The Daily Worker Newspaper, June 12, 1924, Page 3

Thursday, June 12, 1924 SHOMAKER GIVES PLATFORM FOR GOVERNOR RACE Washington Farm-Labor Man Hits Corporations SEATTLE, Wash., June 11.—Joel Shomaker, candidate for governor of the state of Washington on the Farm- er-Labor party ticket, has issued a statement on his candidacy, in which he declares that he will fight against the control of government by business interests and in favor of the produc- ing classes. Regarding the Centralia victims of the raid upon the I. W. W., Shomaker definitely makes that an issue in the campaign by declaring in a special statement that he asks for election in order that he may release every wob- bly sent to prison for the Centralia affair, His platform follows: 1. Were I governor of the state of ‘Washington I would veto every bill carrying a poll tax, sales tax, state income tax, a tax on homes, or a tax on bachelors and old maids. We must call off the tax hounds on the trails of men and women who work and create wealth for feeding public parasites. 2. I would open the office doors to all classes interested in building a state-wide citizenship. Every appeal for relief would be heard and human rights given the lead in all disputes between capital and labor. Our fu- ture depends much on the way the workers of today are treated “by the courts and public officials, 8. I would insist that the profes- sional lobbyist be required to leave his money, alleged political influence and other concealed weapons outside, in care of the janitor, when he en- tered the state capitol building. The illicit use of money and influence must be stopped by casting out the lobbyists. 4. I would demand that the legis- lature cut taxes in two by lopping off waste, extravagance and political awards and rewards, and in many other ways reducing the excessive cost of state government. That would begin with the first session of the leg- islature and continue im all depart-| ments of state. 5. I would insist that the legisla- ture provide for the state to take care of all old people and see that they are properly fed, clothed and housed and given respectable burial The men and women who have given their lives to pioneering the state of future greatness should not be neglected while here on earth. Vote for Migratory Workers. 6. I would try to make it possible for every legal voter in the state to have the privilege of voting at all gen- eral elections, regardless of where he might be engaged in seasonable work on election day. The time has come for the American people to recognize the migratory workers as real state builders. 7. I would insist on the state taking care of the business of the people of the state in handling all natural re- sources for the good of the people. It is time to call a halt on the work of using natural resources by enemies of the people for personal gain, result- ing in permenrent impoverishment of the people. Public Ownership. 8. I would see that all public utili- ties be owned, operated and con- trolled by the people, for service to the people. Were that idea carried out there would not be any necessity for levying real-or personal taxes, for the small profits on state-owned big business would pay all legitimate pub- He expenses. 9. I would recognize the bill of rights of organized labor and give the workingman a square deal, in every instance where the hand of oppression bears him down so that the burdens of life are almost too heavy to carry. We have come to the settling point in the matter of recognition of the rights of all workers. Against Child Labor. 10, I would send the children to school and not to the child-killing fac- tories, where youth and old age are pitted against the wheels of modern machinery and forced to eke out a miserable existence, bétauge of brutal .bosses ‘and spineless public officials. Child labor must be relegated to the boneyards of money heathentsm. 11, I would not forget that the war is over, that we do not want another clash of arms, at home or abroad, and that men and women who were im for expressing their opinions its horrors are entitled to air of American indepénd- time for holding po- irketing. the state enact : ePeeeiei i = THE DAILY WORKER Limitations of Farmer-Laborism By ALEXANDER BITTELMAN. There is at present in existence such a thing as Farmer-Laborism, ‘which is neither socialism nor communism, nor any other “ism.’ It is a distinct polit- ical philosophy by itself and it consti- tutes the political faith of a large num- ber of people engaged in the farmer- labor movement. What is it? It is peculiarly and typically American, in the first place. In no other country in the world can we at present find a political philo- sophy or system of ideas that would even remotely resemble the Farmer- Laborism of the United States. It is youthful, fresh, vigorous and optimistic. It is bubbling with hope and enthusiasm. Its belief in its own efficacy and selfsufficiency knows no bounds. The social and economic ideas of this farmer-laboristic philosophy— —some of these ideas, at least—are extremely naive. Its conceptions of the state, of government as such, and its functions in society, constitute a mixture of petty-bourgeois liberalism and opportunistic socialism. It is clearly not communism. Very far from that. And it is not socialism, either. It is the combined political and social vhilosophy of the awakening workers and poor farmers who are just starting out on the road to in- dependent political action. Farmer-Laborism as a system of ideas is nothing more than the dawn of political consciousness of the op- pressed masses as it manifests itself today in the class struggle of America. ese The Confession of Faith of a Farmer- Labor Candidate. A fair example of this political and social philosophy we find in the con- fession of faith of a Farmer-Labor candidate for governor printed else- where in this issue. Joel Shomaker, candidate for governor on the ticket of the Farmer-Labor party of the State of Washington, makes it known to the masses of his state what he stands for and what he would do were he elected governor. Shomaker’s Platform. Summarized in a few words, the platform of Joel Shomaker and the Farmer-Labor Party of Washington would read like this: I will do every- thing necessary to make the gov- ernor’s office of the state serve the interest of the producers as against the exploiters. We have no reasons to doubt that such are the intentions of the Karmer- Labor party of Washington and its candidate for governor, Joel Sho- maker. In fact, this is our concep- tion: that inasmuch as the Farmer- Labor party of Washington will be controlled by the militant workers and poor farmers, and inasmuch as the party itself will control the doings of its representatives in office, these re- presentatives will do all in their power to fight for the interests of the op- pressed and against the exploiters. So that on the score of intentions and conscious purpose we take no issue with Joel Shomaker and will ing municipal power plants be given the right to market surplus power to farmers and others, without being re- quired to pay atax for the privilege of selling power. It is time for the state of Washington to conserve its water power and develop public hydro-elec- tric plants wherever possible. 15. I would stand by the constitu- tion of the state that declares for free- dom of the press and rights of indi- viduals in speech, religion and public assemblage. We must see that the fundamentals of good government in the state be observed, in the letter of the law and by the spirit of the people. 16. I would not dodge, evade or straddle any public question of im- portance to the people of the state. A public official should always be ready and willing to take up the fight and make a decisive stand for humanity, regardless of the commands of any or- ganized political dictatorship. 17. Iam an American citizen, native of. Kentucky with family history min- gled with William Penn and the found- ers of the State of Pennsylvania. I am @ newspaperman—editor, writer and author—of national reputation. I have been connected with various papers and magazines, in state and nation for 26 years. Held Many Posts. 18. I have held many public offices, without salary or expense accounts, among them being Chairman Washing- ‘ton State Conservation Commission, President Washington Logged-off Land Association. Mayor of Tukwila and other positions. I have the honor of being called the “Father of the Na- tional Conservation Congress.” 19, I have had practical experience as a farmer and fruit grower, teacher, lawyer, soldier and western zigzagger. Iam a married man, over fifty years of age, have a family and live in the city of Seattle, at 4116 Aiken avenue. I am familiar with conditions in al- ‘ost every county, city, town and elect me next November and are now introducing me as “OUR NEXT GOy- ERNOR.” ; In the fight for humanity, JOEL SHOMAKER, State Chairman Farmer-Labor Party of Washington. FarmerLabor Candidate for urge every worker and poor farmer of his state to support and vote for Shomaker as governor. But—and here we put a question— how much can a farmer-laborite (and a Communist, for that matter) really do for the oppressed masses even if elected governor? - Need Legislature Too. A governor has lots of power ac- cording to the constitution. There can be no doubt about that. And he some- times exerts even more power than the constitution grants’ him. But in prac- tice it all depends. It depends upon the legislative bodies of the state. If these latter are controlled by a party which is opposed to the governor, his political effectiveness becomes very much reduced and at times almost completely nullified. From which it follows that the Farmer-Labor party of Washington must fight for repres- entation in the state legislative bodies just as hard as it will fight for the governorship. But that is not the main point that we desire to make. Even with a friendly legislature, how much power does a governor really possess? Three Factors of Government. This depends upon three things: One: The class-interests that the governor happens to represent and fight for. Two: The political consciousness and organized strength of that class. Three: The readiness and determi- nation of that class to support its gov- ernment with the organized strength that it commands outside of the gov- ernmental machinery of the state. All these three conditions taken to- gether, plus the fighting strength of that class in the country as a whole, determine the power of a governor. Farmer-Laborite Does Not See It. Joel Shomaker, like the typical farmer-laborite that he is, does not seem to realize the limitations and the determining conditions of the powers of a governor. He seems to believe (at least this is the impression that his platform creates) that it is suf- ficient for him, if elected governor, to veto, to insist, to demand, to try and see and things will be happening that will change fundamentally the condi- tions of life of the oppressed masses. Must Have Workers’ Support. To repeat: We discuss here not the intentions of Joel Shomaker as candi- datefor governor on the farmer-labor ticket of Washington bit merely his Political effectiveness when elected to office. On the assumption that the make-up of the courts and state legislature will be not farmer-labor but capitalist, all the vetoes, demands, trials and insist: ence of Joel Shomaker will not be worth a cent if the workers and poor farmers of the state will not support their governor with all the organized power at their command inside’ and outside of the governmental machinery of the state. The same would be true even if the state courts and legislature were in the hands of the Farmer-La- bor party. True Nature of Government. The pure farmer-laborite must yet learn the nature of government. Law-making is part of government. So is the ruling of a court. So is the veto and other powers of a governor. But neither separately nor all three of them combined constitute the whole of government. Or, rather, they be- come actual government only inas- much as there is organized power be- hind them to compel obedience. Class Backing. What is the present make-up of this organized power in the state of Wash- ington? It is the police, the militia and the military forces of the federal government. It is the class-conscious- ness of the ruling class. Its economic and political organizations. Its readi- ness to support the government with the power of these organizations. And, lastly, it is the readiness of the capi- talist groups of Washington to back up the doings of their government at all times and by all means, when necessary, violating their own laws. Government a Class Institution. And another thing. Joel Shomaker seems to believe (which, again, is somewhat characteristic of farmer-la- borism) that the function of govern- ment, the right sort of government, is to arbitrate between struggling classes, settling their disputes from the point’ of view of some abstract set of “human rights.” This is an illusion, of course. Gov- ernments are not arbiters but servants, They do the will of the class they re- present. And in this they are Slccess- ful only inasmuch as that class stands behind its government in a conscious, organized way. eee Governorship as Rallying Ground For Struggle. The governor’s office of Washington as of any other state, when occupied by a farmer-labor representative, can indeed be made to serve the interests of the producing classes. But there is only one way of bringing this about. It is by making the governorship the rallying ground for the struggles of thé masses themselves. Therefore— Raise their political consciousness. Develop a faith in their own power. Build and strengthen their organiza- tion. When this is done, then and only then will the present campaign for a farmer-labor governor in Washing- ton be a real value to the workers and exploited farmers of that state. RAIL LABOR BOARD RULES THAT WORKER CAN BE DISCHARGED FOR REFUSAL TO JOIN COMPANY UNION Use of arbitrary discharge to force newly employed railroad workers into the compahy union is sanctioned by the rail labor board. A recent decision affirms that the Great Northern railway was within its rights when it discharged Edward Murphy, machin- ist, for refusing to join the carrier’s pet “shop association.” Such actions contradicts decisions previously rendered and runs counter to the underlying principles /of the transportation act. Chairman Hooper's supporting opinion sustains the corporation’s fee Gi RH Pet ROOT ATOR subterfuge. Told to Join or Quit. “The uncontradicted evidence,” says A. O. Wharton, labor member, in a dissenting opinion, “shows that Mur- phy’s previous record of service with the carrier was investigated prior to his employment; that subsequent thereto Murphy was given the stand- ard application form, filled it out and was employed and furnished free transportation from St. Paul to Havre, Mont., where he actually entered the service as an employe; that no com: plaint is made by the carrier as to his services or conduct during the time he Was permitted to work at Havre; that the shop superintendent and other shop officials told Murphy he must join the Great Northern Shop Assn. or leave the service of the carrier; that Murphy declined to join said association and was thereafter dis- charged for so doing.” Another Miscarriage. To show the miscarriage of justice Wharton quotes an opinion and de- cision on the case prepared by former governor Morrow: of Kentucky, now a public member of the board. His de- cision was rejected by Hooper's majority. Morrow says in part: “Edward Murphy was discharged by the carrier because he refused to obey an unlawful order of the carrier, to wit: to join a certain labor organiza- tion with which the carrier desirod Read the “D ‘THE DAILY WORKER, 1113 W. Washington Blod., Chicago, Ill. him to become affiliated. This em- ploye had the right to join an organ- ization; “and the carrier had neither a moral nor a legal right by coércive measures to deprive this citizen of a right and privilege so fundamental. “One of the primary purposes of the transportation act is to insure to employes the right of collective bar- gaining and to protect them from the probability of arbitrary acts upon the part of carriers in connection with wages and working conditions. The provisions of the act would be nul- lified if the carrier had the power to compel its employes to join an organ- ization not of their own choice but of the carrier’s choice. An Unlawful Act. “The claim of the carrier that | Murphy was only a temporary em ploye and was subject to removal from the service within 90 days has but little weight when it is understood that in this case the rule was applied in bad faith’ and for the purpose of cloaking with seeming fairness an un- lawful act. Murphy was discharged because he refused to surrender rights guaranteed to him under the law of the land.” The decision of the majority sup- ports the shop closed against workers who will not join the company unions, Send in that Subsoription Today. aily Worker” Magazine Section In the next issue, Saturday, June 14: DEBATING CAPITALISM—An analytical report of the Nearing-Seligman debate Aeeesennenseseesansnessegeeconsennees: 1. OBSERVATIONS OF A PUBLICIST... 2, AMONG THE GERMAN COMMUNISTS 3. WIPRO: VQENZT. ss saicvsssssschcsuscorssssis 4. THE -MONETARY REFORM IN RUSSIA. 6. THE FIFTH CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL.....By A. Bittelman Pictures of the Leaders of the International Communist Movement. Proletarian Verse, Book Reviews, Illustrations and other interesting articles. —— ORDER NOW! —— RAIL PAYROLLS MILLIONS LESS THAN LAST YEAR Labor Statistician Tells of Blows at Workers By LELAND OLDS. (Federated Press Industrial Editor.) Losses of railroad employes as a result of the business recession are mounting. March payrolls were run- ning $14,041,105 a month behind March a year ago and $29,598,883 be- low October, 1923, according to the monthly wage statistics of the inter- state commerce commission. This re- duction in the amount going each month to support railroad families is a result of heavy layoffs and reduced hours. Since the high print of 1923 rail- road working forces have been re- duced by 213,237. This brings the number on payrolls in March to a point 66,211 below @ year ago. As usual in times of reduced traffic the carriers are making their chief sav- ings at the expense of the shop em- Ployes, there being 56,907 fewer shop- men on the payrolls than in August, 1923 and 42,083 less than last March. Shop payrolls have been reduced by $8,202,764 or more than 10 per cent compared with a year ago. Train Service Men Hit. Train and engine service employes, particularly in thru freight service, have also suffered from the retrench- ment. There are 13,286 fewer of this group on payrolls than last year and their total monthly pay has fallen by $6,446,253 or more than 9 per cent, The effect of reduced working time on the individual pay envelope is shown in the average monthly earn- ings of typical occupations: March Earnings 1924 1923 Ordinary clerks $129 $128 Extra gang labor 73 74 Section labor 73 15 Freight carmen 143 146 1st class electrical workers 166 170 Machinists 160 174 Helpers 110 114 Shop labor 89 90 Train dispatchers 259 254 Telegraphers, etc. 147 146 Freight handlers 95 96 Freight engineers 249 73 Freight firemen 164 180 Freight brakemen 173 191 Yard brakemen 165 172 The average compensation of the entire working force of 1,760,268 rail- road workers during March was $182, which compares with $136 in the same month of 1923 and $133 in 1922. Average earnings of the operating brotherhoods show the sharpest drop compared with a year ago—from $201 to $189. Average earnings in the shops fell from $131 in March 1923, to $126 this year. Five-Day Week tn Shops. Recent reports indicate further re- ductions in shop activity. Important carriers are putting their shops on a 5-day week. This condition is not a result of Farmer-Labor activites in congress such as the blocking of Mellon’s at- tempt to untax the rich, altho rail exe- eutives are doing ther best to per- suade the employes that it is. The ex- planation is an industrial depression produced by the management of the country’s economic activities in the interest of profits coupled with the time honored railroad policy of sacri- ficing the interests of employes to the interest due bondholders. Send in that Subscription Today. Class Conscious Mexican Newsies to War on Dirt MEXICO CITY, June 11.—A piece of shirt which leaves the chest bare and a rag to cover the loins, is about all the clothing a Mexican newsboy has. The Union of Newsies has deter- mined to do away with their present mode of-dress. Out of a capital of 12,- 000 pesos (1 peso, 50c), the executive committee of the union has decided to spend 6,000 pesos for decent clothing for the members. How to keep them- selves clean and how to preserve these new clothes will be imparted in spe- cial lectures arranged by the union. Each member will be fined if found dirty or untidy. A prize will be award- ed to those who keep themselves cleanest and their clothes the longest. Send in that Subscription Today. _ By Nicolai Lenin By Moissaye J. Olgin sheen By A. G. Bosse UNITED IN WAR, FRENCH PROPAGANDISTS TEAR HAIR IN PEACE TIMES By the Federated Press. NEW YORK, June 11.—Propa- ganda carried on in the United States by the French government is being uncovered in the feud that has broken out between two propa- ganda agencies. President Frank D. Pavey of L’Alliance Francaise, the pro-French society in this coun- try and Canada which helped to pull America into the world war, has broken with Gaston Liebert, director of the French Information bureau, New York. Liebert was formerly French consul general in New York. , “The French bureau of informa- tion is maintained by the French government for the promotion of French national interests in the United States,” Pavey charges in a letter to Liebert. “There is no rea- son for its existence in New York. It is under the direction of a ‘min- ister plenipotentiary’ who is not ac- credited to the government of the United States and has no official rank in the United States, Its work is not under the contro! of the French embassy or the French con- sulate. “Its status is fundamentally and inherently wrong in_ principle,” Pavey continues. “No foreign gov- ernment ought to be allowed to maintain any such office within the limits of the United States.” CLASS PARTY IS CRY OF WORKERS IN CAL'S STATE ‘Bob’ LaFollette’s Stand Speeds Up Action (Special to the Daily Worker) BOSTON, Mass., June 11—Reiter- ating that the Farmer-Labor movement in Massachusetts is “from the bottom up” and finds “it is a source of strength to have with us all elements of the working class, especially the left wing,” the state committee has sent a strong letter outlining its stand in the present developments of the movement for a national Farmer-La- bor Party. *. Working Class Movement. The state executive committee, Thomas F. Conroy, chairman, and Frank Deluca, secretary, charges that the Conference for Progressive Po- Mtical Action is a “top down” move- ment and that its executive committee is controlled by the Socialist party. The Massachusetts committee's letter adds that in Cautious Cal's own state tae movement has. no alleged “prog- ressiveness,” but that it is “one of members of unions and other work- ing-class organizations.” The concluding paragraphs of the statement sent to Mahony are: For National F.-L. Party. “We met on June 1st after the state- ment of LaFollette. Our movement was not started on LaFollette as a basis, but on the organized strength of the workers and farmers. LaFollette’s statement ‘caused us. to increase our activities, to stress the workers’ and farmers’ nature of our movement. We organized a party, and sent a dele- gate to St. Paul. We are going into the state election. On July 20th, we will hold a nominating convention. We mean business. “We look forward to June 17th, as the convention where the workers and farmers will definitely organize them- selves into a party of action. It is the organized power of the workers and farmers that is of consequence, and not the political fortunes of any in- dividual. We expect June 17th to or- ganize. We urge the Arrangements Committee to go ahead with the in- tensified activity of our goal: The organization of a Farmer-Labor Party of America. “Toward that end we are with you. “Success on June 17th.” State Executive Committee Farmer- Labor Party of Massachusetts: Thos. F, Conroy, chairman, Secretary Ma- chinists Local 694, Worcester; Frank Deluca, Business Agent, Journeymen Tailors, Local 12, Boston, Mass. Chance to See Big Dairy Farm with “Herold” Commune Excursions to experiment farms and dairy farms are being arranged by the agricultural commune “Red Ray” and’ the dairy and poultry commune “Herold” of the Society for Technical Aid to Soviet Russia. Permission to attend the big dairy farm of the Lib- erty Dairy Company has been received a few days ago and arrangements to attend that farm are being made now. Comrades and friends who wish to participate in these excursions are welcome whether they are members of the society or not. The excursions will be under the leadership of an ex- pert agriculturist, who is teaching at present in a state agricultural college. Cautious Cal Won't Help Here. AMESBURY, Mass,, June 11.—In- dustrial conditions here are exceeding- ly bad. Most of the worekrs are en- gaged in the textile industry. At the present time there is very little work and many have gone out of town to look for anything that they can get. Migs Page Three EVEN MICE DIE IN NAUSEATING FRISCO HOSPITAL |Ex-Patient is Making Sensational Charges By M. A. DEFORD (Federated Press Staff Correspondent) SAN FRANCISCO, June 11.—Milk jgiven to the pauper sick from cans |left open so that mice crawled in and {died there; nothing for the patients j}to eat from 3 p. m. to 7 a. m.; @ par- alyzed man left from Monday to Fri |day without medical attention untilthe |officers of the street sweepers’ union, to which he belonged, interfered, another man dosed with ether and chloroform to keep him quiet, and dy- ing of the effects 36 hours later,— these are some of the charges E. J. | Mullins is trying to press against the San Francisco county hospital and the hospital of the relief home. Mayor Is Side-Stepping. Mullins, who has been both patient and kitchen worker in these two insti- tutions, was chief witness of a recent investigation. The report put the blame on Dr, William Hassler, health officer of San Francisco. The mayor soon after made a trip to Australia and since has made no reference to the investigation. “Ward L, where women arrested in raids on disorderly houses are taken for veneral examination, is known to the hospital as the vivisection ward,” says Mullins. “Among many other cases of which I have notes which show that these unfortunate women are experimented upon by medical students, I may £ite that of Alice Slat- tery. This woman was suffering from pleurisy, a disease calling for medical treatment. Instead, she was ordered operated upon, and died on the operat- ling table. Pinched For Asking Questions. Her husband tried to find out the details of his wife’s death, and was arrested and given six months for vagrancy, at the end of which time it would be impossible to say how death had been caused.” Send in that Subscription Today! Sammy’s Union Calls Tobacco Workers to Industrial Grouping CHICAGO, June 11.—A single in- dustrial union for every worker in the cigarmaking and tobacco industry, frog the boy who sweeps up to the hi t_price piece-worker, ig thé new, Union of America, with headquarters in Chicago. Women as well as men, machine as well as handworkers are urged to join the union. The appeal to the unorganized reads: Under the present laws all wage earners in the cigar and tobacco in- dustry, regardless of how employed, are eligible to membership. The bunch breaker, the roller, those em- ployed on bunch breaking machines and the automatic machine, team workers, hand workers, mold work- ers; in fact, all wage earners, regard- less of how employed in or about the cigar factory, are eligible to member- ship. ‘Women can and should be organized in the cigar industry. Once organized they would make good trade unionists. Women have a fine sense of fairness and justice. Or- ganize them, and they will prove this statement. Women have determina- |tion, courage, and willingness to as- sume their place in the effort to im- prove working conditions of all wage earners. Organize! Union Organizers Entering Wretched Missouri Lead Mines FLAT RIVER, Mo., June 11.— The International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers are endeavoring to organize the lead miners here and have three organizers in this district: Edward Carbine of Belleville,’ Ill, Chas. Inman of Herculaneum, Mo. They held a rousing meeting which Emmett Flood of Washington, D. C., addressed as organizer of the Amer- ican Federation of Labor and madea splendid speech on unions and unor- ganized districts. He told of unbe- lievable conditions in the lead mines here: men getting killed and crippled daily, also of the inhuman conditions in which the mules were kept under- ground, Blood on the Coal! 234 Miners Killed in U. S. Last April Two hundred and thirty-four coal miners lost their lives from industrial accidents last April, according to re- ports received by the United States bureau of mines. The Benwood, W. Va., disaster, caused by company neg- ligence, contributed 119 of these death: This year’s death rate in the mines is higher than last yea A total of 993 suffered violent deaths in the in> dustry during the first four months of 1924—a death rate of 5.06 per million tons produced, For the same period last year the rate was 4.08 per mil- lion tons. Send in that Subscription Today aim of the Cigarmakers International