The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-10-29
Conference of the Trade Union
Educational League
BY EARL BROWDER.

by ItEAIN1 DtkO W O4IANs
TOR the third time the Trade Union
= Educational League is holding a
general National Conference. When
it meets in New York on December
3-4, it will mark an important period
in the history of American trade
unionism. It's deliberations and de-
cisions will affect the future course
of the labor movement, and thereby
the whole development of America.
When the T.U.E.L. held its first
National Conference, in September,
1922, it had been known for only six
months, except to the few who had
been organizing it during the pre-
vious two years. It's introduction to
the broad masses was the work of
Samuel Gompers, who in April, 1922,
launched a great campaign of denun-
citation against the T.U.E.L., with the
full assistance of the boss-controlled
daily newspapers of the country.
This action was followed by the gov
eminent, which conducted several po-
lice raids against the T.U.EL., ar
rested Foster, the Secretary, and
finally raided the First National
Conference, arresting II delegates
who were held in Jail few days and
then released. By these means the
T.U.E.L. was made to appear as a
dangerous" organization. The for
ces of government, employers, and
reactionary labor leaders, aided by
the press and church, made a des-
perate attack against the T.U.E.L. al
most before it was born.
TWHY was the T.U.EL. attacked so
" viciously? What was it's practi-
cal program, that it could create so
much hysteria among the reaction
aries?
The immediate program of the
T.U.E.L. was quite simple. 1t en-
phasized two points: first, amalga-
nation of the divided craft unions,
along industrial lines, into a series of
powerful industrial unions; second,
the formation of a labor party to
centralize the scattered political
power of the working class.
/ There were two reasons why these
simple demands awoke such fears.
First, turning point had been
reached in the American labor move
ment. The officialdom' of the trade
unions was embarking upon new
policy Of intensive collaboration with
the employers, but the membership,
on the contrary, were in fighting
mood; several great strikes had been
lost (packing house, teXtiles) or were
in progress (railroad, shop crafts
Or were in preparation local miners)
There was a growing labor party
movement springing Up all over the
COUNTRY. The MASSEY were restless
and resisting the new policies of the
official leadership.
Secondly, the T.U.E.L. program
bad at once received tremendous mass
support in the trade unions.
The amalgamation resolution spon-
sored by the T.U.E.L. was being
adopted by big majorities in almost
every labor body which met during
1922. State Federations Of Labor
and city central bodies, containing a
majority of organized labor, had ap-
proved the resolution. The movement
for labor party was receiving the
same mass support.
I1URING 1922 and half of 1928, the
- movement grew phenomenally, in
spite Of all attacks. It was only af-
ter July 3, 1928, that the reactionary
forces could gain the offensive. That
period began with the surrender of
the progressives" who had hitherto
given more or less support to the
movement Fitzpatrick, ct aD, fol
lowing the Labor Party split of that
date.
When the Second National Confer
ence of the T.U.E.L. occurred in Sep
TENDER, 1928, the left wing was in
! the midst Of its first big fight against