The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-03-23

arbtrate its future.
"The proposal is predicated solely
and wholly upon the concept of bring
ing into the newly proposed mass or
ganization the railroad brotherhoods.
1t is further proposed they should be
entrusted not only with the balance Of
power but with the prestige and in
huence Of executive office. Then, too,
quite aside from the fact that the pro-
posal provides for equal representa-
tion without regard to actual dues
paying membership and disregards all
principles of democratic procedure, the
first question arises-have the broth
erhoods been consulted and what has
been their response? Courtesy, to say
nothing of practicability, requires
they should have first been consulted,
leaving aside the point that our posi-
ton might first have been ascertained
before publicly announcing such pro-
posal.
GAS regards the railroad brother
hoods, their relations with the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor have always
been most harmonious and coopera-
tive. We have not the slightest doubt
that they will continue so. While we
would welcome the affiliation of the
brotherhoods into the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, we would not dis
turb the present status or interfere
with the friendly and cooperative re-
lationship that exists between US. At
the same time we maintain that the
non -affiliation of the railroad brother
hoods in no way retards or presents
any obstacle whatever to solution of
the issues that divide the A. F. of L.
and the c.. |. O. On the contrary, to
insist upon their affiliation as a con-
dition or basis Of peace and unity can
only obscure and aggravate present
issues and enlarge and multiply exist
ing difficulties.
'The proposal Of the C. l. o. to dis
solve the American Federation of La
Dor and the Congress of Industrial
Organizations, and to replace them
with nebulous new federation into
which various and sundry organiza-
tions are to be admitted without the
slightest consideration of jurisdic-
tional problems, would only make con-
fusion worse confounded and increase
the obstacles to labor peace. Under
the cloak of peace, the proposal car
ries within it the germs of new dissen-
sions, divisions and conflicts.
"While it may be that the organiza-
tional structure of tn G.. |. 0. is such
as to enable it's representatives to bar
gain for its termination, upon appro-
val of special convention action, the
organic structure of the American
its representatives the right or au-
thority to bargain away it's existence
even by means of special convention.
Indeed, members of this committee
would not if they could terminate the
existence Of the American Federation
of Labor under the guise of peace ne
gotiationS or otherwise.
'The American Federation of Labor
has functioned successfully for almost
sixty years. Indeed, all substantial
organizations making up the c. /. O..
have been reared within the fold of
the A. f. of L.
'The A. F. of l.. has grown from
a small beginning to a gigantic oak.
It has become fixed and permanent
institution for good in our economic,
social and political life. It's beneficent
influence has been felt in every quar-
ter of our land. It's constructive con-
tributions have added much to the
dignity, strength and security Of our
democratic institutions. 1t has ac-
complished for the working men and
women of America more than any
other labor movement here or abroad
and at any time.
at is inconceiYablc that for any
fore attained should now be disre-
garded or destroyed or that the move
ment built up over a long period of
years, through great material and
financial sacrifice, should now be dis
solved.
"The other features of the plan pro-
posed by the C. |. o. must be dis
missed as unacceptable ana mighty OBJ
jectionable. The reasons therefore are
so obvious as to make it unnecessary
to deal with these proposed objectives
in detail.
"Let US rather get down to the task
for which we have been summoned by
the President of the United States.
Let US devote ourselves to the issues
directly concerning the A. +. of l.. and
the c. ]. O.
"These issues were in large meas
ure clarified and agreement attained
upon them in previous conferences be-
tween the Representatives Of our two
organizations. 1t is therefore only
logical and practical that the progress
that was made in December, 1887, be
used as a starting point and basis in
the present negotiations. Our commit
tee is quite prepared to do this and
by this or any other practical formula
or procedure endeavor to reach an
amicable, fair and honorable basis for
settlement of all issues in dispute and
A L, = L