Page:Jay Fox - Amalgamation (1923).pdf/46

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44
AMALGAMATION

who know what the class struggle is and who have the courage to fight it through to its inevitable conclusion. The raising of the standard of American labor leadership is one of the greatest tasks being undertaken by the League.

The League Organization

The Trade Union Educational League is based upon the principle of organizing the militants in all mass trade unions, A. F. of L. and independent alike. Its policy is the reverse of that of the old-time dual unionists who advocated pulling the militants out of these masses and forming them into little separate groups. The League is not a dual union in any sense of the word. It is purely an educational organization. It issues no membership cards, collects no dues, and gives out no charters. To join it all that is necessary is to belong to some mass labor union, accept the principles of the League, and subscribe to its official organ, The Labor Herald. This journal, published monthly, is one of the best in this country; it is brimful of timely articles, bristling comment and international labor news.

The system of organization adopted by the League follows the industries in its general make-up. In each industrial center it has a group whose members are drawn from the different craft unions in all industries. These local general groups carry on the educational work generally in the various centers. Nationally, in the several industries there are also committees. These have been described elsewhere in this pamphlet. They encompass all the militants in their several industries and superintend the work of education. Further the League divides itself into four districts, Eastern States, Central States, Western States, and Canada. Conferences are held from time to time by each of the National Industrial Sections, and also by the four districts. The League itself holds general conferences yearly. The organization is financed by voluntary contributions of individuals and local unions, by the sale of literature, and through the Sustaining Fund.

Every worker who has his own best interests at heart and who understands the problem of the labor struggle should join hands with the League. It is a forgone conclusion that there is no hope for the American working class organized as it now is. We are at the absolute mercy of the bosses. Owning the jobs and controlling the Government they can sit back and dictate the terms of work. Our organizations, political and industrial, are too weak to withstand their wills.