The sub., 1945-04-14

Federation of Labor to participate in purely exploratory and con- sultative" world trade union con- ference in London. We declined the invitation because the British Trades Union Congress had no right to Supersede the authority of the LF.T.U. in converting world con- ference and because the invitations were addressed to some organiZa- tions which are not free trade un- ions, to others which are govern ment dominated, to many which are duel in character, destructive in purpose and which fail to recognize the need of domestic trade union unity.
 While Sir Walter Citrine urged that>the conference would be pure ly exploratory and consultative the ste.N taken at the recent so-called World Trade Union Conference in- dicate that the delegates at least attempted to create continuing or ganizatioA and on behalf of the un- born organization issued many sweeping declarations. While Git rine had argued that the I.F.T.U. could not properly call conference to consider effective prosecution of the war because it included trade unions which were neutral and en- emy countries, the recent cenfer- ence embraced ou its continuation committee unions of every charac- ter which sent delegates and even some mushroom organizations or dubious character in ex-enemy countries which were not even rep- resented at the meeting.
 "The most striking defect, how ever, is the lack of unity in the composition of the conference. The labor organizations of the Soviet Union, for example, can hardly be described as performing the same function as labor unions in repre- sentative democracies practicing the system of individual initiative, priv ate ownership and freedom of speech, press, worship and associa- ton. To recognize that fact is not an act of hostility to our Russian al- lies. It is simple matter of intel lectual honesty. It is like trying to merge the English language with the Russian. The mixture would be neither ineligible nor useful to those who speak either language.
 "The American Federation of La bor believes that the essentially political character of the activities of the So-called World Trade Union Conference is another sound reason for our non-participation.
 We believe, however, that Am- erican labor unions have an obli- gation to participate in the fram- ing the peace as advisers to the na- tional delegation of the United States. We also believe that labor of all other countries should have like recognition at the peace table. We believe that American labor should be accorded representation in an advisory capacity to our U. s. delegates to the San Francisco meeting.
 We emphatically do not believe that any international trade union gathering should undertake to dic- tate to the Unied States Govern ment and the U. S. workers on the conduct of our foreign relations anywhere or at any time. This last is duty constitutionally entrusted to the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate.
 "AS citizens we have a right and duty to express our views to our President, but to negotiate with the citizens of other nations on the terms of international political and economic commitments goes far be- yond the legitimate functions of trade unions or the privileges of citizenship.
 Therefore, the American Fedora tioa of Labor will decline to com- init itself to any manifesto which may be issued on behalf of the so- called World Trade Union Confer ence.
 The American Federation of La Dor will participate in the next scheduled Congress of the Interna- tional Federation of Trade Unions in September, 1945, at which time