The people's voice., 1947-06-06
by BILL

fte that first convention under the philosophy the
dominant Gompers group, this extremely wise precep
was scuttled great extent The Gompers followers
felt that labor must not become involved In any mass
partisan action-must confine its political activities
solely supporting its friends and opposing Its ene
mics
precious decades during which the forces of monopoly
business constantly consolidating their position
politically as we'll economically the elder branch of
the house labor is finally showing symptoms of
awakening from its political lethargy.
The terrifying poentalities should the TaftHartley
unionbusng proposal be enacted is finally stirring
all except the most hidebound fossilzed of labor lead
ers action Whether there is yet time to repair
the damage done-to save American workers from being
ground under the steel heel of fascism is debaabe.
Only the unified efforts all labor NOW and at the
ballot box next year can provide the answer
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS
While on this subject of labor, and the altoolong
dominant influence which consistently lives in the past
some other thoughts to mind which may not be
irrelevant
over the years there has been an appalling lack of
effective program membership education in many
unions why Unonsm?" "Labors position and inn
portance in society whole; Advanced techn
cal training available through union organizations, etc
2 Likewise there has been the narrow view" often
taken on matters directly concerning economic
position of union memberships. 1t is heartening to
note that labor in recent years is evidencng far
greater interest in affairs of the nation whole.
whether it be beneficial legislation for our farm mil
lions, foreign policy closely home, the pro-
posed Land grab" of the public domain by large wool
and livestock interests. Closely akin to this narrow
view0 has been the policy of branches of labor
of endorsing certain politicians they
right" on few special 0abor) interest" measures,
when every other of vital concern to the
people these same politicians had proven woefully
lacking.
s. One of the most frequent criticisms of labor has
to do with the assertion that local unions run by
and for the benefit of union bosses This line of West
brook Pegerism is as erroneous as the rationalism
that because there may be in box of apples one bad
one, all the rest are spoiled | know some few
few-unions where there grounds for such as
sertlons But even in these few instances where small
cliques to dominate the basic reason for their
domination is because of membership ethargy-ack OF
participation, meeting attendance etc Investigation
VIII prove that there is far less clique domination in
unions than thers is in chambers commerce. womens
clubs etc.
On the national level adherence to the dconvention
system of naming international officers by some unions
ooes make IL difficult at times to root out the higher
olncaldom- AS in our national politics, the conven-
uon system is outmoded-is has been'-and sbould
be tossed into the discard to permit greater democracy
notable example OF the very opposite the referendum
system OF the ITU (Printers whereby every nen,her
votes at every election whether be for constittiona
reVslons election of local international officers
etc. iieis'
T. Potomac fever" in union leadership This CON
ton seems to be inevitable whether one is discussing
e % politiciahs veterans or national representatives
u almost every group Here again. the convention
system makes it difficult to replace intarnoi
olhcers unless under fixed length of tenure) with
'tale ana national legislators there is greater exbit
o 80 w can get crack at them via the ballot box ev-
cry tWo Tour or six and if we're politicalI CON
'cious put the bad ones "out grass" Leaving men
oaioe 100 ohg, and their consequent losing of the
ioo' touch Oh what their constituents are think
ng is one of the banes of democracv in ova t4 e
American life 10y ''i"'@ VI
Dullns the past decade organized labor in America
N ooe Oh age and with this coming of age nust and
~ 4t assuming the responsibilities of maturity
\ thS transition certain obvious faults exist which
s oe corrected if unions discharge their dutias
tlei memberships in the satisfactory manner
80 ~ aoote are 10 this reporters mind the most OBJ
oti, lo onilhss. Many unions already taking
ol5ecliVe steps others will follow. To comnete tbe
0l,zatoh IL may be necessary in time for addition
h fai. 70 De passed, but such legislation unlike
80 4 ''ic proposals OF Messrs Taft Ball and Hartley
pe 80 desgned to enable labor to attain eoua1itv
o.e major groups if the present system of free"
nterprise is to continue " Tree
Il !. .E