Page:The International Socialist Review (1900-1918), Vol. 1, Issue 1.pdf/51

Rh have joined the progressive labor forces, and to quote from their preambles, constitutions and resolutions, would only tend to weary the reader, and, therefore, it is only necessary at this time to recall a little recent history as proof that organized labor is moving forward. At the Detroit convention of the American Federation of Labor, last December, resolutions were adopted recommending "that the various central and local bodies of labor in the United States take steps to use their ballots, their political power, an independent lines, as enunciated in the declaration of principles of the American Federation of Labor." This action was taken after it was shown that lobbying for labor laws in Congress and State Legislatures accomplished little if anything. Some of the most influential delegates admitted the logic of the socialist position and predicted that the time is rapidly approaching when a plain declaration for Socialism can be made without injuring the unions by frightening the ignorant members, who are nevertheless necessary in carrying on economic struggles. The Federation took even a more advanced position, declaring that the trusts and capitalistic combinations are the natural product of the capitalist system, and that they cannot be destroyed by enacting laws against them. The rank and file is warned to pay no heed to political demagogues who promise to disrupt the capitalistic combines, lest the laws will be used to break up unions, and the convention went on record as calling upon "trade unionists of the United States, and workingmen generally, to study the development of trusts and monopolies with a view to nationalizing the same."

This call practically places the A. F. of L. in the position of endorsing the collective ownership of the means of production. It opens the door to socialism.

The writer is firmly of the opinion that the Federation and any national unions would have declared in favor of socialism same years ago if certain fanatical leaders, so-called, had not kept up a running fire against trade unions, and made loud boasts and bluffs of disrupting the "pure and simple" organizations. Ten years ago one "leader" made the ridiculous assertion in the convention in the same city that "we will cram socialism down your throats!" That ill-advised and nonsensical threat has proven costly. Just as one can drive a horse to a trough but cannot force him to drink, so the average self-respecting human being will resist the attempt of any one to "cram" anything down his throat. Had there been some little diplomacy used, had an honest and persistent and tolerant effort been made to educate the workers, the American labor movement would now undoubtedly be abreast of the European movement.