The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 9, 1924, Page 6

— ~<§ BEE. Page Six THE DAILY WORKER. Published by the DAILY WORKER PUBLISHING CO., 1113 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, Il. (Phone: Monroe 4712) SUBSCRIPTION RATES By mall: $3.50....6 months $2.00....3 months By mall (in Chicago only): $8.00 per year $4.50....6 months $2.50....8 months a Address all mail.and make out checks to THE DAILY WORKER 1113 W. Washington Bivd. Chicago, Illinois pb frediahhencbs ananet cA cee RL SRE SSNS J. LOUIS ENGDAHL ) . WILLIAM: F, DUNNE) seen AALS MORITZ J. LOEB. Business Manager $6.00 per year Entered as second-class mail Sept. 21, 1923 at the, Post- Office at Chicago, Ill., under the act of March 8, 1879. NR EP 290 Advertising rates on application. a OOOO Then and Now. Ten years ago, in the days.of “peace time” So¢ialism, before the great war swept over the world, an election in Germany received only pass- ing notice abroad. Not even when the German Socialists reached their pre-war strength of 110 reichstag members, did the foreign press show any signs of getting excited. But times have changed. Now Communism is making over the map of the world. And the elec- tion of-62 Communists to the German reichstag forces the elections in Germany onto the first pages of the daily press for many days in succes- sion. “The terrifying growth of the Communists” becomes a subject of immediate concern in all imperialist capitals. Shudderings are felt in Paris, London, Rome, Tokio, as well as in Wash- ington. Thus the German elections contrast the respec- tive. dangers to capitalism of “peace time” So- cialism and the struggle of Communism in the present days of the developing class war. It was not for nothing that four million workers voted for Communist candidates in Germany, while mil- lions deserted the standards of the German So- cialism of Ebert, Noske and Scheidemann. Just as the Russian workers and farmers flocked to the Bolshevik standards and pressed on to vic- tory, just so the German masses are rallying under the banners of the German Communist Party, Section of the Communist International. And to the increasing extent that the Germans turn to Communism, just so rapidly will they ap- proach the victory for their own class. World capitalism fears the growth of Com- munism, because it recognizes in Communist lead- ership the conquering power that will envelop it in defeat. That world capitalism, in “peace time,” correctly estimated the role of the “Socialists” ig shown by the fact that the German social-demo,; cracy is now seeking to impose the slavery chains of the House of Morgan upon the limbs of German labor thru the so-called Dawes plan. But the German workers have spoken. They are turning to Communism in Germany as everywhere. They are turning against capitalism and all its lackeys. The'seed of the martyrs, Liebknecht, Luxembourg and thousands of others, is beginning to bear fruit. New millions in Germany rally to the Red Flag of the workers’ and farmers’ victory and the thunder of their marching footsteps is heard around the world. The Teachers’ Councils Chicago’s school teachers have always fought for an increasing say in the conduct of the city’s public school system. They have waged a tireless war for the right of organization. They have exposed tax dodging that robbed the children of school taxes that ought to be paid by the rich. They have car- ried on the best struggle they knew how to build for better public education for the children, which THE DAILY WORKER Plute Class Piffle Policemen and firemen of/ Cleveland, Ohio, are being told what valuable members they are to modern capitalist society. The occasion is the effort of the yellow press and the open shop em- ployers to smash all semblance of organization among these municipal workers. These workers are told that they have the privilege, just like a soldier, to “face death on oceasion,” that their work is similar to that of soldiers, that they are the “first line of defense against destruction by criminal violence and fire.” In Cleveland, the head of the Firemen’s Union has been expelled by Director of Public Safety Barry. This union official was driven out of the fire department for the sole reason that he sought to protect the human rights of the workers. There is no reason why there should not be three eight-hour shifts in the police and fire departments of any city, except the one that big employers are opposed on principle to an eight-hour day. And that is about the only issue raised by a Firemen’s Union, where it is not compelled to fight for the double-platoon, or 12-hour day, as against the 24-hour shift. Only the big property holders oppose the three- shift, or even the two-shift system for firemen, altho it is their property that the fireman must protect, that the fireman must risk his life to save. The fireman needs a union to put up a fight for him. If he is good enough to sacrifice comfort, health and life itself, to safeguard property, he is good enough to have a union to see that he gets the right hours and wages. All the plute press piffle, about the dangers of unionism, is on'a par with all promises made to the conscripted soldiers sent across the Atlantic to fight the battles of J. Pier- pont Morgan in Europe. The returned soldiers are now making a fight for a bonus from congress in spite of all the “pay-triotism” and flag-waving of the American Bankers’ Association and the Wall Street Journal. Let the firemen of Cleveland stand by their ex- pelled comrade against the attack of the Employ- ers’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Let the firemen in all cities organize their unions. Only thru their unions will they be able to win living conditions for themselves and their families. God and Cahan SNAP our oF THE DOPE means the boys and girls of the working class. The present struggle between the school teachers and Superintendent of Schools William McAn- drew, therefore, is more than a battle over the right of the Teachers’ Councils to take 45 minutes each month of their teaching time to discuss, among themselves, the various problems that arise. It is inevitable that the discussions in the Teach- ers’ Councils should be for the welfare of the children. They certainly take up vital problems of education, on which the big business appointees on the school board hold views vitally different than those of the teachers. Superintendent McAndrew isn’t so much wor- ried about the 45 minutes. But if he can wipe out this right, he can proceed to eliminate the Teach- ers’ Councils, and all other forms of organization that the teachers have built up. Instead of de- veloping ideas of their own, Superintendent Mc- Andrew would like the teachers to get all their ideas from him, to accept his dictatorship from the top. This is an intolerable situation. It is one that must be fought by all workers. We join the school teachers of Chicago in demanding that Superintendent McAndrew “Get Out!” The New Age, of Buffalo, 'N. Y., oue of the few surviving weekly publications drawing inspiration from the Socialist Party, breathed its last on May Day, May Ist. Its last days were occupied, as is usual with Socialist publications, in attacking the Russian Soviet Republic. Patrick Quinlan, one of its recent editors, showed himself a master hand at this form of billingsgate. Well, let them pass. - From 400,000 to 4,000,000 is a big leap, but the German Communists made it, from one reichstag election to the next, in counting their votes. Sor RAOUL The convention of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, at Boston, Mass., did Friday, May 9, 1924 AS WE SEE IT By T. J. O'FLAHERTY During the course of a strike in a Donegal, Ireland asylum, a Miss He- garty, one of the female attendants, refused to walk out with her com- rades. She stayed and scabbed. The committee in charge of the institu- tion recruited help to take the place of those who struck. While Miss He- garty was sitting in a chair in front not open with prayer. But President Morris Sig- man took the first opportunity that presented itself to thank God for the intelligence given the. General Executive Board of the Union in fighting the militants in the union. At about the same time we can imagine Abra- ham Cahan, editor of the Jewish Daily (Socialist) Forward, throwing out his chest and accepting Sigman’s thanks, with his usual gusto. For Sigman’s Jehovah is a living god, with offices at 175 E. Broadway, New York City, whose sole purpose in seeking domination oyer the Jewish unions, is to use them as a weapon in making war upon the Communists. Cahan’s stronghold is in “The International,” and his main policy is that put into effect by the Sigman ‘administration, “expel the members of the Trade Union Educa- tional League.” The hand of this God got in its work in the effort to unseat the four regularly elected delegates of Local One, New York City. Sigman tried to rail- road the unseating thru without debate, but the delegates forced the discussion. They have shown that they have something to say. This will become more apparent as the convention proceeds. If the delegates take control of the convention away from the officials, then there is hope for the immediate future of the union. If the dead hand of “God” Cahan continues to have its withering effect upon the organization, then there are dark days indeed ahead. The control of “The International” must be taken out of the hands of God and placed in the hands of the whole membership of the union, em- bracing all needle workers who seek their rightful place in the organization. Under the Fascisti Thumb Three delegates to the convention of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, will not be received by Mrs. “Cal” Coo- lidge at the White House, in Washington, today, Why these women should wish to go to the White House, we do not know, but the reason that three of them are denied admission is interesting. When the peace delegates drop around to: the White House, the undesirable ones will be Mme. Rosika Schwimmer, Miss Wilma Gluchlich and Mrs. Meller, all of Hungary. The excuse is offered that they have not received the “O. K.” of the Hungarian ambassador, Count Laszio Szechenyi. Hungary today is under the Fascisti rule of the Dictator Horthy. The Communist movement and all radical sections of the political and industrial movement of labor are outlawed. Eyen all forms of liberalism are frowned upon, It is the bloody thumb of this Hungarian Fascisti dictatorship that brought pressure upon the White House at Washington, D. C., so that the three peace dele- gates from Hungary had the doors closed in their faces. It is well that all the workers and farmers should know where “Cautious Cal” his in- spiration; from among the most reactionary of capitalist rulers. ‘ ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT OF NATIONAL FARMER-LABOR PARTY GROWING By C. E. RUTHENBERG. Reports from St. Paul indicate a nation-wide interest on the part of the workers and farmers of this country in the June 17th Farmer-Labor Party Convention. Unquestionably several thous- and delegates representing at least a million organized workers and farmers will gather in the convention June 17th. What is more important than this, however, is the fact that the work of building a solid or-* ganizational structure for the national organization which will be formed as a result of the June 17th Convention is under way in many states, A great national convention at St. Paul would be a splendid, thing from an agitational standpoint, but unless this convention was supported by state and local organizations thruout the whole United States, it would not be able to accomplish a great deal in carrying on the fight of the workers and farmers politically. The effect of such a convention, if not followed by concrete organizational work, would soon disappear. The significance about the June 17th Convention is not only that it is arousing a nation-wide interest and delegates are being se- lected to attend this convention from all parts of the country, but that in many states organizations are being built to serve as the permanent foun- | dation for the national organization hich will be formed at St. Paul. Six State Parties Behind St. Paul. The St. Paul Convention was called in the name of six existing state Farmer-Labor parties. These are the state Farmer-labor parties in Minne- sota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Washington. All of these parties have been in ex- istence for some considerable time. They are not entirely new growth: In Minnesota, Washington, Nebraska and South Dakota, the Farmer-Labor Party, or in Nebraska, the Progressive Party, ‘have been in existence thru several political campaigns and have polled large votes in these campaigns. The parties in North Dakota and Mon- are of later oirgin but they have @ substantial backing and are firmly rooted in the political life of those states. The St. Paul Convention and the national organization which will grow out of it, therefore, begins with these six strong organizations as the basis for a enation-wide organization. New State Parties Building. The six state parties referred to above wére in existence at the time the St. Paul Convention was called. Since the call for the convention was movements have begun in a tates to build state or- gan! of which are pledged to the St. Paul Convention. Ip Massachusetts,.a call for,a state convention is being issued by a group of local trade unions in that state and an organization will be created the latter part of the month of May which will be pledged to the June 17th Con- vention. In New «fork State, the Buffalo Labor Party and the Federat- ed Farmer-Labor Party of New York City have joined hands to call a state convention at Schenectady for May 18th, at which a state organization will be formed to send delegates to the June 17th Convention. A state convention is being held in Ohio on June 7th and 8th for the purpose of creating the state Farmer-Laber Party pledged to St. Paul. In Michi- gan a movement is under foot in De- troit for the formation of the first unit of what will be the state Farmer-La- bor Party of Michigan. In Illinois, a large group of progressive trade un- ionists have issued a call for a con- vention on May 18th which will affili- ate with the June 17th St. Paul Con- vention. Oklahoma will hold its state convention on May 9th and 10th. The Oklahoma call specifically pledges the party to be formed to June 17th. In Kansas a group of some 75 individuals well known in the farmer and labor movements have called a state con- vention for Salina, Kans., on May 17th in order to organize the state party in support of the June 17th Conven- tion. In California a state convention will be held on May 81st and June 1st for the purpose of organizing the state Farmer-labor Party and sending delegates to the June 17th Convention. In these seven states, state Farmer- Labor parties, all of them supporting the June 17th Convention, will be in existence before the date of the Na- tional Convention. Other Parties Building. While in the states mentioned above the movement for state organ- izations has taken concrete form, there are many other states. in which the work to form state organizations supporting the National Farmer-Labor Convention has not advanced to this stage, but in whtch efforts are under These states are: Missouri, Iowa, way to create state organizations. Morris Hillquit, Abe Cahan and Sam Gompers are no doubt now convinced that there is a Com- munist movement in Germany. are probably disgusted with Congress, Communism goes marching on. Read the elec- tion returns from Germany and be convinced. # sider “The Ragged Trousered Philan- thropist,” by Robert Tressall, one of the best stories the DAILY WORKER could publish. humor, while at the same time por- traying the er’s life; i nomics a at the same time amusing. friends for the paper, and it will ap- peal to all workers whether they are class conscious or not, and may bring many young workers into closer re- lations with the party. or young that the Japs |league. but that they have nothing on the|by W. H. Smith & Son, the American people in that respect, Press, London.—D. MeCarmiay Oregon and Wisconsin. The fact that there is a movement developing in the State of Wisconsin, the home of Re- publican LaFollette progressivism, is most significant. Evidently the work- ers and farmers of Wisconsin are not satisfied with the band of political action that they are getting from the LaFollette Republican Party in Wis- consin and are ready for the forma- tion of a Farmer-Labor Party to fight their political battles. In the State of Colorado, the Farm- er-Labor Party formerly affiliated with the Farmer-Labor Party of Fitzpatrick and Brown, has broken away from the parent organization and pledged itself to send delegates to the June 17th Convention. A similar movement exists within the Farmer-Labor Party of Indiana which is still functioning as a part of the old Farmer-Labor Party. In West Virginia there is a strong group in the Farmer-Labor Party which is’ urging affiliation with the National Farmer-Labor Party St. Paul group. Permanent Crystallization. The fact that in some twenty states Farmer-Labor parties are already in existence or in the process of build- ing, indicates the sweep of the move- ment for independent political action, and gives promise of permanent crys- tallization of the Farmer-Labor move- ment in a strongly knit, well organ- ized Farmer-Labor Party. It is not sufficient that there should be a loose coalition of all_kinds of groups who are opposed to the old political parties in the St. Paul Con- vention. What is needed in the United States today is a political party rep- resenting the class interests of the farmers and industrial workers which shall not only fight their battles in the election campaign but which will function all the year ‘round as a po- litical organization carrying on a con- tinuous struggle in the interests of the exploited farmers and the indus- trial workers. The organizations already built and those in the process of building give promise of the formation of such a party at the St. Paul Convention. Such a closely knit fighting organiza- tion of workers and farmers will be real achievement for the American labor movement. Views of Our Readers Suggestion for Serial. Youngstown, Ohio. To the DAILY WORKER: . | con- It contains a wealth of I am sure it would gain many ‘The book is printed in Great Britain of a stove, four of these “strikebreak- ers” seized and gagged her and gave her the “bum’s rush” to the sidewalk, giving her a good trouncing, at the same time, impressing on her mind and on her body their conviction that a “scab” was hardly fit to touch ex- cept with a very long pole, The “strikebreakers” did not return to the asylum, neither did Miss Hegarty, She was taken to a hospital, * & The Chicago Tribune combining business with patriotism, has ven- tured into the weekly magazine field. The first issue of the new periodical is now on the stands and one would never think that the Tribune would pay $20,000 to the person who discov- ered the most appropriate title for a publication issued by the most notori- ous reactionary outfit in America, “Liberty” {t is, and the Chicago Tribune, with thrills of pride running up and down its spinal column says, “and we are proud of the title.” eee The winner of the prize is from Youngstown, Ohio, a favorite haunt of the Ku Klux Klan. It is true, he made over three thousand attempts before it occurred to him that the Medill Patterson-McCormack impe- rialists would give a nickel for such a title. No doubt “Liberty” will soon be in a United Front with its dally step-mother carrying on a campaign for intervention in, Mexico. “Oh, Liberty, how many crimes are com- mitted in they name?” . se 8 Morris Hillquit delivered a series of lectures recently to select audi- ences of East Side pawn brokers, shopkeepers, and a few labor leaders. His object was to prove that the policy of the Socialist Party was cor- rect and that the tactics of the Com- munists were dead wrong and that Communism was on the downgrade in Europe. After the great German landside for Communism in the re- cent elections, Morris will have to revise his estimates even tho he is not likely to change his opinions. Communists activities do not begin and end with elections. That ds only @ small part of the business. Since the elections the Ruhr workers have indulged in a very effective form of political action, A general strike is much more political than the mere dropping of a ballot in a box. Drop- ping ballots is merely a counting of noses. Unfortunately many radicals do not differentiate between political action and parliamentary action. The latter is included in the former. The greater contains the less. Anyhow, there is very little consolation in the German elections for Morris Hillquit. se 8 A writer in the New York Nation compains that Calvin Coolidge proved himself incapable of effective indigna- tion over the disclosures of thievery on the part of his cabinet. Speaking at an Associated Press dinner, the president glossed over the Teapot Dome and other scandals by blaming the world war for the slight crack in the liberty bell of official morality, However, the Nation is grateful for one silver lining in the black cloud of threatened war that hangs over the world—the Dawes plan. Poor liberals are always bound to be disillusioned. We more than imagine that 4,000,000 Communist votes backed by perhaps 15,000,000 German workers will drive a long spike in the coffin of the Dawes plan for keeping the German workers in a state of industrial feudalism. “+ “Back to honesty” is the slogan of the Gompers part of the election machinery of the American Federa- tion of Labor, Of course, Samuel is non-partisan, that is, he will con- sistently vote the democrat ticket. Non-partisanship means that the workers must not have a political party of their own. Gompers allows them the privilege of voting for either of the two capitalist parties resery- ing for himself the right to inveigle as many as he can to the democrat side. One set of labor fakers are rooting for LaFollette, another for McAdoo, still another for Coolidge and the so-called radicals, the Socialist Party, or what is left of it don’t know the devil where they are at. They are just like Mr. Micawber in the Dicken’s novel, waiting for something to turn up. : J It is rumored that “Hell-and-Maria” Dawes is Coolidge’s choice for a run: . ning mate in the presidential thon. This is even a better comb! tion than Coolidge and John L, Le: It is true that the Coolldge-Lewis ¢) have a common bond; they are b, 9a strikebreakers. But Dawes is @ banker and a military man even th most of his military exploits were ¢ ecuted in the swivel chair, He is a good strikebreaker. Calvin Coolidge, strikebreaker president, and Genera’ Dawes, Commander in Chief of Strikebreaking Minute Men of ti Constitution would give the next elec- tion the proper capitalist flavor, Any worker who would cast a ballot for either of these gentlemen would thank Arden lt highwayman for robbing him of his last nickel. “ee fy