The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-03

union policies? Specifically, what
transpired which attracted the atten-
ton Of the officers Of the American
Federation of Labor? Specifically,
what makes the situation in the In
ternational Fur Workers Union an ex-
traordinary one? We believe we are
entitled to know what we are charged
with.
Never Agreed.
Furthermore, you raise the point
that we agreed to the holding of such
an investigation. We categorically
deny that we ever agreed at the con-
ference held in the Hotel Cadillac on
or about April IS to the holding of
such an investigation At no time
did you or the officers of the Interna-
tional Fur Workers Union imply any
such investigation, as you are now
conducting without our knowledge and
behind closed doors.
We never agreed to accept an in
vestigation that is fundamentally in
violation of the constitution of our in
ternational and the laws and proceed
ure of the American Federation of
Labor.
Question Authority. -
We question the authority of the
American Federation of Labor to
make such an investigation. 1t is a
violation of the principal of autonomy
of the international and national bod
les affiliated with the American Fed
Grafton of Labor. The right of auton-
omy is guaranteed by the constitution
Of the American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor
has always religiously guarded the
autonomy rights of its affiliated bod
les. We could cite numerous in
stances of the most extraordinary sit
uations existing within international
organizations affiliated with the Amer
lean Federation of Labor.
Yet the American Federation Of La
Dor respected the autonomy OF these
organizations. These organizations
were not interfered with and were al
lowed in their cwn way to solve their
problems. We insist that autonomy
be not violated in our case and that
we be accorded the same rights and
privileges in this respect as all other
organizations with the A. F. of L.
Can Be Settled Within the Union.
We further wish to point out that
no formal requests for an investiga-
ton by the international has been in
Dictated in your letter. If the interna-
tional officers have agreed to the in
vestigation, then they have done so in
violation of the authority entrusted to
them by the constitution Of our inter
national. If they have charges against
the Joint Board Furriers' Union let
them present them to the membership.
The constitution of the International
provides adequate means with which
to consider charges.
Moreover, the constitution Of our in
ternational provides for the calling OF
conventions. The convention is the
highest and final authority of the in
ternational in matters under dispute.
1t has always been the procedure and
tradition of our international to solve
the internal problems of our organiza-
ton at legally constituted conventions.
If the difficulties between the New
York Joint Board and the officers of
our international must be Immediately
dealt with, then the officers of our
international should exercise their
authority and call special conven-
ton for that purpose.
Investigate a Victorious Strike.
We doubt whether ever before un-
der similar circumstances has the ex.
ecutive council ordered the investiga-
ton Of strike. The executive coun-
Gil has ordered the Investigation of a
strike that was successfully conducted,
that won material gains for the work
ers, strengthened the control of the
union over the industry and estab-
lished the 40-hour week.
The furriers' strike marked a turn.
ing point in the history of organized
labor. 1t ended the period of the
inability of most unions to resist the
NA~A VI lhC UOSS6S. Inc
victory was won at time when wage
cutting, speeding up, the institution
OF company unionism, etc, were the
order of the day as far as the open
shoppers were concerned.
Perhaps This Is the Reason.
Furthermore, we are proud Of our
achievements, particularly since the
workers under the leadership OF our
Joint board rejected the eight points
agreed to by you and international Of
licers in agreement with the employ
.rs, and thru their militancy and soil
darity forced better terms of settle
ment from the bosses than were con-
tanned in the eight points.
It is impossible in the face OF this
fact to understand what could have
motivated the executive council to or
der an investigation. We have moth.
ing 10 be ashamed of as far as orr