The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-10-14

I
is based primarily upon the measures
taken by the convention which, logic
ally followed, will lead to a great adj
vance in organizational form and eff
ficency, thru greater variation al
lowed to the local, district and ma
tional bodies of the industrial unions
at the same time that a sharp disci-
pline and coordination is introduced
among the various industrial unions
and in international affairs.
Discuss Policies.
The convention has been one long
discussion of these questions. Many
changes in these directions in the. by
laws and in resolutions will be OBJ
served when the documents of the
convention are published and the
changes put to referendum. The
Philadelphia branch and its history
and experience thru long years have
provided the classic examples around
which the convention debates have
ragged.
The Philadelphia branch of the M.
IL w II Will DC ICCdllCUs nSu Id SC
in the life of that staid old commune
ty few short years ago. From 1917,
on to 1920, it was the autocratic die
tator of water front affairs there.
During the world war, it was said
that the l. w. w. button was the open
sesame to the docks and ships of that
port and woe be to the stevedore or
foreman, who sought to impose upon
M. T. w. members.
If stevedore, he was sharply call
ed or his loading was struck; if
foreman, he was called before the
union and fined. The branch there
in the heyday of its power numbered
a membership of some ten thousand
among the longshoremen and its lead
was followed with implicit faith by all
who were not members. Those
were the days of 'job control"
Philadelphia an Example.
Well, this job control seemed to de-
velop needs and conditions that were
in conflict with the equalizing restric-
lions and limitations of the l. w. w.
general constitution and bylaws. For
example, the general constitution said
that there should be universal initia-
ton fees in all unions of $500, no
more and monthly dues not in ex-
cess of fifty cents.
The Philadelphia branch declared
that as a matter of practical fact, job
control could not be managed on the
basis of these and similar limitations.
Finally the differences came to an
issue. This was in 1920. Eventually
the differences were composed, but
in the same time control of the water
front in Philadelphia was badly re-
duced, IL not lost.
The Philadelphia veteran colored
longshoremen, convention delegate
Ernest Verlack, is the historian of
the convention on these subjects and
the convention is trying to the full
to benefit by the experience there.
Subject to referendum, bylaw chang
es are being made to permit of the
departmentalizing Of the M. T. w.
membership for organizational eff
cheney into three great divisions of
seamen, longshoremen and harbor
boatmen, all divisions to be harmonic
ed and correlated within the organ
ization, but given necessary elbow
room for effective work.
Raise limitations and Dues.
The limit on initiation fees is to
be raised from $500 to $500 and the
dues from fifty cents ito $100, IL
the proposed changes are adopted up.
on referendum. AT the same time
the difficulties OF transfer from other
industrial unions and initial admission
to the M. T. w. are increased, the
intention being to confne the mem
bership more exclusively to those per-
manently engaged in the industry.
Candidates for office must undergo
a closer scrutiny. Two TO three years
in the industry is stipulated as
basis for ONCE holding. Then again
to promote efficiency, It is proposed
that, whereas, the term OF Office is
not to exceed one year as provided by
the present constitution. hereafter in
contrast with previous limitations,
holders OF the Offices Of general sec