The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-01-25
BY A MAcHINIsT ". O.

I'll is only by analysing events, find
Ling ones hits and misses, that we
can insure correct tactics for the next
situation. For that reason, the writer
is putting down his views on the Dis
trict Elections last month, of Dis
trict (Chicago) of the international
Association Of Machinists.
The Anderson Johnston Fight
IT HE district election presented
l. this popularity, that in the
main, the administration and oppose
ton forces in the district had been on
the same side Of the fence the pre-
vious year, backing Anderson in his
fight to GUST "B. & o. Bill' john
ston from the Presidency of the In
ternational.
II HE left wing had its own can
4 didate during the nomination per-
led, but these failed to get either first
or second place, thus failing to APP
pear on the election ballot. The left
wing had an elaborate program deal
ing with amalgamation, development
of shop committees, restoration of
strike benefits, organize the morgan
lied, independent working class poll
tical action, against racial discrim-
nation, against worker employer CO.
operation as the Baltimore and Ohio
Plan, for biennial conventions, and
against eSpulsions. The left wing
was unalterably opposed to Johnston;
it sought to enlist Anderson and his
followers for the left wing program.
Anderson came out for amalgamation
and declared against Johnston's ex-
rulsion policy. Several other mem
bers of the Anderson slate endorsed
some demands of the left wing. The
left wing therefore endorsed Ander-
son.
II HE history of that fight, of John
4 ston's steal Of the election, Of his
expulsion of Anderson, of Johnston's
subsequent withdrawal from the pres
idency, and the acceptance of Whar-
ton as the new president by both
Johnston and Anderson-all this is
ancient history.
The Anderson Forces in the Chicago
District.
A ND what of Chicago?
AFry and Ullman led the fight for
the Anderson forces, seeing a method
Of getting full control of the district,
and using the elections for that pur-
pose. They united with the left wing,
accepting the support of the left
wing. including the Communists. But
the fight of the left wing had one
fatal defect. 1t did not establish re-
gular meetings Of the rank and file
OF followers of the left wing toge-
Their with those of Fry and Ullman.
This would have made a solid bloc
OF the membership, around certain
issues. But this was not done. Fry
and Ullman were thus allowed to make
use Of the left wing for their own
purposes, of intrenching themselves
in power, without being compelled to
come out for progressive measures.
The left wing made no organizational
gain for the development of a pro-
gressive bloc. It was unable to make
the election alliance" a permanent
bloc.
An theological Struggle.
T1TITH this defect in mind, the pro-
w gressive forces drew up a pro-
gram for the district, which called for
~ a militant organization campaign
throughout the metal trades, with
particular attention to the specialist.
~ a struggle to increase wages and
to get better shop conditions, and OPP
position to the 3. & o. Plan. 81 a
fight against injunctions. ~ absolute
freedom Of expression. 81 bringing
closer together the wages Of special
lists and machinists, and 6.) separa-
tion Of the union from the bosses par
ties and for support to the movement
for labor party. Candidates were Sc
lected who agreed with that pro-
gram