The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-02
A Thought for Today
c. /. o. Political Action

The results of the recent convention
OF state C. I. o. leaders and delegates held
in Bushnell Hall, Hartford, for the pur-
pose OF organizing union political move
ment seem now to be so beclouded by the
pillows OF smoke still arising from the
fiery denunciationS by speakers in at
tendance of those Congressman who
over-rode the recent tax veto, and reflec-
tive of the dazzling praise heaped upon the
President that it is difficult to discern,
at this time just what is the plan of the
CLIO. group as to future political action.
Leaders at the convention cited one of
the principal purposes of the political
movement as being "aimed at reaching
into the highest quarters of both major
political parties Upon conclusion
of the formalities of the conven-
ton, when was witnessed the bit
ter castigation of Congress and the lavish
praise of the President one wondered if
mention of this plan Ito influence both
major political parties" wasn't formal
1ty INDUCED in more as gesture for the
public and press.
We have no argument with CLIO. men,
berS in forming their own political move
ment, for that is their prerogative-but
we do think that more formative and
definite program, as to just what is the
courSe-to-be of the movement, should
have. been expressed simultaneously with
the expression that such movement was
being organized. Labor as an organized
political group will be rghtfully expected
to carry some mighty heavy responsible
ties and the matter is not one that can
be explained away by verbose Shingling
of house whose foundation has yet to
be constructed
Absolute formation of labor, under the
CLIO, as political force to be manipu-
lated as SUCH is move open to queru-
louS analysis by the average voting men,
Der of the union, as we'll as all others,
directly or indirectly concerned. Foremost
among the questions now being readied
for presentation is that concerning "preS-
sure" and the possibility and plausibility
of its being brought upon the average
union member relative to his vote.
Such query may seem obtuse but
we are not SO naive that we hesitate to
breach it; nor do we feel that any union
authority will object to it on the grounds
of injured idealism. Politics, at very best,
Is a pressure business" and if labor plans
openly to enter the political field carry
ing affiliate banners, its leaders must be
prepared to face such perSonaliZed
questioning DIS W lIS pOllClCdl uldleCClCS
and dogma.
We think that by now something defin-
tive should have been expressed rela-
tive to the unions Interpretation as to
just wherein enters that division that
should exist between a union being pos
tive force working for the social and
occupational betterment of the union
member, and union acting as a separ-
ate. uncamouflaged political movement
seeking political action. We feel that
such a division should exist with no at
tached subtleties between the two COM
ponent parts. Expressions relative to
this, as uttered openly at the recent con-
vention, seemed to recognize no such di-
vision. Perhaps the possibility of such
a state of being would be too much too
ask.
Labor for many years bitterly accused
capital and big business of playing poll
tics and controlling Legislators for the
purpose of gain. There was little doubt
but what they were right in many in
stances and on many occasions. BY
adoption of political action on its own
part unions are leaving themselves open
to these same charges. Their every
political action should be one OF cautious
approach from now on.
Two Reasons for Private Enfernrise