The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-11-24

picket at the slightest wink of
a boss, and, of course, well-fed
judges sitting at ease ready to
give legal justification in heavy
fines and Jail sentences to the vicious.
Standardization brutality of the
police; and on the other side? The
workers, girls and men, mostly girls,
and young ones at that, fighting with
naked hands but courageous hearts
against heavy odds.
Background of Struggle.
Why is this strike being so bitterly
and stubbornly contested? To give
an adequate answer to that, it is
necessary to know something of the
background of this struggle. During
the past two decades, many attempts
were made to organize the workers Of
this industry. Until 1923, these efforts
all had the same uniform ending
failure to establish a permanent union.
The paper box workers never hesitated
to throw down the gauntlet to their ex-
ploiters and go out on strike, but no
lasting organization was left for any
length of time following those strikes.
until the formation of the present
union in 1923.
At that time the union was affiliated
with the Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill
Workers of America An agreement
was concluded with a considerable
number of firms, most of whom were
members of the United Paper Box
Manufacturers Association. These
bosses have always talked of want
ing union" their alleged reason be-
ing that a union would Stabilize"
wages and thus reduce competition
between the bosses. Be that as it may.
the agreement drawn up. while it left
much to be desired. was the best. ap-
parently. that could be achieved I'M
der the circumstances.
Early Betrayal.
What followed showed WHY the
bosses were willing to ''be in favor"
of union. Under the leadership of
one Morris Waldman, then manager,
strikes were called for the advantage
of certain bosses, regardless of the
workers interests, a la Brindell style.
reigned supreme. eventu-
ally taking control of the union. so
that when a healthy opposition to
Waldmans mismanagement arose. he
proclaimed martial law" and let loose
a small army of paid gangsters Work.
ers who dared TO express disagree
ment with Waldman's policies" were
deprived of their jobs, every effort be-
ing made to force them, even by
starvation, into submission to Valid
man, which meant, of course, submis-
sion to the bosses.
Growing discomfort Of the member I
ship with these conditions finally led I
TO the forced retirement of Waldman .
from the scene. Prior to this, on ac.
count of Waldman, afillation with the I
the parent body, had (
been dropped. With the demise of
Waldman also went the guerillas. and
he new administration, with Fred +
Caiola as manager. stepped in. 1t may
be stated. in passing that this admin
stration has consistently advocated
elected an afIlliation com
nittee and stands ready at any time
TO take this logical step in union or
From the very outset. the
present administration, which aimed
10 reconstruct the organization along
ines of clean. honest, democratic, mill
ant unionism, was beset with traps
md pitfalls laid by the manufacturer
md their agents. II might be said the
,ne aim animated the bosses in all
heir negotiations with the union
low to regain control OF the union.
Bosses Fear Real Union.
Evidently fearing that the union
vas going to function as II should
- a genuine labor organization should
wholly In the Interests OF the worker,
he officials of the United Paper 30
Mrs Association early in the sprinl
4 1926, many months before the end
ng OF the agreement, wanted 10 kno,
where they stood" This demand,
rst expressed politely as a mild r,