The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 14, 1924, Page 2

Page Two FIGHT AGAINST DEPORTATIONS AT ACUTE STAGE Aliens Have No Rights, Rules Masters’ Court By Defense News Service. Amended deportation warrants were issued this week for four I. W. W. ex: political prisoners on the grounds that they are undesirable residents of this country, because they have served terms in prison. These men are Herbert Mahler, Canadian; Jo- seph Oates, English; William Moran, Australian, and Pietro Nigra, Italian. In order that the fight against these proposed deportations may continue, the general defense committee has just issued an appeal to all branches and members of the I. W. W. for im- mediate cash contributions. Money is needed to pay attorneys’ fees and for publicity concerning these cases. For several months the New York branch of the general defense committee, of which Richard Brazier is secretary, has been carrying the burden of this campaign. It has financed all of its own operations, but has reached the point where it is exceedingly difficult ; to raise more money in the east. Ex-Pest Facto Law. “These deportation warrants are both unjust and illegal,” said James Morris, secretary of the general de fense committee today. “They are based on a section of the immigration law which was not enacted until after the convictions of the men involved in the war opinion cases. Thus the warrants are a clear violation of arti- cle 1 of the United States constitution, which expressly stipulates that: ‘No ex-post facto (after the fact) law +. Shall be passed.’ We have suc- ceeded in getting numerous organiza- tions and individuals on both sides of the Atlantic to protest to Presi- dent Coolidge and Secretary of Labor Davis against exiling the four fellow- workers mentioned and ten others against whom similar warrants are pending. “So far the only visible result of these protests is that the case of John Avila has been reopened and will be accorded an opportunity to explain why he should not be deported. Only by steady pressure upon the authori- ties can we hope to win this fight, and only by gathering in adequate money quickly can we exert that pres- sure.” Gives Aliens No Rights. “Action against the alien born ex- Politicals by the department of labor and the decisions of the courts in the eases of Mahler and the other four are based upon a strange conception of law. Federal Judge George T. Paap aa, G fad and the Us States supreme “court has lately up- held his ruling, that aliens residing in the United States have absoluftly no rights under the constitution, altho they are subject to all the laws grounded upon that document. “Judge Page took the position that aliens entering this country come in solely as licensees and are amenable to discipline by congress. “The same judge was upheld by the supreme tribunal in his decison that the ex-post facto provision of the con- stitution applied only to citizens and did not in any way affect cases brought against aliens. But you will find nowhere in the constitution any evidence that its framers had any in- tention of limiting its application solely to citizens. It clearly states that no ex-post facto law shall be passed.” P. O. Clerks’ Death Fund. PHOENIX, Ariz.—The postal clerks and mail carriers of Phoenix have cre- ated a death benefit by the payment of $3 per member. The total amount collected is placed at interest and on .the death of a member the sum i8 used to defray funeral expenses or paid to his survivors and a new fund is created by another assessment. NEW ORLEANS, May 13.—The New Orleans longshoremen’s strike has been definitely lost and men hold- ing union cards will not be employed if the fact is known. The uniong have decided to abolish the differen- tials between the longshoremen and the loading screwmen and accept a flat rate of 80 cents an hour. Ves- sel agents refuse to meet the unions. Conditions on the docks are bad, ow- ing to incompetent help. LENINGRAD.—At a great mass demonstration, with thousands of workers, soldiers and sailors present, the corner stone for a monument to Lenin was laid the 16th of April in front of the Finland railroad station. Tt was on this spot that Lenin, in 1917, the 16th of April, made his fa- mous speech calling upon the work- ers to take the power into their own hands. The armored car from which Lenin was speaking in 1917 participat- ed in the ceremony. G. Zinoviev, president of the Third International, was the main speaker. The whole front of the railroad station was cov- ered with a great ribbon with the words, “Lenin died, but his work is marching on. Close your ranks around the R. C. P., which is carry- ing on his ideals.” . J * MOSCOW.—The Soviet government honored Professor W. P. Williams by granting him a government pension as long as he will live. Professor Wil- Hams is rector of the Timirjaseff Academy of Agriculture. He has been active in scientific, pedagogical and public life for the past 35 years, f, 4s sue am ome a enirine oaitisisinrcnaaslll tinea RIGHT WII WING SOCIALIST CLIQUE IN OKLAHOMA TRIES TO WIN FARMERS AND WORKERS AWAY FROM ST. PAUL By JOSEPH MANLEY (Special to The Daily Worker) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., May 13.—Out here in this South- western state famous for many products such as cotton, oil, high-jack politicians, and corn-whiskey (the latter made by the pioneers in the mountains), and lately in the public eye both be- cause of the Ku Klux Klan and the late Jake Hamon’s relation to Teapot Dome, live a people that will fight at the drop of a hat, and who will in the near future loom large in the coming political struggle to be waged around the banner of the Farmer-Labor movement. The workers and farmers of this state are in a sorely ex- ploited condition. strangle hold. political campaigns. In 1914 the Socialist Party cast over 50,000 votes for its candidate for governor, Oklahoma City, among other things, houses the Oklahoma Leader, a so- called co-operative printing institution, organized and dominated by Oscar Ameringer, John Hagel and Dan Ho- gan, former leaders of the right wing of the Socialist Party, who, when the split came, went into real “practical politics,” and with their paper, “The Leader,” backed and helped to or- ganize the Farmer-Labor Reconstruc- tion League with its non-partisan poli- cy and its candidate for Governor, Jack Walton. Like all groups having for its goal—immediate political spoils to be gained by the worst kind of op- portunism, this group is now at dag- gers drawn. And the Leader crowd are looking for a new place to light. In the heart of this welter of poli- tical confusion, treachery and “shake down,” met a convention of exploited farmers and industrial workers, less than one hundred in all, mostly farm- ers, ostensibly to form a Farmer-Labor Party. It had been called by a com- mittee organized largely thru the in- strumentality of J. E. Snyder and D. Cobb, both of whom had been active in former years in the left wing of the state Socialist Party. The call reads for a State Farmer-Labor Party in sup- port of the June 17 convention at St. Paul, Hold Sessions in Church. The convention went into session on Friday morning in the Auditorium of the Baptist Church, the pastor of which pronounced the benediction. | J. ‘W. Houchin, temporary chairman of the committee that called the conven- tfon, announced he was very sorry that the Mayor was too busy to ad- dress the convention. It was plain from the outset that Dan Hogan, Ernest R. Chamberlain and George Wilson, all of whom are commonly referred to as the “Leader bunch,” were in complete control of the convention. Following the opening of the convention George Wilson de- ivered an oration typical of democrat- ic Fonrth of July gatherings. He is, or was until recently, a progressive demecrat. And his fulsome praise of La Follette appeared incongruous alongside of his glorification of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. Temporary chairman Houchin, in his keynote speech said: “There was no motive behind the Third Party or- ganization but to allow us to cast our gaffrage untrammelled.” And that “the main purpose was to perfect an organization to put Bob La Foliette in the White House.” A credentials committee was ap- pointed by Houchin and its'minute ex- amination of all credentials caused much delay, and impatience of dele- gates at the loss of time that was ex- hibited. The committee finally report- ed at the afternoon session and it de- veloped that their report refused to recommend seating J. E. Snyder, “Be- cause he was not a resident of Oklaho- ma.” This caused an uproar and charg- es of “Communism” and “Moscow” were hurled thick and fast. The tem- porary chairman Houchin refused to entertain an amendment to the report of the committee, “that Snyder be seated,” and rammed thru in true steamroller style the report of the committee. Says Hogan Looks Like Cop. The dullness of the afternoon ses- sion was little enlivened by the elec- tion of Dan Hogan, editor of the Lead- er, as permanent chairman. Hogan looks like a disappointed policeman. He unwound himself of a long perora- tion which he said, was an explanation of the platform of La Follette, He con- cluded with the striking statement that: “We must strip capitalism of its power and give the right of ex- pression to the people.” In what man- ner this was to be accomplished he did not indicate or say, except to vaguely hint that something could be accomplished by making La Follette President. Immediately following the adjourn- ment of the evening session, I learn- The Standard Oil Company'has them in a In the past this state witnessed many spectacular ting the floor. He pointed out the similarity of this policy to that of the Farmer-Labor Progressive League and offered an amendment that action on the proposition be postponed until the following day's session. Chamber- lain’s attempt to explain away the non-partisan feature of his policy brought forth speeches and created a turmoil that scared him and the rest of the Leader crowd. At midnight the convention finally adjourned un- til the mext day to reconsider the question of policy, The few champions of a class Far- mer-Labor Party and the St. Paul convention have but a slim chance against the Leader steamroller, with George Wilson, who is after the nom- ination for U. 8, Senator, as the en- gineer, But the militant farmer-la- borites are determined to give this gang of political burglars a run for their money at the closing day's ses- sion, MORGAN'S TOOLS LOSE OUT IN FRENCH POLL (Continuped from Page 1). jrepresenting the kind of Socialism that the orphans of the Second Inter- national inherited. Immediately news of Poincare’s de- feat reached the bourse, the franc fell with a sickening thud. In financial circles it is predicted that the left victory, while making things look brighter from a political point of view for the Dawes plan, will have a ten- dency to make the house of Morgan disinclined to risk its good money to Save a continent that appears to be jon a liberal spree. Morgan had based his calculations on a Poincare victory. He saved the premier before when the franc was sinking by pouring $100,000 into the French treasury. This time, however, |’ the peasants who were being taxed to death in order to keep the troops in the Ruhr, rendered a “thumbs down” decision on the Poincare cabi- net. The franc today before the bourse opened was being quoted at 18,30 to the dollar. Poincare canceled his proposed con- ference with Premier MacDonald. The French premier and his cabinet will resign on June 1. It is expected Millerand, former Socialist, will re- sign from the presidency. Edouard Herriot, Socialist mayor of Lyons and leader in the movement among French business men to recog- nize Soviet Russia, is picked as the most likely successor to Poincare. Herriot, despite his title, is not a So- cialist, but of the LaFollette or Victor Berger type of liberal. The left press is demanding the resignation of Millerand, who is, if possible, more reactionary than Poin- care. The Comite des Forges—the French stee) trust—recently planned to establish a Fascisti dictatorship, with Poincare at its head, but the growth of left sentiment prevented the carrying out of this plan. The latest figures give the lefts 307, with 264 for the right. Chicago Commune Gets Land MOSCOW.—The immigration com- mittee of the committee of labor and defense has granted the Soviet econ- omy “Krasnaya Dacha” in Odessa dis- trict to the Chicago Dairy ahd Poultry Commune “Herald.” The delegates of the commune are at present in Moscow. The grant is subject to the approval by the Ukranian Soviet gov- ernment. Landlord Kind, But Poor, A landlord who claims to be almost as poor as his tenants, appeared in renters’ court before Judge Samuel Trude yesterday. Thomas Tobin is the man, who came to complain that since he was out of work he would have to put out his tenant, Mrs. Mary ed why the Leader crowd gave mejKozlak, a young widow with four chil- such black looks as I sat in the con- vention. On seeing the front page of dren, owing four months’ rent, The bailiff’s heart was touched and the newspapers, I learned that one|he took up a collection in the court “Joseph Manley, high in national Com- room, amounting to $64. Tobin gen- munist circles, was closely watching |erously allowed Mrs. Kozlak to keep the convention.” This news travelled the money, and said he would not fast and I at once became a center of |charge her rent for the rest of the both fear and curiosity, even on the | month. streets. The night session threatened to be a tame and perfunctory affair. ANTOFOGASTA, Chile, May 13.— But|One hundred houses and a railway the report of Ernest Chamberlain, an-|station were destroyed today by ex- other editor of the Leader, as chair-|plosion of two cart loads of powder man of the policy committee spilled the beans, His proposal on policy carried a clause that provided for al-|Many casualties are reported. in front of the offices of the Edward Nitrate Workers, the largest in Chile. Halt lowing of “the endorsement of other |jof the Edwards installations were de- party candidates wherever it would be |stroyed by the blast. @ benefit.” As this proposition of non- partisanship was about to be voted ' Every new subscriber Increases the upon, delegate Cobb succeeded in get- | influence of the DAILY WORKER, THE DAILY WORKER GERMANY SHUT OFF FROM ALL RUSSIAN TRADE Soviet Boxoslk Order Stuns Berlin BERLIN, May 13.—Business circles in Germany were in a state of con- sternation yesterday, when it became known that the Soviet government had sent a telegram to its trade delega- tion in Riga instructing all foreign trade representatives of the Workers’ Republic to immediately cease busi- ness with all German firms and can- cel all contracts already made. The message ordered that all goods usually shipped thru Germany must be diverted to other ports. The or der was over the signature of M. Kras- sin, Commissar for Trade. “What next?” is the question asked here by the capitalists 4s they consi- der the retaliatory measures adopted by Moscow for the illegal raiding of its embassy in Berlin by political po- lice under the instructions of the Prussian minister of the Interior. The excuse for the raid was a fanciful tale of the escape of a Communist prison- jer into the embassy and the conse- quent search, thru desks and files for the missing culprit. The Workers’ and Peasants’ govern- ment resented this challenge to its in- dependence and showed immediately that it would stand no nonsense from the German bourgeoisie. It promptly shut up its trade headquarters, called its ambassador to Moscow and along with cutting off trade relations with Germany, cancelled all German con- cessions in Russia. Monster mass meetings are being held daily thruout Russia and at these meetings the Soviet government is urged to warn the capitalists of the world that the workers and peasants of that country stand ready for any emergency, to protect their revolution from the bourgeois wolves who cannot help showing their fangs every now and then. That the German government com- mitted a bad blunder in raiding the embassy is now conceded by all except the Ludendorf-Socialist forces. Their hatred for Communism and Commun- ists outweighs whatever judgment they they might be able to exercise on ordinary occasions. The heavy vote of the Communists in the last elections and the swing toward the left wing in France making de jure recognition by that country of Russia almost a certainty, adds to the anxiety of the more sober-minded Germans whose pockets feel the results of the anti-Soviet saber-rattling of the mili- tarists. RUSSIAN NEEDLE WORKERS GREET AMALGAMATED (Continued From Page 1.) ever the strains of the workers’ an- them reached them. Three hundred and fifty delegates and hundreds of visitors packed the convention hall. Hillman ‘recounted in his speech the establishment by the Amalgamat- ed Clothing Workers of the Russian Industrial corporation. He said it ‘was a practical demonstration of in- ternational workers’ solidarity. For the preservation of the Amal- gamated, Hillman mentioned the need of a Farmer-Labor party, to which he pledged the co-operation of the union. “It appears to be a possibility, and if it becomes a reality, the Amalga- mated will put all its forces behind it to strike a new way in the political field,” stated Hillman, with tremen- dous applause and cheers from the convention. Resolutions supporting the June 17 convention, in St. Paul, of Farmer- Labor representatives are before the proper committee. Gos in the con- vention hall intimates that the admin- istration of the union favors sending delegates also to the July 4 conven- tion of progressives. Struggle on this issue is expected. Credentials Fight Coming. A big fight is expected on Local No. 2, New York, when the creden- tials committee reports. In this lo- cal, right wing representatives stole the election with strong arm men. Royal Meeker, Congressman La- Guardia and Jacob Schlossberg, sec- retary of the Amalgamated, were the other speakers of the opening of the convention. Schlossberg received a considerable ovation upon speaking. The convention opening was marked with a magnificent floral display and with much fine music. The Jewish Forward carries a story insinuating that there will be racial clashes in the union. The right wing seems to be looking for trouble, but may have trouble getting it, as the issues are between the left and the center factions, *"The great problem is national dif- erences. Each nation has its own view of organization tasks, There are often separate interests—special eco- nomic interests. It is not a secret that there is a struggle on the sub- ject of which race should have the bigger place in the shops, New York, formerly the Jewish center, is los- ing its Jewish color and Italian work- ers almost equal the Jewish now.” Few delegates fal for this propa- ganda, American Committee For Relief Of Russ Kids To Liquidate NEW YORK, May 13.—The Ameri- can Committee for Relief of Russian Children, of which Captain Paxton Hibben is head, announces that it will liquidate its work for the destitute children of Russia on June 30, “It is not that there is no longer need for such work,” Capt, Hibben declared in making the announcement. “There is terrible and compelling need as a consequence of the war, the in- vasion of Russia by the white armies and the famine. But it is no longer possible to raise money to meet this need at the very low cost of raising funds that this Committee has set as the limit of its overhead. So we must stop. We are still $4,000 short of what we have promised to send over before June 30. I do not know whether we shall even be able to keep our pledge to send this amount, or not. If not, a lot of Russian babies will just have to die, and that’s that.” PULLMAN STRIKE ENDS; WORKERS GET CONCESSIONS (Continued From From Page 1.) leaders, whom the company had threatened to fire and blacklist. Mc- Laren proposed that these men confer with him individually. He would not promise to take back all the strikers, but said he would take back whom he pleased. The strikers voted to return to work in a body, and included in the motion to return to work, the provision that every single man would be taken back without discrimination, or no one would return. Holmgren Fights to End. John Holmgren declared before the vote that he hoped: the strikers would not return to work. “I will not count the votes,” said Holmgren, “I would not like to have the handling of one single vote to return to work on my conscience.” “You have completely tied up pro- duction in fhe Pullman plant for al- most five weeks; you have forced the Pullman company to do what they have not been known to do before— to recognize the strikers’ committee. If you return to work, go back with your heads up, knowing that you have given the Pullman company the worst battle they ever had. I will be out at the gate in the morning, and do my best for the men the company threat- ens to blacklist.” Many of the strikers spoke, declar- tng that they would cacry thru the fight inside the shop that they had started outside, The men are laying plans to get everyone into the Broth- erhood of Railway Carmen's Union, so that the next time the men walk ont, every department will strike together. Meaningless Concessions. Some of the concessions made to the strikers were: From now on they will be paid for cutting out bad rivets; they will be supplied with newer tools, and each man is to permanent- ly keep possession of these tools; scaf- foldings will be rebuilt; preliminary preparation will be paid for. However, it was evident from the reports of some of the comniitteemen representing the strikers, that the af- ternoon conference had been control- led by the company union committee of twelve, which the strikers know to be stool pigeons, by Benjamin Marsh- man, professional strike-breaker for the government, and by McLaren rep- resenting the Pullman company. “Conditions will be the same as we had when we walked out, only with a little sweetening,” one of the strikers committeemen reported. “If you boys think that I am going to go like a cringing cur to McLaren and ask him to please take me off the blacklist, you are much mistaken. If you boys go back to work, you won't have a damn thing to say about the setting of the prices you will work under, in spite of company promises.” Gunn Hardboiled. It also came out in the report of the strikers’ committee that Fran- cis Gunn had told the strikers’ com- mitteemen that if they didn't show their faces in the shop yesterday morning, they would be fired. “I will leave the gates open three days,” said Francis Gunn to the committee, “Then after that, those who have not come back to work, will be fired. We will hire who we please, and blacklist who we please.” Holmgren, in his last speech to the strikers, again thanked the Workers Party and the DAILY WORKER for the large and effective part they had played in the strike. He advised the men to keep in touch with the Work- ers Party and to read the DAILY WORKER. ‘The Workers Party will hold a mass meeting in Stancik’s Hall on Tues- day, May 20th, to discuss the mean- ing of the strike and some of its probable after effects. Jack Mac- Carthy, who is well known to the Pullman workers thru his activities for the DAILY WORKER on bebalt of the strikers will speak, Harl Browder, for many years one of America’s keenest trade unionists, has been invited to attend the meet- ing. Form W. P. Branch, An English Branch of the Workers ¥ Party has been formed, which some of the strikers have already joined. The first meeting of the English branch of the Workers Party of Pull- man will be held in Stancik’s small hall this Friday. All the Pullman workers are invited to attend, Daily Worker On Job, The reporter for the DAILY WORK- ER took the floor, just before the vote. He declared, “The DAILY WORKER does not want you to go back to work. If you do, do not go back joyously. Realize that you are beaten. But whether or not you go back to work, we want to assure you that the DAILY WORKER is sup- porting you. We will be on the job in the next Pullman strike, and we will be on the job to help you organ- ize within the shop. “Benjamin Marshman seems pleased that you are going back to work with- out guarantees. He says he, repre- sents the government. Sure, Marsh- man repregents the government. He represents the government just as those cops who slugged you and dragged you off to jail represent the government. Marshman and the Pull- man Company represent the govern- ment, because big business, including the Pullman Company, control and run the government. “Marshman wants to see you go back to work on no matter what terms. It would be a feather in his cap if he could tell his masters that he had smashed this strike. He would be aiding big business well. Marsh- man, like the government he repre- sents, isa professional strikebreaker.” ae ee Re | is " | a ea hove \ 4 a) heer erie red ae ay. Marshman had said in his speech that he hoped the men would go back to work. He had declared he thought McLaren and Gunn, the slave-driving and union-smashing lackeys of the Pullman Company, were “big men.” “I believe if the men who are black- listed go up and ask Gunn in a nice way, they will get their jobs back,” said the mushy-mouthed Marshman, The speech of the DAILY WORKER reporter seemed to get under Marsh- man’s skin. After the DAILY WORK- ER reporter left the floor, Marshman rushed over to him and spoke in a very conciliatory manner. “Why do you knock me?” asked Marshman. “You know I am friendly to labor, I used to work with Oscar Nelson. I made a weak speech purposely to- night so that the men would vote not to return to work. I believe the men will reject the Company’s proposition. I really believe that the blacklisted strike leaders will be taken back to work.” The DAILY WORKER reporter re- plied that Gunn and McLaren and Marshman himself, were not fit to wipe the shoes of the strike leaders. He said it was no victory to go crawl- ing up to the Pullman officials like whipped logs and begging for their jobs. He declared Marshman an enemy of labor, practically in the em- ploy of the large corporations, who should be discredited by labor, Jack McCarthy, circulation man- ager of the DAILY WORKER, also spoke. DAILY WORKER, GETS PRAISE AT LL. 6. U, MEET (Continued From Page 1.) cialdom and the boosting of the policy of class collaboration. The star booster for reaction to- day was Lucy Robbins, Gompers’ un- official mascot who was introduced by Morris Sigman as organizer of the amnesty movement for political pris- oners—the same “amnesty” worker who thought that the amnesty issue was settled when Debs was out of prison tho Leavenworth penitentiary was still full of workingmen con- victed for their opinions during the war. Gompers-Cahan-Hillquit Unity. Lucy Robbins attempted to flatter the organization for the cordial re- ception given Samuel Gompers. She praised the “understanding” ~ which she said now existed between former- ly antagonistic elements in the labor movement which this reception to Gompers indicated, The “understanding” that exists is the one between Gompers, the old party politician, and Morris Hillquit and Abe Cahan, socialists—all united for self-preservation in a triple alli- ance against the “Reds. President Sigman took the floor during the session and outlined the report of the annual general execu- tive board. This report admits the growing small sweat-shop evil the union is confronted with, Would Help the Boss, The G. B. B. remedies for this small sweat shop evil which is so closely relation to the new jobber situation involves a program of class collabora- tion. This is shown by Sigman's ex- position of the report which puts it up to the union to protect the inter- its of the manufacturer and job! as well as the union, Left wing delegates—the only con- vention force which is working for a strong, fighting union—are demanding it the convention get down to busi- ness and take up concrete proposals for building up the organization, The amalgamation issue will not down and it cannot be sidetracked. Boost The DAILY WORKER. you are a worker, it is your paper, if RBIS Ned to's Z ‘Mey 14, Nat UNITED FRONT IS URGED BY PENNSY LABOR F ‘armer-Labor Conven- tion Calls For Unity (Special to The Daily Worker) ALLENTOWN, Pa. May 13.— The ‘State convention of the Farmer-Labor Party of Pennsylvania opened its ses- sions yesterday in Hagle’s Hall with fifty-two delegates present, the great majority of whom are also delegates to the convention of the State Federa- tion of Labor now on here. Many more delegates are expected to arrive. All speakers addressing the conven- tion appealed for a united front of labor regardless of political views, The first clash occurred over the seat- ing of delegates, All delegates were finally seated. Delegate Fred Merrick of Pittsburgh moved that all delegates to the Fed- eration of Labor convention be seated as delegates to the Farmer-Labor con- vention. After a lengthy debate, this motion was lost by a vote of 16 to 24, the radicals voting for the motion. Secretary Fuller reported that pos- sibilities for a Farmer-Labor Party thruout the state are very favorable and that in several places Farmer-La- bor Parties succeeded in nominating candidates and even in capturing the primaries of the old capitalist parties. Delegate Pat Toohey of Cannons- burg, pointed out that the Federation of Labor failed to do its duty in build- ing up a real organization of the work- ing class and expressed hope that the rank and file would insist on action in the future. A big fight is expected on the report of the resolutions committee on the question of June 17 and July 4 con- ventions. The sentiment is strong for June 17. Officials of the party failed to make any recommendation on this subject. The convention will meet every night after the Federation of Labor convention adjourns, The latter opened yesterday in the Lyric theatré, Presi- dent Maurer is subjected to much cri- ticism for inviting the steel trust sec- retary of Labo», James J. Davis to at- dress the convention on new immigra- tion ‘aws. STIR SENATE IN THREAT TO SCALP RAILROAD ACT (Special to The Daily Worker) WASHINGTON, May 13.— Senate leaders were thrown into confusion today by threats of progressives to scalp the Esch-Cummins act. Not content with promises of action on farm relief measures, the progres- sives, who have moved the senate to their bidding thruout this session, have quietly made plans to force im- mediate lowering of freight rates. The first hint of this purpose was given when Senator Pittman, of Nevada, acting from the democratic side, tack- ed the long and short haul bill upon the. war department appropriation measure. Ry Trick to Bring It Up. It is realized that rail legislation could not be acted upon if it was tak- en up in order, so the expedient of adding it to an appropriation bill ear been used. The band of progressives and lon erats are determined to force a vote upon the amendment today if possible and leaders are seeking sowne means to stop them. The “long and short haul” bill, re- ported out of the interstate commerce committee by its democratic chair- man, Senator Smith, is vigorously op- posed by the railroads. Briefly, it would prevent them from charging a lower rate fora long than for a short haul. It has previously been the’ custom of the roads, according to charges made by Pittman on the floor, to reduce their rates along the water- ways where rates were cheap. Railroads vs. Boats. Pittman said that these low rates were merely given to chase steam- boats out of business, Now the charge is made that trans- continental rates have been lowered by the railroads to hurt shipping from coast to coast thru the Panama Canal. Pittman says if their plan was carried out as placed before the interstate commerce commission, half the ship- ping of the Panama Canal would be killed off within a short time. The army appropriation measure contained an appropriation of $7,500,- 000 for the Panama Canal and hence the railroad issue was advanced by Pittman. The railroads now are ae tected by section four of the Esch- Ph "te which the snail would repeal \ Most of the leaders do not wish to vote on the issue at this and thus another test of strength the .democratic-progressive coalition and the remainder of the senate is in prospect, The success of the coali- tion rests this time as on previous occasions, upon how many votes the democrats can furnish, Do you want to help the DAILY WORKER? Then get a new gub- soriber, % |