The Daily Worker Newspaper, December 20, 1927, Page 4

Page Four THE DAILY WORKER, NEW YORK, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1927 Demand Communists IN OPEN LETTER TO: VICTOR BERGER WORKERS PARTY ASKS POSITION ON QUESTION BE CLEARLY SHOWN Says Recent Statements “Are Departure from Debs’ Proletarian Tradition” _ Pointing out the increasing pressure upon the working class in the form of the open shop offensive, growing unemployment, the wide use of injunctions, the increasing war danger and the rapid increase in militarization as some of the major events show- ing the need for unity of all working class forces, the Workers (Communist ty of America has sent an open letter to Victor Berger, chairman of the socialist party of America, asking for a statement on the labor party issue. The letter cites in addition the rapid impoverishment of the rural masses and the imperialist offensives in China and Nica- ragua which Wall Street government is carrying on, and asks the socialist party to state its posi-¢- tion in connection with the or- ganization of a labor party based on the unions. The letter in full is as follows: | New York, Dec. 13, 1927. | “To the National Executive Commit- | tee of the So st Party of America, | Victor L. Berger, Chairman, 2ssions 53 W. Washington Bivd., ion on this vital question from | Chicago, Il. ° ial socialist party sources ‘‘con-, “AN OPEN LETTER stitute a further departure from the g 2 2 AES: traditions of proletarian class which of the present situation | Departure From Debs Tradition. | of Stating that the exp: mmbolised in the social- line with our united front ist party,” the letter of the Workers} caer poll for a ee (Communist) Party urges a clear and | Party, the enue tive Sua definite statement of labor party |tee of the Workers (Communist) policy b: alist party leaders “jn, Party of America deems it advisable !to address to you the following open} the labor movement letter: 1 file of the socialist | as to the real at- nl Executive Com- list party. order to and the rank titude of the N mittee of the si y of- the he need working class w: ment against the capitalists and the} lcapitalist government more urgent |than it is today. This is particula: ue in the face of the following de ments: Workers’ Library The growing offensive of | Ne 2 American capital against labor, manifested in the wage-cutting ~| | campaign, open shop drives, efforts | to destroy the existing unions and | to prevent the organization of new | unions, the introduction of company | unionism, etc. ‘ The sweeping use of injunc- tions by the’capitalists and the gov- The . Coolidge ernment, such as in the strike of Pro am Ney York and in the I. R. T. in | The growing unemployment, | which is considerably worsening and undermining the standard of life of the working class. “4. The increasing war danger, the contemplated attack upon the Soviet Union, the nayal armament race by the American government, the sharpening of American imper- ialist policy, in Latin America (Nicaragua) and in other parts of the world (China), with the con- stant growth of militarism and cen- tralized government reaction in the United States. “5. The continued critical situa- tion of the ‘agrarian masses, which has again driven off the land more than a million people between 1925 and 1927, leaving the working farm- | ers in a much worse situation than | they were in before. | “These developments place upon the | American working class and the poor | farmers the fundamental task of or- ganizing and unifying their forces for a concerted political struggle |against the offfensive of American | capital and its domination of the! {American government. | For Unity of Labor’s Forces. | “The Workers (Communist) Party | of America is committed to a policy| of active struggle for the unity of la- bor’s forces against the capitalist class, for independent working class Capitalist Democracy and Prosperity Exposed ERE is the answer to all the pre- election bunk of pros- perity. Here are the facts of just exactly how “prosperous” the workers in this coun- try are. In simple, very read- able easy style, the author explodes the myth of high wages and presents conditions as they exist today. This is an ideal pam- phlet to pass out to the workers in your shop and trade union. \the interests of big business, and the JA. |forthcoming conference of the far- 1ited action of the labor move-|~ {growing demand for a national far- j struct and demoralize the movement, |tionaries and the so-called insurgents j delegations to the Soviet Union. |speak tn the name of labor, to accel-/| erate ,Ship of the American trade unions, The policy of our Party, which is the revolutionary political party of the} American working class, is dictated | by the realization of the fact that the next historic progressive step of American labor consists in entering as a class the field of political action | by organizing a labor party. For the Coming Elections. “In line with this policy, the Work- } ers (Communist) Party has consist- ently striven to bring about united | action of labor, locally and nationally. | Prompted by the dictates of this same | policy, our Party is today bending all | its efforts towards crystallizing a la- bor party or a united labor ticket for the forthcoming presidential elections. More Favorable Outlook. “The conditions for the formation | of a labor party are becoming increas- | ingly more favorable.. The develop- ment of the capitalist offensive against the worke and the poor in the policies of the American gov- ernment and reflect in a sense the dis- satisfaction of the lower middle class and the farmers with the domination of big capital. But these insurgents and their policies ean in no way be taken as. representative of the class interests of the workers and the poor farmers, or as in any way effectively defending the interests of these} classes. “A working class party must under | no circumstances permit the insur- gents in the old capitalist parties to sidetrack the movement towards a la- bor party into the channels of the old political parties or into the channels | of some liberal bourgeois third party movement. “There is no doubt that the insur-| gents of the old capitalist parties are cultivating illusions among the masses | of the possibility of utilizing those| x parties in the interests of the masses. | farmers aS deseribe above, together | 1, fact, the agents of the insurgents with the open functioning of the| 4» engaged in undermining the ef- democratic and republican parties in| ¢o;ts of the workers and farmers to | initiate an independent political move- | |ment of their own, This must be! reais 4 A {combatted. The position of a work-| parties in their hostility towards the | ing class party with regard to the in-| toiling masses, the bankrup ° | surgent elements and to the tendencies | A. F. of L. non-partisan polic ‘| known’as third party movement tend-| futility of the efforts ot the insurg- encies, must be as follows: * ents in congress to effect any relief = Z . 2 i for the toiling masses—all these im-| Stop Weakening of Movement. | portant developments are awakening| “We must not hamper but rather en- the American masses to the need of | Courage the activities of the insur-| organized, independent political strug-| gents in so far as these are directed | gle against the olé capitalist parties. | against the,domination of big capital’ in the government, but at the same influence of Presidential Campaign. | v “The approaching presidential elec-|time we must resolutely fight against | tions are also making the situation|any attempt to represent the insur- more favorable for the crystallization | ents as speaking in the name of la- of a labor party. bor and the farmers and to combat) “It is obvious that the movement | their efforts to weaken the movement for a labor party and for a farmer-|for a Labor Party and an alliance) labor alliance is increasing. Witness | With the poor farmers. the revival of the farmer-labor move- | ment in the Northwestern states, the disappearance of every important point of difference between these two mn. Must Formuate Position. { “The approaching national elections| make it necessary for every political! | organization speaking in the name of labor to formulate its position clearly on the question of the labor party. | The position of the Workers (Com- me abor organizations in the North- t, the strengthening of the far- party of Minnesota, the mer-labor mer-labor conference and the incre: tn eiaeta ok onde: Sst - munist) Party is definit We are, sai ay Nas re Hal eee ; Sas RGen for a labor party to take the field in! Pup lett aaes Savon ce UntOD the coming national ele What committees for a labor party. This l growth of the labor party movement |** LS A Ue a ae Ba takes place despite the efforts to ob- S. P. Expressions Unsatisfactory. on the one hand by the politicians of the old capitalist parties and on the other hand by the trade union reac- the Socialist Party have in recent months given expression in the mat-! | ter. These expressions are unsatis- |factory from the point of view of a! in the old capitalist parties. clear working class policy, Victor L.| “Witness also the steady movement | Berger, ina recent statement in New) to the left of sections of the indus-| York, declared: “The nation needs a trial working class, manifested in}new party and needs it badly. The; the recent local elections and also in}two-old-parties are now one. There the various American trade union |is nothing to distinguish one from the} Itlother. The democracy to revive, it is duty of alljnecessary to have a big, strong op- who undertake to | position “party, founded upon’ prin-| therefore becomes the those elements the movement and to bring! about the formation cf a labor party and its alliance with the poor farmers. Hostile Forces “We must be fully conscious of the forces which are working against the labor party. These are the political parties of the capitalist class, which must’ be combatted without com- “This statement is vague and bears | the earmarks of middle-class liberal- ism. What Does Berger Mean? “The question which we are com-/| pelled to ask is the following: Does! Victor Berger mean a new’ party of ‘labor, a labor party, based upon the, promise, But more dangerous th trade unions and including the exist- = rous -than |; iti ] 5 t j the capitalist politicians is the oa ns poltheal. workingeless) oreenize. BE | tions, or does he mean a middle class position to the labor party movement /liberal party? Does Victor Berger | on the part of the reactionary leader- | project the idea of an anti-capitalist | Party, or does he want a capitalist Socialist Stand on Labor Party’ {chairman of the National Executive “Leading members and organs of |, |that would cause our government to {not only willing to ruin the reputa- ciple,” I | and crippled. soldiers.” “Does the Socialist Party oppose the formation of the labor party and all other kinds of new political alignments in the labor movement, as appears to be the position of the New Leader? Departure From Debs Tradition. “The policy of the leading organs of the Socialist Party as expressed | thus far is hostile to the development | of indeyendent working class political | action and the formation of a labor party. The expression of opinion on this question by Victor L. Berger, the Committee of the Socialist Party, con- stitutes a further departure from the traditions of proletarian class struggle which Eugene Debs symbolized in the Socialist Party. “In order to satisfy the labor move- ment and the rank and file of the So- cialist Party membership on the posi- tion of the National Executive Com- mittee of the Socialist Party on this) vital and basic question, the National | Executive Committee of the Socialist Party is in duty bound to make a clear statement of policy on the matter. Fraternally yours, — Executive Secretary, Central Executive Com- mittee, Workers (Communist) Party of America.” Victim Demands Jail for Hearst’s Forgers (Continued from Page One) d that you had no evidenceathat any of these senators were guilty | and that you did not believe any of the charges against them? Sees Financial Gain. “What is your motive, Mr. Hearst? You have testified before the com- | mittee that you have very valuable | properties in Mexico. It is almost! common knowledge that you were in| favor of the overthrow of the pres- | ent government. You evidently be- | lieved that if a revolution could be | started it would mean financial bene- fit to your investments in Mexico. For the sake of making a few paltry | dollars you are willing to blacken} the character of honest journalists in | your own profession. You were wil- ling to cast suspicion on the loyalty d integrity of members of the) sited States senate. You were wil- | ling to charge that the pres friendly republic is r to his country. You were willing and pparently anxious to do something intervene in Mexico, \ Plain War-Monger. . “Im other words, for the sake of your financial investments you ,were tion of honest and innocent. men, but you were willing to plunge our coun- try into war with a friendly neigh- |! v and thus increase the army of dows and orphans and wounded | Entirely Without Honor. Continuing Senator Norris charged: | “Because members of the United States senate have not followed the | course that you believed they ought | to pursue, you were willing to go so far as to ruin their reputations and by falsehoods drive them from public life in disgrace and dishonor. |and Dagny Servaes, leading feminine | Langer. Reinhardt’s Production | of ‘Danton’s Tod’ Opens | at Century Tonight — “Danton’s Tod,” the third produc- tion of Max Reinhardt’s season, will | open this evening at the Century The-| atre. Owing to the enormous cast of | 100 speaking parts and some 150 ex-} tras and the transformation of the| stage and auditorium the opening of | this drama of the French Revolution by George Buchner had to be post- poned from last night to tonight to} allow time for'extra rehearsals. | Prominent in the cast are the prin- | cipals of the Reinhardt companies who | have seen audiences in “A Midsum- | | mer Night’s Dream” and “Jeder- mann.” Paul Hartmann, well known | abroad for his portrayal of heroic | roles, will play Danton. Lili Darvas members of the organization, will) play Lucile and Julie, the two impor- | tant feminine roles. Wladimir Soko- | loff will be seen as Robespierre, Ar-| nold Korff as St. Just, Hermann Thi- mig as Herault-Sechelles, Hans Thi- mig as Camille Desmoulina, Eduard von Winterstein, as Legendre, Otto Wallburg as Lacroix, and Othmar Biegler as Collot. Others in the cast | are Rosamond Pinchot, Maria Solveg, | Ernst Matray, Hans Moser, Harald | Kreutzberg and Tilly Losch, who will again lead the dances. Following “Dantan’s Tod” the, next | production of the Reinhardt Company | will be “Peripherie”’ by Frantisek | The play was done in Eng-| lish in Chicago last season under the title of “The Ragged Edge.” The! play will open sometime in January, | smaller theatre than the Century. | Broadway Briefs in’'t Love Grand,” the new bert musical comedy will hereafter be known as “Lovey Dovey,” and will be housed at the Sam H. Harris Theatre, opening here on Thursday evening December 29. The book is by Gladys | Unger and Cyrus Wocd, the musie by | Harold Levey and Dave Stamper. Mr. Wood wrote the lyrics. Edna Leedom and Guy Robertson will play the prin- cipal roles. “And So to Bed,” James B. Fagan’s comedy about Samuel Pepys, now at the Harris, will move to the Bijou Theatre, Monday, De- cember 26. i The opening date of “The Prison- | ” at the Provincetown Playhouse, | been changed to December 28 in-} stead of Dec. 27, as originally an- nounced. Thea., 65 W. 35th. Ev. GARRICK Mats’ Thurs. & ‘Sat. 2:30 | BASIL SYDNEY and MARY ELLIS with Garrick Players in the Modern TAMING of the SHREW Chanin's Majestic 7. Ath, Wi ot B'y | Mats. Wed. and Sat. | ( RRR cos ee oe Plays the title role in “Dracula” the mystery play now in its third menth at the Fulton Theatre. Due to congestion of the many openings scheduled for Christmas week, “Sisters,” a new comedy by John Willard will open this Saturday evening, at the Klaw Theatre. Wil- lards is author of “The Cat and the Canary,” and “Fog.” The cast is headed by Roberta Arnold and in- cludes Isobel Elsom, Irene ' Purceg, Leonard Doyle, Arthor Aylesworth, Wilfred Lytell and C. W. Van Voorhis. Desiree Tabor, last seen in the title role of “The Circus Princess,’ will be the prima donna of “The New Moon,” Schwab and Mandel’s forthcoming musical play due at the Imperial The- atre next month. The Laboratory Theatre has secured the rights to Arthur Schnitzler’s “The Veil of Pierrette” and will produce it this winter, with the original music by Ernst von Dohnyani. . Experiments in singing, dancing, pantomine, movement, and dramatic production, to be carried out at the studio, opened this week by the New Playwrights Theatre at 91 Charles Street. The work is to be directed by tm Jo Basshe, one of the directors of the New Playwrights Theatre and ” the author of “The Cent S. Paramount have six productions ready for release. The are Erich von Stroheim’s film, “The Wedding ch”; “Beau Sabreur,” “The Street ” featuring Emil Jannings; a s cothedy, with W. C. Fields and Chester Gonklin; “The Gay Defender,” with Richard Dt Secret Hour,” Pola Ne production. Save Greco and Carrillo} Besianing Tonight at 8:00 Reinhardt’s Production of “DANTON’S TOD” Max CENTURY Mats. Fri. a HUDSON ea., Central Pa k | within the old |and the politicat manipulations of the | jj progressive and insurgent elements | partie: The oppo- sition of the trade union reactioriaries, | headed by William Green, Matthew Woll, etc., must be challenged and| fought against unceasingly. The| more so since these reactionaries are | now making a fresh effort to side-! track the movement towards a labor party into the channels of “non-parti- | san political action,” which means sup- | port and surrender to the capitalist | parties, Clear Attitude Toward “Insurgents” | “As to the role of the insurgents | led by Norris, Brookhart, Shipstead, | LaFollette, ete., a working class party | beral opposition to the existing par-|¥°" wanted to show the power of ties, of the kind that the insurgents | the Hearst papers. are striving towards? This is a! oe fair analysis of the recent ar- basie question, which the Socialist | ticles published in the Hearst papers Party must answer. Since the Na-|Showing an alleged attempt by Mex- tional Executive Committee of the|ican officials to bribe United States Socialist Party declared in its appeal|Senstors and editors of various pub- on the Debs Memorials that the time] lications, and an analysis of yo) is ripe for ‘a third party political revo-| testimony ‘before the senate com- lution,’ the American Jabor movement! mittee, leads to the inevitable con- is entitled to know what kind of aj clusion that you are not only unfair third party the leadership of the So-|and dishonest, but that you are en- cialist Party is speaking of. The rank|tirely without honor.” and file of the Socialist Party is also! ry . * entitled to received a clear answer on) this question. 4s it a LaFollette : middle-class party or a working class) BUFFALO, Dec. 19.—Dudley Field party that the Socialist Party leader-| Malone, New York attorney, has is- a Malone Assails Hearst. “LOS A New Comedy by Max Marcin & Donald Ogden Stewart Thrilling Music Play of the Golden West | | yp esaeaealth estas noone gE. | A WAELS:-: | PO with MUNI WISENFREND | oe John Golden <70.Wi85 — The Theatre Guild presents —, , W. of B’way 8, 8:40) anees Wed. & Sat. at 2:49| Bernard Shaw's Comedy im Winthrop Ames H y EM arene" ESCAPE | | DOCTOR'S DILEMM. John Galsworthy’s Soo é ps v6 New Play with Leslie Howard | Guild eather eee | ~ National Theatre, 41 St. W. of E'way Cyanin's W. 45 St. Royale, Mts. Wed.,fat Evs.3:3C, Mts.Wed.&Sat.2:30 | Except Mon, & Thurs. All Performan Winthrop Ames 4cents in lots of ten or more. 8 cents in lots of one hundred or more. "ORDER A HUNDRED TO DISTRIBUTE IN YOUR SHOP. Read Also THE Tv TH YEAR Rise and Achievements Soviet Russia By J. Louis Engdahl 16 WRECKING THE LABOR BANKS—-The Collapse of the Labor Banks and Investment Companies of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. By Wm. Z. Foster -The of Workers Li Pu is Library 39 &. 125% St. NEW YoRK | political action through a labor party jand for an alliance between the labor|towards them. The efforts of these party and the poor farmers’ organiz- ‘insurgents are directed in a measure ations for common political struggle. against the domination of big business Défeat the Imperialist War Against Nicaragua LENINISM TEACHES US: must have a perfectly clear attitude liberation of the peoples oppressed by Imperialism are impossible without |the formation and consolidation of a common revolutionary front, | “The formation of a common revolutionary front is possible only if the | proletariat of the oppressing countries supports directly and resolutely the movement for national independence of the oppressed peoples against the Imperialism of the mother country for a people which oppresses others \never be free.” The Workers (Communist) Party asks you to in the fight for: can join and help | The Defeat of Imperialist Wars. | Smashing Government by Injunction. | Organization of the Unorganized. A Labor Party. | The Defense of the Soviet Union and Against Capitalist Wars. | A Workers’ and Farmers’ Government. | Application for Membership in Workers (Communist) Party | (Fill out this blank and mail to Workers Party, 43 E. 125th St., N. Y. City) JName oviccccccccevees seaeeee eeeeeeee | Address “The victory of the working class in the advanced countries and the | Occupation 8 (Enclosed find $1.00 for initiation fee and one month’s dues) ship desires? The New Leader’s Statements. | “On the other hand, we find in the New Leader of New York, another | Socialist Party paper, expressions of opinion which would indicate opposi- tion to any kind of political alignment {in the labor movement on a united {front basis. Speaking on the results| of the recent elections in New York, Reading, Buffalo, ete. the New Leader declares that “There is now no doubt that the Party (The Social- ist Party) will be the chief standard | bearer of the workers in the national | campaign next year.” This position’ implies that the Socialist Party could |serve as the rallying center for the American working class on the polit- ieal field, that the Socialist Party is in fact the labor party. This is ridic- ulous and harmful, because a labor | party must be based on the trade junions and must include the existing working class political organizations. ; Viewing the above expression of policy by the New Leader in the light of the consistent opposition of the Socialist Party leadership against all ‘efforts towards a united front of |labor on the political field, the con- clusion is inescapable that a section lof the Socialist Party is opposed to | {the labor party. it Two Straight Questions. Summarizing the above considera- tions, we are forced to ask the fol- ‘lowing questions: “1. Does the Socialist Party fa- vor a middle class liberal third party as against a labor party, as can be inferred from the various statements of Victor L. Berger and the National Executive Committee of the Socialist Party? sued a denial of charges he received $1,250,060 from Arturo Elias, Mex- fican Consul General in New York, and paid it to Senators Borah, Nor- ris, La Follette and Heflin, as set forth in documents published by Hearst newspapers. o Offers $5,000 Reward. At the same time Mr. Malone of- fered a reward of $5,000 to the per- ‘son or persons who will expose the motives behind the charges and give information leading to their criminal prosecution. Although he alreadv has appeared before the special senate committee investigating the charges, Mr. Ma- lone said he had “waited until all the important testimony could be laid before the senate committee before making a public statement.” Nails Hearst Lies. “The uncontradicted testimony of Senator Borah, Senator Norris, Sen- ator La Follette and Senator lin,” Malone declared, “shows that until I went to Weskinetet, last Thursday, I had not seen“hor had any | contact with any of theso senators | for periods ranging from five thirteen years. that he did not believe any money had been received by me or prid to these senators. The Mexican Consul General, Arturo Elias, confirmed by testimony that neither of us/had ever known or even seen each/other. Moreover, I was in Europe continu- ously through the spring and sum- mer of 1926 and on the day I am alleged to have received the money | in New York and paid it to the sena- | tors, I was at my villa in the south of France,” ‘ to Hef- | Mr. Heavst testified | By Bayard Veiller” with | | ANN HARDING-—-REX CHERRYMAN | “ME Sullivan in Upera Co. Mon ‘Thurs The Desert Song with Leonard Ceely and Eddie Buzzeli | 2nd Year 5 YHEA,, 45 3t.W.of B’waty IMPERIAL Vveaiags 8:50 Mats. Wed. aud Sat. 2:30 Thea.W.44 St.vs,8.30 ERLANGER’S “ints, inure a cae THE MERRY M Henry Miller’s {ini Grant Mitchell yrericn pate ! 10% REDUCTION ON ALL \ DAILY WORKER OFFICE, 108 E. 14th STREET. TICKETS BOUGHT THRU “THE CENTURIES” By Em Jo Basshe The Fall and Rise of the East Side Masses A Beautiful and Thrilling Play at ‘The New Playwrights Theatre - | 40 Commerce Sireet Performances Every Night Except Sunday A New Playwrights Production