The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-18
Example Of Kindness; Number Four.

"
and little space is given to the causes of the
catastrophe or to discussion of preventative
measures.
Example of Kindness; Number Five.
Chicago May 21-Mill workers affiliated to
the Brotherhood of Carpenters were locked out
following their refusal to accept 10 per cent
wage reduction. Six locals are involved. The
reduction means a loss of from $1.10 to S1.2O
day.
The above examples are taken bodily from the Of
fetal service of the American Federation of
Labor. So the facts related must be true. We
ask Mr.. Green: How much kindness and feeling
of partnership" does he find in these chance little
news items? And in the face of facts like these,
how much basis is there for his assertion that
This method partnership is the reverse of
the idea that there is irreconcilable conflict
between workfnen and employers and eliminat-
ing the reasons for strife, mobilizes the brain
power the craftsmanship and the goodwill of
all in support of common undertaking.
Yes, this method is a very effective means for
the destruction of trade unionsm and the ntensif-
cation of capitalist exploitation. Particularly so when
the reactionary bureaucracy of the A F. of L. stands
behind it and gives it its support.
fine illustration Of the utter futility of labor
lobbying and of the reward your friends" policy is
TO be found in the report of the National Legisla
tive Representatives of the four railroad Brother
hoods to the chief executives of these organizations
The reporters say that:
On the whole we Jared reasonably well in the
Goth Congress- since majority of the meas
ures supported received favorable action
and no adverse labor legislation was enacted
Well, how about the Watson-Parker law? The
Brotherhood legislative representatives are very
proud of this law ascribing its passage to their
own efforts. They speak of this law as the strong
est and most effective sanction for collective bar
gaining that has been written into legislation
in this country" But this is merely self-deception
The Watson-Parker law is in reality defeat for
railroad labor This product Of class collaboration
imposes upon the workers and their unions a ma
chnery of arbitration and mediation which is posi-
lively deadening for the growth of their organiza-
tons and strength The slight concessions in wages
secured by certain sections of railroad labor through
TINS machinery are only small fraction of what
the workers could have achieved through a free
exercise Of their organized strength.
Aside from this law, what other achievements"
have the legislative representatives to record?
One of the outstanding achievements of the
seth Congress was the final completion of the
monumental work of modifying in one volume
the general and permanent laws of the United
States, after 30 years of persistent effort
What comfort the railroad workers can derive
from the codification of the laws Of the United
States, is beyond us. Unless we grant that it is
more agreeable to be exploited by system of lep-
islaton embodied in volume rather than in
many.
What are the other achievements in the way of
favorable labor legislation? The reporters state:
We worked for the passage of the McNary-Haugen
bill, it passed but vetoed by President Coolidge
We worked for the Norris resolution, providing for
the elimination of so-called "Lame Duck" sessions
and for the terms of the president and ycepresdent
beginning on the third Monday in January follow
ing their election in the preceding November The
resolution passed by the senate, favorably re-
ported in the house, ''but a small and powerful
minority prevented its coming to a vote before the
expiration of the 69th Congress-" Add to the above
some trifling improvements In the compensation
laws and the record of favorable" labor legislation
is exhausted This is the total Of the political
efforts Of the Brotherhoods in the 61st Congress
through the "non-partisan" political policy.
is Il not time that the railroad workers seriously
consider the question of INDEPENDENT political
action and Labor Partyi