The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-11-19

CItSlE dSSfSIdiCG u tilS SLElhGTS.
The Peking, Tientsin and Marking
postal workers also sent messages
of sympathy and encouragement.
As early as 1925 the Shanghai
Postal Employees Labor Union came
into being, but owing to craft divi-
sions and inner disputes the clerks
and assistants, or the so-called
higher-ups, did not join at the in
ception. The result was the estab-
lishment of an organization Of the
'ligher-ups," known as the "Shang-
hal Postal Employees Association"
This association (400 members) re-
fused to join the strike and per-
formed strikebreakers' duties on the
pretext that the public welfare"
must be sput above the individual
interests and that strike of gov
crnment employees is impermissable.
For this loyalty" the association
got the Qualification of the imper-
ialist and Kuomintang press, as well
as from the Marking government
end Central Kuomintang offices.
DenOunce Scabs.
The strike committee at once is
sued a statement denouncing the
scabs. "The Shanghai Postal En-
ployes Association is traitor to
our class. We are not afraid of
these traitors and we will resort
to final measures in case of abso-
lutte necessity. :. The entire body
of laborers in Shanghai and all
postal workers throughout the coun-
try are supporting US, etc." con-
Guided the statement.
A strongly worded manifesto in
support of the strike and sharp
condemnation of the strikebreakers
was published on the third day of
the strike by many workers unions
and clubs. The Shanghai post Of
flee strike became very popular in
deed overnight. 1t had rapidly as
sumed mass and political charac-
ter. In fact, the strike threatened
tc develop into general strike of
Shanghai, or a general strike of
the post office employees of the
country, or both.
Hence the Marking government
and the Kuomintang became ex-
tremely alarmed. The central head
quarters of the Kuomintang in
structed the local Kuomintang to
negotiate with the strikers. The
Municipal Council, ETC., adopted an
attitude of challenge, namely, I'M
conditional surrender or discharge
and breakup Of the union and the
immediate employment of strike
breakers.
Of course the four hundred scabs
were far from being able to run the
postal service. The assistance of
additional scabs was badly needed.
Not one of the strikers accepted the
inducements to return to work.
Finally it was agreed to utilize the
Boy Scouts Association inasmuch as
this organization embraces all ma
tionalities, including Chinese. The
BOY Scout Association Commits
sioner at once gathered over two
hundred Scouts and explained" to
them that, although the Boy Scouts
Association is non-political body,
and its assistance should not be
given in breaking strikes, but ow-
ing to the fact that the post office
strike is grave danger to the pub
lic," there is no objection" to rem
dering direct assistance to the loyal
employees of the post office, and,
furthermore, one should not forget
that their assistance is being re-
1uested by the postal authorities
and the nationalist government,
| jointly. with the public at large of
Greater Shanghai.
Impcrialist Press.
The next morning four hundred
scouts, mostly British, White Rus
SLAMS, Japanese, American, etc, and
few Chinese, undertook the sort
irg out and delivery of the mail.
The imperialst press was full of
| Joy and most lavishly praised the
heroism of the boy scouts. Not
much less sympathy was expressed
to the Japanese Street Union
(scabs, spies and shopkeepers' or
ganization) for joining the strike
breakers.