Conference for Progressive Labor Action
Encyclopedia
The Conference for Progressive Labor Action (CPLA) was a left wing American political organization established in May 1929 by A. J. Muste
, director of Brookwood Labor College
. The organization was established to promote industrial unionism
and to work for reform of the American Federation of Labor
. The CPLA dissolved itself in December 1933 to form the American Workers Party
.
on May 25-26, 1930. Those uniting into a common organization at this founding conference included the professional staff and activists of Brookwood Labor College
, a workers' education society; the editorial staff of Labor Age
magazine, a radical monthly; and an array of independent trade unionists
.
The primary force behind this new organization was A. J. Muste
, a radical clergyman and committed pacifist. Muste had become active in the American trade union movement through belief in the social gospel
and its call for the application of Christian ethics
to social problems
so as to ameliorate poverty
and suffering in the world. Muste had come to believe that the American Federation of Labor
(AF of L), an umbrella organization consisting of more than 100 independent craft
and industrial
unions, was "hostile to genuine workers' education" and a fetter upon the growth of the power and scope of the American labor movement.
Muste outlined a program for militant progressive union activists in the pages of Labor Age, a New York monthly with which he was closely associated. In its February issue that magazine opined that "honest, militant, progressive elements" in the American labor movement had no worthy option to the conservatism of the AF of L and the extreme radicalism of the Communist Party USA
and its trade union auxiliary, the Trade Union Unity League
.
A new organization was sought to advance a radical agenda for the trade union movement including the organization of the unorganized into industrial unions; exposure of the conservative, pro-business National Civic Federation
, with which conservative AF of L leaders collaborated; an end to racial discrimination
in the union movement; active work for unemployment insurance, health insurance
, and old age pensions; and the development of "a labor party based on the mass organization of industrial workers," among other goals.
A convention call was issued for a gathering to be held over the weekend of May 25-26, 1929 in New York City. This gathering was attended by 151 delegates, representing 33 unions in 18 states.
The constitution adopted by the founding conference, referred to as the CPLA's "Organizational Plan," specified that the purpose of the new group was "to carry on research, educational work, and agitation among the workers, both organized and unorganized in industry and agriculture, in order to stimulate in the existing and potential labor organizations a progressive, realistic, militant labor spirit and activity..." Membership was open to any individual belonging to a labor or farm organization who was "in agreement with the aims of the association and desirous of actively forwarding its purposes," or members of fully affiliated unions.
Headquarters for the CPLA were established at 104 Fifth Avenue in New York City on June 15, 1929.
and the AF of L leadership cut both ways, as the Executive Council of that trade union body was quick in denouncing the CPLA as a dual union. This criticism drew an official response from Muste in a July 23, 1929 statement which declared the CPLA was "not a dual union or federation of labor" and which criticized the Communist Party for its attempt to form a "disruptive" communist trade union center, which he deemed "totally out of accord with the needs of the workers in America today."
The official magazine of the CPLA, Labor Age
, reiterated its bitter disappointment with the Communist Party's performance in a June 1929 article, which declared:
At the time of its launch, the CPLA was governed by a 26 member National Executive Committee, which elected A.J. Muste its chairman and James H. Maurer
and Carl Holderman its vice-chairmen. Day to day operations were conducted by a pair of Executive Secretaries — Louis F. Budenz
and Israel Mufson.
The local unit of the CLPA was known as a "branch." During 1929 branches were formed in 13 cities clustered in the Northeastern United States, including New York City, Chicago
, Boston
, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo
, Bridgeport
, and New Haven.
The CPLA held periodic conferences and educational seminars, including a gathering over Labor Day
, 1930 in Katonah, New York
. These gatherings concentrated discussion on practical matters of labor organization, such as the situation facing organizers in the South, developments in the United Mine Workers Union and among the steelworkers, studies of the development and effects of the Great Depression
, problems facing black and female workers, and so forth.
The group published a flurry of pamphlets publicizing the organization and its perspectives and circulated 50,000 copies of a single leaflet in 1930, entitled Insure Your Pay. The CPLA also sent speakers into the field, speaking to various union gatherings, workers groups, college classes, and public forums. The group also attempted to mobilize unemployed workers by speaking before thousands at New York City's Free Municipal Employment Bureau.
during its first two years of existence, including such prominent party leaders and Norman Thomas
, Jim Mauer
, and James Oneal
among its ranks, in 1931 the National Executive Committee declared that its dissatisfaction with both the Socialist and Communist parties. The Socialist Party was singled out for particular criticism for not having "a clear working class orientation":
This signalized a left turn of the organization, despite continued distrust and ideological distance from the Communist Party USA and its trade union auxiliary. With regards to the latter, in April 1931 CPLA chairman A.J. Muste declared the Communists' Third Period
obsession with forming exclusively Communist independent unions and "exercising a minute party dictatorship" over these organizations as "utterly unsuited to such periods as the present and obviously suicidal."
Despite its political aspirations, the CPLA remained focused on the labor movement in 1931, working hand in glove with Alexander Howat in support of a dissident Reorganized United Mine Workers Union. When Illinois officials of this union decided to return to the old organization, headed by John L. Lewis
, the CPLA intensified its effort, assisting Howat and his associates with the organization of its own convention in St. Louis, an event which began on April 15, 1931. This effort did not succeed in building a lasting "rank and file union," however.
The CPLA was also active from January to March 1931 assisting in the organization of coal
miners in West Virginia's
Kanawha Valley mine fields. CPLA organizers sent to the region included A.J. Muste, Tom Tippett, Katherine Pollack, and others. The organization continued to cooperate with the West Virginia Mine Workers Union following conclusion of the strike.
In the summer of 1931 the organization also worked with silk
workers in Paterson, New Jersey
who were members of independent unions to amalgamate
with the United Textile Workers of the AF of L. The organization also maintained a permanent organizer in the field attempting to organize textile workers in the Southeastern region.
The call for a new political party by the CPLA leadership began to grow in 1931, with A.J. Muste authoring a lengthy April 1931 article calling for formation of a new political party. Six necessary characteristics were enumerated by Muste: that the new organization must be organized "on a class basis" and be "out to do away with the present capitalist economy" and upon the "organization of the workers upon the economic field into industrial unions." Furthermore, Muste declared, the new organization needed to offer a "sound view of Soviet Russia," including in particular a demand for diplomatic recognition
, to recognize the limitations of parliamentary action, and to "be realistic" and "grow out of the American soil."
Despite having had at least 7 educational and political conferences over the first three years of its existence, the CPLA did not hold its "1st Official Convention" until Labor Day
weekend of September 1932. The convention call specified:
No procedure for the systematic selection of delegates was specified, but rather "existing political or propagandist groups which are in agreement with CPLA aims and methods are invited to correspond with the NEC in regard to attendance and representation at the convention."
Delegates attending the convention represented 20 CPLA branches in 8 states as well as representatives of trade unions purporting to represent 40,000 workers. The gathering voted to replace the CPLA's monthly magazine, Labor Age, with a new weekly newspaper to be called Labor Action. A new set of officers was elected, including A.J. Muste as Chairman and a 22 member National Executive Committee.
The organization was forthright in its objectives, with A.J. Muste declaring that "the CPLA aims to abolish capitalism, not to reform it, and to build a workers' republic and a planned economic system operated by and for the workers." The group remained unwilling to declare itself a political party, however, with Muste maintaining a union-oriented perspective, asserting that "members will work within existing economic organizations."
The evolution of the CPLA into its successor organization, the American Workers Party
had begun, a process which culminated in December 1933 with the establishment of the American Workers Party
.
A number of pamphlets were also published by the CPLA, including:
A. J. Muste
The Reverend Abraham Johannes "A.J." Muste was a Dutch-born American clergyman and political activist. Muste is best remembered for his work in the labor movement, pacifist movement, and the US civil rights movement.-Early years:...
, director of Brookwood Labor College
Brookwood Labor College
Brookwood Labor College was the first residential labor college in the United States. The school was established in 1921 near Katonah, New York. The school was closely supported by affiliate unions of the American Federation of Labor until 1928, when pressure began to be exerted by the AF of L's...
. The organization was established to promote industrial unionism
Industrial unionism
Industrial unionism is a labor union organizing method through which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union—regardless of skill or trade—thus giving workers in one industry, or in all industries, more leverage in bargaining and in strike situations...
and to work for reform of the American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
. The CPLA dissolved itself in December 1933 to form the American Workers Party
American Workers Party
The American Workers Party was a socialist organization established in December 1933 by activists in the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, a group headed by A.J. Muste.-Formation:...
.
Establishment
The Conference for Progressive Labor Action (CPLA) was established by a group of activists in the trade union movement at a convention held in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on May 25-26, 1930. Those uniting into a common organization at this founding conference included the professional staff and activists of Brookwood Labor College
Brookwood Labor College
Brookwood Labor College was the first residential labor college in the United States. The school was established in 1921 near Katonah, New York. The school was closely supported by affiliate unions of the American Federation of Labor until 1928, when pressure began to be exerted by the AF of L's...
, a workers' education society; the editorial staff of Labor Age
Labor Age
Labor Age was a left-labor monthly magazine published by the Labor Publication Society from 1921-1933. It succeeded the Socialist Review, journal of the Intercollegiate Socialist Society. Labor Age aligned with the League for Industrial Democracy, and during 1929-33 the magazine was affiliated...
magazine, a radical monthly; and an array of independent trade unionists
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
.
The primary force behind this new organization was A. J. Muste
A. J. Muste
The Reverend Abraham Johannes "A.J." Muste was a Dutch-born American clergyman and political activist. Muste is best remembered for his work in the labor movement, pacifist movement, and the US civil rights movement.-Early years:...
, a radical clergyman and committed pacifist. Muste had become active in the American trade union movement through belief in the social gospel
Social Gospel
The Social Gospel movement is a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that was most prominent in the early 20th century United States and Canada...
and its call for the application of Christian ethics
Christian ethics
The first recorded meeting on the topic of Christian ethics, after Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Great Commandment, and Great Commission , was the Council of Jerusalem , which is seen by most Christians as agreement that the New Covenant either abrogated or set aside at least some of the Old...
to social problems
Social problems
Social problems are problems and difficulties that people often face in society. These include:*crime*corruption*poverty*homelessness*hunger*disease*drug addiction*alcoholism*schizophrenia*depression*pollution...
so as to ameliorate poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
and suffering in the world. Muste had come to believe that the American Federation of Labor
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was one of the first federations of labor unions in the United States. It was founded in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions disaffected from the Knights of Labor, a national labor association. Samuel Gompers was elected president of the Federation at its...
(AF of L), an umbrella organization consisting of more than 100 independent craft
Craft unionism
Craft unionism refers to organizing a union in a manner that seeks to unify workers in a particular industry along the lines of the particular craft or trade that they work in by class or skill level...
and industrial
Industrial unionism
Industrial unionism is a labor union organizing method through which all workers in the same industry are organized into the same union—regardless of skill or trade—thus giving workers in one industry, or in all industries, more leverage in bargaining and in strike situations...
unions, was "hostile to genuine workers' education" and a fetter upon the growth of the power and scope of the American labor movement.
Muste outlined a program for militant progressive union activists in the pages of Labor Age, a New York monthly with which he was closely associated. In its February issue that magazine opined that "honest, militant, progressive elements" in the American labor movement had no worthy option to the conservatism of the AF of L and the extreme radicalism of the Communist Party USA
Communist Party USA
The Communist Party USA is a Marxist political party in the United States, established in 1919. It has a long, complex history that is closely related to the histories of similar communist parties worldwide and the U.S. labor movement....
and its trade union auxiliary, the Trade Union Unity League
Trade Union Unity League
The Trade Union Unity League was an industrial union umbrella organization of the Communist Party of the United States between 1929 and 1935...
.
A new organization was sought to advance a radical agenda for the trade union movement including the organization of the unorganized into industrial unions; exposure of the conservative, pro-business National Civic Federation
National Civic Federation
The National Civic Federation, was a federation of American businesses and labor leaders founded in 1900. It favoured moderate progressive reform and sought to resolve disputes arising between industry and organized labor. It emerged first in 1893 as the Chicago Civic Federation , which was also...
, with which conservative AF of L leaders collaborated; an end to racial discrimination
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
in the union movement; active work for unemployment insurance, health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, and old age pensions; and the development of "a labor party based on the mass organization of industrial workers," among other goals.
A convention call was issued for a gathering to be held over the weekend of May 25-26, 1929 in New York City. This gathering was attended by 151 delegates, representing 33 unions in 18 states.
The constitution adopted by the founding conference, referred to as the CPLA's "Organizational Plan," specified that the purpose of the new group was "to carry on research, educational work, and agitation among the workers, both organized and unorganized in industry and agriculture, in order to stimulate in the existing and potential labor organizations a progressive, realistic, militant labor spirit and activity..." Membership was open to any individual belonging to a labor or farm organization who was "in agreement with the aims of the association and desirous of actively forwarding its purposes," or members of fully affiliated unions.
Headquarters for the CPLA were established at 104 Fifth Avenue in New York City on June 15, 1929.
Development
Although the CPLA was made up of individual members of the AF of L, it had no direct membership status in that organization. Its criticism of William GreenWilliam Green (labor leader)
William Green was an American trade union leader. Green is best remembered for serving as the President of the American Federation of Labor from 1924 to 1952.-Early years:...
and the AF of L leadership cut both ways, as the Executive Council of that trade union body was quick in denouncing the CPLA as a dual union. This criticism drew an official response from Muste in a July 23, 1929 statement which declared the CPLA was "not a dual union or federation of labor" and which criticized the Communist Party for its attempt to form a "disruptive" communist trade union center, which he deemed "totally out of accord with the needs of the workers in America today."
The official magazine of the CPLA, Labor Age
Labor Age
Labor Age was a left-labor monthly magazine published by the Labor Publication Society from 1921-1933. It succeeded the Socialist Review, journal of the Intercollegiate Socialist Society. Labor Age aligned with the League for Industrial Democracy, and during 1929-33 the magazine was affiliated...
, reiterated its bitter disappointment with the Communist Party's performance in a June 1929 article, which declared:
"The Communists, presented with a golden opportunity for service to the workers [by the lethargic performance of the official AF of L] have miserably muffed the ballError (baseball)In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
. They have aroused the unorganized in PassaicPassaic, New JerseyPassaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
and GastoniaGastonia, North CarolinaGastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
; but they have given no promise of leaving anything permanent to them, and they have resorted to a campaign of vituperation and strikebreaking that is not helpful to progress, to say the least. It is only a matter of time until they pass out of the picture, torn asunder by naive doctrinaire differences."
At the time of its launch, the CPLA was governed by a 26 member National Executive Committee, which elected A.J. Muste its chairman and James H. Maurer
James H. Maurer
James Hudson "Jim" Maurer was a prominent American trade unionist who twice ran for the office of Vice President of the United States on the ticket of the Socialist Party of America.-Early years:...
and Carl Holderman its vice-chairmen. Day to day operations were conducted by a pair of Executive Secretaries — Louis F. Budenz
Louis F. Budenz
Louis Francis Budenz was an American activist and writer, as well as a Soviet espionage agent and head of the Buben group of spies. He began as a labor activist and became a member of the Communist Party USA...
and Israel Mufson.
The local unit of the CLPA was known as a "branch." During 1929 branches were formed in 13 cities clustered in the Northeastern United States, including New York City, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
, and New Haven.
The CPLA held periodic conferences and educational seminars, including a gathering over Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, 1930 in Katonah, New York
Katonah, New York
Katonah, New York is one of three unincorporated hamlets within the town of Bedford, Westchester County, New York, United States.-History:Katonah is named for Chief Katonah, an American Indian from whom the land of Bedford was purchased by a group of English colonists...
. These gatherings concentrated discussion on practical matters of labor organization, such as the situation facing organizers in the South, developments in the United Mine Workers Union and among the steelworkers, studies of the development and effects of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, problems facing black and female workers, and so forth.
The group published a flurry of pamphlets publicizing the organization and its perspectives and circulated 50,000 copies of a single leaflet in 1930, entitled Insure Your Pay. The CPLA also sent speakers into the field, speaking to various union gatherings, workers groups, college classes, and public forums. The group also attempted to mobilize unemployed workers by speaking before thousands at New York City's Free Municipal Employment Bureau.
The left turn of 1931
Although the CPLA was extremely close to the Socialist Party of AmericaSocialist Party of America
The Socialist Party of America was a multi-tendency democratic-socialist political party in the United States, formed in 1901 by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party which had split from the main organization...
during its first two years of existence, including such prominent party leaders and Norman Thomas
Norman Thomas
Norman Mattoon Thomas was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.-Early years:...
, Jim Mauer
James H. Maurer
James Hudson "Jim" Maurer was a prominent American trade unionist who twice ran for the office of Vice President of the United States on the ticket of the Socialist Party of America.-Early years:...
, and James Oneal
James Oneal
James "Jim" Oneal , a founding member of the Socialist Party of America , was a prominent socialist journalist, historian, and party activist who played a decisive role in the bitter party splits of 1919-21 and 1934-36.-Early years:...
among its ranks, in 1931 the National Executive Committee declared that its dissatisfaction with both the Socialist and Communist parties. The Socialist Party was singled out for particular criticism for not having "a clear working class orientation":
"[The Socialist Party] has not, as a matter of fact, succeeded in winning the confidence of American workers. Some of its exponents have publicly abandoned MarxismMarxismMarxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
as a labor philosophy, and have no philosophy to offer in its place. Others profess to retain Marxism but exhibit no militancy in carrying on the class struggleClass struggleClass struggle is the active expression of a class conflict looked at from any kind of socialist perspective. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote "The [written] history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggle"....
. It pursues a policy of 'neutrality' toward the trade unions which in practice amounts to leaving them in the hands of the bureaucrats and corruptionists... It has lacked vigor and aggressiveness in supporting, inspiring, and leading efforts to organize the masses of unskilled and semi-skilled workers in the basic industries.... It is confused and at times distinctly antagonistic in its attitude toward Soviet RussiaSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. It is not aggressive and militant in the struggle against militarismMilitarismMilitarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
. It is not out and out Socialist, neither has it yet demonstrated that it can be an effective left-progressive American party."
This signalized a left turn of the organization, despite continued distrust and ideological distance from the Communist Party USA and its trade union auxiliary. With regards to the latter, in April 1931 CPLA chairman A.J. Muste declared the Communists' Third Period
Third Period
The Third Period is a ideological concept adopted by the Communist International at its 6th World Congress, held in Moscow in the summer of 1928....
obsession with forming exclusively Communist independent unions and "exercising a minute party dictatorship" over these organizations as "utterly unsuited to such periods as the present and obviously suicidal."
Despite its political aspirations, the CPLA remained focused on the labor movement in 1931, working hand in glove with Alexander Howat in support of a dissident Reorganized United Mine Workers Union. When Illinois officials of this union decided to return to the old organization, headed by John L. Lewis
John L. Lewis
John Llewellyn Lewis was an American leader of organized labor who served as president of the United Mine Workers of America from 1920 to 1960...
, the CPLA intensified its effort, assisting Howat and his associates with the organization of its own convention in St. Louis, an event which began on April 15, 1931. This effort did not succeed in building a lasting "rank and file union," however.
The CPLA was also active from January to March 1931 assisting in the organization of coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
miners in West Virginia's
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
Kanawha Valley mine fields. CPLA organizers sent to the region included A.J. Muste, Tom Tippett, Katherine Pollack, and others. The organization continued to cooperate with the West Virginia Mine Workers Union following conclusion of the strike.
In the summer of 1931 the organization also worked with silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
workers in Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
who were members of independent unions to amalgamate
Consolidation (business)
Consolidation or amalgamation is the act of merging many things into one. In business, it often refers to the mergers and acquisitions of many smaller companies into much larger ones. In the context of financial accounting, consolidation refers to the aggregation of financial statements of a group...
with the United Textile Workers of the AF of L. The organization also maintained a permanent organizer in the field attempting to organize textile workers in the Southeastern region.
The call for a new political party by the CPLA leadership began to grow in 1931, with A.J. Muste authoring a lengthy April 1931 article calling for formation of a new political party. Six necessary characteristics were enumerated by Muste: that the new organization must be organized "on a class basis" and be "out to do away with the present capitalist economy" and upon the "organization of the workers upon the economic field into industrial unions." Furthermore, Muste declared, the new organization needed to offer a "sound view of Soviet Russia," including in particular a demand for diplomatic recognition
Diplomatic recognition
Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state...
, to recognize the limitations of parliamentary action, and to "be realistic" and "grow out of the American soil."
Towards the American Workers Party
Gradually the CPLA came to see itself less as a cheerleader for a new independent labor party and more as the kernel of a political party itself. While averring that the CPLA did not contemplate "putting up candidates, etc.", Muste nonetheless announced in 1932 that the group sought "a more closely knit and disciplined membership than was formerly the case." According to Muste, the CPLA sought to forge cooperative partnerships with other organizations in establishing "a genuinely militant left-wing political group in the United States."Despite having had at least 7 educational and political conferences over the first three years of its existence, the CPLA did not hold its "1st Official Convention" until Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend of September 1932. The convention call specified:
"The convention will adopt a permanent name and a constitution for this organization of militants. It will determine policies and map out programs for industrial organization in the basic industries, progressive activities in the unions, work among the unemployed, the building of a mass labor party, agitation for unity in the American labor movement, and for building up the CPLA itself as a rallying center for militants who desire to serve in an effective vanguard for American labor."
No procedure for the systematic selection of delegates was specified, but rather "existing political or propagandist groups which are in agreement with CPLA aims and methods are invited to correspond with the NEC in regard to attendance and representation at the convention."
Delegates attending the convention represented 20 CPLA branches in 8 states as well as representatives of trade unions purporting to represent 40,000 workers. The gathering voted to replace the CPLA's monthly magazine, Labor Age, with a new weekly newspaper to be called Labor Action. A new set of officers was elected, including A.J. Muste as Chairman and a 22 member National Executive Committee.
The organization was forthright in its objectives, with A.J. Muste declaring that "the CPLA aims to abolish capitalism, not to reform it, and to build a workers' republic and a planned economic system operated by and for the workers." The group remained unwilling to declare itself a political party, however, with Muste maintaining a union-oriented perspective, asserting that "members will work within existing economic organizations."
The evolution of the CPLA into its successor organization, the American Workers Party
American Workers Party
The American Workers Party was a socialist organization established in December 1933 by activists in the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, a group headed by A.J. Muste.-Formation:...
had begun, a process which culminated in December 1933 with the establishment of the American Workers Party
American Workers Party
The American Workers Party was a socialist organization established in December 1933 by activists in the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, a group headed by A.J. Muste.-Formation:...
.
Conventions
| Convention | Location | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organizational Conference | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
May 25-29, 1929 | Attended by 151 delegates from 18 states. |
| Educational Conference | Katonah, New York Katonah, New York Katonah, New York is one of three unincorporated hamlets within the town of Bedford, Westchester County, New York, United States.-History:Katonah is named for Chief Katonah, an American Indian from whom the land of Bedford was purchased by a group of English colonists... |
Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 1929 | Attended by 150 participants, another 40 turned away. |
| First 1930 Conference | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
March 16-17, 1930 | |
| Second 1930 Conference | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
December 6-7, 1930 | |
| 1931 Conference | Katonah, New York Katonah, New York Katonah, New York is one of three unincorporated hamlets within the town of Bedford, Westchester County, New York, United States.-History:Katonah is named for Chief Katonah, an American Indian from whom the land of Bedford was purchased by a group of English colonists... |
September 5-7, 1931 | Attended by "over 100 CPLA members and sympathizers." |
| Active Workers' Conference | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
March 19-20, 1932 | |
| Textile Workers' Conference | (date?) 1932 | ||
| "1st Official Convention" | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
September 3-5, 1932 | |
Prominent members
- Leonard Bright
- Louis F. BudenzLouis F. BudenzLouis Francis Budenz was an American activist and writer, as well as a Soviet espionage agent and head of the Buben group of spies. He began as a labor activist and became a member of the Communist Party USA...
- J.M. Budish
- Frank Crosswaith
- Winston Dancis
- Justus Ebert
- Nathan FineNathan FineNathan Jacob Fine was a mathematician who worked on basic hypergeometric series. He is best known for his lecture notes on the subject which for four decades served as an inspiration to experts in the field until they were finally published as a book...
- Francis J. Gorman
- J.B.S. Hardman
- Mary Hillyer
- Carl Holderman
- Andrew J. Kennedy
- John C. Kennedy
- Abraham Lefkowitz
- Algernon LeeAlgernon LeeAlgernon H. Lee was an American socialist politician and educator, best known as the Director of Education at the Rand School of Social Science for 35 years.-Early years:...
- Ludwig LoreLudwig LoreLudwig Lore was an American socialist newspaper editor and politician, best remembered for his tenure as editor of the New Yorker Volkszeitung and role as a factional leader in the early American communist movement...
- J.B. MatthewsJ. B. MatthewsJoseph Brown "Doc" Matthews, Sr. , best known as J.B. Matthews, was an American linguist,and a educator, writer, and political activist...
- James H. MaurerJames H. MaurerJames Hudson "Jim" Maurer was a prominent American trade unionist who twice ran for the office of Vice President of the United States on the ticket of the Socialist Party of America.-Early years:...
- Israel Mufson
- A.J. MusteA. J. MusteThe Reverend Abraham Johannes "A.J." Muste was a Dutch-born American clergyman and political activist. Muste is best remembered for his work in the labor movement, pacifist movement, and the US civil rights movement.-Early years:...
- Harvey O'ConnorHarvey O'ConnorHarvey O'Connor was an American radical journalist, newspaper editor, and political activist. The author of nearly a dozen books in his lifetime, O'Connor is best remembered for his activity in the 1919 Seattle General Strike and as a memoirist about early 20th Century politics in Washington...
- James OnealJames OnealJames "Jim" Oneal , a founding member of the Socialist Party of America , was a prominent socialist journalist, historian, and party activist who played a decisive role in the bitter party splits of 1919-21 and 1934-36.-Early years:...
- Frank L. Palmer
- David J. SapossDavid J. SapossDavid Joseph Saposs was an American economist, historian, and civil servant. He is best known for being the chief economist of the National Labor Relations Board from 1935 to 1940.-Early life:...
- Nathaniel Spector
- Norman ThomasNorman ThomasNorman Mattoon Thomas was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.-Early years:...
- Tom Tippett
Publications
The official organ of the CPLA was the monthly magazine Labor Age. This was succeeded in January 1933 by a newspaper called Labor Action, which continued forward as official organ of the successor American Workers Party.A number of pamphlets were also published by the CPLA, including:
- What is the Conference for Progressive Labor Action? A Statement of Policy. New York: Labor Publication Society, n.d. [c. 1929].
- Francis J. Gorman; Tom Tippett; and A.J. Muste, The Marion Murder: The Story of the Tragic Day of October 2, 1929: Funeral Addresses. New York: Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1929.
- A.J. Muste, Why a Labor Party — And the Folly of the Non-Partisan Policy. New York: Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1929.
- One Year of CPLA. New York: Conference for Progressive Labor Action, n.d. [c. 1930].
- Abram Lincoln Harris, The Negro Worker: A Problem of Concern to the Entire Labor Movement. New York: National Executive Committee of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1930.
- Jessie Lloyd O'Connor, Gastonia: A Graphic Chapter in Southern Organization. New York: National Executive Committee of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1930.
- Jame Oneal and J.B.S. Hardman, Why Unions Go Smash! : Certain Dangerous Trends in American Trade Unionism and What is to be Done. New York: National Executive Committee of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1930.
- Labor's Share in the Late Lamented Prosperity: Analyzing How Much of the Good Things Trickle Down to Labor. New York: National Executive Committee, Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1930.
- The Call to Action: 2nd year of CPLA: A Short Review of the Origin, Purposes, and Activities of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action. New York: Conference for Progressive Labor Action, n.d. [c. 1931].
- A.J. Muste, The AF of L in 1931. New York: Conference for Progressive Labor Action, n.d. [1931].
- Louis F. Budenz (ed.), Labor Age Cartoons. New York: Conference for Progressive Labor Action, 1932.
- John C. Kennedy, Ending the Depression. New York: National Executive Committee of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, n.d. [c. 1932].
- A.J. Muste and Louis F. Budenz, CPLA at Work. New York: Conference of Progressive Labor Action, 1932.
- CPLA: Program, Policies. New York: National Executive Committee of the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, n.d. [c. 1932].
Further reading
- William Z. Foster, Little Brothers of the Big Labor Fakers: Report of a Speech against the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, Made in New Star Casino, New York City on May 10, 1931. New York: Trade Union Unity League, 1931.
External links
- A.J. Muste, http://www.archive.org/details/MyExperienceInTheLaborAndRadicalStrugglesOfTheThirties "My Experience in the Labor and Radical Struggles of the Thirties."] (mp3 audio) American Archive Pilot Project, Illinois Public Media, WILL. Speech of February 9, 1966. —Original resides in the archives of the University of Illinois.
See also
- Conference for Progressive Political ActionConference for Progressive Political ActionThe Conference for Progressive Political Action was officially established by the convention call of the 16 major railway labor unions in the United States, represented by a committee of six: William H. Johnston of the Machinists' Union, Martin F. Ryan of the Railway Carmen, Warren S. Stone of the...
- League for Independent Political ActionLeague for Independent Political ActionThe League for Independent Political Action was an American political organization established in late November or early December 1928 in New York City. The organization, which brought together liberals and socialists, was seen as a coordinating agency for a new political party in the United States...
- American Workers PartyAmerican Workers PartyThe American Workers Party was a socialist organization established in December 1933 by activists in the Conference for Progressive Labor Action, a group headed by A.J. Muste.-Formation:...