The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-06-23
BY v. F. cALVERToN.

TN an article called Inc CONFUSED
L Mr.. Caiverton, Comrade Dunno points
out an error in conclusion that l
made in my review of Saposs' book,
Left Wing Unionism. The statements
in my review, which Comrade Dunno
objected to, are:
1.-THE Socialist Labor Party Of to-
day, with its firm faith in dual
unionism as the only solution, is as
absurd as the Workers. Party when
It declares itself inflexibly opposed
to dual unionism."
and
AT the present time, for instance,
despite the present stand of the
Workers Party, Saposs cites several
factors that more than likely may
lead Communists to support indie
pendent unions The great number
Of dual unions in many industries in
itself is a salient reason why a
change in the attitude of the Work
ers' Party may occur in the near
future"
ON page IT'S of his book, Mr.. Saposs
~ declares:
1.-THE Communists continue
staunchIy to denounee the phiIos-
ophy of dual unionsm. The fight
against dual unionism and secession
was one Of the main features of the
meeting Of the executive bureau Of
the Red international of Labor un-
ions -. It was made quite clear
that no dual unionism will be toll
Grated, as this evil has proved dis
astrous to the labor movement (R.
|. /. U. Hammer Dual Uniohsm on
Solar Plexus, The DAILY WORK.
Err, June 5, 1925. In this country
the Trade Union Educational League
was instrumental in forestaIIine a
number OF dual union undertakings.
when the Communists pro-
nounced against dual unionism, like
a flash the new sacred principle
took hold. Since then not only have
attempts at founding dual union
ism ceased in this country, but to
advocate duaIism is regarded as
sacriIege."
OAPOSS'. stand is definite, and in
~ my remark apropos the Workers
Party and dual unionism l merely
wanted to make it clear that any
party, be it the S. L. p or the w. P,
that takes final and dogmatic posi-
ton in reference to boring from with
in and dual unionism, always defend
ing the one or always opposing the
other, is making a maneuver that is
lnjustified by any facts that we have
at present.
The whole matter can be more sue
einctly and satisfactorily clarified by
he following correspondence between
Foster and me which is confined to
this issue of Saposs' article and dual
lnionism:
June 2, 1925.
Dear Friend calverton:
In CHANGING through the Modern
l notice that you take a
dig at the policy of the Workers
Party. That has caused something of
a furry here.
From a reading Of the criticism one
would gather that you have the i'm.
preston that the Workers Party is
opposed to independent unions under
any and all circumstances. This, of
course, is not the case. The w. P. is
opposed to splitting exist.
ing mass organizations. That this is
In the interest of the labor movement
as a whole, as well as of the left
wing in particular, is indisputable.
Nevertheless, the Workers Party rec
ogntzes that under certain circum-
stances splits are bound to occur and
that independent unions develop in
spite of all efforts to keep the main
of the unions united in one
body, in those industries and locali-
ties where there are no unions, or
where the unions are too decrepit, to
branch formation of new unions. This
we have done time and again. Take
FOR example the Amalgamated Food
Workers, Amalgamated Clothing
Workers, and others.
have no hesitancy in saying that
The Workers Party policy with re-
gard to dual unionism is far and wide
The most scientific that any radical
organization has yet had in America
While not overlooking the fact that
IN cases independent unions are nee
sssary, it nevertheless puts tremeu-
ious emphasis on the necessity for
unified movement. See how It works
'ut in practice. Take the case of the
recent split of Locals 2, 8, %, of the
(. l.. G. W. U. Of New York. When
.hese $4,000 workers revolted against
he International, a highly dangerous
situation was created. Had the
Workers Party not been so strongly
opposed to dual unionism, this move
nent could easily have resulted in
splitting that International uyida oman