The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 4, 1926, Page 2

THE DAILY WORKER ASSOCIATION 0 F COMMERCE HEADS ARE DOWNGAST Unable to Find Speaker Against Soviet Union sieneane Officials of the Chicago association of Commerce were very much down- cast to think that Fred A, Moore, executive director and chairman of the Chicago Forum meetings, would on‘its platform at the Olympic theater tell the audience that the speakers bureau of the Chicago association ‘of com- merce was not able to find a speaker to take the negative in the debate which will take place Sunday after- noon, Feb. 14 on the recognition of Soviet Russia by the United States. The Commerce association heads gave the old stereotyped éxcuses that “most of our members who can debate i that “Lady Cynthia,” the millionaire socialist, was highly gratified to learn that ac iamamens ina poe. Be box factory the workers were drinking tea. WORKING CONDITIONS OF PAPER BOX MAKERS NOT SO ROSY AS NEW YORK | TIMES PAINTS THEM, SAYS UNION HEAD The DAILY WORKER received the following letters from the Paper Box Makers’ Union of Greater New York which exposes the lying capitalist propa- ganda contained in an item that appeared in the New York Times. ‘The letter containing the correction was first sent to the editor of the ‘Times calling at- tention to the gross misrepresentation in the item but was of course Ignored by the editor of that paper. explanatory.—Ed. Note. To The DAILY WORKER:—Ean; closed please find the letter sent to the New York Times as per date mentioned in same, and as you will note the purpose was to correct, the worst piece of insidious propaganda ever put across, against workers with the apparent co-operation of delegates of the union, and Lady Cynthia Mosley. This is one more instance which clearly shows the true color of the eapitalist press in general, in spite of it’s varnished pretenses that they serve the public with no other special interest than to inform it of the true doings in industrial society. Kindly give this publicity in order that the workers may at least know the truth, Fraternally yours, (Signed) Fred Caiola, Gen. Mgr. Paper Box Makers’ Union of Greater New York, 3 St. Marks Place, New York City. ee Editor New York Times:—I note in your news column of your issue of January 20th, 1926 a report regarding a certain Traven & Son Shop at 191 Mercer St., with the following head- line: “Lady Cynthia Takes Tea in a Factory.” If any part of that report, which is made up of about 350 words, were true, or, after allowing for ordinary discrepancies and common distortions inherent in journalistic publications, the report would portray in any degree a slight amount of truth, the under- signed, which happens to be the man- ager of the Paper Box Makers’ Union, and the man who gladly and courte- ously escorted Lady Cynthia Mosley thru several shops, among them the above mentioned shop, would not write you this. To .begin with, Lady Cynthia Miss Rose Schneiderman (of the Women’s Trade Union League) did not speak to Samuel Traven. Conse- quently she could not be invited to stay until noon for tea. In just like fashion, the conversation ensuing be- tween Lady Cynthia and Mr, Traven did not take place, The conversation between Lady Cynthia and a worker in the shop, Rebecca Berenson, as also reported, is something which did not take place either. In a word, all this “tea con- versation” did not take place. About their wages, it is true that she asked me and several workers in the shop. In each case the workers either because of shyness or because of fear, hesitated; one alone told Lady Cynthia that her salary was twelve dollars per week, When she and‘ my- self pressed Rebecca Berenson for a statement of her wages, by throwing in “You see this stripper gets about twenty-four dollars a week” this work- er turned and said ‘Try and get it.” “Well,” then said I, ‘You're getting about twenty-two, twenty-one.” Again she replied, “Try and get it.” Right Lady Cynthia put in “Well, if and We print both of these lett-rs which are self- pec ieereeseineianinintit nner you work here?” “I have ‘to work,” replied Miss Berenson, “I have three children to support, I am not working full weeks either.” The next reported interview be- tween Lady Cynthia and Sol Traven, Jr, plus the rest of the trimmings about “tea time” touring the shop, his invitation, etc. did not occur as Lady Cynthia did not have a word directly or indirectly with Mr. Samuel Traven, or Sol Traven, Jr. The adieu as per your report did not take place either, although it might have had taken place were it not for the natural be- havior occurring under unfamiliar and unaccustomed of such conditions. Hence, that inference may remain a news item but the other “facts” have too much weight to go unchallenged as news in the columns of the New York Times. The facts in this case are as fol- lows: There are eleven employees in that shop and the wages are as follows for the seven female workers; some being heads of families, Nellie Abney Lucille Davis Celia Schneider Yetta Sandler . Margaret Bock Emma McCoy .. B. Berenson .. You will note from the above wages that the report of thirty and forty is hardly a myth, although the above wages do not range less than twelve dollars, hardly, hardly is there a week that these seven females employees go home with more than ten. About seven dollars a week would be much nearer the truth for at least nine months in the year, There are only about three months of “busy times” when they go home with their full wages, ranging from twelve to twenty dollars, I would appreciate very much that you correct among your ,veaders the erroneous impression created by such news item, Respectfully yours, (Signed) Fred Calola, Gen. Mar. Paper Box Makers’ Union of ‘ Greater New York, 3 St. Marks Place, New York City. American Bankers’ Government Sends WASHINGTON, Feb. 2—A new ing America’s protest against the Me- xican land and petroleum laws as being confiscatory of American pro- perty, it was declared at the state department. Probe Maharajah’s Doings. DELPHI, Feb. 1.—Official announce- ment has been made that a govern: ment commission will be appointed to}: investigate the connection of the Ma- harajah of Indore with the murder of Bawla and the attempt to kidnap Mun- taz Begum, Nautch girl Protest to Mexico note hag been sent to Mexico reiterat- (Continued from page 1.) the United States for domination of the world,” said Ruthenberg. He referred to the recent three hun- dred million appropriation for the United States navy as evidence of the beligerent intentions of the gov- ernment which exists only to do the bidding of the House of Morgan. Workers Must Act. “It is the duty of the workers of this‘ country,” said the Communist leader, “to resist with all their power these imperialist designs, for the en- try of this country into the court means eventual entry into the league of nations. “In their struggles against these im- perialist maneuvers the workers can- not rely upon the wavering and weak- kneed opponents of the world court, but must have their own weapons with which to fight. “We must pit world trade union unity against international imperialist unity, The league is the unifier of the in- ternational bourgeoisie. Against this the Soviet Union endeavors to unify the working class of the world. There- fore, we must defend the Soviet Un- ion and fight for its recognition as of fundamental importance to the working class. Fight for Labor Party. “The Workers Party,” said Ruthen- berg, “must advocate the creation of a labor party as a step toward uni- fying politically the working class of this country and as an aid to the drive to wrest control of the govern- ment from the hands of the agents of capitalism and establishing a work- ers’ government. “Organized on the basis of shop nu- clei, the party will carry the fight not only into election campaigns, but per- meate the factories, mines, mills and transportation industries. “Trade union activity should also be directed toward securing the adop- tfon of resolutions denouncing the world court and those upholding it in Kentucky Jury Sends Negro to the Gallows * * * in Thirteen Minutes (Continued from page 1,) talesmen that occupied the jury box and that they could be sworn in as jurors, As a matter of form two questions were asked the jurors. One was whe- ther they had any conscientious scruples against the death penalty and the other whether they would give the Negro a fair and “impartial” trial. Then the witness for the prosecution was sworn in and shortly after sen- tenced pronounced. Atmosphere of Race Hatred, From beginning to end an atmo- sphere of race hatred permeated the courtroom. EWery word and every ac- tion of the jurors, and the judge show- ed their race bias. No attempt was made to cloak the hostility of those in the courtroom for the Negro, Harris realized the futility of fighting the case as the moment the mob, which had been aroused to fever point by the race-hating whites in Kentucky, laid their hands on him he would have been lynched, After that talk with your shop- mate—hand him a copy of Th DAILY WORKER, It will hel convince him Court Entry Imperialist Victory this question are out of town at pres- ent” and that the association was “try- ing to assist Mr. Moore to find a speaker” and “that he had no right to make such a statement.” When asked what the policy of the association of commerce was towards the recognition of the Soviet Union— which covers ovér~onewixth of the world—after much Hesitation and seeking “facts” answered: “The legis- lative committee of the association has not yet decided any policy on that issue.” P When asked who théy may be able to procure for the meeting, one of the officials answered: “I don’t know. Most of the men are out of town and when they come back they will not have time enough to prepare for a debate of that nature.” It seems as tho the association of commerce which has William R, Dawes, brother of the would-be Mussolini of America, vice- president Charles G. Dawes at its head has hard time to find among its mem- bership someone willing to uphold the negative of the debate.at the Chicago forum. order to stimulate political thinking among the organized workers of the country who have for go long been be- trayed into aiding the imperialist bandits by following the ruinous pol- icy of ‘reward your friends and punish your enemies.’ “Against the machinations of the imperialists we stand for: “World trade union unity. “Defense and recognition of the Sov- iet Union. $4 | ¥ “The organization of & labur party. Enter Coming Campaigns. “The coming congressional cam- aigns, where many of*the pro-court senators are up for re-election will furnish splendid opportunities for us to expose to large masses of work- ers who will be interested in the po- litical struggle the sinistér hand of imperialism behind this world court and at the same timé show the in- sufficiency of the program of the ele- th old parties that op- urt,” concluded Ruthen- Defying the Textile Barons of New Jersey (Continued from page 1) strikers that,the young workers are preparing for an affair for the benefit of the strikers. The New York Elore | Dramatic Society will give a drama in | five acts by Gabor Andor, on Feb. 5, and all the profits go to the benefit of the strikers. The Bronx Elore Amateur Club will give an entertainment two weeks later in Garfield or Passaic,for the benefit of the strikers, ; Gera Workers Join Strike! Among the workers of the Gera Mills there is a stromg sentiment to join the strike. > There are 12,000 workers working in the Garfield plant amd 13,000 Work- ers in the Passaic plant undev*the worst conditions, It is in the interest of every worker in the'Gera Mills that the present strike be won. If is jost, their wages will be/ cut down, |the speed-up increased and they will have more miserable conditions then they ever had, Workers of the Germ Mills! ha a the picket line of the strikers reaches you do not hesitate, Soin their bathle and fight for better conditions! \ Textile Workers “Attention! The workers of thé Botany Mil meet every day at sit o’clock in thi morning, for picketing, at Neubauers Hall, corner President and Parker Aves. Every day at three o'clock in the afternoon there is a meeting in the same hall. The workers of the Garfield Worsted Mills meet at 6:30 every morning at Belmont Hall, River Road, At 2 every afternoon they hold a mass meeting. The workers of the Passaic Worsted | Spinning Co, meet at 6:30 every morn- ing for picketing at Glita Hall, Fourth street. Mass meetings in the after- noon, For membership in the organization apply before or after meeting and at 26 Dayton Ave, every evening between 7 and 9 o'clock, Help Strikers. All donations for the strikers should be sent to Gustave Deak, secretary, ‘United Front Committee of Textile Workers, 743 Main Ave, Room 14, . | Passalo, N, J, International Bankers Trying to Pussyfoot Way Into League of Nations By J. LQUIS ENGDAHL. ST ORAY. the forces that put the United States into the world court, gird for the bigger job of dragging this land into the league of nations. The method is becoming quite evi- dent. No effort is made to glorify the court. Entrance into it is not held up asa great achievement. Instead the nation is told that entrance into the court means very little, that “exaggerated importance has been attached to the world court,” in the words of the Wall Street Journal. * * ° . In fact, the editorials of the Wall Street Journal link up with the public utterances of Col. E. M. House, the agent of the international bankers at the White House during the regime of Woodrow Wilson, and even now with President Coolidge, supposedly opposite in political faith, in power. Colonel House declares: “We have no more privileges now than before we entered. @ nonmember we were able to sit in the councils and list member we can do just that thing and nothing more. are little further than we were before.” Then the Wall Street Journal declares: U “Taken by and large the court is not worth the discussion which has been devoted to it. For the moment it is a popular cure-all and the senate is well advised in giving the admirers of the court the ine mocuous plaything they desire.” * * @ @ Colonel House and his Wall Street organ no doubt feel that that little bit of chloroform should help put the oppo- sition to sleep. The international bankers certainly felt that the discussion was worth while when they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring students together at Prince- ton University, once presided over by Woodrow Wilson, to voice their approval of the court and the league. But they want to pussyfoot now. Workers and farmers cannot allow the court and league issue to slumber. This issue must be utilized to blast both the old parties, the overwhelming majority of whose mem- bers in the senate voted for affiliation with the court. * * . * One of the biggest arguments for the court is that it is an instrument for world peace. This is all arrant nonsense. Just now it is in the interests of the great imperialist nations to carry out the court's mandates. But this in no way elimi- nates imperialist rivalries. When some member of the league of nations feels strong enough to reject the court's decision, when it is unfavorable, then the decision will be rejected, even if it leads on to war. The British Empire can reject a decision, and set the world in flames, just as quickly as it forced the decision of the court in its favor on the Mosul question and against the Turks. * *.* @ @ ) ~ It is only now, with the efforts to call another disarma- ment conference, that the real nature of the fraudulent Harding disarmament conference held in Washington comes to light. Instead of providing for disarmament the Wash- ington gathering was merely another maneuver in the end- less struggle of competing imperialisms. Great Britain, as she beheld the United States outdistancing her in naval armament, sent her diplomats to Washington and secured agreement on a parity program. Now the British Empire, no doubt trying to parade the fact that it has recovered from some of the effects of the world war, is trying to resume her place as the world’s greatest naval power. Great Britain will use the so-called “peace-loving” league of nations to help her achieve this end. The United States, on the other hand, will be compelled to join hands in the fight, in an effort to see that British designs do not triumph, and the war is on. Thus the league, before the eyes of the downtrodden of the world, continues as a breeding place for new imperialist wars. _Fight against the court, fight against the league, fight against all imperialist nations, is the program of America's workers and farmers. That means, in part, an energetic attack upon both the democratic and republican parties thru a powerful Labor Party. Prepare for the congressional cam- paign this year. ZEIGLER MINERS TRIAL OPENS, SEPARATE TRIALS ARE DENIED LONG STRUGGLE IS PREDICTED By TOM BELL, (Staff Writer, Daily Worker) BENTON, IU, Feb, 2.—The trial of the thirteen miners of Zeigler, T, opened today. The charge against them is assault with intent to murder D. B, Cobb. A motion by the defense for separate trials for the defendants was denied, The preliminary sparring of the prosecution and defense attorneys over the selecton of the jury indicates a long tussle. Today's session marks the opening of the real battle for the freedom of the Zeigler miners. The defense succeeded on Dee. 1 in obtaining a con- tinuance from Judge Eagleton to permit time for the lining up of wit- nesses. Now the four attorneys for the defense are ready to fight the battle to the finish, Affidavits and witnesses in substantial quantities have been collected and defense plans worked out in conference, The at- torneys for the miners are: Harry BE. Morgan, attorney of record, assisted by George HB. White of Herrin fame, Judge Sidney Ward and I, E, Fer- uson of Chicago sent to Benton by nternational Labor Defense, \The proceedings against the Zeigler m'‘ners have been, from the outset, an obvious frame-up. The thirteen, who include Henry Corbishley, former president of local 992 of the U. M. W. of A. and seasoned veteran of the miners’ struggles, are the victims of a coxspiracy in which are involved the combined forces of the Operators, the Ky Klux Klan and the reaction- ary sulkdistrict officials of the miners’ union, | > Their'accuser, D. B, Cobb, the lead- er of the sub-district ring, is at the head atta frame-up' forces, He and his collegues have been ‘thoroly dis- credited among the’ mines of Frank- lin county and it is only $y such ter: Torist means as are exempjyfled by the As Asa Actually we Present trial that they are able to continue in office. The present trial is more than a fight for thé freedom of the Zeigler miners, It is the strug- gle of the progressive and class-con- scious miners of Franklin county against the combined forces of their own traitorous officials and the coal companies. The Zeigler trial will be reported from day to day by Tom Bell who is on the ground .for International La- bor Defense News Service, Calles Government Aids Landlords to MEXICO CITY, Mex., Feb, 2 — Dis- patches from Puebla state that former American consular agent William O. Jenkins has requested the protection of the Mexican government against armed agrarians who have taken one of his ranches in the state of Puebla. The Glapeesh, states that the goy- | ernment troops to beat down the peasants, INTERNATIONAL SHOE COMPANY HIDES PROFITS Labor Gets Lean Wages; Owners Fat Dividends By LELAND OLDS, Federated Press. Juggling of figures to conceal a pro- fit of more than 100 per cent on the real investment of the owners in the company’s plants is the outstanding feature of the International Shoe company’s annual report for 1925, The report shows the exorbitant profits the owners have grasped by exploit- ing shoe workers on wages far below the average for industry as a whole. Juggle Company Books. The 1925 profits of International Shoe amounted to $12,721,444, shown as a return of $12.28 a share on the no-par common stock. The financial history of the company shows that this stock was originally worth not more than $25 a share and that this value was secured only by the inclu- sion of an item for trade marks and goodwill equivalent to the entire value of the physical plant. The 1925 report reveals an increase in the book value of the company’s physical property from $12,015,972 to $25,220,072, But this change did not mean any real addition to the com- pany’s plants. It was secured by get- ting the American Appraisal Co. to reappraise the properties at a higher value, International Shoe is the largest producer in the industry with a 1925 output of 47,209,831 pairs of shoes, estimated at about 12 per cent of the country’s production. Wages Are Lean, The average wage paid in the shoe industry thruout the country in Nov- ember, according to the United States department of labor, was $20.70 a week, which compares with the $27 average for industry as a whole. The Illinois department of labor report shows the average shoe worker earn- ed only $19.41 a week in November which compares with an average of $28.46 for manufacturing industry as a whole. Men employed in the Illinois shoe industry got $23.25 a week which compares with $31.23 for all industry and women workers $15.96 which compares with $17.48 for all industry. Welsh Coal Imported to Break Anthracite Coal Strike Here (Continued from page 1). work advocating the absolute neces- sity of eliminating all sectionalism in the trade union movement. Unless this be done we shall not be able to “lay the enemy out.” We are striving to completely stop all forms of inter- national scabbing, and we shall be very sorry that even one ton of coal shall go from Britain to the United States while the American fight is on and we are doing our best now to stop this, but it is difficult to do this except where the class war is under- stood and the workers are prepared to stand loyally by their class no matter what the consequences, Miners Fight in England. The.mine bosses In England are perfecting their. machinery for attack- ing the miners and their unions as soon as the machinery is ready. By May at the latest, but perhaps before, it is expected notices will be given the men that on a given date they must work not seven hours as at present, but eight-hour shifts, and this with a reduction of pay. Such notice will be the signal for action. British Government and Electrical Scheme. For many years left wing workers have been urging the desirability of the nationalizing of the electrical schemes and scientifically covering the country with an efficient system to provide light, heat, and power. Now the prime minister has come along in the guise of a benefactor of man- kind, as a private enterprise man, and propounds a scheme to supply the current and the machinery for man- aging the same and in the same speech denounces Communism, His scheme will be financed privately, in any case not by the government, But, ag financial assistance is sure to be wanted the state will be ready to help in this, but not to receive the ad- vantages. This government scheme has been fostered to appear at the same time as the proposals of the miners before the coal commission calling for the nationalization of the mines and the complete control of all electricity, and the supply of light and power, The preparations to meet the coal owners onslaught is receiving atten- tion at the hands of the gen: coun- cil of the Trade Union Congress, The trades councils thruout the coun- try are attending to their respective areas. We, of the National Minority Movement, are engaged in endeavor- ing to co-ordinate the workers’ forces of the country in such a way that we shall get the maximum of fighting ef- ficiency, and achieve the greatest re- sults for the workers ever looking to the ultimate objective: The workers’ full control of industry and Its results,