FREE THE 18! the MILITANT PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE

VOL. V III— No. 25 NEW YORK, N. Y., SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1944 PRICE: FIVE CENTS GPU Terrorist Union Leaders Call For Freedom Drive Launched Of The 18 At N. Y. Mass Meeting On Trotskyists ------International Slander and Lynch-Incitation Campaign Is Aimed at All Militant Workers ILGWU Boston Convention By Joseph Keller Unanimously Demands Pardon The Stalinist frameup and strikebreaking machine has launched a highly organized international slander campaign CIO Speakers Denounce Stalinist Attempts against all labor militants and, in particular, the Trotskyists, most conscious vanguard fighters everywhere for the working to Sabotage Fight for Framed Trotskyists class. This GPU-inspired onslaught is beginning to reach fren­ zied heights both in the United States and England and coincides with the growing repressions against the labor movement and BULLETIN the increasing “ democratic" persecutions of the Trotskyists by the Roosevelt and Churchill ca- The Boston Convention of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union unanimously went on record calling on President pitalist governments, i 1 ously two anti-Trotskyist attacks. Signaled by the recent Stal­ The aiticle claiming to give the Roosevelt to pardon the 18 Minneapolis labor prisoners. inist public rejection of social­ “low-down” on the British The reporter of the Resolutions Committee was greeted with ist objectives and open espousal Trotskyists finds that “ the center applause when he said: of capitalism, the latest GPU of world Trotskyism at present “The 17 men and one woman involved in the case—leaders of incitations to frameup ami terror is the Socialist Workers’ Party the Minneapolis Truck Drivers Local No. 544 ana of the Socialist against the Trotskyists is part in the United States.” Because Workers Party—were prosecuted for publishing and distributing of the Stalinist defense of capital­ the British workers are more ad­ radical literature, for making radical speeches, and declarations, ist reaction, which includes sup­ vanced politically, this article and for carrying on agitation along similar lines. port of anti-labor legislation and attempts to “argue” against the “The records of the case abundantly show that they were con­ Trotskyist program by a series decrees, acting as volunteer stool demned simply and solely for the expression of opinion, no overt of bald-fac.ed fabrications, such pigeons for the corporations and act of any sort being charged against them. They were convicted governments, and unabashed as “ all the resolutions passed by under the notorious Smith Sedition Act of 1940, the first statute strikebreaking. the Fourth International . . . since 1798 to make the mere expression of opinion a federal crime. But the immediate and special advocated that the followers of object of this slanderous lynch Trotsky should utilize the crisis “ Your Committee thoroughly disagrees with the philosophy, the drive is to reinforce and abet the created by the -war in order to objectives and the tactics of the Minneapolis prisoners. Nevertheless, government frameups of the 18 overthrow the Soviet govern­ we arc deeply convinced that these convictions challenge the best imprisoned Trotskyists in this ment.” "All the resolutions,” as traditions of civil liberty under the constitution. . . country and the 4 indicted every informed person knows, “ We are gratified to note that a number of leaders of our In­ George Novack, National Secretary of the Civil Rights Defense Committee, addressing the mass meeting in New York City on Trotskyist leaders of the British make the keystone of the Trotsky­ ternational have lent their support to the growing movement for behalf of the Minneapolis Labor Case defendants. Seen on the speaker’s platform are Thomas DeLorenzo, President of UAW-CIO Revolutionary Communist Party, ist program “the unconditional an executive pardon to the 18 Minneapolis prisoners. defense of the Soviet Union from Local 365, George Baldanzi, Executive Vice-President of the CIO Textile Workers, and Roger Baldwin, National Director of the and to sabotage the rapidly “Entirely in the interests of civil liberty, your Committee heart­ growing labor defense campaign imperialist attack.” American Civil Liberties Union. Others who spoke, but are not shown in this picture, were Henry Fruchtcr, National Educational ily recommends concurrence with the intent of the resolutions be­ on their behalf. The Stalinists Director, CIO United Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Em ployes, Norman Thomas, Socialist Party leader, Daniel Bell, Editor GIBBERISH fore us (Nos. 38, 131, 205, 260) to join in the appeal to the Presi­ have been aroused to unprecedent­ of The New Leader and Albert Gates, Editor of Labor Action. ed fear and fury by the fact that “Facts on Campaign of Min­ dent of the United States to grant such pardon. hundreds of union organizations, neapolis Trotskyites,” which the representing over 1,250,000 mem­ People’s World threatens is but the first of a series, descends al­ War Profits Canada Stalinists bers, have voted support for the Badoglio Cabinet Collapses By Art Preis Minneapolis Labor Case prisoners, most to sheer gibberish, and is a America’s corporations are and that so great has been the tissue of fantastic inventions. It raking in an average of $1,000 NEW YORK ClT Y, June 8. — In an inspiring demonstra­ labor reaction against the frame­ turns the Minneapolis Labor Case net war profits a year on every For Money Control tion of working class solidarity with the 18 imprisoned Trotsky­ up of the British Trotskyists that lite ra lly upside, .¿Qjvn, represent­ Under Italian Mass Pressure worker employed, and their ist and Minneapolis Transport Wor.kprs Local 544-CIO leaders, 8 labor Members of Parliament ing Its origin as a conflict be­ top executives “ pull down the approximately 800 workers jammed the C ivil Rights Defense are heading- the committee for tween “union bosses” (the Dunne By James Cowan neat average sum of $84,000 By Bank Oligarchs Committee mass meeting at the Hotel Diplomat Crystal Ball­ their defense. brothers) and the “democratic” per annum,” reports the June The shadow government of Italy, set up and kept in office An attempt by the Canadian room here tonight. They enthusiastically endorsed the appeal leadership of Daniel Tobin’s 3 CIO Economic Outlook. It STALINIST DIATRIBES by Allied bayonets in order to frustrate the w ill of the masses, of nationally prominent trade union and civil liberties leaders gangster-ridden AFL Teamsters also reveals that in spite of Commonwealth Federation and the Social Credit members of the who unitedly issued a call for American. labor lo rally behind The general tenor of the Stalin­ machine. Above all, it tries to has been reshuffled for the second time within a brief space of long hours of overtime the av­ ist diatribes is that the persecu­ show that the imprisonment of a few weeks. erage worker ends up the week Canadian parliament to take the fight to free the 18 and repeal the Smith “ Gag” Act under tions of the Trotskyists are not the Minneapolis Transport Work­ Marshal Pietro Badoglio, fascist butcher of the Ethiopians with exactly 35 cents left in his away from the ten government- which they were convicted. The speakers joined in urging organ­ “ labor cases.” The Trotskyists ers Local 544-CIO leaders is not and one of the staunchest backers of the former regime of Mus­ pocket. chartered banks their right to ized labor to resist the growing create credit and currency and deserve to be thrown into prison a “ labor case.” Among “ the 17 or solini, has been replaced as Premier in a reconstructed cabinet by A typical example of how offensive of Big Business and civil rights during this war, was restore it to parliament, was —and worse—because they are 18 convicted”—the People’s World Ivanoe Bonomi, an ex-Social-Democrat who headed the Italian much profits arc drained from the government against labor’s in the finest traditions of the defeated recently by a vote of really “Hitler agents” who are which claims to give the “facts” government for eight months in 1921-22, shortly before the ad­ every worker was cited before democratic rights. working class movement. Reflect­ the WLB by Emil Rieve, presi­ 107 to 20. A ll the ca p ita list p a r­ “ inciting strikes” for the express is vague even on the number im­ vent of fascism. ing the mounting nation-wide dent of the CIO Textile W ork­ ties, aided by the Stalinists, com­ Among the outstanding fig­ purpose of “sabotaging war prisoned—“only a few were mem­ The need for this new “demo­ tion. Revolver shots rang out. support for the CRDC campaign, ers, who pointed out that the bined to kill the measure. Both ures who addressed the meeting production.” These raving lies bers of the Teamsters Union.” cratic” face-lifting arose after the The Italian masses have long this united meeting represented giant American Woolen Com­ Stalinist -members of parliament, were George Novack, CRDC are merely the basis for scarcely- Actually, 13 of the 18 were mem­ m em ories! a significant step forward in ad­ Allied occupation of Rome. Bado­ pany made a 1943 p r o fit of Fred Rose and Dorise Nielson, National Secretary; George veiled appeals to outright physi­ bers and leaders. “Only a few glio and his cabinet colleagues— vancing the fundamental princi­ cal terrorism and mob action hundred members” of AFL Local HOT CLIMATE "more than $1,380 on every voted with the bankers' repre­ Baldanzi, Executive V i c e - ples of working class solidarity Stalinists, Social - Democrats, w o rke r on the p a y ro ll.” The sentatives. against Trotskyists and all m ili­ 544 endorsed affiliation with the Christian democrats and liberals— It was with these shots ring­ President of the CIO Textile with all victims of capitalist class company is complaining that Joseph Coldwell, leader of the tant workers whom the Stalinists CIO. Federal court testimony of scurried to the Eternal City to ing in their ears that the mem­ Workers Union; Henry Fruch- oppression and in mobilizing la­ the union’s demand for a 65 CCF, amassed facts and figures label as “Trotskyites.” government witnesses in the M in-' see w h a t chores were required of bers of the Badoglio “coalition” ter, National Educational D i­ bor to fight against every en­ cent an hour minimum wage proving that the Canadian peo­ In this country, this latest neapolis trial, as well as capi­ them by the Allied M ilitary Gov­ went into a huddle for the purpose rector of the CIO United Retail, croachment on its hard-won dem­ is “ inflationary.” ple are at the mercy of an in­ GPU anti-Trotskyist drive was talist press accounts, affirm that ernment. Prince Umberto, the fas­ of reconstructing the government, Wholesale and Department Store ocratic rights. The meeting struck significant number of financial first launched on the West Coast, over 4,000 members voted to af­ cist bootlicker who has succeeded in the hope that it might be made When commencing to form his Employes; Thomas De Lorenzo, a powerful blow for freedom of where hundreds of thousands of filiate with the CIO. King Victor Emmanuel as titular more palatable to the Romans. cabinet, Bonomi issued a state­ magnates. Of the ten chartered President of the CIO United Au­ speech and press by denouncing organized workers have voted head of the regime, went with The political climate of the Eter­ ment in which he declared that it banks, four of them—just four! tomobile Workers Brewster Ae­ the Roosevelt government’s frame A P R E L U D E support for the imprisoned 18, them. nal City, capital of the country would be “ much more democratic” —control 70 per cent of all the ronautical Local 365; Roger Bald­ up of the 18 and wiring to the bank assets of the country. Six White House a demand for their and was timed in an attempt to These People’s World smears They arrived, according to the and close to the heavy industrial than the Badoglio regime. But in win, National Director* of the insurance companies have control immediate unconditional pardon. sabotage the highly successful were just a prelude. On May 27, Rome correspondent of the N. Y. areas of Piedmont and Lombardy reality there is nothing democra­ American Civil Liberties Union; of more than 70 per cent of the mass meetings addressed by a capitalist newspaper, the San Times, to find “a hot situation, in the north, is even more tem­ tic or representative about it. Its Norman Thomas, Socialist Party At the same time, the mass insurance assets. George Novack, National Secre­ Pedro (California) News-Pilot, almost a threatening crisis, on pestuous than in the predomin­ members are self-appointed and leader; Daniel Bell, Associate rally launched a drive against tary of the Civil Rights Defense blossomed forth with a half-page antly rural south. Badoglio and Editor of The New Leader and terrorism, slander and frameup their hands.” The heat was em­ it is responsible, not to the peo­ FINANCIAL OLIGARCHY C om m ittee. advertisement, signed by the phasized when Umberto appeared his clique had found the south ple, but to the reactionary Ital­ Albert Gates, Editor of Labor within the labor movement by ex­ On May 22, the People’s World, Communist (Stalinist) Club of on the balcony of the Quirinal quite hot for their reactionary ian ruling class and the AMG, The four banks are: Royal, A ction. posing and denouncing the Stal­ official Stalinist West Coast government, but in the north it which w ill supervise and determ­ Montreal, Commerce and Nova inists, who are violating the most Palace to acknowledge the greet­ FINEST TRADITION gutter-sheet, published simultane­ (Continued on page 6) ings of a monarchist demonstra­ was hotter still. ine its every move. The masses Scotia. Ninety-four officers of elementary principles of labor The Romans refused to tolerate have had no say in its selection these four banks hold 799 direc­ The presence of these leading solidarity, not merely by ignoring Badoglio and so the Marshal had and have no control over its poli­ torates in 484 corporations. The spokesmen for different labor and the case, as some in the labor to go. As was to be expected, it cies. six insurance companies are liberal organizations on the same movement have done, hut by en­ was the Stalinist Palmiro Togliat- Subject to the AMG, control right behind the bankers and have platform in order to jointly pro­ gaging in an active slander and Avery Heads Open Shop ti (Ercoli) who fought for the re­ test and organize against the out­ tention of Badoglio as premier in (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 6) standing violation of workers’ (Continued on page 4) the cabinet-making session. This was reported by the N. Y. Times Drive Of Big Business correspondent, who wrote : “ . . .only the Communists (Stalin­ War Profiteers Lobby To Lift Price Lid By R. B ell the industrialists toward the restore open shop conditions in ists) here are supporting the unions, Avery stated: the industry. Premier, under the orders of Sig­ Appearing before the Select nor Togliatti.” But even the As Invasion Distracts Peoples’ Attention Committee of the House of Rep­ “ Do you think that Henry Ford B IG T H R E E likes unions? Do you think Gen­ styong arm of the Kremlin was | huge sum would flow into the al­ other would require rent control New York daily PM which says: resentatives investigating the By C. Thomas eral Motors does ? Oh, no, but The Big Three have followed not strong enough to hold the ready swollen coffers of the tex­ officials to grant increases in rent “With invasion news crowding Montgomery Ward "seizure”, they are under pressure.” About the Avery pattern in violating the Marshal in office in face of the The Big Business lobby in tile manufacturers whose fabul­ “ where landlords can show an in­ all other matters into the back­ Sewell Avery, head of the com­ the third unit of the Big Three union contract, refusing to adjust tremendous popular opposition. the nation's capital lias seized ous p ro fits in 1943 were compu­ crease in operating costs, upkeep ground, the special-interest lobby­ pany, exploded the myth pro­ in auto Avery had previously grievances, victimizing union It was Stalin and his GPU upon tlie moment of the inva­ ted to be nine times the profits or taxes since the date” when the ists have had a uniquely favorable pounded by some labor leaders remarked: “1 saw W alter militants, and generally dis­ henchman, Togliatti, who came to sion to jettison tlie already in­ of the 1936-39 period. The sweat- rent ceiling was put into effect. setting for their operations.” the rescue of the Badoglio regime that he was "leading a one man Chrysler beaten down until he criminating against and hound­ adequate price restrictions em­ shoppers at the head of the tex­ So confident are the rent hogs, A few months ago, when the ing union members until the un­ when it was rejected by the mass­ rebellion” against the unions. finally gave in under coercion. . . bodied in the administration’s tile’ industry have recently been that, in many parts of the coun­ labor representatives on the War 1 am not going to let, that happen bearable provocation of. the cor­ es in the south and tottered on shedding crocodile tears about try new tenants are required to Labor Board requested an upward Avery has made no secret of his the brink of destruction. What is Price Control Act which expires to ine.” The "pressure” and porations,. erupting in a number their “inability” to grant their sign leases embodying, an “esca­ revision of the Little Steel for­ deliberate intention to convert it that causes the Stalin clique June 30. The Congress has al­ “coercion” that forced the auto of “unauthorized” strikes, has exploited workers a wage in­ lator clause” agreeing to an au­ mula, presenting statistics prov­ Montgomery Ward and Com­ to throw their support behind the ready adopted a number of barons to sign contracts with the made the Detroit area the center crease. tomatic ten percent increase when ing that the cost of living had in­ most detested representatives of pany into an open shop pre­ union was the militant struggle of rank and file resistance crippling amendments to the Other Senate amendments rent control is “ relaxed.” creased 43.5 percent the re was a reaction? They fear that the serve. it has been the conten­ of the auto workers who stormed against the open shop drive. measure which serve to remove would so hamstring the enforce­ furious howl from administration slightest upset in the ruling junta CARRION CROW tion of. The Militant that Avery the open shop fortress main­ Another indication of the power­ all effective control over prices, ment of the Price Control Act spokesmen, Congress and the dol­ will precipitate the revolutionary was not acting as an isolated tained by Ford, General Motors ful forces behind the union-bust­ rents and profits. The Senate .that black market operators as The amendments quoted above lar patriots that any such increase crisis. They sense the delicate individual, that lie.was not some and Chrysler, and forced the Big ing campaign was the public an­ well as run-of-the-mill violators arc just a few of those already wou'd cause a ruinous inflation balance of class relations, the re­ approved the Bankhead amend­ kind of a “ freak” at variance Three to recognize their union nouncement a few months ago would he free of all restraint in tacked on to the Price Control spiral. Eric A. Johnston, presi­ bellious temper of the masses. ment which would place a pre­ gouging the consumer. In addi­ as the collective b a rg a in in g of the “labor policy” of the U.S. Act by large majorities of Demo­ dent of the U. S. Chamber of with tlic so-called "responsible” Even the slightest shift, at the mium on inefficiency and fraud tion to'the Senate amendments, crats and Republicans. W hile labor Commerce, the darling of the corporation executives, but was agency for the workers in the Steel Corporation. Benjamin top may precipitate an upheaval by guaranteeing a “ reasonable the political agents of the dollar is being called upon for addition­ Stalinists now being lavishly en­ acting as the spokesman and industry. The auto barons, as Fairless, president of U. S. Steel, below. pro fit” on every item produced patriots in the House have pre­ al sacrifices to “back the inva­ tertained in Moscow, submitted a spearhead for powerful interests Avery correctly testifies, have speaking to some of his cronies The ouster of Badoglio and the by the textile manufacturers bas­ sented scores of amendments cal­ sion,” the rent hogs and price brief on behalf of his organiza­ never become reconciled to deal­ at the annual dinner of the Pitts­ in an all-out drive to smash the reshuffle of the cabinet is an at­ ed upon a cost-plus method o f culated to unloosen an orgy of gougers swarm like a flock of tion stating: “ Organized labor, by unions and bring back the open ing with the union and, under burgh Chamber of Commerce, tempt to palm off a counterfeit, calculation. I t is conservatively war profiteering such as this carrion crow intent upon picking its renewed demands for increas­ shop. This contention con­ cover of the war emergency have gave a classic expression of the was to convince an outraged people estimated that the Bankhead couhtry has never seen. One the bones of their victims clean, es in wages threatens to destroy engaged in a series of provocative open shop program of Big firmed when, in reply to ques­ that an essential change has been amendment would add $350,000,- House amendment provides for while their attention is distracted the stabilization program. If or- acts designed to undermine the tioning by a member of the House made, whereas in reality every­ 000 a year to the consumer cost the automatic increase of 35 cents by the unfolding drama in Eu­ a u th o rity of the unions and .Committee about the attitude of (Continued on page 3) thing basically remains the same. of cotton goods and clothing. This a barrel in the price of oil. An­ rope. This is confirmed by the ( Continued on page 5) " Militant” Drive Nets 723 More Subs; Total Now Stands At 4357 In the tenth week of the M ilitant Subscription Campaign the William Grepn, AFT, head, fishing’ continued to rise . . . the branches obtained 723 NEW READERS to our paper, the highest recently reenunciated the poli­ latest being the Weyerhaeuser number sold during any week of the campaign to date. Our goal tical policy he and his craft union and Long-Bell mills and woods SCOREBOARD cronies have always followed. He operations at Longview, the two of 3,000 NEW READERS was reached in the eighth week, but the rattled the hones of-old Sam largest sawmills in the world.” branches continue to drive ahead, determined to take fu ll advantage Gompers, and plunked for the The same issue of the Wood­ of this opportunity to introduce The Militant to as many workers Quota Subs Percent IN MEMORIAM horse-and-buggy political philo­ worker, May 31, publishes the as possible through the campaign offer of 13 issues for 25c. B u ffa lo ...... — ...... — 50 245 490 sophy of “reward your friends resolution of the union’s Ex­ N e w ark ...... -...... 80 241 301 The Detroit Branch of the SWF has suffered the loss of one and punish your enemies” that ecutive Board, condemning the OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS New Y ork ...... 500 1388 276 of its most energetic and devoted comrades with the death of Com­ West Coast Stalinist sheet, Peo­ has always left labor wide open OF THE WEEK Toledo ...... - 30 79 263 rade Richard McDonald on Friday, June 2nd. for picking by the capitalist ple’s World, which has been mak­ Bayonne ...... — ... 50 108 216 Comrade McDonald’s life from its earliest days was a life of political sharks. ing scurrilous attacks on the Buffalo continues to lead nationally Reading ...... -...... 30 59 196 struggle. Before he reached his first birthday, Dick fell victim to W ith ty p ic a l smugness, he m ilitant lumber workers and other with 490 percent. 10 17 declaimed: “The American Fed­ progressive sections of the labor Texas ...... -...... — ...... - ...... 170 the dread disease of infantile paralysis, resulting in a crippling of Bayonne moved from seventeenth eration of Labor now, as in the movement. The resolution correct­ Philadelphia -...... -...... 30 50 166 his body from the waist down. During the next fifteen years of his place on the scoreboard to fifth. past, follows a strictly non­ ly charges that the Stalinist A llen to w n ...... — ...... -...... - 15 24 160 life Dick endured numerous surgical operations in jpi effort to en­ partisan political policy.” What -gutter-sheet is “detrimental to Los Angeles sold the most subs dur­ D e tro it ...... -...... -..... 300 464 154 able him to walk. Dick was finally able to get around with the aid he means is that he is im partially the interests of the Woodwork­ ing the week — 232, New York Local Boston ...... 100 145 145 of crutches. ready to give a hani tut to the ers and . . . designed to create sold 199, Bayonne sold 183. San Francisco ...... —...... 150 209 132 Not content to sit around and mope about his personal misfor­ capitalist party which seems at dissention and disruption within Four more branches joined the 100 Seattle ------— ...... - 150 193 128 tunes, Dick had taken advantage of his enforced leisure by doing ex­ the given moment more willing the ranks of the IWA.” Said percenters: Bayonne, Los Angeles, St. Paul ...... —...... -..... - 50 63 126 than the other to toss a few “dissention and disruption” being tensive reading. That is how he first became attracted to the ideas Chicago, Milwaukee. 400 461 115 crumbs and favors to Green in nothing else than attempts to Los Angeles ...— ...... of socialism. In 1938, ignoring his physical handicap, Dick hitch 200 209 return for selling labor down the induce the CIO workers to out­ Chicago ...... — ...... 104 hiked west. He stopped for a while at the Commonwealth Labor Col­ 15 riv e r. right scabbcry and strikebreak­ FROM OUR MAIL BAG M ilw aukee ...... -...... 15 100 lege at Mena, Arkansas and it was there that he entered the organ­ Green solemnly pontificated ing. Minneapolis ...... —...... 200 158 79 ized radical movement by joining the Communist Party. After a Los Angeles: “Beginning forced against those “ in the ranks of The Stalinists’ squealing rises Youngstown ...— ...... 50 39 78 short stay at the College, Dick continued westward finally settling in in crescendo in direct propor­ march to make up for lag in cam­ labor who are anxious to get New Haven ...... 25 18 72 Sacramento, California. There he participated actively in the life of tion to the decline of their in­ paign. On our first Red Sunday we mote actively involved in par­ A kro n ...... 40 27 67 the C* P., writing and speaking at street meetings. It was during tisan politics:” Green, of course, fluence among the West Coast sold 200 subscriptions in three hours. Cleveland ...... 50 26 52 his stay in Sacramento that Comrade McDonald first became ac­ is anxious to keep a certain workers, including the lumber Watch next Sunday.” St. L o u is ...... 20 9 45 quainted with the Trotskyist movement. When he learned the truth bargaining position between the w orkers. Bayonne: “We intend to continue Quakertown ...... 10 4 40 about Stalinism, Dick broke with the Comfnunist Party and return­ two Big Business political the sub drive until we become too machines. But he is strictly par­ San Diego ...... 50 18 36 ed to Detroit in 1940. He immediately sought out the Trotskyists How the “friend of labor” in busy with the follow-up of our sales.” tisan when it conies to genuine Memhers-at-Large, Friends ...... 355 80 22 and after attending a series of discussions joined the party. the White Houae, the “ impartial” Youngstown: “Please send us 50 independent labor political action F lin t ...... 15 Despite his physical limitations, from the time of his entrance government agencies and the no­ sub cards. We are starting a house- 3 20 —he's one with fhe CIO leader­ strike policy have “ protected” the Pittsburgh ...... 20 into the party up until the illness which resulted in his death, Dick to-house campaign and we expect to 10 • 2 ship in bitterly opposing a real interests of the workers is Rochester ...... was one of our most active comrades. For a period, Dick acted as sell these and maybe more.” 15 3 15 party of labor. illustrated in the case of the literature agent for the branch. He was always present to cover * * * Minneapolft: “Last Thursday a Budd Manufacturing Company, TOTAI...... meetings or for factory distributions of The Militant. His own trade group of comrades met at the head­ 3,000 4,357 145% The Dubinsky leadership of the known as the “Ford of Phila­ union activity was limited to a brief period in the CIO Office quarters before the meeting and went AFL International Ladies Gar­ delphia” because of the vicious Workers Union, hut Dick was- always available. He was always j methods it has successfully em­ to close-by working-class neighbor­ ment Workers Union was success­ ready to assist the other comrades in the detail work connected ployed thus far to prevent union­ hoods with sub cards. The result was ful at its Boston convention last with their trade union activity or with any other party work. week in whipping up a big ization. twelve more subs. We are planning Letter From A Steel Worker Dick was not only an activist. He also participated actively demonstration for a fourth term CIO President Philip Murray on meeting again himself recently charged before in the intellectual life of the Detroit branch. Drawn to the party for Roosevelt and pushing over next Thursday.” a Senate committee that the Budd by the greatness of its ideas, Dick constantly strived to raise his —almost unanimously—a resolu­ San Francisco: To His Son In The Service tion urging labor to give a poli­ company had fired within the last own level of understanding. “ Enclosed are 34 tical blank check to one of the two months over 2,880 workers By Theodore Kovalesky the pledge. Well, we began to trial sub cards. In the midst of his activity, Dick became stricken with illness shrewdest capitalist politicians in because of union activities. At clap when he said that . . . but O f these 32 w ere (At the 1944 convention of in the fall of 1942. After an illness of a couple of months, Dick American history. the same time, the company has we lost the vote after Murray seemed to have recovered when he was again stricken. This time One courageous delegate re­ set up a new company union to secured yester­ the U n i t e cl Steelworkers of stood up and cried bis eyes out tuberculosis was discovered in his lungs and in March of 1943 Dick fused, however, to be a party to replace one “disbanded” by a day in our work America, President Philip M ur­ about it. He should have been a this reaffirmation o£ “company federal court order and a U. S. in Oakland. We ray made this statement: movie actor. entered a Hospital where he remained until his death. unionism in politics.” Louis Nel­ Supreme Court ruling. plan to be out “ Withdrawal of the no-strike But what I want to say is this. Dick entered this last battle armed only with a tremendous son, Manager Secretary of Knit- The CIO United Automobile there for another pledge would be regarded as an Murray asked what kind of a fighting spirit. His frail body racked with disease was ill prepared goods W orkers Local 155, New Workers has tried for years to three Sundays. insult to our armed forces and letter we’d write our boys if we for the struggle with this terrible disease. From the beginning of organize the plant. Shortly after York City, recorded his vote O f the 32 subs to the union-minded population rescinded the pledge. Now, Joey, his last confinement he knew that his chances of recovery were less Pearl Harbor the local union I can’t write that letter, of course, against the Dubinsky resolution secured, 19 were of this country. . . If you did than one in a thousand. Dick waged the battle nevertheless and only and for genuine independent vent on strike, but was defeated because Murray pushed the no­ from white work­ withdraw the pledge, what sort a few months ago seemed on the road to recovery. Just when the labor politics. through the combined efforts of strike pledge through agaiTi. But ers and 13 fro m tuberculosis of his lungs seemed arrested, the disease found its way There was some booing at Nel­ the government and the company. of letter would you write to I wanted to te ll you ho.w your son’s forthright stand. But he Since then, the union leaders have Negroes. This was done in a total of 1; j hours’ time with 4 couples your bovs overseas tomorrow to to his spine. The discovery of this just a very few weeks ago mark­ spoke for the progressive forces been “ fighting” the company with participating.” explain?” ) ed the beginning of the end. Dick realized he just did not possess moving in the main-stream of vain complaints to the various Detroit: “This Sunday we are going to have a branch mobiliz­ the physical resources necessary to combat the latest attack. His labor’s political development. The government agencies. The disas­ ation, and the following Sunday too. This last month w ill find the wonderful fighting spirit was broken and his condition became rapid­ trous consequences of the no­ Dear Joey, political consciousness of the comrades really going after .more subs.” ly worse until his death. American workers is rapidly- strike policy and reliance on the Pittsburgh: “ I think we may have more subs soon.” • I ’m writing you an extra let­ Just a few months ago, an act occurred highly typical of Dick deepening, and many of those Roosevelt government are com­ te r this week, because there are which I think reveals the kind of comrade he was. Presented with a who booed Nelson last week will pletely revealed in the Budd case. St. Paul: “ We’ve ordered 85 cards and we certainly hope to sell a lot of things on my mind that small sum of money by his comrades to meet his incidental expenses, be commending his stand in the them all. We may sell more, but we’d rather overshoot our mark than overaim to begin with.” I'd like to talk about. In the Comrade Dick returned the money to the branch with a note urging not too distant future. first place, I’m writing this on The CIO Aluminum Workers of that the money might better be used to aid our 18 imprisoned com­ * * * Chicago: “ In addition to the mobilizations, we now have a pro­ Memorial Day, and I’m thinking America voted at its convention rades or the party in its work. In typical Westbrook Pegler gram by which the team captains see that members of their teams back seven years to that. Memorial last week to end its independent style, the Stalinist Daily Worker go out at least once a week, individually or in groups, to suit their Day when you and I were march­ This very fine friend and comrade met his death still a young existence and merge with the last week spat its venom at ing in the picket line at Republic man. He was only 29. His personal kindness, his loyalty and devo­ CIO Steel Workers. Negotiations convenience. Enthusiasm has reached a high point and we shall go Steel. There you were, just a tion. to the working class and to our party, his wonderful spirit w ill Worth Lowery, President of the for the merger had been in well over our quota. We struck it rich in one of the housing projects, CIO International Woodworkers young Chicago kid eighteen years progress for a number of months. inhabited largely by Negroes and Italians.” always be remembered by those of us who had the pleasure of know* of America, because he refused old, working on your first job . . . ing and working with Dick McDonald. The steel union’s covention recent­ New Haven: “ Enclosed you w ill find a 25c sub. I have recently to play the role of strikebreaker and marching in your first picket ly approved the projected affilia­ Dick was one of the pioneer fighters and organizers in the against the thousands of CIO converted this individual to our point of view.” line, singing “ Solidarity Forever” tion and authorized Philip Murray building of the Detroit branch of the Socialist Workers Party. Wo lumber workers who joined over Buffalo: “We’re going to try for 600 percent! We read every along with the old hands like me. and the USWA leaders to con­ honor his bright untarnished name. We w ill carry on his work and 30,000 AFT, lumber union mem­ word in the Campaign Column avidly. It’s a wonderful campaign I remember the day we both went clude the merger. old man and a lot of the boys keep his memory green. bers in the recent Pacific North­ hnd we’re sure everyone will go way over the top.” down to the SWOC hall and joined tried to rescind it, because I know west strike. Lowery instead the union. The boys used to call turned his guns on the lumber us the “father and son team.” you are a union man yourself and A t the recent Minneapolis meet­ I know you’re still with us. barons and W’ar Labor Board for ing of the International Exe­ We would like to hear from Toledo, Reading, and Philadelphia But that Memorial Day part of As I said, I’ve been thinking provoking the strike by denying cutive Board of the CIO United the story. . . T h a t’s w hat I ’ve been concerning their plans relative to the three-way challenge. back about a lot of things. When the lumber workers the wage in­ Automobile Workers, the Board thinking about mostly, that and What are the plans of West Side Branch (New York Local), you went away you said (remem­ crease they have been demanding condemned the NLRB for its de­ one other thing that I’ll come to Chicago, and Minneapolis relative to their three-way challenge? ber?), “Dad, I’m depending on since Pearl Harbor. cision in the American News later. Back in 1937 on Memorial you to keep the union going. I THE END OF THE COMINTERN The International Woodworker, Company case. T his decision Day, there we were, you and me don’t ever want to work in an organ of the IWA-CIO, noted ap­ stated, in effect, that the work­ and all of the rest of the boys By James P. Cannon Three more weeks to go. We want to finish with every branch open shop again. YOU w ill have provingly that “the number of ers have no right to strike for marching in front of the plant, to fight for ME when I’m gone.” local unions throughout the increases beyond the Little Steel at least 100 percent! not carrying anything more w ith Well, Joey, that’s just what I’ve Northwest who had voted to ‘go form ula. dangerous than picket signs, been trying to do. Without the when all of a sudden those lousy right to strike, the union move­ The Manifesto of the cops began to shoot at us and ment is retreating fast. Some of charge us with clubs. I’ll never the union big shots are kicking Fourth International forget that! Maybe you don’t WHY WE ARE IN PRISON out men who go out on strike, think so much about it now over and the bosses and the news­ 36 PAG ES 10 C EN TS Farewell speeches of the defendants in the Minneapolis there in the front lines with papers love that. But I promise Labor Case. The vital words of people condemned to bullets coming at you every day, you, son, I am not going to give prison for their courageous defense of Socialist ideas. but, as far as I’m concerned, it PIONEER PUBLISHERS up the fight. . . was the most terrible thing I’ve 116 University Place New York 3, N. Y. ever been through, even includ­ STILL FIGHTING ing the time old Number Three Numerous and interesting in­ (West Coast Stalinist fink sheet). “We were obliged to tell the truth. We saw the abomination Furnace broke out and almost So, now w ith M em orial Day cidents which have occurred in coming around again, and with Enough said!” of the imperialist war and we were under compulsion to tell caught me. I remember the way door-to-door canvassing for sub­ * * sf: me and you and the union one the people the truth about it. We saw the vision of a socialist everybody was yelling and run­ scriptions are reported by our ning, and the way that colored year older, I wanted to write High regard and appreciation society and were under compulsion to fight for it at all costs agents. Here are some of them: fellow went down right next to and tell you these things that is expressed in the following and despite all hazards.” Buffalo: “ Last week one of the letters. me with a bullet clean through have been running through my IN DEFENSE OF SOCIALISM girls met a man who wasn’t the mind, and to tell you that I’m Brooklyn: “ You may start my 56 pages, paper 10 cents him. I know you could have run least interested, wouldn’t even let still fighting the way you and I by Albert Goldman subscription to The Militant with a lot faster and got away sooner her show him The Militant. She used to fight when you were still your Introductory Offer of 13 yourself, but you stayed there READ sold a sub to his next-door Pioneer Publishers here. I wanted to write and tell issues for 25c. I enclose 25c. coin. with your dad . . . though you neighbor and ten minutes later, 116 U N IV E R S IT Y P L A C E N E W Y O R K 3, N . Y. you that I remember all these P.S. As you see I copied the never would admit it later. THE COURT RECORD when she was way down the -*• aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaj things like they happened yester­ wording on your coupon. I am street, he came running after her STEEL CONVENTION day, even though some of them )f Attorney and defendant Albert Goldman’s final speech saving the sample issue I with a quarter in his hand. He happened seven years ago, on received and therefore feel The other thing I’ve been for the defense in the famous Minneapolis labor trial. said he’d seen his neighbor’s copy that day when we all ran from reluctant to damage it.” thinking about, son, is the con­ and wanted to subscribe. So you vention we had a couple of weeks the cops’ bullets and clubs, that Coushatta, La.: “I received a see The M ilitant sells itself!” ago. I guess I wrote and told you is, all of us but the ten guys that 95 pages 10 cents copy of your paper some months Los Angeles: “During our that the boys in our local elected were killed and the others that ago and I want to subscribe for house-to-house canvassing for me one of the delegates. It was were badly hurt. I remember it.” 2nd A N D ENLARGED E D ITIO N special subs to The Militant a a pretty punk convention, what what you said after it was all comrade went to one house which, Milwaukee: “Please send me with Murray and the rest of the over: “ Dad, we’ll make them pay in marked contrast to all the two copies of The M ilitant con­ big boys taking up most of the fo r th a t!” SOCIALISM ON TRIAL others he visited, greeted the idea taining the editorial entitled ‘On time filibustering, but there were Well. Joey, we’re still going to by James P. Cannon of fighting for workers’ rights Pacifism.’ I am not in agreement a couple of high spots. The most make them pay, and we're going with scorn. ‘I think the workers with the editorial; however, I important part came when a to fight hard to have a strong are pretty well off,’ the woman of do wish to send copies of it to young fellow from Reading, Pa. union here when you get back to 1 12 pages 10 cents the house said. When reminded pacifists for their study.” raised the devil, because he had jo in us. that the unions were being attack­ New York: “At the end of a been appointed to the Resolutions ed all the way down the line she union meeting 1 had the particu­ Committee, and was not informed • exclaimed, ‘I think that, the work­ lar pleasure to observe a Negro about it until too late. What ers should retreat, and I ab­ brother go out of his way to pick seemed to make him especially The Militant PIONEER PUBLISHERS solutely don’t believe in strikes.’ up The Militant from a chair, sore was that the committee w ith­ may now be purchased at As The M ilitant agent was leav­ study it for a moment and ¡ then out him sent through a resolu­ 116 University Place, New York 3, N. Y. ing she remarked that she sub­ carefully fold it up and pul it tion to reaffirm the no-strike 242 Broadway, San Diego, Cal. scribed to the Peoples World into his pocket.” pledge. Brown proposed to rescind THE IfTTCTTANT -THREE More Than 200 Organizations Back Campaign To Free The 18 Imprisoned Trotskyists, Novack Tells Mass Meeting

[Reprinted are sections of the address of George Novack, - © Secretary of the CRDC, delivered to the New York Mass Meeting FREE THE at the H otel D iplo m at on June 8, 1944.] A VER Y HEADS W ALL STREET Brother Chairman, friends of the Civil Rights Defense Committee, fellow fighters for civil liberties and labor’s rights: DRIVE FOR THE OPEN SHOP Almost three months ago 1 started out on a coast-to-coast tour (Continued from page 1) Morgan interests at Ward’s.” (he WI.B lo impose drastic sanc­ to enlist labor and liberal support for the Civil Rights Defense Com­ When the Montgomery Ward tions, no frantic waving of the mittee's campaign to secure presidential pardon for the eighteen CIO Business when hi said: “ Gentle­ strike broke out, George Whitney, flag by the brass bats, no thun­ and Socialist Workers Party members railroaded to prison under the men, our conviction is as firm president of .1. P. Morgan and derous denunciation by Roosevelt, Smith “Gag” Act. During these past months 1 have addressed scores today as it ever was that the Co., rushed to Chicago where he no hue and cry in Congress for of audiences, representing the most progressive sections of Amer­ fig h t to w o rk should n o t be entered, into conference with legislation to curb the arrogance ican life— trade unions, Negro organizations, farm audiences, univer­ dependent upon membership or Sewell Avery. Whitney is a of the employers. director of Montgomery Ward as sity audiences, civil liberties groups. I have personally discussed non-membership in any organiza­ The WLB directive places the tio n .” well as '•General Motors; Avery the Minneapolis labor case with scores of union officials and hundreds union back where it started from Fairless revealed that U.S. Steel is a director of l'. S. Steel. when the contract expired last of workers in the industrial cities of this vast country; with Negro Corporation, like Montgomery Through this medium of in­ December. Roosevelt’s farcical leaders, clergymen, lawyers, civil liberties leaders, and progressive Ward, had accepted the main­ terlocking directorates the House “seizure” of the plant succeeded individuals. tenance-of-membership clause in of Morgan controls a vast in­ only in breaking the strike, herd­ The first group of workers 1 had occasion to speak to were the last union contract, under dustrial empire. Together with ing the workers back to their railroad men, belonging to the Railroad Council in Rochcstef, New protest. “ For the period of the other gangs of Wall Street free­ jobs and then turning the plant York. 1 even went out into the round-house and discussed with a contract,” the corporation state­ booters with whom they are back to the Avttry-Morgan man­ closely associated, they dominate rjumber. of them the Minneapolis case while they were working on ment to Roosevelt read, “this agement. Additional time will the economic and political life of the engines. And the latest was a meeting called by General Motors company bows to your decision elapse before the WI.B goes and accepts that which it con­ the nation. It is these powerful through its ponderous procedure Local. 21G of the United Auto Workers at their hall in Los An­ siders unnecessary, undesirable financial interests who are be­ of getting the case certified again geles . . . and now, this important meeting in New York, where and subversive of the workers’ in­ hind Sewell Avery and are to President Roosevelt. If past progressive leaders of labor have tonight expressed their solidarity dividual will.” The U.S. Steel pressing forward a general attack experience is any criterion, with our work in the CRDC. Corporation, like Montgomery on the labor movement. Roosevelt will sit on the case I intend tonight to discuss not the facts and issues involved in Ward and General Motors Cor­ MISLEADING • until the patience of the workers the Minneapolis labor case, as I did elsewhere. The previous speakers poration are controlled by J. P. becomes exhausted arid they are Under these circumstances, it have already touched on the main issues and the principal facts, and Morgan and Company. The Chi­ forced to strike to defend the is dangerous and misleading to cago Daily News points out: “ It existence of their union. In which you can read about them in the abundant literature published about declare, as James B. Carey, is generally recognized that event Roosevelt may “seize” the th is case. secretary-treasurer of live CIO Averv is the choice of the J. I*. plant again to break the strike in I propose to report to you certain events connected with my na­ liberalism, (communal Indian village lands) of Pantepec Oil Co. He requested While I was in Minneapolis I took the occasion to visit the 14 CATHOLIC CHURCH in this respect is an injury to all. But the infamous Stalinists have perverse democracy and anarchy; to be expropriated by force and half a million dollars from prisoners in Sandstone Penitentiary. They were extremely glad to forgotten the meaning of this elementary principle of labor solidar­ our purpose is to restore in our fraud, just as had been done much While the U. S. government Nicholas Brady, another New see me and to hear what I had to tell them about the defense move­ ity. The treacherous action of the Stalinists in this case is the most country the Christian social order earlier in England and on the was applying diplomatic pressure York magnate. Buckley is assist­ ment on their behalf. They almost leaped forward to hear what I dastardly thing that I know of in the labor defense movement of this which is the very essence of our continent of Europe. By 1910 this on Mexico, the Mexican Catholic ed in the gathering of funds for had to tell them. . . being.” Mexican history throws country. These 18 are in jail and are not able to answer. But they process had reduced 97% of the Church suddenly (in January the Sinarquists by Dr. Malone, I also went to see Kelly Postal at Stillwater State Penitentiary a lurid light on “the essence of rural heads of families to com­ 1926) took a sharp stand against have plenty of defenders throughout this country. president of Holy Name Society. to discuss the details of his parole which was. scheduled to come being” of the Catholic Church. plete and hopeless poverty. Ten the old laws concerning disestab­ Big donations have been made by up. I went with the lawyer retained by our Committee. Out on the million Indians or three fifths of lishment and the right to con­ Cardinal Hayes and others. MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE HISTORIC PROBLEM West Coast I had a talk with the Secretary of the Oregon CIO Coun­ the entire population had fallen duct Catholic schools. The Church Part of the money raised here cil. Ho told me he had spoken with Governor Thye of Minnesota Anybody who participates in any way in aiding and abetting this The great historic social prob­ into a state of serfdom. is bitterly opposed to the state for support of Mexican fascism about the imprisonment of Kelly Postal. He said to Governor Thye frame-up of the 18 is going to have to account to the progressive and lem of Mexico, a country with a The landowners meantime were educational system which is not is devoted to propaganda to labor movement of this country. We for one are going to take the large percentage of mountain and in a close alliance with the under its control. present the Sinarquist movement — you know, when I and other CIO leaders left the AFL and went desert, has been the land ques­ Catholic Church which tried to There can be no doubt that in a favorable light to the Amer­ over and joined the CIO, we took our union funds along the, same responsibility of seeing to it that they are called to account for their tion. The first deep-going move­ keep the Indians in the proper then (as now) the Church was ican public. It is presented as an way Kelly Postal did. Did you think we ought to go to prison for crimes. ment of the land-hungry peons of state of submission. But again egged on by thf big financial and innocent movement for Indian embezzlement? Although Thye said he didn’t have anything to do We have many supporters and we are going to win many more an Indian leader arose to lead Mexico dates back to the revolt petroleum interests in the United colonization and uplift. But its with this imprisonment of Kelly Postal, I told him he ought to free as this struggle progresses. So far we have done our work well, but led by the Zapotec Indian Juarez the peons in revolt against their States. Calles insisted in 1926 aims and methods make it an Kelly Postal. much remains to be done. We have numerous enemies. We have a in 1854. The C atholic Church then unbearable state. Zapata was not that the Church obey the law and authentic fascist movement which Well, we were very pleased to hear — I heard it on the West great deal yet to accomplish. We have got to mobilize ever more had its own “order,” for it owned satisfied with a mere change in that all church property be seeks to establish a totalitarian powerful forces behind our national campaign to make the President- a great part of all urban property, regime. He raised the slogan of registered as such with the gov­ Coast — that Kelly Postal has been paroled and has gone to Oregon. controlled or owned much of the all revolutionary agrarian move­ ernment. The priests refused to state under the complete domina­ Of course, he should have been pardoned. The parole is due in large pardon the 18 and to prepare the way for the repeal of the Smith rural land, had an annual income ments: “Land and Liberty!” comply and quit tile churches in tion of the Catholic Church. measure to the work of our Committee and to those in the labor “ Gag” A ct. situation engendered by the post­ Italian Partisan Action war crisis. Cabinets were con­ structed only to collapse after a Union Leaders Issue Call For Freedom few weeks or months in office. Their instability reflected the in­ stability of class relations. The workers had shortly before seized O f The Eighteen A t N. Y. Mass Meeting the factories. Mussolini, in the service of big capital, was mar­ (Continued from page 1) have already endorsed the cam-® sion of solidarity with his union, shalling and drilling his fascist disruption campaign to further paign and contributed financial Speech of De Lorenzo which recently conducted a m ili­ blackshirts in preparation for his the frameup of the 18 and sabo­ backing. “ We expect,” he added, tant “sit-in” demonstration to crushing of the labor movement tage their defense. "that before many weeks have (The following speech, excerpts of which are reprinted here were fight a mass lay-off, and a pledge and establishing the Fascist Dic­ This scabby campaign was passed the number is going to delivered by Thomas De Lorenzo, President of Brewster Local 365 of support for his defense in the ta to rsh ip . climaxed yesterday, just prior to go over 300.” UAW-CIO at CRDC Mass Meeting at the Hotel Diplomat, June 8, government’s projected frameup “The history of the Bonomi tonight’s meeting, when the Daily The reason for this growing 1944.] against him as the leader of one Cabinet of June 1921 to February Worker published a column throw­ united support, he stated, was of .the most progressive union 1922,” writes Count Carlo Sforza ing typical Stalinist filth at the the increasing awareness of ever Mr. Chairman, Brothers and Sisters: locals in the country. in his recent book Contemporary imprisoned Trotskyists, conjuring larger groups of American work­ The Minneapolis case to my way of thinking is not an isolated De Lorenzo declared that both Italy, “could only be the history up a link between them and the ers that the Minneapolis Labor case. I believe that all over the country, in various forms, govern­ the Minneapolis case and his own of the conflict of Fascism with Hitlerism of which they have been Case is not an exceptional attack ment officials are taking reprisals against the organizations and persecution are part of the gener­ the social order and the authority by reaction, but “one of the al drive against labor. “The Min­ the most consistent and uncom­ groups who have the courage to speak for what they believe. of the State. . promising opponents, and sland­ beachheads established by the neapolis case to my way of think­ I could perhaps best illustrate my thought on this matter by And what happened? Under ering the labor speakers sched­ enemies of labor and of the demo­ ing is not isolated. 1 believe that giving you some of the highlights of the' Brewster situation. We his premiership the forces of fas­ uled to participate in the mass cratic rights of the American peo­ all over the country the govern­ cism grew and were permitted to had the first union shop in the aircraft industry and we have been meeting as "tools” being "used” ple in their all-out offensive upon ment officials are taking reprisal terrorize the whole country, to at­ a target not only of the manufacturers in the aircraft industry,'but by the Trotskyist “ Hitler agents.” workers and civil rights.” While agains groups who have the cour­ tack and destroy trade union the workers have been making of the government, because of this particular union shop provision age to say what they believe.” headquarters, break up workers’ REAFFIRM SUPPORT instruments of warfare for the that we had in our contract. He illustrated his point with the Far from being intimidated by demonstrations, k ill working-class foreign fronts, “their foes at Approximately two years ago the Navy Department seized the example of the union-busting m ilita n ts . this attempted smear, the speak­ drive conducted by the Navy De­ Brewster plant by presidential order. It has been the only plant that As Sforza goes on to relate, the ers demonstratively reaffirmed partment against his own union was ever seized, of the seventeen taken on presidential order, where fascists had given an open chal­ their unconditional support for and the effort of the government the im prisoned T ro ts k y is ts as there were no labor disputes pending at that time. It is true there to silence him with the threat of lenge. “ The Fascist Party should working class victims of capital­ have been plenty of labor disputes since that time, and for a very prison. “ In view of the fact that have been dissolved. . . B u t the ist injustice. They publicly nailed good reason. these persecutions of labor have Government dared not accept the the slanders of the Stalinists, Before the navy or government returned the plant to private started with us, we must organ­ challenge.” It passed from the scene and only one more “ demo­ branding them as the most reac­ ownership, they made the principal stockholders in that corporation ize a powerful movement in our tionary force in the labor move­ cratic” cabinet was to appear be­ put up their stock in escrow with the Navy Department, while the own defense. My union is in entire ment and warning of their treach­ sympathy with these 18 brothers, fore Mussolini staged his march Navy selected the people to run the plant. The plant was returned on Rome. erous, strikebreaking role. and wc hope we w ill have the op­ The workers in north Italy are continuing to struggle heroic­ in thirty days; there was a great hullabaloo raised when the plant George Baldanzi, a member of portunity to do some good work ally against the Nazi oppressors. The Nazi caption on this photo­ was seized but not a word when it was returned. OPPOSE REGIME the National Committee of the on their behalf.” graph, which comes from Lisbon, Portugal, says it was taken in CRDC and chairman of the meet­ We have had one continuous fight with the management that The masses of Italy want peace a north Italian town where German police units were “attacked and bread and liberty. Nine ing, speaking as an official repre­ represented the Navy. This management was trying to run the plant DANIEL BELL by a group of partisans who took possession of the town after months of “ liberation” a la Roose­ sentative of hundreds of thou­ and the union at the same time, and to break the union. I want to Daniel Bell, who is a member besieging the German fort for ten days.” velt and Churchill have plunged sands of CIO textile workers, ex tell you that the prime objective of that plant management was not of the National Committee of the pressed the attitude of the most CRDC, spoke as editor of The them deeper into the bloody mo­ production; the management did not give a damn about production. progressive sectors of the labor New Leader, organ of the Social- rass of war and they have neither Thomas DeLorenzo, President They were only interested in breaking the union. . . movement toward the case and Democratic Federation. He de­ bread nor liberty — only hunger of Brewster Aeronautical Local the Stalinist sabotage campaign. It seems to me that anyone who has had the courage to/fight for clared that “ it was the talent of and enslavement under a police- 365, UAW-CIO, addressing the Cabinet of Badoglio m ilitary dictatorship, crowned by Asking the permission of the au­ those things which he believes in has to suffer in some form or an­ the left-wing movement to seize dience to make a special public CRDC mass meeting. other, and I am not the target. In spite of the fact that I have been upon cases of injustice and or­ the rotten monarchy and held up declaration, he took up the Stal­ indicted, it is not I. It is the union contract which exists in that plant ganize to oppose them, that built by Allied bayonets. home in Washington and Wall The workers and Iheir class inist slander campaign and flung which the Navy Department doesn’t like. In ordfer to make sure that the labor movement we have to­ Thrown into Discord Street have been forging legal allies, the farmers and the city the lie back. He said: the union contract is going to be wiped out in one form or another, day.” weapons for use in their class (Continued from page 1) are worried by the mass turbul­ poor, will unquestionably oppose "In the Daily Worker of yes­ Bell warned that “ the reaction­ fight against the rights and in­ they cancelled the contract for that entire plant. . . of the armed forces is held firm ­ ence which necessitated the cabi­ the regime of Bonomi as they did terday, there appeared in a col­ ary elements are massing their terests of organized labor.” He In view of the fact that they have started on us and will prob­ ly by reaction through an old- net shift, was also indicated by the regime of Badoglio. They w ill umn an article which stated that forces preparing to crack down pointed to the recent federal in­ ably continue on other labor organizations and unions in the coun­ line monarchist nob'e, Count the action of Roosevelt in order­ struggle to establish workers’ Baldanzi is being ‘used’ by the on labor. If we lose in the Min­ dictment of Thomas De Lorenzo, try, now is the time that we must be prepared and organized, and Alessandro Casati, who was given ing Myron C. Taylor, his repre­ committees, Soviets, elected on Trotskyists. I want to make it neapolis case, others w ill follow. one of the labor speakers, as a the Ministry of War and Avia­ sentative at the Vatican, to pro­ the basis of popular representa­ clear for the record that I am organized well, in order to prevent this same sort of thing from Remember, he who gives a small reminder that "the same federal tion. Bonomi, in addition to the ceed post-haste to Rome from tion, to repel every advance of being ‘used’ by no one. I come to happening all over the country. . . finger to the Devil, has lost an frameup system that put the 18 premiership, holds the foreign Washington in order to confer reaction and to prepare the es­ speak here with full knowledge I would like to say in conclusion that we are in entire sympathy arm.” He added a sharp denun­ behind bars is in active opera­ and interior ministries. The Stal­ with the Pope. tablishment of their own govern­ of the issues in this case on be­ and support of these eighteen brothers and that we will support ciation of the Stalinists whom tion .” inist Togliatti continues as a min­ The Papal Church is one of the ment, which will fight for bread half of labor victims of an un­ them and that we will take every opportunity to aid these eighteen he charged “ have sought to sabo­ ister of state without portfolio, most important arms of the re­ and peace and proceed towards fair law. I did the same thing ILLUSION D1SPELLEP tage in various unions the efforts brothers who are at the present time incarcerated. Thank you. while the Stalinist Fausto Gullo action. It stands in with the po­ the building of a socialist society. when Congress attempted to pass Many people, he stated, had to free these imprisoned men.” remains minister of agriculture. lice-military dictatorship, with a law to deport Harry Bridges, been under the illu sio n th a t the Roger Baldwin, who has given the monarchy, and with the Al­ and God knows 1 don’t agree with government would not go through invaluable aid to the defense of The new government is not a Mass Meeting Telegram lied authorities as a bulwark Harry Bridges. with the frameup. The imprison­ typical coalition democratic gov­ the 18, declared: “ The ACLU has against social revolution. "W ith their (Stalinist) endorse­ ment of the 18 and the three­ T he following telegram was sent to President Roosevelt on been with the CRDC from the ernment. It is a pitiful caricature ment of the Baruch plan, with time refusal of the “Roosevelt- nnc 8 by unanimous vote of the mass meeting: very inception of the case and of a democratic coalition which Because of the continuing op­ BAYONNE their reemphasis that they have rejuvenated” Supreme Court to The Civil Rights Defense Committee Mass Meeting Com­ will be with you until the last but thinly hides the real relation­ position of the Italian masses to always been for capitalism and review the convictions have large­ prising 800 Workers and Defenders of C ivil Liberties Assembled man is out of prison.” He stated ship—a police military dictator­ the monarchy and all other forms with their pronouncement of a no­ ly dispelled this illusion. “Now lere Tonight at the Hotel Diplomat, 108 W. 43rd St., New York that his “ No. 1 Deplore” was the ship propped up by foreign bay­ of reaction, and because of the onets. Like the Badoglio govern­ growing revolutionary ferment strike p'edge after the war, as we’re taking the case to the I’resi-, Tty. Unanimously Urges That You Pardon the 18 Minneapolis “refusal of the Supreme Court CRDC far as 1 am concerned, that group dent and demanding that lie who three times to review these con­ ment it w ill rule by decree. Like caused by hunger and oppression, I ruckdriver Local 544-CIO and Socialist Workers Party J.ead- the Badoglio government its only the Allied imperialists entertain rs Now in Prison. Victims of the Infamous Smith "Gag" Act. victions” which involved a “ most flagrant violation of the First power is that which the Allied merely the meager hope that the MESSAGES FROM THE PRISONERS conquerors choose to give it. Like government of Bonomi “may MEETING UAW LEADER BACKS FIGHT Amendment to the Constitution.” George Novack, National Secretary of the CRDC, read the fol­ He charged that this was a the Badoglio government, it will last” until the Nazis have been rely on the small reconstituted driven from northern Italy. lowing messages from the Minneapolis Labor Case prisoners to the The interference of governmental agencies into the internal prob­ "political case growing out of the Italian army under the leadership Events will prove that it pos­ piass meeting at the Hotel Diplomat, New York, on June 8. lems of unions as exemplified by the use of the Smith “ Gag” Act to perversion of powers of govern­ SUNDAY, JUNE 18 ment by a trade union leader, of the monarchy and the “King’s sesses no more s ta b ility than the From Farrell Dobbs: “It is difficult to convey to one on the eliminate the eighteen trade unionists is a dangerous precedent. I Daniel Tobin. A political debt was men”. Like the Badoglio govern­ Badoglio government. If the op­ outside how much it means to a prisoner to have a little money to join with you in your appeal to the President to free the eighteen. 8 P. M . paid. The chief professed claim ment, it'has accepted« and must position of the masses in the ru­ HARRY SILVERMAN buy tobacco, fruit, candy and a few other extras obtainable at the of the administration is its desire live up to the terms of the dra­ ral south was sufficient to cause prison commissary and to be able to subscribe to a newspaper.” International Representative, UAW-CIO to spread freedom of speech, conic Armistice terms of the A l­ the ouster of King Victor Emma­ Speakers: (This comment was made on the relief provided by the CRDC to which is denied at home by per­ lies. Nothing essential has chang­ nuel, and if the expulsion of the the prisoners and their families.) Nelson Backs Fight to Free the 18 secuting these 18.” ed. Nazis from Rome could cause the GEORGE NOVACK The real power of course re­ “The most important news was that the CRDC had acted prompt­ Baldwin, who has defended the Badoglio cabinet to topple, what Dear Sirs and Brothers: mains with the AMG — the Allied ly in providing financial assistance to my family. Nothing can be, Stalinists from persecution scores is likely to happen when Allied National Secretary, CRDC I am sorry that I cannot attend your Mass Meeting on Military Government of the im­ “liberation” comes to the indus­ more cruel in prison than the mental torture of a helpless prisoner of times, flayed them for their une 8th since I will be at the International Ladies’ Garment treacherous aid to the government perialists. While giving them sup­ trial areas of northern Italy? who is torn by anxiety for his loved ones.” Workers’ Union Convention in Boston. frameup, charging that “ the Com­ port against the masses, Roose­ PETER CAPITANO From Albert Goldman: “ Ours is a small amount but it makes LONG TRADITION munist Party has approved this velt and Churchill continue treat­ Our Local Union has adopted a resolution that our Conven­ In Milan, Turin and Genoa the a big difference in the life of a prisoner. We are fortunate in that persecution under the Smith ing their Italian tools as repre­ President, tion goes on record demanding the immediate pardon of the 18 workers have a long tradition of we have an organization behind us constantly to agitate for our ‘Gag’ Act. Yet this law was pass­ sentatives of a humiliated, con­ Minneapolis labor leaders. You may be assured that our local revolutionary struggle. F o r Local 160-ILGWU-AFL release and to help make our lives in prison a little more bearable. ed o rig in a lly ag ainst the Com­ quered nation. One of the first union w ill do everything possible to make its contribution for months they have been battling The progress the CRDC is making in enlisting support for u» is munist Party itself.” acts of the AMG chief in Rome, the liberation of these labor leaders. Brig.-Gen. Edgar E. Hume, was with epic courage and heroism great encouragement.” LOUIS NELSON, Manager Secretary NORMAN THOMAS to appoint a new mayor of the against the Nazis, on one occasion From Grace Carlson: “ It is a great satisfaction to know how paralyzing these cities with a Victory Hall Knitgoods Workers’ Union Local 155, ILGWU-AFL Norman Thomas, who was re­ city virtually over the head of much our CRDC friends will do for us. When the prison bars close cently nominated as the Socialist the puppet Italian government. great general strike. W ill they 583 Ave. C near W. 26th St. around one, it becomes terribly e'ear that ‘no force on earth is Party candidate for U. S. Presi­ NOBLE PRINCE watch the Nazis go, giving them lutionary movement when they representative of the main stream weaker than the feeble strength of one.’ ” dent, declared that “as long as Whom did Hume select — an a hefty boot to send them on their are once more free. He also vis­ of progressive labor today.” From James P. Cannon, Vincent Dunne, and others: "Thank the these 18 are in prison there is anti-fascist, anti-monarchist rep­ way, only in order to submit ited Kelly Postal before the for­ CRDC— thank the CRDC. . .” Henry Fruchter spoke as the no guarantee that any man can resentative of the people? By no themselves to a new oppression mer secretary-treasurer of Local representative of the CIO Retail say what is in his heart if he is means! The man chosen was under Prince Umberto and the 544 was released on parole, a fte r and Wholesale Workers Union sharply critical of the government Prince Filippo Pamphili, describ­ Bonomi cabinet and the AMG? has forfeited any right to speak participated in initiating this pro­ serving many months of a prison Buy THE MILITANT and also , as the personal repre­ and the war.” He charged the ed as the “ scion of one of the old­ The question itself suggests the for the workers of America.” secution redress our grievances sentence at Stillwater for the sentative of Samuel Wolchock, Supreme Court with “ cowardice” est noble families in Rome.” To answer. Bonomi and his “much IN CHICAGO by pardoning the 18. He’s made a “crime” of transferring his local’s B A C K CRDC URWDE-CIO President. Wolch­ for failure to review the case. emphasize the political continu­ more democratic” cabinet w ill dis­ lot. of promises. Wc w a nt a down funds, at the direction of the a t He added: “Speaking for the ock sent his regrets that he was “This New Deal, this liberal Su­ appear into limbo as did the cabi­ payment here and now on that membership, from the AFL to its ity symbolized bjr the appoint­ THE SOCIALIST WORKERS’ Textile Union of America, I wish unable to participate in person preme Court evaded the issue.” ment, the fact that there is to be net of Badoglio. No trick or de­ 'promissory note he gave for free CIO affiliation. It was the work to state that our national council because he was compelled to be “ Basically, in terms of our rec­ no break with the monarchist- vice can’ save it from being BOOKSHOP dom of speech—the first of the of the CRDC in arousing wide­ has endorsed this movement of out of town in connection with ognized rights, we are worse off capitalist past if the Allies can swamped in the great tide of the four freedoms.” spread labor protest, Novack Open Daily (except Sundays) the CRDC and we intend to con­ his testimony against Sewell L. than in the first World War,” possibly prevent it, the appoint­ Italian revolution. He acknowledged the tireless said, that had led to Postal’s re­ tinue our support.” Avery’s policies, at a Congres­ Thomas stated. "Our constitution­ ment was described by the N. Y. Who is Bonomi? His political work of the CRDC and the aid lease. 11 A. M. to 5:30 P. M. George Novack, who had just sional hearing on the Montgomery al liberties have been more seri­ Times as one which “follows an biography is extremely reveal­ given by the American Civil Lib­ returned from a three month’s STALINIST SLANDERS W ard Case. ously breached in this war.” The ancient custom of naming a Ro­ ing. In June, 1921 he was asked Thursday Evenings 5:30 to 9 erties Union, Workers Defense coast-to-coast tour addressing The URWDE National Educa­ Minneapolis case, he said, should man prince as Mayor.” by King Victor Emmanuel to League, and other organizations Novack assailed the growing 160 N . W E L L S S T R E E T union and civil rights groups in tional Director expressed the sup­ be “like a flame of fire to kindle That the imperialists are main- form a cabinet in succession to which have broken through the sinister campaign of the Stalin­ all the principal cities, was then ists, the “ members and followers port of his union for the CRDC men’s' hearts.” The role of the tabling the tightest possible con- l that of Giolitti. Italy was in the Tel. Dea. 75«2 Big Business and government introduced as the main speaker campaign. “ Please be assured,” Stalinists in the Minneapolis case, trol over the Italian situation, and 1 midst of a tense revolutionary conspiracy of silence on this case. of the ex-Communist ex-Party” of the evening. who everywhere tried to sabotage he emphasized, “ we are with you he said, has never had its shame­ He pointed out that all of the Novack described the warm re­ his meetings with slander and in every respect. Wc have such ful like in the whole history of famous c’ass-war prisoner cases, sponse he had received every­ outright lynch incitation. He lik­ powerful enemies on the right— the labor movement. Mooney and Billings, Sacco and This Coupon ond 25 Cents Entitles You to a where to his appeal on behalf ened the Stalinist press campaign I was going to say also on the Albert Gates, Editor of Labpr Vanzetti, etc., became national of the 18 from “many different against the 18 to “Westbrook left. (Stalinists),* but no longer Action, stated that the case sets and world issues only after they 3-Month Subscription to groups representing the most pro­ Pegler’s recent attack on De Lo­ on the left—that I don't want to a dangerous precedent, and is es­ were made celebrated causes by gressive forces in America; trade renzo.” emphasize differences. I just pecially important because it is “small resolute bands.” unions, Negro organizations, farm want to assure you we arc behind directed against a revolutionary Novack stated that his visit Others have ignored the Min­ bodies, university audiences, civil you 100 per cent.” To back up organization of the working class. with 14 of the.prisoners at Sand­ neapolis Labor Case, he pointed t h e liberties organizations.” He spoke his assurance with concrete ac­ He warned of further repressions MILITANT stone Penitentiary was a high- out, but the Stalinists alone arc before railroad, auto, steel, rub­ tions, F ru c h te r con tribu te d $50 to follow, and declared “ this case A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER point of his tour. He described trying to stab the 18 class-war from his union to the Minneapolis requires the utmost vigilance of 116 U N IV E R S IT Y P LA C E , N E W YO R K 3, N . Y. ber, shipyard and other workers the work and activities of these prisoners in the back when they in leading industries. prisoners’ relief fund, declaring the working class, especially on union and -socialist leaders behind are in prison and unable to an­ that this was merely a "token the part of its most militant and Published in the interests of the Working People prison bars. They are eager for swer their slanders. Not content TREMENDOUS INCREASE paym ent.” conscious elements,” The only newspaper in this country that tells the truth He emphasized the tremen­ books and are devoting them that the FBI plit the 18 in prison, Following an appeal by George about labor’s struggles for a better world dous increase in support for the selves to intensive study in order “these Stalinist snakes are now A N O V A T IO N Novack, the audience gave a mat­ CRDC campaign in recent months, to fit themselves for more ef trying to continue to pile up the An o v a t i o n was accorded erial demonstration of their sup­ noting that over 200 union bodies fectivc participation in the revo frameup.” But. he added, “ I am Thomas Dc Lorenzo when he was You may start, my subscription to THE M ILITANT with your glad to say these rascals are not introduced. This was an expres- port for the defense of the 18 INTRODUCTORY OFFER of 13 issues for 25c. ______and the fight for labor’s rights, I enclose 25c (coin or stamps). by contributing over $400 in a Crosswaith Sends Message MESSAGE FROM JAMES T. FARRELL collection to provide relief for the Name ...... The following message from James T. Farrell, famous novelist, prisoners’ families. • (Please Print) of Solidarity was read at the mass meeting held on June 8 in New York City to M y spirit w ill be with you at, the meeting and I wish for demand pardon for the 18 Minneapolis prisoners: S tr e e t...... A p t. you and your colleagues the fullest measure of success in your “Allow me to send my best wishes to the meeting. I wish once READ efforts to aid the workers involved in that case in particular and again to express my solidarity with you in the effort to free the 18 C ity .Zone the cause of labor in general. Minneapolis defendants. Now, less than ever, can anyone afford THE FOURTH FRANK R. CROSSWA1TH to be an indifferent witness when the destruction of labor’s rights INTERNATIONAL State Chairman, Negro Labor Committee, ILGW U-AFL and civil liberties is involved.” ...... 4 T H H M IL IT A N T — five

'‘LABOR WITH A WHITE SKIN CAX NOT EMANCIPATE ITSELF WHERE Johnston Speech Annoys Browder Gang LABOR WITH A BLACK SKIN IS BRANDED” — KARL MARX. By Art Preis ______Stalin’s American stooges A Good Joke On Earl Browder The Negro S truggle were thrown into a.dither last SHOP - TALKS week by the press reports, pass­ By Charles Jackson ed straight through ihe Krem­ lin censors, of hric Johnston’s ON SOCIALISM speech before 100 Soviet trade By V. G rey Segregation in Industry and government officials in The forced separation of indus­ county law enforcements had been Moscow. The head of the U. S. “ 1 suppose all the dopes in this Because, of course, Scissorbill trial workers into different plants notified of the rumor, and that Chamber of Commerce, one of shop are going to elect their fore­ $ain (the bosses’ man) is right or parts of a plant purely on a the companies guards had been Wall Street’s principal agents, men when they have Socialism.” in one respect. You wouldn’t racial basis is one of the-most increased.” It is obvious that this was the luncheon guest of lead­ sneers Scissorbill Sam. “They're choose a foreman on the basis of vicious methods used by manage­ anti-working class “riot” is be­ ing Stalinist bureaucrats. going to vote for their best his ability to push the men. Y'ou’d ment to undermine the unity of ing very well organized. What agitated the American Iriends of course, or for the guys choose a man who puts human in­ the labor movement. This is es­ CONSEQUENCES OF Stalinists was not the fact that terests first. A foreman would pecially true when workers are who’ll let everybody go to sleep this Big' Business agent was be­ be different under Socialism. Not doing the identical job and there­ J IM CROW on the job.” We are used to hear­ ing wined and dined at the ex­ a watchdog for the company, but by can be more easily forced into ing cracks like that from the If these men were working side pense of the Soviet workers and a servant of the working men. acute economic competition with bosses* man. But there are many by side in these shipyards, dis­ peasants, who have starved and each other. good union men too, who have a Someone to explain to the engin­ cussing grievances and working died defending the first workers’ eers how a job can be made eas­ In some shops it lias been easy fear that things really mighl go conditions in common union meet- state against the capitalist imper­ for the employers to sell this re­ that way under socialism. They’ve ier, safer — more productive I ings and walking with each other ialism for which Johnston speaks. actionary idea of separatism to often seen elections fo r stewards with less sweat — the man with in picket lines when conditions Nor did these servile tools of the workers. Especially gullible turn into “ popularity contests” the most experience, not the most made that necessary then there the Kremlin find cause for criti­ were the misinformed southern and' they reason. “ Why mightn’t “ dra g.” would be no way for management cism in Johnston's ultra-capital­ whites who had been indoctrin­ it be the same in electing a fore­ to instigate a riot. As long as you ist utterances, and his attacks on NO F E A R ated with a groundless superior­ m an?” need a man you will not harm socialism and the heavy acclaim ity complex based on skin color. W ell, maybe it would be the Are you afraid you wouldn’t re­ him. Remember that. It holds true with which his reactionary re­ The boss also had the assistance same in some cases, just at the cognize such a man? Look regardless of your personal like marks were received by the well- of Negro Uncle Toms as well as or dislike for him. Had these beginning—especially in isolated around you! There’s a man who’s fed bureaucrats who applauded conscientious but short sighted workers been integrated regard­ unorganized shops that hadn’t worked beside you for five years, and laughed at Johnston's every “ race leaders” who admonished: less of race in Ways 1 to 12 in­ been through any fights, where and started here when you were “witty" sally. “ If they don’t want to work with stead of separated by the FEPC the fellows hadn’t gone through in knee pants. Remember how us we should not try to work plan into competing sections of No, what cut the American the mill. But take your own shop he warned the foreman against with them.” colored 1 to -1 and white 5 to 12, Stalinists to the quick was John­ — if it’s organized. Sometimes using that cable, and the bull- In such preachments the segre­ they would have realized that ston's uncomplimentary remarks when the boys elect a steward it’s htfaded foal sent another man to gationists were loud and wrong. they need each other's help in about the American Stalinists and a popularity contest, sure. But the hospital ? See how easily he Their policy only accentuated ra­ solving mutual problems.' That the big laugh the assembled how is it when there’s a crisis ? works, yet accomplishes more cial prejudices, created disunity such problems exist, there is no Kremlin yes-men got out of his How is it when the steward has than many a youngster half his in the ranks of the working peo­ doubt. “frank” and “candid” description a real job ahead of him? And he age. W ouldn’t he be a g ra nd of Earl Browder and his crew. teacher? Then there’s the fel­ ple and kept their attention di­ On the other side of the score knows it and everybody knows “Our American Communists verted away from the low wages board we recently had white it? Is it a popularity contest low who used to think up gadgets and bad working conditions com­ workers in Bridgeport, Conn, (Stalinists) . . . lack originality then? You’re darned right it for increasing production. He mon to both groups of workers. walking off the job and refusing and realism. They still follow isn’t. The best man wins. And thought he’d get a company job The boss always had a stock ex­ to return until management ceas­ and imitate what they think is if he isn’t the best man he has out of it, until the super’s broth­ planation for this policy that is ed its disunifying policy of re­ your current policy,” Johnston as­ to step down pretty quick in favor er-in-law edged him out. He’s serving him so well: “The white fusing to upgrade and integrate serted. “ If you take pepper, they o f the man who is. pretty sour right now. But the won’t work with the colored; the sneeze. If you have indigestion, whole shop knows lie’s good. qualified Negro workers. Such True, this process takes place colored don’t want to work with they belch. They annoy our trade And once in a while you’ll even action did not necessarily connote only when things are humming, the white. It is of their own unions more than they annoy our find among the present fore­ friendship for the Negro people and the rank and file are on their choosing so there is nothing I employers.” man, some that the fellows would on the part of hundreds of Bridge­ toes. When they are quick to see can do about it.” want to keep on. They’re not all port whites. Individual friends where their interests are affected. GALES OF MIRTH 100 percent Company. Look The consequences, however, of take to each other because their W hen th e y see th a t w h a t h u rts These remarks were enjoyed what’s happening in Detroit plant segregation as opposed to personalities click and not because one really does hurt all. But after no end by Johnston’s audience, where they’re organizing a fore­ complete integration, are now be­ of the color of skin, eyes or hair. they have once been through an who hold their tools outside of man’s union. The boys in Detroit ing daily laid bare before the eyes Common economic interests, how­ experience like this and a strike the Soviet Union in a contempt so won’t have too much trouble de­ of Negro and white workers alike. ever, often transcend prejudices. or two, this attitude begins to In Bridgeport, therefore, those complete they do not bother to ciding who are the good ones. We had a negative example with stay with them. Life and strug­ the recent rumors of riots in the white workers had found out that conceal it. As tile United Press Right here, out in the mainten­ gle soon teach them it is to their Alabama Dry Dock and Ship­ their union made them strong. reported in its Moscow dispatch, ance shop, perhaps there is a fore­ interest to put the right man in building Company in Mobile. One They a’so had found that racial “they burst into gales of m irth at man you trust a good deal, and the right job. year ago Roosevelt’s FEPC in­ separatism made their union his sallies at American Commun­ trust completely once you elim­ troduced widespread segregation weak. If your right arm was free ists and Marxists.” NEW CONDITIONS inated the parasitic owners. here under the guise of “more but your left arm tied up behind It would not do for the Stalin­ N ow suppose as a re su lt of So it w on’t be so hard to elect opportunity” for Negro workers. you, you would not have to have ist rank and file here to get a Stalin lias accorded his bootlick­ What a commentary the visit Today, however, Browder and tremendous strikes and political a foreman after all. If it’s a They were confined to Ways 1. any special love for tied-up arms “wrong impression" about the ing agents in other countries. of Johnston to the Soviet Union his gang are none too anxious struggles, you and your fellow popularity contest at first, you to 1 in the north yard while in order to demand that yours real attitude of the Kremlin to­ is upon the stellar distances that themselves to visit the Soviet and a few other fellows w ill crit­ w hites' worked ways 5 to 12 in should be freed before you re­ The American workers have not workers have taken over the shop. wards its hirelings and tools. Nor separate the policies of Stalinism Union. Since Stalin came to pow­ icize this as you have learned to the south yard, with the excep­ turned to the fight. forgotten, the Dai.hj Worker's in ­ (In reality the workers as a would it help the Stalinists any from that of Lenin and Trotsky er, many of his cast-aside tools do in the case of stewards. Dur­ tion, of course, of enough Ne­ dignant disclaimers to the con­ whole w ill take over all the shops to let pass this gibe at the well- and the Bolshevik party under and hirelings have had the un­ ing the first election campaign, groes to do the dirtiest part of COMMON INTERESTS trary, tlie numerous shifts, turns as a whole, but you w ill .have .to. known relations between Stalin their leadership. In their day, pleasant experience of a summons you got up in a meeting and ex­ all the jobs. By Working side by side we and flip-l'lops of the Stalinists run your own). What was your and his border agents. So the no agents of American imperial­ on a one-way trip to Moscow. plained what union representa­ come to realize that we have the with every slight or sharp switch aim in an ordinary strike? Why, THREATENED RIOTS Daily Worker "answered” John­ ism were invited to spread their Browder is quite content to let tives were for, what their qualifi­ same common interests; to do the in Stalin's foreign policies. There to get better conditions, higher ston and put him “straight” about insults and lies about the revolu­ the Eric Johnstons monopolize cations should he. And the fel­ Reportedly, the white workers same work in separate locations is was the turn from the phony re­ pay, fairer treatment. And you the “American Communist Politi­ tionary movement amid the ap­ the tourist rounds in the Soviet lows listened. Some modest men threatened riots against the col­ to be falsely poisoned with the volutionary, ultra-left line in 1935 had to fight the management ev­ cal Association.” proving guffaws of counter-revo­ U nion. even declined the nomination ored workers because the latter notion that we have conflicting to support of the “democracies” ery step of the way. Now you With' the greatest of tact and lutionary flunkies. To the Soviet The very invitation extended after you explained this. You finished building a ship too fast. interests. In solidarity, and only and collective security. There are the management. Now you delicacy, after buttering Johnston Union in those days came trade Johnston was a mark of the con­ were in a minority at first, but Obviously such a condition is in solidarity, is there strength. was the even more rapid turn­ can decide whether to put in more up about his “wholesome unionist and revolutionary work­ tempt Stalin has for the revolu­ your idea was so clearly for the management-inspired. Such a ru­ Therefore both white and colored about when Stalin signed his pact windows or a better heating and ers, who were the honored guests tionary Marxist movement, the good of the majority, that your mor or such a riot would be cal­ workers must, if only out of self thoughts” in condescending to with Hitler. And then, there was cooling system, and so on. When visit the Soviet Union and ar­ of the Soviet government. They world working class and its as­ point carried. Sometimes a fight culated to bring only disrepute to interest, constantly protest any the even more spectacular somer­ you are running the plant, if you pirations for emancipation from is necessary, but it carries in the the labor movement. To show that attempt by the employers to range profitable trade relations sault back into the laps of the were accorded the privilege and decide to increase production you opportunity of observing the so­ capitalist exploitation and wars! end. an anti-Negro lynch campaign is practice segregation. Segregation and after commending his capital­ "democratic" imperialists when know your pay w ill increase, un­ ist utterances, the Daily Worker being planned whereby the white is a major grievance and we must Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. cial benefits of the Bolshevik revo­ And when the Kremlin not only like the old way where you got Y'ou w ill have the same and w o rkers w ill be blamed in the all fight against it in a major then begs leave to differ with Mr, And all this was capped by the lution, learning the program and tolerates but broadcasts approv­ an extra bone —• maybe. You w ill greater success in your fight for eyes of the public for terrorism way. We must destroy it by the Johnston on his appraisal of the most contemptuous act of all — methods of Marxism-Leninism ingly through its press dispatches now want to elect a foreman who the right kind of foreman under actually precipitated by the com­ force of our action before it de­ American Stalinists. Mr. John­ Stalin's out of hand dissolution and gaining inspiration for their the reactionary words and sland­ knows how to get good produc­ Socialism (if a fight should be ne­ pany’s henchmen, I quote the stroys us by the force of its ac­ ston was sadly mistaken, states of the Third International, of own revolutionary socialist strug­ ers of a Johnston, it strikes a tion without driving the men, a cessary) because ail eyes are on following from the Chicago De­ tion. Any who counsel the ac­ the 13tli Street version of the which the member parties were gle against world capitalist reac­ blow at the world labor and so­ man with ideas, not a whip. A the foreman. Because his ability W a ll ¡Street. Journal, if he th in k s informed by the capitalist press. tion. Thus, the Soviet Union was cialist movement at which John­ fender of June 10: “When inter­ ceptance of segregation in any man who is safety minded, who on the job clearly affects every­ viewed about the riot rumor, G. part of the plant are enemies of the Soviet officials were laughing the center of working class inter­ ston is really aiming his poisoned understands stresses and strains, UNGRATEFUL ATTITUDE body. The whole shop w ill soon F. Floyd, assistant general man­ the union and the labor move­ at Browder and Company. No, nationalism. darts. the man who is interested in good ager, stated that the company ment. This holds true regardless they were laughing, if Johnston If the Stalinists have any cause working conditions and knows see th a t you are rig h t. They was ready for any emergency, and o f color. only knew, at his own unfortun­ for complaint about Johnston’s re­ how to improve them. can’t help it. would meet force with force if Another point made clear by ate “ misconceptions.” marks, it is his ungrateful alti­ trouble should break. He revealed tude to his own rank and file the course of events is the reac­ PASSED BY CENSOR that soldiers would be called in tionary role of “friends” of the back home. Today, the Stalinists from Brookley field, that State Negro people and “friends” of Aside from the fact that the ac­ are avowedly the best friends of THE CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENSE COMMITTEE highway patrolmen were in a labor and the governmental agen­ counts of the incident came direct­ W a ll Street and the U. S. Cham­ 10 Years Ago ly from Moscow and were passed state of readiness, that city and cies. W ith the support, of the lib­ ber of Commerce. Indeed, several invites you to attend a erals they set out to “open up by the very vigilant Soviet cen­ Stalinist-dominated unions in opportunities” but caution against sorship, which permits nothing to San Pedro, California, took the In Detroit, Mich. expecting too much, namely, era­ get through that does not convey unprecedented step of joining the Dinner and Reception In The M ilitant dication of separatism. They have the exact impression intended by Chamber of Commerce. How You can get the Kremlin, this plaintive bleat­ could he have the heartlessness buffaloed us long enough. They JUNE 16, 1934 are not our friends because the ing overlooks the long-established to put his own colleagues up to tendered to THE MILITANT real consequences of their policy record of Contemptuous handling scorn! PITTSBURGH—Delegates from locals of the steel workers’ organ­ at the is to render the laboring class ization, at that time part of the American Federation of Labor, impotent. A fight against discri­ George E. Novack were meeting in convention to plan their battle against the steel mination without abolishing seg­ FAMILY THEATRE corporations. The corporations, determined to preserve com­ regation is a fraud. We must de­ PROFITEERS LIFT PRICE LID; NEWSSTAND pany unions under the protection of the NRA (National Recov­ mand and fight for the whole Nat’l Sec’y of CRDC ery Act), wei;e “rushing preparations to meet a strike situa­ opposite the theatre hog because the half hog they INVASION DIVERTS ATTENTION tion,” reported The Militant. offer is a deadly poison. Who will give a report of his national tour in defense of (Continued from page 1) Republican, dominated by the “ Grandmother” Mike Tighe, senile, cowardly ligad of the the 18 Minneapolis Labor Prisoners profiteering pirates who rule the AFL steel union, sought to avert the impending battle. The ganized labor is successful, infla­ roost in Wall Street and Wash­ militant rank and file unionists' went over his head and sent tion would be unrestrained.” ington, control of prices'and prof­ at delegates to present their case to Roosevelt. Informed that JUST OFF THE PRESS! Johnston urged that there be no its can only he a hideous mock­ relaxation of Roosevelt’s wage ery. Roosevelt was “ away on a cruise,” they wrote him a letter which CADILLAC RESTAURANT The Illustrated 32-Page Pamphlet freezing “hold-the-line” order. The workers’ fight against in­ showed that even In 1934, during the high point of the NRA Fred M. Vinson, Roosevelt’s “ eco­ flation must be carried out under program, many workers were beginning to see through the “ WHO ARE THE PRISONERS IN nomic stabilizer” supported the their own slogans and organiza­ 29 H ill Street, near Halsey Street sham of Roosevelt’s “impartial arbitration.” The letter of the Chamber of Commerce by saying: tions. They 'cannot depend upon steel insurgents said in part: “Any general increase in wage the political agents of the plun- NEWARK “ We understand that you have left for a week-end cruise THE MINNEAPOLIS CASE?” rates at this time would inevit­ derbund to protect their interests. . . .We wish we could join you, but we must return to our lodges ably force the price level to a A minimum program must in­ Describing— to report that all we got out of your National Recovery Admin­ higher plateau.” clude: A Rising Seale of Wages to Meet the Rising Cost of Living. istration and Section 7-A (purporting to guarantee the right to The Background of the Prosecution STARVATION LEVELS For every boost in prices which S A T U R D A Y , J U N E 17, 1944 - a t 7 P. M. collective bargaining) was an offer to tighten the company The Smith ‘Gag’ Act In commenting on the admin­ increases the cost-of-living, a union chains that bind the workers in the steel industry. . • The Danger to Workers’ Rights istration’s “stabilization pro­ corresponding increase in wages. It is useless for us to waste any more time in Washington in gram” Representative Compton of Instead of depending on the OPA the national run-around. . . We are returning home today to The Threat to Free Speech Connecticut remarked: “ The hold- which is controlled by ex-Big Guest Speakers: prepare for action. . . If the government will not help us, then Biographies of the 18 Prisoners the-line order, as followed by Ad­ Business men the workers must we must use the only means left to us.” ministration leaders has stabiliz­ counterpose: Mass Committees of • IRVING ABRAMSON, Pres, of N. J. CIO Council MINNEAPOLIS—Appearing at the Minnesota State Nominating ed the wages of millions at star­ Trade Unions, Housewives, W ork­ Convention of the Communist Party, Earl Browder launched a Foreword by Janies T. Farrell vation levels and stabilized prices ing Farmers and Small Business of thousands of commodities at Men Who Do Not Employ Labor. • SOL STETON, Regional Director T. W. U. A. vicious campaign of slander and misrepresentation against the Single Copies 10c the highest levels in recent his­ These committees w ill oppose the leaders of the great Minneapolis General Drivers Union Strike. Simultaneously, Stalinist William Dunne wrote in the Daily Write for Prices on Bundle Orders tory. The program has created Big Business lobby in its greedy • L. HAMILTON GARNER millionaires among the profiteers assault upon the living standards Worker that “Olsen (Farmer-Labor governor of Minnesota) and paupers among the people.” of the masses; wage war against could have been driven from office. . .” Thus the Stalinists in Published by Compton was referring to the the “black market” operators; 1934 accused the Trotskyist strike leaders of being counter­ Price Control Act and its enforce­ curb the rent-hogs and price- SUBSCRIPTION SI.75 revolutionists for not regarding as a revolutionary situation, CIVIL RIGHTS DEFENSE COMMITTEE ment BEFORE the recent Senate gougers and work for the inter­ the union upsurge of 5,000 truck drivers in Minneapolis! The and House amendments were at­ ests of the people who are the 160 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, N. Y. tached to it. Under a capitalist victims of the predatory gang of slanders of the Stalinist villifiers failed to spot the stainless administration, be it Democrat or plunderers. record of the Minneapolis Trotskyist strike leaders. Control over the currency is one of the attributes of governmental sovereignty. The Allies thus early in the game serve notice that they intend to be the Stalinist Terror Drive The Case of William Batt THE m il it a n t real rulers of France. None of this looks like liberation? That the Published in the interests of the and SKF Trade With Nazis French masses w ill secure only when they make Working People Opened On Trotskyists a clean sweep of capitalism. (Continued from page 1) nounced communism in favor of W illiam L. Batt is a very important and influential VO L. V I I I — No. 25 S aturday, June 17, 1944 any other variation—were not put capitalist reaction! behind bars.” The Stalinists have man around Washington. As executive vice chairman Published Weekly by I San Pedro, which shrieked in bold But then Bridges gets down to absconded bag and baggage to of the War Production Board and a member of the headlines, “Unite For Victory! real cases, the heart of his gripe the camp of capitalism. They have Combined Resources Board he wields a power in na­ THE MILITANT PUBLISHING ASS’N Norman Thomas ¡Expose the Disrupters!” against the Trotskyists. Evei-y- sold their services to Wall Street tional and international economic affairs few men in at 116 University Place, New York 8, N. Y. where the Trotskyists have a as strikebreakers, red-baiters, The entire advertisement was America possess. His say-so undoubtedly carries im­ “chance to preach their treason” stool-pigeons and government Telephone: ALgonquin 4-8647 The national convention of the Socialist Party, I devoted to a typically venomous mense weight. and mendacious attack on the in the unions, their program labor spies. In defense of capital­ FARRELL DOBBS, Editor meeting at Reading, Pennsylvania two weeks ago, Of course, Batt didn’t come by his position acci­ union militants in the San Pedro “generally takes the same form: ism, they have embarked on a “drafted” Norman Thomas as their presidential dentally. All his life he has demonstrated unique exe­ THE M ILITANT follows the policy ef permit­ shipyards, all of whom are outright repeal of labor’s no- campaign of villification and candidate in the coming elections. Thomas con­ cutive ability and business sagacity. It just so hap­ ting its contributors to present their own views labeled “Trotskyites . . . who terrorism against the militant labor movement. pens he has displayed these qualities prim arily for the In signed articles. These views therefore do not sented to be “drafted” only after the convention would sabotage production, create economic chaos and disrupt na­ Swedish ball-bearing trust, SKF, of which he has been necessarily represent the policies of THE M ILI­ was “ brought over to his views” on the questions GPU A T T A C K tional unity.” These “Trotsky­ an employe most of his adult years. In fact, he was TANT which are expressed in its editorials. of program and policy. “ The greatest victory for ites,” the Stalinists assert in This GPU' attack is directed M r. Thomas in the formulation of the platform," an employe of the Hess-Bright Company, a German Subscriptions: $2.00 per year; $1.00 for 6 months. horror, propose nothing less than first of all at sabotaging the corporation in Philadelphia, which came into SKF reports the N. Y. Times, “ was the adoption of his Foreign: $3.00 per year, $1.60 for 6 months. Bun­ that labor “ revoke the no-strike defense of the imprisoned and in­ hands and of which Batt, after the war began, became dicted American and British dle orders: 3 cents per copy in the United States; plank voicing a demand through the United Na­ pledge, smash the Little Steel president and principal stockholder. 4 cents per copy in all foreign countries. Single Trotskyist leaders. As such, it is tions for ‘an immediate peace offensive based on formula, take labor off the War Now, SKF holds a very advantageous and profitable copies: 6 cents. nothing else than a blow at the the offer of an armistice to the peoples of the Labor Board and, finally, organize position in this war as in the last. As a corporation “ Entered as second class matter March 7, 1944 an independent Labor Party.” democratic rights of all the work­ Axis nations.’ ” The conditions that surrounded the ers, whose liberties are en­ in a neutral country, Sweden, it is able to do busi­ at the post office at New York, N. Y., under “These 4 ‘proposals’,” the Stalin­ alleged "d ra ft” would indicate that it was Thomas dangered by the government ness with both sides in the war, and from all ac­ the A c t o f M arch 3, 1879.” ists have the brass to tell in­ who “drafted” the SP to his program of pacifism telligent workers, “spell SABO­ frameups and anti-labor laws counts it has not failed to make the most of its op­ and confusion. TAGE OF THE WAR EFFORT under which they are conducted. portunities. Particularly, SKF in Sweden has been The Stalinist campaign is not supplying ball-bearing machinery and ball bearings to To defend the USSR as The Thomas program adopted by the SP calls I (original emphasis)” and “ is the same program which Hitler and strike pledge, no 4th term for being conducted on a purely Nazi Germany. These exports have, in fact, increased the main fortress of the upon the “ United Nations” to institute a peace of­ Tojo advise the American work- FDR, dump the War Labor Board literary plane of discussion and considerably since over 600 American boys were shot world proletariat, against fensive, leading to an armistice during which the | ers to follow.” The Stalinist by withdrawing labor’s represen­ verbal argument. It bears all the down during the destruction by bombing of the ear-marks of incitation to terror­ Axis forces would “ withdraw from conquered ter­ ] scoundrels dare assert that the tatives from it, and organizing a Schweinfurt ball-bearing works in Germany. all assaults of world im­ Trotskyists are carrying out this ism and lynch violence. It is the ritories, disarm, form new governments and restore third labor party now.” Now the American company which Batt heads is not perialism and of interna) program in alliance with “Ku With an eye to quelling the traditional cover under which the loot.” The United Nations, are called upon to fol­ supplying ball-bearings to Germany. It has a very Klux Klaners, Bundists, Cough- upheaval in his own union at his GPU in the past has carried counter-revolution, is the handsome business with the U. S. Government. In low' the disarmament .of the Axis by "ending their linites, America Firsters”—that own craven treachery, particularly through murderous reprisals most important duty of own competitive armaments. . . and working out is, the very fascist scum against in advocating that labor surrender against Stalin’s working class addition, strictly on the legal up-and-up, it has taken political opponents. over the Swedish SKF’s business in Latin America, every class-conscious international guarantees of mutual security." whom the Socialist Workers for all time its right to strike, Party organized a series of huge ON GUARD AGAINST STALIN­ as well as that of the Fiat Company, Italian corpora­ 'The Thomas-SP program is compounded of all Bridges sounds the call to his worker. workers’ demonstrations just be- goons and thugs to go after IST TERRORISM! NAIL THE tion. The latter arrangement was engineered by one — LEON TROTSKY the tainted nostrums of pacifism with which the I fore the outbreak of the war. “these Fifth Columnists in the SLANDEROUS DEFAMATIONS Count Hugo von Rosen, who paid a call on Fiat Com­ AGAINST MILITANT LABOR muddleheads have for years poisoned the minds of This advertisement then con- ranks of labor, especially in our pany at Turin, Italy, on his way to America from A N D T H E IMPRISONED the workers and disoriented the struggle against | eludes with an appeal to “Com­ own local union.” “Keep your Germ any in 1940. munity Action” which makes clear TROTKYISTS! Let the organized capitalism and imperialist war. Thomas and Com­ eyes peeled. Let’s go get ’em,” is For some reason or other—no one has dared to im ­ JOIN US IN FIGHTING FOR: that the real object of the workers everywhere beware of pany confine themselves to lecturing the imperial­ his final lynch appeal. pute it to the influence of Batt—the Swedish SKF Stalinists is to arouse nothing Since. Bridges published his the Stalinist virus. Organize to 1. M ilitary training of workers, financed has never been put on the American or British black­ ist bandits to reform and turn over a new leaf, less than lynch terror against tirade, the Stalinists have wheel­ defend the labor movement from by the government, but under control thereby fostering the illusion that it is possible for Trotskyists as well as all union ed their heavy artillery into line. the sinister Stalinist menace. ON list; and, of course, the SKF plant in this country was of the trade unions. Special officers’ the imperialists to w'age anything but a war for militants. This is the meaning of The Daily Worker, reflecting the GUARD! never taken over by the American alien property cus­ its final exhortation to “SHOW todian. training camps, financed by the gov­ imperialist plunder, that it is possible for imperial­ fury and alarm of the Stalinsts THESE PROVOCATEURS THE Batt was made president of the American SKF ernment but controlled by the trade at the labor support for the ists to conclude anything but an imperialist peace, | G A T E .” CRDC campaign to free the 18, through the able work of Count Von Rosen, late of unions, to train workers to become that it is possible for the oppressed peoples to opened up just before the CRDC Canada Stalinists Germany, and the late Marcus Wallenberg, Swedish LY N C H CRY officers. achieve peace, freedom and security under the mass meeting last Thursday with banker, known as the “ J. P. Morgan of Sweden,” whose reign of monopoly capitalism. The lynch cry was then taken a slanderous broadside by its Back Big Bankers Entskilda Bank of Stockholm is chief share-holder 2. Trade union wages for all workers up by Stalinist stooge Harry poison-pen “expert” on labor How far the degeneration of the Socialist Party in Swedish SKF. Wallenberg, it has been revealed, Bridges, president of the CIt) news, George Morris. (Continued from page 1) drafted into the army. came to this country on a secret mission for Nazi has proceeded under the leadership o f the pro-al­ 1 longshoremen’s union. His rag, S. Full equality for Negroes in the armed lied, pacifist Norman Thomas can best be appre­ The'Dispatcher, on June 2, in the CIO SUPPORT 356 directorates in dozens of business interests after the start of the war. One of- forces and the war industries— Down ciated by contrasting Norman Thomas and his same issue that featured the an­ This article literally howled at corporations. his chores was helping to select Batt as head of the the horrendous fact that na- These directorates extend into American SKF and arranging for transfer of its leadership with that of Eugene Debs. Debs w'as nouncement of Bridges’ per­ with Jim Crowism everywhere. manent no-strike pledge, carried tionally-prominent trade union almost every field of commerce Swedish shares to his custody. This could have pro­ no pacifist; Debs was no reformist. Debs did not 4. Confiscation of all war profits. Expro­ a companion piece by Bridges leaders, including a member of and industry, such as steel tected the American company from seizure as “ alien advocate reliance on Wilson or the imperialists and | himself devoted entirely to an the ; CIO National Executive nickel, electrical equipment, rail­ priation of all war industries and their property”, although Batt claims this was farthest their schemes. On the contrary, Debs went to ja il “expose” of the “Trotskyites.” Board, were scheduled to speak roads, chemicals, meat packing, from their thoughts. on behalf of the 18 imprisoned aluminum, etc., etc. The banks operation under workers’ control. because of his intransigeant revolutionary struggle “Look behind almost any of A great husih-hush seems to prevail over these facts | the rash of strikes now being Trotskyists. The article complains and insurance companies have in­ against the first .World War. in Washington. As I. F. Stone, who has been uncover­ 5. A rising scale of wages to meet the desperately . organized over the that the Trotskyists “are success­ terlocking directorates. All this ing the information for PM, states, “it never hurts The true inheritors of the Debs tradition are not nation and you will generally ful in picking up suckers among is what the Canadian capitalists rising cost of living. to have friends.” to be found among the assorted preachers, paci­ find an animal known as a gome labor .officials” and that call “ free enterprise!” 6. Workers Defense Guards against vig­ fists and college professors that support Norman Trotskyite,” squeals Bridges, who “some well-meaning people” have Coldwell’s facts and figures did been “made suckers in a belief not impress the lackeys of the ilante and fascist attacks. Thomas, but among the Trotskyists, eighteen of is fast tobogganing into complete | disrepute with the workers be­ that this is a genuine civil bankers in the Canadian parlia 7. An Independent Labor Party based on whose leaders have been jailed for their struggle cause of his. contemptible strike- liberties case.” ment, but they do impress the Getting An ‘Inside Track’ the Trade Unions. aga'inst the second World War, just as Debs was I breaking record and anti-labor Morris makes the usual lying workers and farmers. This has jailed for his struggle against the first W orld War. | alliance with the bosses. amalgam, seeking falsely to link been shown by the manner in 8. A Workers’ and Farmers’ Govern­ the convicted Trotskyists with which the CCF has been able to VILE CANARD to Government Gravy Bowl m ent. native fascists now on trial in muster the support of workers He does not hesitate to stoop Washington, although “ actually and farmers throughout the coun 9. The defense of the Soviet Union to the vile canard that the the Trotskyists are far more try . One of the myths assiduously nurtured in Washing­ serviceable to Hitler.” Why are The CCF is a tame, reformist against imperialist attack. Forced Labor Trotskyists, the most uncom­ ton is that the corporation executives and agents who promising anti-fascist fighters such union leaders as Baldanzi, party which seeks to improve the have infiltrated every government procurement and On a number of occasions The Militant has for Socialism, “claim that Com­ Wolchok and De Lorenzo sup­ capitalist system, rather than war contract agency and who swarm like hogs around porting the Minneapolis Labor abolish it. But the swing in its warned that the advocates of labor conscription munism and Fascism are not only a trough at feed time wherever government funds Case, he whines, when “labor direction is unmistakable. Be­ were counting heavily on the emotional delirium the same th in g but, as a m a tte r are being handed out, are just zealous patriots with­ (read ‘the Stalinists’) has com­ cause o f th is the CCF has be of fact, between you and them, out an ulterior or selfish motive. The Invasion attendant on the invasion to ride roughshod over Communism is a damn sight plained only because more of come the target of a wild and the opposition to forced labor. The conspiracy Every now and then, however, the curtain is brief­ Allied armies have landed on France’s Norman­ worse” — this from a venal their kind—whether they be vicious campaign in the capitalist against which we warned unfolded on the very renegade who has publicly re­ Bundists, Kluxers, Trotskyists, or press. ly blown aside by the wind of scandal and the people dy coast in the first stage of the great invasion eve of the invasion. W riting in the New Leader, have the opportunity of glimpsing the real role of which has been heralded as the “ liberation” of the “ dollar-a-year-pay-triots.” June 10, the Washington correspondent of that pa­ Europe. But the pattern of “ liberation” which There is the revealing case, which the Truman per reports: “ Last week, just a few days before Roosevelt and Churchill have in mind is that which Senate Investigating Committee recently stumbled the Western Front was opened, the compulsory la­ has already emerged so clearly in North Africa International Notes over, of Navy commander John D. Corrigan, Anna­ bor draft was put over. The W M C order accom­ and Italy. polis graduate and co-founder of an engineering firm plishes exactly what the Bailey-Brewster (W ork- organized three years ago which continued “in the Roosevelt has refused to give recognition to the or-Fight) Bill aimed to do. In fact, it goes one MEXICO Ernest Bevin, and His Majesty’s the boss class and the Tory gov­ red ’ until Corrigan was able to use his influence as emigre de Gaulle clique as the authority in France. step further. Where the Bailey-Brewster Bill was Caught in the ever-tightening Minister of Home Security, Her­ ernment. Only 16 M. P’s of a total a Navy official to steer it into “the blue.” bert Morrison, were entrusted by of 165 had the courage and Involved here is not any issue as to the representa­ confined to males 18 to 45, M cN utt’s order also vise of rising living costs and Corrigan’s firm was paid over $300,000 by Navy con­ tive or “democratic” character of the de Gaulle static wage scales, 70,000 Mexican Churchill with the task of bridling honesty to vote as the workers tractors, of which he received a more than modest includes women." the militant workers and halting who sent them to Parliament ex­ miners and metallurgical workers share by way of commissions, salaries, expense funds clique, but the Allied need to unite with the main the strike movement. pected them to vote. The rest The reason given for the imposition of the Roose- went out on strike June 8 in the and dividends. Corrigan, with an “inside track,” was body of the French capitalists in France to hold Mr. Morrison had four leading either didn’t vote at all, or else velt-M cNutt forced labor plan at this time is ut­ greatest down-tools action since in position to tip off his company to possible pros­ back the tide of social revolution which, as experi­ members of the Trotskyist party voted for the vicious Regulation. terly fantastic. The sponsors of the plan try to jus­ President Avila Camacho took pects, sending his information on Navy Department ence in Italy has shown, is certain to follow the power in 1910. Several thousand arrested and thrown into prison Defense Regulation 1-AA came tify the drastic provisions of the order by point­ stationery which he invariably advised be “ destroyed workers in various other in­ on charges that they “did con­ too late for use in the recent Allied invasion. by burning” after its purpose was served. ing to the increasing »number of cutbacks in war dustries were also rendered idle. spire, combine, confederate and strike wave, but it w ill be brought When France fell in June, 1940, the French rul­ Corrigan’s methods of lining up business, as de­ production which have caused workers to shift to The strike was directed, in the agree together in furtherance of into play when the workers ing class became split into two political factions. “ non-essential” plants and industries which offer main, against American and a strike declared by the Trade again go into action against the scribed by the Truman Committee, were quite effec­ The emigre capitalists entered the de Gaulle camp, greater job security. Such incidents as the shutting British companies who control Disputes and Trade Unions Act bosses. I t is directed, in the firs t tive. In his capacity as a Navy official he would “ in­ of 1927 to be illegal.” This Act place, against the Trotskyists, vestigate” a war contract plant, complain of its “un­ while the vast m ajority of the capitalists, who re­ down of the Brewster Aeronautical plant, with its some 80 per cent o f M exico’s metal ore production-. In all, 105 was. passed afler the general jivho arc the most consistent and satisfactory” production and suggest that an engineer­ mained behind with their properties in metropoli­ cold-blooded disregard of the interests of the war mining and metallurgical concerns strike of 1926. I t has been con­ militant fighters for labor’s ing firm be called in to straighten everything out. tan France, jumped on the Petain-Vichy band­ sistently opposed by the whole rights. But without doubt it will workers who were thrown onto the streets without were shut down by the walk-out. Then in would walk a representative of Corrigan’s British labor movement. Bevin be used against any class-con­ wagon and collaborated with the Nazis. so much as a fare-you-well, have alarmed the The strike call was issued by firm and line up an engineering contract. and Morrison were once among scious worker, regardless of his Now the Vichy capitalists are ready again to workers into seeking jobs which promise some sta­ leaders of the workers’ syndicates When the whole fraudulent scheme was disclosed, after mine owners had refused a its loudest opponents—before political affiliation, who dares to switch camps. On May 31, the N. Y. Times re­ bility of employment. Instead of dealing with the the Navy Department simply suspended Corrigan. demand fo r a 50 per cent in ­ they became Ministers in His summon his comrades to struggle There is no evidence that he will ever see the inside ported that "the reactionary capitalists who had problem by providing some measure of protection crease’ in wages and a further Majesty’s government. against the exploiting capitalists o f a ja il. put their money on Marshal Henri-Philippe Pc- to workers against the sudden shut-down of war demand that temporary increases But the arrest of the Trotsky­ of Britain. However ideas cannot be im ­ Then there is the case of Allen E. Norman, former tain are now busy 'S e e kin g an alternative ‘front’ plants, Dr. W in-thc-W ar prescribes his favorite given last September be made ists was not enough. Bevin in­ troduced a new Defense Regula­ prisoned and no law the ruling assistant director of the W ar Production Board’s print­ that would enable them to shift to the winning quack medicine of freezing workers to jobs at froz­ permanent. Quoting a survey by the Banco di'Mexipo, the syn­ tion 1-AA which makes it a crime class may devise will be able to ing and publishing division, and chief of the magazine side and collaborate with the Allies. . .” And it is en wages until they are unceremoniously tossed out dicates showed that between to “incite, instigate, or act in hold back the militant advance Section. Norman is an executive of Fawcett Publica­ of the British working-class. The precisely with these capitalists that Roosevelt and of a plant that the government decides is no longer January, 1943 and F ebru ary of furtherance of strikes” in any tions, a big business outfit in the magazine field. class struggle cannot be banished Churchill are preparing to unite. needed for war production. this year (he cost of living had industry classified as essential to So tickled was this corporation over the fact that the war effort, and provides from capitalist society, because it For what purpose? To establish with them a Acting under administration pressure, the union advanced 52.3 per cent, thus more it had an “inside track” with the WPB, as Norman than justifying the wage increase penalties of five years in prison, grows in the soil of exploitation, police-military dictatorship of the Badoglio type representatives on the labor-management commit­ himself admitted to the Truman committee, that it demanded. a fine o f 500 pounds, or both. poverty and oppression. boasted in its house organ: “We were fortunate enough which w ill defend French capitalism against the tee of the W M C have endorsed the Roosevelt-Mc- Mine owners countered with an The House of Commons enacted to have Allen E. Norman, secretary of the Fawcett revolutionary onslaughts of the masses. Nutt forced labor plan. W illiam Green, AFL presi­ offer of a 10 per cent wage in­ the new regulation into law in Corporations, acting as a consultant to the printing Already the Allied imperialists have taken one dent, has issued a statement crediting the plan crease. The government initiated the teeth of tremendous opposi­ tion from the organized labor and publishing division of the WPB and W. H. Faw­ of the first steps toward establishment of a regime with having been “ developed by the management- negotiations a month ago in order Buy The Militant to avert a strike, but no accept­ movement and this opposition is cett, Jr., president of the corporation, as a member of hunger and oppression in the "liberated” ter­ labor committee of the W M C,” adding the mon­ still continuing. The Labor Party, able compromise was worked I N D E T R O IT of the magazine task force which cooperates with the ritory. The Allied M ilita ry Government for France strous swindle that "it represents no basic depart­ out. of which, Bovin and Morrison are printing and publishing division of the WPB.” has printed, and is distributing, "French” curren­ ure from the voluntary system” of employment. two of the leading parliamentary Norman conceded this was “quite inappropriate” ENGLAND cy. the exchange rate of which has been fixed at Philip M urray’s personal representative on the adornments, played possum, THE and resigned his AVPB post. Which now leaves sev­ A few weeks ago the British neither opposing nor endorsing eral thousand other “dollar-a-year” men still running 50 francs to the dollar or more than double the WMC, Clinton S. Golden, official of the United capitalist class and its Tory the reactionary regulation. When SATURDAY the show in Washington, but who are not so indis­ pre-war exchange fate. W ith this fiat currency in Steel Workers, participated in the conferences government, beaded by Winston the measure came to a vote in exchange, the French peasants are being asked to which sanctioned the program. Churchill, were thrown into ncar­ the House of Commons 56 of the BOOKSHOP creet as to boast about their “ inside track.” deliver up their produce to Allied soldiers, thus Having disarmed the unions with their no-strike park- by a wave of strikes among Labor M.P’s voted for it, 16 coal miners and engineering ap­ voted against, and 93 abstained. pledge, the top union bureaucrats now volunteer 3513 Woodward Ave. decreasing substantially the amount of goods they prentices. The two leading labor This vote gives the true measure can in turn buy. Inflation, black markets, poverty their aid in fastening the unions with the strait- skates in the government, His of the British Labor Party and Detroit, Mich. FREE THE 18! and hunger in increasing pleasure are on the way. jacket of forced labor. Majesty’s Minister of Labor, its policy of collaboration with