LABOR IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 19351, 10 September 1926, Page 8

LABOR IN BRITAIN

TRADE UHIOHS CeHSRESO , MESSAGE FROM RUSSIA PANDEMONIUM LET LOOSE. Preaa Association —By Telegraph-Copyright. LONDON, September 9. (Received September 10. at 12.10 p.m.) M. Torasky’s (chairman of the Soviet Trade Unions) astonishing cable was the first thrill at the Trade Unions Congress, which had a session of unprecedented excitement. The cable was written in pidgin English, and opened by sending greetings to the courageous battalion of mine workers, who continue to defend their standards of living and their past historic gains, despite betrayals by certain leaders during tho general strike and capitulating to tho mentality of others. Tho cable added; “The Soviet workers lay tho blame of the failure of tho British general strike upon the bend-the-kneo attitude towards the Government of the trade union leaders, like Mr Thomas, who was the main instigator of tho defeat of tho strike, which otherwise would have resulted in a glorious victory whereby British Labor would have been freed of the present Government of aristocrats. Had the miners been left alone they would long since have smashed the obstinacy of the clique of mine owners.”

M. Tomsky ended with “ Long live the international working class solidarity, and up with tho fight against the capitalist offensive.” Circulating tho cable, the General Council described it as tho most regrettable abuse of ordinary courtesies expected from fraternal delegates, adding that the council had no intention of replying to this ill-instructed, presumptuous criticism.

Bitter feeling was aroused in tho congress on tho subject, and was tho chief cause of angry scenes during the discussion on tho failure of tho general strike. Mr Jack Tanner, of the Engineers’ Union, accused the Genera! Council of selling the unions.

A motion to refer buck sections ot tbs report dealing with the general strike was finally rejected by 755,001) votes to 309,800 amid frenzied cheers from the supporters of the council. The dissatisfaction of the extremists, however, was renewed when Mr Smillio moved a motion pledging the congress s support of the miners. When Mr Bromley rose to second the motion pandemonium commenced. Mr M'Girk (vice-chairman of the Miners’ I'cderation) objected to the choice of Mr Bromley as seconder, as being a deliberate insult on the miners’ part to the General Council.

Mr Pugh (president of the Trade Unions Congress) refused the suggestion to appoint another seconder. When Mr Bromley again got on his feet he was greeted with a volley of boos, Mr M'Girk shouting: “You are a lot of cowards and traitors.” Other delegates cried “Judas.” Mr Bromley’s supporters joined in with cries: “Stand to your guns. Let ’em have it,” Mr Pugh meanwhile heating the bell frantically, or naming obstructive delegates, none of whom took the slightest notice. Finally Mr Pugh adjourned the meeting, which- was in the utmost disorder, the council going into another room, leaving the delegates shouting at each other.

An hour later Mr Pugh retook his seat amid ironical laughter. Mr Bromley was allowed to speak, and the resolution was carried.