The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1938-12-29
Looking Ahead

When Junior starts to shave, his
fond parents have got to realize that
the boy is well on his way to.man-
hood.
Similarly with labor movement,
no matter how gradual its growth
and transformation. certain unmis-
taxable signs appear from time to
time which throw its transitions into
sharp relief.
one such sign OF the times. so
far as labor is concerned. is the i'm
portant announcement just made by
John L. Lewis ON behalf OF LaborS
Nom Partisan League.
The full significance OF this step
has not yet impressed itself on the
country as a whole. Yet 1t is as preg-
nant with possibilities in its way as
was the first announcement Of the
formation OF the Clio. And 1t follows
in the logical order Of growth the
development of the new labor move
ment to which the CLIO gave rise.
The Second Stage
Placing first things first. the CLIO
has concentrated nearly all OF its
attention on the primary task Of
organizing the unorganized.
Only when workers are sub
stantialiy organized can they
have an effective voice In pro-
noting the legislative. political
and other general social pur-
poses which they naturally de-
sire 20 achieve.
But when a measure Of success
is achieved in this primary task,
and solid. permanent, function
ing unions are established, lab
or's growth and development
does not stop.
When Junior has reached his full
stature. he starts filling out. The
new powers Of manhood develop
within him. and soon he will be
playing a mans part in the world
of affairs.
The recent CLIO convention show
ed that solid. permanent organiza-
ton has now been established in
many previously unorganized indus
tries. There are still plenty OF fields
in which all attention must be de-
voted to union recruiting. But
wherever a permanent basis OF Or
ganization has been laid. a second
stage Of development has begun.
This second stage includes the
consolidation OF union strength
through Industrial Union Councils,
to mobilize labor's power in the var
ious states. for legislative and politi-
cal as well as economic purposes.
and the development OF an indie
pendent political movement OF labor
through Labors Partisan
League.
Independent, Not Alone
just as real labor union. as
distinct from company union. gives
working people independence in
dealing with their employers. so
political organization based on
strong unions enables labor to play
an independent role in the political
life Of the country.
This independent role. in the
American scene, does not necessarily
mean new party. But it does mean
that labor ceases to be the tail to
anyone'S kite: that II can advance
its own policies as a test OF its en-
dorSements: and that II has the or
ganized power to insist upon the
political consideration to which 1t is
entitled
Nor does labOr's growing indie
pcndence mean that II must go
II alone. On the contrary, the
liberal social policies which Il
advances are also the goal Of
other progressive elements. and
the unity Of all liberal and pro-
gressive forces Is necessary 20
secure their enactment.
But when strong union organ
ization leads also TO political
organization. IL means that labor
has the power TO play It's full
part as the backbone Of the
whole liberal movement.
The Leagues Program
Lewis League statement signalizes
labor's new sense of direction. II in
dicates some OF the uses which labor
will make in the next two years OF
the new powers which have come
to it through union organization.
In the first place, the Leagues