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THE WORKERS' INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL

UNION.

Formerly Industrial Workers of the World.

BY H. RICHTER, GEN. SECRETARY W. I. I. U.

The Workers' International Industrial Union is the new name adopted in 1915 to designate the socialist industria! class union, which was organized in 1905 under the name of the Industrial Workers of the World. The change of name was deemed advantageous to distinguish the Socialist organization from the one which follows the tenets of anarchy, advocates "sabotage," and so-called "direct action," usually denoting non-political action. The career of the so-called Industrial Workers of the World was started at the fourth convention of the I. W. W. in 1908 with the slogan: "Strike at the ballot box with an ax."

The Workers' International Industrial Union maintains today the socialist position on the industrial field as established in 1905, amplified by the experience gained since that time.

The following is the declaration of principles as amended at the Convention in 1915 (amended sections are given in bold type):

The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. There can be no peace so long as hunger and want are found among millions of working people and the few who make up the employing class, have all the good things of life.

Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the toilers come together on the political field under the banner of a distinct revolutionary political party governed by the workers class interests, and on the industrial field under the banner of One Great Industrial Union to take and hold all means of production and distribution and to run them for the benefit of all wealth producers.

The rapid gathering of wealth and the centering of the management of industries into fewer and fewer hands make the trades union unable to cope with the ever-growing power of the employing class, because the trades unions foster a state of things which allows one set of workers to be pitted against another set of workers in the same industry, thereby helping defeat one another in wage wars. The trades unions aid the employing class to mislead the workers into the belief that the working class have interests in common with their employers.

These sad conditions must be changed, the interests of the working class upheld and while the capitalist rule still prevails all possible relief for the workers must be secured. That can only be done by an organization aiming steadily at the complete overthrow of the capitalist wage system, and formed in such a way that all its members in any one industry or in all industries, if necessary, cease work whenever a strike or lockout is on in any department thereof, thus making an injury to one an injury to all.

The W. I. I. U. recognizes and advocates the necessity for a distinct Revolutionary Political Party governed by the workers' interests, as essential to remove capitalism, but as an organization it is not connected with such a political party. The special functions of either organization would be ham

pered by an organic connection the mutuality of interests will insure such co-operation as serves best the interest of the workers. On the basis of the above, a resolution to indorse the Socialist Labor Party was defeated at the last convention. The constitution of the W. I. I. U. provides for an organization "embodying thirteen national industrial departments, national industrial unions, local industrial unions, local recruiting unions, industrial councils and individual members.”

The Industrial Departments are to consist "of not less than ten local unions, aggregating a membership of not less than ten thousand members." They are to be subdivided in industrial unions of closely kindred industries in the appropriate organizations for representation in the departmental administration. The Departments included are: "Department of Mining Industry; Transportation Industry; Metal and Machinery Industry; Glass and Pottery Industry; Foodstuffs Industry; Brewery, Wine and Distillery industries; Floricultural, Stock and General Farming Industries; Building Industry; Textile Industries; Leather Industries; Woodworking Industries; Public Service Industries; Miscellaneous Manufacturing."

None but actual wage workers could be members of the W. I. I. U. Members of the organization are prohibited from holding office in "a pure and simple trade union."

In the strike of Textile Workers in 1912 in the state of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, etc., the workers gained material advantages, as well as educational benefits with the industrial organization, with less expenditures in time and money than was possible with the old craft style of union.

The Iron Workers in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Akron, O., Cigarmakers in Baltimore, Md., Furniture Workers in Philadelphia, Pa., etc., experienced the same. It is true that not in all cases the material advantages could be maintained, the organization being too new and not properly developed to eliminate entirely the schemes of the opposing capitalists but enough was demonstrated to warrant the greatest confidence in future growth and power.

The W. I. I. U. has now (February, 1916) distributed throughout the country 26 local unions, the same comprising members of almost all industries, but principally the Textile, Garment, Metal and Machinery, Transportation, Public Service and Building Industries, the total membership approximating 2,500.

The W. I. I. U. publishes an official monthly organ, The Industrial Union News.

The officers of the W. I. I. U. are: General SecretaryTreasurer, H. Richter, Detroit, Mich; General Organizer, Caleb Harrison, Chicago, Ill.

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FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.

THE WORKMEN'S CIRCLE.
(Arbeiter Ring.)

The organization now known as the Workmen's Circle is one of the strongest factors in the Jewish Labor Movement. In its present form it is an outgrowth, established in 1900, of what was then known as "The Arbeiter Ring of New York." This parent organization was founded in 1892 to aid sick and needy members, and for the spreading of education and Socialism. The organization was, of course, poor, the benefits paid being, in those early days, only $5 per week, and extending over 8 weeks. The "Circle" was started by some twenty people, and has grown until it has today 52,000 members, divided into more than 600 branches.

The activities of the "Workmen's Circle" have increased in proportion to its size. Today it pays to sick members $6 per week for an aggregate of 15 weeks a year. It pays $100 to any member afflicted with pulmonary tuberculosis, and in addition gives such members a six months' stay in the sanatorium maintained at Liberty, New York. It is gratifying to be able to state that more than 90 per cent of the patients are cured when leaving the institution. Inmates at Liberty are not made to feel that they are recipients of charity. They are not considered a burden on the organization, because a special sanatorium maintenance fund exists, for which each member pays an equal share annually.

In addition to the sick benefits, and the sanatorium for consumptives, the "Workmen's Circle" provides a death benefit amounting to $100 to $400. All expenses are met by annual membership dues, by assessments, and by the proceeds of branch entertainments, etc.

The educational work of the organization is extensive and important. The Educational Committee issues a monthly magazine, Der Freund, and publishes timely books. Tours by prominent lecturers are arranged taking in the smallest towns, as well as the large cities. For the coming year_the Workmen's Circle" has arranged with the Board of Education of New York City for the use of its school buildings, to give courses for its membership in American History, History of the Socialist and Labor Movement, Hygiene, The Theory of Socialism, History of Jewish Literature, Botany, Civics, and Naturalization. The annual appropriation of this Educational Committee is $4,000.

"The Workmen's Circle" can be considered a thoroughly Socialistic institution. It co-operates with the undertakings of the Socialist Party and with other branches of the Labor Movement. At its annual convention it donates large sums to radical organizations in need of financial assistance. The affiliation of the Workmen's Circle with the Socialist and

Labor movements can best be seen from the following Declaration of Principles:

"The constant oppressive economic condition of the worker and the frequent illness which for the most part is a result of the workers' friendlessness and need have called into existence the 'Workmen's Circle.'

"The mass of the workers realized that through united efforts and through mutual relief, the problem of alleviating and improving their unendurable condition will be made much easier.

"But the Workmen's Circle is convinced that destitution, need and its accompanying disease, are unavoidable occurrences in the present economic scheme of things, and that mutual relief alone could eradicate all the existing evils which are a part of the present social order. Therefore, in order to liberate the worker from his perpetual material and social oppression we must aspire to alter the entire present system.

"And because of this, the Workmen's Circle has automatically become a part of the Socialist and trade union movement and puts before itself the aim of helping the working class as a whole, of bettering the condition of the worker, of increasing his wages and of strengthening his social and political influence.

"Because of this viewpoint every member of the Workmen's Circle is in duty bound to belong to a trade union. If he desires to utilize his political right as a citizen at any election he must vote for the parties that have as their ultimate function, the abolition of private property."

This Declaration of Principles must be read by the Chairman of the meeting at the initiation of every candidate, and only when the candidate declares himself in sympathy with them, may he be accepted as a member of the Workmen's Circle.

Table showing growth of membership and assets of Workmen's Circle 1905-1916:

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The organization is managed by an executive_committee of 30, divided into five sub-committees, on Benefits, Education, Grievances, Office, and Sanatorium, each composed of five members. All officers and committeemen are elected by referendum vote of the entire membership. The office of the Workmen's Circle is at 175 East Broadway, New York City. The officers for the current year are:

Ab. Epstein, President; Sh. Bulgatch, Vice President; Max Perlowitch, Treasurer; Joseph Baskin, Acting Secretary; Meyer London, Legal Adviser.

WORKMEN'S SICK AND DEATH BENEFIT FUND OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

This Society was founded by a few dozen of German Socialists most of whom were practically forced out of their native country by the German Government under the so-called Anti-Socialist Laws and who had emigrated to the United States.

It was organized and commenced its business on October 19, 1884, in New York City, incorporated February 13, 1899, under the Laws of the State of New York and is now licensed to do business by the Insurance Departments of seven other States.

The Society has branches in 28 States and one Territory. Its territory of operation is limited to the United States proper. The number of branches at present is 346 and that of its members 52,500 of which more than one-sixth are

women.

The main object of the Society's operation is the payment of benefits to its members in cases of disability, caused by sickness or injury and to the members' families in cases of death of the members.

The main conditions of admission are: Only workingmen and women are admitted. Examination and recommendation to admission by the society's physician required. Age limit: from 16 to 45 years.

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1. Sick and Accident Benefits, payable as follows: (a) To members of the first class $9.00 per week for 40 weeks, and $4.50 per week for another 40 weeks, $540.00, or 80 weeks for whole life.

(b) To members of the second class $6.00 for 40 weeks and $3.00 for another 40 weeks, $360.00 or 80 weeks for whole life.

Payments of assessments for sick benefit ceases with exhaustion of sick benefit account.

2. Death Benefit of $250.00 uniformly without regard to class, sex, age at entry or occupation is payable to legally entitled beneficiary or beneficiaries after death of member.

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