The Daily Worker Newspaper, April 17, 1924, Page 3

Thursday, April 17, 1924 NO GRAFT IN RED RUSSIA, TRIAL SHOWS Prompt Dismissal Of Krassnostchekov Cited Editor's Note—Under the title, “The Party on the Alert,” the Pravda, Pfficial publication of the Russian Communist Party, printed the follow- Ing article on the Krassnostchekov trial. Krassnostchekov, it will be re- membered, who was a lawyer in Chi- tago under the name of A. Strollar Tobinson, earned a high place in the Russian government by his devotion to Red Russia, He was convicted, however, of misapplying funds for the private use of his family, and dis- missed from the Communist: Party. see By H. GERISH. “The affair Alexander Krassnostch- tkov” has come to an end, It was HIS affair, as without him there would have been no other de- fendants. It was HIS affair because of all the flefendants he alone was a member of the Russian Communist Party. This trial has brought to the sur- face the perils of NEP (New Eco- nomic Policy). Capitalism does not make use now of frontal attacks. It uses imperceptible permeation, It foes not destroy physically, but po- litically and morally former revolu- tionaries who are not struck down in open struggle, but are gradually and imperceptibly corrupted by NEP “culture” until they become the dregs pf the population. Cause of Deterioration. With the liquidation of the outer fronts some of us embarked on a too rapid demobilization. We demobil- \zed on our inner’ front and lost a cer- tain amount of our revolutionary en- ergy and watchfulness. In fact, some of us lost some of our former strength. Some of us forgot that the struggle with the capitalist world in Its present form demands that we should be inwardly very strong and on the alert, even more so than at the time when capitalism was send- Ing its armed forces against us. When the party sends stern revo- lutionaries (who have shown their stamina and sternness in the midst of the revolutionary struggle) to re sponsible economic posts, the capital- ist world approaches them in an out- wardly conciliatory and even “aes- thetic” manner. Seemingly, there is no necessity to be on the alert when nothing more serious is contemplated than a visit to some cabaret or mu- sic hall, And where is the danger when a near relative in whose busi- ness capacity the responsible com- munist has great faith, asks the lat- ter to give him a certain amount of ‘king in some business matters? In practice, this kind of indulgence and concessions are frequently the beginning of a rapid deterioration of the responsible communist which might bring him to the dock. Nipped in the Bud. There is one side to the Krassnost- thekov affair which should be em- phasized: he was exposed almost at the beginning of his deterioration, as shown by the data of his first crim- inal acts. This is also shown by the comparatively small financial dam- age done by him to the Soviet Repub- lic (the losses do not exceed 40,000 roubles). Taking into consideration that A. Krassnostchokov was in a po- sition to manipulate millions of rou- bles, one could have thought at the beginning of the trial that Krassnost- chekov’s shameful betrayal of the con- fidence of the Russian Communist Party would involve the Soviet Re- public in enormous monetary losses. The communist nuclei in all our in- stitutions must develop’a maximum of activity. By their control they must nip in the bud all suspicious transac- actions. They must, in conjunc. tion with the central and local control committees, see to it that criminal ele- ments be eliminated before they are able to do much harm. We must bear in mind that such types as Krassnost- chokoy can become a blot on our party if they are not immediately placed in the dock. Krassnostchokov has escaped the supreme penalty. But the sentence passed on him has KILLED him po- litically. Our Soviet appratus is not yet in working order, and our party nuclei are not yet active enough to remedy the shortcomings of the Soviet appa- ratus, No Large Steals Possible. But even now we can say that noth- ing of the nature of the American oil scandal is possible in our Republic. We show no mercy to deteriorated communists, but expel them from our ranks and sentence them to political and civil extinction. Ssh The sentence in the Krassnostcho- kov affair has confirmed this once the Soviet Power is dear, to make the purging process rapid and thoro, .No Sunday Movies. THE DAILY WORKER SCENES IN FAMOUS RUSSIAN TRIAL Sentenced to six years in the peni- tentiary, M. .Krasnotschekov finds that grafting brings Immediate punish- ment in the Soviet state. KANSAS BOSSES ATTEMPT TO SPLIT LABOR WITH KLAN Probe Shows Kluxers Aid Employers (Special to The Daily Worker) TOPEKA, Kan., April 16.—The em- ployers association of this state is try- ing to use the Ku Klux Klan to split the forces of organized labor it has been disclosed by a quiet investiga- tion conducted by labor organizations. The labor officials are beginning to fear that trouble is in store for labor on this score, Wherever the klan en- ters labor organizations there bound to be trouble, it is said, because of the racial and religious differences in labor’s ranks. There is a large element of foreign born, it is well known among the miners, particular- ly, and among some of the railroad shopmen. The entrance of the klan in some of the labor centers has been marked by dissensions and divisions among laboring men there. Employers Organize Opposition. The Employers’ Association, which The defendant's crime was the mis- appropriation. of 40,000 rubles, which he handled thru his connection with that he was a member of the Russian Communist Party and had rendered useful service during the revolution- ary period as president of the Far- Eastern Republic, did not prevent prompt punishment when he betrayed the workers by dishonest handling of their funds. The picture above is the Krasno- tschekov trial scene in Moscow. The defendant Is shown by (X) and his attorney, Tschlenoff, by (XX). The picture below it shows Krasno- tschekov, right, and his counsel, left, with Krilenko, prosecutor, in center. an important federal bank. The fact Telephone Girls In Melbourne Win The 34-Hour Week (By The Federated Press) MELBOURNE, Australia, April 16. —Telephone girls in the Australian government service have received an increase ranging from $45 to $120 per annum, according to grade. Hours have been reduced to 34 per week. Formerly the hours ranged from 37 to 46 per week. In granting the award the federal arbitrator agreed that, generally, the work of the operators was underpaid, and that the value and amount of work had increased since the last award was ‘made. = SPOKANE R. R, GLERKS ENDORSE FL. CONVENTION Want Class Party Of Workers-Farmers (Special to The Daily Worker) SPOKANE, Wash., April 16.— Not organization changed its name a year} all of the organizatrons of the Rail- of two ago to that of Associated In-|road Brotherhoods in the United dustries, is regarded by laboring men| states are for the wonference for as the center of opposition maintains | progressive Political Action. This is the biggest and strongest lobby that| indicated by the following resolution exists in the Kansas legislature. It| adopted by Spokane Lodge No. 252, of has opposed every step that has been| Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, at a taken in behalf of laboring men and| recent meeting. women, It bitterly opposed the mi- We, the members of Spokane Lodge nimum hour law for working women 252, declare that the industrial work- and has tried time and time again to/ers and exploited farmers must be repeal the bill in legislative sessions. represented in the Presidential cam- It has opposed and vigorously fought | paign of 1924, by a Farmer-Labor Par- the laundry and factory inspection | ty, with a program representing the laws and regulations. It did not op-| class interests of the industrial work- pose the industrial court bill except| ers and farmers. that feature of the me@sure which ‘We, therefore, declare our support provided “teeth” against the employ-| of the convention to be held on May erg as well as against labor. It has| oth in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the tried to defeat labor laws in courts formation of such a party. We are as well as in the législature. Bosses and Klan. opposed to delaying me convention until after the conventions of the old Now, it is pointed out, there is a| parties as we are now convinced that connection between the klan and the|neither the candidates nor the pro- Employers’ Association. John S. Dean, | grams of either the republican or dem- well-known Topeka lawyer, is attor-| ocratic parties are of any importance ney for the Association. Mr. Dean also|in deciding the question whether the is head counsel for the Ku Klux Klan | farmers and industrial workers shall in its fight to retain its legal standing |organize a mass party which will in the state. Dean, as attorney, and | fight their political battles. Harry Sharp, as secretary of the Em- We instruct that & copy of this re- ployers’ Association, are the “pillars” | solution be forwarded to the organiza- of that organization. They have cam-| tion committee in charge of the work paigned the state together in the in-/of calling the May goth convention terest of the association. The asso-|and be published in the labor press. ciation maintains permanent head-| Adopted by Spokane Lodge No. 252, quarters in Topeka and has a working| B. R. C. of A,, this 18th day of March. force every day in the year. Labor looks upon it as the one big factor in the state that constantly menaces labor interests. Labor Broke With Klan. JAMES 8. PEELE, Chairman. 0, &. SWARTZ, Secretary. (All organizations which supported In large cities of Texas and in other | the May 30th conference are now lined states of the South, where the klan| UD for the June 17th conference.) is older and stronger than in Kansas, there has come an open break bet- ween the klan and organized labor. Those who have studied the situation in Kansas express the belief that trouble is certain to follow in this state. i Those who are interested in labor's welfare point out that if rupt organized labor it could find no more effective and certain method Anatole France 80 Years Old. man of French literature, the Employ- ers’ Association should desire to dis- hye Ft ie was @ great ovation in the press| How many of and in literary circles on his eightieth | THE .DAIL them to Chinese Dockers Win Strike Against Housing Shortage derated Press) April 16.—Two thou- dock workers struck against the demolition of (By Th HONGKONG, they would be homeless if their dwel- lings were razed, The municipal council intervened. ur shop-mates read WORKER. Get one of ribe today. \ BOSSES COURT SCORES HEAVILY FOR ITS OWNERS Unique Decision In West Virginia. (By The Federated Press) A man’s home is not his castle if it is owned by the company for which he works, according to a recent deci- sion of the ‘West Virginia supreme court which appears to reverse one of the oldest legal safeguards to the common man. With the decision as precedent employers may rapidly de- velop a situation in which the majori- ty of workers occupy their homes on- ly on sufferance. The court finds the “man’s home his castle” theory indefensible in a ease where the house is an essential part of the company’s plant. In such a case he is not even a tenant unless it be on sufferance and he may be summarily ejected as a trespasser the day he voluntarily quits working for the company. sy Laws Protect Rich. This decision was handed down in the case of Wat Angel, a coal miner, vs. Black Band Consolidated Coal Co. of Kanawha county. Angel's family and possesions were thrown out of his house in winter weather and remain- ed only partially covered in the open for four days with considerable dam- age to the goods. Because Angel had voluntarily quit working for the company in order to protest against injustice the court decided that the company was justified in its course of action. Lawyers regarded the case as a test case. They say that the “rule of property” established by the court will be invaluable as a weapon of em- ployers in future federal court pro- ceedings. It is expected to have a widespread effect on the mining in- dustry, . Captain C. B. Avis who represented the company holds that he has.won a basic decision in law that will rob the union miners of one of their most effective weapons heretofore used in curtailing the production of coal dur- ing strikes. He says: “It also simpli- files the procedure of counsel for mine owners applying for injunctions against striking miners who threaten to curtail production by remaining in the houses of the company and thus preventing the company from bring- ing in willing workers, By the ruling that such a striker is a trespasser it is a virtual decision that the trespas- sor is also a violater of a federal in- junction which restrains him from trespassing and he is therefore in con- tempt of federal court as well as be- ing without any rights in the pre mises in the state courts,” What It Means. As a result of this West Virginia supreme court decision, if it is al- lowed to stand, any corporation which chooses to make the living quarters of its employers a part of the com- pany plant, simply deducting the rent trom their wagés, can make them both trespassers and in contempt of court if they continue to live in their homes one day after they strike in protest against what they consider unjust conditions of employment. A worker's decision to strike will in- volve a decision to move out of his home or to face forcible ejection and a sentence for violating an injunc- tion. K. of C. Has Money, Yeges early today blew the safe in the offices of Leo Council, Knights of Columbus, and escaped with $3,100, STRONG WAVE OF ANTI-MILITARISM SWEEPS NORWAY Norwegian Youth Fights Conscript Service (Special to The Dayy Worker) KRISTIANA, Norwey, March 30. —(By Mail)— The Young Communfst League, The Social Anarchistic Society of Norway, and the Norwegian Syndicalist Federation have sent ‘a joint call to the Norwe- gian Youth of military age, to refuse military service. They have the support of the Nor- wegian Workers Party and request the support of all unfon men in their demand for the abolishment of the military work and the dissolution of the class army; they also request a boycott against military transports and manufacture of war supplies. They claim that the only object in keeping an army is to use it against the “internal enemy,” to crush down labor every time it rises in fight for its reasonable demands. Several editors of papers have been indicted for publishing articles about the military strike. The first case, against Olsen-Hagen, editor of “Lste Mai” in Stavanger, was tried March 22nd, and resulted in a judgment of six months’ jail sentence and depriva- tion of citizen’s rights for ten years, Appeal was taken. An anti-military meeting was call- ed by Stavanger Workers Party and Stavanger Young Communist League the same evening, with a crowded hall passed a resolution calling the verdict distinct class judgment and an attack on the general freedom of speech and thought. The executive committee of Rogaland County also passed a strong protest against the verdict. Immense Protest Meetings. March 26th, an anti-military meet- ing called by Kristiania’ Workers Party and the local of the Young Communist League, broke the record for meetings held at the hall of the Kristiania Federation of Labor in its 54 years’ existence. The large hall was packed and three overflow meet- ings arranged. The military strike parole was called the liberating word, the action that cuts thru talk and theories. The meeting expressed “its full co-operation with the work of the young league for a boycott of military work by the working class (military strike) and sees in the desperate prosecution instituted by the authori- ties’ proof that this ys the line they fear.” Oscar Torp, chairman of the Workers Party, said: “The army is mobilized against the workers and to protect the strikebreakers, Strike- breakers are the dreg of society for whom we all have contempt.” A state that uses military to pro- tect strikebreakers must be broken up. An institution like the army, that is used for protection of strikebreak- ers, must be destroyed.—Strikebreak- ers must be made outraws.—We shall place our army, our organizations, against the class army. We will not not quit the fight until the military establishment lies thrown and tied by the force with which we shall march forward.” Fighting The Military. Haakon Meyer, president of the young league, emphasized that the army is a class army. “At the time of the general strike organized workers were sent Nome as not reliable. Safe companies have been formed. The working class must fight this army. “The strikebreaker is considered a shameless person, We will create the same sentiment against those who protect the strikebreakers. In our position towards the military we are not satisfied to only refuse—We must be willing to and prepare ourselves tq take up the battles that will come, also the military. And we shall win so that we on our own foundation can establish our own dictatorship.” The overflow meeting called: Down with the military. Forward to direct ac- tion! March 27th, the police indicted the following members of the Young Com- munist League of Norway, on account of anti-military actions: Thorbjorn Dahl, Henry W. Kristiansen, Birger Madsen, Jorgen Vogt, Edw. Sjolande, Carsten Aasebo, Bj. Lindahn, Arthur Arneson, Harold Olsen and Eugene Olaussen. Radical Argentine Students Kick Out Fossilized Teachers BUENOS AIRES, April 16,—The students’ movement in Argentina which is powerfnl enough ta have ex- pelled all objectionable old fogey pro- fessors after a two-year fight also en- joys the right to name professors and control academic freedom. It has just founded the first students’ daily on the continent. The students of Latin-America have many powerful weeklies all with soci- alistic or communistic trend. Altho they are probably younger than Uni- ted States university students, they take an active part in the political life of their nations, leading them on new paths. There is less of the callow mental immaturity observable in the American fraternity, petting- party, professional-athletics type of student, Norwegian Left | JAKE HAMON’S WIDOW JOINS. CROWD THAT FLOUTS. OIL PROBERS Mrs. Georgla Hamon Rohrer, wl- | dow of the late Jake Hamon, slain | Oklahoma politician and oll million- aire, today defied the senate oil in- vestigating committee to force her to testify. When John L, Oros, deputy U, S. marshal located Mrs. Rohrer after | ten days’ search, and by’a ruse served a forthwith subpoena, Mrs, Rohrer indignantly declared: “The former Attorney General | didn’t pay any attention to their old forthwith subpoenaes and I’m Just as independent as he ever was. The senators down there are acting like a lot of school boye.” Mrs. Rohrer was found at the Al- , led Arts Club, and Oros gained en- trance by posing as a lover of arts, | “What nerve,” exclaimed Mrs. Rohrer. . “Well, I'm not going,” she de- clared. “I've always been a good demo- erat and Jake never told me any of his republican secrets. And as for the papers the committee wants, well, they were burned up months and months ago.” Assails Bill Making Immigrants Furnish Military Records By The Federated Press) WASHINGTON, “April 16--Repre-| sentative Berger of Milwaukee made a losing fight, in committee of the whole house during debate on the im- migration bill, against the clause com- pelling the alien to bring with his ap- Plication for entry into this country @ complete dossier of his military, criminal or other record. “It is an axiom of civilized nations,” he said, “to consider a person honest and innocent until the contrary is proven, According to the proposition before us, the immigrant is supposed to have a prison record. The great bulk of the immigration of the past | 100 years was honest. It was nothing | like the immigration of the seven-| teenth century, when every immigrant | to certain parts of the American col-| onies had a prison record, because | Great Britain used large sections of | her possessions as penal colonies, | We know from history that in those days English judges used to deport | Anglo-Saxon criminals instead of} hanging them. Pickpockets, thieves | and prostitutes were sent to these shores in that way. Many of the criminals Became successful citizens, and some descendants even Revolu- tionary sires, I suppose, “But I cannot see why we should ask questions of that kind of the pres- ent immigration. Moreover, under the provisions of this bill the burden of proof is put upon the immigrant. Is it any business of ours what the military record of an immigrant was in Bulgaria, or Russia, or France, or Germany? Suppose he had no mili- tary record at all; that might make him a very desirable immigrant.” Filipinos Strike. For 8-Hour Day In Hawaiian Fields HONOLULU, April 16.—Seven thousand Filipinos in the Hawaiian sugar plantations are on strike for the eight-hour day and a $2 scale. They were working from 10 to 12 hours daily for $1. The Nat. Con- ference of Land Workers of the Phi- lipines has promised financial aid for their brothers in Hawaii and funds are being dispatched. Hawaiin police were called out immediately after the strike to terrorize the Filipinos who have concentrated in towns near the plantations, having been forced to leave the camps by the sugar mag- nates, Engdahl Will Speak At Joint Meeting For The Daily Worker A speech by J. Louis Engdahl, the editor of the DAILY WORKER, and the singing of Den Rob Forpost, (The Red Sentinel) by Kunze, will be tea- tures of of the Concert and Dance arranged jointly by the Socialist Scandinavian Singing Society and the Karl Marx Club, given for the benefit of the DAILY WORKER. Besides these two attractions, the program will consist of eight musical numbers. The affair will be held on Saturday, April 19 at 8 o'clock, at Folkets Hus, 2733 Hirsch Béulevard, The popular Lettish mandolin or- chestra will play Wedding of the Winds and the Overture from “King Mydes”,. The Skald Singing Society will sing two numbers, Pearl Grand will play a piano solo, selections will be given by Vinzie and Lilla Lindhe and Bjarne Trogstad. Supper will be served in the dining room. Dancing will be continued un- til one o'clock. A Companion for Harry Thaw. PHILADELPHIA, April 16.—A. J. Antelo Devereaux, internationally fa- mous polo player, has been adjudged insane and is now confined in the Friends Hospital for the Insane, Frankford, it became known here to- day. His condition is declared to have been caused by injuries received in many falls while playing polo, steeplo- chasing and fox hunting. “reduction to the 1917 figures. Page Thr: BITTEREST DRIVE AGAINST MINERS INW. VA. HISTORY Union Loses Most Of Its Membership By TOM TIPPETT (Staff Correspondent of the Fed. Press) CHARLESTON, W. Va., April 16.— West Virginia coal operators are sel- zing an opportune time to try to crush that part of the United Mine Workers of America that rem: in this state. The general depression, everywhere prevalent in the industry, has brought the miners near starvation and since 1921 the union’s vitality has been sapped in courts because of the armed march of that year. The operators have continued on all sides a relentless campaign of vi- olence with their armed guards. They have also at their beck and call the armed forces of the state and on top of all Judge McClinic issues injunc- tions as the operators direct. But as the injunction abuse in other parts of the country, in West Virginia it stands in,a class alone for vicious- ness. The West Virginia union is slowly slipping into the hand. 29,000 Unionists Left. There are still approximately 29,000 members in District.17, U. M. W. A., but District 29 (New River field) has been completely lost. At its highest peak, 1918-22, the union claimed a membership of about 65,000 in both districts in the state. After the war membership began to fall and the 1922 national strike considerably weakened the union membership. Dis- trict 29 with 9,000 members was lost then and in District 17 there are thousands now striking, living in tents, where they have been since the national strike called two years ago. Tent Colonies Like Ulcers These tents colonies, crowded with ragged women, children and numer- ous babies, can be seen like ulcers on the mountain sides or in the river bot- toms now in the full bloom with spring flowers. They are,located all along Big and Little Coal rivers, Cabin creek, Briar creek, Paint creek, and all thru the Kanawha valley dis- trict of which Charleston is the cen- ter. The territory is the old estab- lished union field. The strikers are isolated and are against companies that refused the 1922 settlement. Their mines, meanwhile, have operat- ed with strikebreakers with the 1917 wage scale in effect. This April the entire Kanawha Operators’ Association demanded a It was refused by the miners who want the continuation of the 1922 scale (Jack-. sonville, Fla., settlement). A strike affecting the entire Charleston field has been on since April 1. Other operators’ associations in the state have signed the Jacksonville settle- ment. The settled fields take in about 17,000 men. 45,000 Get Strike Relief. The district office estimates 45,000 as the number on strike relief. That includes the women and children. The benefits are $3.50 for men, $1.50 for a wife and 50 cents for each child, per week. This is paid by the member- ship of District 17. There have been some donations from the interna- tional union and some assistance, especially food and clothing, from other sources, There are in the state a little over 197,000 men employed in and around the mines, according to the state de partment of mines; 888 coal compa- nies operate between them 1381 mines that ship by rail. They produced in 1922 70,888,203 gross tons of coal. The total value of this product was $180,- 764,917.65, the report says, and on another page shows that the average weekly wage paid the miners who pro- duced it was $20.07. That was in 1922. The 1921 report shows that depres- sion had already hit the industry. There were 9,873,401 fewer tons of coal mined in 1922 than in 1921. And of course less wages for the miners. Since 1922, conditions in the industry have got worse. Fred Mooney, sec- retary of the West Virginia miners; Says work has never been so scarce and miners’ conditions so bad as at present. Nevertheless the union miners grin and say they are going to win. That sentiment is everywhere. From the district office to the meanest tent co- lony. It is the indefatigable spirit of unionism in West Virginia, 1,000 New Chicago Subscriptions By April 21 Is Our Goal To All Branch Daily Worker Subscrip- tions Agents in Chicago. There will be a meeting of the Branch Daily Worker Subscriptions Agents on Monday, April 21st at 8 P, M. at the Local Office, 166 West Wa- shington Street, Room 307, We are now in a big drive for one thousand new subscribers by June 15th and every effort must be made to put it over. Be sure to attend this meeting in order that we may review our work and see what we can do to has- ten the drive. Workers Party—Local Chicago, Martin Abern, City Secretary., How many of your shop-mates read THE DAILY WORKER. Get one of them to subscribe today, a