The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-09-13

undeTeStimation exists to a great
degree amcng the workers of the
trade unions in general and mem
berS of the Steel and Metal Work
ers Industrial Union in particular.
This is so because the members
Of our union had until recently no
connection whatsoever with the
radical labor movement. Ninety
nine per cent of them were either
members CT the A. F. of L. or en-
tirely unorganiZed. Consequently
their theology was formed by the
capitalist press, the radio, church,
movies and other means of propa-
ganda controlled by the capitalists.
Explain Causes of War
Since the metal workers. even the
workers engaged in the light sec
ton Of the industry, are occupying
so important a position in the war
industry, it is important that these
workers should see the causes Of
war and realize that the workers
have nothing to gain from bosses
war and everything to lose. 1t is
interesting to note that many Of
the products produced now in the
light metal shops have the exact
form of bullet Qipstick cases, etc.
1t is also significant that this work
is being done mostly by women
workers and young workers. It was
therefore necessary that the leader
ship Of our union raise the question
of war before the membership.
When the appeal of the Second
U. S. Congress Against War and
Fascism was read at the Silver and
Hollowara local of our union. some
Of the workers asked the following
questions:
Three Questions Asked
Cd Why should not the United
States arm itself when all other
countries are doing the same
thing?
(2) Why do we raise the question
of war and fascisn at union
meetings, where we are sup
posed to speak only about wages
and hours?
go Which country is the one which
fights for peace?
Several workers declared that
they were in the last war and that
they we're ready to go to war again
and send their children too Others
expressed the opinion that the
United States will not enter into
another war.
These statements show the dan
ge-ous effects of the agitation car
ried on by the bourgeoisie which
systematically has fed the minds
of the workers and which, if not
counteracted soon and in a proper
way will be paid for dearly by the
workers. In the discussion which
followed the reading of the appeal
all these questions were answered
with the result that the anti-war
congress was endorsed by a great
majority.
Workers Raise Money
Workers in two shops, members
of the Silver and Holloware local
who during the past few days re-
ceived a wage increase as a result
of their organized efforts aided by
the union, decided to give half of
their first weeks wage increase
towards financing the sending of
delegates to the Second U. S. Con-
gress Against War and FaScism. The
local elected two delegates.
No doubt there are similar under
estimation and confusion in the
minds of workers of other unions
No doubt there is conscious oppo-
sition in other unions too against
raising such questions at meetings
Some workers might draw the con-
clusion from this that in order to
maintain unity and avoid friction
at union meetings the best thing is
not to raise the question. This is
a pure and simple opportunist at
titude that will prove fatal to the
trade union movement. The proof
of the danger of not raising the
question of war and fascism in oul
trade unions was manifested at the
recent anti-war demonstration