The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-06-26


all these unions into one organization
covering the industry. the question is
how shall it be realized? The T. u.
E. L. says that the next step is or
ganizational.
To simply continue to pass resolu-
tions in favor of amalgamation in
conventions that have already gone on
record for it, is evading the issue. So
the T. U. E. L. proposed the next prac-
teal step, namely, that a conference
be held at which the various G. E. BIS
or their representatives be invited to
lay plans and set the date for an
Amalgamation Convention, to which
the local unions shall send delegates
based upon proportional representa-
ton.
Here lies the fundamental differ
ence between the left wing and the
Hillman administration. At the A. c.
w. convention the administration de-
feated this proposal and offered moth
ing in its place that would bring about
the realization of amalgamation. Hill
man in opposing this proposal had
this to say (His speech is here print
ed in fulD:
"The Chair desires to state the
position of our organization. 1t
seems that some people love to-
break into a place when the doors
are wide open to them. 1t seems
that no matter what the position Of
the organization may be, some
change must be suggested even if
the thing desired is recommended
by your committee on behalf of the
officers. It is said that the Anal
gamated should take the initiative.
The Amalgamated has not waited
until 1926 to take the initiative. We
took initiative in 1922 and it is be-
cause of that move that ultimate
ly-and l am speaking now in geo
logical terms-in the near future,
amalgamation will become a real
ity.
II believe that there is no room
for separate organization in the
needle trades. The problems of the
needle trades can be handled more
effectively and better thru one or
ganization than thru many organ
izations. The convention took that
position in 1922. The other or.
CARNATIONS have met since and it
would be up to them in convention
to accept or reject the position of
the Amalgamated. The recommend
alton of the committee is that stand
ing for one organization in the
needle trades be the position of the
Amalgamated, but if some delegates
have it in mind that we should be-
come one organization before we
amalgamate, and that we should try
to break up the other organiza-
tons, l want to say that is not the
position Of the Amalgamated. For
us to call for convention for other
organizations would be to assume
responsibilities and power that we
neither have nor desire. The Anal
gamated will call conventions for
the Amalgamated and the Amalga-
mated only. And IL there is a ma
jority in the other organizations
that desire amalgamation it is up
to them to fight 1t out in their or
CARNATIONS and not at this conven-
ton. The contribution of the Anal
gamated to the labor movement
should be a message OF unity and
not dissension. Our position in this
as in many other matters has
proved to be the right one. Even
those who were opposed to It are
changing their minds, and I believe
that what this convention should do
is to act in a manner that will
bring those organizations closer to
our point Of view. By accepting the
report you will restate the position
OF the Amalgamated which was in
itiated at a time when it was not
popular to initiate 1t, when it took