The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 2, 1932, Page 1

WORKERS _OF THE WORLD, UNITE! | (Section of the Communist International) ‘All Out for “Daily” Tag Days March 11, 12, 13.—Watch For Address of Your Nearest Station — Wol. IX, No. 53 at New York, N. ¥. inder the Post Office the act of March 3, 1879 CITY EDITION Price 3 Cents _ NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1932 McKeesport---An Important Victory in Heavy Industry HE recent: unemployment meeting and demonstration in McKeesport, Pa., in which as many as 8,000 workers took part, beginning with the demonstration of Feb. 12th, has broken through the steel ring of sup- pression with which the steel trust and its subsidiary companies have throttled the working class movement for years. , The Metal Workers Industrial League and the Unemployed Councils, and the Pittsburgh District of the Communist Party which took a lead- ing part in the organization of the struggle, are to be congratulated on what is really an important victory gained in a citadel of heavy in- dustry. ‘The success of the demonstrations is especially important in that they have raised the morale of the working class to a new high pitch. We quote from a short article sent in by one of the comrades: _ “The spirit of the workers is tremendous. In every poolroom, on all the street corners they are talking about the smashing victory which has been won. Young workers walking through the streets yell ‘whoopee!’ in their exaltation.” ‘The lessons of McKeesport must be learned and applied by our entire Party. The achievements are a striking confirmation of the correct, tac- tical line of the program adopted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party for the work of the Party fraction in the MWIL and the Unemployed Councils several months ago, which placed the work among the unemployed—in connection with work inside the mills —in the very forefront. In connection with this it was stated with the greatest emphasis that unity of the white and Negro workers, struggle against all forms of discrimination against Negro workers, and unity of the employed and unemployed workers was necessary for rallying the working class, organization and militant struggle. It is quite clear that today the key which opens up many heavy in- dustrial sections and cities long closed to any form of working class or; nn is the bringing forward of the program of demands for the unemployed combined with resolute struggle for the elementary rights of union organization, free speech, the right to meet, abolition of company police, company spy #ystems and all restrictions on working class activity. ‘The McKeesport victory need not be over-emphasized by it, certainly it must not be minimized. It is an outstanding accomplishment to rout a dictatorship which has gagged workers in this important industrial section for 22 years. The victory must not be consolidated. ‘That the excellent results secured followed a long period of prepara- tion in which severe defeats were encountered should not be made an excuse for formal preparation rather than decisive action in other cities, but it should be clear that much better preparation must be made for coming struggles than has been the case in many instances. ‘The extent of preperation is not measured by the lapse of time but by the quality nad quantity of agitation and organization and the ex- tent to which new contingents of workers are brought into the prep- arations. Once more we repeat: To “open up” McKeesport, to rally the great majority of the work- ing class behind the MWIL and the Unemployed Councils, to establish the fact that McKeesport workers are fighting through their challenge to the biggest capitalists in America, to establish a militant working class center—is no small feat. It is an achievement that ranks with the heroic struggle of the Benbucky and Tennessee miners and one of which our whole Party and the working class can afford to feel proud. The MWIL will now be able to establish itself firmly in the mills. . The Daily Worker will give preferred space.to an article which gives in a concise manner the concrete methods by which the demands were worked out and popularized and the McKeesport struggle brought to its present high stage. NEW TACTICS IN THE HUNGER OFFENSIVE ARTICLE IIL. “BLOCK-AIDING” SYSTEM FOR UNEM- PLOYED IS WAR SCHEME By BILL DUNNE. In its ceaseless efforts to keep the ranks of the working class divided and as helpless as possible before its onslaught upon wages, working hours and living standards generally as the crisis continues to deepen and the mass misery increases, but especially in line with the preparatinos for imperialist war, American capitalism does not depend alone on such agitational schemes as the “Give a Million Jobs” drive. The fraud will become too palpable, it will be exploded and after a certain period will not by itself accomplish the desired purpose. The “Block-Aid Service” therefore goes hand in hand with the “Give A Million Jobs” campaign but it is.of even more danger for the working class. It is an integral part for the preparation for war. In New York City, Harvey D. Gib- son, head of the American Telegraph and Telephone Company, New York Division, and head of the Emergency Relief Committee, has. appointed Wil- ton Lloyd Smith as director of Block Community Organization. Lioyd Smith was “an administrative staff ‘officer in France during the war.” Mrs. Charles Cary Rumsey has been appointed by Gibson as associate di- ‘rector of block community organiza- tion in charge of the organization of women. According to the New York Evening Post, Mrs, Rumsey “was chairman of the finance committee of the Community Council of , Na tional Defense” during the war years. “That war-time organization remains now as the Community Councils of New York City,” The “Give A Million Jobs” fraud is therefore accompanied, as shown above, by organizational measures of a fascist and war character—chief among them at present being the “block-c.lding” system—so christened by the sitilled demagogue, former Governor Al Smith,recently shown by the Seabury investigation to have veceived a ‘good start in life hy pocketing the interest on other people’s money while sheriff, The purpose of this neat scheme is to place the unemployed and the employed workers as well—in each block, and their activities, under police supervision—either that of the policeman on the beat, or that of some pliable tool or outright spy of the official and semi-official “relief” (war) agencies. ‘The plan is to have some one per- (eoxTINTHED ON PAGE THRE) STEUBEN SPEAKS AT UPHOLSTERERS' MEETING NEW YORK, March 2.—An open forum of the upholstcrer workers will be held today at 108 B. 14th St. at 8 p.m. John Steuben of the Trade Union Unity Council will speak on how to build a strong union of the uphol- sterer workers. All workers in the trade are urged to attend this forum and express their opinions on the matter, “ WASHINGTON, D. C., March 1.— The Commission of the Council for the Protection of the Foreign Born | appeared today before the House of Representative Committee on Immi- gration and Naturalization and de- manded the rejection of all anti- aliens bills now pending. Five speakers, J. L. Engdahl, Ford, Oberkirch, Johnson and Levin spoke before the Committee from 10.30 to 1.30, protesting illegal arrests, cruel deportation orders, discrimination against foreign-born, strikebreaking activities of Secretary Labor Doak, abrogation of traditional right of politicgl asylum and deliberate at- tacks on Communisis. ‘The’ two particular bills empha- sized by the Commission were the Hopkins and Bachman Bills, which Demand Congress Reject Bills Aimed at Foreign-Born VOLUNTEERS FOR NA- TIONAL TAG DAYS The National tag days for the Daily Worker will be held Friday, Saturday, Sun- day, March 11, 12 and 18. These must be made mass Jemonstrations of thousands of workers collecting money in shop and factory, working class sections and wherever the workers congregate. Become a volunteer for ||this Tag Day. Send your name in to the Daily Worker agent in your city. Volun- teer at your next meeting of your organiation. These Tag Days will not only bring in large amounts of money but will mobilize new workers who will be- come active supporters of the Daily Worker. CORDON 16 CITY BLOCKS TO EVICT Police Fear Workers; Nearly 1,000 Hold Demonstration NEW YORK.—A cordon of 100 cops, mounted police, thugs and de- tectives were thrown around 16 city blocks in order to carry through the eviction of 11 families from 733 Ar- now Ave., Bronx, where a rent strike is in progress. No one was permitted to pass through this armed line, not even automobiles or trucks, not even “a cat,” as one worker expressed it. The array of Tammany’s armed forces was the best indication of the fri F #8? ie ae aR Make One Million Visits;:Find Starva- tion Among Workers NEW YORK.—Starvation and lower standards of living are the lot of the entire working-class, according to a report made here by the Welfare Council. The report is based on the investigations made by 900 social workers who made 1,000,000 visits to workers’ homes during the present crisis. “There is little room for doubt.” says the report, “that there has been a general reduction in stand- ards of living all along the line of moderate and low income groups.” “With few exceptions those had any basis for comparison say they saw much distress last winter, both in extent and in degree, than they had ever seen before, and that standards of living had fallen no- tleeably in the last two or three years. “Cases of actual destitution were encountered families in cold rooms, with literally no food or fuel, little or no bedding, insuffi- client clothing and absolutely no money or credit left. * foreign-born Communists and de- priving them of all political rights. ah site NEW YORK, March 1.—The Com- mission of the Council for the Pro- tection of the Foreign Born which appeared before the House of Rep- resentatives protesting against, and demanding the rejection of all anti- alien bills will report today at the Road, at 8 p. m, uled for tonight to be held at the Down Town Workers Center, 11 Clin- ton Street at 8 o'clock. On Friday, March 4, a report will be given by the dclegation at, Man- hatlan Lyceum, 66 East 4th Street, at 8p. m, JAPANESE PLAN MOVEMENT OF HUGE ARMY AGAINST SOVIET UNION FRONTIERS: Soviet Red Army Organ Warns of Nearness of Armed Intervention Against Workers’ Russia Polish and Foreign Military Attaches at Warsaw Perturbed at Poor Showing of Japanese Army LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Winston Churchill, touring United States, calls for united front of United States and British imperialists for armed attack on Soviet Union. Japanese announce plan to move huge Shanghai army to Manchurian border of Soviet Union. New York Post warning that “capitalism is on trial” calls for armed intervention by United States, British and French imperialists against the country of successful Socialist construction. Polish officers and foreign military attaches disappointed at poor showing of Japanese army at Shanghai. Make comparison with Red Army of the Soviet Union. Lighthouse near Swatow, used to facilitate movements of imperialist warships against Swatow masses and Soviet districts raided by Chinese Communists. Chinese workers in Manchuria blow up powder magazine on outskirts of Harbin. Japanese start new and more furious offensive at Shanghai under cover of fake armistice arranged by United States and Britich imperialists. ‘ Powerful imperialists and Kuomintang forces at work to betray heroic masses and soldiers defending Shanghai. ee ° Winston Churchill, reactionary British | statesman, speaking Saturday night in Grand Rapids, Mich., called for a united front of| United States and British imperialisms for war against the Soviet Union. The Detroit News, | reporting Churchill’s call for armed intervention against the peaceful Soviet Union, says: “Urging clase friendship of the English-speaking na- tions, Churchill said, ‘Let us not forget that there is an- other complete system of society in the world, universal (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE? International Shops Walk Out Again Over Fake Agreement Thousands Demonstrate in Garment Centre As United Front Strike Spreads Foster to Speak to. Strikers Today; Mass Meet Cooper Union Thursday NEW YORK, March 2.—Thousands of dressmakers rallied to the mass open air meeting called yesterday by the commit- tee of 50 rank and file workers from the A. F. of L. garment union and pledged their support to the United Front Strike, at the same time denouncing the fake Schlesinger “scientific” agreement. The meeting was held in the heart he ti could they smash the sweat shop conditions and establish a minimum | Bronx Workers Center, 161¢ Loston | warm clothing to be supplied; free ; not lunches in all schools for the Another meeting has been sched-! vhildren of the unemployed; free All mass organizations are called upon to arrange meetings where a of the garment center at noon. Work- ers of all political beliefs and affilia- tions, right wing, left wing, organized and unorganized, came to the meet- ing furious over the A. F. of L. sell- out and firmly determined to sup- port the victorious United Front. Great, cheers rose .up from the vast| throng as the speakers pointed out | that only through united action, only | though the workers taking the strug- gle into their own hands, by organ- izing one strike and one picket line ; wage scale and the 40 hour, 5 day| week. The meeting was one of the most important demonstrations of the strike. International Shops Come Back Down. Meanwhile the Schlesinger sellout showed signs of further collapse. Things did not turn out as well as the International racketeers and be- CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) Unemployed to March on Home Relief Bureau Friday NEW YORK.—Unemployed work- ers, married and single, under the joint leadership of the Mid-Town and Downtown Unemployed Coun- cil Branches, will march upon the Central Relief Bureau, 10 E. 34th St, on Friday, March 4th to make the following demands: Relief im- mediately upon registration; relief to all unemployed regardless of how long they have been in New York; minimum cash relief of $10 to euch family; cash relief of $1 a day for all single workers with no discrimination against youth; reni; electricity and gas to be psid for married and single workers; new, medical attention; immediate with - drawal of police and thugs fre.~ the re'ief bureaus; no diserimin..- tion a-ainst Negro, foreign-born or youth in any of the demands. The match under the Icadership of the Downtown Branch will start from 7th street and Avenue A. at 12:15 p. m. .The one led by the [Ach alse af sndodion ead dyeing Teport of the delegation will be given.| Mid-town branch will begin st 80th \ ee en emer met sage ay street and Columbus Circle and at the same time make its way thru the proletarian districts and the garment center on its way down- town. The Councils have applied for @ permit to hold an open air meet- ing on the corner of 34th Street and Fifth Avenue, MOTHER MOONEY Mother Mary Mooney, panied by Mrs. Viola Montgomery, mother of one of the Scottsboro Negro boys, will tell about the frame-up system at a series of In- ternational Labor Defense meetings accom- throughout the country. They are throughout the country. The New York meeting will be held on March 6 at a farewell banquet at Irving Plaza. | Both the Negro and the white mother are fighting for the release of their sons, sentenced to death by capitalist courts on fake charges. BANK CLOSES IN CHICAGO. CHICAGO, Ill. — The Kauffman State Bank, 124 North LaSalle Street, did not open for business this morn- ing. A sign on the door read: “Closed for examination and adjustment.” It is getting so it is hard to find a bank in the loop any more. Those you do find have new names, —A Chicago Travel and Transport Worker. INDICT LEADERS OF KENTUCKY MINE STRIKE Coal Operators Put Criminal Syndicalist Charges Against 12 Arrested Leaders Hearing Tomorrow; Only Mass Protest of Workers Can Save Them from 25 Year Jail Terms PINEVILLE, Ky., March 1.—As a terror- istic step following the murder of Harry Simms, young strike leader, the coal-operators controlled Grand Jury, under the direction of Judge (Baby-Face) Jones today indicted op criminal syndicalist charges the 10 mine strike leaders and re- lief workers who have been in the Pineville jail since January 4th. Those indicted are: Vern Smith, Vincent Kemenovieh, John Harvey, Dorothy Rose, Ann Barton, Norma Martin, Clar- ina Michaelson, Julia Parker, Margaret Fontaine and Doris Parks who was recently arrested with the writers’ committee. Frank Mason, a local strike leader, and Gilbert Green, a Negro strike leader, were indicted on criminal syndicalist charges along with the nine arrested on January 4th. A hearing was set for tomorrow #-——— when all indicted will be arraigned for trial. No date has been set for the trial itself, but the coal operators will make every effort to rush these workers off to jail for terms up to 20 years in the penitentiary for leading the Kentucky-Tennessee miners in their struggle against hunger and terrorism. “The indictment of the 12 strike leaders and relief workers, directly under tre instructions of the lead- ing coal operators of Kentucky,” NEW YORK. — The rent strike movement throughout the city is ra- | pidly spreading and piling up more victories in the Bronx, Brownsville and Williamsburg. Four houses tak- | ing in hundreds of workers won their | demands today, all under the leader- SLASH PAY IN PLANE FACTORY | AS AID TO WAR On Workers to; Organize Call NEW YORK.—The American Avia- tion Co. near Farmingdale, L. L, which produces commerical and mi- itary planes, pyt over a general wage-cut last week ranging from 10 to 30 per cent. Unlike previous slashes this one came clear {vom the sky—the workers just found the cut in their envelopes. This means that highly skilled mechanics will have a tough time ‘making 50 cents an hour, while mechanic helpers find them- selyes reduced, to 30 cents an hour, | which is far less than the scale pro- | vided for the unomployed on the miserable “relief wors,” The workers are still very resentful | but there exist no organization in the plant. There can be no doubt that this cut was suddenly put over to obtain a government contract for making airplanes for the coming war. The Communist Party of Long Is- land in distributing the party recruit- ing pamphlet (Shop Talks) and a spe- cial leaflet on the meaning of the cut, is also trying to explain the connec- tion between this brutal wage slashing and the imperialist’ preparations for war, also urging them to build up shop organization-grievance commit- tees, in order to stop more sudden onslaught like this one and begin a counter atack for the regaining of living standards. Finnish Gov’t Aids Fascist March on Militant Workers Latest reports from Finland show that the talk of armed iresistance by the Svinhufvud government to the march of the jLapuan troops (fascists) is not materializing, and that the Civil Guard is actually helping the fascists to advance. The fascist mareh on Helsingioys began with the machine- | gun atiacl on a mecting cf wor in which Communists played a lea ing rele. The fascisis admit that they seek to root out the working- time, the move on Helsingfors is part | ‘More Victories Pile Up as Rent Strikes Spread ship of their house committees and Unemployed Council] Branches. Three more houses declared a strike. At 1801 and 1821 Bryant Avenue, Bronx, the tenants forced the lqnd- lord to settle after a strike of only five days. All the demands were won: Recog- nition of the house committee; no evictions of unemployed; 10 per cent reduction in rent; in all matter par- taining to the building the landlord must consult the House Committee. These houses are one block away from the big Longfellow Avenue strike and there can be no doubt that the militancy of the workers on Long- fellow Avenue had a great affect of the Bryant Ave. landlord. Both strikes are being led by the {CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) says an International Labor De- fense statement issued on the in- dictment, “shows the extent to which the murderous thugs, their courts and officials will go in an effort to crush the heroic strike of the Kentucky - Tennessee miners and to smash their militant union, the National Miners Union. “The danger to the livees of the arrested comrades is great. The murder of Harry Simms, young strike leader, was part of the op- erators’ plot to crush the coming struggle of the miners. The pre- sent action is a continuation and extension of this terrorism of the coal operstors. “The criminal syndicalist law in Kentucky is used as a strikebreak- ing weapon against the militant workers, against their efforts to or- ganize against mass starvation and in defense of their rights of free speech, assemblage, organization and strike. b “Every worker must rally to the defense of the arrested and indicted leaders. Tens of thousands of workers pledged to carry on the work of the murdered young com- rade Harry Simms. We must re- double our efforts to force the re- lease of the arrested workers. “Stand behind their defense! In- crease the nation-wide protest movement! Demand the imme- mediate release of the arrested strike leaders, now held hostages by the Kentucky coal barons who daily threaten them with death in an effort to terrorize the miners back to work!” BORROWED MONEY GIVES DAILY WORKER One Day’s Grace Rent strikers in New York City, dressmakers on strike and other werkers have made heroic sac- rifices to rush funds to save their Daily Worker. The workers are ready to save their fighting organ. They know the Daily Worker is the only nation-wide paper that leads the fight to defeat the bosses’ war plots, and to smash the terror directed against foreign born, Negro and all other tuilitant workers. The drive to save the Daily Worker must be broadened to include thousands of more workers. The contributions so far are not enough. Borrowed money niade possible today’s issue of the Daily Worker. Borrowed money gave us another day’s time to get donations to save the Daily Worker. But borrowed money, also increases the danger of suspension. The Daily Worker’ cannot ‘continue unless at least $1,200 comes in every day for the rest of the Daily Worker Emergency Drive. Yesterday we received only $413.66. This makes’ it abso- lutely necessary for ‘the Daily Worker to receive $4,000 in the next two days. of the imperialist war preparations against the Soviet Union as Firiland, class movement by wiping out its| backed by British, American and vanguard. At the game a Send your contribution immediately. See that — your shopmates and your mass organizations con- tribute. f at to CSch Rush, funds at ones Be.