A short history of musicians unions and the split in the A.F.L.-affiliated American Federation of Musicians by industrial unionists to form the International Musical Union affiliated with the American Labor Union, a forerunner of the I.W.W.

‘The International Musical Union’ by W. Shurtleff from the American Labor Union Journal. Vol. 2 No. 41. December, 1904.

A Class-Conscious Organization Which Works for Harmony in the Ranks of Labor.

Years ago there was only one organization of musicians, known as the National League, which has long since “gone glimmering thro’ the dream of things that were.” The National League harassed its members by so much petty abuse that many of them abandoned its ranks and outside musicians were made averse to seeking admission. The latter eventually went into the Knights of Labor, while the numerous deserters from the National League joined the American Federation of Labor, and, in the course of time, were chartered in a national union under the title of American Federation of Musicians. This new organization adopted, with few modifications, the methods which made the old League so unpopular, and, upon the final breaking up of the National League, secured the bulk of its membership.

The outside musicians, who, shrinking from the annoyances of the National League, had joined the Knights of Labor, called a general convention of musicians for the purpose of forming a national organization within the K. of L.; but, having been outvoted by the independent musicians, they agreed to establish the International Musical Union without reference to, or affiliation with, any other body. The natural development of the economic forces at work in society, however, soon impressed upon the International Musical Union the fact that the class interests of the workers are of first importance and that all wage-earners must be banded together in the fight against the rapidly organizing powers of the capitalist class. Therefore, at Its last convention, after a three days’ session, the forward step was taken by a decision to unite with the AMERICAN LABOR UNION.

This decision of the International was reached after a careful review of the labor situation by all the thirty-five delegates, the majority of whom were members in good standing of various trade organizations. It was recognized that, in the past, musicians were looked upon with much disfavor by many of their fellow wage-earners because of their disregard of union principles in charging exorbitant prices to the unions on their national holiday, Labor Day. The suspicion was not without warrant that musicians were interested in organized labor only in so far as the union treasuries were concerned.

The International Musical Union was organized by men who had grown gray in the struggles of the working people–men who sought to bring about a true labor organization of musicians who would be willing to enter into, and bear their part of the burden of, the great movement of the working class for industrial freedom.

The constitution of the International Musical Union provides for: The grouping of all musicians, both vocal and instrumental, in local and State bodies closely organized in the international:

The formation of separate locals in cities where there are enough musicians, who make their entire living out of music, to constitute such locals; That musicians working at other trades must belong to their trade union, if such union is not opposed to the International:

The carrying out of all general purposes of the American Labor Union and the endorsement of its political program, together with the support of all members of the International to accomplish that end.

In consequence of the position thus taken by the International Musical Union, the American Federation of Labor is waging an unscrupulous war against its members. By reason of his exceptional organizing ability and aggressiveness, the General Secretary-Treasurer of the International, W. Shurtleff, has been singled out for especial bombardment by the enemy. Like the reports from Port Arthur, the lies circulated against him have come from round-about sources and always with the “on dit” mark of vagueness which characterizes the scurvy hireling of Capitalism. In order, therefore, to force the liars into the open, the following letter from Brother Shurtleff is printed in the hope that some unwary snake in the grass may stick his head out long enough to be caught in the tolls: “Clarence Smith, General Secretary-Treasurer A.L.U.:

“Dear Sir and Brother: Knowing the cowardly and blackmailing character of the officials of the A.F. of M., and in view of their past dastardly attacks on me, I anticipate the future. Enclosed find my resignation as Secretary-Treasurer of the International Musical Union, which I place in your hands to forward to our International President, P.K. Wilson, on the receipt by you of proof that I have ever scabbed, been a strike-breaker, or employed as a detective; and that I have not always had and now have the respect and confidence of the officials, business agents and members, including the national officers of the American Federation of Labor who know me. Proof of one scab or crooked act in my life will be all that is necessary for you to forward the resignation.

W. SHURTLEFF”

American Labor Union Journal was the official paper of the ALU, formed by the Western Federation of Miners and a direct predecessor to the I.W.W. Published every Thursday in Butte, Montana beginning in October, 1902 before moving to Chicago in early 1904. The ALU supported the new Socialist Party of America for its first years, but withdrew by 1904 as the union and paper grew more syndicalist with “No Politics in the Union” appearing on its masthead and going to a monthly. In early 1905, the Journal was renamed Voice of Labor, folding into the Industrial Workers of the World later that year. The Journal covered the Western Federation of Miners and the United Brotherhood of Railway Employees, as well as the powerful labor movement in Butte.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/american-labor-union-journal/041200-alujournal-v2n41.pdf