The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-30
JOHN T. FLYNN Noted Writer Economic Topics Reviews The
 LABOR DAY PARADE.
Workers Face Fight Over Company And Industrial Unons
 Rift Is Threatened Within Ranks Of A F. Of L.

workers at less than cost, a beau tiful countryside, golf courses, play ing fields, playgrounds, libraries, social and cultural aids and, above all, certain easy-going friendli- ness in management as contrasted with the ruthless discipline of the assembly line and so-called scien- tific management. But in the end. it is hardly a movement. It Is the application of the friendly and ben- employer. In most industries the humane employer is not permitted
 As 1893 dawned the Federation to release his benevolence. The pinching, driving efficiency of his competitors compels him, in self defense, to play the same game. INDUSTRIAL UNION FOUGHT 5
 The Federation faces another battle with its ranks-the fight for the industrial union. The A. F. of L. is made up and dominated chief ly by craft unions. The craft union is composed of men in the same trade-carpenters, machinists, elec-s tricians being organized separately In the industrial union all workers in single industry are formed into { a single organization-carpenters, { machinists, masons, common labor : CTS, machine tenders and white col- , lar workers.
 The Federation has fought the industrial union idea. There are 38,0O0,000 workers susceptible of organization. Less than 4,000,00O are in the Federation. Critics say this is because of the craft union policy. The Federation, they say, seeks to protect a small number of highly paid skilled workers and sacrifices the interests of the mill lions in the mass-production indus tries.
 The United Mine Workers is an industrial union in the Federation -one of the few. Last year John L. Lewis, it's pugnacious head, de- manded recognition of the indus trial union. The Federation, thus pressed, while defending its craft unions, voted for industrial unions in the automobile and other mass industries. It seemed to yield. But later it forced the brew cry workers to relinquish jurisdic- tion over teamsters and other craft groups. It set up craft union coun- cils in the office equipment indus try. More serious, when copper workers were on strike--industrial unionists-22 craft unions among them (skilled men) made settle l-n rx.a al tnr said they were abandoned left high and dry.
 LEWIS IN PROTEST
 John L. Lewis protested against this at a council meeting of the Federation last May. But the council, save for one or two. voted automobile workers which just met in Detroit posed the question again. Green authorized machinists and other skilled men in the industry to form craft unions.
 As a result 1t is said the Fedora ton conventions next month will be blue with the fire and dust of this fight. There are rumors that if the convention does not abandon the ancient craft union policy of Sam Gompers, a new federation will be organized. John L. Lewis may lead the revolt. If he does it is said the automobile workers, textile work CTS, brewery workers, Amalgamatcd Garment Workers, International Ladies Garment Workers and other misrepresentation industries will fol- low him.
 It is a critical moment for tho Federation. For another battle cuts straight across this one. The building trades internationals are the backbone of the Federation. But for some years bricklayers, carpenters, electricians have been out. Last year Green invited them back. They came but the Build ing Trades department rejected them. Green ordered the Building Trades to reverse its rejection within 45 days. The Federation supported him. The Building Trades were called in convention. The rejected carpenters, bricklay- CTS, electricians showed Up. Hod- carriers, engineers, marble work CTS, teamsters also appeared. But all the other building trades re- fused to honor the call. Hence Green authorized the seven trades which appeared to organize. while the others remained as outlaws. This fight is up. It is serious, because 1t means war between those unions which are chief sup porters of the craft union idea.
 LEFT WING RISES
 But still other clouds gather. Outside the Federation the rising tide of Left Wing unions threat ems. Green says these unions are being fostered from Moscow. Last month Sam Darcy, American com- munist,. boasted in Moscow that his party was making progress with these unions.
 NEXT: Labor's gains and losses I'm recent years.