The Daily Worker

A.F. of L. Non-Partisan Policy in Action

The officials dominating the New York City Central Labor Council of the A.F. of L. gave another example of their "non-partisan" policies Thursday night when they endorsed the Republican-Fusion candidate for city controller, Joseph D. McGoldrick.

Joseph Ryan, president of the Council as well as the President of the International Longshoremen's Association, rounded out a "non-partisan" day by earlier negotiating an agreement with the ship owners which dropped all the East Coast longshoremen's main demands, and accepted the 44-hour week and employer-controlled hiring halls.

Some confusion was caused at the Council meeting when it was brought out that Ryan had previously, in a letter, endorsed the Democratic Party's candidate for controller, Frank J. Taylor. Ryan explained that he had given a "personal endorsement of Taylor the man, not Taylor the candidate."

Taylor, it was brought out, is a strong company union advocate and connected with the ownership of the Todd shipyards. Ryan claimed he "knows nothing" of Taylor's connection with the union-smashing concern for whom Ryan expressed "admiration." Taylor, as Welfare Commissioner, sent police against the unemployed and cut down their relief, and refused relief to Negro and Latin-American workers.

"We are getting a one hundred per cent break from Mayor La Guardia," Ryan said, as the Council voted endorsement of McGoldrick, La Guardia's candidate. La Guardia, who is now campaigning for the entire Republican state ticket, is the bankers' candidate.

La Guardia played an active part in breaking the taxi strike. His special "riot regiment" of several thousand rifle men is now busy training in the art of shooting up strikers and killing unemployed demonstrators. La Guardia, putting into effect his Economy Program, his basic platform, has fired many city employees, cut down the wages of those who remain. La Guardia continues to withhold funds now in the treasury from the starving unemployed and to cut down unemployed relief.

Under his administration thousands are being fired from work relief, which is infested with stool-pigeons. He conducts a vicious red scare drive to cover up these relief cuts. At the same time, millions go into the bankers' pockets in interest on loans, etc. La Guardia is now laying the basis for an increase in the subway and transit fare.

He tried to put over the fascist measure of police registration of labor organizers and only a wave of protest staved his hand.

This is the man whose agent, McGoldrick, is supported by the labor officialdom of the A.F. of L. for controller. The endorsement of McGoldrick is one instance of the fact that the A.F. of L. officialdom works in the interests of the employers, selling out workers' demands, cooperating with the government to prevent strikes, and supporting in election campaigns only the employers parties.

There is one working class candidate for controller in the present election campaign. He is Isador Begun, leader of the rank and file teachers. Begun was expelled by the Board of Education because he fought against fascisation of the school system and for the demands of the teachers. He has long been an active leader in the fight for the demands of the teachers in both the Teachers Union and then in the Unemployed Teachers Association.

Members of the A.F. of L.! Reject the policy of Ryan and Co., of supporting the employers parties and selling out strikes! Vote Communist! Join the Communist Party!