The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-12-16
Clique Maneuyers
to Sidetrack Shoe
Industrial Union
Politicians at Boston
Meeting Don't Want
Any Struggles
By CHARLOTTE ToDEs

BOSTON, Mass, Dec. 15.--Conven-
ton sessions were suspended today
until Saturday when the Constitution
Committee of the Analgamation
Convention OF the shoe unions, an
nounced 1t is not yet ready to report.
Another naneuyer was exposed when
a report was given that the Resolu-
ton and Constitution Committees
were to meet Jointly, enabling the
machine to exercise stronger control
over the rank and filters who may be
influenced by the proposals of the
Industrial Union. To whitewash clique
rule the Constitution Committee held
"open hearings" for delegates yester-
day. The Industrial Union delegation
appeared at the hearings and pre-
sented the proposals adopted by the
New York membership, which de-
manded the industrial form Of organ
ization, local autonomy in conduct of
strikes and in districts, uniform
agreements, wage rates and working
hours, no arbitration and no affilia-
ton with the A. F. Of L., low ini-
tlation and dues payments and fight
Tor Unemployment Insurance. The
delegates recommended utilization
with the Trade Union Unity League.
The Clique at Work
After yesterdays display of ma
chine politics In action, more dele
gates are beginning to realize that
the phrase, rank and file control,
used by the clique, is mere window
dressing to enable politicians to fast
en- their hold over the new organfza-
ton and turn it into a new brand of
Boot and Shoe Union CA. F. of LIZ.
The delegates expect that the Con-
stitution will leave the door wide open
for the entrance into the A. F. of l..
after the convention by railroading a
referendum ballot. ''Independent
Union" is a mere cover for action lat
err as predicted in the October issue
OF Workers Age, which forecasts af-
tiliation after amalgamation is sue
cessfully concluded and declares this
to be the perspective Of progressiyes
OF all existing shoe unions" IF the
shoe workers decide to come into
the A. F. of L." they say, "the Boot
and Shoe Union will not be the gate
way" indicating that the clique aims
to enter the A. F. of L. with guar
antee they will dominate the new A.
+. OF l.. union.
Same Old Policy
1t is also anticipated by many dele
, gates that the Constitution will not
form an industrial union, but leave
the unions in the districts to deter
name their own form, but provide for
domination from the top. Also thew
Will sidetrack any immediate drive for
improvement of conditions while they
continue the policy Of depending on
arbitration boards.
mus lar the convention is charac-
terized by the crassest kind OF rail-
reading, electioneering and cl1ean
maneuvering to disfranchise and ex-
ciude industrial Union members. The
vigilance OF the rank and file COM
pelled the clique to retreat ON the
issue OF closed sessions, which the
Clique wanted In order to hide thar
machine politics. The CLIQUE provoked
attacks on delegates and raised the
CRY OF reds" and ''disturbers." A con-
Semptuous attitude toward the RANK
and lille has been shown by thinner
nan supporters who have tabled mo-
lions and used the worst type at nar-
namentary trickery. Their own
steamrcller in the chair and on tbe
floor has prevented real rank and fiji
expression. Committees were crowded
with the politicians holding the reins
and supported by the Socialist Party
Delegates must unite to prevent The
new union from being the same as
the OLD with a new set of takers in
control. Although barred from COM
mittees and Disseminated against on
thefloor the Industrial delegates Are
the center OF the convention. for
struggle and for rank and file con.
troll, and the only ones calling for !
constructive program.