Page:William Z. Foster, James P. Cannon and Earl Browder - Trade Unions in America.djvu/22

 dustry. It unites the movement in the entire industry and gives a lead to its work. It studies the needs and weaknesses of the unions in the industry and lays down a detailed and specific program to improve the situation. The National Industrial Conference binds the movement together on a national scale and coordinates the activities of the various unions and the various localities. It also elects a national committee which directs the national campaign between conferences.

While the league is based exclusively on the unions and, in its main organization, parallels their national structure, it has also, in order to facilitate its work, four geographical subdivisions. They comprise the eastern states, the central states, the western states and Canada. Each of these districts is in charge of a special district organizer who keeps in constant touch with various units in his district and co-ordinates their work.

The whole movement is welded together into one natonalnational [sic] body by the general conference, which is held at intervals of a year and a half, and to which all the affiliated local groups are entitled to send delegates. This general conference surveys the whole field and gives a general direction to the national movement. It considers all problems of a general nature and adopts a policy in regard to them. It crystallizes the experience of the year and puts it into the form of resolutions for the guidance of the militants. The general conference undertakes to answer every question and deal with every problem confronting the left wing movement. It also elects the national committee of seven members, one of whom is the national secretary.

The league has mastered the problem of realistic revolutionary work, steering clear of sectarianism as well as opportunism. It combines a frankly revolutionary program and a devoted adherence to the Red International of Labor Unions with energetic and practical campaigns on issues of  The American labor movement, except for the Canadian sec-