The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-01-26
Organized Labor-Trade Union Activities
THE RECENT ELECTION IN THE MACHTNISTS UNION IN
THE CHICAGO DISTRICT


at the progressive group meeting
which selected candidates; he agreed
to abide by the decision of the group;
and when he failed of selection, he
pledged his support to the entire
ticket. He had come out for the
progressive program. Shortly after,
he announced his Independent can
didacy; and while he spoke for the
progressive program in his own local,
he was silent about it at others.
CONNOLLY Jan. ID GAL. III
1t is obvious that for future cleo
items, more strenuous attempts must
be made to unity the opposition, of
course, around program for the
betterment of the union.
One of the drawbacks in the past
campaign was that the candidates
we're selected by the progressive
group only few days before nomin-
atoms began in the local lodges. Had
greater preparations been made, i'll
might well have been possible to
draw in other elements into the
campaign, thus insuring greater sue
cess.
Strong Progressive Group Needed.
n ONSIDERING that the recent
~ district election was conducted by
q progressive group, hastily formed
tor the elections, the results are
good, but only as a beginning. Dur
ing the campaign, many meetings of
the progressive group were held.
Now, after the election, one of the
most important tasks is the organi-
cation of progressive groups in the
local lodges, which shall conduct al
fight for the progressive program
throughout the year. 1t is not
enough for a few individuals to carry
on individual propaganda at the meet
ings. All progressives must be-
drawn into group, benefiting from
the experience and knowledge of all,
and taking an active part in the fight
against the reactionary machine.
And even in lodges under progressive
leadership, such group is required
to insure the spread of progressive
propaganda and organization in the
lodge, and to forestall the POSSIBLE
loss of influence should the leaders
change front.
Progressive Groups Not Merely for
Elections.
Q UGH progressive groups have a
~ definite part to play in the pre-
sent international campaign in the
|. A. Of NJ. But progressive groups
must be formed not merely with a
view to an election, but for con-
slant struggle. To wait until the
next district elections to form pro-
gressive groups would be akin to
suicide. Such haphazard formation
would prevent waging strong cam
raign. Progressive groups must be
organized in all local lodges immedi-
ately. They must become funetioning
groups, meeting regularly to take up
the problems facing the union. How
often they can meet will be deter
mined by the problems facing them,
and the will of the group itself.
TT HE election for business agents
i showed that Independents can still
play too prominent a role in elections.
This can be overcome, if the progress
sive groups are organized. If these
carry on energetic campaigns, if the
lines of division between progressives
and reactionaries are made clear in
dependents will be forced to declare
themselves on the issues, not merely
az election time, but throughout the
year. This will make it less possible
for the independents to get an aver
age vote for business agent of 171a 20,
1.-THE progressives getting 24is9e).
Progressives Must Coordinate Their
Activity.
TT HE progressive forces in the
Il past have not coordinated their
activities in the district council with
the work in the lodges. Issues are
not exploited to the full by the pro-
gressives in the local lodges and in
the district council, because they have
been left to their own resources. The
machine carries through uniform
policy. The progresives must also
unity their force, so that progressive
delegates to the district council will
carry out the policy of the progress
sive forces, and to the best advan-
tage.
The progressive forces must widen
their influence. While in some local
lodges, considerable influence has
been secured, there are some lodges
where the progressive group has no
following. Such contacts must be
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