Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-06
MAURER ATTACKS
EDUCATION Plan
Head Of Workers Bureau
Urges Meeting to Disregard
A. F. Of |. Proposal.


The workers' Education Bureau Of
OF the organized labor movement, was
ad odds with the American Federation Of
Labor today on the subject Of CO.
operating with universities in further
ing workers education.
The national convention Of the
bureau, meeting In the Carpenters
Building, Tenth and X streets, was
urged by its president. James H.
Maurer OF Reading. Pa, to disregard o
proposal Of the American Federation OF
Labor and refuse to establish co-oper-
alive relationships with existing uni
yersities and their departments to do
workers education.
This proposal, made by the American
Federation Of Labor at its last conven-
ton, was before the bureau today In the
bureaus constitution. The subject was
held to be Of Importance to organized
labor throughout the country. All work
ers afiliated with the American FEEDER
alton of Labor deal with. and are AZ
fected by. the activity of the bureau
through its labor colleges, classes and
Summer schools.
Doubts Universities Ability.
Describing universities as institutions
that unconsciously reflect the domin-
ant views Of big business of the mill
tarists and imperialists," Maurer told
the convention that "our existing uni
versities cannot do the Job required
Of workers education"
at Is not necessary unfortunately
to villify or to attack the existing uni
versities In order to bring out the dam
gers such move places workers edu-
cation In" he said. with the best in
tentions our existing universities cam
not do the Job required of workers
education. They are built to develop
the individual to personal advancement,
to getting ahead in the world Work
ers education. however, Is a social pro-
cess organized to develop the individ-
ual for the sake Of his group.
The universities unconsciolisly re-
fleet the dominant views Of big business
Of the militarists and imperialists.
Workers education functions to rip
from the dogmas and illusions which
clutter up the social sciences and present
to the workers an understanding of So
cial life that will make possible an
analytical survey Of existing institutions.
Universities, at best, stand for the
impartial balance Of ideas regarding the
Influences which control mankind
Maurer expressed apprehension lest
the universities gain power of labor edu-
cation and submerge the worker "Once
the universities have partial control over
our movement" he asserted, "it viii be
but natural for them to gain more and
more power in the future with lessen
ing OF labor supervision to that degree.
Fears Loss Of Enthusiasm.
"Under the proposed plan we pit
labor representatives whose experiences
have certainly not been in the educa-
tional field against university repre-.
whose business has always
been that. It would be but natural for
labor to defer on most questions to the
university until it viii gradually lose
any desire to participate in the man.
agement Of this cooperative project.
In the end. the entire educational
venture viii be turned over to the uni
versities for their control. That Is a
which every trade unionist,
as well as socially Intelligent educators
themselves, dread to contemplate IN
view Of the revelations made by the
Federal Trade Commission of the sub
sidizing of many teachers by the power
trust in recent years"
AS explained by its officers, the
Workers Education Bureau Is primarily
} clearing house Of American workers
education. 1t Is not teaching center,
but federation Of national and inter-
national unions for the federation'a
central bodies, local unions and work.
ers' education enterprises. It Is b co.
operative venture which seeks to unite
for educational purposes these different
groups.
The bureau. In existence eight years,
has the Endorsement Of the A. F. Of L.,
whose president, William Green, de-
livered an address Of welcome to the
convention now In session.
still another proposal Of the Ameri-
can federation, one suggesting change
In the representation on the bureaus
executive board, was before the conven-
ton and disapproved by Maurer.
The American Federation Of Labor
at its Los Angeles convention
that representation on the bureaus
executive board be restricted to Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor groups and
unions. This proposal
also was before the convention In the
form Of suggested change In the con-
stitution.
Disruption Is Predicted.
s"This suggestion can be made part
Of our constitution only at the expense
u Tie WIlOlC WOLkC1O ACQQCNeAOAA
merlt," Maurer told the convention. 1T
will disrupt whatever activities are now
carried on and further discourage most
If those genuinely interested in<educa-
ion.
"Of all the groups represented at this
body, the students, teachers, directors;
local unions and central bodies and
State declarations are the more directly
with workers education
projects, because they are the very meat
II such activities.
"There is no denying that the Ameri-
AN Federation of Labor and 1nterna-
,ional Unions should have representa-
ion on the board. But they are there
3 advise on and to share In the maxi
ne Of the general policies In accord
,nce with the general needs OF the
abor movement" X.
Maurer, who Is retiring as president
Il the bureau after serving throughout
he eight years Of Its existence, struck
! pessimistic note In his annual adj
lress.
7 cannot be as optimistic about the
uture of the cause as was IN 1927"
ne said AT that time we were .
rowing movement; now We are losing
round. Interest seems to be tagging
n every hand. The basic purpose Of
workers. education it Is IN intelli-
rent guide TO new social orders
low being entirely denied