The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-11-26
Silk Workers Vote
For JObIeSS Bill
Continued from Page y

the q. T. w. convention southern
representatives conYin e d him
otherwise.
Woods delivered an especially
dsmagogic speech on the question,
stating that The was born in the
South, had a Negro nanny, and
has Negro friends, hut doesn't think
that the time is ripe for opening the
union to Negro workers" The reso-
luton was tabled.
The convention, although eX-
pected to unite all forces for a gen.
eral struggle against the present
wage cutting drive, opened Satur-
day morning with an attack against
the Paterson striking dyers and silk
workers.
Attack Dye Strikers
William MacN1ahon, president of
the United Textile Workers, to
which the Federation is affiliated,
in opening the convention, launched
an attack against the striking dyers
because they, in their determination
to maintain rank and file control of
the settlement, refused to consult
the German MacNahon officialdom
of the U. T. w. while negotiating
The dye strikers we're termed cir
responsible" for their policy. This
was done obviously to cover up
the U. T. w. refusal to give signifl-
cant financial aid to the dyers. The
only time MacNIahon drew any APP
plauSe was when he presented a
$500 check for defraying the eX-
penses of the convention, as the
Federation is completely bankrupt.
MacMahon's speech was followed
by the appointment of committees
and reports by Russell Woods,
president of the Federation, and
Frank Schweitzer, its secretary.
Both attacked the Paterson silk
workers for their militant stand and
have so framed their reports as to
attempt to discourage the senti-
ment for a general strike on the
grounds that the organization is
weak. The Paterson local in elect
ing delegates to the convention, has
elected a rank and file slate, de-
feating the Keller reactionary ma
chine by an overwhelming vote,
and the delegates stand instructed
to fight for a general strike in the
industry; to resist the present
wage-cutting drive; for establish
ment of uniform wage scale, in
all regions, to repudiate the Cor
-Schweitzer sell-out Of the re-
cent general strike and for rank
and file control and democracy in
the union.
Thinks Winant Board Good
Frank Schweitzer. who has been
thoroughly discredited in the union
because he was the maker of the
motion for accepting the demand of
Roosevelt to call off the general
strike, declared that he believes
much good will come out of the
report of the Winant Board. He
said that if by February the Winant
Boards report does not bring gains
then we may talk of strike. He
had to admit, however, that the
workers were left in worse posi-
ton since the general strike was
called off. His remedy for the wage
cuts in Paterson and Hazelton is
to bring the bosses on charges be-
fore the Textile Labor Relations
Board. Continuing to defend him
self on his action in the general
strike, he declared that those peo-
pie who were against the calling
off of the general strike are Com
munists. He raised the red scare
to excuse the calling off of the
strike and leaving the textile work.
ers in the deplorable condition that
they are in now.
AS in the reports of MacMahon
and Woods, Schweitzer made one
of his chief points the need for
doubling the dues and payment OF
the per capita.
Promise to Organize
Woods, in his report, outlined a
plan for nationwide organiza
ton plan providing for network of
state and district organizations, with
directors and organizers, a $4,000
fund, all contracts expiring on
Sept. 1, etc. He claimed that unless
Pennsylvania was first organized
there is no possibility for a strike.
However, in the discussion on the
constitution, 1t became evident that
this organization drive" is only Of
fered as substitute for the demand
for general strike, and that nc
serious steps are planned by the
officials to put it into effect. When
discussion developed on Section
of Article l of the Constitution
which reads: ANY person engaged
in the weaving of silk or rayon
throwing and affiliated crafts shall
be eligible as applicant for mem
bership" Maori, of the Allentown
local, amended to insert regardless
of creed, color, nationality or po-
litical aff1liation." This amendment
was proposed by unanimous vote
of mis- local. One of the reaction
aries rose to object on the grounds
that this means that Negroes would
be admitted in the organization
vino UP to now were kept out. An
other of the reactionary machine
stated that he has no objection to
the amendment, but demanded that
the political aff1lliation point be
left out" But Eli Keller, Lovestone-
lite leader and manager of the Pat
erson union, saved the day for the
officials with motion that the
point in the constitution stand as
read The ON pSp,o,1t ttyac TofnotnI