The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 26, 1924, Page 1

<< Ss Seviet Attunney Protests. THE DAILY WORKER RAISES THE STANDARD FOR A WORKERS’ AND FARMERS’ GOVERNMENT Vol. I. No. 59. GRAFTERS 10 ROB RUSSIA Wants Millions Given To Bakhmetieu Attache By LUDWELL DENNY (Federated Press) NEW YORK, May 23—Several million dollars belonging to the Russian people may fall into the outstretched hands of the white counter-revolutionists, thanks to Secretary of State Hughes and his insistance that the brief Lyov-Kerensky regime which fell in 1917 still represents Russia. The federal district court in New York on the basis of Hughes’ policy has ruled that Serge Ughet, formerly financial attache to Boris Bakhmetiev, counter-revolutionary agent in Washington, is the proper per- son if any to receive compensa- tion from the Lehigh Valley rail- road for munitions lost in a 1916 explosion near New York. The amount involved is between two and three million dollars or more than a million and a half with ac- crued interest. Since the court award- ed full damages for other property loss in the~same explosion, payment for the Russian munitions is assured. Indeed, the railroad does not contest that point. Whether Ughet represents Russia is the point raised by the Lehigh Val- ley. Charles Recht, attorney for the Soviet, government in New York, while awaiting instructions from Moscow, is arranging conferences with the railroad attorneys. Delay of the final court decision until after the summer vacation is anticipated. Not only the money involved in this case but perhaps other cases, over the issue of legal ownership of Russian claims in the United States, hang upon this decision, which will serve as a precedent. Bought During Czar’s Time. Ughet first sued the road in the name of “The Russian Government,” but later changed it to “The State of Russia.” The munitions had been purchased by the czar’s government, with money belonging to the Russian SUBSCRIPTION RATES people. The Lehigh Valley applied to the U. S. supreme court to pro- hibit the lower court from acting on the ground that Ughet had no legal status and no Russian government was at present entitled to recover this property. The supreme court denied the plea. "And the lower court (Jan. 9, 1924) ruled that “Serge Ughet has been recognized as financial attache to the Russian embassy in the United States by the government of the United States coritinuously from April 7. 1917, until the present date .. in and that the Soviet regime has not been recognized. “The plaintiff, the State of Russia, still lives and is a continuing entity in the contempla- tion of the law and is the real party in interest in this action.” Hughes Aids White Forces When congressional ahd press criti- cism forced out Bakhmetiev in the spring of 1922, Hughes arranged for the counter-revolutionists to continue their financial pickings. He wrote Bakhmetiey (April, 1922): “Mr. Usg- het’s diplomatic status with this gov- ernment will not be altered by the termination of your duties and he will continue to enjoy the usual diplomatic privileges and immunities.” Hughes later confirmed Ughet’s status in a letter of February, 1923, to Wil- son’s secretary of war, Lindley M. Garrison, now Lehigh Valley attorney. THE DAILY WORKER. Entered as Second-class matter September 22, 1923, at the Post Office at Chicago, Illinois under the Act of March 3, 1879. MONDAY, MAY 26, 1924 RED PLOT BUNK EXPOSED HUGHES AIDS Outside Chicago, In Chicago, by mail, 8.00 per year. by mail, $6.00 per year. Published Daily except Sunday by THE DAILY PUBLISHING CO,, 1113 W. Washington Blvd., ¢ Workers! Farmers! Demand: The Labor Party Amalgamation, Organization of Unorganized The Land for the Users The Industries for the Workers Protection of the Foreign-Born Recognition of Soviet Russia Price 3 Cents WORKER hicago, Il. 9 Suspended Union Locals to Fight CONQUEST OF CANTON PLOTTED BY WESTERN IMPERIALIST POWERS (By The Federated Press) HONG-KONG, China., May 25.— Rumors are current here that the powers are planning to seize Canton from China and convert it into an international port like Shanghai. The powers are maintaing a fleet in the Canton river. It seems Canton is beginning to be a menace to the powers, who do not like the idea of a radical govern- ment there. Canton is a natural port for south- ern China, and were Sun Yat Sen's scheme for extensive harbor im- provements brought to fruition, Hongkong would slide back to a port of secondary importance. This would not suit Great Britain. The trade of Canton, which in 1900 was only a couple of million dollars, now, under Sun Yat Sen’s government is $200,000,000. Canton is a prize worth snatching. | MINERS HOLD|/® VICTORY OVER)! FARRINGTON Appointive Power By KARL REEVE. (Special to The Daily Worker) PEORIA, Illinois, May 25.— The progressive anti-Farrington delegates have tightened their|m: lines in order to keep possession of the gains they made over the Farrington machine last week, by stripping President Frank Farrington of the appointive power, and demanding a special international convention to give Howat a fair trial. RADICAL ISSUE IN COMING CAMPAIGN SEEN BY BOSSES Natl. Assn. Moves Like A Crab: Backwards (By The Federated Press) plunge toward death over the preci- pice of experiments in radicalism, or whether like the Prodical Son, it will return to the house of its fathers,” is the issue in the coming political cam- paign, “the most important that America ever faced.” Thus spake President John E. Edgerton to the factory owners’ one big union, the National Associatfon of Manufactur- ers’ annual convention jn New York. “The only organization qualified to speak for the 290,000 manufacturers in the United States,” is its claim. God and Cal. But take heart, brethren, he contin- ued, “God’s in his heaven and Calvin Coolidge” is in the White House. The difficulty is in keepin, them there— at least in keeping Cal in his chair,” said Edgerton. The open shop committee reported that the closed shop is a menace to law and order. Strikes last year cost the public $580,000,000 and in the last eight years $10,303,000,000, the com- mittee said. No Changes Wanted. A platform was adopted without discussion opposing igh surtaxes, publicity of tax returns, unrestricted immigration, supreme court reform, membership of public employes in la- bor unions, government ornership federal reserve bank reforn.. The child labor amendment to the consti- tution was attacked by President Ed- gerton. “There are more coal mines and coal mining companies today on the verge of bankruptcy: than there have been organizations on the verge of bankruptcy in any industry in this country,” President John C. Bradley, West Virginia Coal Operators’ Asso- ciation, told the convention. He at- tacked the present hard coal contract between the union and operators and dubbed Governor Pinchot of Pennsyl- vania a “political coward” for help- ing to put it across, +. . For Public Ownership. ST. LOUIS, May 25.—The St. Louis Trades and Labor union unanimously favors municipal ownership of street railways. “Municipal ownership has proved successful wherever it has ben fairly and honestly tried,” the resolution declares. COMMUNISTS FORCE FEEDING OF RUHR WORKERS DURING LOCKOUT BERLIN, May 25.—Communists today forced merchants of the Ruhr to grant food credits at their stores. The milltants are likewise forcing city councils in the occupied community dinners and causing outbursts where th mmediately ‘eas to are e being fed daily at a cost of some day. The lockout which hitherto has cost $50,000,000 now threatens ‘to bankrupt the Ruhr unless negotiations for a settlement are suc- Some of the delegates told the DAILY WORKER that much money has changed hands in the last three days in an effort to get the delegates instructed to take the appointive power away from Farrington to dis- obey their instructions. One of the local newspaper men was heard by the DAILY WORKER reporter to offer a bet of ten dollars that when the committee on constitu- tional resolutions reports, an effort Ts fas Whamttiebovet ister ea the last week. Progressives Watch For Trick. There are sixty-three resolutions de- manding the abolition of the appoint- ive power, many of them indorsed by sever... local unions. Farrington is expected to try to insert a joker in one of these resolutions, which would enable him to at least retain power to appoint some of the field workers. The progressives are prepared to expose any such move on Farrington’s part. he entire 100,000 mine workers, members of the Illinois miners’ union, will soon be given the opportunity to vote in referendumi on the union's old age pension, which has created a long- er. discussion than any other subject before the convention. Today will mark the third day that provision for the care of aged and disabled mem- bers of the Illinois miners’ union has been the exclusive topic of the con- vention. The pensioning of the aged Illinois miners will be one of the most import- ant matters to be decided at ‘the elections next December, when the referendum will be taken, as there are 4,301 men over 60 years old who have continuous membership in the Illinois miners’ union for 15 years or over. Amend Farrington Report. After consideration of the report of the committee on old age pensions, appointed by President Frank Farring- ton two years ago, the delegates either struck out or amended almost everything suggested by the Farring- ton appointees, altho their investiga- tions have cost the miners’ union $30,- 000. The section of the committee's re- port which stated, “The district presi- dent shall appoint a sufficient number of clerks to properly handle the cleri- cal work of the pension department,” was amended and the secretary-trea- surer was empowered to hire the clerks. $25 To Men Aged 65. Another section of the committee's report which was stricken out was the section declaring that “The Pen- sion department shall consist of a (Continued on Page 2.) GOVERNMENT FUNDS BROKE 1919 STRIKE ~ OF SHIPPING WORKERS (Special to The Daily Worker), WASHINGTON, May "25 The United States Shipp! Board gave the Pacific ship companies $175,000 to break the strike of the seamen and longshoremen in 1919, testified Thomas F. Rice, special attorney ‘al, before the house committee investigating shipping board activities. Rice has spent thirteen months investigating anti- | trust cases. Watch Tricks To Regain(: EW ZEALAND RAILWAY WORKERS IN GENERAL _ STRIKE FOR WAGE RAISE | | © (By The Federated Press) WELLINGTON, New Zealand, May 25.-snailwaymen thruout the domin- ion of New Zealand are on strike be- cal of the government’s refusal to an increase in wages in accord- ‘ith the rise in the cost of liv- The strike is 100 per cent solid. ig to the early warnings of the faymen’s executive, there are pl of foodstuffs, coal, and house- held ‘supplies in the towns and at renient points. The government has organized temporary motor tran- sit and motor services to carry the FRENCH PLUTE PARTIES BARK ‘WORSE THAN BITE Piincare Shows Herriot How To Handle Ship PARIS, May 25.—A new precedent in relations between outgoing and in- coming French governments was es- tablished today when Edouard Her- Premier Poincare’s invitation, j the Quai D’Orsay, and was in- in detail by the retiring jegarding the.status of this country’s foreign relations. Altho there is certainly no love lost between Poincare and the left wing, the Premier took the usual step of offering to inform his successor per- sonally on such matters as the present stage of negotiations with Great Brit- ain over the experts reports. The Ere Nouvelle, an organ of the left, says today that Herriot has de- cided to accépt the premiership and to occupy the berth of Foreign Minis- ter as well. Despite a pledge of financial stab- ility by Eduard Herriot, the French franc was wobbly at the opening, dropping to 18.17, nearly one franc to the dollar lower than yesterday's official closing. Sham “Anti-Trust” Battle Waging Over New York Central ‘ ws (Special to The Daily Worker) CLEVELAND, May 25.—Dissolution of the dominion of the N. Y. Central railway ‘company, over the Big Four, Michigan Central, and all subsidiary lines covering half the United States was asked in a suit filed in Federal court here today. The suit, which charged the com- bination, is a violation of the Sher- man anti-trust act and also unconsti- tutional, asked that a receiver be named to take charge of the holdings of the New York Central and the Big Four. Syndicalism Laws Increase Congestion At San Quentin Prison SAN QUENTIN, Cal., May 25.—So crowded has San Quentin prison be- come that bed: e being installed in hallways to accommodate newcomers. The prison population is 3,005. The buildings were constructed to hold 2,000 prisoners, About 100 of those in San Quentin are victims of the Cali- fornia criminal syndicalism law, and other industrial prisoners. War Is Hell For The Workers So To Hell With War SYDNEY, N. 8S. W. May 25.—The Australian Labor party intends to make disarmament a paramount policy. Labor's anti-militaristic at- titude is the outcome of the Labor congresses held in 1921 and 1922, when it was laid down that Labor's policy must be “not one man, not one gun, not one penny” for foreign wars, Every new subscriber increases the influence of the DAILY WORKER, KICKED OUT CARPENTERS WILL APPEAL Expelled Locals Go To The International Representatives of the nine suspended local unions of the Carpenters’ District Council of Chicago will appeal their case directly to the president of the United Brotherhood of Carpen- ters and Joiners of America, it was decided at a meeting of rep- resentatives of the suspended locals held yesterday in Ma- chinists Hall, 113 S. Ashland Blvd. The representatives of the ex- pelled unionists were all of the opinion that their locals had been kicked from the District Council in order to make cer- tain the re-election of Harry Jensen, the present president of the District Council. Oust 8,000 Members. The suspensions put more than 8,000 carpenters out of the Chicago Car- penters’ District council and leaves the ficket of Harry Jensen almost un- opposed. By a co-incidence all the candidates running against the Jensen e are in the locals suspended. The locals suspended are Nos. 13, 1, 80, 416, 250, 1128, 2200 and 1693. The excuse used by Jensen in suspefiding these locals was that they failed to pay their assessment for the District Council building fund. Some time ago the District Council decided to build a building in which the council and some locals could be housed. Every member was to be assessed $10. A special committee was to be elected to handle the money which would amount to about $250,000. Committee Never Elected. The full committee which was to have consisted of one member from each local in the District Council has never met. Some locals refused to turn the money they had collected over to the District Council officials saying they were not bonded for a sufficient amount to cover the building fund. All of the other locals have col- lected the assessment from their members and are holding it in their treasury pending proper meeting of the special building committee, At Friday night’s meeting of the District Council when the nominations for the various offices were read off, Jensen announced that most of the men who had been nominated by vari- ous locals to run against his adminis- tration were disqualified because their locals had been suspended. They were suspended, Jensen said, because they were in arrears in payment of the special building fund assessment. Jensen’s expulsions automatically ruled Frank Stahl of Local 13 out of the race as the progressive opponent of Jensen for the District Council presidency. The only opponent to the Jensen gang for an important office who was not ruled out was Pierce L. Anderson of Lécal 62, who is a can- didate for business agent. Roofers Win Strike. ST. LOUIS, May 25.—Union roof workers here have secured an in- crease of 10 cents an hour. The new rate is 60 cents. The men went on strike March 25. The union has 300 members, GOOD INVESTMENT FOR WORKERS; PAYS 900 PCT. ONLY, STOCK ALL GONE NEW YORK, May 25.—Profits of $247.92 on each $100 share of stock are reported by the Duluth Missabe & Northern railway (U. S. Steel) for 1923. The profit of this 336 mile road was $10,195,983 on $4,112,-, 600 outstanding capital stock. Dur- ing the last five years the profit after all charges, taxes, etc., amounted to $37,329,029—more than 900 per cent return on the invest- ment. ‘DAUGHERTY AID ADMITS WALL ST. BLAST MIGHT BE WORK OF DETECTIVES By LAURENCE. TODD. (Federated Press Staff Correspondent) WASHINGTON, May 25.—Confession that the and “red peril” propaganda in wh Palmer and Harry M. Daugherty and that there was not a bit of the possession of the department “ved plots” ich Attorneys General J. Mitchell engaged, was all manufactured, evidence against the radicals in of justice, was made before the Wheeler-Brookhart committee by John W. H. Crim of New York, who served Daugherty as his ch ago. issuing almost daily press proclamations of red activity railroad shop strike. ief assistant until a few months Crim was at Daugherty’s right hand when Daugherty was ‘4 the Now he dismisses the whole thing as bunk. NEVER GOT REAL EVIDENCE. “Back in 1921,” Crim testified, fellows interested in. ‘reds’ who days. It would come up again e ‘red’ agitation they never brough “there were some of these talked to me for a week or ten very once a while, but in all the t me any evidence.” He explained that the complainants were societies and in- stitutions of various kinds that “ would bring me a report of some wild talk of individuals whom they wanted arrested.” Crim said the Bureau of Inve except for a small group of lawyers. stigations ought to be abolished, If detectives were wanted in any government case, they should come from the force em- ployed by the department in-* volved—the treasury, postoffice, war department or whatever in-| terest was affected by the trial. | His Private Detectives. Chairman Brookhart asked what Crim knew about the Wall Street “bomb” explosion of 1920—whether it were not an accident. Crim replied that it might have been, as Brook- hart intimated, a case of private de- tectives wanting to scare the bank- ers into giving them jobs. “Anyway,” he added,.“lwas- never able to locate this “red” army, led by Senator Borah and former Senator France, that was supposed to be marching on to Washington. So far as I know, the department never did | anything about it.” He made no mention of the fact that during nearly three years he has refrained from letting the country know that the $2,250,000 a year con- sumed by. Burns’ bureau in harrassing labor unions and economic radicals has been obtained and wasted under false pretense of public necessity. Radicals Were Persecuted. The reason for Brookhart’s ques- tions concerning the Wall Street “bomb” explosion is that one of Burns’ men has threatened to tell the story of that conspiracy—involving J. P. Morgan and Burns as chief plot- ters. This detective’s version of the af- fair is that Morgan, impetient at_the delay of construction of the Stock Ex- change addition building, telephoned an order that a large amount of high explosives for blasting for the founda- tions be brought to the spot, in viola- tion of a city ordinance; that when the wagon was accidentally struck and the explosion took place Morgan and Burns agreed to make it appear as a “red” bomb outrage, in order that Morgan might avoid damage suits involving a million dollars or more; that Burns’ men were then em- ployed in large numbers, at high rates of pay, as guards for all the promi- nent bankers and business magnates in the east; that Burns caused a score of innocent men—radicals in most instances—to be arrested at dif- ferent times, charged with having had a part in the “bomb plot.” All were finally released. This story has not been told on the stand, and without other proof than the word of a detective will not be presented to the Senate committee. It follows, however, the theory outlined, on evidence available at the time, by The Federated Press and the labor press in general. “D. of J.” Breaks Down. Crim admitted that there had been a general breakdown of efficiency in the department of justice, and he had quit because he could not get things done; too many interests had to be considered. Smith had helped to pick the staff, and the staff was not of a quality of handling big cages in court. He urged that special, absistant at- torney generals and special agents be dropped, and the regular staff be given more encouragement in their work, Senator Jones, of Washington, RicH WOMAN'S REWARD WON'T HELP HONESTY Worker Finds Pearls, Must Work Still 4 ~ —~ A $75 reward for the return of a $90,000 pearl necklace and no inquiry into the difficulties of his efforts to make a living made Mrs. R. M. Me- Cormick appear quite ungrateful for honesty, Louis Post, finder of the necklace, claims. Mrs. McCormitk told Post that her husband was president of the Chi- cago “Tribune” company. Post is employed on a meagre wage by a printing concern. Diamond Catches Eye. Post was attracted by a diamond sparkling in the gutter on Michigan boulevard in front of the University Club one day last week, and stooped to pick up the jewel. He found it was only the clasp of an exquisite pearl necklace with two other dia- monds on either side of the clasp. He picked up the strand, put it in his pocket, and went on his way quietly, expecting to watch for ads for the gems. Mrs. McCormick alleges that she saw him pick up the necklace and walk on. She followed him and asked him if he hadn't just picked up a pearl strand. He admitted he had, but would not accept the identifica- tion offered by the highly nervous woman, who would not tell who she was at that time. The woman proposed that Post give the necklace to a policeman if she identified it before him. Post agreed and Officer Edward Redd was called over but would not accept'the excited woman's identification. The men were then taken by the woman to a French automobile and driven to the insurance firm of Rol- lins, Burdick, and Hunter, 175 West Jackson boulevard, where © Burdick himself greeted _ Mrs. McCormick anxiously by name and asked what he could do for her. Both Mrs. McCormick and Burdick promised Post “big rewards” for re- turning the necklace. Honesty For Workers Only. In a few days Post received a notice from the firm of Toplis and Harding, adjusters, at 172 West Jackson bivd., telling him to call for his reward. There he signed for $75 cash, which ended the interest of the other side in the matter. Post wondered a little about the ungracious treatment he received and told the reporter that he considered $75 for a $90,000 necklace a poor enough stimulant to honesty, Mrs. McCormick would undoubtedly tell him “Honesty is its own reward.” You Said It! asked a series of questions tending to lead Crim to give a good character to Daugherty. However, when Jones asked whether Crim did not favor @ consolidation of the secret service in government eniploy under one con- trol, “no.” Crim answered emphatically ° Everything for the proleta- riat. That is what Russia calls equality —Chicago Jour- nal of Commerce editorial, May 23, 1924.