The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 23, 1924, Page 5

Friday, May 23, 1924 WISCONSIN TO START FARMER- LABOR PARTY Will Send Delegates To St. Paul MADISON, Wis., May 22.—Almost unanimous support was given to the movement for the formation of a state Farmer-Labor Party and for the send- ing of delegates to the national con- vention in St. Paul June 17 at the state conference for progressive po- litical action held here Sunday. The resolution adopted is being sent out to labor and farmers’ organizations thruout the state? .. Socialists Want “Detective.” Socialist delegates and’ other con- servatives attempted to put thru a motion to send an “observer” only to St. Paul. F, H. Shoemaker of Green Bay replied in a stirring speech, rid- iculing the fears of the Socialists. He called upon the delegates to support the efforts of the farmers and work- ers to build a real party of their own class and send a bona fide representa- tive to St. Paul, not merely a “detec- tive.” The railway brotherhoods withdrew from the Madison state conference with the clumsy excuse that not all of the railroad organizations had been notified. Students Fight for Russia. ‘Wisconsin University students led a splendid fight for the recognition of Soyiet Russia, but the reactionaries of the conference defeated the resolution on the flimsy pretext that this meet- ing had nothing to do with interna- tional polities. John Works, of the Milwaukee “Leader,” Socialist paper, was the chief proponent of the motion to send a disruptor to the St. Paul convention. G. S. Shklar, sub-district organizer ofthe Workers’ Party, answered Works and called upon the delegates to. répudiate the Socialist tactics. Shklar urged the conference to send to St. Paul “delegates who are sin- cere in their desire to build a united front of workers and farmers and who actually want to build a party of workers and farmers on a national scale.” Resolutions Passed. The. resolves of the resolution for the formation of state and — national Farmer-Labor Parties are as follows: “Resolved, that this conference now in session this May 18, 1924,.at Madi- son, Wis., go on record calling upon all branches of the labor movement economic, political, co-operative and fraternal, within the state of Wiscon- sin, to unite their forces for indepen- dent political action thru the forma- tion of a state Farmer-Labor Party, and be it further “Resolved, that we go on record to _ give the utmost possible support to the movement for the National Farm- er-Labor Convention at St. Paul, Minn., June 17, and that we select one delegate to represent the groups be- ing represented here at this confer- ence.” Much Misery Due To _ Anti-Soviet Policy, Says Senator Borah NEW YORK, May 22.—“The un- rest of the world, the lack of pros- perity in all lands—the many symp- toms of uneasiness—all, these things are due to a large extent to the re- fusal of many nations, the United States among them, to recognize Russia a sister in the family of nations,” Senator William E. Borah writes in the New York World. ‘The proposition is not a senti- mental one. It is a simple economic problem. Something like 150,000,000 human beings dwell in Russia. They need food, clothing, materials, raw stuffs, machinery. In turn they have things to sell which we need. But | propaganda, fanatical intolerance and bigotry have said nay to the proposition to accept Russia's prom- ge to remain stable.” By REBECCA GRECHT. ‘HE 17th bi-annual convention of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union which came to a close last Saturday, was a clear exhibition of the degeneration of an international union which at one time stood at the very forefront of American labor. At the same time, it was a significant demonstration, of the rising tide of progressivism and militancy within the organization which no amount of suppression can stem. This convention was most unusual in character, unlike any ever held by the International. It was not assem- bled as might have been expected, to hear reports of past activities and de- liberate upon future policies. It was brought together, on the contrary, simply for the purpose of waging a decisive battle against the “lefts” in the union and giving a “democratic” sanction, by a majority vote of. the convention, to the policy of coercion and expulsion which the Sigman regime has been pursuing against the militants, dust a Heresy Trial. The spirit of the convention, from the very start, was that of preparation for a fight. Battle wasin the air. Ques- tions of a constructive nature which came up for consideration were re- garded merely as somany unimportant interludes, It was bardly conceivable that this was a trade union convention. The entire proceedings took on the character of atrial for heresy rather than of deliberations upon the prob- lems of a labor body. When we consider the condit!cas confronting the workers in the ladies’ garment industry at the time the con- vention met, the absolute incompe- tency of the present officialdom of the International, their failure as leaders of, a working class movement, he- comes all the more evident. Jobbing System Perilous. The International today is faced with a very critical situation.. Thru the deyelopment of jobbing a profound change is being wrought in cloak pro- duction amounting almost to a revolu- tion. Jobbers, who do. not themselves own factories, but supply material and styles to contractors, are rapidly tak- ing the place of the former big manu- facturers and are fast becoming the controlling factors in the industry. In their wake has followed a return on a wholesale scale of the sweat- shop. Jobbers send their goods to small out-of-town contractors’ shops where union control is totally lacking and workers are unorganized. The result of this extension of the sweat-shop system has been to threat- en every labor standard gained by the workers thru bitter sacrifice. Control over the industry is fast slipping out of the union’s hands. Uneniployment is making alarming headway. Gradu- ally the workers are being forced to yield their hard-won positions in face of the competition rife in the industry. FACED WITH GENERAL STRIKE ‘When the convention assembled, it was therefore confronted with pro- blems of vital significance to the or- ganization. The International was on the eve of a general strike in New York. The entire strength of the union had To be mobilized for the struggle. It was necessary to adopt an entirely different program of indus- trial tactics. Plans for an intensive or- ganization campaign had to be outlin- ed. In short, had the present leader- ship of the International the interests of the Workers really at heart, then the convention in Boston would have been the occasion for a critical anal- ysis of the past tactics and policies of the organization and a careful de- liberation over future activity. The outcome of the convention, how- ever, is proof enough that the present chaos and demoralization in the in- dustry will not be overcome so long as the present Veaderentp Tules the or- ganization. T. U. E. L. Organized Left. For eral years past there has been developing in the International a strong opposition to the methods of struggle pursued by the administra- ‘Ba Me More than $30,000 saved to trade union members who have made loans thru our Real Estate Loan De- partment. “ What Co-operative Labor BANK WITH THE Amalgamated Trust - Savings Bank _ 371 West Jackson Blvd. CHICAGO'S ONLY LABOR BANK aatias Tacit bo ecoyii ds 1% Approximately $80,- 000 in commission saved for our custom-. ers who have sent money to Russia thru our Foreign Dept. ’ tion’ which have been held largely responsible for the condition of the industry. Since the organization of the Trade Union Educational League more than two years ago the opposi- tion has become crystalized and has adopted a definite program which is gaining ground in the union. This has led to bitter persecution of the mili- tants reaching its climax in the expul- sion of the most active members of the International. The decision of the convention approving Sigman’s ex- pulsion policy marked the culmination of the attempt to drive progressivism out of the union. 9 Days of Machine Hysteria. For fully seven days the credentials committee reported on objections to SOME EXPELLED MILITANTS HYMAN FOGEL, Lota 5, Chicago, monber of executive board. THE DAILY WORKER Left Wing Only Hope of Needle Trades was tolerated. Constitutional amend- ments practically making illegal any manifestation of progressivism were jammed thru. IGNORING TRADE PROBLEMS, This spectacle lasted almost thru- out the convention. The trade prob- lems facing the workers in the indus- try were not taken up until the eleventh day of the sessions, and then, the strongest oppositional elements having been removed, it was all sim- ply a matter of accepting reports of committees with little, if any, discus- sion. The convention adopted plans for educational work, for unemployment, sick, and family protective insurance. DORA LIPSHITZ, Local 100, Chicago, member of executive and joint. board, N. GROSS, Local 26, Cleveland. NATHAN BOSIN, Local 18, Chicago, Waukegan organizer during strike. CLARA GABIN, Local 100, Chicago, delegate to Chicago Fed. of Labor. J. LITWINSKY, Local 18, Chicago, member of joint board. Union member for 15 years. AL. DAVIDSON, revoieting eccrétary of Chicago. joint board. ’ ANNA’ LITVAKOFF, known as the “Mother” of Local 15, chairlady of Philadelphia waist makers’ union, 17 years a union member. SAM COHEN, Local 104, Chicago, local chairman and member of joint board. regularly elected delegates based on charges of membership in the League and criticism of the officialdom. . At least two more days were taken up with the officers’ reports on the “left hysteria” and the cases of the expell- ed members from Chicago and Phila- delphia. Thruout that time the con- vention. was the scene of an orgy of persecution by an officialdom drunk with power. The convention was under their control—they had planned for that be- fore it met. By expulsions from the union, illegal removal from ballots, and other acts of discrimination, they had eliminated from the convention the leaders, the fighting militants of the opposition. They had brought at least 80 delegates from country locals artificially created for that purpose, to offset the votes of any progressives who had not been kept out. By their propaganda and scurrilous attacks be- fore and during the convention they had created a spirit akin to the mob psychology of lynching. Eject 16—Choke Discussion. The machiné had been well-prepar- ed. Sixteen delegates were ejected from the convention while Sigman’s steam roller choked off discussion of the issues involved in their cases. Full leeway was given the officials of the union for the most violent attacks upon them and the principles they ad- yocate, but no answer was permitted. When the case of the Chicago expelled came up, Sigman refused to grant any of the individuals involved a hearing before the convention; and vice presi- dent *Perlstein went so far as to threaten with similar punishment those delegatés that dared defend them. On the question of the League, the center of all attacks, no debate EXPELLED PHILADELPHIA LEFT WING It enthusiastically authorized the Gen- eral Executive Board to call a general strike of cloakmakers in New York. It approved the report of the organiza- tion committee, which took exactly half an hour, recommending that an intensive campaign of organization be started immediately after the conven- tion. No basis, however, was laid for putting even these measures into ef- fect. On the contrary, the convention decisions have made it impossible for the International to cope with its pres- ent industrial problems. Needed Unity Against Sweatshops. One of the greatest needs of the organization at this juncture is unity of all factions within it, based upon cessation of persecution of the mil- itants, so that the maximum effort of all members may be directed towards overcoming the dangers which threat- en the union thru the return of the sweat-shop system. The convention's approval of Sigman’s expulsion policy, however, and the amended constitu- tion have established an inquisition in the International which makes heresy | g) hunting its chief object, thus*inténsf fying. the discontent of the membef- ship, and furtner weakening the union. In addition, the officialdom by driving out the most active members of the union, or eliminating them from participation in the direction of the organization, has greatly diminshed the fighting force of the union. “LEFTS” THE VANGUARD. The “lefts” in the International against whom the administration directs its attack are the vanguard of the organization, the shock troops in any battle with the enemy. Each of the members éXpelled from the union in Philadelphia, and Chicago or un- seated at the convention, can point Group of expelled left wing members of Philadelphia w waist takers ‘union. (1) Rose Sadit, (2) Celia Hammer, (3) Esther Weiss, (4) Eva Sotzky, (5) Ida Miller, ane Lilian Cohen, (7) Anna Rabinowitz, (8) op pai (9): 10) R. Solkin, (11) Becki bowitz, (12) L. (14) Rose Goodman, (15) Anna Kress, aa Many Hornetein, to a long record of achievements for the International, of self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of the work- ers in their industry. Without these militant elements the union cannot hope to strengthen itself and offer resistance to the onslaught of the em- ployers. The International stands at a turn- ing point in its history. The proceed- ings of the convention have given suf- ficient evidence of the incompetence of the administration. More than that, however, they have proven the fail- ure of the ideology which governs that leadership. Right Wing Socialist.Bankruptcy. The convention was in reality a test of strength between the “left” mil- itants within the union and the bu- reaucratic administration with its re- actionary following. Tho individuals were involved on both sides, it was in reality a battle of principles. In the final analysis the great significance of the convention lies in this—that it demonstrated the bankruptcy of the socialist ideology and methods of struggle which rule the International and against which the revolutionary elements are battling. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union differs from other in- ternational unions in that it has revo- lutionary traditions, and was regarded as one of the main props in the social- ist movement in this country. It was founded by workers imbued with the spirit of class consciousness, It gained Strength thru the efforts of men and women Whose eyes were turned to the distant goal of a free workers’ com- monwealth. The preamble to the old constitution stated explicitly that the purpose in organizing the union was “to bring about a system of society wherein the workers shall receive the full value of their product” thru the “abolition of the capitalist sys- tem.” Drop Revolutionary Preamble. Under its social-democratic leader- ship, however, the International has gradually abandoned the revolution- ary principles of class struggle in favor of a policy of class collaboration. The most striking proof of the Interna- tional’s swing to the right is the elimi- nation of the revolutionary preamble from the new constitution adopted by the convention. The object of the or- ganization, as stated in Article I, is now to obtain just and reasonable con- ditions of work thru collective agree- ments with the employers. There is no mention of the class struggle, of any aim for a co-operative common- wealth. “A Fair Day’s Wage.” The International has adopted Gompers’ goal for trade, unionists—a fair day's wage for a fair day's work. It goes Gompers even one better, for the constitution does not even speak of “industrial democracy.” This repudiation of its position as a revolutionary labor organization and its definite alignment with Gompers, this absolute return to the comfort- able shelter of safe and sane unionism which was the keynote of the conven- tion, has aroused the opposition of the revolutionary elements within the union. The battle in the International is but a reflection, in a trade union dominated by social democrats, of the bigger struggle going on everywhere between ,social-democracy with its policy 6f class collaboration on the one hand and, on the other, the revolu- tionary forces with the policy of class struggle. ~ LEFT WING’S GROWING STRENGTH. The convention of the International has exposed the incompetency of its bureaucratic officialdom, their ruth- lessness in crushing opposition, their failure as leaders of a militant trade union. But on the other hand, it has demonstrated the growing strength d power of the left wing in the sh True, the machine had a big ‘jority at the convention, but this gathering was in no way representa- tive of the membership. It is. indeed the fact that the con- structive program advocated by the militants is gaining more and more adherents and that their influence among the membership is rapidly in- creasing which caused their persecu- tion in the organization. The tactics of the International administration, before and during the convention, in- dicate a policy of despair on the part of those who see their hold upon the organization gradually slipping, and use all means of suppression in a last desperate effort to maintain their power. Left Wing's Program. The future belongs to the militants in the Interr tional. Theirs is the only constructive program which can lead the union out of the morass into which its leadership has thrown it. The only constructive note sounded at the con- vention was that contained in a leaf- let outlining tne program of the left wing distributed among the delegates. This emphasized, among others, (1) consolidation of locals in each branch of the industry, (2) the shop delegate system, (3) economy in the adminis- tration of the Union; (4) employment bureaus controlled by the union, (5) the labor party, (6) amalgamation of all needle unions into one powerful organization. In a Couragedus struggle for these and other demands the militants will lay the basis for the building of an organization that can become an ef- fective weapon in the battle of the workers for a full, free life in a work: ers republic, «ge Five EDITOR OF VOLKSZEITUNG HAILS MEET OF UNITED FARMER-LABOR PARTY OF N.Y. AS HISTORIC EVENT By LUDWIG LORE (Editor of Volkszeitung) NEW YORK.—On Sunday, May 18th, in the Labor Temple of the City of Schenectady, the United Farmer-Labor Party of New York state, workers and farmers of the empire state, was born. The convention, which had been called by the Farmer-Labor Party of Buffalo, and the Federated Farmer- Labor Party of N. Y. C., for the pur- pose of bringing into existence in the most wealthy and most powerful state of the union a working class party that will take a determined stand against capitalist reaction and exploit- ation, as represented by the old par- ties of the capitalist class, surpassed all expectations, It was attended by almost one hun- dred delegates from more than eighty organizations, representing labor un- ions, local central bodies, fraternal, educational and political organiza- tions of the working class, represent- ing every shade of progressive work- ing class opinion, local Farmer-Labor Party organizations, Workers Party, Left Paole Zion, and the Progressive Party, more commonly known under the name of the Committee of 48 un- der the leadership of its chairman, J. A. Hopkins, of N. Y. C. After Comrade Sallam, Buffalo, had opened the convention with a brief address, emphasizing the need of a working class unity for political action, a credential committee was elected, which later reported that there were delegates present from practically every important industrial center in the state, Buffalo, Schenec- tady, Syracuse, Gloversville, Schuy- lerville, Peekskill, Binghampton, Al- bany and Rochester, representing an aggregate membership of more than one hundred thousand. Comrade Kucher, Amalgamated Me- tal Workers, N. Y., was then elected permanent chairman, Viatic of the Buffalo Moulders? Union, vice-chair- man; Verhagen, Schenectady, and Sand Horowitz, secretaries. The fol- lowing committees were then elected: Committees on Program and Resolu- tions (7 members); Constitution and Organization (5); Ways and Means (5); Press-Committee (3). Greetings from Organizations. At the beginning of the afternoon session a number of telegrams from various workingmen’s organizations were read to the convention. Par- ticularly hearty applause followed the reading of a telegram from Comrade Manley, announcing that a State Far- mer-Labor Party has been founded in Kansas. Coming down to actual busi- ness, the organization of the United Farmer-Labor Party was decided up- on, which shall conduct an active working class campaign, not only in the state of New York, but shall join its efforts with those of the workers of évery other part of the country, to achieve the organization of an active and successful workingclass party of the U. S. for the coming campaign. A recommendation to proceed im- mediately to the collection of a fund of $100,000 was unanimously adopted. Upon report of the committees on or- ganization and constitution, an or- ganization-plan was decided upon pro- viding for an executive committee, consisting of delegates from all the most important centers, and member- ship by organization affiliation. The calling of a nominating convention as soon as possible after June 17th was also provided for. The same harmony and willingness to come to an understanding on the part of all the various elements that made up this convention, character- ized the discussion of the proposals made by the Committee on Platform and Resolutions. The platform, con- sisting of a statement of the position, industrially and socially, of the work- ing class in the U. S., declares itself, in a series of brief, definitely formu- lated statements, for the nationaliza- tion of all public utilities, against child labor, against the use of in- junctions in labor struggles, for a sys- tem of land tenure based upon work- ing ownership, for a more sensible money and credit system, adapted to the needs of the laboring masses. It is a working class document from the first to the last line. The resolutions, which were also unani- mously adopted, after brief and intel- ligent discussion, breathed the same uncompromising spirit of the class- conscious determination. A resolution demanding the recognition of Soviet Russia was received with enthusias- tic applause, while others demanding Made a: sensational hit the A Stirring Tale of Two which will go into the coming campaign as the spokesman and leader of the*——————— the repeal of the espionage act, con- demning the imperialist tendencies of America in the South American Re- publics, in Cuba and in the Philip- pines and others were adopted with- out a dissenting vote. Class Party the First Aim. very delegate in the hall looked forward eagerly to the nomination and election of the executive commit- tee that was to close the work of the convention. Out of a large number of nominations, the following delegates were elected to function as the State Executive Committee of the new par- ty. From New York City: Krumbein, Lore, Poyntz, Hopkins, Winestone, Lifshitz, London, Jampolsky and Win- itzki; from Buffalo: Campbell, Herzog and Ballam; from Albany: Jones; from Binghampton: Klekunas; from Schenectady: Verhagen; from Ro- chester: Sussman and Hoesteroy. Comrade Krumbein was unanimously elected as delegate to represent the United Farmer-Labor Party of the state of New York at the June 17th convention in St. Paul and he prom- ised in an enthusiastically received address to do everything in his pow- er to further, there, the organization of a class party of the workers and working farmers of America. At the same time he explained in a pointed speech the reasons,,which prompt the Communists to wonk with all elements of the producing classes for the forniation of national Farmer- Labor Party, tho their final alm is the overthrow of capitalist society and the establishment of a Workers’ and Farmers’ Republic. If the firm determination to do something worthwhile, if the readi- ness of the delegates of the various bodies to meet each other in a spir- it of mutual understanding, if the cry- ing need for a party in New York state and in the nation to protect the workers against the betrayal and the industrial and political oppression of the rulers of the country—if these things count for anything, then the United Farmer and Labor Party, that was founded in Schenectady last Sun- day, will enter in a few weeks upon an active, strenuous campaign, that will aim to carry with it every labor union, every working class and farm- er organization in the state. Canadian Mine Districts. MONTREAL, Can. — District 26, United Mine Workers of America, in Nova Scotia, is likely to have its autonomy restored within the present year, according ‘to William Green, sec- retary of the U. M. W. of A., who is here to attend the executive council of the American Federation of Labor now in session in this city. Green stated that the U. M. W. A. is behind the strike in District 18, British Columbia and Alberta, and supports the effort to maintain old rates and conditions. Milwaukee Readers, Attention! Special Message TO COLORED WORKERS HEAR ROBERT MINOR, Brilliant Editor of the “Liberator” and Lovett Fort Whitman Famous negro writer, speaker and organizer Present vital facts regarding “The Negro Worker and His Needs And Relation to the American Labor Movement” Saturday, May 24, 1924 8:00 P. M. Sharp LIBERTY HALE 3rd and Walnut Streets ADMISSION FREE. Auspices: Milwaukee Conference: of Progressive Negro Workers NEW YORK READERS, ATTENTION! —THREE DAYS ONLY— THE NEW SOVIET FILM “RUSSIA-GERMANY” first showing to an overflo audience at the Central Opera House. Republics together with Lenin Funeral Pictures Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, May 26-27.’ at the LABOR TEMPLE, 14th St. and Second A ADMISSION 35 CENTS