The American Federation of Labor is neither American, nor a federation, nor of labor.[1]
There is no case in the history of bygone organization in the labor movement where existing organizations have changed to meet new conditions.[2]
The first duty of every revolutionist is to destroy the A. F. of L. There can be no revolutionary organization so long as it exists.[3]
We simply have to go at them (the trade unions) and smash them from top to bottom.[4]
I would cut off my right arm rather than join the A. F. of L.[5]
We don't want to save the Federation any more than to save the nation; we aim at destroying it.[6]
The A. F. of L. never won a strike, the I. W. W. never lost one.[7]
If any officer of a pure and simple trade or labor organization applies for membership in the Socialist Labor Party he shall be rejected.[8]
It has been said that this convention was to form an organization rival to the A. F. of L. This is a mistake. We are here for the purpose of forming a labor organization.[9]
This wornout system (trade unionism) offers no promise of improvement and adaptation. There is no silver lining to the clouds of darkness and despair settling down upon the world of labor.[10]
It might as well be said if the fine energy exhibited by the I. W. W. were put into the Catholic Church (instead of the trade unions) that the result would be the workers' control of industry.[11]
Through the foregoing intensely hostile criticisms, which truly reflect the viewpoint held generally by rebels for many years regard-
- ↑ Daniel DeLeon, 1905 I. W. W. convention.
- ↑ Vincent St. John, Why the A. F. of L. Cannot Become an Industrial Union.
- ↑ Joseph J. Ettor, Samuel Gompers Smascherato.
- ↑ Tom Hickey, cited by Brissenden, History of the I. W. W., P. 49.
- ↑ Wm. D. Haywood.
- ↑ Joseph J. Ettor, cited by Brissenden, History of the I. W. W., P. 303.
- ↑ James P. Thompson, in speeches.
- ↑ Socialist Labor Party convention, 1900.
- ↑ Wm. D. Haywood, 1905 I. W. W. convention.
- ↑ Manifesto of conference forming I. W. W., 1905.
- ↑ Wm. D. Haywood, International Socialist Review, March, 1914.
