The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 23, 1927, Page 1

a The Dally Worker Fights: For the Organization of the Un- organized, For a Labor Party. For the 40-Hour Week. Vol, IV. No. 35. { Firetrap Tenements of Lower East Side Take Scores of Lives Yearly The DAILY WORKER today publishes the first of a series of regional surveys of housing conditions in New York City. Will de Kalb, DAILY WORKER writer, who in 10 years as re- porter and research worker, has studied metropolitan housing from all angles, tells of conditions in the congested lower cast side. * * * By WILL DE KALB. Lower New York has always been the most insanitary quarter in the | city, and yet, ever since its beginning, it has been the most densely pore} lated. | The squalor, disease, filth, and horror of the section as described in Jacob Riis’ “How -The Other Half Lives” caused. a tremendous shock in} polite circles when it appeared many years ago. The terrible conditions he depicted are no different today—if possible, they are worse. As many as sixteen people have been known to occupy one room in the Ghetto district, and in Little Italy. Families renting two rooms would be forced to live in one and secure a boarder or boarders for the other. bs Morals of ten went by the board. Rents Average $32. |CURRENT EVENTS The average rental for a two and | By T. J. O’FLAHERTY three room “apartment” on the lower east side varies between $18 and $45 |per week, centering around $32. Only a few houses have heating de- | vices; steam heat is comparatively | unknown. Some houses have their toilets in the ‘yard, as they did 75 years ago; most houses have one toilet to a floor, used by the members and boarders of four families. Houses were built in the back yards of houses that faced the street. Only the few families near the top | floor front see the sunlight. This | system of erecting houses in every available space has made lower New | York one vast, horrible fire-trap; only an excellent fire department and modern fire-fighting methods and HARUES G. Dawes is a candidate for the presidency of the United States. “Charlie” is the fellow who made “Hell and Maria” famous and also wrote his name in. German his- tory. Dawes is angling for the far- mer vote. Hence his espousal vf the ‘lcNary-Haugen bill, which passed thru congress but is doomed to a Coolidge veto. The main difference between Coolidge and Dawes is that the former listens more attentively to the voice of Wall Street than to the siren call from the wide open SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In New York, by mail, $8.00 per year. Outside New York, by mail, $6.00 per year. spaces where every vote that is counted is a vote gained. Note how the lads pull off the trick! Charles G, Dawes is as faith- ful a servant of capitalism as Calvin Coolidge. Dawes caters to the 100 per cent Americans that live west of the Mississippi. He wants to be presi- dent, Coolidge wants to succeed him- self. He is tied up with the eastern wing of the republican party. Who- ever is nominated and elected, if elected, on the republican or demo- cratic ticket will not make a particle of difference to the American work- ers. On the day after the election Mr. Morgan’s emissary will call the successful candidate on the long dis- tance phone and say: “What do you say to a little cup of coffee?” When Bryan was secretary of state in the Wilson cabinet he sent marines.to Haiti. Yet Bryan was a pacifist! What a farce? Pacifists, militarists, or whatever they brand themselves must do whatever the dominant ruling class demands of them. How futile it is to talk about electing “good” men? No matter how slow the process may be there is only one solution for the ills that afflict society; organization of the workers to take into their own hands the power to run society in the in- terests of the producers. Au lad favored The DAILY WORKER with a review of Jo- seph Wood Krutch’s “Edgar Allan Poe.” It will not be published be- eduse there is too much nonsense in it. Yet the lad served a useful pur- pose. He makes the mistake of sug- gesting the kind of a Poe that he (Continued on Page Five) |apparatus, have postponed the occur- | | rence of a gigantic fire similar to the | one that swent Chicago in 1905. | The Annual Fire. j tenement fires. In one fire, where an jentire floor was burned out, 20 men, women and children were burned to death in the flames. The buildings are so old that they always collapse after a good fire. Fifteen firemen have been seriously injured this year in tenement collapses; five have been | killed. worker is $24 per week, varying from $8 to $60 and centering around $18-28. How he manages to pay $30 a month for his rooms is a mystery, since the east sider dresses as well as the resi- dent in any other district, and pays the same amount for food and cloth- ing. Disease Lurks In Garbage. Street cleaning department removal trucks pay few calls to the Ghetto and Little Italy, for Mr. Morgan’s and Mr. Astor’s rubbish must be removed first. As a consequence, the streets are lit- tered with rubbish from morning till night, spreading diseases of all kinds. The absence of sunlight makes disease still more prevalent. The landlords, who used to be the kindliest and most patient in the city, have adopted the dog-eat-dog psy- chology of the average landlord. Rents must be paid in full on the first and fifteenth of the month, or he gets a “dispossess.” On the two coldest days in the past winter, three landlords were cold- blooded enough to eject many fami- lies, temporarily financially embar- assed and unable to pay the rent at (Continued on Page Five) BRITAIN SENDS N OTE THREATENING SOVIETS; RELATIONS ENDANGERED Litvinoff in Moscow Speech Declares Trade Agreement Menaced by Oil Interests - LONDON, Feb. 22. — The British cabinet today finished the draft of a note which it has been discussing for some time, and which threatens a rupture of Anglo-Soviet relations because of alleged propaganda against British imperial interests. The Soviet government is “warned” that “such propaganda constitutes a breach of the Russo-British trade agreement.”. It is known that Winston Churchill is one of the prime movers for this first step towards a breach of rela- tions. Sablin Letters Confirmed. Today’s action confirms reports of letters and reports exchanged during the last six months between the Czar- ist agents, Eugene Sablin, and “Senior Diplomat” Geirs, in which Sablin boasted that he and his organization of White-guard Russians had great influence over Churchill and other cab- inet ministers, and would break down frien relations between the two (Continued on Page Two) Blazing Rum Schooner Floating on Atlantic After Rescue of Crew BOSTON, Feb. 22.—the schooner reported on fire 70 miles off Boston light by the Dutch steamship Bly- dendyk was found today to be the Kathleen Conrad, Leahave, N, S., to St. Pierre Miquelon, carrying 1,400 drums fo alcohol. The schooner’s captain and a crew of nine were brought to port aboard the schooner Grant Marshall. The Marshall came upon the Conrad in distress and after taking off the crew ‘set the latter boat on fire, be- lieving it to be a menace to shipping. Explosions heard aboard the Con- rad by the Blydendyk crew were from the bursting alcohol drums. Capt. Randall said the loss would come to about $50,000, Read The Daily Worker Every Day | Seores of lives are lost yearly in, | The average salary of the east side; NEW YORK’S LABOR DAILY THE DAILY WORKER. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at New York, N, Y., under the act of March 3, 1879, NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, FEB, 23, 1927 Published ON THE ROAD TO. SHANGHAI Dedicated To Big Business Wall Street and Coolidge Call Him Imperialist A deliberate attempt was evident in the Washington's birthday exer- cises. yesterday to couple up the name of our first president with the genesis of big business in America, and to claim him as a patron saint of Wall Street. The New York City members of the Sons and Daughters of Wash- ington assembled at Frances Tav- ern and marched up Broad Street to the Washington statue at the sub-treasury. More than 1,000 boys were given a dinner of turkey. vege- tables, pie and ice-cream at Brace Memorial Newsboys Home in Wil- liam Street by Mrs. Eliza Guggen- heimer, in memory of Randolph Gug- genheimer. St. Paul’s Near Wall Street. Church services were held at St. Paul’s Chapel, Broadway and Fulton Street, where George Washington once worshipped. It was the tenth annual service of its kind conducted by the George Washington Sulgrave Institution, School children and the firemen’s association paraded in Brooklyn. Rite. e The Capitalist Washington, WASHINGTON, Feb: 22.—“First \Should be added “first American bus- iness man.” So adduced President Coolidge to- day in a eulogy of George Washing- ton, delivered before a joint session of Congress. Departing from the usual custom of bearing. solely on Washington's exploits as commander of the revolu- tionary forces and as first president, Mr. Coolidge devoted the greater part of a 4,500-word speech to a dis- cussion of the business acumen of the great Virginian. “First commercial American,” “first expansionist,” “builder,” “crea- tor,” “man of affairs’—these were but a few of the mominations con- ferred upon the father of his coun- try by Mr. Coolidge. (Continued on Page Three) Pinedo Finishes Flight. RIO JANEIRO, Feb. 22.—The Mar- quis Francisco De Pinedo, noted Italian aviator, finished his success- ful flight across the south Atlantic ocean this afternoon, ; North Carolina Klan Abeat Wrecked; Last Big Official Resigns RALEIGH, C., Feb. 22.—The Ku Klux Klan as an active, organ- ized force in North Carolina, virtu- ally blew up today. Judge Henry A. Grady, for four years grand dragon of the order, announced his resignation from the organization, following: a break | with Imperial Wizard Hiram W. | Evans, and simultaneously there was introduced in both branches of the legislature today bills outlaw- ing the use of masks and conceal- ing robes by members of secret or- ganizations. Sixty-six of the 86 local Klan chapters in the state are said to have surrendered their charters to- day. Catch Milk Dealer Using Bootleg Stuff For N. Y. Consumption | Another grafting milk dealer was put out of business today. The Waddington Condensed Milk Co. was the offending firm. Forty cans of bootleg cream, from an un- identified source, caused the sup- pression. Health Commissioner Har- ris issued the edict after a conference with the Waddington grafters, from which reporters were excluded. A storage warehouse van drew up to the Waddington plant at 102 West 24th St. Harris said. The driver got off, knocked peculiarly on the doors to the warehouse. They were opened, but closed as soon as the in war, first in peace”—and to that| truck had entered. Harris’ emissa- ries clamored vainly for admittance immediately after but after a long wait, called police, President William J, Mackay, the savory character who was heading the Waddington Company, was forced to agree not to engage in the milk business or allow any of his fellow officials to do so. Poor Women Die of Infection in Public Ward of N. Y. Hospital Six mothers, toc poor to receive private treatment, have died at the Sloane Hospital for Women at Am- sterdam Avenue and 59th Street with- in the past three weeks. None ‘of the women in private wards were af- flieted by the infection which caused havoc in the public ward. Hospital authorities blamed an un- known “carrier” of the infection who may have been a visitor. Eight cases were reported. Awakening China Drives the Impcrialists into the Pacific. Washington Day Kellogg Clai - Diaz Asks for | Protectorate [First Story Was That U. S. Demanded He Conseat WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.—Wash- ington’s birthday was signalized in the capital by the first definite an- nouncement that the United States | has embarked upon another deliberate |conquest of a friendly nation, the defenseless little republic of Nicara- gua, and has Adopted for that purpose the European imperialistic trick of de- claring a protectorate through con- |nivance with puppet rulers of the |vaded country, and is “saturating’ |it with marines. | cially gave out that a treaty was be- ing negotiated with “President” Diaz, of Nicaragua, the lay figure which | American marines defend from the at- | tacks of the Liberal party led by Juan |Sacasa, the regular constitutional | president. The state department in- timated that it would be demanded of Diaz that he consent to a protectorate over Nicaragua by the United States, A Better Story. | This report having met with a | mixed reception by the public at large, was immediately corrected, officially, by the state department, in this man- |ner: Announcement was made that “Minister Eberhardt at Managua has informed the department of state that on Feb. 20 he received from the minister of foreign affairs a note written by direction of President Diaz. The text of this note will be forwa: ed to the department of state by mail! and until its receipt it cannot be dis- | cussed.” | Then, officially, it was given out here that though the state department did not know whet was in the note, still it would contain the following main points: 1, An “alliance” between little Nica- ragua and the powerful United States of America, similar to that which the Republic of Panama has just rejected on the grounds that it is a “slave pact.” 2. An American police control in Nicaragua probably along the lines of the American receivership of customs in the Dominican Republic and the American-officered Haitian constabu- lary. 8. American supervisory authority in certain Nicaraguan governmental affairs similar to the supervision ex- ercised by this Government in Cuba (Continued on Page Five) Your PUBLISHING CO., FINAL CITY EDITION Dally except Sunday by THE DAILY WORKE 33 First Street, New York, eR Price 3 Cents Mutineers on Ship ~ Shell Sun Arsenal | |Beheading of Labor Leaders Arouses Ire of | Chinese Masses SHANGHAI, Feb, 22.—The battle for Shanghai—the richest port of China—is in progress. | | | j were ‘defective. Shells falling short | Firing is heard without the city walls, heavy shells have fallen | Excitement ran high and the foreign defense units were as- The shells which came inside the | The crew mutined and raised the Na- | M hi ¢ A | senal, located on an island, and pro-| ac e s, this arsenal, one of the largest in| }as the gunboat was one sold by} | Struggle of i | struck the French concession, and de- Old Parties The American residences damaged | wounded, half a dozen slugged and | T. Wade and Mrs. M. R. Harris, Bri- | primaries in Chicago today. | within the city limits, and there is every evidence that the Can- | tonese have started their drive for possession of the city. sembling at 7:30 this evening, as. the sound of the guns in the outskirts was intensified. ea ° |city were from a Chinese 2" Chica 0 Votes | stationed in the Whangpoo River. | tionalist colors. They then made an} |attempt to shell the Kiangnan ar- | | tected by fortifications. The army of Sun Chuan-fang draws heavily on Gangs Clubs | China, for munitions. ? | The attempt did not succeed well, | Pease . 7 . | thrifty foreign contractors to the} Saturnalia of Violence bi] the | Peking government, and its gans| | stroyed the houses of two Americans CHICAGO, Feb. 22—More than 50 | living there. |men under arrest, one mortally were those of William R and F. W.| kidnaped ¥ n . ped and a general fear of gan; |Schlobohm. The residences of R. H.! lawlessness marked the jndyorsle | tish subjects, and the old French C. E. Ruthenberg, Workers’ (Com- | Club, also were hit. | munist) Party candidate for mayor, | As soon as the shelling began t there were disorders of a serious na- ture in the native quarters, adjoin- j will run for his place on the ballot \ by petition, active members of the t party having been busy circulating |ing the French concession. | the petitions for some time now. He | One report stated that the con- | has, of course, no opposition, since the | stabulary and soldiers in the Chinese | Workers’ Party settles its nomina- ; quarters were mutinying and joining | tions within itself, ard not through | the Chinese populace. The many| the free for all that Chicago prim- jexeeutions which the Chinese au- | aries have become. jthorities have carried out have} The present incumbent, Mayor De- |angered the population and it now| ver, has no opposition of any mo- | appears that the “defenders” of | ment in his race for democratic nom- | Shanghai are menaced by the Can-| ination. Big business is satisfied with tonese before the city and by a re- | bellions. population within the city. | The French population of Shang- | hai was kept within the international settlement, and as this dispatch is | filed, there has been no disorder | within the settlement. Except for | shells falling in the French conces- | sion there is no evidence of the bat- | tle which seems to be raging virtual- him, and Chicago’s vast catholic if jaxion remembers the published | photographs of Dever kneeling in the | dirt to kiss the prelate’s ring when | Cardinal Mundelein’s train pulled in, The supporters of William Hale Thompson and Edward R. Litsinger, candidates for republican nomination, seem to be fighting it out in the streets as well as the polling places, with the Thompson gunmen a little ine | ” | The state department first unoffi-| | ly at the city gates, Canton Supporters in Shanghai. | #head, if anything. The Cantonese have hosts of sup-| ON TRIAL TODAY IN STRIKE CASE | forces within the city. The soldiers of Sun Chuan Fang The trial of 4@ striking furriers on charges arising from the recent | are reported to be wavering in their allegiance and there are many who strike begins this morning at 10 be- fore Vudge Collins in Part 4 of Gen- believe that they will-lay down their eral Sessions. arms rather than give prolonged re- sistance to the Cantonese advance. The sudden determination to bring all the cases up together was reached Revenge for the decapitation of | Cantonese sympathizers and agita- tors. by the minions of General Li | Pao-Chang, Shanghai’s defense com- missioner, was sworn today by the Cantonese to be exacted when the southerners capture Shanghai. Local Cantonese swore that they will “strip two pieces of flesh from Li Pao-Chang’s living body” for|® few days ago, although normally each person beheaded dpring the the trials would be held over a period present disturbances, of weeks. The furriers, members of locals affiliated with the Joint Board, the strictest vigilance against dis-.| Will be represented by union counsel orders, also directing their efforts|headed by George Z. Medalie, 120 toward crushing the strike through | Broadway. threats of drastic punishment to| The charges grew out of hearings | strikers. {before the grand jury, which ordered 110,000 Workers ‘dle. |the strikers held, Preservation of Nevertheless, 110,000 workers re-junion rights during the strike, in { main idle, new walk-outs balancing | which scabs and employers’ agents the numbers of those who have re-|provoked the furriers, precipitated turned to work. ‘the action, 0 ATTEND THE COOPER UNION MEETING TODAY All members of the Fur Workers’ Union should attend the meeting arrange? by the so-called Furriers’ Trade Union Lengne to be held tonight after work at Cooper Union. At this meeting it is believed thet the fur workers will demonstrate their solidarity for the left wing leadership of the Joint Board and com- pletely rout the union wrecking policy of the right wing. Just as the meeting called several months ago by the American Fed. eration of Labor with the assistance of Schachtman and the Long Island gang turned into a demonstration of the assembled workers for the left wing, so it is believed that tonight's meeting will take the same cobrse, Until today no one knew who were the leaders of the Furriers’ Trade Union League in spite of the fact that organization has been in existence for several months. ‘ The speakers advertised include Abraham Beckerman, Abraham I, Shiplacoff and Morris Sigman. The military authorities continue FUR WORKERS PL) Qs Workers To Buy | | \ \ 4 ert RR Sem ena