The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-11-24
UNITY WITHIN THE LABOR MOVEMENT

THERE can be no question but that Wage-earnerS
throughout the country and the Nation as a
whole want united labor movement. The HOuS-
ton Convention authorized the Executive Council
to stand ready to respond to any genuine appeal
for peace, or any honorable and sincere opportun
ity to reunite the labor movement. The American
Federation of Labor believes the difficulties in the
way of unity are not insurmountable If there are
sincere and disinterested efforts to make peace.
Questions of overlapping Jurisdictions, rights in
union benefit systems, treasures, etc. can be
solved when the will to unity can prevail
The difficulties and embarrassments growing
out of dual organization and conflicting dual poll
cies are increasing and multiply the responsibility
of whatever interest blocks the way to action.
Those union officials and organizations who were
educated and disciplined in the ranks of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor cannot free themselves
from the consciousness that only disciplined, coor
dinated action protect and maintain the inter-
ests and welfare of the wage-earners of this
try. There is not who does not realize that
the traditions and union interests of their men,
bership are jeopardzed by secession from the
American Federation of Labor. Descriptive policies
and programs always attract those whose stock in
trade is devotion to radical" theories and propa-
ganda. Those interested in changing social
institutions and structure seize upon Labor's hour
of need as their opportunity.
Not only have trade unions been embarrassed
and handicapped in performing their responsible
duties and functions, but employers who wished to
develop sound and permanent practices OF cOllec-
tive bargaining and government administrators
have been charged with doing even-handed justice
to all. Multiplicity of counsel provided apparently
easy for those seeking escape from the pro-
posals of the American Federation of Labor with
it's established traditions or responsible dealings
in the interests of Labor.
The report of the Executive Council to the
Houston Convention related our efforts to negoti-
ate peace with the secession group through an
agreement which would provide for the adjust
ment of the issues that must be settled. Following
the Denver Convention representatives of both
groups agreed upon a formula only to have the
proposal vetoed by the chairman of the secession
group. But the American Federation of Labor has
offered to take up the dispute where we left off a
year ago, to meet at the conference table again
without commitment and without reservations.
We want to negotiate peace-peace that provides
the basis for unity and coordinated progress The
negotiation of peace, well realize, carries
with it responsibility of assuring the rights of
those concerned, together with the machinery for
meeting problem that arise from day to day so
the spirit and structure of unity can bemantained.
The Executive Council of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor is charged with responsibility for
carrying out the policy of conferences to reach a
mutually acceptable basis for lasting peace, not
surrender of our rights.