The daily worker., 1926-10-31
SECOND ARTICLE.

TN his report to the Illinois State Fed
L eration of Labor convention held
at Streator, III. recently, President
Walker painted rather dismal pic
ture Of the future of labor while at
the same time stating, which he un-
doubtedly thought rather gratifying,
that there had been fewer labor dis
putes in the state during the last year
than previously-only "a strikes thru
out the state, whereas in 1917 there
were 2S2, in 1917 there were 267 and
in 1920 there were 254. He said moth
ing of the fact that fewer labor dis
putes in this instance signify failure
by organized labor to utilize the favor
able situation for aggressive organiza-
ton activities. The losses sustained
by the various unions, both in mem
bership and organized positions, dur
ing this period we're completely ig
nored by him. President Walker pre-
dicted period Of decline IN the in
dustrial activities for the future, but
without suggesting any measures
whereby labor could fortify itself or
giving the slightest lead for militant
fight against the open shop, which is
again threatening the unions.
InIunotlons.
TN this same report President Walker
4 also claimed that there had been
less injunctions during the past year
because OF the injunction limitation
bill. Yet injunctions have been is
sued against the Chicago Retails
Clerks Union by the notorious Dennis
q. Sullivan, who also imposed fines
and prison penalty upon members Of
that union for picketing and declared
the injunction limitation act uncon-
st1tutional. An injunction has been
issued against the culinary crafts, Gov
ering some 15O Chicago restaurants,
prohibiting any efforts of organization.
An injunction has been issued against
the machinists on strike in Chicago,
not to mention the fact that some fifty
of the International Ladies'
Garment Workers Union were thrown
into prison to serve various terms for
maintaining their union rights against
an Injunction in 1924. While many
resolutions have been adopted against
such usurpation of power by the
courts, the labor leadership of I'LL
nois did nothing to keep these labor
prisoners out Of jail save to beg the
good friend Of capital, Governor Small,
for a pardon. Governor Small, of
course, lived up to his oath and his
pledge to the republican party pro
gram and this back-door politics
gained nothing for the workers. while
it certainly strengthened the employ
ers.
ON the question Of the injunction
~ the Illinois State Federation of
labor convention resolved, THAT the
of education shall be con-
tinued to enlighten our membership
and the decent citizens of our state
as to its dire possibilities" These |
are well recognized by the /
capitalists and their tools,
the injunction judges. They are TAX
ing advantage of it, while the labor
leaders completely fail to measure up
to the requirements of the situation.
Free Books.
THE convention further voted for |
l. free text books for schools, better
salary for factory inspectors, better
and more compensation laws. 1t voted |
support for the retail clerks, attempt
ed to terrify the employers with their
unfair lists, and voted to support the
new tax amendment to the constitu-
ton, which has already been adopted
by both houses Of the state and will
be submitted to a referendum at the
elections November 2. Support was !