The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-12-07
Fdcing the Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

There is one war in which America
can no longer remain neutral. That is
the labor war.
Those who blindly condemn both the
American Federation Of Labor and
the c. l. O. for the initiation and con-
tinuation of the split in the labor
movement are using the pretext of
Iimpartiality either to cloak their ig-
norance of the issues involved or to
mask their enmity toward all labor
Four years have gone by and the
labor war is still on. By this time
the facts have become so clear and
the responsibility so certain that even
those people who have no particular
occasion to follow labor news closely
should be able to Judge between the
|disputants.
But if this mental exertion is too
much, we suggest to them-and to
every citizen of the United States
merely to study the case history of
one union, the International Ladies'
Garment Workers, and draw their own
lCOnCluSlOIlS.
Before discussing the experiences
of this union let us explain here and
now why the members and officers of
the American Federation of Labor
are so eager for the judgment of their
fellow citizens. First, because we are
convinced we are right and the facts
will support our position. Secondly,
because as long as public opinion is
neutral only the side at fault can
profit. Thirdly, because as long as
the side at fault believes it is getting
away with it it will continue in it's
foolhardy course and the cause of la
bor peace will be correspondingly
damaged.
In the Wilderness
Now for the highly interesting
story of the International Ladies' Gar
ment Workers Union and it's peregrin-
ations in the wilderness.
In 1885 this strong industrial union,
one of the most liberal and enlight-
ened in the family Of labor, was Sc
duced by John L. Lewis. 1t listened
to the glowing promises of the be-
trayer. 1t sincerely believed in the
high ideals enunciated by one who
never intended to put them into prac-
tice. And so it joined the G. l. o. 1t
gave the rebel organization the sup
port Of it's 250,000 members and of
its treasury. 1t gave to the G. |. o.
councils the brains, the energy and
the integrity of it's president, David
|Dubinsky.
Mr.. Dubinsky made it clear from
the beginning that he was interested
in organizing the unorganized but
that he definitely was averse to MAX
ing war on tbs American Federation
of Labor. 1t Was he who forced the
hand of the C. l. 0. leaders and i'm
PEELED them to open the first peace
negotiations with the A. F.. of l.. in
November of 1887. Mr.. Dubinsky
served as a member of the c. I. O.
lpeace committee.
In that capacity Mr.. Dubinsky took
an active part in the negotiations
which finally led to the drawing up of
an agreement satisfactory to both
sides. He was elated by the success
ful outcome of the negotiations. But
his joy and elation gave way to bit
tier detection when John l.. Lewis only
a few hours later vetoed the peace
Ipact.
Out of the Wilderness
| That, DerbapS. was the beginning
of Mr.. Dubinskys disillusionment. Let
lit be said, let it be emphasized, that
he refused to kowtow to John l..
Lewis. He did not, as Sidney Hill
man has done, shudder and get cold
feet at the first glimpse of Lewis
Ifrown. Instead he continued to fight
for peace. He went directly to Presi-
dent William Green in August Of 1888
and asked him whether the A. +. of
l.. was ready to resume peace ne
Igotiations. Mr.. Green agreed without
hesitation. Then Mr.. Dubinsky went
to see Lewis. And he got this answer
from Lewis: 81 won't sit down to con-
agree in advance to my terms" Need
less to say, Lewis terms were lmpoS-
sible. Deliberately so. And the sig
Inifcance of his attitude was not lost
upon Mr.. Dubinsky. He called mass
meeting of the members of his union
and he told them publicly and frankly
that Lewis was to blame for the war
lin labor.
A few months later, when Lewis
showed his hand even more openly
and called convention at which he
proposed to establish the c. |. O. as
Ia permanent organization dual to the
A. f. of L., Dubinsky took the next
Istep. He and his fellow officers of
the |. l.. G.. w. U. announced that or
Iganization had withdrawn from affli-
alton with the C. l. o. Mr.. Dubinsky
Explained the union intended to re-
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