Abstract

The Collapse of the A. F. of L

The article presents information on the American Federation of Labor (A. F. of L.). The function of the American Federation of Labor is to provide that aid in unionizing the workers of the U.S. which a central organizing machine can render. This aid it can give, and has in its time given effectively, in two ways, first, it can send out its organizers to induce wage earners to form local unions affiliated directly with the A. F. of L. until such time as these locals are strong enough to form national or international unions of their own trade; secondly, it can serve as the agency through which any one of the nationals or internationals of which the federation is composed may draw upon the resources of all the other affiliated unions in time of distress.