The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-05-07
Allentown Silk Workers Strike
Against Wage-Cut

MAINTAIN their enormous profits at further re-
duction of the living standards of the workers,
but there are number of factors which the
strikers must take into consideration if the strike
is TO be conducted to a successful conclusion.
1t is especially necessary for the strikers to take
cognizance of the methods of the UTW who
assumed leadership of the present situation un-
der the guidance Of Mcdonald Hoffman and
Co. To best understand the role of these gentle
men it is necessary to examine their policies and
past records.
They have openly advocated upon numerous
occasions the arbitration Of strikes Arbitration
as they endeavor to make the workers under
stand, is an impartial settling Of strike where
two are appointed to represent the interests of
the workers, two representing the manufacturers
interests, and the fifth person whom the work
ers are told is impartial" This Impartial" in
dividual usually sides with the manufacturers
with the result that the workers suffer a wage
cut or total loss of all demands presented in
the strike. To do this in an open manner would
mean that the workers would clearly see and
understand the true role of these agents of the
bosses within the ranks of the working class
The art of selling out the interests Of the workers
must therefore be carried out in a much more
clever manner. The workers are told to return
to work pending these fake arbitration methods
Usually they are given cut which may not
total the amount of the original cut This is
then interpreted as victory" for the workers
by the takers.
Elect Rank and File Committee.
The Allentown silk strikers should be on guard
against all fake arbitration methods which may
arise in the present situation. No negotiations
must be carried on with the manufacturers I'M
ess carried through broad rank and file strike
committee elected by the workers All deci-
aons pertaining to the strike must be in the
hands of the committee and fully approved by
all the strikers. At the present writing, mo con-
crete. demands have been worked out These
demands must Immediately be worked out by
the elected rank and file strike committee and
presented to all the strikers for full approval
Spread the Strike!
The necessary steps must be taken to bring
out all departments in the mills where workers
have already gone out on strike. The UTW Of
ficialS took no steps to carry this out in the
Berkshire Mill at the time of the Reading strike
This accounts for one of the reasons why this
strike was lost. Mass picketing and militant
demonstrations in front of the mills are some
OF the means to accomplish this. The UTW Of
ficials also failed to organize defense corps Of
the workers during the Reading strike. AS a
result many Of the workers were beaten down
by the state troopers, without even a chance
afforded to defend their right to picket in front
Of the mills. The officials may endeavor to
keep down the nilitancy Of the workers, but
once this nlihtancy grows all forces Of the CAPT
talist government will come into play to defeat
the aims of the workers. For this particular
reason the workers must Immediately organize
themselves for protection from any bodily harm
that may come from the fascist methods utilized
in strikes by the bosses.
The militant mood Of the workers and the
spreading sentiment of the workers affords one
of the best bases for attaining better conditions
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