The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-04-21
Organize the Opposition

HISTORY is being made in the steel in
IL dustry by the splendid fight of the rank
and file opposition delegates in the Anal
gamated Association Of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers Convention, now in session in
Pittsburgh. These delegates have a ire
mendous responsibility. What they do
how they act will be a great determining factor in
the development Of struggles in the steel industry
for the demands and organization OF the steel work
ers.
Thus far, the rank and file opposition has put
a spoke in the bureaucratic machine Of President
NJ. F. Tghe At the opening session Of the con-
vention they defeated unanimously the efforts of
Tighe to unseat new lodges and those who did not
pay per capita tax. But the real test and the real
expression of the lineup of forces was shown in
the vote overriding the rules committee. In that
test which allowed the rank and file to bring for
ward their four-point struggle program the vote
Of the opposition was 70 to 48 for Tghes proposals
But every steel worker, every delegate at this con-
venton must know that it is the role of Green 81
Co. at the head of the A. F. of L., and the Tfghe
clique heading the Amalgamated, to chime in with
Roosevelts program Of avoiding and stopping strikes
at all cost
Because of the lineup shown at the conven-
ton, Tighe will all the craft and cunning he is
capable of in an attempt to stem the tide and de-
feat the demands of the rank and file and their
representatives.
The delegates must be on their toes and watch
every maneuver of Tighe. In the face of the strong
opposition that has developed he will meet with dele
gates behind the scene, he will appear to agree to
struggle proposals. he will counsel delay-he will do
everything in order to keep his grip for the sole
purpose Of carrying through the Roosevelt program
against the wishes of the steel workers.
Ovor co116I
position forces is now the greatest danger
THE foT-point program put forward by the oppo-
sition has the approval and meets the needs of
the hundreds Of thousands of steel workers or
ganized or unorganized, in the A A. in the Steel
and Metal Workers Industrial Union and in indie
pendent organizations.
y Immediate presentation of demands for union
recognition and IS per cent pay increases; q 10
day ultimatum to the bosses, and a general strike
If demands are not granted; 81 industrial form of
unionism A. the 6-hour day f1ve-day week
President Tighe is definitely against any such
action. To what lengths he will go in an effort to
stop struggle shown when he smuggIed Senator
"Puddler Jim" Davis in to speak-aganst strikes
The majority Of the delegates at the convention
have expressed their will But that is not sufficient
They must organize their forces solidly They must
meet in caucus to plan their fight to put through
their program. They must keep constant watch
over the maneuvers of Tighe and defeat them
Above all, to guarantee the carrying through of
their program they must prepare to elect their own
leadership pledged to the four-point program. The
fight for this program must be coupled with the
fight to GUST the Tighe gang
The Communists in this convention who sup
port the action Of the rank and file, who are among
the most militant fighters for the four-pont pro-
gram and for a united front of all steel workers
behind it, are charged with the most tireless and
persistent work to unity and organize the oppo-
Ston.
The Tighe leadership which has been the COM
fort and aid of the big steel bosses must not be
permitted to out OF this convention as the
representatives of the steel workers in reality the
agent of the steel corporations in the ranks of la
Dor They must be trounced and effectively de-
feated. Every one of their maneuvers should be
spiked. real leadership should be elected and the
basis laid for a real united struggle of all steel
workers which will win union recognition and in
creased wages-and prepare energetically for
powerful steel strike to win these demands