Evening star., 1932-09-05
RADICALS ASSA|LED
FOR INTERFERENCE
BY D. C.LAB0R HEAD
Dickson Recounts so Years
History of Organization
and Wage Rises.
WARNS PRINCIPLES
WILL BE RETAINED
I'VE Are Trades Union People, but
Americans First" Holiday
Audience Is Told.

Communism was bitterly assailed for
its attempted interference with the Or
ganized labor movement in this country
by r. A. Dickson, president of the
Washington Central Labor Union, in q
radio address over a National Broad
casting Co.'S network this morning. The
speech was broadcast locally over
Station WRC.
The local labor chieftain cited the
many accomplishments perfected by or
ganized labor during the so years Of its
history, including the rise in the wage
scale OF from $2.25 to between SIS and
$3.50 day on an 8-hour scale.
He said the principles upon which
the American Federation of Labor has
been founded must and will be re-
tained-our Communistic friends to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Warning Against Radicalism.
Let this be warning" he asserted,
"as coming from organized labor to
those who would inject un-American ac-
tivities into the American labor move
ment: that we are not unmindful and
unaware Of such conduct, that we are
prepared to safeguard the American
Federation of Labor and its subsidiaries
from Sovietism and that we shall never
agree to any compromise whatsoever.
While We are trades union people,
we are Americans first. Within our
council chambers, our meeting halls
and conventions we invite any constyuc-
tive legislation that is in conformity
with the Constitution of the American
Government, but not q moment of time
nor an inch of space will be given to
any move that Is tainted with or bor-
ders on Communism"
Mr.. Dickson also warned the organized
capitalist group, whether it be interna-
tional or otherwise" that labor stands
ready to maintain its holdings to the
last, He explained that labor was not
seeking trouble with owners Of capital,
but advocates its acceptance into indus
try as partner.
I'VE are ready at any moment to meet
with capital around the conference table
for the purpose of adjusting whatever
differences that arise as between capital
and labor, but II such a. thing as a
fight Is forced upon us to protect and
defend our institutions, then we have
no course to pursue other than to ac-
cept the challenge held out to U.s." he
said.
Dependence for Success.
Continuing, he said:
1--WE fully realize that in the success
of the employer depends the success OF
the employe On the other hand, the
employer should realize equally as well
that his success depends largely upon
the happiness and contentment of his
employees. We recognize that idle ma
chinery pays dividends to neither en-
ployer or employe and it is for the pur-
pose of exterminating the useless stop
page of machinery that organized labor
has adopted the practice of settling
labor disputes by and through the in
strumentality of conciliation and arbi-
tration which has taken precedence
over the big stick
"The substitution of arbitration for
strike and concerted interference with
the peaceful operation of industry must
be recognized and adhered to by both
capital and labor. Without a mutual
agreement on this there can be no
positive assurance nor a guarantee OF
peace to either party.
There can-be no disputing the fact
that organized labor has made its con-
tribution toward the establishment and
maintenance of peace throughout our
country. Likewise. we have continued
to respect and uphold the laws of our
Government. This we will continue to
do. But at the same time the leaders
of our Government must not completely
ignore any longer the fact that there
are II million unemployed people In
America.
"These people are clamoring for re-
lief, not from charitable source, but
from their own willingness to secure
that relief by working for 1t.
Eleven million unemployed people
cannot be expected to remain docile
and stay in line with so much suffering
going on around them. When may
they expect some consideration and
relief? When will the leaders OF oui
Government create the necessary leg1s-
lation to restore these people to work
When will the leaders OF our Govern
ment recommend to Congress the neces-
sary remedial legislation to benefit the
individual unemployed man end woman?
when will the proper thought be given
to this very vital situation by the
leadership of our Government? The
answers to these questions I shall leave
to NV listeners to determine. Eleven
million unemployed people represents
tremendous loss in purchasing power, SO
tremendous is it that 1t has affected
practically every home and business IN
stitution in America.
"To restore these people to employ
ment will place into circulation the
wages Of this vast number OF people
which can be done by proper legislation.