Pioneer

I The Stipendiary and the Guardians. SEE PAGE 8

The General Federation of Trade i Unions and the Triple Alliance. By MARK STARR. The miners resolution at the recent T.U. Congress (which if endorsed by the Labour Party Conference will exclude the G.F.T.U. from the Joint Board) has caused a certain amount of attention to be directed to the G.F. T. U., and many specu- lations have been made as to its position and function in the future of the Trade Union Movement. At first sight, the relation of the various labour organisations to each other is bewildering; their functions are undefined, and considerable friction and overlapping prevails. While many Trade Unionists can narrate to you vividly and in detail their individual brushes with the local "boss," there are few of us who would be able to explain clearly to an outsider the relations and differences between the Trade Union Congress—with its Parlia- mentary Committee and the Labour Party or the Joint Board. Only through a knowledge of the historical conditions of the Labour Movement can we understand I this complexity—this alone is the key. In this respect the Labour Movement is analogous to the eye. A scientist once said that if the human eye, with all its wonder- ful powers, was sent to him as an optical | instrument he would return it to its maker !■ as being defective and badly made. The eye can only be understood by the fact that it contains within itself the history or story of its evolution from the spot sensi- tive to light on the primitive cell to its present complex condition. It represents a growth and not a ready-made article-a i *ee rather than a suit of clothes made to measure. Likewise in dealing with the various Labour bodies we shall approach them in a more symps.thetic understanding frame of mind if we realise that the story of the development of the Labour Move- ment is now reflected in their apparent fail- injgs and complexity. They do but repre- sent the mind of Labour unfolding to meet new conditions. The Trades Union Congress might be said to be the parent body. Its Parliamen- tary Committee is a reminder of the days When Labour was contcnt to stay in the Lobby and exert its influence. Dis- T satisfied with lobbying M.Ps., the Labour Representation Committee, ad vocating in- dependem direct Parliamentary represen- tation, arose. This became later the Labour Party which holds an annual con- ference, and is a federation of Trade Unions—Socialist Societies, Trades Coun- cils, and local Labour parties. Leaving the Lobby of the House Labour went inside to ask its questions direct, to attempt to catch the Speaker's eye, and to ballot for the chance of introducing Bills. The results of these political efforts are common knowledge. The General Federation of Trade Unions "Was formed thirteen years ago in order to federate all Trade Unions together to fight the industrial battle. While these two later bodies have definite working spheres tIe Trade Union Congress discusses both industrial and political questions. It is the talking shop," unable to formulate a consistent policy or carry it into effective operation. In it opinions are exchanged and general principles discussed, and its P.C. wait upon Cabinet Ministers and arrange all matters between Congress and Congress, such as arrangement of resolu- tions and watching and initiating legisla- }■ tion The latter is, however, performed in conj unction with the other Labour f bodies, who meet at the Joint Board. This Board is composed of three members and the secretary from each of the following bodies —the Parliamentary Committee of the T.U.C., the Executive Committee of the Labour Party, and the. Management I Committee of the G.F.T.U. For further I particulars as to the constitution and func- ? tions of these bodies the reader will do well I to consult "The Labour Year Book" (is. I in paper). | Hoping that this somewhat lengthy in- f troduction has cleared the ground a little ■ we can now proceed to discuss the two I organisations which form our subject pro- per—the G.F.T.U. and the Triple Alliance, | I two bodies, one old and the other new F' which are each trying to unite Labour for industrial purposes. We shall try to com- pare them to see which is the more effec- ts tive). I Federation of all workers has existed as I a fine ideal for many years. Many I attempts have been made to secure it from f the Grand National Consolidated Union of [ Robert Owen's day to the Triple Alliance of our own. Failure has followed the most of these attempts. They have been wrecked by sectional jealousies again and again. A few years ago another attempt at Federation was made. Many Trade Unionists remember this period of en- thusiasm, of which W. A. Appleton in the Labour Year Book (page 97) writes as fol- lows Thirteen years ago Britain rang with the oratory-magnificent oratory- of the advocates of General Federation. Conferences were held, delegates attended from all over the country, rules were for- mulated, and an organisation created. Press and public discussed the potentialities of this reincarnation, for there had been other national federations, and capital flooded the press it controls with doleful prognosti- cations concerning the new power it had to combat; but, alas, much of the enthu- siasm evaporated when the entrance fees became due, and everywhere particular interests refused to combine for the general good. It is interesting in passing to note how those "doleful prognostications" are paralelled by the comments of the modern press upon the Triple Alliance. Referring to the purpose of the G.F.T.U. Appleton, in the same place, writes The dominant idea of the founders was a strong central organisation, gathering to itself all the scattered forces of the move- ment; unifying these, welding them into a well-ordered and definite army, capable of concerted movement and backed by a gigantic central fund (please note this for future comparison), the whole of which should be at the service of any society fighting to maintain its existence, or to improve the lot of its members." Again, a little later in the same article he says — The immediate ideal of the General Federation is a million members and a million pounds reserve Despite the initial enthusiasm and its fine ideals the G.F.T.U. contains at the present time only about one-quarter of the Trade Unions, and the most powerful unions are outside it-the last prominent withdrawal being that of the A.S.E. Per- haps in comparing it with the Triple Alli- ance we may discover the causes of its par- tial failure. The Triple Alliance is a new and untried weapon. It is not a binding Federation, but only a means whereby its constituent bodies can unite together for common action. It is the outcome of lessons learnt in the industrial unrest period—was first mooted at the Miners' Conference in 1913, and finally settled in 1915. It links to- gether three industries which are vitally interconnected with each other. The action of one affects the others, e.g., the 1912 miners' strike caused a loss in wages to the railwaymen of ^94,000. A little reflection will show how by concerted action they can help each other. Even blacklegs would be of no use to a colliery or railway company if the railwaymen refused to shift the coal or, in the latter case, if the miners refused to send coal to fill the mineral trains driven by strike- breakers. And similar cases would arise with the other transport workers. Coal and transport are two vital necessities to the body politic, for transport is its life- giving veins, while coal is an important part of its food. Therefore, as these im- portant industries are bound together in many ways it is only natural that they should arrange joint programmes and en- force them by joint-action. One of the first great differences noted between the G.F.T.U. and the Triple Alli- ance is iu the method of their fighting. In the latter we hear nothing about a gigantic central fund or an ideal of a million reserve. In fact, the money- bags method of fighting is discarded. The G.F.T.U. tried to build up a huge insur- ance fund against strikes. Experience has shown which side can build up the larger insurance fund and win in a money contest. A section of the workers sometimes go on strike. Their work is transferred to another shop or colliery to be performed by their fellows who may be at the same time* levying themselves to support the strikers, and the strike fizzles out or ends in a compromise. The Triple Alliance is built for general action and attack rather than for the prolonged support of sectional strikes with their final failures. Robert Smillie, in the Labour Year Book (page 104), writes :In every case the results of a joint action on a large scale should be rapid and decisive, and all the suffering and loss inseparable from trade troubles of the past could be prevented in the future." Another point which should be carefully noted and kept in view in any future pos- sible extension of the Triple Alliance is the fact that all unions before joining should adopt the industrial method of organisa- tion, The General Federation apparently opened its arms and said, Let 'em all come," making no attempt at classifica- tion, and accepting little and big unions, even if they were in the same industry, aftterwards trying to settle their rivalry- and. disputes. Most likely this explains why the G.F.T.U. has not achieved its expected extension and success. It is to be hoped that this weakness will be avoided in the Triple Alliance; the union before joining up should first get things right within the ranks of its own industry. In this way amalgamation of hitherto rival unions would lessen that cumbrous total of 1,000 unions which at present blocks our progress and acuses the dissipation of so much enegy. By sympathetic strikes on many occa- sions the workers have shown their readi- ness to stand by each other. This feeling in itself contains a fine forecast of the future. But blind impulsive uncontrolled sympathy is useless without it is guided by science into the channels of controlled planned joint action. Therefore, the aim is that all agreements with the employers should terminate simultaneously. We see the well-ordered and definite army, cap- able of concerted movement," developing without the backing of a gigantic central fund." In short, the G.F.T.U. belongs to the Old Unionism, while the Triple Alli- ance is an expression of the New Unionism which strives to put class-consciousness in the place of trade-consciousness. The Triple Alliance is not out to injure the G.F.T.U. in any way, and the passing of the miners' resolution will not rob it of its most valuable functions in the Trade Union Movement. There is plenty of scope for it in the statistical, advisory, and friendly benefits departments. This subject is not without international implications. All the internationals have so far been formed by the political, rather than the industrial side of the Labour Movement. Industrially, Britain was officially linked to the International Trade Union Secretarial through the G.F.T.U., which, as before mentioned, only contains one-quarter of the organised workers. Now, if we believe that, in the words of Vander- velde (also in the Labour Year Book, page 402) :—" Class antagonisms will reveal themselves all the more bitterly the longer and more exhausting is the war. However great may have been their prejudicies one against the other-or their grievances—the workers cannot fail once again to realise their essential unity of interest." I repeat, if we believe this we cannot think that a body like the Triple Alliance will remain silent and inactive in international matters. The workers alone can stop war, not in the final analysis by political demonstrations and protests, but by folding their arms. This is the final unanswerable argument to the war-mongerers. And if the Triple Alliance helps in any way to hasten that time when all workers—by the pressure of Capitalism-will "realise their essential unity of interest," it will have justified its existence. However, to come back to the immediate present, keeping our hopes reined by our reason, we would suggest that an organisa- tion which has affiliated to it over a million and a quarter workers should at least possess an official mouthpiece, in which its various sections could be catered for. The G.F.T.U. has an official organ, and the Triple Alliance too would benefit from a news sheet of its own. For it is not enough to form a Triple Alliance. The most powerful machine would be useless to a Red Indian. The Triple Alliance is not an all-p'owerful entity-apart from its members-which will overcome obstacles of itselt in a mysterious fashion. It is a weapon demanding intelligence and the sense to use it properly from us workers, who are its wielders.

OLYMPIA RINK, MERTHYR The FIRST ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL SERVICE In Memory of the late J. Keir Hardie WILL BE HELD ON Sunday, September 24th SPEAKERS: MRS. DESPARD AND Mr. R. C. Walihead A Collection will be taken in aid of the Keir Hardie Memorial Fund. The Chair will be taken at 2.45 p.m.

Gorseinon Notes. I I CHUM AND "THE PIONEER." I I trust readers of my past notes will excuse my absence from the pages of The Pioneer for many weeks. I had made up my mind to get out or get on," as Peter Keary used to say, for many reasons. But when I listened to the secre- tary of my branch, read a letter from some Libtorium-Lab-Socialist, editor or secre- tary of a new paper for the workers, me- thought Chum, don't get out, get on; get with the real paper that Jin ":r sold the worker, but done all in its power to uplift the masses. This paper is the d Pioneer." Will you assist me to "get on ? The weather is so very wet that I am unable to parade the street. I want you to give the name and address of a person who you think would buy the Pioneer to me. I shall soon be tapping his door, with a smile on my face and Please, do you want the ( Pioneer' on my tongue. GEO. LANDSBURY AT THE CHURCH. I I can only corroborate what the vicar (Rev. R. Jones) has published in the church ii-iagaz-n,- tjifit George Lands- bury's visit will be long remembered; the congregation was wonderful. It was a joy to see the church packed with such a body of men, the reverence of the congregation, the heartiness of the singing, and the glorious message of the speaker made one feel a heavenly joy. Mr. Landsbury spoke on the words, And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity." Landsbury didn't half rub it in to the filchers and war- mongers. The way he kept within the circle of his text was admirable; in fact, men talk of this meeting to-day. May the day appear soon when we shall meet Landsbury at Gorseinon again. I must I admit that the Gorseinon Temperance Band was a great asset to the service. Mr. Ball (the conductor) is to be congratulated, also his comrades for such fine playing. How delighted I am to hear that the band is again at the church harvest festival on Sunday, October 1st, assisting the choir throughtout the morning and evening ser- vice. What a treat for us THE LATE MR. DAN THOMAS. I Most tragic was the news received in different parts of the district of the terrible death which Dan Thomas, The Poplars, Loughor, had met. While on his way to work at the Ebbw Steelworks, Gowerton, it was customary for him to walk the G.W.R. line, which saved him a good two mile tramp by road. Unfortunately, this very morning trains were running up on the down line, and our poor comrade was not aware of the breakdown gang working on the down line at Gowerton. The train came up behind him, and somehow poor Dan was killed, his body being found 30 -yards from his food tins. Unfortunately, it was a foggy morning. Dan was a thorough Trade Unionist, also a staunch Rechabite, and if there was one thing that he loved more than another it was horti- culture. His garden was a picture. The Gorseinon, Loughor, and District Horti cultural Society has lost one of its finest men. The society owes much of its good financial position to the late Dan Thomas. The funeral, which was composed of many hundreds of men, testified to his abilities with Rechabites, steel smelters, the horti- cultural society all badged. He was interred at the Loughor Parish Church Cemetery, the service at the church being choral. While entering the church the organist played 0 rest in the Lord," and on leaving the Dead March in "Saul" was played. The following clergy and ministers officiated: -Rev. H. Rees (rector), Rev. 1 W. Davies (curate), Rev. Williams (curate), Gowerton, Rev. Davies (Horeb), and Rev. Watkins (Penuel). Wreaths were given by the Gowerton Steelsmelters, the Rector and Mrs. Rees (Loughor Parish Church), his fellow Sunday School teacher, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas, the Gorseinon Horticultural ? Society, the Loughor Horticultural Society, from a neighbour, uncle and aunt, Miss Owen (Kilby House), Miss Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, and last—but the greatest-with the words, "Until the day breaks," from'his sorrowing wife. To the sorrowing wife, father, mother, and brothers Pioneer readers extend their deepest sympathy in the sad loss of a noble and upright man. The demise of a man like the late Dan Thomas is a loss to the future welfare of humanity. THE GRAND OLD MAN OF MERTHYR Lovers of the Christian gospel of peace as it should be preached should not fail to attend the English Tabernacle Church, Alexandra-road next Sunday. Our dear old friend, the Rev. J. Morgan Jones, M.A., of Merthyr, is the preacher. I can guess how many folks would like to hear him preach upon the text Judgment in the Wilderness." There is one thing I feel sorry for-the cinema should have been the place for this day's worship. I am afraid the Tabernacle will be packed an hour before the service commences. Anyhow, get out of your beds early next Sunday morning. I shall endeavour during every week for the next few months to give my readers true life stories and experiences which I have gone through. These stories will be strictly reserved for the Pioneer." Every story will be based upon fact. My first story will be How I enjoyed a service at St. Luke's, Cwmbwrla. This story I guarantee to restore a dead cat to life. CHUM. (We welcome back our erring and pro- digal Chum to our columns, and trust that all Gorseinon sympathisers will assist "Chum" in work.—Editor).

Pontardawe Notes. NUN NICHOLAS. A special district meeting of the Western miners was held at the Dockers' Hall, Swansea, on Saturday last to discuss the position arising out of the arrest of Nun Nicholas, checkweigher. The Executive Committee of the S.W.M.F. had sat that morning at Cardiff to consider the case, and had instructed Mr. John Williams, M. P., to attend the district meeting to hear all the facts with regard to the matter. The feeling of the meeting was warmly in favour of taking drastic action in dealing with the matter. The delegates decided to instruct Mr. John Willims to wait on the Home Office with a deputation to give them full particulars of the case, and to ask them to take immediate action, failing which an ultimatum would be given the military authorities that unless Nun Nicholas was released' in 48 hours the miners would adopt a "down tools" policy. Nun is at present in North Wales at Abergele, I believe, and has written home saying that he is in the pink, and he says that he has, as yet, no cause to complain with regard to his treatment. A letter he had sent from Cardiff before he left was very interesting. He said that he was undergoing solitary confinement there, but that he could pass the time very cheerfully by reading the many inscriptions written on the wall of the cell. The "Red Flag" had been written out fully by Harry Morris. A quotation written by Tom Davies, Ynismudo, was very ineresting. It ran thus —Daw dydd o brysur hwyso, ar gregydd cyn bo hir." Another had written "Gwell angan na chwillydd." Nun quoted many others, but I don't remember more. Surely, it seems to me that whoever enters these cells and sees such brilliant passages written by these Conscientious Objectors will come out a confirmed Socialist. IGLYN EVANS, C.O. Glyn Evans, son of Mr. Tom Evans, landlord of the Cross Inn Hotel, Pontar- dawe, has just returned from Aberdeen. He is a Conscientious Objector, and was doing work of national importance there until last week, when he was released for an indefinite period because he was un- well. He has many interesting experiences to relate, as he has gone though various courses of tamÍng. He was in the same batch as Mr. C. H. Norman. r I THE GLAIS REBELS." A largfe crowd of the Glais "rebels" pro- pose going over to Skewen on Monday evening to hear Mr. Philip Snowden and to give him a hearty welcome.