The Daily Worker Newspaper, August 15, 1925, Page 4

Page Four SMe bA AMiiae sais clement nea, AL RENAN TRA SAE TUMILTY, OF ILLINOIS MINERS’ UNION, SHOWS HOW FARRINGTON AND LEWIS GANG STEALS OFFICE By ALEX REID ” (Secretary of the Progressive Miners'*Committee.) ARTICLE XV. 4 The following letters explain themselves, and show some more of the treason. practiced on the heads of the Illinois miners: “Springfield, Ill., Jan, 5th, 1925. “Mr. Robert F. Hunter, district tel- ler, District No. 12, U. M. W. of A,, Springfield, 111. “Dear Sir and Brother:—I am writ- ing you to ascertain the names of the board member, Dist. No, “Springfield, Il!., Jan, 20, 1925. “Mr, Joe Tumilty, 233 N. English St., Springfield, III. “Dear Sir and Brother: In answer | \otion, District No. 12, U. M. We obliged to give credit to that L. U. as recorded on the return sheet, “Yours fraternalty, ROBERT L.! HUNTER, Pa > | “Springfield, Il., Jan, 25thy\1925. | “Mr, John H. Jones, mn \ “Mark McGraw, ‘ “Robert F. Hunter, tellers’ of Mine Workers Bldg., Springfield, Ill. | “Dear Sirs and Brothers: This is to) advise that as a candidate for district | executive board member of board) mémber district No, 5, I am contesting the action of you men in giving credit | to Local Union No, 2385 for the votes | cast in the election of district officers, of that L. U. that the tellers are| with the district ballot b ijblunaaioe THE DAILY: WORKER were counted. This 0) 4b was fined by his local unionfor not voting | on election ‘day, and isnow Mable to! charges for striking the financial sec- retary of the local unign which he ts a member of. ; “Second, the party who has his name signed as financial secretary of | that local union was, and jis at this) time working at another trade and is not a member of the U. M. W. of A.| “There was no notice of the elec- tion, no hall was rented to conduct the same, in fact there was only ten men voted and four of them were not mem- bers of that local union, “Hoping that before you count the ore they | ee | a regused to answef (this letter—Alex Reid.) “Springfield, Hib, Feb. 7, 192. “Mr, John L. Lewls,, president Unit- ed Mine Workers jof America, Indla- napolis, Indiana. “Dear Sir and Brother; Will you rule if it is legal for a bonifide mem- ber of one local union to act as an officer in any capacity in another local union in which he does not hold mem- bership. “Hoping to receive and early reply, T am, “Very truly yours, “JOE TUMILTY, 233 North English Ave., Springfield, Il. “St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans, fos sre eer ees FP ee without knowing the facts in the pre- mises. “Yours ivery truly, “J, L. LEWIS, president.” (It Is a question of whom it is going to hit,—Alex Reid.) “Springfield, Ill, Jan. 29th, 1925. (Error in date. Should be Jan. 19.— A, R,) * “Mr. Frank Farrington, President District No. 1, U. M. W. of A. Mine Workers Blidg., Springfield, Ill, “Dear Sir and Brother: Will you rule if it is legal for a member of District No, 12, U, M. W. of A. to act as an officer in any capacity for one local pinion, while holding his mem- three officers that signed and seaied the returns of election held Dec: 9th, for Local Union No. 5, of Spring- field, and what was the action of the district tellers relative to that vote for district officers. Hoping to have an | to your letter asking me for informa- | tion regarding the returns of a cer- | tain L, U. and the disposition of same | will say, as an individual teller it is not within my purview to give you the specific information asked for. on the following grounds. “First, That the party who had his name signed as president to the re- turns of election for that local union, was not a member of that local union, “The same party was caught in the votes of this local union, you will give me a hearing in the presence of the parties who signed the returns, “Yours truly, “JOE TUMILTY, Candidate for Louisiana, November 26, 1924, “Mr, Joe Tumilty, 233 N. English Avenue, Springfield, Ill. “Dear Sir and» Brother: This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of bership in another local union? “Hoping to have an early reply. ‘Yours very truly, “JOE TUMILTY, 233 N. English Pn. early reply, “However, as an individual I will act of putting bundles of ballots into board member, 233 N. English Ave., the 20th inst., and inasmuch as the Ave., Springfield, II.” the ballot box already marked. After | ©!tY- | say that inasmuch as no contest has for , been filed by some reputable member “I am fraternally yours, “JOE TUMILTY, candidate he had his work done he ran away (The election board of the district question you ask is purely hypotheti- cal, I would not care to rule on it (Continued tomorrow.) RUSSIA TODAY (Continued from Yesterday's Daily Worker ) SYNOPSIS.—The British trade union leaders’ report on Soviet Russia, which is running serially in the DAILY WORKER, Saturday took up th@ subject of foreign trade in the Soviet Union. Transportation, industry and agriculture have already been described in the official report. The union leaders concluded that foreign trade and agriculture is steadily improving, and told how the finances of the Union have been placed on a stable basis. The New Economic Policy in relation to agriculture was explained. The Industries are increasing production, the report stated. Recent instal- ments of the report dealt in detail with the relation of the Union with for- eign countries. The regulation of trade, financing, foreign bank credits, Statistics of foreign trade, status of foreigners, were some of the subjects dealt with. The instalment\concludes that forefgn trade is workable, and that harm is being done Britain by the absence of full diplomatic relations. General Conclusion It is not suggested that the sociat system as applied in Russia would be acceptable, in its entirety, in this country. The Rus- sian people are far more susceptible to mass organization and are socially less individualistic than the British. The Delegation is, however, strongly of the opinion that, as a result of the new social system, the Russian nation is acquiring great social bene- fits in culture, recreation, and freedom of self-expression; and that the moral tone is likely to be greatly improved by the new status acquired by woman. CHAPTER IX Education, Press, Art, etc. There has probably been no greater revolution of ideas than in the new educational system'‘as practiced in Soviet Russia. In many other departments of social life traditions are still hinder- ing the complete transformation of the machinery. The practical working of the new educational theories in the State schools does not, however, always attain the results hoped for. Lack of funds, of new text books, and especially of competent teachers are among the chief factors which account for the partial failure in the towns; but the obstinate resistance of the peasants to any form of education or cleanliness is very serious in the country districts. Schools The State educational machinery at present consists of the Commissariat of Education with its central organization in Mos- cow. This Commissariat is divided into eleven Departments:— 1. Administration and Organizing Council. 2. General Educational Council. 8. Technical Educational Council. 4. Juvenile and Political Educational Council. 5. Educational Council for Native States. 6. Scientific Education Council. 7. Art Council, which deals with public monuments, mu- seums, exhibitions, opera, theatres, music, etc. 8. Literary Censor’s Council to control the printed word. 9. State Publishing Council. 10. Cinematograph Censor’s Council. 11. Supply Council for the organization of educational equipment. Each province or large town has its own local educational department, which is elected by the local Soviets and sends its representative to the Moscow Commissariat. These local organ- izations are directly responsible to the Central Commissariat of Education for all the schools and educational institutions within their jurisdiction. They are also responsible for the proper at- tendance at school of all children between the ages of 7 and 16. Teachers are selected by the Local Soviets, but always in con- sultation with the local teachers’ Trade Union. These local teach- ers’ Trade Unions may report direct tothe Central Commissariat or through the Central Trade Union Council in Moscow. Schools are divided into two grades; the first grade deals wtih children from 7 to 12 and the second from 12 to 17 or 18 years of age. Education is obligatory and free in most cases, but in the event of the State subsidy not being able to meet the ex- penditure in a certain district, a fee may be charged at the dis- cretion of the local Soviet. This fee is always on a sliding scale according to the income of the parents, provided they are “work- ” : Originally the Trade Union of each factory or industry or- ganized its own schools. These are now, however, in most cases taken over by the State under the New Economie Policy in 1922. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, 1923-24 No. of Attendance, schools No. of pupils First grade . 63,713 4,683,000 Secqnd grad 1,565 315,000 Unclaseified—-tor p seven and nine years. 693 No. of siudenis Universities— “ syd: Agricnitural . ..- 9,047 Industrial and scie 20 31,026 4 Colleges-— “4 Agricultural . 123 9,622 Industria) and 68 10,114 $ Art Universities. Higher grade 10 6,311 65 9,748 Technical . . The above figures do not include the Trade Union elub . for adults, which appear in another section ted and Amore schools and classes ef the report, or the schools in the F Thru Courtesy of the International Pub- fishers Co. Owing to the lack of accommodation. and teachers most of the schools at present are working in two shifts, that is from 9 a. m. till 2 and from 3 p. m. till 9. Boarding schools have lately been established for orphans and destitute children Who have no facilities for attending the local school. Admission to these board- ing schools is obtained through the Trade Unions or local educa- tional departments of the commissariat. No distinction between the sexes is made in any of the schools or universities. Boys and girls are on an absolutely equal footing. It is stated that over 50 per cent. of all children are now at- tending school; although this is not considered satisfactory it is a considerable improvement on Tsarist days. By 1927 it is hoped to have put an end to illiteracy in all classes. The total number of schools dealing exclusively with illiterates is now 80, and the total number of pupils 4,000,000. > School Curriculum Great attention is paid to modern languages. In all schools French and Russian are taught, and in some cases ,Mnglish. Thereafter come mathematics, geometry, elemetary science, po- litical economy, botany, and anatomy. Under the heading of elementary natural science and anatomy the child is given very detailed instruction in the principles of personal hygiene; sex re- lationship, and the construction of the body. This instruction is supple(nented by lectures given by the doctor, who is‘attached to each school. Once a week all the children are medically in- spected, and the resident doctor is responsible for their health and cleanliness. oh walls decorated with pictures by great artists of the things they loved most, rich food, served on gold salvers of Italian workman- ship, resting on silk cloths embroidered by Persian slaves.” The same teacher, after explaining the rare beauty of a Rembrandt portrait, informed the children that that great paniter whose pictures now sold for untold money, died in abject poverty because the wealthy refused him a living wage. The following may be taken as typical of the instruction given to a class of twenty children visiting a picture gallery. The lecturer commenced with a very thorough explanation of the technical and artistic properties of a picture of still life (fruit in gold embossed salvers on a table covered with an embroidered silk cloth). She then turned to the children and paket “Can any of you tell me why this picture was painted?” Nobody re- plied. “For the same reason, my little comrades, that you like to have a picture of Lenin in your room, to remind you of what is most dear to you all. These wealthy people liked to have their Very considerable care is devoted to instruction in all branches of art and music. Works of art, collected under the nationalization of private property, have now been placed in the public museums of all the large towns. These museums are daily filléd with bands of children under the guidance of a»teacher. Each lecture carries with it its subjective lesson on Communism and the rights of the worker. Should the museum have been the former residence of some wealthy individual, as is often the case, the chlidren are at first taken around the buildings and shown the luxury in which the former owner lived. After this intro- duction the class is taken round the exhibits. History in all cases is almost entirely confined to social and political aspects of the nations of the world, the growth of civili- zation and its effect on the workers of various countries. Social reformers, their lives and creeds, have entirely taken the place of the history of kings and dynasties. The wrongs and oppres- sions to which the people have been subjected by the ruling class- es are strongly emphasized. This fundamental principle pene- trates into all branches of the child’s education. Universities The universities are divided into two categories—universities of a special character, such as higher economics and technical subjects dealing with all branches of engineering, and general universities which are divided into various faculties, such as med- ical, science, social, which includes languages, art, archeology, law, music, and statistics. In most universities a very low fee is charged. Those students who are unable to meet the fee are subsidized by the Trade Union to which they or theif parents be- long, or by the party organization. , There are also in all large industrial centers in utes known as “rabfak” (workers’ faculties). These are Trade Union insti- tutions and exclusively for industrial workers who have not re- ceived a sufficient school education to enable them to pass into the universities. In these institutions they are prepared up to the necessary standard. which will enable them to enter a State university. Such students receive a subsidy from their Trade Union which enables them to continue the higher course of their studies. In many cases they do a half-day’s work in the morn- ing and attend lectures in the afternoon and evening. These “rabfak” now number 75, the largest being the Donetz Technical School, built and equipped entirely by the Trade Un- ions. Forty-five per cent. of the students in the higher univer- sities are drawn from the workers and peasants. The full State program includes clothing and food for all school children and students at the university, Owing to lack of funds this, however, has not yet come into force, There are, on the other hand, certain Communist institutions for sons and members of the Communist Party, at which both clothing, food and quarters are provided. These colleges are considered to be somewhat exclusive. ie Mining colleges and agricultural colleges have ‘been estab- lished and are run on the same line as the universities. bof W étt A special feature all over Russia, and especially in. the Ukraine, is the workers art the Oo and colleges of music, These do not come di ee. a ee THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BRITISH UNION DELEGATION TO SOVIET RUSSIA TRADE Copyright in the United States by thé International Publishers Co, All Rights Reserved. Copyright by the Trades Union Congress General Council in Great Britain. The course of instruction is three are run by the Trade Unions. The years and admission is obtained through the Trade Union. industrial worker who wishes to enter upon a course of instruc- |’ tion in one of these colleges has to undertake to complete a three years’ course. He is then permitted to work for five or six hours a day in the factory, instead of the usual eight hours, and has to attend the college from 3 o’clock until 9 in the evening, thus completing an eleven-hour day. At the end of three years he enters for a non-competitive examination in order to receive his diploma. This diploma en- titles him to join the profession for which his studies have pre- pared him, or to enter a university. These colleges are probably creating the embryo of post- revolutionary art in Russia. The professors and teachers are for the most part of the old school and their influence acts as a healthy restraint on the students, all of whom are factory work- ers. It is evident in these schools that an unconscious struggle is being carried on between master and pupil. The pupils are prone to reject any form of aesthetic art or coloring as typical of the hated bourgeois refinement. Many of these institutions have just completed their first three years’ course, and the progress made by the students is most remarkable. The courses.cover all branches of art, music, and stage craft. As is natural in so young a movement portrait painting and sculpture are more patronized than other branches, but some very exceptionally fine scene painters have already ap- peared, and the Delegation saw many examples of the industrial workers’ art in the theatres and workers’ clubs of Moscow and Kharkov. Portrait painting, and more especially sculpture, have tak- en an extremely rugged and almost violent form. Expressions of the sitters seldom appear in repose; nervous and mobile features are depicted in an exaggerated form. Statuary is nev- er at rest, muscle, brawn, and all physical attributes are brought out in the strongest relief. ‘The effect in the open, at great dis- tances, is striking,’ but at close proximity appears inartistic, and for gallery or studio purposes is almost grotesque. Decorative art has, for the most part, taken a cubist form, mostly in red, black and yellow, all colors being of a very. vivid and crude hue. Factory chimneys, machinery and glowing fires, and smoke play a large part in all forms of the workers’ decora- tive art. 7 It was interesting, however, to note that, contrary to cur- rent reports, there is a great revival through these colleges of the Russian native arts and handicrafts, such as miniature painting on Russian lacquer, an art which was dying out before the Revolution, Russian enamel, needlework, embrodiery and lace. In spite of many difficulties, much is being done by the schools to keep the old artistic spirit of Russia alive through the turmoil of new thought and activity and to counteract the natural tendency during the revolutionary period to reject any- thing that is older than the Revolution. Literature and Music In the domain of literature and music, these schools are perhaps less fortunate. Literature apart from poetry is con- ceyned mainly with economics. There is a striking tendency among new musical composers to seek expression in triumphant marches and the more decadent forms of syncopated noise known as jazz music. Efforts are, however, being made b) these colleges to combat this tendency to imitate the West’ and to stimulate a higher form of art. The unaccompanied massec choirs of, sometimes as many as 500 workers, give striking results of this. The “International” or some other triumphant revolutionary march has, of course, to receive places of honor on the program, but the rest of it is, however, invariably devoted to the old Russian peasant songs, rendered in a manner which was irresistible. The formation and training of these enormous mass choirs all over the country is now a special feature in Soviet Russia, which in itself repays a visit. Opera and Theatre The Russian stage (drama, opera and ballet) is so well known to lovers of Russian art that it will be sufficient to say that it has weathered the storm of the Revolution and remains intact. The old operas and ballets are still played to crowded audiences, There is nothing like it elsewhere, the gem itself is unspoiled, but the setting has changed. The gay uniforms of the ruling class, the wonderful Parisian frocks and glittering jewels of their womenfolk, have disappeared from the audito- rium. The new setting is more sombre. The new audience is composed of working men and women in dark clothing, who are there to see the performance and not their friends. They are highly critical, and usually less demonstrative than the old Russian audience. In this ‘connection it may be of interest to repeat a conver- sation with a dancer famous in Tsarist days. She was asked how she liked playing to the new audiences, who held no ex- pensive bouquets of flowers, who could purchase no jewels and give no promise of champagne suppers. She replied, “It is, of course, entirely different, but I think it is more real. Now I realize that it is only my art and talent that can make them call me before the curtain until I dance again. I think I dance better now although I am older. I cer- tainly love my art more. Formerly I hated touring the provinc- es. Now I feel that I am doing something creative when I travel 1,000 miles to show the people my interpretation of a ballet, Iam free to leave Russia, but yet I am glad to stay.” Most of the old favorites have disappeared or gone abroad, but new talént is not lacking. Nae yyy’? P* Continued in next, issue.)” fut CALLES FORBIDS ANTHMPERIALIST LEAGUE MEETING Seeks to Halt the Big Gathering in January According to an International News Service dispatch from Mexico City the Calles government has banned the convention of the All-America Anti- Imperialist League tentatively sched- uled to be held in Mexico City next January. The Anti-Imperialist League was formed last January in Mexico City. Affiliated with the league are the Fed- eration of Railway Unions of Mexico the largest independent organization of workers in Mexico, the’ Peasants league of Vera Cruz and of Michoa- can, various student groups and the Communist Party of Mexico. There are numerous organizations in Cuba, the United States and Cen- tral American countries also affillated with the league. Some of the leading intellectuals of Latin-America have endorsed it. Manuel Gomez, executive secretary of the league, when told of the ban placed on the meeting of the league to be held in Mexico City said that if the dispatch is true it is another and definite proof of the fact that the Calles government is trying to play into the hands of the American imper- ialists. “Last April when I was fn Mexico I tried to get from Calles a definite statement about the proposed meeting of the league,” he said. “A direct re- ply was not given. At the time we had little hope that the Calles gow ernment in its role of protector of American imperialism would permit the meeting, ! “This definite ban on the meeting places Calles and his government four square, behind Wall Street's domina- tion of Mexico. It is direct treason against the fight his own people have been putting up for real freedom and liberty. “The league has at last accomp- Flished this much; it has forced Calles - to let the workers and peasants of Mexico know where he stands on‘the question of imperialism. “The fact that the Anti-Imperialist League is having such a hard time to get a meeting place shows the infiu- ence Wall Street exerts on the Latin- American countries. “Of course the ban which Calles has put on the meeting of the Anti-Imper- ialist league will not prevent its be- ing held. Jf the meeting is not held in Mexico City it will be held else- where,” Baltimore, Md., Yowls Report Activities BALTIMORE, Md., Aug. 13.—The summer activities of the Baltimore branch of the Young Workers League has ‘followed the program as outlined by the National Executive Committee. Todate the following achievements have, been noted: Membership.—A new English branch of the Young Workers League has been organized. The Young Worker agent has start- ed the league on a drive to acquire over 50 subs. The lists of subscribers to the various party papers including the Fretheit is being scoured for sub- scribers to the Young Worker, Street Meetings, The league has cooperated with the Workers Party in holding street meet- ings, the first “Hands off China” hay- ing been held with Comrade Wicks as speaker, Future meetings will be an- nounced, As a preliminary announcement the Young Workers League will hold a “barn dance” at the Finnish Park, 615 S. 16th street. We will announce date in a later issue. Union Protest Arrest of Member at Workers Party Street Meeting By C. ROBERTS, Worker Correspondent, SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 13,— Local Union No. 19, Painters, has sent a letter to the chief of police Protest- ing against the illegal arrest of Broth- er Flemming and demanding that he be given the right of free speech. Fleming was arrested when he at- tempted to take names of witnesses at the request of James H. Dolsen, who was arrested while speaking on the street corner at O'Farrell and Fill- more, ise the officer had made the arrests and said the Reds were only looking for a fight. The case was continued to Aug. 20, when the cop returns from his vacation, FOR RENT Furnished Room with all modern conveniences, Party member pre fered... Very reasonable, Address: _ Daily Worker, Box 120-X ¢ ret gig }