The literary agent of this group appears to have been a man by the name of William Risto, author of a book called "Revolutionary Syndicalism" and "From Trench to the Grave."

In an advance advertisement of the "Revolutionary Syndicalism" Mr. Risto himself states: "The 'Revolutionary Syndicalism' is anti-patriotic. 'Revolutionary Syndicalism' is antinationality. It is anti-militaristic, and it is anti-parliamentary. It is against the private property," etc.

The backers of this book are the same group as those who financed the "Luokkataistelu."

Those particularly engaged in collecting of money for the printing of this book are Vaino Tikka, Otto Hulitella, Carl Paivio, Olga Savolannin, Gust Alonen, Ida Aho, and Elmer Wirta.

II. Workers' International Industrial Union.
III. International Federation Hotel Workers..
IV. Journeymen Bakers and Confectioners Union..
V. Brotherhood of Metal Workers..

907

916

931

934

VI. Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America..
VII. Amalgamated Textile Workers....

942

951

VIII. International Ladies' Garment Workers Union....
IX. Fur Workers' Union....

958

960

[871]

SUB-SECTION III

REVOLUTIONARY INDUSTRIAL UNIONISM

INTRODUCTION

In the preceding chapters dealing with the Socialist and anarchist movements in America a brief outline has been given of the principles and objects of various groups masquerading as political parties which seek the overthrow of the present political system as well as the establishment of a new social order.

The succeeding chapters deal with the fruit of the propaganda carried on by such organizations. Although the political and economic theories taught by the Socialists, Communists and anarchists are the product of intellectuals, they have been carried to the working masses by the constant dissemination of propaganda which has spread a spirit of revolt in the ranks of labor, not only against the present social system and organized government, but also against the conservative and constructive organizations of labor.

The movement thus created in the ranks of labor has been given many titles. In England it is known as syndicalism; in France as revolutionary syndicalism, while in the United States it has come to be known as industrial unionism. The object of the movement is to break up the system of craft or trade unions, and to organize workers into One Big Union having subdivisions along the lines of industry, rather than those of trade. The success of this movement is indicated in the following chapters of this sub-section.

The organizations thus created carry on their propaganda in co-operation with the propaganda of the so-called political organizations above referred to, the purpose of which is to create class consciousness, to stimulate in and among the workers the idea that they alone count in the social order; that only among the toiling masses is found the knowledge and ideals which can reconstruct society.

An intense hatred for all other classes of society is encouraged. and the workers are urged to accentuate what is known as the class struggle. The purpose of this propaganda is to cultivate among workers, first, the desire, and then the will to seize industry,

and to overturn, or overthrow, organized government and to set up in its place the so-called co-operative commonwealth. The success of the proletarian revolution in Russia has given a clear definition of the meaning of the co-operative commonwealth which now, in the minds of most of the workers affected by this propaganda, means a Soviet form of government modeled after the Russian Soviet regime.

It is impossible for the Committee here to enter into a detailed discussion of all the independent labor organizations which are formed along industrial lines, or which may be affiliated with the I. W. W. or the W. I. I. U. Those concrete examples which are here given will make clear the trend of the movement, and indicate what measure of success it has attained.

The Committee emphasizes at this point that the real danger to American government, and to the structure of American society and its institutions, rests in the continuous activity of such organizations as are here mentioned. Revolution, if it shall be attempted in this country, will not be the work of armed bands of revolutionaries secretly coming together in conspirative organizations. Such a movement would hold out no promise of success. On the other hand, the propaganda of class hatred stimulating in thousands of workers who are ignorant of our institutions and laws, a contempt for our form of government and its institutions, must inevitably lead to a division in our society fraught with the most serious consequences to the public peace and safety.

It is difficult to give a precise definition of the terms, "Revolutionary Industrial Unionism" or "Syndicalism." They are employed to designate the theories and practices of certain revolutionary labor organizations which have for their purposes the seizure and control of the means of production and distribution, as well as the overthrow of the existing forms of government, and the setting up of working class rule.

These labor organizations should be looked upon as the weapons forged by quasi-political parties for the purpose of making effective the revolution. Such labor organizations are characterized by the advocacy of direct action, meaning thereby the use of the general strike and sabotage, and the repudiation of parliamentary action. It should be noted that at the present time the distinction between syndicalism or revolutionary industrial unionism and revolutionary Socialism are purely theoretical, for the latter now approves all of the tactics which formerly characterized syndicalism alone.