The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 17, 1924, Page 11

- ‘HE need of onedtd a warning to the workers who have participated in the revolt in Ireland, was never more acute than the present moment. The issue of 1916 has been clearly forgotten, if we are to assume the last reports on education are true. There is a strong tendency toward the pro- gram of Mussolini in the boosting of hie educational program. Perhaps traditions of heroic feats crowds out the memories of the basis of the re- volt of 1916. It would be mor appro- priate if they would read the educa- tional program of Connolly and com- pare it with that of this military butcher who has only autocracy as the basis of his campaign. All thru the struggle for Irish free dom has been written indelibly, “Land and industries for the people,” And the nationalist freedom of the workers, even in a political sense, this must be insecure and- incomplete until they wrest from the governing ctasses the possession of the land and the instru- ments of wealth production. Labor must then fashion its weapon of at- tack or else submit to the will of the capitalist state, Fascism. Fascism first raised its head in March, 1919. The Fascisti were ex- service men, elements that remained hostile to the Labor movement. The State was fimpoverished by the war and the proletarian element, due to unemployment, became a danger to its existence. Mussolini’s cry of “Re- storation of the Authority of the State” was raised. Co-operating with the State, they succeeded in smashing the trades unions and without mercy crushing out the lives of the revolu- tionary workers. It was the crucible which molded together the reaction- ary elements, and with that power controlled the STATE. ‘They abolish- ed the political apparatus and set up a Dictatorship. Everything was sub- jected to this discipline, except the bourgeois, who. still maintained the rights of private ownership of the in- dustries. The Fascisti organized into fiying squadrons, began their work of suppression. Playthi A big brick building that stands on a hill in one of the principal cities of the Eastern part of the country, houses many little boys and girls that have no fathers or mothers—some of them have neither, A group of prom- inent business men—wiih much fuss and ceremony—raise money with which to pay for the upxeep of the buitding and for the focd, clothes and general welfare of the children. 'HESE rich men own factorfes and stores wherein men and women and boys and girls toil long hours at hard and dreary work for which they get little pay and lots of abuse... . while the business men reap the profits from the labor of their slaves. T a meeting one night, these bus!- ness men decided to raise more money as the funds were getting low. They decided to stage a Fashion show, to which many people would come. Most of these business men were manufacturers of ’s cloaks, suits, dresses and so forth—some of them were retail storekeepers in the same line, GREEMENT upon a fashion show was unanimous. For, as each one reasoned to himself, “I have an op- portunity to display the products of my. shop and create a demand for my goods, I'll have an advertisement in- serted in the program which will also boost my business.” The retail shop- keepers reasoned likewise. ‘HE ball-room of the most exclustve hotel in the city was seucred for three days and nights, and was filled to capacity at every exhibition to which many hundreds of women, young and old flocked, There were all sorts of women present. Some wore gowns that rivaled those on display. Other women and young ladies wore gowns of mediocre style and quality. EMS Panes FB e's Rt RADE RARE “Si? eM AIRE oe Mba ae AE RR Bosc EON Mi ail = Par hare ARce sett il ete en ele Ra ea te An article published in the. Avanti on the 2th of November, entitled, “From Tuscana” excellently describes the situation. This article says that the activity of the Fascisti in the towns has quieted down but contin- ues in the rural districts. From the ist of December, the position tends to become worse and acts of Fascisti violence increase in number. Fascisti again seize municipal and trades un- ion premisés, break up and disperse the management bodies (as in Lez- zias) raid, burn and destroy (Tore, Annunziato, Coliari, Pola, etc.), attack the workers, beat them to death and eyen kill them. (The worse case that of Turin). Communists are seized in their places of employment, taken in auto- mobiles and killed on the outskirts of the town. Others are killed in their homes. Recently, however, not only have the Communists, Anarchists and Socialists become objects of the at- tack. In many places the Fascisti at- tacked Republicans and workers be- longing to the Populist Party. In Na- ples they raided and broke up the editorial offices of two Populist papers etc., violence against the workers for the benefit of the capitalist class, to maintain the rights of private owner- ship and control of the state. Restoration. Mussolini was faced with the prob- lem of restoration. While the declar- ation of the Irish programme calls for the ownership and equal rights to all, Mussolini’s object was the build- ing up of the industries and turning them over to private owners. In his speech at the First Fascist Congress, Mussolini made it quite plain whom Fascism was to serve. We will quote a few extracts from his speech: “We are proud of the fact that we and no others in 1915 were the first to raise the serious problem—War or a Repub- lic. The fact that Italy, in conjunc- tion with a few other states is today taking part in the Washington Con- ference, where the fate of the world is being discussed is due to the ser- vices of the interventionists of 1915.” “On the economic question we are liberal in the class sense of the word. Many ladies that were present bought their gowns on the instalment plan; some spent every cent they could get together, while some bought their gowns without any intention of ever paying for them. Still other ladies induced their gentlemen admirers to foot the bill for the privilege of be- ing allowed to keep their company. LMOST every lady had her face decorated with rouge, paint, pow- der, etc., which ranged from mili soft- brown, copper, flesh and brunette colors to the exciting, bold carmines, reds and vermillions. An Indian, in full war dress and colors would feel cheap at this gathering. These women are “Society Ladies.” Millions of dol- lars are spent by these women on just such gatherings, balls, card games, tea-parties, operas, etc., and millions of dollars are spent by shopkeepers and manufacturers on colored and alluring advertising in the society sec- tions of the Sunday newspapers, magazines, etc. The newspapers de- vote many pages and entire sections in their daily and Sunday issues and have staffs that cater to these “select people.” b pe stage setting was in black, with Japanese jars and antique chairs, and gilded pedestals upon which were vases with flowers. Mellow lights il- luminated the stage, and glaring spot- light played upon it. The sight was overwhelming. Six Mannikins, clothed in the most exquisite gowns strolled leisurely up and down the stage. It is hard to describe the beautiful gar- ments that were displayed—silks, satins and brocades; evening gowns and street dresses, opera cloaks and wraps and bridal gowns of shimmer- ing silks and pointed lace—such ex- travagance in the line of clothes I never saw before, women craned their necks to view the material and the styles— a gorgeous, glittering spectacle of ar- 7 FASCISM A MENACE . - If it were possible, I would return the railways, the postal system, telegraph, etc., to private hands. Fascism is the, fighting army of the Italian industrial capitalism. Its task is not only to com- bat the “Bolshevik Menace” but to solve the restoration of the bourgeois economic system.” When the late Laurence Ginnell was in Washington and explained what kind of a Republic they wanted in Ireland, a co-operative republic, did they accept the delegates from Ireland around the conference table at the time they invited the Fascists to take part? They made it known very plainly that they did not believe in a cooperative republic, but were willing to have anyone who could be used to prop up this tottering system of anarchy and violence. Where do we fiad in any of the speeches of the leaders of the 1916 revolt that it was fought to wrest Ire- land from English imperialist robbers only to hand it over to other capi- talists? Fascism is the antithesis of. repub- lican principles, Why Fascism Triumphed. Fascism was not a lone victory of arms. The passivity of the workers and the treacherous policy of the so- called revolutionary elements led the workers in general into the yoke of industrial slavery. The movement in Ireland seems to be moving toward this same condition. At present there is no effort to cement the forces of labor with the large mass of peasants. That is a very necessary thing. The submerging of labor demands to the upbuilding of the capitalist state has created a docile movement. Parlia- mentarism is in its embryonic stage but thanks to the chaotic condition of the capitalist system, it will soon be obsolete. When this does occur, it will be the advent of a new power, either Fascism or a workers’ and peas- ants’ control. “Less philosophizing and more fighting along the lines of the class war.” Internal dissensions of personal character have clouded the issue of class solidarity. The political forces tend more and more to solidify their position. There is on the surface s of Fashionable Society tistic creations that cost thousands nd thousands of dollars. These society ladies, vanity seekers, these small social moths—insects that eat cloth, were not interesting to me as were the six models who paraded upon the stage, and walked along the aisles, to the accompaniment of sléw, dreamy music, gliding and turning, with ele- gance and dignity, displaying every line of the gowns and suits that gave evidence of the highest skill—the workers that made them were artists. ESE models are daughters of poor parents and got the jobs as “display racks” because they were chosen from among several hundred girls that applied in answer to the “help wanted” advertisement in the great metropolitan newspaper. They are poor working girls that spend every cent they get hold of to keep looking “beautiful.” They were weigh- ed, measured and judged by “beauty experts” just as are dogs and horses before entering the show. These work- ing girls, with beautiful faces and delicate bodies do not own the gowns and dresses that fit them so charm- ingly. 'HESE Mannikins display the wares that were made by the exploited shop girls in some sweat-shop so that the fashionable society women may be attracted and induced to purchase them at the department stores and the cloak and suit shops. These girls have been trained to wear such artistic cre- ions, to walk co: , to carry their bodies to the accompaniment of the music, and to twist and turn sg as to give the gowns the best effect. UCH mannikins are genuine trage- dians, playing a drama with a fatal ending. They are not mere “characters” of the play, put genume victims of the hypocrisy of capitalist society. For a few dollars a day, these models are the center of attraction, wearing the marvelous creations of By Daniel Horsley @ split but when the class position becomes more clear, the workers will see their organizations subjected to the will of the Fascist state. We must realize that social laws for the benefit of the workers can only be ap- plied by men who understand, and such leaders are not found outside of the revolutionary ranks. Traditions long enough cherished will be swept into the ash can of history, to be re- placed by the Octopus of Force to retain their ill-gotten gains. A Comparison. There have been many examples in the countries of Europe, to show what depths the capitalist will stoop to de- fend their power. Mussolini is their chief represen- tive, and embodies all of the qualities as an example for others to follow. Beware of those who boost his pro- gram, their democracy is a sham, whether they carry the name of re- publican or sinn fein. Connolly in the cold dark days of his poverty, planned the lighting of the torch in the glow of which so many aleged Irish revolutionists saw their way to fame and power and many alleged Irish revolutionists saw the republic into the hands of Ire- land’s historic foe. Connolly, too, made the supreme sacrifice. He sealed his sincerity and abolished the stigma they sought to fasten onto the labor movement. There appears to be a widespread and marked disposition to deny James Connolly his proper place in the his- toric Irish struggle, but the time will prove that he was the most capable and brilliant spokesman for Ireland and her cause. No heirarchy was needed to bolster up his words and deeds. Mussolini defends only those who have made the world a sething hell, and blesses it with the prayers of vultures. Labor in Ireland must organize to fight this propaganda wherever it raises its head. Down with Fascism! Up with Communism, the hope of the Irish workers and the world’s working class. their sisters, whose sweat and blood, aye, whose very lives are embodied within them ..... only to have to take them off at the end of the show and put on their graceful bodies their customary every-day clothes. Only the rich can afford to clothe their wives and daughters in the same attire as is.worn by the mannikin on the stage. Only by selling herself to a wealthy man can the model expect to continue wearing such expensive gowns unin- terruptedly. Such is the mockery of capitalist society. UMAN flesh and blood is the center of attraction and made sport of in order to collect money for the care of orphans. And who knows but what these very mannikins are themselves the remnants of what was once a home and family. Oh! how oppressive and corrupt is the at- mosphere at the charity fashion show. Children, innocent victims of capitalist charity. Working girls, the playthings of “fashionable society’—for the sake of charity. APITALIST society is a fake—it is false, rotten and cruel. Charity is the plaything of capitalists at the expense of destitute and suffering children and exploited wage-earners. To abolish charity means the aboli- tion of the conditions that kill the fathers and mothers and leave their children in the hands of the murderers that have their hands stained with blood. Charity is the effect of this diseased capitalist system. It is the result of brutal exploitation. Tlie capi- talists, like blood-suckers delight in giving as one delights in feeding a puppy from the hand. The capitalist delights in seeing his vassals cringe and crawl and bow before him in grateful thanks for the crumbs he so charitably gives them, Unite! Young Workers, for the abolition of capitalism, the curse of humanity. By H. Sidney Bloomfield .