TRADES UNIONISTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 6

TRADES UNIONISTS

CHECK TO EXTREMISTS

THE GENERAL STRIKE

DEASTIO SCHEME SHELVED,

(FUOU OUR, OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 10th Sept, The vital question of whether the General Council o£ the Trades Unions shall be given the power to call a general strike in order, to assist a union defending a vital principle came up for discussion at tho Trades Union Congress at Scarborough, and after long and heated , discussion, which disclosed a big majority

igamst the principle, the question

was adjourned so that the General Council can go thoroughly into the question and report later.

Two minor unions produced the resolution which caused all the trouble. It was proposed by the National Union of Vehicle Builders and seconded by the National Brass and Metal Mechanics. The resolution they, proposed ran :

"That this Trade Union Congress is of opinion that the time is now ripe for definite powers to. be given to the general council us follows: To. have power to ; levy all affiliated members, to call igv a stoppage of work by an affiliatedorganisation or part thereof in order, to assist a union defending a vital trade union principle, and also have powers to make provision for the distribution of food in the event of a, strike."

Mr. Naylor, on behalf of the London Society of _ Compositors, probably the best organised and most efficient, body in the whole trade union movement, led the opposition to this resolution. "If the general council is to have the power to call on any union to down tools without that union being directly concerned in the issue," he declared, "it will mark Die first step towards the destruction rf the trade union movement."

Every one of Hie leading personalities in trade unionism came, forward as speakers on this vital issue, Mr. J. K. Clynes, M.P., arguing caution, and reflection before' the general council were given open power to draw every l trade union into a possible dispute of one small body; Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., of the raihvaynien, throwing gibes at Mr. Arthur Cook, the secretary to the miners; Mr. Cook voicing gibes at Mr. Thomas; Mr. J. T. Brownlie, the influential 'president of the engineers, disagreeing with the miners; and Mr. 15. Bevin, the leader of the transport workers, pleading for a reference back of the resolution to save disunion. MR, J. H. THOMAS Mr.. Thomas reminded Mr. Cook that the response given to the miners was magnificent. It was, however, not a response to an individual, but it was the better sense of the movement, which said that trade unionists could not stand by and allow degrading conditions to be imposed on a certain section of the movement. That sense and. that action would always be forthcoming at the right time.

"Do not misuse your power," concluded Mr, Thomas. -"Do not try to build on a foundation which is not solid at the bottom." Turning to Mr. Cook, he added: ."If we can help each other "we will do it, but don't, make the mistake of assuming that you are the best judge of all that the world requires." (Laughter and cheers.)

"Kverything for trade union power and the bludgeon of fear to intimidate the country," was the crux of the speech made by Mr. Cook, who is so full of assertiveness since the Government, gave a subsidy to the mining industry to prevent'a stoppage. "The miners," he declared, "won their recent struggle because the power was there in. the background. The day of the long industrial struggle is over. We cannot, win any long-drawn-out struggle on the stomachs of our women and children. No union ought to fight alone. Small unions should realise that if they fight alone they will be smashed." COMMON-SENSE NECESSARY "Power," said Mr. Thomas, "is essential, but common-sense is also necessary. All the success in the miners' dispute was obtained with the powers which they already held. The members of th,e general council themselves asked for no new powers." Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P., quoted .1 hypothetical case of what might happen under the new idea. If, for example, the gas workers ceased work, wo.uld the j miners refuse .to produce coal? "I am not in fear of the capitalist classes,'' affirmed Mr. Clynes. "The class I fear is our own. I think it would be the. greatest mistake for this congress to give a mandate to the general council which our members have not accepted."

As an end of all the differences it was finally agreed that the whole scheme for additional powers for the general council should be made the matter of close investigation and further report to a special conference of trade union executives. If the original resolution had gone to the ballot it would undoubtedly have been defeated.