zation in the trade union world and represents the apex of a pyramid, the Foundation of which consists of one hundred and twelve national unions. and many thousands of local organizations. The steady and, at times, rapid growth of the Federation has resulted from its adoption of a wise, conservative policy and from its adherence to the interests and purposes for which it was instituted. The object of the Federation has been, and still is, to foster and encourage the formation of local and national organizations, to secure the institution of local and state central bodies, to establish friendly feelings between the various national and international organizations, though without destroying their autonomy and self-government, and to encourage and promote the labor press of the country, as well as the use of union label goods.

The administrative government is carried on by the president and an executive council, consisting of the president, six vice-presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer, all of whom must be members of some local union. The legislative power is vested in a convention, in which the national organizations are represented in proportion to their membership, a national union having one vote for each one hundred members. The Federation also includes in its membership separate local unions not affiliated with national organizations, but wherever possible it encourages the merging of these locals into national unions. Such locals are under the direct control and supervision of the Federation, which stands to them in the same relation as a national union to its constituent locals, directly aids and advises them in the matter of strikes or lockouts, and provides for their support and maintenance.

The revenue of the Federation is derived from a per capita tax of ¢ per month, or 6¢ per year, for each member of the affiliated national organizations. The tax for local unions not affiliated with national unions is 10¢ per month, which is twenty times as great per member as is that of the national unions. It should be remembered, however, that these local unions are simply paying to the Federation dues which they would otherwise pay to the national organizations of which they formed a part. Con

sequently there is no injustice in these locals, which are directly chartered by the Federation, paying this amount to their parent body. A considerable portion of the money obtained from local unions is devoted to the support of their strikes and to other purposes connected with their welfare. The Federation further applies a large part of its income to the formation of new locals, which is, perhaps, one of its greatest and best works. At the present time it has upon its rolls twenty-five salaried organizers, who devote their entire time to forming new unions and to settling the strikes or controversies of such unions as are formed. It is also assisted by one thousand one hundred and seventy-eight volunteer organizers, who receive a small commission for each local union established by them.

The political activities of the Federation have been discussed in another place; but it may be proper in this connection to discuss the problem in its more general aspects. The Federation has done yeoman service in proposing legislation and in attempting to secure its enactment and enforcement. Up to the present time it has not as yet had sufficient power or control over its various constituent local, central, and state bodies to become as effective as it will doubtless be in the future; but, despite defect in its power, much progress has been made. The Federation is debarred by its constitution from directly affiliating itself with political parties. According to Article III, Section 8, "Party politics, whether they be Democratic, Republican, Socialistic, Populistic, Prohibition or any other, shall have no place in the conventions of the American Federation of Labor." Numerous attempts have been made by Socialist members of the Federation to secure control of the body and to commit it to the Socialist platform; but these efforts have been unsuccessful. The trade unions and the Federation of Labor itself stand for a number of reforms contained in the platform of the Socialist party, but the great majority of the members, whatever their political sympathies, refuse to permit the Federation to be committed. to any definite political party, existing or to be formed.

While the American Federation of Labor has performed good and effective work in the past, it has not as yet been able to accomplish all that

is possible, owing to the fact that it has not received the entire, enthusiastic, and ungrudging support of its affiliated unions. Its policy of respecting the autonomy and right of self-government of its constituent or affiliated bodies, should win for it the loyalty and staunch support of the unions composing it. The Federation cannot grow strong by itself, but can prosper only through the fidelity and cheerful adherence of the unions. Many phases of activity commending themselves to the trade union world can be carried out only through the American Federation of Labor; and if necessary the unions should even subordinate their own immediate interests to those of the great mass of the workmen of this country and should under all circumstances endeavor to unite for political and industrial purposes by strengthening the hands of the Federation. The political program of the American Federation of Labor should be carefully considered by the officers as well as the members of the various unions composing it, and the action of the majority of unionists, as determined by a vote in the Federation, should be binding upon all members of all affiliated trade unions. The state federations and the local central bodies should be more directly under the control, guidance, and supervision of the Federation, and the national organizations should enforce this control by refusing to permit their locals under penalty of fine, suspension, or expulsion, from belonging to any local, central, or state body which has been suspended by the Federation. The political program of the American Federation of Labor should be worked out in detail and should be sent to the various national, state, and local central bodies, in order that the proper influence may be brought to bear upon members of Congress or other legislators residing in the particular district. State and municipal legislation should remain in the hands of the state and local bodies, but no action should be taken that will conflict with the national aims and aspirations of American trade unions, as formulated by the American Federation of Labor.

The American Federation of Labor should also receive the hearty support of all national and local organizations in the matter of jurisdictional disputes. When a dispute cannot be settled by the parties to the contro