The Daily Worker Newspaper, October 24, 1932, Page 3

i } PROGRAM OF DAILY WORKER ‘W YORK, MONDAY, OCTOBER 1932 Page Three FROM LOCAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Directives for the Preparation of the National Hunger March { Program Adopted by National Committee of Unemployed, Councils of U. S. A, in the Enlarged Session Held in Chicago Oct, 11 and 12. The following program adopted by leaders of the struggles against wunem- ployment in 18 principal . cities, outlines the plans for uniting the broadest masses in struggle against mass starvation which threatens the whole work- ing class of the U. S. It also includes the plans for the National Hunger March which is to take place in connection with the openng of Congress on Dec. 5th. The Daily Worker publishes these plans in order that they may become the propert: of the broadest masses. We will continue to pub- lich in the same manner al decisions and directives of the National Bureau of the Unemployed Councils so that these may be made known to every worker who is concerned and who desires to particinate ii the development of the lo- cal struggles and National Hunger March whieh are intended to force the gov- ernment to provide relief for the starving masses. £ * * * PrOGRAM OF ACTION TO WIN WINTER RELIEF FROM V.OCAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AN) DIRECTIVES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE. NA- TIONAL HUNGER MARCH, oC the determined and uni- ted strugle of the masses who suffer from and .are threatened by the effects of the prolonged crisis, can save the millions who face slow starvation, exposure and premature death during the coming winter, The purpose of the Unem- ployed Councils of this, its pro- gram, is to stimulate, develop, organize and lead these essential struggles, to the end that; Not One Unemployed Worker or H's Family Shall Be With- out Decent Housing, Food and Clothing. In order to achieve this pur- pose, militant committees of ac- tion, should be established by the workers themselves, in their own neighborhoods, within every breadline and flop houses, around every relief office wherever the worker gather and wherever the}. confront problems that can be solved only through their own common action. These Committees of Action, elected .by the workers them- selves, from out of their own. ranks, should be known to all the workers in the respective area or Place including those who did not participate in the election. Every worker with a grievance, regardless of any other affiliation must feel free to bring his or her problem to the nearest Commit- tee of Aciion. Every grievance should become an issue for im- mediate action and struggle. City, State and Federal govern- ment bodies and officials, must be made to realize that the workers will not tolerates any instancas of neglect, discrimination or attack vpon any one or any group of workers, Sustained. Militant Local Struggle Around Immedi- ate Needs, Our struggles and actions will be based upon such issues as the widespread attempis to reduce exnenditures for relief by further reductions in the amount of re- Nef and in the num- bers to whom helief is given. We should fight to compel an in- crease in the totally inadequate relief, We should determine-on a minimum relief standard in each locality and insist thet this minimum shall be given to every | | COLUMN NOE sane spomamt SUITE y"cOLUuMN as Og 8 © migut s10P one (© Who HOP One FO BF BL TERMMED. > 10mm FOMIE TOR OTHER Pars. NOT On Tat Main coLuMN ROUTES worker. We should challenge and defeat every effort to dis- criminates against single, for~ eign-born, and especially Negro workers, We should stubbornly and un- compromigingly resist every singl: aitempt to evietNworkers from their homes. The right of work- ers to decent shelter, to retain their homes, must b2 maintained against the formal “vight” of the landlord to rent or of the banker and real ostate shark to interest and principal on loans from mort- gages; force the authorities to provide ess:ntial clothing, espe- cially for the ehildren ef the unemployed and part-time work- ers; act in every case where at- tempis are made to shut eff gas, lieht and water. We should in- sist that adequate fuel be pro- MN am mown rena = ae ok c aereeson SOU man OF THE shops against all efforts te in- stitute the so-called “job-sharing” plan whereby the workers who still have some means of exist- ence are forced to share their already inadequate income. While the rich remain in undisturbed control of their immense wealth. We should insist that the rich shall be forced to “share wealth” and thus preyent the whole working-class from being reduced to the slow starvation which all too many already suffer. In the same manner and for the same reason, we should op- pose every effort to introduce forced labor for the unemployed and compulsory contributions to th2 “Community Chest” for those who still have jobs, Not even the most ‘minute needs of the workers must be neglected. We should demand COLUMNS NATIONAL HUNGER MARCH ALL COLUMNS TO REACH WASHINGTON DEC.4, 1932 vided for the needy; fight in the COLUMN NOT error ‘fe BUFFALO ROCHESTER cent JONNEION PITTSBURGH ALTOONA EASTERN KEnIUCRY mre ae ee agen Bee et FF COULERT ge Sea AP st FOOD, vail Aiea hf, MAKE HOUSING gs x amare ACCOMMODATIONS ae vam NOW! WEW OPLEDNS | NO.5. ‘L, coun and win such things as adequate medical care for the sick and the many other necessities of life and decent existence. interests of all who suffer “rom mass unemployment. Each united action and struggle should be conducted around the ~, r relief offices; in the flop-houses, Methods of Struggle in ¥ e 8 breadlines, employment offices the Neighborhoods and and shops; at the homes and Cities. offi of local government offi- clals and politicians; around the homes of workers threatened with eviction: in and around the City Halls and County Court Houses; \ithn the courts where eviction cases and persecution of mili- tant hunger fighters come to trial; within organizations whose officials use their power to help defeat the interests and demands of the workers. These struggles must persist, involve ever larger forces and develop ever greater militancy until the needs of the workers are recognized and their demands granted. These struggles will take the form of countless neighborhood The first requirement for suc- cesful defense of th> interests of all victims of the bosses’ crisis and hunger policy is, united mass-action and struggle. Every honest worker, regardless of other belief or affiliation, and every non-worker even, who suf- fers from the crisis and is willing to join in action and struggle, should be involved in the united front which elects the Commit- tee of Action and supports every action necessary to safeguard the demonstrations, the sending mass delegations to the various local relief and government bodies, City and County Hunger Marches and where possible State Hunger Marches. Defeat and Isolate the Demagogues, In order to prevent unity for struggle and thus prevent the workers from winning real relief, @ whole host of demagogues have been turned loose among the masses. These various agents of the class which controls the enormous wealth of this country, carry on their treacherous acti- vity under cover of deceptive phrases, hypocritic pretense of sympathy, false promises Sometimes even by the use of slogans very similar to those of the Unemployed Councils. Some of thes: have been or- ganized with the help of the bosses, various organizations with names such as “Unemployed Citi- Leagues;"” “Peoples’ Coun- etc, in the effort to lure the masses away from their own fighting organizations, The main characteristic of all such cle- ments and organizations are: 1— Their words do not correspond with their deeds; 2—They do everything possible to convince the workers that they shall not engage in actual mass-struggle; 3—They call upon the workers to develop ‘Self-help’ instead of forcing those who have the wealth of the nation to provide relief for the starving millions. The success of our every struggle for relief and unemploy- ment insurance at the expense of the government and employers, depends upon our ability to ex- pose these demagogues among the workers who would otherwise, follow them. This can be done best by pene- trating these organizations and Proposing action and struggle on concrete issues of immediate con- cern to the workers of the given organization or locality, By their opposition. to such actions as Struggles against evictions and for more adequate relief etc.; and will demagogues expos® their real treacherous role. They will thus isolate themselves from the honest, militant workers whom they temporarily deceived and eventually lose their influ- ence and ability to injure our. movement, In the struggles now developing we should ever more effectively and skillfully fight these danger- ous demagogues and unite with the workers under their influ- ence. Our proposals and progrs: for meeting concrete issues; should always be brought to the workers in these enemy organi- zations, they should be convinced by the soundness of our argu- ments and invited to participate in united action. Consolidating the Forces United in Struggle The unity which is developed in the daily, local struggles, must be cemented through the estab- lishment of permanent organiza- tion, The Commitees of Action which may be formed in the course of action around one issue, should not be liquidated after the one issue has been disposed of. It should continue to funetion, to raise other issues and grievances and to be prepared to act on those that will inevitably arise. These Committees of Action should be united through del- egate bodies representing groups and organizations of workers in nearby neighborhoods. These delegate bodies constituting the Unemployed Councils shall lead the broader struggles that re- quire greater forces than are available in one block, neighbor- hood or institution. The Action Committees and Unemployed Councils shall enlist and register all workers as per- manent supporters. In this map- ner, through conscious, systema- tic campaigns, we must under- take to enroll a minimum of 200,000 new Registered Support- crs by January First. Each Commitee of Action and Council should set itself a corresponding quota. ACTION TO WIN WINTER RELIEF TO BE CONTINUED _ PLAN AND INITIAL STEPS FOR PREPARING THE HUNGER MARCH! { 1—Mobilization of Unemployed Councils All Unemployed Councils shall immediately call large meetings to discuss the program of action for the coming winter. These meetings should thoroughly review our past activities, demands, methods of ap- proach to the workers generally and to those in such organizations as the Citizens Leagues in particular. On the basis of the conditions in their own localities and their own experiences they should prepare a detailed program of action and struggle for relief, This program shall be brought to every block committee and to general meetings of all workers in the localities. The workers shall be encouraged to make additions and amendmenis on the basis of their own specific needs and. demands. - . Within these meetings efforts chall be made to draw all partici- Pants into active work in connection with the local struggles and the Preparation of the National Hunger March. The struggles ahead must Serve to stimulate and bring forward the boundless energy and initiatige of the broad masses, 2—Local United Front Conferences. On the basis of the most urgent local issue or issues and of our central national demands, we shail call in all eities, broad mass con- ferences to which all grours of unemployed and employed workers and ALL their organizations shell he invited to send delegates, Special attention shall be given in calling such conferences to issue open-letters to all organizations that claim to represent unem- ployed end omployed workers (Citizens Leagues; A. F. of L. locals and central bodies, etc.) in which they shall be called upon to join in action on the issues of struggle and in support of the National Hunger March. Thes2 conferences are to be held not later thax the end of October or first week of November, . _ These conferences shall elect broad Acticn Covimittees which shall undertake the development of local struggles and mobilization for the National Hunger Merch. In addition, these action committees shall assume responsibility for gathering food, clothing, shoes, blankets, trucks, autos, etc., for the local delegates in the march and food, housing, receptions etc. for the columns that will pass through their cities. For this pumpose they shail set up the following sub-committees: a) Finenes; b) Feeding and Housing; c) Routes; d) Reesption. Win Support and Participation of Farmers. Millions of farmers are being bankrupted. Many hundreds of thou- sends of them are already involved in struggle against the same forces whom we must fight. In all farming sections, we should take steps to involve the farmers in our local actions and in participation and support of the National Hunger March. The unemployed and the workers-generally must in turn, support the struggles of the farmers. Large delegations should be sent out to neighboring farming sec- tions. to make personal contact with the farmers, to solicit their financial assistance rd collect food for the march, Composition of the National Hunger March. Approximately 3,000 delegates, elected by ‘the masses out of their struggles and organizations shall constitute the body cf the National Hunger March. Our aim is to involve at least one million workers in the elections that will name these delegates, \ The following table shows the approximate numbers of delegates expected from each state and section; 250 delavates 300 ‘ Washington. 30 delegates ol California S$asessssessesessysssag 100 Within this number we will undertake to include representation from the basic industries as follows: = _ Miners. saves 800 Steel-and Metal ....... 300 Marine. ep ey R. R. & Transport 50 Oe nailer sens ‘Weinvite all unions to help in this and especially call upon the rank and file of the A. F. cf L. to eect representetives thrcugh their. . local unions and opposition groups. In the election of delegates to the march, we urge that special attention shall be given to assuring large delegations of Negro, Women and young workers. How the Hunger Marchers Shall Be Elected Elections shall begin on the West Coast on and after November East of Denver, elections shall begin on and after November 8th. State and local organizations shall_be guided by the ahove figures. and suggestions in determining the composition and approximate numbers of delegates to be elected in each city. The following is the minimum basis for election: 1—By neighborhood groups, in bread lines, flop houses, etc., for every 100 workers or major fraction thereof . ++.+.-1 Delegate; 2—From shop groups and shop locals ... 1 Delegate each 3—From Citizens Leagues and Branches . 1 Delegate each 4—From Lodges and Local Fraternal Organizations 1 Delegate each 5—From A. F, of L, and other Union Locals , + 2 Delegates each 6—From each City Unemployed Council ..... . 2 Delegates each All elections shall be completed one week before date of departure, The delegates should be ratified ut every mass meeting, demon- stration and struggle geet takes place in their locality. Additional dele- gates may be elected“in such ons. Qualifications of Delegates. In election of delegates, consideration must be given to the follow- ing qualifications: a) Activity in struggles against unemployment; b) Age and ability to stand strain of march; c) Capacity to participate in the many activities connected with the march itself and with the mobilization of workers for support of the struggles that will arise during and after the march. All delegates to the Hunger March must be registered immediately after their election and registration must be forwarded to the National Committee. Column and other division captains shall allow only registered ‘dele- gates to participate and shall therefore check up to see that all who enter the march are duly registered. Routes and Itinerary. The march will proceed in eight main columns. Consult map and where necessary write for details to the National Committee. Delegations from towns not on the main routes shall join the coltimns at the point nearest to them. , Supporting Meetings, Demonstrations and Resolutions. The influence and effectiveness of the National Hunger March will be determined by the mags support of the workers and all sections of the impoverished population, This mass support is the best defense that Ist. * can be provided the representatives pf the workers who will participate in the march itself. It is therefore of the utmost importance that this support shall be manifested in the t emphatic manner possible. The following are some of the actions that must be taken to mobi- lize and manifest this support: 1, Thousands of organizations must endorse the National Hunger March and the demands which it will make upon Congress. Collective endorsement forms will be issued by the National Com- mittee and widely circulated by the local councils, committees and by all active individual workers, These should be presented for adoption at all meetings that take place between now and December 5th, and forwarded to the National office. 2. Special resolutions and telegrams should be sent by all sym- pathetic organizations and mass meetings to local officials and to President Hoover, Vice-President Curtis and Speaker Garner, ce- manding that they shall afford the Hunger Marchers an oppor- tunity to be heard; safe-conduct along the highways and through the cities; food, lodgings and place of assembly, 8. The arrival and departure of the Hunger Marchers in all the cities en-route and especially in the stop-over cities, must be made the occasion for huge supporting demonstrations. Wherever possible, local hunger marches around immediate local issues should be arranged for the date when the National Hunger March is scheduled to arrive, Petia To be timed to coincide with time when the National March- ers arrive, 4, Special demonstrations should be organized to force city, coun- ty and state legislative bodies and individual legislators (especially con- gressmen and senators) to endorse the demands of the National Hunger 5, Special attention shall be given to meeting the marchers when they arrive at the outskirts or corporate limits of cach city with large and representative delegations that will escort them into the center of the city and to the place where the mass meeting or demon- stration will be held. + - 6. On December 6th, when the Hunger Marchers will present their demands to congress, huge demonstrations in support of these demands 3 shall be arranged in all cities and towns throughout the country. These shall send telegrams to President Hoover, Vice-President Ourtis and Speaker Garner. . Agitational Material and Supplies. The National Committee will take steps to supply leaflets; posters; stickers; buttons; collection lists and stamps, etc, We will also begin publication of a National Magazine which is to be sold in the course of preparation and on the march. In addition all locals are urged to secure sufficient supplies of other authorized literature and publications such as the Daily Worker, Labor Unity, etc. All material issued by the National Committee will be forwarded in due time, : Feeding and Housing the Marchers. Every effort shall be made to force city and county officials to pro- vide suitable food and lodgings for the Hunger Marchers on their way to Washington and on their return. To this end, special letters shall be sent to the Mayor and City Councils Sheriffs and County Commis- sioners and supported by mass delegations, demonstrations and resolu- tions. Our previous experiences have however shown that we cannot rely upon the promises of these boss politicians even if they are made. We must therefore take steps to be assurc:| against all possible eventuali- ties. While conducting our fight to force the authorities to provide these essentials, we must also immediately launch and conduct an in- tensive campaign to collect food, blankets, clothing and other necessi- ties for the Hunger Marchers. For this purpose, special food committees shall be everywhere put to work under direction of the Workers International Relief. These shall collect staple foods from wholesalers and retailers, farmers, etc., and secure a warehouse where they can store this and all other articles collected for this purpose. ‘The local committees in charge of feeding and housing shall be Tesponsible to provide: a) A hot meal on the arrival and breakfast prior to departure of the marchers. b) As much food and other supplies as possible to be taken along to the next point en-route, c) Sleeping accommodations for the entire body of marchers, For this purpose, we should approach workers’ organizations, unions, lodges, ete,, to secure use of their halls. We shall also canvass workers for blankets, bedding, etc. i All arrangements for housing must be completed one week prior to arrival of the marchers. No attempts at Jim-Crowing the marchers shall be tolerated. No arrangements shall be made which will involve dispersal of the marchers to a large number of private homes. This results in deley which disrupts the schedule and results in disappoint- ment. Equipment of Marchers Where the cities provide feod and lodgings, these must be care-, fully inspected in advance and approved by a ‘responsible committee. Under no circumsiance shali jaiis be accepted as a place of lodgings. Under no circumstances shall funds be used to purélse food or pay for lodgings.. The Hunger Marchers will proceed to Washington by trucks and autos. These shall be decorated with banners and posters announcing the destination, and principal demands of the march as well as a sign indicating the territorial division, column number and the number of the given truck within the column. The National Committee’ will supply each marcher with an arm_ band reading: “National Delegate Hunger March, December 5, 1932”. This shall be worn at all times during the march.. The local arrangements committee must secure trucks and autos, extra tires and spare parts, and sufficient gas and oil for a good start. These cars should be put in good repair before the start, Arrangements shall be made to include at least one good auto mechanic in each column. The larger centers will be responsible for this. Special scout cars shall ace-yany each column to arrange in ad- vance for the arrival in each city. A medical squad shall accompany each column. This to be or- ganized in the principal centers in co-operation with the W. I, R. Weather conditions must be kept in mind when planning equip- ment. The local committees are responsible for supplying all marchers with sufficient warm clothes, sound shoes, blankets, etc. Trucks and machines must be equipped to protect marchers against rain and snow. Financing the National Hunger March. Special directives will be published on methods of raising the large sums required for carrying through this gigantic national action. The following are the general plans: 1, The National Committee of the Unemployed Councils has in- vited the Workers International Relief to organize a broad supporting committee which shall be composed of representatives of all possible organizations. This will be known as the Joint Committee for Support of the National Hunger March. This committee will conduct the cam- paign nationally to raise all necessary finances, 2. The treasurer elected by this committee shall receive all funds collected and deposit it to a’ special account. All such funds shall be used exclusively for the Hunger March and for no other purpose. The center will maintain a strict check-up and will make accounting for al] funds received. 3. Similar committees should be set up in all principal cities thru the local conferences. 4. The National Committee will assume no responsibility for financ- ing local delegations. It will be responsible for organizing the cam- paign nationally and providing accommodations in Washington only. Every state and city must be respofsible for providing all and suffi- cient funds necessary to enable their delegations to reach and return from Washington. Regulations and Organizational Problems of Marchers. The National Hunger Marchers should present to the workers im the cities through which they pass a practical example of efficient or- ganization and workingclass discipline. This is also essential in order that the march may achieve a high degree of success in accomplishing its purpose and advancing its aims. To this end, the following regula- tions shall apply: 1. The National Committee will be in full charge of all arrange- ments in the preparations, en-route and in Washington. In financial matters and in matters affecting food, lodging, etc,, the Workers In- ternational will share responsibility. 2. Each column will elect its own leadership in the following manner: a) The unit of organization will be the individual auto or truck; b) The marchers on each truck or auto will elect one of their group as captain. The truck captains will constitute the leading committee of the territorial division and will elect one of their number as territorial captain, and another as assistant captain, ¢) The captains of the territorial divisions shall compose the leading committee of the column. These. will likewise elect a column captain, These various committees will hold daily meetings to consider their problems and transmit their decisions to their units. d) Where two columns convérge, as in Kansas City, Chicago, Pitts- burgh, etc., the leading committees of both columns shall merge and the leader of the combined column. e) Each division shall organize a capable defense squad under the leadership of the division captain. 4 i Tasks of the Hunger Marchers. All participants in the march shall be afforded an opportunity te | participate actively in the various tasks connected with the march. / All will be assigned to either: Feeding and Housing; Leaflet Distribution; Literature Sales; Or- organization; Collection and such other committees as will be set up / Special attention shall be given to the sale of literature and distribu- tion of leaflets and collection of funds along the route of march. Wherever possible, personal contact shall be established with work- ers who desire to build up unemployed organizations or unions in their Ipeality. The organization Committees shall be supplied with “registered Supporters” cards and will register all such workers, retaining copies which will be forwarded through the national office to the local or nearest organizations, If necessary, some of the marchers will have to be prepared to remain in a city or town where possibilities for im~- mediate organization are presented. Collections taken at meetings and demoiistrations along the line of march shall be turned over to the column treasurer who will make . accounting to the National Committee. Program in Washington. All lines will enter Washington about noon on December 4, They will then come together in the first session of the Workers’ Congress which will take place in the evening of that date. On December 5th the Hunger March will present its demands to ‘Congress in such manner as will be decided on. Following the presentation of our demands, the delegates in the Hunger March will reconvene in a final session of the. Workers’ Congress to determine the further steps in the struggle against mass unemployment and hunger, . . Departure from Washington will take place in an organized manner as early as possible on Tuesday, December 6th. Return Journey. The return of the delezates will take place in the same manner 4s the march to Washington. Ranks shall be solidly maintained. Meetings shall be arranged for reports on the results of the march. The return trip shall be especially used for consolidating the support’ developed in the course of the march. Detailed directives on the return will be announced prior to arrival in Washington. NATIONAL COMMITTEE, UNEMPLOYED COUNCILS OF U, S. (Clip this for future reference. Watch the Daily Worker for all” further directives as all directives will be issued only through the’ workers’ press. For further information, address the National Commit’ tee, Room 436, 799 Broadway, New York City. io : 3