The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-12-25
AFL Heads Aid NRA
in Effort to Break
Philadelphia Strike
(Comtiias.ed from Pa.,e 1,


strengthened again with others
drawn into the struggle.
Against the strikers, the whole
force of the federal, state and city
government was lined up, together
with the A. F. of L. bureaucracy on
the National Labor Board.
President Roosevelt, recognizing
the national Importance Of the
strike, ordered his rninions to take
every step to break the strike be-
cause it would endanger the whole
method of strikebreaking of the
MIRA if it succeeded in developing
into either a general transportation
strike or general strike OF al
workers in Philadelphia.
While the strike in one sense
is a sympathy strike, it Is more
Every one of the strikers has his
own grievances against the func-
tioning of the MIRA. Every striker
has left the MIRA. lower his wages
increase his hours, attempb to
smash his union, and in many in
stances the workers have lost their
jobs through the N.RA.
RooseVelt's orders to move for the
breaking of the strike bore fruit in
various ways.
1.-Daniel J. Tobin, president of
the A. F. of L. International of
Brotherhoods of Transfers, Chauf-
feurs, Stablemen and Helpers, on
instructions from William Green,
wired Thomas O'Brien, state or
ganizer of the Brotherhood, that
the strike was Illegal" which in
substance was an order to break
the strike.
DIR. Leirston, NRA administra-
tor, made a special trip to Wash
ing to confer with General john
son and William Green, on means
Of breaking the strike. Leirston's
appeal to the strikers to stop strik-
ing had failed,
persistent reports were spread
in Philadelphia that Eenator Rob-
ert F. Wagner, head of the National
Labor Board; Edward McGrady, as
siStant secretary of labor and Will
liam Green would come to Phila-
delphia to break the strike. Nc
Grady, who helped break the min
ers' strike is already in Philadelphia
but refused to see strike commit
tee. 1t is certain, if the strike
spreads, these worthless will be on
hand to attempt to smash it.
Am an effort to break the uni
ted front of the workers, the NRA
in Washington hurriedly passed on
the demands of the bakery drivers,
offering them concessions. Thus
far the bakery drivers have not
withdrawn from the strike.
William Green's laekey, Daniel j.
Tobin, told the strikers that the A..
F, of L. is opposed to general
strikes, and that workers who have
contracts with the bosses must live
up to them.
mo approval was asked" he said,
NOR was any given to any union in
Philadelphia to participate in a
general strike.
"As representative of the interna-
tional union, instruct you to SO in
form the leaders in this movement,
and make the contents of this tele-
gram public If necessary"
The 5000 Philadelphia members OF
Tobin's union are among the most
militant Of the strikers, having been
betrayed and victimized by the MIRA.
in their strike during last summer.
They are in a fighting mood. 1t was
only under pressure of the MIRA. that
they affiliated to the international
union at all.
On the part of the strikers, every
effort is being made to broaden the
strike, though there are weaknesses in
this respect.
On Tuesday, the 5000 Budd Auto
Manufacturing Co. strikers will begin
mass picketing, which will add
strength to the transportation strike.
Efforts will b made to draw in
those unions which have voted to
withdraw. A move will be made in
the A. F.. of l.. Central Labor Union
to pass a motion of general strike
of all unions in Philadelphia in sup
port of the transportation strike.
That the masses OF workers have
tremendous sympathy for the strike
is shown by one incident when q scab
milk driver of the Abbotts Co. with a
COP on his wagon attempted to deliver
milk. A crowd Of hundreds of people
in workers neighborhood followed
him for six blocks shouting ''scab."
Only two or three bottles Of milk were
sold, as the workers refused to buy
milk from a scab driver.
The real test of the strength Of the
strike will come Tuesday, after the
holidays. At that time, the MIRA.
and the A. F. of L. officialdom will
bring greater pressure, and if with
proper organization and struggle the
workers are able to overcome this
strikebreaking treachery, the strike
will gain In force and will lead to the
victory of the workers.