The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-08-15
SPLIT MENACES
PAN-AMERICAN
| LABOR UNIONS
Catholic Leaders Plan
Fight in A. F. of L.
BY LAURENCE TODD,
Federated Press.

FFEN1AAf'NN ~ FNN6s rs AAlhA9
nat the Knights of Columbus will in
list on bringing their fight against the
Gales IlberaI-labor government in
Mexico TO the floor Of the convention
Of the American Federation of Labor,
which will open Oct. in Detroit, have
begun to reach Washington headquart.
ers Of labor. II these hints prove re-
able, the attack will follow two main
INSTRUMENTATION of resolutions de-
nounelng the alleged persecution Of
catholic clergy in Mexico, and resoIu-
Ions calling for withdrawal Of the
American Federation of Labor from
The psn-Amerioan Federation of Labor.
Since the Pan-American is in sub
stance an alliance between the Amer
can Federation of Labor and the Mex
can Regional Federation of Labor,
which IS the power behind President
Gales, the effect of withdrawal of the
American Federation Of Labor from
this afiliation would be to kill the pan
American Federation of Labor. The
Few other members of the Pan-Amer-
ican, Federation of Labor are too weak
IN numbers and financial resources to
maintain headquarters.
Gales Stand.
Gales, speaking for the organized
working class of Mexico, has declared
that ignorance, dirt, and general inef-
fcieney in that republic must give
way to enlightenment, sanitation and
modern modes of life and work. Like
Obregon before him, he has had the
advice and support of frequent visit
ing delegations of officials of the Amer
erican Federation of Labor and its
affiliated bodies. All elements of op-
position have collapsed except one
the catholic clergy, who have had con-
troll of the schools. Gales has announ-
ced that Mexicans must learn to read,
to think, to act on their own motion.
He asserts the right of the state to
direct public education.
If rumors reaching Washington
prove true when the convention meets
in October, the American Federation
Of Labor will have to face a public
demand by group Of prominent labor
officials who belong to the Knights of
Columbus, that it reverse its estab-
lished policy of friendship for the Mex
lean labor movement. In the event that
this attack is successful, the conse-
quences may run farther, and become
vastly more serious. than the sponsors
Of the resolutions would suppose.
Mexican Labor to Left.
If the Pan-American Federation of
Labor breaks down, organized labor in
Latin-America will presumably look to
Europe for its international Affiliations.
Argentina is already affiliated with
Amsterdam, and Mexico would likely
follow suit. The Washington idea Of
keeping Latin-American labor away
from socialist programs such as Am
sterdam represents would be in the
discard. Latin-American labor would
turn to the left of its present posi-
ton.
In view Of this situation, veterans
In the American Federation of Labor
md It difficult to believe that the
catholic-conscious delegates in the De-
troit convention will bring up the Mex.
lean internal problem and ask that
Gales be denounced.
Editors Note.-Mr. Todd's refer.
enee TO Socialist programs such as
Amsterdam representa-" might lead
our readers to believe that the Inter
national Federation of Trade Unions
seriously aims to establish a socialist
society. This Is not so. As a matter
Of fact the labor movement OF Latin
America Is far more advanced than
Amsterdam. The labor movement OF
Chile Is already affiliated with the Red
International Of Labor Unions and
nnlnorItIes In the other South Amer.
lean countries have connections with
the same body. That international
connections, even with Amsterdam on
the part Of the American labor move
ments Of North and South America
would be displeaslng TO our Imperial
lists there 10 no doubt. II ls extreme
~ doubtful that catholic labor leaders
will bring the Mexican Issue before
the next A. 2. Of L. convention. II Is
more likely that a sentleman's agree
rnent has been reached between the
Militia Of Christ or X. Of C. faction
IN the A. =. Of L. and the Masonic
faction, 70 let the matter rest. Both
sets Of leaders are Wise enough to see
the danger to their personal interests
Of religious civil war In the unions.
p,.n.a l. A. RI