The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 29, 1924, Page 2

Page Two ST, PAUL IS T00 RED FOR FAKERS OF THEG. P,P. A, Against United Front with Workers-Farmers (By The Federated Press) WASHINGTON, May 28.—Rejection of overtures for a united front with the national Farmer-Labor-Progres- sive convention to be held June 17 in St. Paul was voted by the national committee of the Conference for Pro- gressive Political Action, in session here, on the ground that the Commun- ists had had too much to do with the St. Paul gathering, and that Commun- ist influence was dictated from Mos- cow. ‘This open declaration by the official leaders of the movement which will hold its convention on July 4, at Cleve- land, was made in response to a letter from J. A. Hopkins, founder of the Committee of 48 and member of the arrangements committee for the St. Paul meeting. Yellow Leaders Sign Document. It was signed by William H. John- ston of the Machinists’ as chairman, but it represents the attitude, at this time, of the whole committee. There were present Johnston, D. R. Robert- son, of the Locomotive Firemen, J. P. Noonan of the Electrical Workers, E. H. Fitzgerald of the Railway Clerks, Morris Hillquit and Vladeck of the So- cialist party, Benjamin C. Marsh of the Farmers’ National Council, Ed- ward Keating, Basil Manly, and others. “Our conference,” says the reply to Hopkins, “is striving to organize all progressive forces in American poli- veh tics for permanent, harmonious and » concerted action. Our organization was formed in February, 1922, for this purpose, from which we have never departed. If at this critical time, when the political unity of all pro- gressive forces is the crying need of the country, an attempt is made to split these forces and weaken our movement, the responsibility does not rest on us but on those who ori- ginated the separate convention on June 17. Fear Workers-Farmers’ Control. “The convention which the C. P. P. A. is calling will represent at least five million voters. It will be gener- ally representative of the political sen- timents of the producing classes of America, and may be trusted to take such action on the nomination of presidential candidates and the form- ation of a new party as the situation will, warrant. There is neither need tification for a separate con- vention of workers and farmers. “However, our conference has no desire to waste time in the effort to fasten responsibility for past mis- takes. It is ready and eager to co- operate with all bona fide bodies that will be represented in’ the St. Paul convention, provided that a solid bas- ig for united action is created. A com- mon political program is an import- ant step in that direction, but it is not all that is required to insure last- ing and fruitful co-operation. Our conference fromi the very first has taken an irrevocable stand on the prin- ciple of democracy in industry, govern- ment and politics. We are for ma- jority rule aff for home rule. We are opposed to all forms of dictator- ship, whether exercised by capitalists, Politicians or workers, by Fascisti or Communists. Horrors, The Communists! “It is common knowledge that the St. Paul convention has been largely organized and that its counsels will be influenced, if not dominated, by a political group that definitely rejects the principle of democracy. “The Communist party, under differ- ent names and guises, is in the ma- jority on the organization committee of the St. Paul convention, and, ac- cording to all indications, will be strongly represented in the conven- tion. Our conference recognizes tha right of every individual and group to hold such political opinions and social _ theories as they please. But our own "political views and methods are so di- __ -Yergent from those of the Communist i principle of dictatorship that we can " find no common ground to work with _ them. “Furthermore, all fruitful political co-operation must be based on an hon- est determination to work together. ‘The Communist groups have no such intention. In their own press and over the signatures of their own leaders _ they have repeatedly avowed their plan to join the progressive political rement for the ultimate purpose of permeating a large part of it with Communistic doctrines and then ‘split “At off.’ & Trot Out Moscow Bogey. “Very recently, moreover, they have Publicly admitted that their activities with respect to the St. Paul conven- tion are directed by the Communist Internationale at Moscow. You will '\ readily see how utterly impossible it for any body of American citizens to to such foreign dictation. “We sincerely hope that the true ives in the St. Paul conven- t will find a way to place them- ri squarely om the principle of "democracy as opposed to dictatorship _ in any form. As to our own conven- thon, we will welcome the co-operation ' of all bona fide progressives, to the end that the producing classes and Progressive forces in this country may it a united and powerful front “to the forces of political reaction in fhe coming presidential campaign. | The New Politics By EARL R. BROWDER. Old-timers in the game of politics in the United States profess to see in the June 17th convention at St. Paul, called to form a party of workers and farmers to battle the political domination of Wall Street, merely one of the adjuncts of LaFollette in his personal and independent drive for political power. They base their judgment on the fact that propaganda for an individual as presidential candidate at St. Paul has been confined to the name of LaFollette. * But such an opinion is entirely unsound. It ignores the essential feature of the June 17th convention. It makes the basic mistake of applying the same standards of judgment to June 17th as to the Republican or Democratic parties. In reality, the St. Paul convention represents such a new factor in American politi- cal life, that LaFollette or any other individual from the old scheme of things cuts little ice in the long run, no matter how much noise he may raise at present. St. Paul is the focussing point of the political awakening of the masses; LaFollette does not embody that political awakening. St. Paul stands for the emergence of a new power in politics, the power of the classes hitherto politically submerged; LaFollette stands only for an old middle-class protest. St. Paul stands for the political struggles of the masses; LaFollette stands for the outworn individualism of small capitalism. How comes it, then, with such fundamental cleavages be- tween St. Paul and LaFollette (considered as political symbols) that this old-time Republican name is mentioned on every hand as a potential leader of the new Party? This question is especially * % "| remarkable in view of the fact that LaFollette has not yet made any direct statement that he is going to leave the Republican party. md * s The explanation of this paradox, so far from cancelling the statement that St. Paul represents the new class force in politics, throws new light upon the profound chasm between LaFollette and June 17th. : St. Paul represents a mass breakaway of the rank and file from the old parties. This mass exodus is of a class nature, and does not follow any individual. Personalities are but the chips on the waves. It has not crystallized sufficiently as yet to estab- lish an authoritative leading group, accepted as such by all elements. 5 At the same time LaFollette, opposed as he is to the class basis of the new movement, has come to symbolize a revolt (that of the petty bourgeoisie) that in times past has threatened to split the old parties and is today stirving somewhat restlessly. In the absence of another peg to swing popular thought around, in the present process of re-orientation of the popular political mind, the name of LaFollette has been seized upon because of the super- ficial characteristic common. to both political factors—i. e., both threaten to split large masses away from the traditional political lines. ° * * This popular confusion of LaFollette with the farmer-labor party movement is destined to be quickly dissipated. LaFollette himself will do the dissipating. Already the issue is being cleared, as the farmers and workers see with astonishment that LaFollette gathers around himself only bankers, merchants, lawyers, pub- lishers, etc., and carefully draws his skirts away from contact with the vulgar workets and poor farmers. LaFollette is as deathly afraid of, and hostile to, a real class movement to throw off the political domination of capitalism, as any other middle-class poli- tician. And asthe class forces take shape, as the workers begin making demands upon LaFollette which he ignores, this becomes more and more clear to the masses. Already we are on the eve of the St. Paul convention, and the struggle between the old confusion of thought and the harsh realities of politics is becoming acute. Many workers and farmers are finding it difficult to use the new forms of thought necessary to adjust themselves to such a rapidly changing situation. But the silence of LaFollette and his we — — pede —— ontinue the confusion, is now helping to clear it up. pata the dullest mind can now see that He WHO IS FOR EFFEC- TIVE POLITICAL ACTION OF THE WORKING MASSES IN 1924 MUST SPEAK UP—FOR OR AGAINST THE ST. PAUL JUNE 17TH CONVENTION! Entirely new politics are in the making. Those who still of rapid developments. Old leadership and — is being shat- tered. New leadership is in the making. The fragments of the past may be swept along with the great currents of events, but they will not determine its course. June 17 Convention Feels the Steam of the Engineers (Continued from page one) be held in St. Paul on June 17th, says, “The Farmer-Labor Party of Minne- sota is rather of a local nature, but is a distinct third party proposition. It has not as a third party the endorse- ment of the Sixteen Standard Rail- way Labor Organizations, altho they lent much support to them in their two last senatorial campaigns, which pro- duced two splendid senators from the state of Minnesota.” Later in the same editorial they again state, “If William G. McAdoo should receive the democratic nomina- tion it would, in our opinion, be folly not to support him, rather than to en- gage in a third party venture.” Workers for New Party. This editorial, as well as the nu- merous other statements given out by the C. P. P. A. leaders, plainly shows that they have learned nothing from the economic struggles of the workers and farmers during the past few years, when in each case the employers have used their political control to force the workers to accept lower wages, longer hours, and scab shops. The leaders cannot break away from the corrupt political machines of the financial in- By TI NEW YORK, May 28—“The is not the opinion of a soap-boxer or New York Bar Association. contention. hink in the old terms are finding themselves lost in the maze | terests. By the method of voting that will prevail in the Cleveland these leaders will cost more votes than all other groups combined. The workers and farmers of the Northwest, including the railroad workers have learned their lesson. In- dications are that the rank and file of the workers thruout the country have also learned that a new party must be formed which will fight their battles. They have hoped that the leaders of the international unions were ready to show the way; but the backwardness of these leaders will not prevent the rank and file from launch- ing a successful movement at St. Paul on June 17th. Mayor’s Slugger Costs $14,500, SAN FRANCISCO.—The Rolph Navigation Company ,of which Mayor Rolph of San Francisco is chief own- er, must pay $14,500 damages to four men injured by Frederick Hansen, mate of one of the Rolph steamers, and now serving time for beating an- other sailor to death. -Of this $10,000 will go to Demetrius Kohilas, who has become totally blind as a result of the mate's beating; $3,500 will go to John Kapstein, nad $500 each to Alfred Seppinen and Arne Arnesen. The men shipped trom New South Wales after the boat's original crew, recruited at Vancouver, had deserted because of the mate's brutality. JUST “SUBNORMAL MORONS” THO ROBED IN MAJESTY OF THE LAW ed ) ge judge is a “subnormal moron.” This civil liberties advocate. sidered judgement of George W. Alger, New York lawyer, It is the con- king before the No member of the’ organization disputed Alger’s THE DAILY WORKER BISHOP BROWN GOES ON TRIAL FOR ATHEISM If Found Guilty Will Appeal to Scientists CLEVELAND, May 38.—Bishop Wil- liam Montgomery this afternoon pleaded not guilty to charges of heresy before the tribunal of eight bishops trying his case in Trinity Cathedral here. The plea came after Brown's counsel had lost every mo- tion to have the case dismissed. A sensational challenge was hurled at the tribunal of bishops by Joseph Sharts, attorney for Brown, when he demanded that the bishops take the stand and confess their faith in the doctrines of the church. “There would be eight different opinions and you know it,” he thun- dered at the bishops. see CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 28.—If Bishop William Montgomery Brown of Galion, Ohio, is found guilty of heresy by the tribunal of the Protest- ant Episcopal church here, he will ap- peal to noted scientists of the world to try his case, Bishop Brown, charged with heresy for alleged heretic utterances in his book, “Communism and Christian- ism,” published in 1920, went on ‘trial here today before nine bishops of the Episcopal church. Brown, a few hours before his trial, said he had wired several noted scien- tists, asking them to try his case and that several had ‘accepted. He re- fused to make public their names. “If the church throws me out, the scientists shall try me, and I will abide by their results,” he said. Brown's big hope of the trial is that he may put to the bishops who try him his celebrated list of questions on the virgin birth and miracles of Christ. The rebel bishop hopes to get his trial judges furrowing their theolog- ical brows over the following ques- tions: That God made the world in six rays; That He caused vegetation to grow on the earth before creating sun, moon or stars; That He made Eve out of Adam's rib; That the serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit; That God made coats of skins for the guilty pair; That the sons of God married the daughters of men; That God gave Noah instructions how to build an ark; ‘ That Noah took into the ys pairs of all living creatures; That the flood covered the earth and drowned all except those in the ark; , That God came down and confound- ed man’s speech at Babel; That God performed the wonders and sent the plagues on Egypt record- ed in Exodus; That Jesus was literally born of a virgin; That He raised Lazarus literally from the dead; That He literally performed such feats of magic as walking upon water, turning water to wine, and feeding 5,000 people upon five loaves and two small fishes and leaving twelve bas- kets of broken pieces. That He literally descended into hell and then literally and bodily, in the sight of many who watched him going up, ascended into heaven. The bishop, not satisfied with the prospect of seeing his former com rades in the army of the Lord writh- ing in agony over the above fifteen questions, wound up with this heavy wallop: “The church, to survive, must adapt itself to human life. It must cast of bravely its antiquated and out-growr stuff—its bloodthirsty anthropomor phic gods made in man’s barbarou image; its windowed heavens abov the earth from which angels flit dow: to control our affairs; its fire-heated hells underfoot from which devils jump up as thru trapdoors to snatch sinners; its miracle mongers. It must tear off all these frowsy and thread- bare old trappings of the dark ages. It must broaden its religious concep- tions to conform to the advance of modern knowledge. It must formu- late a satisfying answer to the pres- ent day’s social and intellectual un- rest.” NEW YORK CITY Party Activities Local Open Air Meetings. Section 4, Williamsburg—Saturday, May 31, 8 p, m., at Grand St, Exten- sion, Speakers, Rebecca Grecht, Sam Nessin, Ben Levy. Section 5, Brownsville—Saturday, May 31, 8 p. at Stone and Pitkin Aves. Speal H. M. Wicks, M. Ro- senberger, Lena Chernenko. West New York, N. J.—Thursday, May 29, 8 p. m., at 14 St. and Bergen- line Ave, Speaker, Rose Pastor Stokes, A very important meeting of the New York ©. C. C. will be held Fri- day, June 6, 8 p. m., at 208 Hast 12th! 8t., Room 2, The city executive committee pro- poses a plan for the reorganization of the C. C, C. All delegates must be present at the meeting so that the recommendations may be thoroly dis- cussed and a plan of future activity adopted. | Stand Fast for the Farmer-Labor Party | (Continued from page one) munists are for the workers and farmers and against the capitalist parties. They see.in the present movement for independent political action by the workers and farmers the most hopeful developments in the American labor movement for several decades. If a million organized farmers and in- dustrial workers join forces to create a class Farmer-Labor Party they will create a fighting organization that can win concessions for them from the present capitalist government and which will move onward for a fight against the whole system of exploitation and special privilege. * * * ES 1S because the Communists recognize in the Farmer- Labor Party movement this great step in advance that they have thrown themselves heart and soul into the work of building up this movement. While fighting with the workers and farmers in their present struggle to win better things, the Communists have &.wer concealed their principles. They believe that the ulti- Thursday, May 29, 1924 RUSSIA and GERMANY Attention! Buffalo, N. Y. New 8-Reel Film, showing Present Conditions in the Two Republics Also Special International News Film showing Funeral of Lenin in Moscow BROADWAY THEATRE Broadway near Jefferson SATURDAY, May 31 Continuous Show from 7:30 to 11 P. M. Auspices F. S. R. Committee for International Workers’ Ald Admission 50c, Including War Tax of monopoly control, the downfall of the corrupt political bosses, the adop- mate solution of the class struggle between the capitalists and the workers and farmers can only come thru the estab- lishment of a Soviet Government and a Dictatorship of the Proletariat. While fighting shoulder to shoulder with the workers and farmers in their struggles of today, the Com- munists know thru the lessons 7 experience that it is only thru a government as completely dominated by the workers as the present government is dominated by the tion of truly progressive principles and the repudiation of those great campaign contributors who have in the past bought up both parties. “If this is not done, a long suffering and righteously indignant people will find in the coming campaign effective means independent of both these old parties, to take back control of their government and make it truly repre- capitalists that the existing system of exploitation can be abolished. * * * ie THE attack by LaFollette on the Farmer-Labor Party should serve one purpose. It should arouse every worker and farmer to a consciousness that the producing group in capitalist society must rely upon its own strength. It cannot surrender itself to the leadership and possible betrayal by any individual politician. It must organize its strength in a class party and rely upon that party to make its fight and not upon individuals. ‘ The answer to LaFollette should be a more energetic fight for the June 17th Convention. Every workers’ and farmers’ organization should send delegates there. The Workers Party will continue its efforts to make the June 17th Convention a great demonstration of workers and farmers and seek to realize there the hope of the workers and farmers for a party to fight their battles. ‘ FORWARD TO. THE.CLASS FARMER-LABOR PARTY! FORWARD TO THE WORKERS’ AND FARMERS’ GOVERNMENT! Central Executive Committee, Workers Party of America, William Z. Foster, Chairman. C. E. Ruthenberg, Executive Secretary. LAFOLLETTE SLAPS AT WORKERS pose to control. Reliable information shows that a very large number of Communist delegates will be present (Continued from page one) Party—March 31, 1924.) “‘The policy which we adopt in at St. Paul with only authorized cre- dentials. “Reposing complete confidence ir the soundness of the deliberate judg- ment of the American people, I have no apprehension that the Communist party can ever commahd any consider- able support in this country. I do not question their right under the consti- tution, to submit their issues: to the people, but I most emphatically pro- test against their being admitted in- to the councils of any body of progres- sive voters. Doesn't Like Soviets. “The Communists stand for the sub- stitution of the Soviet form of govern- ment for the one we now have and propose to accomplish this change thru a revolution, with a class dictat- orship as their ultimate aim instead of a democracy. Their pretense that the Communists can work with the Progressives, who believe in democ- Minnesota will be a precedent for the whole party in relation to the national Farmer-Labor party when that organi- zation is finally crystallized. It is therefore important that we adopt the correct Communist policy in Minne- sota as a guide to our whole party for its work inside of the Farmer-Labor party thruout the country. ““The Workers Party prides itself in being a Communist party; that means, that it considers its work to build up and lead the forces which will bring about a proletarian revolution in the United States and establish a soviet form of government and the dictator- ship of the proletariat. “ ‘Central Executive Committee, “*C. E. Ruthenberg, Secy.’ “Progressives inclined to attend the June 17 convention should also consi- der the statement published in ‘THE DAILY WORKER’ on May 16, 1924, by the Central Executive Committee of the Workers Party of America, over the signatures of William Z. Foster, chairman, and C. E. Ruthenberg, exe- cutive secretary: public. The Communists are anta- gonistic to the Progressive cause and their only purpose in joining such a movement is to disrupt it. racy, is deliberately to deceive the “‘In order to settle the question of whether the Farmer-Labor United front was a policy that a Communist party such as the Workers Party should put into effect and in support f which it should throw all its trength, the Central Executive Com- rittee of the Workers Party submit- ad this question to the Communist In- ernationale (Moscow) with which it is affiliated as a fraternal organiza- tion. “*The view of the Communist Inter- nationale on this question is express- ed in the following cablegram: “‘Communist Internationale consi- ders June 17 convention momentous importance for Workers Party. Urges C. E. C. not to slacken activities pre- paration June 17. Utilize every avail- able force to make St. Paul conven- tion great representative gathering la- bor and left wing.’ “Executive Committee, Communist Internationale.’” “The Communist organization in America thus acting under orders from the Communist Internationale at Moscow, will not only participate in the St. Paul convention on June 17, but has already secured a strategic position in the direction of that con- vention, Fear Hathaway. “C. A. Hathaway, the secretary- treasurer of the committee om ar- rangements for the St. Paul conven- tion, is an avowed Communist and was a delegate to its Third National convention, held in Chicago, Decem- ber 30, 1923. All credentials for the St. Paul convention are made return- able to Hathaway as secretary and as treasurer he controls its funds. Joseph Manley, son-in-law of William Z. Fos- ter, and an avowed Communist, is ‘also a member of the committee on ar- rangements, “Altho the National Communist or- ganization as such may be granted on- ly five delegates in the St, Paul con- ition, the basis of representation adopted, is lending itself to their pur- “Not only are the Communists the mortal enemies of the Progressive movement and democratic ideals, but, under the cloak of such extremists, the reactionary interests find the best opportunity to plant their spies and provocatory agents for the purpose of confusing and destroying true Pro- gressive movements, All Hope in the Ballot. “I have devoted many years of my life to an effort to solve the prob- lems which confront the American people by the ballot and not by force, I believe that the people thru the bal- lot can completely control their gov- ernment in every branch and compel it to serve them effectively. I have fought steadfastly to achieve this end and I shall not abandon this fight as long as I may live. I believe, there- fore, that all progressives should re- fuse to participate in any movement which makes common cause with any Communist organizetion. “There is no doubt that the people have come to understand that private monopolies controf the official ma- chinery of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Recent public scandals, such as the war frauds, the shipping board, Teapot, and other oil leases, the veterans’ bureau, the alien property custodian, the degradation of the Department of Justice under both Democratic and Republican ad- ministrations and the endless frauds and corruption in connection with tax- ation and prohibition enforcement are but evidences of such control of party machinery by lawless and predatory interests. Has Hopes in Old Parties. “The approaching Democratic and Republican conventions will demon- strate to the people whether either of these parties can and will purge itself of the evil influences which have long dominated them, This cannot be ac- complished by merely nominating some alleged Progressive and fill- ing the platform with misleading promises, It demands the elimination len sentative. “Sincerely yours, (Signed) “Robert M. LaFollette.” Minnesota Bank Goes To The Wall With “Frozen” Assets PINE ISLAND, Minn., May 28.—The State Bank of Pine Island, with de- posits approximating $750,000 at the time of its last statement, was closed today because of “frozen” assets. 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