The Daily Worker Newspaper, December 24, 1924, Page 3

Wednesday, December 24, 1924 ee ene or ROTTEN HOUSING j CAUSES DEATHS IN FATAL FIRES Workers Hold Protest Mass Meetings By ROSE PASTOR STOKES. (Special to The Dally Worker) NEW YORK, Dec. 23.--At the very moment that the Russian Soviet: gov: ernment had opened several of the most beautiful palaces as homes for the tired mothers and little children of workers, children and mothers of the working class were compelled in capitalist America to sacrifice their lives in a firetrap tenement to satisfy the greed of the landlords. The fire occurred at 13 Bast 98th St., where six lives were lost, one family being entirely wiped out. Out- side, the tenement stands as tho noth ing more were the matter with it than a bad case of broken windows. Inside, the rotten stairways are burnt to a crisp. Tho stairs and hallways are the charred witnesses of the death- trap conditions that prevailed before the fire broke out. The fire had just started when ¢ devoted friend and neighbor cried the alarm to a woman on the second floor. ‘Ym coming,” she replied, and il seemed that there would yet be plenty of time to escape. But the house was built—not for the safety of the workers but, for the profits of the landlord. I saw three coffins to- day, in one of them the charred re mains of the mother who had cried “I am coming!” The others contain: ed the bodies of the father and the daughter, ai} of them burned beyond recognition. I talked with a man, the father of a family who lived on the ground floor. With a broken, quavering voice he tried to tell us how some of them were saved. He shook his head. “Yes, yes, it was not a safe place but, what can we poor people do? Everywhere we go, they ask always more and still more rent. We lived in these rooms for ten years, yet we had to fix every- thing ourselves. The landlord would never do anything necessary to make the house safe or comfortable or clean. Yet he always raised the rent —a few dollars at a time, Eve time a tenant moved we saw him ask ten or twelve dollars more for the rooms, “Don’t you think,” I asked him, “that if the workers got together and established a government only for workers (for there are millions of workers to only thousands of bosser and landlords) a government of work ers, like Russia, that we chould change all this for ourselves and do as the Russian workers are doing?” “Yes,” he replied, “we could. I haye been in this country for over forty years. As a worker, I was al- ways a union man. I know what it means to be on strike for many long months. I know what it is tc . £0 hungry. I have been in the strug: , gle and I know that we could dc eyerything for ourselves if we would only get together and beat the capi. talists. I’m an old man now, but I hope the younger ones will do what every worker knows we need to do.” A protest meeting against the fire- trap tenements has been arranged for Friday, Dec. 26, at 8 o'clock. The hall, 64 Hast i04th St, is in the neighborhood of the fire. The meet- ing is to be held under the auspices of the women’s committee of the Workers Party and the United Coun: cil of Working Class Women. Already much local interest has been created in the meeting and a large audience of men and women of the working class is expected. There will be rominent speakers, Also, plain mothers of the neighborhood will have something to say. WHO KILLED HANNIBAL ~ HURST? IMPERIALISM A THREAT UPON EVERY WORKER'S LIFE, SAYS MANUEL GOMEZ AT CHICAGO OPEN FORUM That the economic and ideological development of society do not keep equally advanced, the material development usually leaving the progress of ideas far behind, is shown by the rise of American imperialism and the lack of comprehension of its scope and importance, is the conclusion of Manuel Gomez, speaker at the open forum of the Workers Party at the Ashland Auditorium Sunday evening. The natives of Santo Domingo are ruled by United States marines. Hayti is ruled by American troops. The elections in Honduras are influ- enced by sending warships and machine guns to make the choice of American bankers the president. general strike was broken by demon- strations of force made by the United States. These are not incidents of war, but the ordinary events of “peace time.” Comrade Gomez dwelt at length on the rise of American imperialism as one phase of the whole historical age of imperialist development thruout the world. The United States has ar empire in and around the Carrbbean as sort of “Mittel-Europa” like the kaiser had before the war with Mexico as its center. The speaker outlined the pre-im- perialist stage of capitalism, citing the farewell address of Washington about “no entangling alliances” as one proo! of the 100-year period of national de- velopment during which the policy of il countries was generally “no ag: gressive expansion.” This was the age of national consolidation of Germany, Italy and other nations, Comrade Gomez cited Pavlovitch’s work on im- perialism which shows that Bismarck was not an imperialist in the strict sense of the word, but the unifier o the German nation. And so with other statesmen of that day, who con sidered colonies as expensive nuis- ances. Beginning of Conquest Period. But from about 1880 the capitalist system had entered into a period o: imperialist expansion, and in 25 years the great powers seized over 10,000, 000 square miles of territory frow weaker peoples. The period wher “free competition” accompanied by “free speech” and “stable pralia. ments” was over. Trustification and combination became the dominant fac tor and completely altered the politi cal superstructure, Political power steadily became centralized and this affects every phase of life. Imperialism is not something far the worker in the shops, mines and America. trusts, the Standard Oil, the Have. trusts, but above all the-steel- trust of outstanding importance of the penetration of finance capital into in- monopoly princes came to be usual, Government and Imperialism. In Cuba, th« + .jthe Peruvian government. away, in “far Cathay,” but is a part of , }economic life, just as threatening to mills of the United States as to the workers and the poor peons of Latin- Comrade Gomez traced the rise of meyer trust, the copper and woolen the first billion dolar combine formed by fusion of Morgan and Rockefeller interests. This was the first instance dustry. Now, the bankers, once a mere auxiliary to industry, dictate all major industries. Monopoly ruled, TECHNICAL AID SOCIETY PRESENTS RUSSIAN PLAY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27 One of the best plays ever pre- sented In Chicago in the Russian language promises to be “Coal Miner Kort,” to be presented at the Soviet School, 1902 W. Division St., this Saturday, Dec. 27, at 8 p. m. The story of the play deals with the struggle of the Russian coal miners before and during the revo- lution. It ig given under the direc- tion of the well-known Russian actor Anatoly Pokatilov and with the participation of Aza Namgova, actress of the Moscow Meyerchold theatre. The beautiful scenery for the mine scenes Is painted by Lydia Gibson, All comrades who under- stand Russian are urged to attend. tory of the Monroe doctrine, showing that it arose in the days of the holy alliance which threatened interfer- ence in Latin-America to restore re- volting colonies to Spain. The Unit ed States, after 50 years of sleeping on the Monroe doctrine, picked it up as a precedent authorizing something new, the “right” of America to inter- fere in the internal affairs of every Latin-American country. An advertisement showing how the bankers were grabbing Peru, taking up $2,500,000 gold 8 per cent bonds stating quite openly that they had installed a Mr. Cumberland as cus- toms collectior to be sure that the revenue of Peru would be in the hands of the bankers and the same gentleman was “financial adviser” tc This ir because that exported capital is not like exported goods, but needs guar antees of return—with interest. This year’s export of capital is already over a billion dollars. Imperialism Brings War. Meanwhile wars are preparing, the export of capital and resultant com petition on the labor market of the world! of American workers with the oppressed races of Latin-America and colonies, strikes a vital blow at the American workers’ standards. Th« remedy is the overthrow of imper- ialism, not only by direct assault by the workers against the capitalist rule at home, but by alliance ‘with the national movements among the oppressed races of Latin-America and a common struggle between the exploited classes of both territories This centralized power of finance and industry had been reflected in a monopoly power in government, The foreign policy of the United States once diffused to respond to the needs of the whole bourgeoisie, became the Policy of Wall Street, the crowning monopoly of the age. Trustified indus try looked beyond the borders of th: nation for raw materials, while trustified finance sought an outlet for accumulated surplus of capital, a mar. ket for the export of capital. The contradictions within capital ism, chiefly the capital accumulation tended to choke further developmen‘ if export of capital was not attained. Even now the banks in some cases are refunding large’deposits. A New York bank had refused to take 2 $2,000,000 deposit as it could not Place it out and would only lose by paying interest to the depositor. Imperialism Bulwark of Capitalism. The way out in general, however, is temporarily provided by the ex- ploitation of weaker peoples. Capital can be exported, and with the cheap labor enforced, a super-profit is re- turned. The United States has be- come the imperialist power par ex cellence, The United States has three m imperialist maneuvers. The team plan to conquer Europe; the open door in China to conquer Asia, an¢ the closed ‘@ Monroe doc- to crush imperialism and inaugurate a new society thru the dictatorship of the workers and farmers. An enthusiastic audience gave : not be held next Sunday, Dec. 28 tivities to permit subject will be “The Men Who Own America” and the speaker, Lelan¢ Olds, the well-known economist. A Thousand Workers Bounced Out of Jobs 1,000 employes, be laid off today. lately looking for jobs elsewhere. Coal Wagon Drivers Demand Increase of good response in applause, questions and discussion. The open forum will owing to the suspension of other ac- @ membership meeting of the Workers Party. But on the Sunday following, Jan. 4, the At Montgomery-Ward On Monday, the bosses in the Mont- gomery-Ward mail order house at’! Chicago Ave. and the river, notified mostly girls and women, that there was no more work for them, Rumors are that more will While some promise is made that those laid off will be restorea after the first of the year, most of those who are the sufferers are disconso- THE DAILY WORKE R GOOLIDGE AGAIN WARS ON POSTAL WORKERS RAISE Administration Senators Try to Block Bill (Special to The Daily Worker) WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 23.—In another effort to block the passage | of the bill increasing the pay of postal employes, the Coolidge administration senators have started public hearings on the Sterling bill which increases the mailing rates on newspapers and magazines. The Coolidge administration will at: tempt to substitute the Sterling bil! for the postal pay increase bill which was vetoed by Coolidge at the last session of congress. It is a certainty that this substitute bill will not pass the senate, as newspapers have pro Page Three BRITISH TRADE UNIONISTS WORKERS PARTY REPORT THAT SOVIET RUSSIA SHOWS HUGE GAINS FoR workers| SPEAKERS FLAY LABOR TRAITOR Raises Big Issue in Connecticut Unions (Special to The Dally Worker) LONDON, Dec. 23.—The British trade union delegation, in advance of its full report, has issued a summary of its findings. This summary has riled | the tory press, which attacks the staid labor men, Purcell and Bramley, who are its signers, as “Bolshevist agents.” The statement, in part, is as follows: tested against it thruout the country Coolidge’s postmaster general, New recommended this bill in an effort tc sidetrack the postal employe pay in- crease bill which Coolidge does not want passed over his veto. Your Union Meeting Fourth Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1924. Name of Local and Place Meetin; of s. Blacksmiths’ District Council, 119 Throop St. Boller Makers, Monroe and Carpenters, 12 Garfield Biv Carpenters, Western and Lexing- ton. Carpenters, 5443 S. Ashland Ave. Carpenters, 505 St. S. State St. Carpenters, 1638 N. Halsted St. H. Fehling, Rec. Sec'y., 2253 Grace St, Irving 7597. Carpenters, 6414 S. Halsted St, Cacoentee 1581 Maple Ave., Evan Racine. d. i, rriers, 810 W. Harrison St. Jewelry Workers, 19 W. Ladies’ Garment Workers, Van Buren Street. Marine Cooks, 357 N. Clark St. Machinists, 113 S. Ashland Blvd. Machini: 735 N. Cicero Ave. ce of Way, 426 W, 63rd Sherman & Main Sts., ni, 5 rs, 910 W. Monroe St. Carmen Dist. Council, 5448 S. Ashiand Ave. are Carmen, 6444 Wentworth ve. Railway Carmen, 5445 Ashiand Ave, Railway Trainmen, 426 W. 63rd St., sm. a W, Adams St. 714 W. Harrison St. ited St. 175 W. W: ington St. (Meat), 220 S.. Ashland dams St. 328 W. treet. 13046 Tuckpointers, 810 W. Harrison St. 924 Tene ee! Subway Workers, 914 “Social, industrial and economic conditions of Russia have enormously | improved since the visit of the British delegation in 1920. Members of both) delegations and'expert advisers for¢ merly residing in Russia for many years are agreed as to the very rapid process of economic restorations now operating under the direction of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, Workers Enhused Over System. “The financial stability of Russia is more secure than was expected. The Russians have almost balanced their budget and have restored their pro ductivity relative to the pre-war standard at a rate which compares favorably with the general European average. “Industrial undertakings are being rapidly developed, especially those re- sponsible for electrical power and equipment. The high degree of or- ganizing and administrative capacity and enthusiasm of the workers un- der the new system of state owner- ship deeply impressed the delegation. Houses Better Than Britain's. “Housing conditions of the workers are being rapidly improved. New housing schemes making provision for the erection of model cottages superior to some of the government houses provided in Great Britain are being pushed forward with great energy and ability. “A great effort is being made to eliminate illiteracy, and many kinds of educational activity are being generously subsidized and urged for- | ward by the Union of Socialist Re- publics and trade union organiza- tions. Care and Culture of the Workers. “Workmen's clubs, holiday homes and rest houses are also being used for education of illiterates, including children and adults, and the propor- tion of the working class population without education is being reduced very rapidly. “Administrative departments of the Soviet state are well organized and efficiently controlled, especially those to which members of the delegation devoted special attention, namely, those dealing with state insurance for health, unemployment and medical care of workers and their dependents. Workers’ Sports Real Benefit. “Every effort is being made to im- prove the moral life of Russia, and prostitution, gambling and other vices are being rapidly eliminated by educa- tional effort and drastic state regula- tions, “By the creation of workers’ clubs, rest houses, sport and physical cul- ture centers, trade union organiza- tions are securing for their members trade union benefits ,in addition to The Daily Worker Will Not Appear— ON XMAS DAY OR NEW YEARS You will not receive the issue of December 25 or January 1, 1925— the printers insist these are holl- days. These will be ideals days to say to your friends: “Merry Xmas—will you subscribe to the best working class newspaper in this country?” If that doesn't work, try: “A Happy New Year is a sure thing—if you begin it by reading the DAILY WORKER. ll take your subserip- tion.” real wages, which is much preciated.” Justifies Recognition. In conclusion, the summary says: “Many other important changes will be referred to and dealt with in the report, which will contain necessary information to justify the trade union and labor policy supporting full dip. ap- lomatic and economic recognition of The report will also prove Russia. that millions of new capital could be properly and safely invested in devel- opment of enormous economic pos- sibilities of Russia and will fully justi- fy the claim made on behalf of British labor that Russia under Soviet rule has so far improved material and moral conditions of its people as to have now earned a permanent place among European nations.” The delegation travelled Russia, ly making a visit to the Soviet Repub- lic of Georgia, which has long been a bone of contention between the Second International yellow socialists, among and the Union of Soviets. MacDonald had is- sued a number of statements that the “suppressed” Moscow authorities sent the British labor dele- gates down to Georgia to let them them Ramsay MacDonald, Georgian people were by the Bolsheviks. The see that Ramsay was lying. Bronx, New York, Attention! Every Tuesday night at 1347 Boston Road, class in A. B. C. of Communism; all Workers Party members who have recently joined the party must attend. Others welcome. Subscribe for the DAILY WORKER. about 6,000 miles, remained six weeks in some going to one section, some to another, and some particular- (Special to The Daily Worker) _.| NEW HAVEN, Conn., Dec, 23.—At |@ mass meeting held in Trades’ Coun- cil Hall, the Workers Party speakers |gave a history of the Joseph Tone |case, already familiar to the DAILY | WORKER readers, | ‘Tone, a former organizer of the In- ternational Association of Machinists. and leader of the striking shopmen, accepted the position of commercial agent for the New York, Ontario, and Western railroad. Prominent officials of the Machin- iste, like Robert Fechner and Vice- President Connolly blessed the ap- pointment. Even the New Haven Trades’ Council officially congratu- lated Tone on his appointment, Communists Attack Tone. The speakers, Ida Rothstien. promt- nent militant in the Ladies’ Garment Workers’ International Union, and William Simons, district organizer of the Workers Party, condemned Tone’s act, marking it as desertion from the ranks of the workingclass. They urged the shopmen present to become active in their unions, to fight for amalgamation of the raflroad unions into one industrial union; to fight against the class harmony policy of the labor leaders, Comrade Rothstien drew lessons from her years of ex- perience in strikes, and in fighting against the rotten leadership in her union. Comrade Simons explained how the present state of leadership in the labor movement caused the Brockton shoe workers’ revolt last year, and similar rank and file action in other industries. Labor Council Endorses Tone. Altho the Tone case (he is @ state senator) is well known thruout the state, the only organization that sincerely attacked Tone for his deser tion has been the Workers Party. The Connecticut Labor News, a corrupt, double-faced organ of @ labor misleader, who thanks to Gompers’ exit took his place as first vice-presi dent of the Cigarmakers’ Internation- al Union, attacked Tone, but the ac- tion was prompted by rivalry for political plums. The labor leaders generally condone Tone’s act, because it is quite natural to them to leave the working class ranks, whenever more money is offered. Loyalty to the working class is unknown to them. Labor is a stepping stone to personal profit. The Workers Party, local New Haven, will make this case an issue in the local unions of New Haven. Latur0e Pee Dash, thorker fr tas We Want You in the Army! We don’t want to miss a single worker. On this big job to ‘Build the Daily Worker” we know you will help. But let us have your name and address and your promise that you will. We will send you a Tool Box and you can imme- diately get on the job to make good your promise. We want you in the DAILY WORKER ARMY OF BUILDERS. Enlist now—and we will send you “‘all the necessary implements and the by-laws of the trade.’’"—All methods to “Insure the Daily Worker for 1925” and to “Build On It!” Are you willing to do this much for your Party—for the Labor movement?, Prove [t!. 20 Cents Per Hour Chicago coal drivers are demanding @ wage increase of twenty cents an trine, to pillage Latin-America, ‘ade Gomer, briefly gave a his. Send us your name and address. Was it ME? ‘We have known“men and women who have cold Seom laste) with no ‘abate: , rs, . “4 ment Whatever of the: trouble, ae sam tried Lose MEtuoDs ching 4 quick coveries from thelr colds. if 4 tter what the ailment! iGflirsoractie ang. Electrotherapy drugless me’ ) copter a Consultation and 80 tree comrades on inatters pertaining to DR. J, J, SCHOLTES Epstein lag Bor. | Yah Wade Ave. CLEVELAND, OHIO rman and Slovak Spoken, Soft English, first | (natural hour, and a strike is threatened which would tie up delivery of winter coal, The teamsters’ represenatitves are ti confer this week with officials of the Chicago coal merchants’ association Over 2,000 coal company employes are involved. At present a 70 cent an hour rate prevalis, The men work ten hours a day. tes. 1632 8S. Trumbull Ave, Phone Rockwell 5050 MORDECA! SHULMAN ATTORNEY-AT-LAW 701 Association Building 19 §. La Salle Street CHICAGO Dearborn 8667 Contral 4946-4947 you use of medicine or an operation, DR. TAFT 1555 West Roosevelt Road ig eT | M2 to 56 to B ‘TELEP: Hol ‘HONE