The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-05-12
SIGMAN PLAN TO
BREAK Up union
IN CHICAGO FAILS
Would-Be Car Retreats
Threatens New Attack
(By a Worker COrrespOnentl

CHICAGO, May IL. - President
Morris Sigman Of the I. i. G. w. U.
has returned east after a decisive de-
feat at the hands of the Chicago
union, and without being able to break
the loyalty of the Chicago members
to their left-wing Joint Board leader
ship. The purpose of his visit was
supposedly to present the facts of the
New York needle trades fight.
1t was clear from the first day
however that he hoped to enforce a
registration in Chicago, as was done
in New York, expelling the progress
sives. Finding, after a week of YER
bal skirmishing, charges, facts and
counter charges, that the rank and
file were solidly against him and with
their left-wing administration, he re-
tired from the scene, promising, how
ever, to return within ten days and
to complete his canvass of the union
locals. This is interpreted by the
Chicago workers as a threat to re-
new the offensive for right-wing con-
troll as soon as some further pref
can be manufactured.
Sigman Begs Off.
At the Joint Board meeting on Fri
day, April 90, not only union Off
cials but rank and file members pack
ed the hall. Sigman spoke for three
hours, repeating his familiar charges
that the N. Y. cloakmakers' strike
was conducted by Communists, who
betrayed the workers, and justifying
the action of the general executive
board in expelling the thousands OF
members making up Locals %, 9 and
2, the three largest locals in the In
ternational. He said with reference
to the Chicago situation that the only
points at issue were minor ones, to
be taken up with the officials in pri-
vate. When he stopped speaking, Ida
Rothstein of the Chicago Joint Board
demanded a discussion. Although il
was then midnight, the rank and file
expressed their willingness to remain
but Sigman insisted it was too late
Answering Sigman.
1t was decided to continue the
meeting next night. This was done
the local officials answering Sig.
mans assertions one by one. Ide
Rothstein attacked his claim to a be.
lief in democracy within the union
citing the Boston convention, the rails
ing of the dues without a referendum
as required in the constitution, the
$40 assessment, the wholesale expul.
sions, and other acts of the genera
executive board. Democracy ?" she
flung at him. 81 challenge anyone
TO come out and say that we in Chi.
cago do not tolerate all opinions with.
in the ranks. Under our left-wine
administration there have been no ex.
pulsions or suppressions of right
wingers. We have one of the best
agreements in the country-made by
whom? The left-wingersl
You say you come to Chicago with
certain charges against the union Of
ficials. Why do you not make thes'
charges openly? Because you realize
that sentiment is against you. Yol
came to start registration and yoJ
see that it is impossible at present
| tell you that at no time will you b,
able to disrupt our union as you tried
it in New York"
Levin Demands Frankness.
Manager J. Levin struck the sam,
note, demanding that Sigman 'sa!
what he had to say without conceal
ment, and declaring that there is nj
secret diplomacy within the Chicag,
union. The left sentiment of tn,
meeting was evident from the pro
longed applause which greeted Join
Board members when they took tn
floor.
In the locals the same spirit was ex
pressed. The Cutters local 81) CAV
d cold reception to the idea Of regis
tration. The Cloakmalers Operator
(Local 81 warned Sigman not to star
a fight, as he would be unable Il
break up the union. In Local 10t
many speakers took the floor agains
him. In Local 10 a motion was mad
Ito stand loyalty with the Interna
tional." An amendment "to stan'
loyalty with the International but 4
oppose registration and expulsion
was not allowed by the right wins
chairman to come to vote.
The Chicago situation is tense, blu
the issues are clear and the mem
bers feel that they will be able Il
safeguard the substantial gains mad
under the present leadership.