The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-16
Tory
Bill to ShaCkIG
Unions Says Cook

SHtVstS wa VVVN
LONDON, (By MaiD 1.-THE attack
on the trade unions begins in the house
Of commons on Monday, when the en-
ployers' government will move the
second reading of their Trade Union
bill" said A. J. Cook to The DAILY
WORKER.
"The government and the employ
ers have been preparing their forces
for this struggle for many months,
They are determined to break the in
dustrial power Of the workers, and
nothing has happened, so far, in the
labor movement to show the govern
ment that real fight is going to be
waged against them.
'At the special conference Of Trade
Union Executives" continued Cook,
"a free hand, instead of definite in
structions, was given to the Labor
Party. At this conference, called to
discuss ways and means to fight the
government and it's bill, the only
straight and definite policy put for
ward was that outlined by our cour-
ageous comrade, Alex Gossip, who,
on behalf. of the Furnishing Trades,
submitted the need for definitely in
structing the Labor Party to obstruct
all business in parliament until the
bill was withdrawn, and for the Cen
eral Council to make all preparations
for a General Strike, if necessary.
This was swept aside.
"No wonder Gossip smiled when
Bevin spoke on the need for organic
ing a united front to resist the gov
eminent. There were miners at the
conference who had heard similar
brave speechs last year, and who had
seen the same takers run away when
it became necessary to act in cour-
ageous fashion.
Baldwin Doesn't Fear Talk.
"The Baldwin government-which
was described by some at the confer
ence of f. C's as the most brutal and
cynical one in modern times-cannot
be overcome by speeches.
ut will pay attention to nothing
less than carefully-planned organ
lied action. Anything less will en-
courage the employers and the
government to go even further
| than their present plans indicate.
"Some of the delegates, particu-
larly those representing the Civil Ser
wants and Postmen, knew how serious
was the menace facing the workers.
But the majority are depending upon
the labor parliamentarians, and the
government does and will not fear OPP
position from the labor members in
parliament. The party intend to fight
by means of amendments. The Trade
Union bill cannot be amended, it must
be rejected. The government by its
mechanical majority will beat down
the Labor Party opposition, and here
we see why it is necessary that a
strong line must be taken on the in
dustrial field.
During the conference Of Execu-
itives | had an uneasy feeling that
many delegates pinned too much faith
on what could be done after the bill
was passed.
To Smash Unions.
"Let there be no mistake about it;
when the bill becomes law the govern
ment will enforce its legal right to
smash up the trade unions.
an a very short time this will re-
veal itself in weakened and impotent
Labor Party.
"The Labor Party is only as
strong as the trade unions; when
they are destroyed the foundation
of the parliamentary organization
disappears. Thus, the blow aimed
at the unions is also one that will
prevent the rise of Labor govern
ment:
Faced With Opposition.
"There is no escape, therefore,
from the fact that if we intend to
fight-we must fight now.
81, and my left wing colleagues,
will go every inch of the way in help
ing the General Council to carry out
its campaign against the bill. We
will hope that as the campaign is
carried to the masses in the districts
they will realize the need for wider
and deeper struggle and demand the
calling of a rank and file conference
to enforce more militant methods"