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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

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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.

The triumph of democracy in Russia has found an echo in the hearts of the German people and the foundation is shaking under the throne of despotism in Prussia.

"Never before was there such an historic occasion for the working class to raise its voice in protest against oppression of all forms, against the crime of war in particular and in the proclamation of universal proletarian solidarity.

"Last year, and the year before last, we called upon our members to give full expression to the spirit of May Day because on the European continent the workers could not speak and we had to speak for them. We did our duty to keep alive labor's voice and raise a mighty protest against the war carried on in another hemisphere. Today we have the additional duty of protesting against war by our own country, against saddling the yoke of militarism upon the working class at home.

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"It is to make this protest as effective as the situation calls for, and it is likewise for the purpose of giving full expression to our joy over the birth of freedom in Russia, that the May Day celebration of this year must be such as to send a message of warning to our murder-loving masters and a message of hope and encouragement to our fellow-workers.

"You are, therefore, called upon to immediately make all preparations for the coming May Day Celebration." (Pages 1031-33, stenographer's minutes, Committee Hearings.)

The comment made in the issue of April 6, 1917, of the "Advance" on President Wilson's war message is also a clear indication of the attitude of the organization:

"President Wilson is a master of the English language and there can be no doubt that he exercised all the care called for by the occasion in framing his message. We humbly submit, however, that if the word 'American' be substituted for 'German' and the word 'capitalism' for dynastics' the German people may with full propriety address that statement to the American people.

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Capitalism wants war and war there will be, regardless of the will of the people. The people were not consulted here as they were not consulted in any other country."

An editorial appearing in the issue of March 9, 1917, of the "Advance," closes with the following paragraph, which discloses the character and object of the organization quite clearly:

"We have unfurled the crimson banner of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America for the tens of thousands of workers to rally around it. It is bearing a message of hope and salvation for the workers. Our banner will never be furled before we reach the goal -the emancipation of the working class."

And again in an article in the March 16, 1917, issue entitled "High Cost of Living," page 4, appears the following illuminating paragraphs:

"The labor union that accepts capitalism as a finality can hold out no hope for the workers in the face of the above condition.

"Only the labor organization that recognizes the class struggle as a means for the abolition of the misrule of capitalism, holds out hope for the working class. While it organizes the working class for its emancipation it affords them all the relief conditions may permit from the evil of the high cost of living, as well as from all other evils inherent in capitalism." (Pages 1029-33, stenographer's minutes, Committee Hearings.)

This organization is in reality an industrial arm of the Socialist Party of America, working for the objects of that party, carrying out in every detail the program announced by that party in the war proclamation and program adopted at the St. Louis Convention in April, 1917, and seizing upon the critical conditions created in this country by the war as a moment opportune for increasing the so-called class struggle. It has gained control of the clothing industry in the State of New York, and in many other of the industrial centers.

In the city of Rochester every clothing manufacturer was compelled, under threat of strike, to sign up agreements with this organization and all have done so with the exception of Michael Sterns & Company.

In New York City they practically control the labor market in this industry.

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