Under his leadership SvA was vitalized, an agitation fund was set up and two travelling agitators were employed. All in all 193 local SvA branches were set up, but many of them became short-lived. By 1907 SvA had 160 local branches. At its peak SvA was estimated to have had some 10,000–12,000 members. "Arbetare-Tidningen" ('Workers Newspaper') was the press organ of SvA. The first issue was published on April 14, 1900. Fredrik Dahlborg was the editor of the newspaper, at least until 1903. It was initially published on monthly basis, but on July 1, 1902 it was converted into a twice-monthly publication. It became a weekly newspaper (published on Thursdays) on May 1, 1911. On December 21, 1912 it became a twice-monthly, and on October 15, 1914 a monthly. Between 1906 and 1912 the circulation of "Arbetare-Tidningen" vacillated between 3,500 and 4,500 per issue. SvA was denounced as a scab movement by the mainstream LO, as SvA members continued to work during strikes called by other unions. Moreover, SvA had recruited well-known scabs and former union members. For example, SvA member broke the picket lines during the industrial conflict of 1905. Moreover, the fact that SvA was economically sponsored by corporate interests made it a pariah amongst the labour movement. LO characterized SvA as "an auxiliary force of corporate capitalism, which in critical situation is ready to stab the striking or lock-outed groups in the back". There was even a satirical song in the popular movements, dedicated to ridiculing SvA;    SvA obtained economic support from the employers' side. In particular John Bernström, the boss at AB Separator, acted as a patron for SvA. Bernström was also the chairman of the Swedish Works Association. AB Separator donated funds for the purchase of an office for SvA and paid massive subscriptions to "Arbetare-Tidningen". The Swedish Works Association and SvA organized a joint May Day celebration at Skansen in 1905, for which AB Separator bought tickets to their employees. Bernström also gave private donations to SvA. Other companies also issued subscriptions of "Arbetar-Tidningen" in the names of their employees. Moreover, the press organs of the employers defended SvA when the organization was attacked in the Social Democratic press.