The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 25, 1926, Page 4

Page Four CENTRAL LABOR BODY ACTS AS A DEMOCRAT TOOL New Vork Workers Need Own Labor Party By SYLVAN A. POLLACK. (Special to The Daily Worker) NEW YORK CITY, March 23— Once again the Central Trades and Labor Council has been used as a forum to promote the interests of the democratic party and at the same time condemn its rival for political plums, the republican party. Anticipating a large atendance as @ protest against the republican ma- jority in Albany committing to a special commission all of the labor bills introduced in this year’s session “of the legislature, the meeting was held at Washington Irving high school, the officers of all the local unions being requested to be pres- ent in addition to the regular dele- gates. However, only 100 were seat- ed when president Joseph Ryan called the meeting to order. John O’Hanlon, secretary of the State Federation of Labor was the first speaker. He recited the recent events in Albany including the com- mitting of all the labor bills to a same position that he occupied pre’ ican bankers to ruthlessly exploit 1. Whereas, race problems pro not be solved except by amaigamat! and 2. Whereas, it Is highly desi race and the black that each may fare of mankind; and able race destiny; and 4. Whereas, such desire on th special commission which is to bring in a report February, 1927. This includes bills covering the 48-hour week for women, insurance, raising the amount to be paid to injured workers, occupational diseases and workmen's compensation. He stated that both the republican and the democratic parties had de- clared themselves in favor of the la- bor laws during the last election campaign and now the republican party is not keeping its promises. “All of the assemblymen and state senators in Albany today were elected on a platform in favor of these bills. They have not kept their pledges, their compact being broken by trickery,” stated O'Hanlon. He continued: “We must make known our indignation against this ruthless action in Albany. We will hold meet- ings thruout New York state to pro claim the position of organized labor.” . He also said that “Governor Smith is our only hope.” Judge Shientag, former state indus- trial ‘commissioner, was the next speaker, being the official representa- tive of Governor Smith, who was un- able to be resent. He started by thanking the dele- gates for the support they had given him at the election, which had result- ed in his elevation to a judgeship. He then complimented President Ryan, State President John Sullivan nd Secretary O'Hanlon. Delegate Curtis exhibited two crip- pled workers who had not received their compensation money due to loopholes in the present laws which would have been remedied by the bills blocked by the republican party in Albany. Abraham Lefkowitz then introduced @ motion which was passed, and sent to the president of the state senate and the speaker of the assembly, de- manding that the labor bills now be- fore them be passed at once with- out a hearing. Here we see the New York labor movement in the role of an agent of the democratic party, acting as its publicity agent and official rubber etamp. This must be changed by the or- ganization of a labor party in New York, built upon the power of the trades unions. Only then will the workers be sure that their interests will be protected at all times and un- der all circumstances. Druses Nearly Wipe Out French Company (Special to The Daily Worker) BERIUT, Syria, March 23 — An French detachmént has been am- fbushed by Druses and nearly wiped out. At least 50 soldiers were killed. The force was composed of Senega- lese (Negroes), commanded by French officers. It was en route from Karab- kale to Rachava. Record Flour Mill Combine Announced (Special to The Dally Worker) NEW YORK, March 23—The, Com- mander Mill company of Minneapolis thas taken over the Larabee Flour corporation, which operates six flour mills in Missouri and Kansas. .The Commander Mill company has plants at five cities in Minnesota and ‘Wisconsin, The merger gives the Sheffield in- terests which controlled the Com- mander Mill company mills with an ageregate capacity of 26,000 barrels a day. The deal is one of the largest fn recent years in the flouring busi- ness. Italian Cottons Oust British from Abyssinia » ROME, March | 23—Italian cottons have ousted British fabrics from the markets of Aritrea, Abyssinia and the Arabian peninsula, according to a re- -port from General Gasperini, gov- -ernor of the Italian colony of Eritrea. ‘They have met and are now gradually overcoming the competition of Japan- ay goods in the same regions, tog taorny wr orvign, i > and, later, by other eminent white San Domingo for a colony for the Ni 5. Whereas, there is much va the Negro republics of Haiti, San Domingo and Liberia; and 6. Whereas, the ancestors of our Negroes were deprived of liberty and property and forced into servit 7. Whereas, in servitude and in freedom the Negroes in América have served the white race in Ameri the white man to recompense the them to establish themselves with bright prospects for the future in an independent ‘nation ruled by men of their own race; 8. Wherefore, be it resolved by curring, that the legislature memor States to make provision for the colonization of persons of African descent, with their own consent, at any place or places without the United States, particularly in Africa. THE VIRGINIA KLAN ANTI-NEGRO RESOLUTION THAT GARVEY PUT THRU THE U. N. The resolution adopted at the fifth international convention of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which calls on the United States government to “colonize” the Negro workers and farmers in this country, is one of the most reactionary policies that Garvey has called on the Negro workers and farmers in this country to support. The following resolution is the product of the fertile minds of the Virginia klansmen who are determined to see the Negro placed in the him placed in a colony where American marines will aid the Amer- and make them what the American imperialists have made of the Filipinos, the Hawaiians and the workers of the South American re- publics that are ruled by American marines: EMORIALIZING the congress of the United States to make provi- slon for the colonization of persons of African descent, with their own consent, at any place or places without the United States where they may form a nation and a government of their own, problem” should be solved in a manner that will preserve the white 3. Whereas, many of our Negroes evidence a desire to live in an independent nation of Negroes and strive to achieve a high and honor- aged by eminent white Americans who founded the colony of Liberia, I, A. CONVENTION vious to the Civil War, by having these Negro workers and farmers duced by the contact of races can- ing the races or separating them; rable that the American “Negro make its contribution to the wel- e art of our Negroes was encour- Americans who sought to acquire jegroes; and luable land sparsely populated in ude to the white race; and ica in a manner morally to obligate Negroes by generously assisting the legislature and the senate con- lalizes the congress of the United Garvey Joins Kla n Against Negro | (Continued from page 1). I understand the word, a colony is a community of people that is under what is called the ‘protection,’ that is the rule of some powerful outside na- tion? Is that correct? Does it mean that we are to ask, not for independ- ent self-government of.our own, but to be put off in some tountry and governed there by an outside power, that we are asking to be ruled over by others as their colony?” The newly elected Garvey leader, Fred A. Toote, of Philadelphia, re- plied: “Yes, the resolution asks for us to be colonized, That means that we are to be a colony, which will of course ‘be ruled by an outside great power. I will explain. You know that the British government once had colonies. here in America. Those were colonies for a while, ruled over by the British government; but then later the Amer- ican people became a nation with their own government.” Attack Garvey Betrayal. Delegate Stowe then resumed the floor to reply vigorously: “As I have been led to believe, Mr. Garvey has been telling us that our aim is to obtain an independent gov- ernment of our own. Now I am sur- prised to learn that .we are expected to work to put ourselves off in a colony in some far away place to be ruled over by others, as colonies are ruled. “This is a surprise to me, You say the United States was once a colony. Well, but you didn’t say that it took seven years of war against King George III in order to get a self-gov- ernment for these colonies. Mr. Gar- vey told us we were to ask for self- government, but now we ask to be somebody's colony.” Uneasily alert delegates sat gazing intently at Stowe and at the new head of the organization who had just step- ped as Garvey’s lieutenant into the place from which the insurgent Sher- rill is ousted. As soon as Stowe could be quieted, Dr. Peter¢ and Toote made a few non-committal remarks, and dis- cussion was ordered closed and the vote taken, Later Stowe could be heard remarking to other delegates that the Philippines and Haiti and San Domingo already are Colonies. Whiteman Addresses Meeting. In the evening session, Lovett Fort- Whiteman, secretary-treasurer, and general organizer of the American Negro Labor Congress, addressed the convention, Fort-Whiteman asked that the Universal Negro Improvement As- sociation join hands with all of the struggling peoples of the world in their fight against imperialism, He pointed out the fight of Abd-el-Krim against the French and Spanish im- perialists, the rising of the yellow race of China and the dark people of India, and asked the Universal Negro Im- provement Association to act together with the American Negro Labor Con- gress in linking up their efforts with those of the Chinese, Indians, and Africans, for a united world front of all suppressed darker races against their oppressors. No sooner was Fort-Whiteman seat- ed than Toote began a studied reply. Toote declared that the Universal Ne- gro Improvement Association had un- der Garvey’s dership “pursued a straight course” and that its program did not need broadening. “I believe,” he continued, “it was President Mon- roe who said “beware of foreign en- tanglements,’” Then the same Mr. Toote who had just engineered thru a ku klux klan plan originating with “some white gentlemen of Richmond” now pointed out that the Universal Negro Improvement Association can- not have anything to do with “other races” and therefore must refuse to respond to any pleas of the peoples of China and India. “Under Mr. Gar- vey’s guidance,” he said, “we have made up otr mind to work out our own salvation. I ‘will now introduce the Reverend Dr. Webb.” The session was from then on drowned in a flood of oratory by the reverend, who shouted: “The Universal Negro Improvement Association don’t need no help from nobody to conquer all the imperial- ists! Why? Because God is behind the Universal Negro Improvement Association! I relies that god has the power to conquer every imperial- ist on the earth, We don’t need no- thing but the program of Marcus Gar- vey which is in the bible!” May Rush Adjournment. Monday’s session ended with a very small attendance present, many dele- gates having drifted away to other amusements. It is reported that the convention will close Titursday, the 25th, instead of the 3ist, as originally planned, because of the dwindling in- terest, the ruling of the officers that nothing shall be discussed except in the way of approval of what Garvey has decided, and because of the fear that controversial subjects will again arise. Earlier in the day the convention rejected a plea of William L. Sherrill that he be exonerated of the charges made against him by Garvey, which he declares he has answered fully and entirely cleared up. The rejection took the form of a motion passed, that if Mr. Sherrill wishes to be ex- onerated of the charges made by Gar- yey, it is recommended that Mr, Sher- rill refer the matter to Garvey, It is commonly remarked among the delegates that this is the weakest and thinnest convention ever held by the Universal Negro Improvement Association, At times hardly more than a dozen spectators attend. There are many discontented delegates, but the fight has gone out of them. Many regrets are expressed that the con- vention, which normally should take place in New York, in which Harlem is the “Negro capital city of the world,” was removed to Detroit in order to get away from the strong- hold of the revolt against Garvey, Invite Sherrill Supporter, G. O. Marke, supreme deputy of the organization, one of the strongest leades of the Sherrill forces, has been addressed with telegrams requesting him to come to Detroit to the conven- tion, Marke has hitherto refused to have anything to do with the conven- tion, but the Garvey lieutenants claim now that they have persuaded him to come and that he will appear Wednes- day. The specter of the loss of the support of the membership of the two biggest cities, New York and Chicago. hangs over the heads of the Garvey lieutenants, They seem strangely overjoyed with having persuaded Marke to appear before the conven- tion. THE DAILY pl al 4 RCE LEAGUE TO CONSIST ONLY OF EUROPE’S POWERS Amery Would Keep Out South America (Special to The Daily Worker) RANMA IE SU MT TD | [DETROMT SHOP SHOP NUCLEUS DONATES $100.00 10 PASSAIC STRIKERS DETROIT, Mich, t March 23.— At the last regular meeting of Shop Nucleus No:1, of the Detroit Work- ers Party, $100.00 was collected and forwarded to the striking textile workers of Passaic, N. J, LONDON, March 23—Colonial Sec-*Baltimore Meeting retary Amery in a public address here declared that the league of na- tions should become more exclusively a European body. The countries of South America, he asserted, had no vital interest in the affairs of the old world and exerted, on the other hand, a very disturbing influence upon them. The action of Brazil in vetoing the ad- mission of Germany unless admitted o the supreme council herself was the basis for his contention. Amery’s speech gives voice to what has been a growing conviction among a large group of diplomats. With the failure of the United States to join the league, politicians have begun to consider the possibility of making it a European union... Common eco- nomic interests, arraying them in op- Position to America, aré back of this new orientation. They are all debt- ors of the United States. The huge expansion of American commerce is cutting into their own. American fi- nance capital is pressing them hard and gobbling up the, resources and in- dustrial establishments of their own countries. ‘* e Plan Higher Council. GENEVA, March 23—It is reported here that the re-organization commit- tee appointed by the supreme council of the league has already decided on a drastic revision of the statutes of that organization. Above the pres- ent league council of ten members, there is to be instituted a higher body of seven. Five of these,—Great Brit- ain, Italy, France, Japan, and Ger- many—will members. The two additional places will be reserved for the United States and Russia. Since the real power would be concentrated in this group, it would solve the questions of admis- sions to the present council. Continental Ri sentation. According to wishes. the various continents would Be™represented as such. In this way Canada would likely be chosen present North America and becaus§ of the predom- inance of British ests in Africa the British believe they could secure this seat for one of their colonies. Predict the Pussai ic Strike Will Spread to Other Textile Centers (Continned tespn fram Page 1) violence on the partiof the police. The next day all was quiet and the pick- ets were unmolested: The tactic of the police seems to” be intermittent terror; a few days’ peace, then a ter- rific assault upon the strikers. Each attack instead of beating the workers into submission only infuriates them the more and makes them redouble their efforts to win. ( Strike Will Spread. Already having spread to part of the industry, the most exploited, the dye workers, there is every prospect that before many days have passed the 25,000 silk workers of Pater- son, only fifteen miles away in a Passaic, will join the strike, Reports were received that the workers in a number of the big mills at Lawrence, Mass., are preparing to walk out and rumblings of discontent areybecoming audible in the great textile centers of the Blackstone and Pawtucket valleys of Rhode Island, where the famous “iron battalion” marched from town to town in 1922 until the two valleys with their two hundred thousand slaves were out on strike. A num- ber of competing unions Operating at that time made the conduct of the strike difficult. The Passaic strike is conducted under the United Front Committee and Mke committees, de- signed to make possible unity of ac- tion of the workers, have been and are being set up thruout the whole in- dustry. It is not at all improbable, in fact, it is possible, that; Passaic will be the starting point of a movement that will sweep the entire industry which employs upward of:a million workers and Hft them out of, their peonage to the mill owners. Receive Workers’ Support. One of the most,;aopeful signs in this strike is the loyal support recefv- ed from all branches of organized la- bor. From all parts of the country funds and articles of food roll into the relief stations to aid the workers car- ry on until they gain ‘he victory their magnificent struggle merits, constitute the charter| for Passaic Strikers BALTIMORE, Md., March 23 — A united front. conference was held in Baltimore yesterday to arrange a mass meeting and a tag day for the benefit of the Passaic strikers, Sev- eral labor organizations and sympa- thetic societies were represented and a meeting, with Elizabeth Gurley Flynn as chief speaker, was arranged. The meeting will be held at Brith Sholom Hall, 1012 East Baltimore St. on Sunday afternoon, March 28. POLICE ARREST MAILER PICKETS IN PITTSBURGH Bosses Use Child Labor to Break Strike By GEORGE PAPCUN. (Special to The Daily Worker) PITTSBURGH, Pa, March 23— Mailers of several Pittsburgh newspa- pers are on strike demanding recog- nition of their union. Over 225 men are involved affecting the local cap- italist sheets such as the Gazette- Times, Post, Sun, Chronicle, Tele- graph and Press. Use Child Labor. The mailers of these papers have been organized in the union for some time. The executive council of ithe Typographical Union called the strike when the companies refused to meet with the international representative of the union, The strike is 100 per cent effective in that craft. To get out the Sunday newspaper, children from 14 to 16 years of age were hired to do the men’s work. ' In trying to break the strike with child labor the newspaper companies are violating the child labor law of the state of Pennsylvania, but the local and state authorities pay little attention to these violations. Two pickets have been arrested and held under bond. After setting the bond, the police refused to let the pickets leave, even tho the. bond had been secured for them. They were not released until the representatives of the union got in touch with the chief of police. The police department is playing the role of strikebreaker-in this strike as it did in the baker’s strike of a few days ago. . Af each publishing house, 15 to 20 Police are stationed. Saturday eve- ning the office employes of the Pitts- burgh press got orders that they must help in the mailing department in getting out the Sunday paper. The editor of the pictorial section re- fused to be a strikebreaker and was discharged on that account. The strikers are determined to fight the battle to the end no matter how long the employers may resist. Ar- rangements are being made for strike benefits in case the strike lasts more than a week. Typos May Strike. The Typographical Union has been negotiating with the newspaper com- panies for a two-year agreement and an increase of $2.50 a week in wages. This was refused. So the Typograph- ical Union has decided to demand the executive council call a strike of the typographical workers also, It is evident that if the different crafts in the printing trade were all united in a solid local union it would make it easier to win the strike. All ‘the other crafts are recognized by the companies, The mailers are the only craft whose union is not recognized. There is no doubt that the entire labor movement will respond and help the mailérs get their moderate and fully justified demands. Skagit County I. L. D. * wen * Against AntiAlien Bills BURLINGTON, Wash., March 23.— The Skagit county international La- bor Defense adopted a resolution pro- testing against the anti-alien bills that are now in congress aimed at lower- ing the living standards of the for- eign-born and native born. workers. The resolution ig especially aimed at the Aswell bill, Saturday Night, APRIL 3 Folk Dances | OS ANGELES———— DAILY WORKER COSTUME DANCE With Prizes for Costumes ADMISSION 50 CENTS Good Music Co-operative Center, 2706 Brooklyn Ave. Good Fun WIN THE Y CONDUCTED - BY TH On the Politminimum Course By WILL HERBERG. HE leagie politminimum ‘is already out. By this time every district and city organization of the league should have in its possession copies of the Syllabus-Outline for. the league politminimum course as well as the reading and literature list that goes with it, The Purpose of the Politminimum. What use is to be made of this ma- terial? ‘First, what ds the idea of the politminimym course? The po- litminimum does not aim at convert- ing our league comrades into finish- ed Marxists and Leninists. Nothing of the kind. We are aiming prinsarily at developing in the average league comrade that elementary understand- ing of the fundamentals. of Commun- ist theory that it is absolutely neces- sary to have in order to function in a league that strives to be the vanguard of the proletarian youth of America. The politminimum, ag its name shows, Proposes to impart the absolute min- imum of political fundamentals; it Proposes to make the league member politically literate. Politminimum Circles in the Nuclei. In view of this it is evident. that the politminimum must reach the en- tire league membership and especially its lowest circles. For this reason po- litminimum circles should be organ- ized wherever possible in the funda- mental units, in the nuclei or concen- tration groups. Every comrade of the nucleus (with the rarest excep- tions) should be obliged to participate in the politminimum circle. Above all should such participation be required of new comrades joining the league. In this way, a step forward will be taken in one of our most fundamental propaganda tasks—the development of a uniform Leninist ideology in our league. It is our opinion thet it is best to have this politminimum circle take place every week in connection with the regular meeting of the nucleus. If the méeting beging at seyen o'clock, say, the period from seven to eight can be given to the political circle and then the regular business meet- ing may proceéd. Experience will show that this is a very serviceable arrangement. However, if for vari- ous reasons such an arrangement proves impracticable the . politimini- mum circle may be held on a special evening but certainly no less frequent- ly than once a week. The Method of Political Instruction. It is impossible in these brief notes to take up in detail the question of method. But it may be said that the best method is an apt and careful combination of the lecture (report) method and the discussion method. One of the best methods we know of runs somewhat as follows: The class leader starts reporting (lecturing) on the subject in hand. Every member of the circle, however, hag the right to interrupt the speaker at any point. Whenever an interruption takes place the matter is discussed by the class leader and students in a collective way and when a conclusion is reach- ed, the speaker proceeds. At the end of the session the class leader places before the class a series of questions covering the material just gone over. At the beginning of the next session answers to these questions are called for and this constitutes the review. A method like this combines the best features of the lecture and dis- cussion methods. Of course, it places considerable responsibility on the class leader, “It devolves upon him to see that his class follows him, that the study material is absorbed and assimilated. These are the dangers of the lecture method, and above all, that the discussion does not become “wi!” and -that ‘it does not leave the line mapped out in advance (this is the most serious danger of the discussion method), But then, any method places great responsibilities*on the class leader and we believe that this meth- od does not do so to an unusually great extent, One more point. The question of literature and references’ hag provedsee one of the most difficult for the na- tional agitprop. There is so very lit- tle in the English language that can serve as reading and study material. And above all there is nothing that can serve as a political textbook. In view of this we have been forced to regard our literature and reading ref- erences as, to a large extent, a make: shift. The national. agitprop intends in the very near future to issue a po- litminimum text following the lines of the politminimum outline. That will BO some way towards solving the problem. The national agitprop also intends, both before and after the is- suance of the text, to issue various mimeographed bulletins on _ special subjeots that can not be fully covered in the text book. Finally we intend to keep the read*ng list itself as.up- to-date and as complete as possible thru issuing additions to the list whenever a new reference presents it- self. We think that, taking all this into consideration, the question of reading and study material will be treated as best it possibly can at the present time. A Critical Evolution of Our Experl- ences. The politminimum is largely an ex- periment. It was constructed on very little concrete experience—as was na- turally unavoidable. It is certainly not permanent, The constant improve- ment of our politminimum work can only come thru a collection and an alysis of the experiences of the league organizations in the use of the polit- minimum outline and reading lists. For this reason it is absolutely impor- tant for our comrades to go about the politminimum work in a critical way —to carefully watch their work to ex- amine their experiences, to formulate their suggestions and criticisms, and to transmit.everything to the national agitprop. This is the only way in which the league as a whole will be able. to march forward, This is what is expected of the entire league, Forward With the Work of Political Education! ~ The work of political education in the league has only just begun and the politminimum is an important step forward. The unfted energies and constant co-operation of the league are absolutely necessary for the suc- cessful development of our most ele- mentary tasks. How N. Y. Workmen’s Compensation Law Does aN. (By a Worker Correspondent.) NEW YORK, March 23.—After wait- ing impatiently for a number of months for a letter from the New York state department of labor noti- fying me of the date of my hearing before.the compensation board on in- juries that I had met with, I was told to come to the commission on March 15. . On the day of the trial I went to the office and handed my letter to: the clerk. He was a very severe-looking man. After looking me over from top to bottom he told me to sit down, I sat down and began to read a copy of the Workers Monthly that I had with me. I had been in the room a short time when my case wag called. ‘The judge asked, “Are you working now?” “No” was my reply. “What's the name of the doctor that is taking care of you?” I told him that 1 did not know as it was a doctor from the insurance company. “Go home!” shouted the judge. In the afternoon when I was at the insurance office the manager of the claim department. said to +, “Come over Friday, matters will be straight- ened out.” Then I understood the meaning of the judge’s “Go home!” ‘Trumbull Speaks in Boston. ‘The Boston workers will hear: Com- rade Walter H. Trumbull, the victim of American imperialism on Satur- day, March 27, at 7 p. m. in New In- ternational Hall, 42 Wenonah street, Roxbury. YAR Pe SOOEDM MUSICAL AFFAIR DETROIT, Mich.— Do you appreci- ‘ate good music, do you like to dance, do you enjoy having an exception- ally good time? If so, come to the musicale and dance being given by the Young Workers (Communist) league of Detroit at the Finnish Hall, 5969 14th avenue, Saturday at 8 p. m. March 27, The first part of the program will consist of musical numbers and will Be followed by dancing from 11 p. m. until 1 a.m. The most capable talent which the workers of Detroit can fur- nish has been engaged. Krishuk and Sufiey, baritone and soprano, respectively, will sing Rus- sian popular songs. Among them will be the “Song of the Volga Boatmen” ‘and “Dubinushka.” Four numbers from the best opera can offer will be given by two Italian artists, Four Ne- groes consisting of a baritone, so prano, violinist and tenor will contri- bute their share in making the pro- gram an extraordinary one. The Lith- uanian choir, some special dancing numbers and several additional instru- mental numbers will complete the list. . Those familiar with the Finnish Hall and its splendid accommodations for dancing will appreciate the good times in store for them. The admit- tance price will be only 50 cents. All Communists and sympathizers attend. Jewish Young Workers, Chicago, Attention! The first meeting of the young workers’ correspondence group under the auspices of the Freiheit Yougent Club will be held on Wednesday, March 31, at 9 p. m, sharp, in the Frejheit Hall, $209 W, Roosevelt mi P All those who want to join that group please come on time.. ‘The Young Workers’, Correspond- ence will be the main feature of the. Living newspaper published by the Fretheit Young Club. | _—