New Britain herald., 1926-10-04


 are instances where employers or corporations are sincerely interested in having cmployes participate in the profits of their joint enterprise, and where no attempt is made to use the relationship as a means Of opposing trade unionism or collec- tive bargaining. The very fact de mands that the utmost discriminat- ins care he used in forming judg- ment in each instance
 Union Bank Reports
 The entrance of labor organiza- tions into the financial field was re- viewed. with the statement that on June 3o last union owned banks controlled resources 10 a total Of s1Ga,61S.00o. There were said to he 80 labor banks in operation.
 There is recognized in these in stitutions Of labor an eycrgrowing interest of labor in all Of the fac tors concerned in production and in the use and control of credit power," the report continued. Then, too. these institutions tend toward the promotion of thrift and the develop mont of habits Of investment. While labor banks have had in the main sound and constructive management and their record thus far is most gratifying, there Is inherent in their development potential and real dan- ger that interests not concerned in i the welfare Of either the employer or the employc, but prompted solely by the hope of speculative gain will seek entrance into this field. The federation is deeply concerned in preventing hostile or indifferent or malevolent influences coming into this field. We suggest that labor banks avail themselves fully Of all government inspection services md that 10 this end they lrare applica- ton for utilization 10 the federal re- serve system. It is most important that the advice of the best technical experts be sought in the formulation of policies.
 The development of labor banks has given rise to other labor ven lures in the investment building and security field. We are prompted to sound q note of warning against | this increasing tendency to divert 1 the attention of the trade unionist from the more primary need of trade union organization and func- | tioning. We decline to give our ap- proval to such tendencies and de- velopments and caution our unions and workers to use the utmost care and vigilance in participating in such ventures"
 In Political Field 1 By non-p partisan methods, the fed : cration will seek to aid the election of political candidates favorable to union organization at all elections, the report said, and as it's greatest success during the past year, the 1 Tennessee contest against Repre- sentative Garrett, the democratic l house leader, was cited.
 "The appeal made by the labor movement was so successful that he was barely elected by only 1,2O0 majority" the statement said. I've have no doubt but that the majority received by Representative Garrett will be overturned in the next cleo tion and that he will be relegatcd to private life"
 The federation will continue to compile and circulate the records of congressional candidates on labor i legislation, it was said, and assist local union organization in obtain l ing desired election results. Membership Discusses 1 The total membership of unions affiliated with the federation was ehown to have decreased during the year. For 1926. the number of union members enrolled in the or ganization was given as 2.S13,210, against 2.S77.297 ir 1925, and as compared with a high point in the 1 federation's history, reached in 1920, of 4,O7S.7io. The council gave mo- ticn of intention to increase organi- zation efforts.
 "The federation is anxious 10 ex- tend organization lines" it declared. During the past year the federation has suggested and inaugurated spe- cial organizing movements. We have given considerable thought 10 the problem of helping organizers to make their work more efficient. Not only do we need to strengthen our organization from within. but we need 10 extend our lines by organiz- ing those still unorganizCd. There is need for increasing emphasis in all organizing work. for women as well as men,"
 Taking up questions assigned 10 f. for investigation by previous fed eraton conventions. the council said that its members had investigated the governments citizens military training camps. and found no reason for opposition to the enterprise.
 Tn the judgment Of the council, wo believe if would be advantage ous to all of the boys of the coun- 1 try" the opinion was expressed. "to take advantage Of the opportunity afforded them in these camps"
 Eiyc-Day Week
 ] Committee to the fye-day week as the next major forward step for the highest paid worker in the world" executive officers Of tho American Federation of Labor