
was a 10 per cent rake-otf on the
$500, 100000 that they were to raise
at once to put the nroject across.
Board of Nine Was to Control
Autocratic control over the city's
entire transportation system was to
be turned over to board of control
of nine members. Three were to be
appointed by the mayor, three by the
bankers and three to be appointed by
the mayor but subject TO the approval
of the bankers.
When this matter was brought up
in the Chicago Federation of Labor It
was sent to a referendum of the I'M
ions affiliated with the central body.
Of these 275 unions only 35 organ
izations reported that they had taken
action. Three unions, comprising a
membership of about $500, voted in
favor of the ordinance, and 81 unions,
with a membership of about lO,0OO,
voted in the negative. Some OF the
largest unions in the city took no ac-
ton whatever.
Many trade unionists here are of
the opinion that the Chicago Fedora
ton of Labor should have taken a
more decisive stand in this matter.
Purpose of Central Bodies
1t is pointed out that central bodies
are organized and chartered for the
purpose of functioning in such sltua-
lions, and that local unions send their
to the meetings OF
their bodies for that purpose. When
such subjects are thrown back onto
the local unions it seriously interferes
with the regular business of the locals,
which have no time to investigate and
weigh the questions under consldera-
ton.
The manner in which the Executive
Council of the American Federation
of Labor handled labors problems
when the United States entered the
World War is cited as an example OF
the manner in which central bodies
should function when great pubic
questions are before the people.
Council Took Decisive Action
There were many who believed that
a national referendum among the
affiliated unions should have been
taken to determine the war policy Of
the American Federation of Labor.
The Executive Council, however, met
and issued its ringing declaration OF
-inciples that will 90 down In ms
tory. There was no timidity, no hesl-
tation, no vacillation.
Advocates Of a rational and reason
able use of the referendum are OF the
opinion that the Executive Council OF
the American Federation Of Labor set
a mighty good precedent in this IN
stance that il would be wise and safe
for State declarations and city central
bodies to follow in reaching decisions
on public questions arising "ili'h
their respective jurisdictions.