THE I.W.W.

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1919, Page 14

THE I.W.W.

ITS ORGANISATION

COMMISSION FOR NEW MEMBERS.

The two-week convention, of the Industrial Workers of the World hold at Chicago in May had as its prevailing business making tho I.W.W. moro efficient in operation. Organisation was made simpler and more effective, mothode- wore 6t_ndardised, financial operations were placed under supervision from tho general offioes, and small points of friction were eliminated. Tho form of organisation was centralised. On tho other hand, tho power was still further decontraliscd.

Tho effect of changes mado in the I.W.W. structure is to imporsonalise tho organisation, minimising its dopendonco on any singlo individual, to cause tho machine -to run moro smoothly, and greatly to inca-oaeo its organising facilities.' The- stop, to effect tho last chango was the adoption of aso-oallod "universal delegate system which makes ovory duly credentialod mombor of the 1.W..W. an organiser. Tho Industrial Workers of tho. World will havo no paid, walking delegates or official organisers! 'nor,.as horctofoiro, will a. member bo ablo to induct a convert to tho class war only into the industrial union of which ho himself is a member. Hereafter each member whoso application to carry organisiag credentials is approvod can initiate- anybody anywhero whom ho wins over to tho I.W.W, and equip him ou'tho spot with membership.

A commission of SO cents (2b) per now member is given, Aa tho general exooutivo board estimated.that thoro woro 5000 I.W.W. qualified to-day to confer membership, they figurod this mount many voluntary organisers at work whorevor thoy moved, not simply to make converts to tho class war doctrine, but to sign up I.W.W.

A universal bookkeeping system was' adopted, also universal initiation fees and dues, Rulea woro simplified and standardised. An auditing committee to go over books and Toport to tho membership was authorised and is now at' work at general headquarters. Tho constitution was simplified by. tho elimination of repetitions, and redundant bylaws attached woro dropped. Universal reciprocity between industrial unions as to initiation fees was adopted.

Stamps for the collection of funds for various purposes were reduced from 12 to 3, these 3 being- for relief, of imprisoned . I.W.W. and thoir ..families, organisation, and legal defence, tho effect of this action being to simplify and centralise the collection of funds.