The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-09-08

80 A-AN WI n vi btAC NOAAICA
9nee. The resolution adopted at
he conference not only surprised
he A. F.. of L. officials, but even
some of our own Party
The conference was a
cal working body made up of only
ank shd file delegates who either
we're elected by the locals or APP
'olnTed by the leading committees
n +Ehe locals.
The strike-breaking cooperation
folicy Of Green and Collins not only
piled to solve any of the basic
Problems confronting the workers
But it is solely responsible and
therefore has created the following
|situation:
THE A. F. of L. locals are very
Rapidly declining in membership.
2-The company unions are grow
ng and increasing their offensive
against the workers unions.
MANY wage cuts are being in
Produced and the program of whole
siale discrimination is being applied
against the most militant and ac-
Iive workers in the shop.
1.-The workers are losing con-
idence in the Automobile N. R. A,
Iabor Board.
5-The policy of Green and Col
ms further opens the field for all
j. he company dicks and N. R. A,
ike-breaking agencies such as
Byrd a member of the Labor Board
nd Greer, president of the Hudson
local; all of whom are doing their
best to smash up whatever is left
D the local unions.
National Conference a Failure
The National Automobile Con-
erence called by Mr.. Green did not
olive any of the basic problems. The
/ aiority of delegates at this con-
erence realized this fact, as can
be seen in the call that is now being
lent out by the local A. F. of L,
conference in the city of Cleveland:
"The delegates felt that the
recent conference of the A. F. of
p, locals held in Detroit and the
present set up of the National
Council, did not solve our prob
lems."
I have already mentioned that
he conference held in Cleveland
Eas genuine conference of rank
ind file delegates. This is dem
Instrated by the nature of the res
Hutton adopted at this conference
Ind in the decision that was
dopted to the effect that no paid
lfieial is allowed to participate in
he conference.
Now as to the resolution adopted
t the conference: Here I want to
fise some questions.
1.-THE resolution calls for an in
Ilstrial union.
y 2--The resolution further calls for
Uniting the A. F. of L. Auto and
uto Parts Local into such an In
sustrial Union within the A. F. of l..
The question therefore arises
What sort of an Industrial Union
I'LL that develop into? For instance,
Pill it be such a union as the
tnited Mine Workers, which also
bills itself an industrial union? Or
1t lis say, the Amalgamated Iron,
steel and Tin Workers?
Question Before Conference
The other question: Is it pos
Eble within the framework of the
F. of L. to organize an indus
fial union based upon the principle
II the class struggle?
These are some of the important
hestions that have to be discussed
Ind properly answered at the Ma
lonaI Conference that is called for
Eept. Is in Cleveland.
The delegates at the local con-
bernce of few weeks ago, at least
bme of them, are conscious of the
bet that if we are to build an
Industrial union that will defend the
Interest of the Automobile workers,
his union must be fundamentally
INHERENT both in leadership and in
e organizational structure, than
shy other so-called Industrial
4nion within the American Fed
ration of Labor. The resolution
Eopted at the conference is very
hort one and it starts in part:
"1-That the conference goes on
record for the. formation of an
International Union consisting of
all workers in the Auto and Parts
Industries based on the principle
4 bf Industrial UniOnism and rank
Hand file control"
Ii have been informed that some
HE connected with the printing OF
i he resolution left out part of the
Hin which says, land rank and file
AbutroI." This, of course, must con-
NEnce the delegates that other forces
He also at work. The third part
iii the resolution states what in my
NIoinion is the first step and is
I'll living a base for what these del
MATES have in mind, that is, for
he building Of genuine Industrial
Hnion.
W That in order to carry out the
hhoye aim, the preliminary
4ocsI Conference recommends the
following points for consideration:
"1-That a temporary interna-
: ional Board be elected at this
conference which shall call a ma
Hional constitutional Convention
hs early as possible to be decided
,y the body at the preliminary
conference. No company official
Superintendent, foreman, etc. nor
#halI any official of the A. F. of
!, at full pay at the present be
Elected to this Board"
The exact outcome of the Ma
sonal Conference depends largely
the extent that the Party i;
ja,le to guide in the rank and file
lsoyement.