A. F. of L. Head Calls on Workers to Actively Fight Fascism as Menace to Democracy and Organized Labor.
Washington, D. C. (ILNS)—Fascist activity in local unions of the dressmaking industry in New York city was scored by President William Green, of the American Federation of Labor, in vigorously denouncing Fascist propaganda in the trade union movement.
“The American Federation of Labor,” Mr. Green said, “regards Fascism and the Fascist philosophy as equally menacing and dangerous to the maintenance of democracy and democratic institutions as communism. Both Fascism and communism rest upon the basis of dictatorship. For this reason the American Federation of Labor is concerned over the activities of Fascist representatives in New York and elsewhere.
”The attempt of certain Fascists to influence Americanized Italians in local units of the dressmaking industry of New York should be resented and opposed by loyal members of the American Federation of Labor,” the labor head continued. “The Fascist propagandists seem to feel that members of local unions chartered by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union who are of Italian birth and descent are susceptible to Fascist
inuences.
“Because Fascism is opposed to democracy as it exists in the United States and in the trade unions affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, the officers and members of the American Federation of Labor will resist it and oppose it with all the force and power at their command.
The Butler County Press, Hamilton, OH, February 8, 1935