The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1935-01-05

ship Clerks. Freight Handlers, Elk
press and Station Employees
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen
International Association Of Machin-
lists, Brotherhood of Boiler Makers
Iron Shipbuilders and HELPERS of
America. There are other national
and international unions that dc
not have the color clause, but ftnd
ways Of keeping Negroes out, such
as the plumbers and electricians.
During the 81 years Of the exist
ence Of the A. p. of L., no effort
has been made to find a solution
Of the Negro problem. When Mr..
Phillip Randolph, national organ
izer of the Pullman Porters Union
introduced resolution that to some
extent approached the problem, the
leaders of the A. F. Of L. we're
shocked" over the fact that this
question was raised, questioning the
integrity Of their resolutions" and
pious declarations. These gentlemen
passed the buck, beat the devil
around the stump and finally killed
the resolution.
The reason for rejecting the reso-
luton was: "the A. F. of L. cannot
say who are eligible for member
ship In the National and Interna-
tionaI unions, that is a right Of the
National and International union
itself, Of which 1t can not be de-
prived." The meaning OF the above
statement is clear, The A, F. Of l.
leaders do not intend to change the
situation and are not going to unless
they are forced to do so by the rank
and file of these unions. In the
meantime, the Negro workers want
Mr.. Green to explain why this reso-
luton was rejected.
Whether or not the advent OF Mr.
Green to Harlem means a change
in policy, remains to be seen. How
ever, 1t appears to me that its sole
object Is to make an empty gesture
by setting up few jin-erow locals
with the help of Mr.. Crosswaithe
In accordance with Article II, Sec
ton of the A. F. of L. Constitution
Article II reads: Separate charters
may be issued to Central Labor
Unions, Local Unions. Federal Labor
Unions, composed exclusively af col
ored members, where, In the iudg-
ment of the Executive Council. II
appears advisable and to the best
interest Of the trade union move
ment to do So
Negro Workers Seek Organization
The Negro workers are more de-
sirous today to organize than ever
before. We fully realize that only
through trade union organization
will we be able TO better working
conditions and get increased wages.
Our experience has convinced us
that if the Negro problem is to be
solved the trade unions must con-
duct a merciless and uncompromis-
ing struggle for Negro rights, the
right Of Negro labor to the same
wages and conditions with white
workers, for the right to hold posi-
tions Of leadership IN the trade
unions and for joint struggle of
all workers for better conditions.
The very things that Negro work
ers expect Of the A. F. L. trade
unions has been lacking. The A.
F, of L. leaders failed to organize
the Negro workers on the basis of
full equality with white workers and
to consider the special problems of
Negro workers. In fact the leaders
Of the A, F, l., have sanctioned NJ
r, A, codes which discriminate
against Negro workers, The A, F. L.
leaders who have served on the N
r. A. Labor Advisory Board con-
deaed and sanctioned number of
codes with the disgusting wage diff
ferentials fer Negro workers.
Let us take the Textile Code for
example. The textile code leaves
Negro labor out entirely. The mini
mum wage and the maximum hour
provisions do not apply to the Ne
gro, The code inasmuch as it af-
fects Negro workers provides for
lower wages and longer hours.
Since the wall Street" crash and
the bursting of the prosperity
bubble" the number Of unemployed
among Negro workers has relatively
increased much more rapidly than
among white workers. The Negro
is the first to be fired, and when
there is slight pickup he is not
being rehired. He is hardest hit
The present set-up of the relief ap-
paratus Is inadequate to cope with
the widespread unemployment sit
uation. An all embracing system OF
unemployment and social insurance
is vitality necessary.
In spite Of this truly alarming
situation, however, Mr.. Green sends
out letter addressed to all "presi-
dents Of National and International
Unions, State Federations of Labor
and Central Labor Bodies" calling
upon them not to support the Wash
ington Congress for Unemployment
and Social Insurance..
It is clear that as long as such
an unhealthy situation prevails in
the A. F, L. and It's affiliated or
CARNATIONS, Negro workers will moi
join the A. F. l.. no matter how
many spell binding orators or re-
forrnist "self-seekers" appeal tc
them. There is a fertile field fol
organization among the Negro
workers. 1t Is virgin territory.
Fight on JIM Grow Is Basis
To plant the seed of organization
will require considerable work or
the part of the membership Of the