Page:Jay Fox - Amalgamation (1923).pdf/20

18 reactionary leaders who have run them into the ground. But now, seeing the error of their old tactics, the militants are organizing themselves inside the mass unions and are working vigorously for the plan of amalgamation.

During the years that the radicals have been endeavoring to build up utopian dual unions, the old unions have been approaching amalgamation by very slow and careful steps and without being aware of what they were doing. Reacting to the pressure of the capitalists the unions have been closing in toward each other. In the various federations we have the expression of this abandonment by the unions of their former isolation.

It is a remarkable fact in the history of the labor movement that all forward movements had their beginning at the bottom, down amongst the rank and file. There is no record where the leaders have taken the initiative in any progressive move. But there are cases in plenty where the leaders have barricaded the path of progress and held back the regular forward movement of union affairs for a time. All blocking of progress is only for a time, and often a short time. The reactionaries are soon swept aside by the rising tide of progress. The federation movement first made its appearance amongst the building trades at a time when the International unions were too weak to block it. It went on for a time and the leaders saw it wasn't going to disturb things as they were, so they approved. It spread to other industries and finally became universal.

It is every evident, however, that the leaders were determined that the process Of getting together would not proceed any further, not if in their power to prevent it, for they have fought bitterly every suggestion that the idea be carried to its logical conclusion. They saw that any further advance along that line would involve fundamental basic changes in the unions, including the possible abolition of some of the salaried offices; and no well-paid officer, regarding his personal welfare as paramount, would consider practical and good union policy any change that might involve a reduction of his salary. But alas for the stability of officialdom, change is the order of evolution!

Federation appeals to the craft unions because it insures their craft autonomy. The unions are alt strong on "craft autonomy," which means to them the mastery over their own craft and the right to do