The Daily Worker Newspaper, October 21, 1930, Page 4

saan ena ee Page Four Published by the Comprodaily Publishing Co., Inc., daily, 18th Street, New York City, N. Y. Address and mail all checks to the Daily Worker, 50 East 13! Telephone Algonquin Cabl xcept Sunday, at 50 East * “DAIWORK.” Street, New York, N. Y. orker Rryniet Porty U.S.A. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: By mail everywhere: One year, $6; six months, $3; two months, $1; excepting Boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx, New York City. Foreign: One year, $8; six months, $4.50 “SOCIALIST” PARTY BETRAYS) POOR FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS By I. AMTER Prisoner No. 52351 (Communist Candidate, 23rd Congressional District, Bronx) '‘OGETHER with the other sections of the working population of this country, as of the whole capitalist and colonial world, the poor farmers and agricultural wo. rs are in arful plight. Six million farmers, and their ies, the majority very poor, are living a miserable life, and the condition of the agri- cultural workers is just as bad. Of the six million farmers in this country about 40 per cent are tenant farmers and in the South the majority of the poor Negro farmers (in reality peasants) are sharecrop- pers living like The sharecroppers have to divide up their crops with the landowner or merchant, who advances them seed, provisions, etc. The sharecroppers are always in debt, thus being held in perpetual bondage, differing little from the situation before the Civil War, which was supposed to have “liberated” them. The Plight of the Farmer. The farming idustry is in a deep cri which in the United States, has been progress for ten years. Today the farmers are hardened with mortgages of more than ten billion dollars and must pay interest on these mortgages to the extent of $800,000,000 a year. Owing to the inflation of prices for land dur- ing the war and the deflation that set in short- ly after the war, land values diminished $19,- 000,000,000—the farmers, especially the poor farmers, having to bear the loss. TAXES are shamefully high, consuming one- third to two-thirds of the net return, in some sections of Michigan amounting to 90 per cent. It is no wonder, therefore, that the government report (which is just as “reliable” as the government report on unemployment has proven to be) declares that out of 1000 farmers, on the average 108 have abandoned their farms and 123 have been foreclosed in the past years! Banks and Railways Robbing the Farmer Li.ieRxST consumes another big part of the farmer's income—17.5 per cent; consequent- ly banks, insurance companies, and also the Federal Farm Board today are the owners of tens of thousands of farms on which they have foreclosed. RAILWAY CHARGES are so high that at harvest time in large numbers of cases, the farmers have no money to pay for transporta- tion of their produce to the market. Hence they are forced to sell their products at very low prices to commission houses, packers, gran- aries and other middlemen, vith the result that the farmer’s income decreases to a minimum, if they do not go bankrupt. The government calculates that the average cash income of the poor farmer for living ex- penses is $224 a year! This is the product of the farmer, his wife and all his children, The government report hence comes to the con- clusion that “the farm does not support the family.” in The Cause of the Crisis What is the c.use of this crushing argri- cultural cri The agricultural crisis extends all over the world as a result of overproduction. The far- mers and producers of agricultural raw material have produced more than the world markets ean buy. The masses of the workers, unem- ployed or working at low wages, cannot buy sutficient quantities of the necessities of life and as a consequence the surplus of stored up produce drives down the market price. Wheat, which a few years ago sold for $1.80 a bushel, is now quoted at 81 cents, the lowest e since 1907; corn has decreased correspondingly despite the drought in the United States which cut the corn crop by 10 per cent. Cotton is selling at less than 11 cents a pound. The farmers and peasants of Argentine, Canada, Australia, India, China have increased production, and today, with wealth in their hands, the farmers of the capitalist and colo-. nial countries face disaster. Farmers Flocking to Cities As a result of this worldwide crisis, stiffened in the United States by the drought, the far- mer’s gross income (including that of the farm banker, business and rich farmer), which in 1927 amounted to $9,500,000,000 will be reduced by $2,000,000,000! This situation is driving millions of the farm population off the farms and into the cities in search of work. This amounted to more than 3,000,000 in the past years but in the present acute crisis has de- veloped into a mass movement easily under- stood when the government reports show that, on the basis of an annual income of $540, which the farmers should, get but don’t, the farmers as a whole are fleeted of $1,900,000,000 a year. This loss, of course, is sustained entirely by the poor farmers, who have to live in poverty, take out new mortgages, etc., while the bankers make tremendous profits. The Republican Robber Tariff On top of this crisis comes the new Smoot- Hawley tariff, which has raised the cost of many industrialeproducts that the farmer needs 80 that he will be fleeced of a billion dollars more. The farmer complains about the city worker, and the “high” wages he has to pay the agri- cultural worker. Though the wages of the city worker rose higher than the income of the poor farmer, the cost of living in the city is far higher. Today, with the crisis forcing the prices of farm products down below bedrock, with wage cuts taking place in every industry, the cost of living in the cities has not declined correspondingly, but is only six per cent below 1929—while wages in many instances have been reduced 50 per cent. The situation in the cities is so desperate that thg Arkansas Com- missioner of Agticulture has warned the far- mers against moving to the cities. “Wait till prosperity prevails,” has says. Wait till the Sweet-bye-and bye. Situation of Agricultural Workers The situation of the agricultural wage work- ers, 4,000,000 in number—in wages, hours and living conditions—has always been miserable; and now in the crisis and unemployment, farm wages have been reduced to a shamefully low level. Scme farmers are offering only board and room and unquestionably are getting work- workers, whose conditions consequently have worsened. They are now being organized in the Agricultural Workers Industrial League, to put up a fight for better conditions. This is the situation in the richest capitalist country of the world! This is the “prosperity” of the workers and poor farmers of this coun- try. This is the economic crisis that has at- tacked the life and welfare of the producers of the country—the workers, poor farmers and agricultural workers, oppressed by the same power—the power of finance capital—Gerard’s “64 men” and their capitalist government. This also demonstrates a community of interest and the necessity of a joint fight against capital- ism, to take the place of the struggle which the capitalists stir up between the poor far- mers and the workers. What has the government done for the far- mers in this ten-year c! ? It created the Federal Farm Bureau and extended the farm banks and credit. The government could not fix the price of agricultural products, for mar- ket prices are determined by world coniitions and world supply and demand. The world mar- ket is glutted with agriculture products, for following upon farm overproduction has come the world industrial crisis, which has cut down consumption still further. fodern agricultural machinery has replaced labor power—men and horses being dispensed with by the millions, And yet farm production has increased and can be increased still more if modern farm machi could be bought by all farmers. But thi: impossitle, for the poor farmer has neither land enough to culti- vate nor money to buy tractors, combines, har- vesters, etc. One Out of Six Has Tractor Thus in rich capitalist America, only 900,000 tractors are in use—one for more than six farmers—of course rich farmers. As far as farm loans and credits are con- cerned, they are granted only to farmers with “proper” security—that is the rich farmers. Thus the whole government farm program is a fraud and keeps only the better-off farmers, while the poor farmers have sunk ever deeper in the crisis. The so-called “progressive” and “radical” republicans and democrats have tried to ex- ploit this situation and propose that they be allowed to continue and direct this flim-flam game with the farmers. Chairman Legge of the Federal Farm Board, recognizing the drift to big-scale production, which is the only method of utilizing all mod- ern technical improvements and machinery, with the aid of Detroit bankers is entering upon a campaign of the consolidation of farms. If successful, the poor (in a technical and eco- nomical sense, incompetent) farmer, will be driven to the wall and crushed, farms will be consolidated into big units covering large areas, a large part of the farming population will be forced into the cities (to take the place of immigrant labor which is now excluded from the country)—and the United States will be equipped with large-scale industrial farms op- erated like the plants of the manufacturing industry. “Socialists” Not Even Mentioning Farm Crisis How does the social-fascist “socialist” plat- form deal with this situation? Let it be known that neither the New York state platform, the congressional platform nor the millionaire “Marxian” Hillquit in his key- note convention speech even mention the agri- cultural crisis, nor the changes in agriculture. For them the disastrous misery of the poor farmers and agricultural workers is of no consequence. But, like all capitalist fakers, the “socialist” party must have‘a “section” in its platform on agriculture. How do they propose to help the farmer in the crisis? They propose “acquisition by bonafide co- operative societies and by federal, state and municipal governments of grain elevators, flour mills . . . stockyards, storage warehouses and other distributing agencies and the conduct of these services on a non-profit basis.” They also propose “government insurance against hail, drought, ete., electrification of rural areas, establishment of public marketing agencies, reforestation and state aid for the improvement of rural roads.” Brookhart, Norris, Shipstead, Norbeck, La Follette, Borah could accept this program as their own, for it is a plain capitalist program. None of these “remedies” touch the basic prob- lem, which cannot be solved under capitalism, nor does it touch the immediate problems re- sulting from the crisis. What about overpro- duction, which exceeds market requirements despite growing population? What about mort- gages, which increase from year to year and the tremendous interest the poor farmers must pay? What about taxes which crush the poor farmers? What Is to Be Done? These problems cannot be solved under cap- italism. The proposal of large-scale industrial farms to be financed by the banks shows clear- ly the relation of the poor farmer to capital- ism. He suffers from capitalism the same as the worker does, only in a different manner. It is obvious, therefore, that the worker, farm worker and poor farmer must carry on a com- mon, revolutionary struggle to overthrow cap- italism. In the meantime the poor farmer must be enabled to carry on. He must get relief from the mortgages, interest, taxes, etc., that are crushing him. He must demand a long-term -moratorium on these debts. He must have im- mediate relief for seed, machinery and neces- sary equipment as well as for necessaries of life. Price-fixing, storage of grain till prices advance etc., are a fake, The poor farmers must understand that they will obtain relief only through struggle. Just as the 8,000,000 unemployed in the city and on the farms and the workers receiving wage cuts learnt that only through revolutionary organization into the unions of the Trade Union Unity League and Unemployed Councils can they carry on a struggle, so too they, the poor tenant farmers and sharecroppers, must built up sections of the United Farmers Educational =— League to mobilize the poor farmers and share- cropyers and carry on a fight together with th industrial workers against the capitalists, their government and the three capitalist par- ties, the republican, democratic and “socialist” party. This is the program of the Comraunist Party. Compare the situation of the peasants of the Soviet Union with that of the peasants ef Germany under the social-democrats, of England, under the “socialist” labor govern- ment and of the United States, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, ete. In the Soviet Union the peasants are joining collectives, working the land together. Through the cooperative they are obtaining tractors atid combines and with- in a few yéars will be using more tractors and big machinery’ than are in operation in the United States. Consider that there is and can be no oveproduction in the Soviet Union. More food does not mean more impoverished farmers and more hungry workers in the city; it means more happiness and better conditions for the peasants and.workers. The peasants in the col- lectives and on the grant state farms of up to 1,000,000 acres are working only eight hours a day and are helped everywhere by agricul- tural experts and organizers. They are build- ing homes and clubs furnished with everything the city has. Do As the German Workers and Poor Farmers Have Done This is being done by the “poverty-stricken” Soviet Union, as the “socialists” call it; it is being done by the workers and peasants under the leadership of the Communist Party. The capitalists and their tools, the fascist leaders of the American Federation of Labo and the social-fascist “socialists,” want to make war on the Soviet Union. The workers and poor farmezs of this country will rise up in defense of the Soviet Union. American farmers and workers: 4,500,000 German workers and peasants have broken away from the influence of the capitalist and social-democratic parties. They recognize that their struggle is a joint revolutionary struggle. together with the workers and peasants of the colonies, against world imperialism. Support the Communist Party and its fight- ine nrorram! Agricultural workers, join the Trade Union Unity League! Poor farmers, join the United Farmers Educational League! The best militants must join the Communist Party and Young Communist League! Vote Commu- nist in the coming elections! (Written at Hart’s Island Penitentiary.) Old, Still With Us. “I am sending you herewith $10. Am old and cannot be with the shock troops any more, but I like to show with deeds that I am with you.” L, E. Freeman, Los Angeles. READER! BUY A BUNDLE! 1 CENT A coPY! Workers! Join the Party of Your Class! Communist Party U. S. A. 43 East 125th Street, New York City. / I, the undersigned, want to ioin the Commu Send me more information. nist Party. Name . Address ...-+esseececcewmsere ORY-.ccceeee Occupation ..sccccccccccccseveses ARC. esene Mail this to the Central Office, ‘Communist Party, 43 East 125th St.. New York, N. Y. —BY BURCK Wall Street’s Brazilian Bargain By HARRY GANNES RECEELARY: of State Stimson has announced a change of policy of American imperialism toward the Brazilian “revolt” which may de- cide the fate of the uprisirg, and will shurply intensify the Ango-U. S. antagonism through- out Latin America. The latest turn in Wall Street policy towards the insurrection led by a section of the discon- tented bourgeoisie is contained in the Stimson announcement that shipments of arms and am- munition would be permitted to the Luis- Prestes Federal. government, and an embargo placed on arms shipments to the insurgents. The New York Times announces that “This decision: may break the back of the revolt.” Why this change? About ten days before this “new step” Stimson had announced a “hands-off” policy toward the uprising. The insur; ts were more infiuenced by American imperialism than they were by British imper- ialism. The opposite was true of the Luis- Prestes regime. The revolt started particu- larly in those states in which American im- Pperialism has the greatest influence. The first expressions of the State Department showed support for the insurgents. Knowing this, the Luis-Prestes government got busy. Daily con- ferences were held between Stimson and the Brazilian ambassador in Washington. The Luis-Prestes outfit, to save themselves from defeat by the uprising made wholesale con- cession to Wall Street in return for active support against the uprising. rons Looking for Bargains When Prestes was “elected” president ‘of Brazil he made a trip to the United States and then to Great Britain. The Brazilian bourgeoi- sie who back the Luis-Prestes government have had a closer alliance with Great Britain than the United States. But’ American imperialigm since 1920 has been making rapid inroads in | Brazil. Prestes was looking for bargains, and hoped to get the better bargain from Great Britain. Though he would not overlook any good offer from Wall Street. Commenting on this “tours” Prof. Paul Vandoren Shaw, writing in the Sunday Times (Oct. 12, 1980), says: “Julio Preste’s mission to the United States and Europe and his activities in con- nection with bankers, especially in England, received a great deal of attention from the Brazilian press. He was accused by some of being willing to mortgage the soul of Brazil to foreigners in return for a loan, and this is one of the causes for his unpopularity.” (Emphasis mine.—H. G.) Prestes had made arrangements with Eng- lish bankers for this “financing.” But the “rev- olution,” which Stimson and Wall Street viewed with such calm dispassion, made the’ govern- mental forces change their mind. New ar- rangements were made with Stimson in the heat. of battle and with it the “hands-off” policy has changed. ~ The quick change of American policy to- “wards the Luis-Prestes clique brought con- sternation to British imperialism. They’ had already sent two cruisers to Brazilian waters to bolster up the Feleral Government against the “revolt.” Wall St. answered by ordering the cruiser Pensacola to Guantanamo, Cuba, for immediate call to Brazil. When Stimson declared the change of heart on the’ part of Wall St., the Pensacola set out for Brazil im- mediately. A New York Times cable from London (Oct. 19) by its staff correspondent Ferdinand Kuhn, | Jr., tells of the sharpened antagonism between oe United States and England over this new step. “But Great Britain looks upon Brazil almost as much as Argentina,” writes Kuhn, “as a crucial fighting ground for Latin-American markets. Brazilian good-will to Britain rep- resents millions of pounds, shillings and pence in orders each year.” When Prestes was in AGITATE IN THE SHO PS! | London he undoubtedly left the impression there that this “good-will” to Britain would be strengthened. But the “revolution” disposed e. The Luis-Prestes regime had to offer Wall Street what they could expect from the Vargas insurgent movement in order to gain this powerful ally in an attempt to defeat _the uprising. The same dispatch by Kuhn also says that British imperialists “would like to know what the Brazilian government promised in return for Mr, Stimson’s benediction.” “When the revolution is over,” Kuhn goes on to write, crushed with Wall Street help, the British expect to “find immensely increased American competition, at least in three fields, “namely, coal, textile and machinery.” The Tide of Imperialism. British impefialism had’ the head start in Brazil. Out of a total of $2,500,000,000 foreign invesiments in Brazil the British hold $1,250,- 000, and the United States around $500,000,000. Up to 1920, the British had the uppor hand in all fields, but since then American imperial- ism has been making rapid headway. Dr. Max Sinkler, in his book, “Investments of United States Capital in Latin America,” writes: “The economic ties betwcen Brazil and the United States are becoming stronger every year. The United States is the largest importer from Brazil...” Since 1920, there has been a rapid influx of American capital. Ford owns 8,700,000 acres of rubber land; the U. S. Steel is preparing to invest $250,000,000 in iron-ore lands in the state of Minas Geraes; American public utilities companies are rapidly replacing British holdings. While British trade decreased about 20 per cent between 1918 and 1929, American trade increased 104 per cent. The valorization scheme, a plan for, the restriction of coffee growing, and for the con- trol of prices, was at first financed by British capital. In. 1927, Wall« Street undertook half of the financing of the valorization scheme. Coffee is the leading product of Brazil. The drop in the price of coffee, due to the world agrarian crisis, and overproduction, has im- poverished great masses of Beazilian workers and p's s. Seventy-five per cent of the Bra- zilian co‘fee output goes to the United States. The total yearly exports from Brazil to the United States amounts to $220,000,000 while American exports to Brazil figure at $115,000,- 000 yearly. The present crisis in Brazil is probably the severest of any of the Latin American coun- tries. The various capitalist groupings, the rich landowners, th, petty-bourgeoisie ani the small industrialists have been carrying on a struggle for domination. Especially the rich landowners and a section of the bourgeoisie have been backed by the British. Wall Street’s change of alliance does not mean the revolt is ended. The revalt is’ be-ed on deep-going mass discontent. The workers and peasants are becoming more deeraiied in their own demands. The revolt, has set in motion huge masses who are definitely against imperialism. Whichever way the outcome goes, the anta- gonism between the leading bandit powers will be sharnened, and drawn closer td open war- fare. The masses will see the function played by the imperialist powers in Brazil, and under the leadership of the Communist Party of Bra- zil will be led more and more to a real uprising against all imperialism and its Brazilian bour- geois allies, MUST HAVE DAILY. “Please find post office money order for $6. Many thanks for keeping the paper coming, as it would be hard to get along without it during these stirring times.” Nelson Dewey, Edgewater, Colorado. READERS! BUILD. HOUSE TO HOUSE ROUTES! For the Communist Ticket! rialist Attacks on the USSR! By JORGE eee! It’s Raining “Ifs” Hoover's tall talk on Saturday was about the most brazen bit of hokum since his last one. His statement said that he was going to—no, that’s not it. He said he had—“set up such arrangements which have contributed greatly to reduce unemployment.” When he began, there were, for example, only 20 per cent of the building trades workers jobless. Now there are about 50 per cent, Girls, don’t take Hoover Reducer, you'll get thicker every day. Then he makes a promise. one. He’s appointing a committee. a “Committee,” one of Hoover’s kind. has requested it to “make a survey” and when. it finishes that, to “formulate plans” and then to “submit the plans to me.” And what for? Why, to “continue and strengthen the organ- ization of Federal activities for employment during the winter.” That is to say, after lying and around for ten months, Hoover said last Fri- Well, a sort of You know, And stalling day that he was going to “continue and strengthen” stalling and lying during the winter. And he started out the next day, as we read in Sunday’s “Times.” The “Times” cor- respondent wrote it up like this: “Tt was stated today that this committee . would be merely a starting committee if the unemployment situation did not im- prove, and . . if a turn in trade did not soon bring relief.” Please take notice of the “ifs,” workers, and keep right on fighting for immediate re- lief and for unemployment insurance. * Patriots Are Rewarded All the unemployed who are not frozen to death this winter can stand in the shade summer, maybe, of a perfectly gorgeous monu- ment “for” soldiers and sailors that is to be erected at Battery Park. How the soldiers and sailors are to subtract ham and eggs from it is beyond us. But it is “for” them. The monument is to cost no less than $15,- 000,000, and of that sum--listen, New York workers!—the City of New York is going to pay the sum of $3,000,000. Do you get it? $3,000,000 to build a monu- ment. And $1,000,000 (scared out of Walker by Thursday’s demonstration) to the unem-~ ployed, supposedly. We must qualify that $1,000,000 a lot, as anything like money pass- ing through Tammany fingers just naturally evaporates. At the most, of course, Jimmy Walker, being a god-fearing man like Heywood Broun, is trying to put the Bible into practice. In this case the workers who are jobless, many ex-service men, are asking for bread, and Tam- many is going to give them a stone, a $15,- 000,000 stone. We stppose, however, that this $15,000,000 monument will be an exhibit of what Hoover calls a “real accomplishment” in providing for the unemployed. * * * “Honest Difficulties” Saturday when we looked at the paper, we knew that there was a catch in it somewhere. “President Acts to Spur Employment.” He’s been riding that nag to death for darn near a year now. “We must prevent hunger.” But, Herbert, there are lots of people hungry right now; so don't act like it was something to be dealt with after awhile! Ah, but you say that you'll prevent hunger and cold only for those in “honest. difficulties.” So the young lad whose picture came out on the front page the other day, fainting from starvation on a job line in Cleveland, was prob- ably not “honest” and only got what was coming to him, eh? Then there’s a piece in Monday’s N. Y. American. ‘James A. Hunter, who lost his job, says his wife and little baby daughter, Martha, are missing since Oct. 11, after the woman, in desperation, said she was going to commit suicide, She took no clothes and had no money and was last. seen walking toward the Hudson River. But, of course, she probably wasn’t honest. It’s likely that little Martha, two years old, had probably committed the crime of asking for something to eat. That is liable to “in- cite to riot,” Mayor Walker says. All the “honest” people are taken care of. The oil grafters got $40,000,000,000. Hoover promised the bankers that their income tax would be reduced a few hundred million. The food grafters, the thieving landlords, Judge Bertini, in fact all “honest” people are eating and have a nice warm place to sleep. But little Martha Hunter had no “honest difficulties.” She can swallow cold water and sleep in the river. * * “Good For Four Years’ Prosperity” During the 1928 election for president, the republicans passed around a few shiploads of what is said on them to be “Lucky Pocket Pieces.” We have one which recently was put into a collection by some thoughtful Hooverite who had been saving the thing. Alas, its “pure gold” wash has been worn away and all that is left is plain brass., As a prehistoric relic it should be put into the Smithsonian Institute. Yet it is worth de seribing for those who may not remember what was going on two years ago. One side bears, at the top, the figure of ani elephant, the animal which, for its body weight, has the smallest. weight, of brains. And right below is the word in big capital let~ ters—“HOOVER.” We hope you get the com nection. Under it—‘Lucky Pocket Piece.” On the reverse side it says: “Good for 4 years of Prosperity.” We would like to col- lect, but the grocer wouldn’t take it. Neither would the landlord, and the darned thing is too big to go into a subway fare-collecting machine, We guess we'll simply have to keep it until the lady in the poke bonnet again tries to sell us a “War Cry.” For Bread and Work! Against Mass Layoffs and Wage Cuts! Against Impe- eae