was to take place in 1916 at Vienna. The war rendered that impossible. Time and place could no more be considered. Even today the place fixed upon at the time is out of the question, no less than any other town in the former belligerent countries. And since my manifesto of January last has practically remained without response, the next Congress cannot be held this year, for according to paragraph 13 of our Federal Statutes, six months must elapse between the invitation to and the holding of the Congress. The invitation must be made by the secretary after consultation with the Central Committee.

"In accordance with these rules, I am again addressing myself to the members of the Central Committee, with the urgent request immediately to consider the following proposals:

"(1) To hold the Eighth International Metal Workers' Congress in April, 1920, in a neutral country."

This notice has apparently been acted upon and the proposed Congress is to be held in April of this year at Berne, Switzerland. Throughout the propaganda of this organization continuous attacks are made against the American Federation of Labor and all other conservative organizations of workmen.

It is apparent that the leaders of this organization work are in complete harmony with all other radical groups for the purpose of spreading the so-called class consciousness and to stimulate the spirit of revolution in the workers of the particular industry in which they operate.

The following are local lodges in and about Greater New York: New York Lodge, No. 1-Meets every Friday, 8 P. M., 227 East 84th Street, New York City.

Winthrop Lodge, No. 3-Meets every first, third, fifth Friday, 8 P. M., Labor Lyceum, 949 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn.

Progressive Lodge, No. 4- Meets every Monday, 8 P. M., Labor Temple, 243 East 84th Street, New York City.

Bushwick Lodge, No. 5-Meets every Tuesday, 8 P. M., Labor Lyceum, 949 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn.

Harrison Lodge, No. 10-Meets every second and fourth Wednesday, 8 P. M., Labor Lyceum, 15 Ann Street, Harrison, N. J.

Metropolitan Lodge, No. 11-Meets every second and fourth Friday, 8 P. M., 169 Garrison Avenue, Maspeth, L. I.

Newark Lodge, No. 14-Meets every Friday, 8 P. M., Labor Lyceum, 704 South 14th Street, Newark, N. J.

Hudson Lodge, No. 16-Meets every second and fourth Tuesday, 8 P. M., Engle's Cafe, 105 Bowers Street, Jersey City, N. J. Elizabeth Lodge, No. 19-Meets every Thursday, 8 P. M., 652 Fulton Street, Elizabeth, N J.

Plumbers Supply Workers' Lodge, No. 30-Meets Meets every Tuesday at 69 St. Marks Place, New York City.

Outside Erectors Lodge, No. 31-Meets every fourth Thursday of the month, at 200 Blum Street, Union Hill, New Jersey. Plumbers and Fitters Lodge, No. 32-Meets every Thursday at 94 Clinton Street, New York City.

CHAPTER VI

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America *

The radical and socialistic tendencies which developed in the locals of the United Garment Workers of America, an organization affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, resulted in the exclusion of a number of Socialist delegates at the convention of that organization held in Nashville, Tenn., in October,

1914.

The excluded delegates constituted themselves a separate convention, elected a general executive board and Sidney Hillman general secretary. The action thus taken was ratified by principal locals of the union in Chicago, Rochester, Baltimore and New York, all of which had fallen under control of the Socialist Party of America.

The new organization continued to use the name United Garment Workers of America, and made application to the convention of the American Federation of Labor held in Philadelphia in that year for recognition. This was denied.

A special convention was called by the new organization which took place in New York on December 26 to 28, 1914, at which time the name Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America was adopted. The change was rendered necessary by reason of the legal action taken by officers of the United Garment Workers of America, which still remained affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.

The character of this organization is shown by the preamble of its Constitution, which is as follows:

"The economic organization of labor has been called into existence by the capitalist system of production under which the division between the ruling class and the ruled class is based upon the ownership of the means of production. The class owning those means is the one that is ruling; the class that possesses nothing but its labor power, which is always on the market as a commodity, is the one that is being ruled. "A constant and unceasing struggle is being waged between these two classes.

"In this struggle the economic organization of labor, the union, is a natural weapon of offense and defense in the hands of the working class.

See Addendum, Part I.

"But in order to be efficient and effectively serve its purpose the union must in its structure correspond to the prevailing system of the organization of industry.

"Modern industrial methods are very rapidly wiping out the old craft demarcations and the resultant conditions dictate the organization of labor along industrial lines.

"The history of the class struggle in this country for the past two decades amply testifies to the ineffectiveness of the form, methods and spirit of craft unionism. It also shows how dearly the working class has paid for its failure to keep apace with industrial development.

"The working class must accept the principles of industrial unionism or it is doomed to impotence.

"The same forces that are making for industrial unionism are likewise making for a close inter-industrial alliance of the working class.

"This inevitable process will ultimately lead to a universal working class organization, united along the entire line of the class struggle, economically and politically, instead of being split up and divided against itself, as it unfortunately is at present, under the antiquated teachings and methods.

"For the consummation of this great end the education of the working class is most essential. This must therefore be a very important part of the mission of the labor

movement.

"Every oppressed class in history achieved its emancipation only upon its attaining economic supremacy. The same law operates also in the struggle between capital and labor.

"The industrial and inter-industrial organization built upon the solid rock of clear knowledge and class consciousness will put the organized working class in actual control of the system of production, and the working class will then be ready to take possession of it." (Vol. I, No. 1, March 9, 1917, "The Advance," the official organ of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.)

Like all of the other subversive organizations its tactics are those of the class struggle. Its ultimate object is to take possession of the industry. Its principles and methods are almost identical with those of the Workingmen's International Industrial

Union. It constitutes a typical example of revolutionary industrial unionism, being founded on the One Big Union idea.

The general attitude of the organization and its leaders, toward the government of this country, may be gathered from scanning the pages of its official organ, in English, the "Advance," in the earlier issues at the time the Government of the United States declared war on the Imperial German Government.

In Volume I, No. 5, of the "Advance," being the April, 1917, issue, there appears a proclamation with the following headlines: "Workers are urged to protest on May Day against all wars."

The text of the proclamation is as follows:

"Members of Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America are urged by general office to prepare for demonstrations May 1, against slaughter of toilers in quarrels of masterswill pledge loyalty to international labor movement.

"The general office of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America has issued a call to all members to participate in the celebration of International Labor Day on May 1st as part of the great protest of all workers against war. In a letter to all district councils, joint boards and local unions the General Secretary says:

"GREETING:

"The First of May is again at hand. If there ever was urgent necessity for the working class to celebrate this universal holiday, it is now.

"The European War, began two and a half years ago, is still raging. Oceans of blood are flooding the civilized world. Labor of centuries is being destroyed. A continent laid waste. The roar of cannon is the only voice that is now heard throughout Europe and in a good part of Asia.

"At the time of this writing the catastrophe is also threatening our country. By the time this is read to the members we might be one of the powers engaged in the terrific slaughter.

"And just at this time freedom has scored her greatest triumph in the successful Russian revolution. Czardom lies buried in its own filth. Democracy and freedom are now enthroned in the great Russian Empire.