Evening star., 1944-09-03
BY Robert J. Wan,
International Representative Federation Labor

previous experience in this field, they
seem to disregard the fact that labor
union Is an association of workers be-
longing to the same craft or industry,
who have joined together to improve
the terms and conditions of employ
ment. They seek to make labor unions
partisan, political units. They appar-
emily believe that workers as q class
can and should obtain advantages from
the legislative, executive and possibly
judicial branches Of Government. They
apparently believe that workers as a
class have distinctive views which should
dominate the Governments foreign and
domestic policy.
However, If q labor union seeks to
translate its economic aims onto the
statute books and to secure favorable
Interpretation by the administrative
branch, and is successful, 1t brings the
Government into participation in labor
management relations on a partisan
basis. 1t mingles economic and civic
totalitarian character Of government.
The American Federation Of Labor has
characteristically opposed such . trend
1t believes that political democracy can
survive only II Government tnterven-
ton in economic affairs Is held to q
minimum by the development Of q
maximum degree of independent self
government by democratically chosen
representatives of labor and industry
on geographic and industrial lines
This would be the position of the
federation even II it were sure to win
every election. The realistic prospect
Of at least occasional defeat emphasizes
the wisdom Of that position because q
turning Of the tables would presumably
destroy any illusory security based on
legislative, executive or judicial favor
itism.
One Defeat Might End Aid.
II the Labor Relations Act, the wage
and hour law, social security, Walsh
Healey, Davis-Bacon, Norris-La Guardia
and similar laws were all to depend for
their existence upon the continuation
Of a specific party In power, the eco
would jeopardize the existence of the
labor movement and the well-being OF
all wage earners. But those are only
the laws which represent essentially
and admittedly proper minimum par
ticipation OF Government. The extrem-
lists might demand laws which would
wed the labor movement to the Gov
- xuI, IA
stroy the independence of trade unions
and, in the event of sudden reversal,
cast 1t out destitute and helpless The
history Of the Popular Front govern
ment In France demonstrated how labor
unions can mushroom only to collapse
with the rapid shifting of political
Winds
rent crop of labor politicians that union
labor leaders should dominate political
affairs is even more dangerous when
applied to foreign affairs. A poll of the
Political Action Committee would indi-
cate that many of its members were
extreme isolationists until sometime
about the end of June, 1941, when they
became sudden and loud interven-
tionists. Others among them were
champions of the administration policy
in the early days Of the war and pos
sibly still support the delicate diplomacy
which has thus far brought such sue
cessful developments in the conduct Of
the war.
That brings me to the nub Of the
question which is being asked every
where as the 1914 political race enters
the home stretch. Who is to deter
mine the real wishes Of American work.
ers on such varied problems, and how
are they to be tested?
Oficials' Purpose Limited.
agree that every wage Garner should
take active interest in foreign affairs
as well as domestic, but I would not
expect unanimity. Certainly organized
workers who elect local union officials
to represent them in collective bargain
ing are choosing craftsmen for the job
at hand. They are not selecting them
for their views on whether the State
should operate liquor stores or whether
the Federal Government should join
IN four-poWer pact or insist on =
federation Of nations. Any labor repre-
sentative who purports to read the
minds of his members and to possess q
mandate for them on such affairs Is a
victim Of self-hypnosis.
question the right Of labor unions
to operate as political organizations un-
less they are willing to accept the re-
sponsibilities and limitations of po-
litical organization. As q trade union,
workers have no more right to dominate,
or to obey political party than would
. fraternal organization, = rifle club,
or . religious association. Even in
the most militant PAC unions there
are indications that there are probably
. few Republicans. doubt the wisdom
Of diverting the dues Of such . man or
woman. even in part. to the defeat Of
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