The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-07-13
Dictdtors' Rule
FldYed By Green
Totulituriun Autocruts' Blow
At Democracy Destruction
Of Free Trade Unions

A vigorous defense of the form of
government of the United States and
the democratic institutions developed
under it, and an equally vigorous de-
nunciation of the dictatorial form of
government prevailing in Nazi Ger
many, Fascist Italy and the Com
munist Soviet Union featured the ad-
dress by William Green, president of
the American Federation of Labor,
before the recent International XII
wants Convention in Boston, Massa
chusetts.
Mr.. Green pointed out that the de-
struction of the free trade union move
ment was usually the first assault on
democratic institutions by European
dictators, coupled with the destruction
of the right of the workers to strike
as a measure to persuade employers
to grant better work conditions.
"This great economic movement,
the American Federation of Labor,
which | have the honor to represent,
is essentially democratic and irrevo-
cably committed to the preservation
of our democratic form of government
and our free, democratic institutions" !"
Mr.. Green said.
"This fact is easily understood be-
cause working people accept as a
priceless heritage the principles of
freedom, freedom of the press, free
dom of speech, freedom of assemblage
and freedom in the exercise of the
right to worship in accordance with
the dictates of conscience.
Totalitarian Dictators Destroy Trade
Unions
"Dictators in totalitarian countries
recognize the devotion of trade unions
to the principles Of democracy. This
recognition is quickly transformed in
to action. The workers organizations
are the first to be wiped out by dicta-
torial DEGREES.
"This happened in Germany, Italy
and Russia. The funds and properties
of these trade unions were seized, the
headquarters were taken over and the
leaders were sent to death or to con-
centration camps by order of the gov
ernment.
"Free, Independent trade unions
were declared to be illegal organiza-
tions. AS substitutes for the free,
democratic unions destroyed, wiped
out, annihilated by government de-
crees, government-controlled and gov
nment-administered and govern
ment-protected units and regiments of
workers were established. In that de-
velopment the workers were forced to
behold the substitution of autocracy
for democracy and the rule of die
tator for democratic government.
"Totalitarian countries are strike
less nations. There the right to strike
against injustice is denied the work.
ers. In that respect they are no long
er free to exercise their economic
strength for the redress of wrongs or
for the purpose Of forcing a demand
for higher wages and improved con-
ditions Of employment.
Freedom gone, hopes crushed and
ambition destroyed-such is the un-
happy state of workers where autoc-
racy is substituted for democracy in
government.
Strikes Express Democracy
eve, in free America, sometimes
protest either silently or openly,
against strikes and the great public
inconvenience resulting therefrom.
"When faced with such situations it
is we'll to bear in mind that strikes
and democracy go hand in hand. 1t
is better that working men and women
shall be free, free to give or withhold
their labor at will, than it would be
to abolish strikes and surrender free
dom, liberty and democracy in ex-
change for autocratic control and the
totalitarian State.
"We want democracy, but in want
ing it we must be willing to accept
the freedom of action which goes with
it.
"The preservation of the free exer-
else of the right to strike imposes an
obligation upon working men and
women to act wisely and to guard
against abuses. Every effort possible
ought to be put forth to avoid indus
trial strife and conflict.