cp notes

Newark’s Communist Party

5676 box 12 folder 31 ben gold and IFWU not active in national negro congress in 1936 –1st congress in Chicago 2/14/36 –request for financial support 6/22/37 to gold—by 4/22/40 check for $50 from IFWU to congress Folder 34 12/26/35 IFWU sends $50 check to Negro Labor Committee—apparently this group predated congress and was socialist backed. A Philip Randolph listed in earliest publicity for both congree and committee. Congress obviously cp backed.. however ben gold signed IFWU half page ad in 1st anniversary (1937) brochure for committee. Gold still supporting committee in 1939. backers of committee on letterhead are dubinsky, vladeck, Randolph and michael J. quill

NSC 1/4/20 page 1 main story“A revolution in the US, following a general strike of workers growing out of the coal and steel strikes, was the plot uncovered in evidence gathered by the department of justice agents in their raids resulting in the capture of between 4 and 5,000 alleged agitators and radicals throughout the Union.”Nearly 1000 suspects were arrested in raids in norethern new jersey. Special agent frank R. stone head of this district said 264 “self-confessed” members of the CP and C. Labor Party , many women (from “We have the goods o9n the 264 who were sent from here to ellis island,” said Stone. Names not yet available. In Newark, Stone praised local police, esp Inspector Thomas J. Corbally and a specially picked squad of 50 men who were part of the raiding party of 200 in the city. Long before raid corbally and men aided us in obtaining evidence and knew the leaders and their locations. Stone said he had worked with police in “Frisco”, Chicago and ny, but newark’s police were the “finest.”Agents and deputies gathered at post office Friday night before raid stone told them to seize all literature, pictures, membership cards, charters and to search walls, ceilinhgs and partitions to look for evidence.Places raided in newarek were English branch and first Russian branch at 97 springfield ave.; communist labor party, 131 prince st.; german branch at Labor Lyceum (Schwaben Hall) at 14th and Springfield; Ukrainian branch 500 market st.; polish branch 103 jackson st.;“one of the principal hotbeds of revolution was located at 23 Adams st. “ 53 prisoners were taken there. Large portraits of Lenin and Trotsky and much lit was seized. A bomb was discovered in the outhouse of the building which was placed in a pail of water at the post office.

NN 6/2/20 p7Earlier in year, Walter Gabriel of Newark convicted of seditious utterances as member of CP and sentenced by essex county court to 2 to 10 years in prison and fine of $500. now in state prison because of inability to raise bond of $10,000. case will be heard in state supreme court on appeal during novemeber term.

1 cp notes

Minutes sub 11/28/21Kaufman’s Report—in early November, Schwartz [arrested in alien raids—probably cp--wg] and LANGER OF LOCAL 25 CALLED UPON ME TO ORGANIZE THE Balk Fur Dressing Shop in New Brunswick, which has 12 partners 200 workers and does rabbit dressing. Firm was in Newark until a year and ½ ago when they got an injunction ag. 25 for waging a strike ag. it. It then moved to n.b. where fleshers and pullers get 25% less than Newark and floor workers 50% less. Until a few weeks ago workday was 14 to 15 hours per day now it is 11 and 12 hours. New people hired every day, workers fired for no excuse and at any time 50 out of 200 workers are new. No one can complain. When meeting was called police and executives watched all so it didn’t take place. New Brunswick anti-labor town

3/26/23 cpusa reel 15 delo 217Letter from c. chrissafiole to workers party of America appointing john annis of Newark as “Industrial Organizer for Greek Branch W.P. Newark” annis currently a member and Sec.treas of Newark branch of amalgamated Food workers Union. Union has membership of about 100 aminly greeks most of them restaurant workers. This Branch of amalgamated established through efforts of greek branch of workers Party. Officials of food workers union are party members and there is enthusiasm about party work but a lack of coordination because of their inexperience in union organizing of any kind. . they need party guidance in organizing work. Amalgamated has weekly mtgs at 8pm on court st. in Newark. We would appreciate if you would send an experienced organizer to Newark and comrade annis will arrange a special mtg. with a little effort we can win entire membership of amalgamated to “support the party, its policies and work.”

10/25/22 cpusa reel 6 delo 103Letter from john Richards do district 2 to DEC for credentials for K. Karpoff of Newark Russian branch to attend in Russia as delegate for the Newark communists. “He is one of the most active and trustworthy comrades in our ranks.”

11/21/22 cpusa reel 6 delo 103Letter from john Richards do ditrict 2 to comraden miller complaining that comrades nfrom Newark and all over state were gathered in Newark for an announced speaker who failed ro show up. “They were very disappointed as they spent their time and carfare for nothing.” It destroyed confidence. The meeting had bee announced aweek in advance.

Foner (?)P114 through strong arm methods, Kaufman and Welfare Club gained control over sweveraql progressive NY localsDeath of Harris J. Algus could have been murder by right-winger.June 5, 1922 5th biennial convention of international. Kaufman spoke of unity—Gold and allies were prepared.P115 Kaufman as usual lied and appointed no progressives to important Credentials Committee. Convention approved rrsolution endorsing Socialist Party. Red baiting resolutions and debate. Kaufman jammed through resolution granting charter to retail fur workersover opposition of joint Board.Hebrew Trades approached progressive delegates and said Kaufman would cooperate with them if they denounced CP publications and agree to oppose Amalgamated Clothing Workers plan to assist Soviet workers in reconstructing their wore torn economy. Progressives countered that they wanted elimination of union thugs

2 cp notes and dissolution of Welfare Club. Kaufman dismissed counter offer. On 5th day of convention, United Hebrew Trades made report on election charges against Joint Board in which condemned the Joint Board from Hiring protectors. Kaufman before the vote said no discussion would be allowed on report.Even Congressman Meyer London turned to Kaufman and criticized his tactics. 5676 BOX 1 FOLDER 16-SEE BELOW pp-502-505 have duplicated and foner is wrong on this ?

Foner(?) P126 To fight the Forward the Freiheit appeared on 4/22/22. A CP organ, the Freiheit was “an indispensable weapon in the battle against corruption in the Furrier’s Union. It fought the coalition of “Kaufman, the bosses, the Welfare Club, the Socialist Party leadership and the Forward.” Ben Gold wrote for it and rallied the fur workers.According to Foner “Within 2 years, the Furriers section of the TUEL grew into a mass movement representing the vast majority of the fur workers…”

5676 box 7 folder 1 6/13/23 “A Call to Action” from special committee AFL signed by matthew woll, hugh Frayne and Edward McGrady 2 pages“To the Trade unions of Greater new york” asking unionist to send complaints to police commissioner joseph a warren and mayor james j walker about communist interference in union agreements, cp domination and rule of ny trade unions; trade unionists being beaten up,, families threatened because of non compliance with cp directives; police officials and authorities of nyc granting to cp privileges and prerogatives not granted to trade unionists

DAILY WORKER, 2/11/23, P1National Negro Congress organized today in Chicago by reps. Of many (about 80)negro groups including NAACP and we dubois. Garveyites refused to attend. Workers Party has five delegates. Conference called for a year ago by howard universities PROFESSOR Kelly Miller. Next day’s Worker on p 1 said Kelly is not known as a radical but is for recognition of USSR.

5676 box 2 folder 10 May 12 1924 Report of the Proceedings of the sixth Biennial Convention of the International fur Workers Union of U.S. and Canada 166 page bound book box 2 folder 10 Ibid 12 p one hundred sixty two steinberg local 40 --resolution 83—for recognition of USSR but uses cp argument. Committee voted “non-concurrence with the resolution because “as drawn contained many misstatements in the opinion of the Committeee. Meyer London then took floor and argued for a simple reolution asking us to recognize ussr and establish commercial relations. Since non- recognition was “an act of war against a friendly people” ; “every people has an inalienable right to solve its problems in One sixty three itsown way without dictation or interference of other nations” this was unanimously adopted.

5/21/24 cpusa reel 25 delo 379Minutes of district executive committee 5/21/24Of 13 attendeed Rebecca grecht is one

3 cp notes

Ibid pp 5, 7 “Nursery Tales, Deception and Slander” by ed. of fur worker, A. Rosebury a condemnation of article in freiheit in connection with balk strike which said Newark locals 25 and 54, not the international, supported the strike. Article tells of cp tactics. Also, details why settlement with balk collapsed. Also, explanation of rabbit trade. Read freiheit article also foner. USE DEBATE IN BOOK AS EXAMPLE OF CP V SOCIALISTS.

1/25/25 cpusa reel 37 delo 545 “summary of branch reports for district 2” approximately 200 cp members in Newark in 8 branches including 60 germans;40 russians;22 polish; 20 greek; 20 finnish;20 hungarian;17 ukrainian; 10 jewish [wg jews must have also been in Slavic branches?]

1/26/25 cpusa reel 37 delo 545 “December minutes of workers party” at Newark meeting onl;y 25 voted on question—20 for majority party and 5 for minority party contrasted with reel 33 delo 489 where at Elizabeth city meeting earlier in January, majority got 30 votes and minority 3 votes—there grecht ran meeting representing majority—maybe grecht was also at Newark meeting

Cpusa Undated but about 10/25 reel 37 delo 549 lists lettish and lithuanian in addition to above 3 of these in 3rd ward and 2 in ironbound2 at labor lyceum 3 contacts listed out of town

DAILY WORKER 3/20/1925 P2CP Dance at labor lyceum 2/23

3/27/25 cpusa reel 32 delo 488“List of city central committees and cities connected to same”5 in nj—paterson , Passaic, Elizabeth (elizabehtport and linden), Hudson county(9 cities) and essex county (Newark, west orange and Manville)

DAILY worker 8/25/25 p 2 General membership meeting of all workers party members for 8/27 at labor lyceum. “All members of Newark BRANCHES must attend [Newark had more than one cp branch]

Daily worker 10/8/26 p5Group was given permission by polce to have meeting for retrial of sacco and Vanzetti at Doelger’s Hall. Police than reversed themselves and cancelled permit. Then Painters Local Union No. 777 [see 11/25/28 for cp leaning of union] and Cleaners and Dyers Local applied and were denied. Meeting was held without permission at Labor Lyceum on Montgomaery and Barkley Sts. With Elizabeth Gurley Flynn as speaker. $103 was raised for defense fund. Kaplan and Klein business agents for painters and cleaners are asking Essex Trade Council to protest the authorities actions. Also, ACLU is protesiting—they had made previous fights against interference with meeting by Newark authorities.

Daily worker 1/11/27 p4On 1/16 Workers Party will make first attempt to raise money for a HQ. event to be at Slovak workers home[wg was this forced by labor lyceum ot own idea of cp?]

4 cp notes

Box 2 folder 22 minutes of meeting of geb 8/6/25P17 report of gurwitx, 10th vp. He stated he had “given as much time and attention as he could to counteract the influence of theCommunist element within its ranks. He stated that he has succeeded thus far in frustrating their efforts to disrupt local 54. he connecdted the activities of this group with the activities of the new york communists.. he informed the subcommittee that meetings between the new york communists and the communists within his local union had been held, and that they were still endeavoring to carry on their destructive tactics.”P22 locals 25 and 54 contributed $500 to International for does and assessments.Pp26,27 corbett thanked international for aid in new Brunswick strikeand t5hat if international had not called strike local 25 would be out of business. He stated that “in spite of what the “Lefts” said, the International Union had rendered invaluable work for the rabbit industry.” He also pledged “wholehearted support of his union to the International.P27 another vote taken on whether to continue suspension of Gold—passed 11 yes one no one abstention. Gurwitz was a yes.P31 geb proposed and it wa carried that elections and installations of locals 1,5 and 15 and the joint board to be iloegal. And that locals and joint boars outside of new york not to admit to their meetings any member or committee unless they can produce credentials from the internationalPp7-9;29,30 cp tactics in 1924 acc: to International DOCUMENTS COPIED

The fur worker 10/25 vol 9 no 110 p5Local 54 in Newark in better condition because of unionization of bandes in north Arlington and kleier in paterson by international. Now has about 175 members. Before that, 15 months ago, union in bad shape because some Newark dressing companies went out of business and some reduced staffs because of adverse conditions. [see above—fight in 54 between cp and international] [see also box 2 foloder 19] In fact during 1924, international subsidized 54 for 26 weeks at $25 per week for them to have a “steady” man to manage affairs of union. This has been discontinued. Morris stein now business mgr.

Foner November 9, 1925, 7th Biennial Convention in Boston. P173-174 Kaufman in rebuttal again red-baited but this time held up alleged telegram from communist Party HQ to TUEL signed by Charles Ruthenberg general secretary of the CP containing instructions to left-wing delegates as to how the various offices in the International should be distributed at the elections. Significantly it dealt mainly with the necessity of breaking the power of Hyman Sorkin and his”progressive” supporters.Ruthenberg denied the telegram, but out of town delegates returned to Kaufman and telegram gave Sorkin and his followers an excuse to break the united front.Compromise resolution then passed which justified the International and forgave the NY Joint Board. Kaufman would allow no debate on this and a vote for the resolution passed 37 to 28 with some Progressives voting with Kaufman and 11 abstaining. Thus the united front ended.

Box 2 folder 17 pp209 throughy 232 P398 as soon as kaufman is finished a telegram from Rothenberg sec. of cp. Is brought up.

The fur worker 11/26 vol 10 no 120 p1

5 cp notes

Ibid p4 full page of editorials excoriating communists and freiheit—use if necessary. Cp blamed for not going after Hollander: “The Hollander factories in Newark, N.J., have long been a menace to the union. Their numerous workers could be organized; and there are fur dressing factories in other markets. The general office did its duty in submitting the resolution to a referendum vote but the leaders of the ‘left’ Furriers’ Section, precisely those who had been delegates at the convention and vociferously voted for the resolution, incited the ny membership to vote against it. No other course was to be expected of people whose main loyalty is to the Workers’ Party. They are not interested in organizing work. Their aim is to capture or destroy. Pirate-like they operate in unions with large funds and a ready machinery that can be of material use for their party and a source of paid positions for their followers.”

5676 box 7 folder 1 7/18/26 report of afl special committee as result of cincinatti convention 6/25 to investigate IFWU [I have copied one page scope of investigation]Internal affairs of international, the recent strike by the Joint board, membership of org and developments growing out of strike and the new wage scale resulting from strike Seven part report of 41 pages. 1) history of pre-strike events 2) strike and methods of conducting it 3) communistic control 4) finances 5) police activities 6) comparison between 8 points and final settlement, and 7) recommendations1) p5 history ends with gold taking over joint council and communistic control (support for freiheit, freeing of political prisoners in all countries, Gold is alleged to have said: “ The cp will shape the policies and conduct of this strike.” Also accusation by report that strike vote was padded.

5676 box 7 folder 2 4/1/27 press release from “American federation committee to Reorganize the ny fur Workers Union P2 “The communists only remaining strength is in a small army of gangsters and gunmen they have recruited from the dregs of ny and nearby cities.” They try to intimidate workers into remaining with the cp faction. Little success are they having. At meeting with police commissioner mcGloughlin and inspectors valentine and Coughlin I have been assured that the police will give full protection to our workers.

5676 box 7 folder 2 4/4/27 press release from afl committee to reorganize the ny fur workers unionLiberals are permitting names to be used as members o9f the “Committee of 100” for defense of imprisoned needle trade workers. Mcgrady sec. of afl says they are being used in defense of ganfsters accused of actsof violence. Ousted communist joint board using committee a swindow dressing ibehind which cp can continue their reign of terror to intimidate fur workers. Attacks on loyal fur workers are taking place daily.

5676 box 7 folder 2 june 10 letter from woll, mcgrady and Frayne to police commissioner joseph a. warren complaining that never before has such mass picketing and mass parading as cp is now engaged. They want explanation.

5676 box 7 folder 2 6/12/27 press release that mayor walker was informed of same complaint by afl three that police there is a rumour if not an understanding throughout the

6 cp notes fur district that “police protection” is being accorded to the communists. Woll Frayne and mcgrady “named Arnold Rothstein as go between in police arrangement with the cp. Acc to woll, We are informed that 10 days before this strike mr. Rothstein arranged for the police to permit the cp “to carry on unchecked their present reign of terror against the trade unionists who refuse to join the walkout.”

5676 box 21 folder 44 12/1/26 letter from jack fink sec. of local 54 fur Dressers, floor workers and dyers Union (address same as cp hq 194 prince st. (called “Co- operative League building”) to “International Fur Workers Union” requesting a conference of all locals in dressing industry ASAP since all contracts are expiring at the same time HAVE LETTERHEAD

Daily worker 4/2/27 p3Local 25 has called mass meeting tonight at new Montgomery hall to make peace between international and local. Ben gold and oizer schactman will speak. Langer said “While we do not trust schactman or any of his associates we are prepared to forget their former treachery against the Newark local in our desire to save the union from the destruction which faces it if schactman and the reactionary officials of the afl continue their union-smashing campaign unchecked.” All members of local 54 are also invited.[wg-obviously this meeting was forced upon langer by gold under cp pressure].

NN 4/22/27 p11US under greater threat by insidious attacks CP than average citizen supposes. So heard the Newark Kiwanas Club at luncheon. Former newsman, fred M. marvin, said between 50 and 60 men and women favorable to CP had spoken before womens clubs over the past year in Newark. they skillfully plant the seeds of distrust in government and capital but never openlyadvocate overthrow of government. “They play on sympathies of listeners by intimating thet conditions are unfavorable to worker and should be changed.”

5676 box 20 folder 25 6/2/27 1 page letter from schactman to frank bellanca editor, il nuovo mondo nyc to correct article in the paper dealing with the suspended local and expelled members of rabbit dressers union in newark. For 7 or 8 months they have done everything to collaborate with theexpelled leaders of the ny local unions to break up the international. Local 25 has committed crimes too numerous to mention except one they have lowered prices to employers so they can control the organization for the interest of the Workers Party of America (CP).We are now reorganizing as in nyc. There is no strike or lockout the employers are simply following the agreement with the International which says they can only employ members of the international and all members today employed in the shops are members of the international. Any former members of local 25 and any of those who claim to be on strike are given the opportunity of returning to work immediately if they have registered and procured membership in the IFWU.”

Foner--August 23, 1929 letter from William Green to International to charles stetsky saying how the AFL kept communists from new york from seizing power in the International. (source for below?)

7 cp notes

P254 Witnesses from International not asked about political beliefs. Joint witnesses asked if they belonged to CP and if they supported and endorsed the Freiheit. 58 signed affidavits that they had been beaten up by strikers. Board offered to prove majority of these were thugs and strikebreakers. Investigation did not listen.COMMITTEE REPORTED TO AFL CLAIMED CP MADE APPOINTMENTS TO STRIKE COMMITTEE, THAT FURRIERS HAD BEEN BEATEN FOR CRITICIZING CP CONTROL OF STRIKE, THAT UNION FUNDS HAD BEEN MISUSED, AND THAT POLICE AND THE COURT SYSTEM OF NYC HAD BEENP255 BRIBED TO SECURE PROTECTION FOR THE STRIKERS. EVEN MOTTE EITINGON WAS ACCUSED OF BEING AN “AGENT OF Moscow” and was reported to have an $8,000,000 a year fur importing concession from the USSR. Employers and the Forward had made all these charges during the strike except the one of bribery. Even press laughed at bribery charge seeing how they had acted during strike. January 13, 1927 the executive council of the AFL announced serious state of affairs in International because CP had gained control of NY locals. Unless drastic measures taken, CP would gain control of the entire International. Thus the International was urged to expel all workers who admitted affiliations with the CP or TUEL or those who had found to have such affiliation. If this failed the International was empowered to revoke the charter of the Joint Board. “AFL to rescue the fur workers!” ran the headline of the International newspaper. source? P 278 continued-First morning of strike peacrful picketing in fur market. Workers then marched to 4 halls for adresses by General Strike Committee and to pick up working cards from Joint Board. Workers of the independent shops and the fur trimming shops voted to give 10% of wages to strike. P 279 With thousands marching, right wing leader claimed only 50 workers walked out of Associated shops. The AFL triumvirate assured the bosses of the empty shops. They rushed to Commissioner Warren who jumped to their bidding. From the first day of strike, numerous police and detectives patrolled the fur market and daily the arrests increased. As soon as first great march began police waded into crowd and district turned into a war zone. Police and detectives used blackjacks and clubs against the workers. Revolvers were sometimes drawn. But the fury of the strikers kept the scabs out of the market. POLICE PICKED ON INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS TO ATTACK AND BEAT UP. WOLL, Frayne and McGrady demanded in letters to Warren and Mayor Walker that the police forbid mass picketing in fur market, as they had done in other strikes. AFL told press that only a few were picketing, but Gold had 7,000.Even the NYC Central Trades and Labor Council protested when they got circular from AFL to protest “leniency” of Walker and Warren in not prohibiting picketing by fur workers. The executive of the Council, mostly stromg anti- CP, denounced the AFL request. “If we now demand imprisonment for Communists,” asked the rabid anti-Communist Joseph Ryan, “what shall we do when we ourselves are in the same predicament. Shall we expect consideration from the police?”

Daily worker 6/20/27 p 2Meeting tonite at cp hq 194 prince st. of the Joint Defense and Relief Committee to raise funds to help fur workers during strike. Ludwig Lendy manager of committee.

8 cp notes

The fur worker july 1927 vol 11 128 p8Rumors that local 58 were going to br trapped by expelled cp local 25 were squelched at meeting on june 30 where after explanation of problems with local 25, local 58 decided to “stand solid” with the International. As result of illegal strike called by local 25, local 58 operating under a joint agreement with the consolidated rabbit dressers elected a committee to bring about peace in the industry. Such a plan sent to local 25 which they rejected. At june 30 meeting, local 58 disbanded peace committee. It was decided that peace initiative be entrusted to local officers and International, but first local 25 must place at work at their various shops 13 members who have been outlawed from shops for their loyalty to the international and give assurances that the 13 will not be molested. Article also reminds readers that local 25 has been suspended for owing $6000 in per capita assessments. In attendance at june 30 meeting were vp lucchi and moe harris, business agent of 58. lucchi reminded workers to make sure they got the increases july 1st that they were entitled to.

The fur worker September 1927 vol 11 no 130 p8Sec. begoon appeared at meeting of local 25 (on invitation) to explain suspension of the local although acc to fur worker suspension explained many times before –inc. fact that business agent LANGER and others flirting with the communists in ny. begoon said local 25 reps had missed opportunity to explain case at Washington convention because at convention they were “in constant caucus with gold and his group of illegal delegates.” Begoon said international respects every religious and political opinion and at convention it was not question of political opinons of cp but rather “their unethical, destructive methods, and the convention decided that adherents of the workers party and the TUEL have no place in the union because they form a union within a union to capture or destroy it.” “At this, morris langer rose and declared that he was not a member of the communist party. But if he is not a member, he acts like one.” [wg—worker ran the latter two sentences together]. Acc to worker, has at last come to senses, all officers and members of exec board at a local meeting must swear loyalty to international and AFL and be guided by decisions of the convention and the international’s constitution. Begoon was asked whether local 25 would be admitted to conference of dressing locals (54) and begoon said no because 25 is still suspended. “yet a group of delegates came to the conference indefiance of the rule and, of course, were not admitted.”

Fur age weekly 10/31/27 vol 12 no 2 p5After “8 weeks of bloodless strike” rabbit factories of consolidated swang into action this am. With no increases in rabbit wages. Bd of directors of consolidated ratified agreement of 24th to open shops made by consolidated, inter and locals 25 and 58. acc to natt rosse of consolidated, unions unsuccessful in organizing non union shops. Also, he said internationals reorganization plan also unsuccessful because it is “difficult to round up workers who are not st their benches.” [8 WEEK STRIKE COMPLETE DISASTER FOR LANGER AND CP?- WG]

The fur worker November 1927 vol 11 no 131 p2Special committee set up to address local 25 suspension and its possible restoration to good standing consisting of sec begoon and vps harris and faiperon have come up with a 5 pledge package for local 25 to accept:1) new elections to be held under super of international and candidates must sign

9 cp notes declaration in conformity with sec 4, below2) local shall not admit to its meetings anyone w/o a proper credential countersigned by officer of the international3) no money to be collected or aid rendered to expelled locals or to ny joint board or to expelled members4) pledge of cooperation with international and afl in their efforts to rid union of all cp influence. Not to permit ant tuel or cp member to run for office in union and to expel any officer caucusing or taking orders from tuel or cp5) full membership and rights to be restored to members in dispute who sided with international and no discrimination ag them6) local 25 must pay debt for per capita and assessmrnts from 7/1/26 to date and to make regular payments from no on. Local debt up to 7/1/26 to be held in abeyance pending decision of next convention.

Ibid p 5 case of 6 newark speakers arrested Sunday to be put of til next Monday. Both sides agreed CP International Labor Defense and the ACLU. These two plus cp and other sympathetic orgs will attempt at conference next week with police chief to arrive at an understanding as to future indoor and street meetingsaccording to Gardos. Others arrested were Gaffe, Lederman, Matlin, Patrick Toohey, and Fox. They were arrested during outdoor meeting after being refused hall at Ukrainian hall on beacon st. after mccrell revoked permit. Total of $950 bail set for 6.

Daily worker 11/19/27 p5Joseph Brodsky counsel for ILD and Forrest Bradley of ACLU will represent cp with police chief at meeting. Now 7 are mentioned as being arreste— John Bobki was arrested even though he was not a speaker but a Newark worker in the crowd. Lederman also in same boat (see above).NO FOLLOWUP ON THE ABOVE ARTICLES????

The fur worker December 1927 vol 11 no 132 p1Joint Board with Fur dressing locals 2, 3, 4 , and 54, 59, 61, 88, and 89 and rabbit local 58 are meeting together often particularly in Newark at 118 market st. to set up massive organizing campaigns ag open shops. [wg- pointedly missing is local 25. apparently they couldn’t even get rump for these meetings]P2 locals also raising large warchest for campaign. At dec 22 conference in Newark, Joint Board adopted strong resolution ag cp provocation. By name, resolution denounces shadow [legitimate-wg] locals “falsely claiming to represent our Fur Dressing Locals

Levine, op cit p151 Was sent by cp in ny to Newark late 1927 to become editor/manager of the local freyheyt (freedom) I had same job in boston. I had lived in Newark in 1917 and had been very active in the city’s socialist movement so they knew me well. I made my $ from % of sales and from ad revenue. Big split in workmens circle between right and left and I had to write about as well as attend all the meetings. I covered strikes in paterson and Passaic. After 1929 there was problem of unemployment. I covered and participated in meetings and demonstrations.

Levine, op cit p151

10 cp notes

P154 even after cp left labor lyceum, I would sell freiheit in its lobby. Some rightists were furious ad complained to manager who answered “If it were another person, not S.D. we would throw him out, but we won’t do anything to S.D.”

Daily worker 1/23/28 p44th anniversary to be commemorated by cp Friday at 8pm at new Montgomery hall. Workers want successful meeting because of events earlier in month for 10th anniversary of Bolshevik revolution.. MOIse J. OLGIN member of central committee of cp will be main speaker.Meeting will also be protest against the war of American imperialism against the nicarasguan people

NN 2/7/28 p21National Civic Federation (for nearly 25 years it has “waged an unceasing battle ag radicalism in all forms, both in and out of the labor movement”) forms comm. to study labor problems because of “boring from within” by radicals particularly in the textile industry. Yellow dog contracts and use of injunctions provide ammunition for the Reds. Several textile employers stated that CP was making so much headway in their open shops that by 1930 they would be in control. Matthew Woll vp of AFL is is pres of Federation and elihu root is hon. Pres.MAY WANT NYT ARTICLE

Freiheit 4/16/28 p 2 Left wing of Newark labor has opened own “United Progressive Center” at 93 mercer st. nine founders: workmen’s circle branches 308 and 556; working women’s council; ILD; young workers league; workers party CP; freedom song union, freiheit mandolin orchestra, and friends of worker org.Six year rental. Plumbers, carpenters, painters and other workers contributed free labor to renovate space. Opening celebration 4/14 ($1000 raised at concert and ball) and 4/15. toastmaster was winograd. Addresses by reps of all founding groups plus s.d. Levine for freiheit and (Milton??) ritz from freedom song union.“A beautiful portrait of Lenin was unveiled at the end of the evening” donated by milgram. Unveiling accompanied by singing of the internationale.

Daily worker 7/10/28 p2Cp candidates in nj to be ratified for 1928 elections on 8/5 at workers progressive center 98 mercer st. this will be preceded by a “Red Proletarian Banquet on 8/4/ at the same place. Speakers will include scott nearing workers party (CP) candidate for nj governor and albert weisbord leader of the Passaic strike and nj ccp candidate for us senate. In letter to various labor and fraternal orgs throughout state, cp says state home of big corps and special interests, “notorious for its anti-labor record” and “ruled by the democratic machine mayor hague and the republican machine through us senator walter edge.””Free speech has been violated in many cities. Police terror and brutality have been practiced with impunity as in the Passaic textile strike. Unemployment has been steadily rising, but no relief has been given to the unemployed in the industrial centers…”

NN 8/6/28 p4 NJ CP at 93 Mercer St. “severely rebuked” dems reps and socialists. Endorsed scott nearing for governor and albert weisbord for us senator. Irving Freiman sec NJ campaign committee, introduced speakers. Also, NN fives complete CP platform. cp has smashed up unions all over Europeafter new Brunswick strike of 1923, when trade was scattered and split up among many corporate shops and prices and wages were low,

11 cp notes it was the international that brought together the 2 locals and the contractors and organized the trade. At once workers ‘ wages increased. After slack 1924 season, when wages fell to $1.15 the workers stuck together and didn’t listen to CP—as aresult wages rose to $1.75in Newark all the shops were speedily organized. In Brooklyn only 2 shops paying dues when harris took place of louis bricca as bus agent. Soon there were 14 organized shops in local. By 1926 there were almost 500 members in Newark and 250 in Brooklynin 1926 wages were raised higher still to $2 and $2.25. average wages were 65 to $75 per wek. Local 58 paid its debts and established a fund.In 1927 wages dropped to less than half. “Now in 1928, wages are about a third. Locals are poor and struggling for existence. Workers disunited and demoralized. Industry is disorganized and all the ruinoius competition in the trade has come back. LEFT WINGERS RESPONSIBLE.“As soon as Langer, the communst agent, got into Local 25 in 1926, he at once started plotting secretly with some members of Local 58.” He began slandering everyone and creating mistrust and suspicion. What happened in Local 25. what happened to all the monies collected(2cent dues)from members since mid 1926? Why is it that harris saved up $1500 while Langer “saved nothing, but kept laying on assessments and loaning money from the members.?” But this is not allLanger’s plotting put contractors wise, employers took advantage of the communists slanders on union leaders and opened open shops. “In the past only spies and agents in the pay of employers did such dirty work in the unions. Such spies and agents pretended to bre progressive sand revolutionists. They attacked the officers and agitated for untimely and useless strikes. Thses strike were lost and brought ruin on the union and the workers.” This is what Langer is doing by his slander open shops came into existence and by 1927 serious problem in rabbit locals.CP through their agents instigated the campaign a year ago to organize the open shops. “The campaign was really a general strike; and they dragged local 58 into it. Strike was a fizzle because the time was not ripe and not favorable. It only weakened the locals.”“Worst of all was the strike last winter, only a few months after the fizzle, again engineered by the CP. “By rejecting arbitration at the Webster Hall meeting they put ideas into the heads of the Consolidated employers. Again the rabbit workers were rushed into a useless strike which could not be won. If not for the settlement they made by pres. Silberstein of the inter the 2 locals w2ould have broken down there and then.” Because of these 2 strikes “wages dropped, union funds weerre wasted and the consolidated association was disbanded. They bought poverty to both locals and disunity and demoralization in the ranks.Now again, after all the suffering they have caused the cp is again trying to mislead the rabbit workers. We warn the workers to give no ear to lies and slander but to stay true to the inter and its efforts to improve conditions.

The fur worker October 1928 vol 12 no 138 p 5Left agents of brooklyn local 58 hav eled members into inaction aimed at membership of local 25 whose business agent is now moe harris (installed “some months ago”). Instead of raising wages of Brooklyn workers they re “engaged exclusively in communist amalgamation maneuvers, ignoring the wage question.” Revival in rabbit skin industry evident and harris got increase in wages for workers. But the increase cannot remain in force unless it is also granted in jc and Brooklyn, otherwise contractors dealing with local 25 will be faced with competition and unable to maintain wage increase. In last two week nothing has happened and Brooklyn

12 cp notes rabbit workers are still working for $1 rather than the $1.50 in Newark. instead of going for the $1.50 they are concerned about amalgamation to “creat jobs for communists and give these gentry the power to lay assessments thick and fast on the poor rabbit workers for the benefit of their political party.”When Brooklyn agents were called upon to follow suit for wage demands they insisted on a jont meeting with local 25. administration of 25 [harris] knowing meeting would be cp propaganda insited that only subject of mtg should be wages and prices. “lefts” accepted this but when meeting opened on October 18, “the left barrage about “amalgamation” disgusted the local 25 men so much that they gradually faded away, leaving only a few of their number present.” These few members then agreed to amalgamation with the remnant of local 58 despite past experience and to play into cp hands. Following decision, moe harris resigned as bus mgr local 25. “It now remains for the international Union to revoke the charters of these two locals.”Ibid “Local 58 officials under charges” charges of cinstitutional violation brough ag Julius weil anjd louis bricca and other members of local 58 exec for having railroaded throughat 9/6 local mtg to secede from the international and join the “separatist communist group.” They lie that the vote was “overwhelming” for the resolution. Actual voting was 35 in favor, 16 ag and 70 not voting for fear of “persecution.”

Freiheit 11/25/28 p2Freiheit gezang farayn will sing at winograd’s memorial service. Funeral procession from cp hq on mercer st. to painters council hq on Charlton st and then to workmens circle cemetery. Among participating orgs in procession is WC branch 556

Daily worker 11/28/28 p 1s. winograd, member of the executive committee of the Newark cp died. Funweral at 93 mercer st. weinstone district 2 organizer of cp spoke. Article says winograd “was poinsoned at work.” P 3 he was a painter and died of lead poisoning. He was pres. of local 777 of the Painters Union of Newark and manager of the Workers Center of Newark

Freiheit 11/28/28 p2CP ny and nj district statement on Winograd by weinstone district organizer---he was mgr of Workers Center; original member of Newark’s workers Party. He was revolutionary entire life and fought in Russia for its revolution there. He was a “Bolshevik”

The Labor Defender June 1929 vol 4 no 6 p 119“Record of Fascism in U.S.A. 1928” by Robert dunn1928 saw a more intensive drive ag radicals than any year since 1922-1923. federal, state and local authorities united in campaigns ag communist and radical labor groups.in 1927 ACLU reported only 14 mtgs stopped with 46 prosecutions. In 1928 53 mtgs stopped but 524 prosecutions.During pres election of 1928 local interference with mtgs of the CP were particularly noticeable. Party on ballot in 32 states. Cp meetings dispersed or forbidden in 10 of these states, inc. nj, ny, pa. Also, miners strike or relief mtgs broken up in many places. In Newark a mtg to raise $ for strike in cannonsburg pa was forbidden by police on 2/26 on grounds that at a previous mtg held by the relief committee, “speeches were made attacking the government.”

13 cp notes

Daily worker 4/15/29 p1Meeting at the “Labor Temple”[apparently new name for 93 mercer st] to set up may day celebration included 45 delegates from 23 orgs. Speakers A. gusakoff and Stern Newark cp organizer. Also at meeting—may day will be first effort to have cp members run in Newark elections. Frank Fisher, Anna Drenkovsky and Samuel D.Levine are running for commission.

Daily worker 5/4/29 p 2Among Platform items of 3 cp candidates for Newark commission are: abolition of police use in labor disputes; end of government by injunction; no child labor under 16; 6 hour day for child workers; $20 minimum wage per week; rent control for workers;; unemployment, sickness and old age insurance; “Racial, political and social equality for Negroes”

Daily worker 5/16/29 p1s.d.levine running on ballot with slogan “equality for negro workers” yesterday polled 1909 votes, more than the statewide cp nj vote in the 1928 presidential elections ( in newark cp polled 350 votes in 1928). Most of levine’s votes came from votes in sections inhabited by negro workers. Frank Fisher polled 1468 cp votes with slogan”for a workers’ and farmers’ government” and anna drenkowski polled 1435 with slogan “Workers against bosses.” Levine’s vote acc to worker shows “negro awakening.”

Daily worker 11/18/29 p3Over 6000 newark children under 16 working in industries and 27% of these under 12. commission just passed ordinance regulating work hours for children which allows them to begin at 5:30 am until 8am and from 3:30 pm to 8pm (9pm for those over 15). Acc to Mayor Congleton, “the early morning hours are not injurious to children’s health if they retired early in the evening.” As to the entire picture, congleton continued: “These hours will keep the children fro mischief. If the boys are busy in the morning and work late in the afternoon and evening it is likely they will be tired enough to go to bed early.” Commissioner Brennan who voted for the ordinance was backed by organized labor who called him a “labor’ man. Commisiioner Murray elected as a “humanitarian” said “child labor makes for better home conditions.” The CP and YCL will demonstrate against this ordinance on thanksgiving day.

Foner--P318 Natio9nal Organization Committee of the cloak and dressmakers (see314- 316) asked furriers National Executive Committee to form a single industrial union as first step to amalgamate needle trades industry. P319 TUEL formed needle trades section to assist in this amalgamation. In December 28 and 29 both groups had conventions in NYC where they unanimously voted for amalgamation. Joint convention then began forming new union, drawing up a constitution and electing national officers and a General Executive Board.P320 economic program of new union. Then to no surprise it adopted a CP political agenda: Free tom mooney and warren k. billingsand other class-war prisoners Special need to organize negro and women workers Sent “fraternal” delegates to next convention of the new International of Labor UnionsLouis Hyman of cloak and dressmakers pres and Gold vp of new union

Freiheit 12/8/29 p6Recruitment of women for CP. Get lists from workers orgs. Then send team of man and woman to canvas housewives for CP. Woman is beaten down and

14 cp notes in 5 minutes learn her life story. She has forward on table. She is asked if she feels valued in society. She says no. does union truly represent worker’s interests. Again she says no. join cp and you will learn which unions really represent workers interests. After some more of this they think they have recruited new member.

Freiheit 12/16/29 p6Jacob glatzer, sec. Newark Workers United Progressive Center, 93 Mercer St. in fund raising letter, lauds center which is almost 3 years old. About the CP “This movement, fights, not only their obvious enemy, the ruling class, but also their masked enemy, the so-called ‘workers’ movements’ that are in reality renegade groups and double-crossing associations.” We need money for the center as the past several years “have been stressful for us.”

Star eagle 1/2/30 p 11Scott nearing (whose “radical views” cost him prefessorships at Univ of PA and Toledo univ expelled from CP because he had voted as trustee of Garland Fund he had voted aid to Progressive Labor Action , an org opposed by CY and had written a thesis on imperialsm which deviated from cp line.

Levine op. cit p154“in the beginnings of the 1930’s there was open hearing at Newark commission on budget. Committee of reps from unemployed [wg-cp] came to meeting to demand budget help for unemployed. They were soon thrown out of hall and accused of being communists. “When it became calmer in the chamber I stood up and introduced myself and said that I protestedthe vile action of the city commissionersagainst the poor people who came to ask for helpfor the hungry people of the city. There was turmoil. A commissioner made the suggestion that I not be allowed to speak, but I told them I would defend my right to discuss the issue of the city budget. A policeman covered my mouth with his hand and didn’t let me talk. The commissioners took a vote and decided that I couldn’t speak. A policeman led me out of the hall.”“I rememberthe meeting for the rights of unemployed in the Russian club on Broome St. Suddenly rocks were being thrown at the windows from car windows.. we hid under the benchesand were not hurt. Witnesses said it was a police car.”

Daily worker 2/11/30 p3Letter from “Italian worker” is happy to read worker every day because he likes “to fight these capitalist beasts.” He is Italian cper and honors the soviet union because it is a good place for the poor. Italy is not a good place for workers as is said by Corriere and il progresso since many letters come here saying there is nothing to eat in italy. We must fight the priests too since they help keep the poor down.

Freiheit 2/12/30 p1On 2/11 “about 500 unemployed, 90% of them negro workers,” assembled at cp hq 93 mercer to organize themselves into Unemployment Councils and to mobilize for the 2/26 demonstation. YCL and ILD spoke to the rally. Police broke into the hall midway through the meeting and commanded—“Leave the hall or be arrested!” some took the challenge and were arrested—Klaus, S.D. Levine, Langer, Kliana, david Rosen, Sylvia ostrow, and flaiani plus some YCLers. All are being held for $10,000 bail each. To taunt the police the arrested “sang revolutionary songs in the paddy wagons and the police station.”

15 cp notes

Freiheit 3/23/30 “Letter from the Provinces” subtitled “Ambush on Unemployed by Newark Police’ by sdlevine p3This essay amplifies 2/11 arrestsNine arrestees prevented from taking hats and coats from hall. They were beaten, esp author because he is well known in Newark for frequent aooearances at cp events. When patrol wagon arrived at garage of station, other 8 were taken into station but I was pinned against garage wall by policeman twice my size. “He punched me in my face; in my stomach; in my sides;kicking me as I fell to the ground. After a rest he resumed his punching. Not til my whole face swelled up was he satisfied.” I was then taken into station but not with other prisoners so they wouldn’t see my face. We were held on $10,000 bail each, charged with organizing to overthrow the laws of our country, of nj and of Newark and were indicted under the Sedition Law of 1902. we sang the Internationale.Hearing was before judge albano. Flaiani was accused of giving an order to fight the police. The police said the other arrestees supported flaiani. A policeman said I was worse than flaiani. An ILD lawyer was there to defend us.On 2/13 we were transferred to essex county jail and given separate cells. The negro comrade was imprisoned in a separate wing. White visitors could not visit him.[?--wg]Flaiani was thrown in a dungeon and was given bead and water for 6 days on the pretext that he had complained about food and conditions at the jail. Three prison guards attacked him in his cell “and beat the hell out of him.”About me, the newspapers said I was injured falling down the stairs. The police figured out that nobody would find out about his beatings.“But the news leaked out. The police brutality and the high bail provoked a protest.” We couldn’t raise the bail. Finally, at separate hearing, it was lowered to $3000 each, except for me it remained at $10,000.Acc to the Tog, as we were led out from the meeting after our arrest the crowd shouted “Go back to Russia!” …”The truth is , the crowd applauded the arrestees and condemned the police.” Acc to Forward, we held a meeting, deceiving the unemployed, so the police arrested us. It regretted the publicity we got.

Daily worker 2/12/30 p1Reports on 2000 jobless auto workers demonstrated yesterday and “hundreds of workers” marched to city hall in Detroit. Also, yesterday 500 workers met at 93 mercer st. under egis of TUUL. While meeting was going on, police broke into hall and arrested 9 workers. Among those arrested were flaiani, Levine, morris lazar, a. Hader, Sylvia alter, Edward childs and david rosen( who was arrested several days ago for distributing “unemployed leaflets.” Of those arrested 4 were cpers and several from ycl. Several belonging to neither org were also arrested.

Daily worker 2/18/30 p 2Yesterday 500 “negro and white workers” gathered to protest arrest of workers held on $10,000 bail.”Negro workers were especially active in calling for the defense of the workers who had attended the Unemployed Council meeting when the police made the arrests.” Marie StaFF [ANOTHER PSEUDONYM-WG] DEFIED JUDGE SIMANDL’S ORDER TO Give up working class activities and appeared at meeting where she was greatly applauded when she said:’I intend to continue my work for the ILD, the TUUL and the CP, and I intend to go on distributing pamphlets and laboring for the cause of the working class—my class.” “The capitalist press has been publishing slanderous statements that this young worker had “recanted.” Sd Levine and others also spoke. It was announced that the negro worker arrested had been held incommunicado, the police refusing the ILD lawyer from seeing him.

16 cp notes

NN 2/19/30 p2Director Brennan, Commissioner of Public Safety gave his approval to the 2/11 raid on a communist unemployment meeting. 10 were arrested with total bail of $97m by police court judge albino.altho the high bail gives defendants excuse tio “cry persecution and pose as martyrs” the case should not be dealt with as an ordinary police court case. He said the 14 men assigned out of traffic control were more needed in the precincts “to halt probable trouble the communists would incite.”Brennan said the raid was necessary “because the police had evidence that at these meetings it was being declared there were no police on the street5s after 5am in the morning and that after that time people could go out and get what they wanted. This was an invitation to go out and engage in wholesale stickup parties and housebreaking.”…If the times were good there would not be many unemployed there to listen to such talk. Now such statements are inflammatory.”Last night at a city commission meeting Henry J. Sutton socialist organizer presented a resolution of protest by the county committee of the socialist party agsinst the handling of “the communist situation.” The resolution asked for “an immediate public hearing and investigation into the conduct and legality of action of all concerned.” Sutton cited serious differences between socialists and communists and said he was not thwre on behalf of the communists “but rather of free speech and assemblage.” Since the meeting was on unemploymentand the unemployed were thewre the meeting should have been permitted to be held. Brennan answered that the police ‘WITH WARRANTS FOR THE ARRESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS WHO WERE INVITING OTHERS TO COMMIT BURGLARY AND BANDITRY.” Whie we tried to make the arrests the meeting was broke up with disorder. S.D. Levine who polled 1800 votes last may as communist for the city commission was one of those arrested and charged with inciting the unemployed ‘TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT.”. Levine the only one out on bail has a black eye and bruises of the body, which he says police gave him. Police claim he fell down a stairway at cp hq.

Star eagle, 3/5/30 p1mcRell said today when and if application made to hold cp meeting at military park tomorrow extra precautions will be taken “to quell any riotous disturbances.” So far no application made. Ibid. p6 Arthur J. Quinn, pres State fed. of labor,said today that communism was an attempt to “turn the government upside down.” Any member of organized labor discovered affiliating himself with the “radicals” will be expelled from the union. “Labor has no sympathy with the cause of dissatisfied men and women who work on the ignorant and unemployed.” Clause in federation’s constitution will be upheld to automatically suspend any federation member taking part in cp activities. Of thosetaking part in cp rallies in Newark, none were federation members--- “Our men are too well satisfied with conditions and too glad to have work to sacfifice a day’s pay to join a mob scene.” Henry Hilfers, former sec of nj state fed of labor and now nj rep for AFL agreed with Quinn’s view and said that the seed of communism has fallen on barren ground whenever planted in fed. Soil.

NN 3/6/30 p 1 top article of day “Police Prevent City Hall Trip of Communists”Event called Newark’s Red Thursday”Delegation of 6 men went from park to city hall to present a set of resolutions from the rally (see below) to the mayor shortly after 2pm. Congleton said he was redy toi meet them and so instructed Deputy Chief Harris and

17 cp notes

Chief McRell. He said he wanted to “find out what they wanted so that there activities for the day could end.” According to the NN somehow these instructions were not passed to the policemen downstairs in city hall and as the communists startedup the stairs [PUSHING THROUGH THE CROWD AND STARTING UP THE WOODEN RAILS ERECTED FOR THE WINTER, nn 3/7/30 P2]“several uniformed policemen, apparently having misunderstood the orders, vaulted the railing after the group, seizing them and forcing pushing them back to the sidewalk.” “Several hundred spectators gathered [CONTAINING MORE PHOTOGRAPHERS AND REPORTERS THAN COMMUNISTS—NN 3/7/30, P1] and the crowd rapidly grew as the officers forcibly escorted the delegation down the steps. Excitement ran high for the moment.” Officers pushed the men through the milling crowd and released them “ordering them to keep going.” Communists obeyed and soon disappeared. “Broad street traffic was jammed for several minutes.” Military PARK “quiet” meeting with 4000 “watchers” including acc. to NN 500 CPers. With rest “curious and good-natured.” Speakers stand in front of Wars of America monument. Crowd had gathered in park well befo9re starting time of 11:30 am. 60 police were scattered throughout. Top officers were in charge. Also detectives circulated with reporters cards in their hats and a police stenographer was on hand to take notes. “Only reporters, photographers and police were allow2ee inside a circle formed by a ring of patrolmen around the platform.”police did not interfere with crowd and nightclubs were conspicuous by their absence. Soon after 11:30 communist leaders arrived.they passed out cardboard signs reading “work or wages” “starve or fight” “down with imperialstic war-defend trhe soviet union” posters pertaining to police brutality had been confiscated by 4th precinct officers before the communists had left their mercer st. hq. S.B. Levine was first speaker “wearing a red tie of sober hue.” He was hatless.He had just began when offices and department stores let out workers for lunch break. A score or more of men and women gathered on the roof s and windows of buildings in sight of rally including on the roof of the American Insurance Company building at Park Place and East Park St. for the entire lunch period crowd was amused by roof watchers on that building who “went through a series of spirited rah rahs, shouting their raspberry flavored cheers to the antics of a self-appointed cheer leader.” Public service employees in the terminal building watched the proceedings also. P4 “those gathered immediately around the speakers’ stand were meek and mild- mannered, permitting themselves to be shoved back every once in a while by the dozens of blue coats without protest.”As Jack Rubine, TUEL state organizer mounted platform communists in crowd scattered leaflets advertising “Women workers’ day meeting for March 8 and giving demands for work. An officer reported this to chief mcrell, but the chief gave orders not to interferes. Article then gives accounts of similar meetings in paterson (3000 attendees); 600 in Trenton; Boston—no # of attendees but 8 arrests;Chicago between 10 and 15000;Cleveland 2000; Detroit 5000 attendees 9 arrests and 8 injuries; Columbus 1000; Buffalo 4 communist speakers were arrested before rally could begin; Pittsburgh 5000 with four seriously injured and many others arrested.; wartebury 4 arrests and rally broken up; Worcester 5 communists arrested.; Philadelphia several thousand. Internationally, NN mentions rallies, violence and arrests in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Rumania, England, and Austria.

18 cp notes

Star Eagle 3/6/30 p1Headline: “Reds’ Rally is Quiet; Crowd Hears Protest” With 350 police ready for outbreaks –in military park 60 uniformed men circulating led by mccrell and harris with 4 mounted men circling the gathering; 16 police guarded city hall; squad under sgt. Pfrommer at cp hq on mercer st (cp had permit for military park meeting but none for a parade.—also at cp hq when youn policeman tried to wrest a banner from a young man, Pfrommer stopped him saying:”Let him carry it if he wants to. He’s not doing any harm.” Within the Hq three communists “did not let the edict from Moscow to interfere with their favorite pastime. They played checkers throughout the demonstration”; 250 men held at precinct stations on call. “Crowd of about 2500 curious” gatherd at park north of the “Wars of America” monument. Speakers were SDLevine who said he was the cp leader in Newark, Flaiani, out on bail from arrest last week, jack rubin organizer ans sec. TUUL, and Leonard Patterson, “colored” YCL member. Levine attacked police for raids on previous meetings and said some cpers were beaten.P4 Flaiani said “This prosperity talk is bunk! I bring you a message of revolt against present conditions. The government should give relief.” Rubin said there were 75,000 unemployed in city and also attacked the Hoover prosperity statement. “When Patterson mounted the stand organized cheering, college style, came from the roof of the American Insurance building across the way, where two score workers gathered during the noon hour.”

Daily worker 3/7/30 p 3Acc to worker 15,000 at military park under leadership of cp and TUUL. Resolution unanimously passed for unemployment relief. No arrests. Levine was chair; flaiani as District Organizedr of cp was speaker plus others including “comrade Paterson, Negro YCL member.”

NN 3/7/30 p1Mass meeting called for mercer st. hq by cp to protest police barring of committee from city hall earlier in day. Only 50 cp showed up and SD Levine postponed meeting. Acc. To NN only about 50 people heard Dominick FLAIANI ANNOUNCE THE MEETING AT BROAD AND WALNUT AFTER HE AND 5 OTHERS WERE FORCED OFF THE STAIRS AT CITY HALL NN said “unlike bloody riots in NY and Washington, Newark’s Red Thursday demonstration was tepid throughout.”..”speakers were unable to rouse the crowds at the park to any enthusiasm and roars of laughter were more common than cheers.”

Star Eagle 3/12/30 p 5On 3/12 9 cpers arrested when they tried to stage an unemployment demonstration in Union Square Elizabeth. Of 9, 4 were from Newark and had been arrested there—frank fisher 21, Jacob rubin 26, davis rosen 17, Jacob wallick 18. they were all released last night on $100 bail for a hearing friday

Star eagle 3/19/30, p 1Verbal battle at commission meeting between cpers and commissioners. “City Hall was crowded, news that the communists would be on hand to tek the city fathers to task apparently having been circulated well in advance of the session.”Most of words were by flaianiwho claimed he was there representing the city’s 75,000 unemployed. Mayor congleton and commissioners murray and howe tried repeatedly to have flaiani “suggest something practicable that the commission could do to relieve the unemployment situation, he finally was forced to halt his rambling

19 cp notes address.”Flaiani had attacked inability to gain access to city hall on unemployment day. Howe said this was incorrect since he waited for delegation in his office. Congleton asked what the commission should do to relieve unemployment that it had not already done. Flaiani ignored him and talked about how he represented 75,000 unemployed. Murray asked how did he know there were 75,000. resonse—he hd taqken a survey. Murray—did you speak to all of them? Did they all come to see you? No response but flaiani railed ag capital’s mistreatment of labor. Congleton interrupted and asked flaiani to tstick to facts. What can we commissioners do to help unemployed congleton asked – flaiani continued tirade and congleton again asked him to stick to facts. And mayor said he would not listen to him much longer.

Star eagle 3/29/30 p2Article headline: “TALKS BY REDS BANNED WHEN 4 ARE SENTENCEDByline: New Blow Aimed at Vice Conditions by Albano“Banning incendiary speech-making by communists or agitators, Police Judge Albano today aimed another blow at Fouth Precinct vice conditions” and sentenced four cpers sentenced to 90 days each on charges of loitering and interfering with police while leading a demonstration on Livingston st, “near the heart of the vice area” in protest of the eviction of a negro tenant. Jack rubin, an organizer, 26, 90 days and an additional 10 days for contempt of court for insisting on delivering a speech on communism despite repeated warnings of the court.; frank fisher, 22 ; albert granelli 19; jack volick 18. Albano said: “These men are criminals and disturbers. They were fomenting trouble in a dangerous area….It is not a question of free speech. This tribunal is not here to decide the virtues or evils of communism but to maintain peace and quiet in this precinct….they come here to preach to certain persons who have not the intellect to undersdtand and who may misinterpret. Here is where the menace lies.” 4 men contended the right of free speech entitled them to hold the demo and denied they had interfered with police activities. About 200 filled the courtroomabraham isserman their attorney said an appeal would probably be filed. The demonstration, led by rubin turned into a parade with about 200 sympathizers and marched down Livingston st to arouse the neighborhood on behalf of Levinson Grant, negro who was evicted yesterday. When police heard about this they rushed to scene with plainclothsmen and reservemen to head procession off. Communists refused to stop and urged on by rubin tried to proceed. “a few seconds of brisk work by the policemen convinced the majority of the mobthat they did not care to parade.” The four were arrested after they declared they would continue to defy the police and stage demonstrations when and where they decided.Conviction of 4 reversed by judge Daniel brennan 9/24/31—see article in eagle

3/29-3/30 1930 Program of the National Unemployment Conference March 29-30th reel 163 delo 2184P 1 Mass unemployment in America is part of “worl crisis of capitalism.” On 3/6 in response to call ot TUUL and CP mass demos throughout country.P3 national called National Unemployed Coucil with 35 person exec. NY HQ. periodic bulletin to be issued. To be financed 50% from local councils set up in all industrial centers whose members shall pay dues of 2cents per week. TUUL councils will take initiative in stting up local councils and be affiliated with TUUL.

20 cp notes

The fur worker june 1930 vol 13 no 144 p 8Local 54 because of long time dissatisfaction with business admin morris stein (in shops union conditions not maintained, ot was worked illegally, etc.) and it was asserted by many members that he was under influence of cp ringleaders. He discriminated ag those who criticized him and gave protection to his friends. In shops where the workers were not with him, he gave free reign to the employers. At a local mtg on May 16 stein slapped an elderly member in the face for criticizing him. “Many members left that meeting embittered and disgusted.” After mtg, some members accompanied by local pres Nick Kaffera called on international to investigate situation and help free local 54 from “chaos.” Kaufman appointed committee of local 2 and 3 members [2 italains 2 jews] to investigate charges. They went to may 23 mtg in Newark and reported back that complaints of many members shops were neglected by stein and his conduct at last mtg was such that he should be charged. Geb withheld action because new election was coming up anyways and stein did not accept nomination. Stein new that international office was to back kaffera as his replacement “and that he better not run.” Kaffera’s election will mean membership of local 54 “will no longer fear communist intrigue.”

NN 3/25/30 P10Newark Local 24 Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America is being effected by the NY Joint Board after the suspension of three leaders of the local in an effort to remove “disturbing influences.” Newark local has 3000 members. Those suspended were Michael and Frank Tenore and Nathan Kleinman. Suspension order signed by Abraham Miller sec. treas. Of NY joint board. Accused the suspended because dues were not collected, favored members were reinitiated whike others neglected their standing in the organization . no mention of CP--wg

Daily worker 3/29/30 p1Newark Westinghouse plant workers forced local police “to keep hands off communist speakers who addressed nearly 300 workers at an open-air meeting in front of the plant yesterday.”…. “CP will continue the shop gate meetings despite the police.”[daily worker 4/5/30 pp1,2—westinghouse workers—“The toilers are speeded to limit, under conditions of torture” mainly about bad conditions at factory and need of workers to join TUUL] [also on p 2 letter from “Westinghouse Worker” in re: factory gate meeting at noon—A large crowd gathered and as first speaker (flaiani?) began Capt. Franz of the Wesitinghouse police accompanied by Newark police asked for speaker’s permit. Flaiani? Said he didn’t need permit because he had conastitutional right to speak. Police pulled him off stand. Workers all shouted that he be permitted to speak and this unnerved police who let flaiani speak. After gathering nerve police again pulled flaiani from stand. He was replaced by another speaker who continued to the cheers of the crowd. Franz tried to pull him off stand but workers were so adamant , he relented. Then flaiani spoke. Police called for a wagon to haul him off but changed m9nd and he finished speech. Workers are speeded up “beyond endurance” and “pay is so low that even those who work steady can’t make ends meet.” “In the afternoon all the workers werer talking about the noon affair, condemning the police and praising the firm stand the communists took. The workers are ready to join the struggle.” Ibid. a. Grant an unemployed negro with 5 children whose wife is dead was evicted from his home at 19 Livingston st. and his furniture was scattered in the yard. He had been out of work since Christmas and has been unable to find a job. Unemployed council of the

21 cp notes

TUUL and CP anf the YCL will hold a protest meeting in front of the house to demand the immediate reinstatement of the family.

Op cit p 5 On 3/28 four cpers arrested in front of Plumbing Supply Company, owner of house where A. Grant family was evicted for non-payment of rent. Cpers started march with banners stating “Work or Wages” and against the eviction and police rushed in. those arrested were jay rubin TUUL organizer, frank fisher, albert grenelli, and jack ballet [gipfel?-wg] charged with loitering and disorderly conduct and held on $100 bail each.

Star eagle 4/7/30 p8Seven cpers were fined and given suspended sentences for disorderly conduct for “haranguing Westinghouse workers at Plane and Lackawanna avenue by 2nd precinct police judge howe. Flaiani told the court they were “agitating for the overthrow of the presnt government and substitution of a workers government.” He was fine $50 and a 6 month suspended sentence. Others fined $25 and given 3 months suspended sentences were 3 whites and 3 blacks(including henry walker).See 8/14/31 for reversal of flaiani’s conviction.

Star Eagle 4/12/30 p1Today cp will stage a warm up for may day in military park under guard of a special police detail. CP got permit from carl bannwart, head of Newark parks dep’t and he told chief mcRell. Permit obtained by S.D. Levine. Police said they will stand for “no rough stuff and no parades.” By rough stuff theymean no “inflammatory speeches which would tend to incite riot. mcRell took no responsibility for the permit issuance. Bannwart said “We have no sympathy, of course, with the views held by these communists, but we think it better to give them the opportunity to talk their heads off than to try and stop them.” So far this year they have been issued three permits for outdoor meetings, the 3rd today.

NN 4/21/30 p5At CP meeting of about 150 at Krueger Hall on the 20th to protest arrest of 10 CP members who will be tried on Tuesday ( acxtualy May 13—see below—wg) A radical jury was chosen of 12 men and women to “decide the fairness of the decision to be handed down by judge Brennan.” Meeting was held under auspices of the International labor Defense. MISS DOTTIE BLUMENTHAL, CHAIR, introduced DW Graham “colored” one of defendants as the 1st speaker. Edward Childs of the YFL spoke of the aims of that org. Jay Rubin, TUEL state organizer urged a monster demonstration for may day assailing the AFL and advocating that all students stay out of school may 1. charles Alexander Negro organizer of the ILD spoke how capitalists romp while workers starve. FLAIANI STATE CP ORGANIZER explained the laws on sedition under which the 10 communsts will be tried carries a 15 year sentence. Resolution protesting against the charge of sedition “was drawn.” MARIE STAFF WHO WAS RECENTLY SENTENCED BY JUDGE SIMANDL TO BE SPANKED IN COURT AND WHO PROMISED TO GIVE UP ALL CP ACTIVITIES was ‘BUSI8LY ENGAGED IN DISTRIBUTING PAMPHLETS AND CIRCULARS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE HALL.” Frank Fischer and David Rousner of YCL led the cheers and songs punctuating the speakers’ remarks.

22 cp notes

NN 4/26/30 p4ACLU of NY’s Roger Baldwin came to Newark to set up a local committee because of “the ill conceived police drive against Communists in Newark.” Temporary chair Garner of Universalist Church who will try to arrange a meeting between the police and the Communists to avoid violence. Local committee will also aid local attornies in handling cases of recently arrested CP’ers esp. 10 defendents charged with sedition who will go on trial May 13. [wg—see sdlevine’s comments on aclu role-beleow]

Star Eagle 4/30/30 p?May day parade permit refused by chief james mcrell, but 1 pm meeting at military park ok since permit issued by carl bannwart. Flaiani, state cp organizer, said parade was to be from park to hq on mercer st.

NN 4/30/30 p 8Unidentified NN reporter interviewed FLAIANI iat his desk at CP HQ 93 mercer st. office about May Day preparations. Flaiani called the day “STRIKE DAY” and said CP YCL and young pioneers would take part. He decried McRell’s refusal to grant them a parade permit saying the chief has no right to prohibit the parade. They will march anyway from military park to their mercer st. office. Flaiani stressed that they are against violence but if poice attack “we must defend ourselves.” Commenting on ACLU efforts for truce between CP and police, “They mean well enough , but they still havde the foolish belief that they can preserve that scrap of paper called the constitution.” Tommorrow all workers will strike and children stay out of school and all will assembe at Military Park.

Star Eagle 5/1/30 p1Flaiani says cp will defy police and parade from park to mercer st hq. today’s demo at park consisted of about 300 with 50 “small children” sell ing communist papers.

STAR Eagle 5/9/30 p2Conviction of john almassi, arrested in late February, for distributing circulars without a permit (advertising cp unemployment mtg. to be held at 93 mercer st Workers’ Center) by police judge albano upheld by common pleas judge dallas Flanagan. He was fined $50 isserman represented him in both trials. Flanagan stated that circular eulogized ussr as country where labor conditions are constantly improving and urged citizens to fight for a workers and farmers gov’t in the us. Flannagan ruled there is no constitutional right to use streets for this purpose without a license and the guarantee of free speech and press does not authorize a member of a party or org to hold a mtg in a public place w/o city’s consent.

Daily worker 5/13/30 p 3With the arrests of 9 newark cp’ers, for sedition (trial delayed to 5/19) Newark chief of police brex “started a red baiting campaign …and is banking a great deal on conviction. He has stated that ‘the Reds will be driven out of Newark.’” indictment says arrested workers said “We must fight the police..We must overthrow the government..Go down and kill police commissioner mccrell” also calls made individual terror. “Individual terror and assassination are not part of the program of either the cp, the tuul, or the councils of the unemployed.”

23 cp notes

NN 5/13/30 p10CP thru its NJ campaign committee listed its candidates for the June 17 primary. All 5 men were those under bail on sedition charges, including Langer, Flaiani, SD Levine, albert Reder all running for US Congress and Dozier W. Graham “Negro Communist worker’ for US Senate.

Daily worker 5/14/30 p1Sedition trial put off til 5/19 At yesterday’s court hearing, cp picked their own jury to hear case with lottie Blumenthal as foreman. Four negros on jury—they will hear case and render a verdict based on the “workers point of view.”One of defendants, dozier will graham has joined cp since his arrest has been nominated by the cp to run for senate ag Dwight w. morrow, “one of the most prominent figures of American imperialsm.”

NN 6/4/30 p5On sat. at meeting on mercer st CP ticket will be ratified of Graham for US senator and for house didtricts, Anthony Gorman Sr,; J. wishnefsky; morris langer; charles Dzevetske; morris kushinsky; albert heder; domenick flaiani; s.d. Levine; john Zatko; Nathaniel Honig

DAILY WORKER 6/10/30 P1On June 9, 120 delegates at State Ratification Convention of the CP endorsed candidacy of dozier graham for us senate.

NN 6/11/30 p6Petitions of CP filed for assembly and freeholder seats. Jack fischer and Joseph Lypsevicus were two of those named for assembly.

Star Eagle 6/12/30 p2Levine’s trial to resume today after it was delayed because defense could find no witnesses who believed in god to testify for Levine.Ibid. p7 first time state cp to file full ticket for state election dozier will graham for senator and ll congressional seats. Graham had 1400 signatures on petition.

NN 5/21/30 p19Judge Walter Van Riper presided over the trial of the first of 10 defendents to be accused of sedition, Dominick flaiani. His case was moved first yesterday am. With court crowded with CP, YCL, and TUEL members and unofficial 10 member jury chosen at cp meeting—see above-wgToday argument whether an atheist, jack fischer,could take oath and be a witness in trial aftewr he gave testimony. Isserman told judge after testimony and van riper struck fischer’s testimony fro record and told jury to disregard.. today’s next defense witness was Ben Cook, “colored” and denied flaiani preached overthrow of government but said flaiani often referred to “a change in the system of government.” On cross examination cook said he has no occupation and as for reading and writing he said “I’m not an expert.” He said he believed in god and does not remember Flaiani making any attack on the church or religion also, he did remember fliani talking about the killing of gastonia’s police chief and did say “IN case of illegal attack, the workers have a right to defend themselves.” Fischer yesterday denied that flaiani had either advocated destruction of the US government and of Newark or incited any persons to assault the city’s police force. The state accused fliaini at an employment meeting ar mercer st HQ on 2/7 of saying:”mobilize so that we can make our demands to overthrow the government and

24 cp notes take control like Lenin did in Russia. If the police interfere, fight them back. If Police Chief McRell should interfere we will kill him, just as we did in gastoinia.” Fischer had corroborated previous testimony of newark’d henry Rose who said flaini had talked about unemployment and suggested that the unemployed organize to make an organized effort to get relief from the city. Defense council Leon Josephson argued that witness fischer should be permitted to take an oath of affirmation and be allowed to testify. Van riper deferred decision until tomorrow.

NN 5/22/30 p16“Flaiani, a small man, wearing a red necktie, on taking the stand today, was asked today by his counsel, leon josephson, what he had said during the meeting.” On cross-examination, he admitted accusing 4th precinct police of “conducting a reign of terror against negro workers.” Also he admitted urging change of government in the U.S.Courtroom filled with cpers and sympathizers and when flaiani in a loud voice spent over one hour repeating his speech word of mouth spread throughout hall of records, people began to stream to court room until it was jammed.

Freiheit 5/23/30 p1 sd Levine byline“This afternoon in the local court, a ‘jury’ of manufacturers, furmen and businessmen, after ‘confering’ for only ¾ of an hour, found the worker, flaiani, section organizer of the cp, guilty of ‘sedition’ and also of instigating an attack on the police.”In his plea to the jury, prosecutor simon fish said: “In the name of God I appeal to you to bring in a guilty verdict.” He also pointed out that flaiani did not believe in god. Flaiani gave a one hour incendiary speech which he knew would not please the jury. He said neither the judge nor the jury were working class as he was. He spoke on thieving capitalist system, unemploymentbad working conditions in all lands the program of the TUEL and the need to establish a worker and fasrmer government. He also reoeated speech he gave to unemployed meeting when he was arrested.

Star Eagle 5/26/30 p13At meeting at military park collection of $39.42 was taken up to defend 9 other cpers in case. Miss Lottie Bloomenthal spoke at rally and predicted all 9 would be convicted. freiheit 5/27/30 p1flaiani was main speaker at Saturday’s protest demonstration at military park sponsored by cp, ilkd, ycl and TUEL. He said: “Even though I was sentenced for calling negro and white workers to battle ag unemployment, the battle will be upheld! The cp and the tuel will unite the workers to fight for jobs or wages and the cp will see to it that the workers have their own government.” Police prevented ILD to assemble[?] so crowd contributed $35 for org. other speakers were elias marks, Julius rabin, MORRIS LANGER AND LOTTIE BLUMENTHAL. Two workers were arrested during the speeches for distributing leaflets. ILD put up bail.

Daily worker 6/13/30 p 1Sd Levine, “cp member and freiheit representative” found guilty of sedition on 12th. States witnesses again claimed speakers urged attack on Newark police.

25 cp notes

Star Eagle 6/16/30 p13Eight cpers addressed 40 people in military park sponsored by ILD about jailing of leadrs. Six police in attendance. S.D.levine addressed crowd along with others and protest was maoinly on barring of atheist witnesses.

Star Eagle 6/24/30 p 13Roger N. Baldwin, new York, director of the ACLU sent letter to van riper commending him for leniency in sentencing the 3 cpers. Baldwin said: from our viewpoint the prosecutions should never have been brought” and the “the law on which they were bases should never have been adopted by the legislature.” Aclu grateful for leniency because “there is nothing that more magnifies the importasnce of the ideas penalized than severe sentences.” It is ACLU that approached Vanderbilt to take flaiani’s appeal but he still hasn’t made up mind.

Star Eagle 7/5/30 p2Pravda published long article today urging new cp lesaders in usa to prepare the masses for more vigorous battles ag amrican capitalism. Serious revolutionary movement already begun in us. Article quotyes stalin. SEE NYT FOR ARTICLE

STAR Eagle 7/8/30 p8Lottie blumenfeld tried to have street mtg in new Brunswick last nite w/o police permit. Scheduled for 8pm. Slightly before a crwd of curious came to site (frencbh and new streets) 25 VFW members awaited around corner awaiting developments. “They did noit have long to wait.” Promptly ar 8pm Miss Blumenthal, 21, and good looking, who claims to be the NJ youth organizer of the CP campaign committee, appeared with Mrs. Jennie Collins, 40, of new bruns. The younger woman placed a folding chair in the gutter and was about to mount it when policeman Paul Szur told her she could not speak w/o a permit. While Szur and the 2 women argued several veterans rushed in and took the two women to police hq. where recorder charles tindell was holding court. She was lectured by the recorder and told she had no permit to speak and to leave the city. Instead the women returned to same intersection of original meeting, sparked a demonstration and was slapped in face by unidentified person. The meeting was then dispersed.

Star Eagle 7/15/30 p6VFW aqnd CP had their 2nd outdoor meeting in new Brunswick last nite and again the cp was routed. Last week, unlike the 1st instance the cp applied for a permit for outdoor mtg at new and French.they were refused. cP proceeded w/o permit again. Since it was an announced mtg, there were about 5 or 6,000 people in the area when the vanguard of the cp appeared led by lottie Blumenthal. She mounted a camp chair and was about to introduce joseph f. Fofrich of Keasby, a crippled American Legion war veteran when the veterans charged her. Melee ensued, campchairs broken and a few of the cpers were scratched but none was seriously injured. “When the disorder whad ended Fofrich was wheeled to the corner and between numerous interruptions, caused by hisses, jeers and catcalls he managed to say a few words about the unemployment situation. Finally the veterans went to the cp hq, just around the corner, and “inviterd” any of the cpers to speak. None accepted.”When vets returned to corner, Blumenthal was announcing a 3rd attempt to be made next Monday.

26 cp notes

Star Eagle 7/17/30 p2Same as above with additions: Harry gold arrested last nite on complaint of Pvt. Max Schwartz who alleged that gold wanted him to distribute cp literature at Camp Dix.

Freiheit 7/30/30 p6A note from rokhl milgram, organizer for Newark women’s council entitled “Newark Women’s council: a Years Work” same group as nancy cox was active in –get notes!Account of years activities: in august of 1929 during the zion bacchanalia, we were the first to organize an outing and lecture regarding events in Palestine; we raise $40 for freiheit; we raised $50 for VIR event; our flower concessions brought hundreds of dollars into the movement; we raised $50 for the Daily Worker; success of Newark IKOR Bazaar largely due to our members; we raised $40 for the ILD in January; for current cp election campaign we brought in $20 with more to come: we raised substantial amount for TUUL. As part of our education work during these “unfavorable times” we administered a group of interesting lectures and readings. “We hope to have more success in organizing a large mass of working women in the coming year.”

Star eagle 8/1/30 p5Shirley topol 21 and Ralph oriolo 26 of Newark arrested last nite at Washington and market for distributing CP lit to pedestrians w/o permit. Held on $25 bail.

NN 8/2/30 p3August 1 was day set by cp for nationwide protest ag. War. Rallies in Newark, new Brunswick, Trenton (6 people arrested including Newark’s 65 yearold Will Dozier, Negro congreeional candidate on the cp ticket—he had been tried in Newark in june and given a suspended sentence on a charge of exhibiting hostility to the government.), Hoboken, and Elizabeth all sponsored by Trade Union Unity League at 93 mercer st. In Newark less than 300 persons in attendance, “many of those the daily park loungers” at “extremely mild” rally. Several cpers stood around with placards as three policemen looked on “indifferently.”

8/22/30 ILD August Report reel 164 delo 192 “Workers Arrested whileParticipating in Factory and open air mtgs”P10 Newark I.O.Ford, CP member, arrested and charged with defiling American flag. $500 bond. While in jail additional charge of “criminal syndicalism” was pressed—bond on this $1500. bail posted and at trial on 8/26 sentenced to 30 days and $100 fine for defilement charge—being appealed. Rearrested and bound over to Grand Jury --new bond for criminal syndicalism was set at $2000. [was this actually in Newark?]

NN 9/2/30 p7CP at Military Park rally demanded $25 per week for unemployed plus $5 per dependent. Special tax to be levied on those making $25,000 per year or more; salaries of state and city workers to be cut; moneies spent for armaments and preparedness also be used for relief. cP attacked afl and socialists. Police were present but no problems. Banners were held protesting wage cuts, layoffs, and free food and clothing for children of unemployerd. Others said no evictions for unemployed and 7 hour day and 5 day week. Main speakers were Edward hall, of Negro Labor Congress and Abraham

27 cp notes harfield sectional organizer of cp. Other speakers were jay rubin of trade union unity league, jack sazer of the Unemployment Counjcil of nj, frank fischer of the YCL.

NN 9/18/30 p21CP campaign committee has designated Red Sunday for this week to pass out literature and make speeches throughout state for their candidates.

Daily worker 9/20/30 p 1“By a Worker correspondent” [wg-from style almost certainly sdlevine] IN MILITARY PARK NOW CALLED MILITANT PARK “HUNDREDS OF NEWARK’S UNEMPLOYED WORKERS ARE PRESSING FOR ACTION.” Realizing that this park as well as others in Newark will no longer be tenable with the approaching winter, new recruits are being gained as supporters for unemployment insurance as well as for the CP, ILD, and TUEL.P2 “Many unemployed come into the Park with no knowledge of communism and leave with plenty.” CP shares park with small group of religious fanatics with a bandbox organ whose prayers and singing do not convert the unemployed or even entertain them. “First an old “Gazette” and then a bozo so old that he might have spread manure for George Washington in his time demanded that the [political] discussions cease and that all and sundry listen to the “service.” No onelistens and the police are called for but they cannot make anyone listen. “But, while those hymn singing creatures continued to look skyward watching for the opening of the “Pearly Gates,” the workers, realizing that it won’t be long before the undertaker will get the most of them anyhow, decided to laugh it all off and continued with the preparation for the struggle for bread, for “Work or Wages.” [wg-a perfect note for the above article]Fiedler, Leslie, Mythicizing the City. In eds.see bibliography Literature and the Urban Experience New Brunswick: Rutgers University press, 1981p. 113 “Moreover, looking around now in what will always be for me the city par excellence, in Newark where I was born and my father before me, I can still see the institutions which this city, like all cities, created, institutions for which the city was a necessary pre-condition: the Library, the Museum, the University. Though I did not go to college in Newark, iwas-as I have written before-educated in thislibrary, this museum; but I also learned what museums, libraries, and schools cannot teach in Military Park. There in my lunch breaks at the tedious job I started at age thirteen or fourteen, I listened to the political speakers and evangelists on soap boxes, the drifters and hoboes who sat beside me on the benches, and the wino who read aloudfrom Jack London’s The Iron Heel. daily worker 9/20/30 p 1“The Issues Facing the New Jersey Workers” by domenick flaiani cp candidate 9th cong district[scholarly article on 6 chief issues facing the workers in the nj industries]75,000 unemployed workers in Newark. thousands of evictions of unemployed workers Speed-up in industries—acc to State Chamber of Commerce Bulletin, # of industrial plants decreased 26% between 1919 and 1925 and # of wage earners decreased 16% and wages dropped 4%. However, value of products increased almost 30% within same period. From 1925 to now process of less workers higher productivity per worker and less wages has continued.Bosses are raising cost of living (commodities and transportation) milk and other food products are more expensive-rents are being raised?-wg;Housing conditions are worse for working class, especially for negrosEspecially bad are conditions of women. Eg radium poisoning. “In the dye houses

28 cp notes of Passaic, in the silk mills of paterson, the bosses know no limits to the exploitation of women workers.”“Thousands of negro workers are doubly crushed under the burden of unemployment, jim-crowism, the conscious fostering of race riots by the authorities.” Bosses raise false issues such as prohibition which is made an outstanding issue

Daily worker 9/26/30 p? Richard B. Moore, candidate for AG in NYS and “Negro Communist orator of NYC will make tour of major nj cities to speake for cp candidates in state, including Dozier W. Graham, cp candidate for us senator ag Dwight w. morrow, candidate of wall street

10/1/30 minutes of the board of commissioners October[wg—many said pru bought land for $1,750,000] meeting made up mainly of communications and speakers on pru project P19 samuel d Levine 524 hawthorne ave. representing cpP20 no landlords or employers can be cp members. I am voicing sentiments of only people who can be cp members, the workers. “the workers in the 3rd ward have reason to doubt the humanitarian motives of the pru and of the third Ward improvement Association. They have had bitter experiences with both.” Plan wil not help the poor as it is only a business proposition. Everyone agrees of the terrible housing and lack of recreational facilities in the 3rd ward—The cp “proposes that a conference of labor orgs, of union and labor, should be called, that instead of giving money to the pru, the pru should be taxed as well as many other corps in this town for a sum for building houses for the poor people in this distict, that the slums should be wiped out and that model apartments should be built and rentesd out to the workers…” Talks about 4 cpers who were arrested last week sentenced to 3 months because they came to Livingston st to protest eviction who failed to pay rent for a few months. Only the rich and club men testify here not the workers from the 3rd ward. “we don’t want favors from the pru or the 3rd ward improvement association.” Murray: “do any members of the cp in the us work or do they spend all their time lecturing? Levine—“they are all working”Murray –“I have never seen one who is working”Final hearing set in 2 weeks for 10/15

Daily worker 10/8/30 p 3Last Friday at cp hq on mercer st. at election rally, capacity crowd stayed until after midnite to hear Richard b. moore “Negro Communist of NY” also speaking were candidates sb Levine, dozier w. graham and others.

Daily worker 10/15/30 p?Open air meetings to be held throughout Newark “customary” cp meetings every Saturday at 4pm and at 9pm at military park

Freiheit 10/19/30 p3 sdlevineTHIS IS HOW NEWARK WORKERS GET TAKEN CARE OF“The Newark City Council is “busy” doing good for mankind. But their last feat appears to have fallen from the heavens. The latest redeemers of humanity, the

29 cp notes

Prudential Insurance Company, whose main office is in Newark, has come to deliver the city from all its woes. It has undertaken to build modern housing in the impoverished sections, and according to them, will rent to the poor for low rent. Normally, the company is responsible to its policy holders and must not bring in more than 6% profit. The city politicians have grabbed onto the project and have stamped it as a big humanitarian deed.” Several weeks ago pru used strikebreakers and police to break up strike of workers who were building for them. “But that has nothing to do with humanity.”Pru bought a few blocks of housing in 3rd ward for $1.7 million “and soon realized that with the amount they paid and its obligation to its policyholders, it “would not be able to carry ut its humanitarian mission.” So pru asked Newark dor a “trifle” for it to buy for 1.2 million a portion of the land it had alreadt bought for a playground between the blocks of houses.“If the city did not comply, the company wouldn’t bring salvation and would charge high rents. So, the city fathers, the rotary clubs and the newspapers began to proclaim the joyessness of the company’s plan.Poloce commissioner said 12 year old girls were being arrested in impoverished area for prostititution. The pru plan would save the city money on police and other services.Realestate interests in 3rd ward opposed plan, saying city should not spend so much money. “Some of them are taking this so seriously that they think pru will actually lower rents, preventiong them from taking in high rents they do from their slums.” Others simply wanted their houses bought for high sums, so they went to city hall and protested that the cdity is not buying enough land, and rather than buy the pru land city should buy their property and make a big park rather than a small one. All say they only have the interests of the poor in mind.. city commissioners, except the one supporting the real estate interests, have come out in favor of th epru plan, “expounding on the joys the company is about to bestow on the city.’CP had rep at hearing and said rather than give pru 1.2 million it should be taxed along with the slum owners and low renjt modern housing should be built for workers.. “Rentals should be supervised by workerorgs so that tenants not be evicted in times of unemployment, as is now the case.” He then elucidated on the current evictions, arrests, etc. although he was interrupted several times, he finished his talk. Commissiones voted to grant pru the 1.2 of the 1.7 they already invested. When unemployed march on city hall, they are told the city has no money. But 1.2 for the rich pru was easily found.

Daily worker 10/20/30 p?On 10/17 krueger auditorium sent back security deposit of cp for William foster speech on 11/1. Krueger said it “was impossible” for hall to be had on that date dems and reps lately had senatorial candidates speak there.

DAILY WORKER 11/3/30 P ?FOSTER’s speech attracted 1500 at laurel gardens. Scathing attack on capitalism and plea to vote the cp ticket. Dominick Flaiani (no affiliation given) also spoke among others.

Star eagle 11/6/30 p28Edward W. graham, negro communist, who haas been in jail since 10/10 for delivering CP flyers w/o permit indefault of not paying $50 fine was released today on a writ of habeas corpus by vice chancellor berry yesterday . berry commented however, that recourse to the writ was “presumptuopus and an imposition.” Haven’t we got enough to do here w/o reviewing decisions of the police court? Wht didn’t you go to the Supreme Court with the writ?” isserman, his lawyer, said judge

30 cp notes flannagan, judge of 3rd criminal court had remanded graham to jail til he paid fine. This was done illegally said isserman, because statute of 1917 provides $200 fine or 90 days in jail or both for violation of city ordinance. Vice chancellor agreed that judge had no right to fix mandatory fine and freed graham.

Star Eagle 12/1/30 p1Several hundred persons “some calling themselves communists” gathered in front of Capitol today and when they raised placards (“release all political prisoners” and “down with fingerprinting and registration.” police charged and ripped up placards and jostled demonstrators. Some fighting but no arrests. CP was calling on both houses of congress for these measures. Led by J. Lewis Engdahl, national sec of ILD and Ella R. Bloor “labor leader in ND”

Star Eagle 1/7/31 p1Paper’s main headline: “Police Disperse Reds, Arrest 13 at City Hall”100 communists later swelled by 1000 spectators “invaded the lawn at City Hall today” t demand work and food. Met by squads of police and free for all fight ending with arrests of 13 including 6 women. Carrying placards and shouting charges of graft and corruption they marched from 93 Mercer but news of departure reached police who were at city hall with 20 detectives chosen by captain sebold to meet them. John Kaspar 28 started to exhort the crowd and immediately was pulled down by a uniformed policeman. Mob surrounded officer and the police rushed into the crowd. Meanwhile, the the 5 commissioners were holding their weekly conference in the mayor’s office. Commissioners did not leave seats during fight. 20 police were augmented by reserves from 1st precinct. Allegedly after a demonstrator took swing at deputy chief john harris, police used blackjacks on reds. Det George Smith was knocked down and kicked by assailant while on ground;Lt. John Sweeney rushed to his aid swinging blackjack;det William polestina also went down under attack of reds. As Det Layton was arresting Michael Kollarik (40) his wife Eva “leaped upon the detective’s back in Amazon-like fury and started to beat him.” For 30 minutes police and cpers milled on lawn ; then reserves arrived with mounted police and 13 arrested were taken to police station. Meantime broad st traffic was at a standstill as 1000 spectators gathered. Two hours later those jailed were singing internationale. During meleee, a man calling himself Thomas Mayer Scough (acc to freiheit –see below tom meyerson)11 bergen st. gained admittance to commission conference and said he was hair of special committee from Unemployed Council of Newark and proceeded to read typewritten statement (see below)asking for work and clothes for unemployed and for reforms in city and county government; dismissal of frank lafera and committee of unemployed replace him; all poor funds, city sinking fund, community chest funds, city railroad job funds be turned over to workers for administration. Also, that all city salaried over $2500 be reduced to that figure and surplus also be turned over to the wirkers. No comment after statement by commissioners.

Star Eagle 1/8/31 p1Arraignment at 1st precinct of 10 cpers arrested Monday before judge ellsworth noble who adjourned case one week and set bail at $250 each except for joseph luden who’s bail was set at $500 charged with assault on complaint of officer

31 cp notes

William polistina., two women and one man already released on bail. When the 10 were taken back to their cells they sang the internationale and “Hold the Fort.” Later at police hq their lawyer abe isserman shouting above the singing said bail would be raised for all shortly. Dir of pub safety William j. egan announced he has no intention of restricting or “harassing” cp mtgs because of yesterday’s outbreak, but will order dispersal of all gatherings where violence is threatened or where the safety ofinnocent bystanders is threatened. The 3 who were released on bail, said a bigger rally would be held 1/28 to protest adoption of 1931 budget on that date. Demands by Newark Unemployment Council affiliated WITH THE TRADES UNION UNITY LEAGUE reiterated above demands (1/7) and added that no more eviction notices be issued and that evicted families returned to their former homes; all empty apts made available to unemployed who with families are to have free transportatioj, , gas electric and coal. Ibid p8As 13 cpers were on way to court a fire broke out at negro theatrical boarding house at 381 washington st. directly across from 1st precinct police station. Because area in downtown district fire engines from many districts came to the scene along with hose cars, ladder trucks and other equipment. Traffic completely tied up. Sirens were ablare just as cpers arrived. They responded with cheers and singing the Internationale. The scene was one of “bedlam.” Fire was minor and extinguished with property loss of $25.

NN 1/8/31 p1 Unemployed Council of Newark, affiliated with TUEL, “unabashed by the rough reception it received outside city hall yesterday” says it will meet again at city hall on 1/28 when the City Commission considers the 1931 budget. Yesterday 350 “reds” tried to enter meeting to make demands. Their leader was aqdmitted and allowed to speak the others were not admitted. On the 8th cp will renew demands for firing of frank la fera, overseer of the poor; administration of alms by committee of workers; cutting all city salaries above $2500 for unemployment aid; appropriation for relief of sinking fund monies now being used for city projects.

Star Eagle 1/9/31 p2Director Eganat Holy Name Society of St. John’s church in orange said in speech last night that “he will not spare the rod” in other demonstrations as on the 7th. Reiterated that “Newark will never deny the right of free speech.”but when statement are uttered that threaten the foundations of our govtthe police will be ready to “deal with the offenders as they ought to be dealt with.” Newark police will be one step ahead of such a group. Extra protection for city hall on the 28th at budget hearing. Egan also promised to prevent cpers from interfering with canal workers, where yesterday police were called when cpers came to Morris Canal bed to try to get workers to walk off job.

Star Eagle 1/21/31 p10Yesterday 2,000 cpers stormed ny city hall demanding free food elec, gas and weekly payments for unemployed. Two men arrested on charges of felonious assault after two police were slightly injured and scores of reds beaen and cuffed. Reds had permit to parade to city hall to present demands but when speeches were made police acted.

Star Eagle 1/22/31 p9MSG rally for cpers saw “several thousand’ paying homage to Lenin on 7th anniv of death by threatening to sack the food stores of new york, urging a

32 cp notes soviet world rev. and deriding American democracy.Ibid p 153rd postponement granted by simandl to isserman for trial of 13 reds

Star Eagle 1/28/31 pp1 and 4Article headlined “Sticks and Snorting Horses (Both Handled by Policemen) Rout Reds as Crowds Cheer”“The much-advertised Red march on City hall resulted in a rout for the 350 communists and a Roman holiday for several thousand spectators today.” After speeches, night stick swinging and lots of fist punching augmented by the snorting, stamping steeds of t he mounted police, 6 cpers, 4 of t hem women were locked up and the spectators went home. Cpers gathered at Wars of America monument in military park, made their demands asked spectators to join them in march to city hall. As they were lining up comrade taft shouted “To hell with the law!! Police immediately charged nightsticks drawn—demonstrators scattered across the park “screaming shrieking.” Some cpers argued and stayed in place and others tried to slug it out with police “much to the delight of the spectators who were there to see the fun.” Charge did not take long “police restrained their efforts to wild swings in an effort to frighten the Reds.”Dispersed, the Reds gathered in small groups and took various paths to city hall. There they were met by patrolmen and detectives on foot and mounted policemenall under deputy police chief john harris. “only fists and charging horses were needed to rout the shouting reds. As they tried to storm city hall they were sent spinning by well-aimed fists or scattered by the snorting steeds. “ ..” Huge crowd” across broad st. shouted and cheered as the fight raged. John Kaspar, sec. of cp Newark chapter, was allowed to speak before the city commission an dasked for $6,000,000 from city sinking fund for relief for unemployed. Mayor congleton said it was impossible because the city would have to repudiate its contracts to do this. He also rebuked Kaspar and his supporters for distributing handbills to workers on the city canal railway.Those arrested today werer Bernard rosanski 21, wendel goshler, 43, mary Kingston 21, Jessie brown 20, Shirley etlin 21 and mildred shulman 20. Kingston, etlin and schulman were arrested on 1/7 and Kingston is the recognized leader of the group.

1/28/31 minutes of the board of commissioners JanuaryP77 budget hearing for 1931 budget—statement by newaqrk c of c chair francis child cost of outdor poor dep’t cost in 1930 $493,559 TO SPEND THIS AMOUNT WE HAVE TO APPROPRIATE $265,000 IN CURRENT BUDGET TO COVER EMERGENCY BONDS ISSUED IN EXCESS OF THE 1930 APPROPRIATION. WE ARE ALSO APPROPREIATING $300,000 FOR THIS YEAR’S COST. WE ANTICIPATE THAT THIS FIGURE WILL BE INSUFFICIENT and request that it be increased. Because of growing relief costs and growing indebtedness of city, commissioners have changed form of relief by furnishing employment as laborers on the city rlrd at an admitted increase of cost over mechanical excavation. Pick and shovel work “while purely a form of temporary charitable relief, is being met by issuance of bods, presumably representing a capital investment.” Commission doubts the wisdom of of using capital funds in this manner anfd recommends that the problem be reconsisered. Pp 81, 82,83 statement by john kaspar heading delegation from “Newark Campaign Committee for Unemployment Insurance (CP) –wants city to delay payment of $6,000,000 to pay bonds that are due. Money should go for tens of thousands of Newark unemployed.Congleton –appropriation

33 cp notes necessary or city will defaultKasper –what about raising more money to pay relief to Newark unemployedCongleton—its been done right along and is in this years budgetKasper—you are speaking about charity—workers resent charity “They don’t want charity;they want relief.” Congleton –“I am just a little bit sick of that proposition” We have put about 2500 men to work on canal and “you and your associates are handing out leaflets urging the men to leave their jobs and to come here to make demands such as you are making.”Kasper—there have been many evictions and I propose no workman be evicted for nonpayment of rent. Also that all rents be decreased by 20%. Also, all ex- servicemen be given cash for their policies now. Also, $10 per week and $2 for each dependent for unemployed…..”I want some answer to these demands.”Congleton—you are coming to the wrong body. We cannot compel a man to decrease the rent nor congress to pay bonuses although I personally am in favor of it. You should go to Washington as congress is now in session.Kasper—what will you do about relief “Will the workers starve?”Congleton- they are not starvingKasper-they are not starving but eating garbageMurray—“You have had the floor. Now sit down.”

Star Eagle 2/25/31 p1Communist rally today at Military Park as part of “International Day of Struggle Ag Unemployment” has received permission from depr of parks and public property for 4pm. Police will be on hand. Demonstration under aegis of CP, TUUL, and Unemployed Council.NYC also gave permission for same pupose for Union Square.

Star Eagle 2/26/31 p9Pictures of demonstrations in Newark NYC and boston commons. Squibs on demonstrations in Canada, elizabth, Trenton, and Europe. No disorders in yesterday’s military park demonstration. Speakers centered speeches on wage cutting and on urging large delegation to go to Trenton. Unemployed Council of Newark application to use Sussex Ave. Armory as gathering place Saturday night preparatory to march on Trenton turned down by quartermaster general Murray on grouds thae group is an affiliate of CP of America. Assembly after a 3 week recess is target of CP who will demand a workers’ unemployment insurance law providing $15 TO UNEMPLOYED SINGLE MEN, AND $25 to married unemployed.Part of article said trials of 19 cpers scheduled in first precinct court today were cancelled because Thomas kane ass’t corp council was unable to attend.

NN 2/26/31 p1113th infantry armory will not be available on Saturday night to cp marchers on their way to Trenton. Col. Edward Phillips refused to ok request from Unemployed Council of Newark for approximately 200 people. He said office of group was same as cp and that member of committee was active in creating disturbance in and around city hall.

NN 2/27/31 p4Demonstration at Military Park to greet several hundred out-of-town members of TUEL Unemployment Council on Saturday. They are going Sunday to Trenton to demand legislature grant $15 per week plus 43 FOR EACH DEPENDENT for unemployed. John Kaspar organizer of marchfrpm Passaic, paterson.j.c, bayonne and union city. 100 arer expected to march. NN 3/4/31 p2Two convictions from 1/7 melee at

34 cp notes city hall of 23 cpers arrested. both defendents refused to take oath citing atheism although joseph ludin, jewish, found guilty of kicking an officer and john kaspar, protestant, was found guilty of crying to crowd from a parapet in front of city hall:”Let’s storm the city hall!” (police then pulled him down). Both men were affirmed rather than sworn in. court clerk noble administered affirmations to both men to tell truth. Judge simandl and defense att-isserman

Star Eagle 3/2/31 p5Group of 150 Communists, men, women and several children left Newark at 10am from 93 Mercer to march to Trenton to appeal to the Legislature for funds for the unemployed and also for unemployment insurance. Marched to Elizabeth where they were greeted by sympathizers and participated in rally at Unilon Square. Were fed at CP hq there. Then they boardrd trucks and were taken to New Brunswickwho supplied food and shelter for the evening. Each macher had placard decrying unemployment and demanding food. The sang the internationale.

Star Eagle 3/3/31 p2In Trenton, “a motley band of unemployed men and women trekked their way to the CP hq haere at midnight after waiting 4 hours outside the statehouseunder guard of 30 city policemen.” After the march from Newark, three (only one a resident of Newark, Carl Wintert) were permitted to confer with legislative leaders concerning their plans after the session. The 3 said they were not affiliated with the CP. When meeting was over they joined group waiting outside and denounced the legislative leaders. One urged the workers to return and “to jam our demands down the throats of the polticians of the state of NJ.”This was part of p1 article entitled “Troops throw 300 out of NY Capitol in Riot”—obviously cp ordered march on both Albany and Trenton and perhaps elsewhere.

Daily worker 3/5/31 p 3On 3/4 “the spanking judge” first precinct simandl sentenced Unemployment Council arrestees. Not in NN article simandl threatened the 5 he put on one years probation with heavy jail sentences next time they are arrested. Blumenthal, not a member of the council was questioned about his daughter’s cp aqctivities. Acc to worker simandl had it in for blumental because several times he helped arrange bail for arrested workers. “Today, in sentencing Shirley etien to a year’s probation, this pervert expressed the desire to spank her in public.”

Star Eagle 3/6/31 p6Article about Finnish CP member in harlem who was tried by CP for anti-negro actions.

Star Eagle 5/1/31 p1May Day –Police Chief McRell gave strict orders –no parades by either CP or SP. Both to be allowed to gather at Military Park. For SP Henry Green and morris Rosencrantz among speakers. Demands will include unemployment insurance, 7 hour day and 5 day week, death penalty for lynchers and defense of USSR. Also to be denounced—high rents, evictions, wage cuts, deportations of foreign born, and discrimination ag negroes.

Daily worker 5/1/31 p 2New workers center established at 90 ferry st. to house TUUL, ILD, the Unemployed Council and affiliated organizations [the cp—wg]

35 cp notes

Daily worker 5/21/31 p 3 45 minute open air election campaign held by cp at singer in elizabrth with over 150 workers and more listening at windows. Singer sent man out with bible to drown out cp speakers but was unsuccessful. Workers listened to cp and applauded. Singer had 10,000 workers—now has 3500, many of these working part time. “The communist party has a nucleus in this shop and issued their first shop paper on May 1.” Daily worker 6/15/31 p 2Laqurel gardens was site of 2 day NJ STATE Ratification Election Convention. 500 cp delegates from 32 nj cities. Chair AQ. Kruispainter of the Newark Unemployed Council.

Star Eagle 8/8/31 p 4“Police Disperse Meeting of Reds” sub “Communists Balked in Efforts to Stir Up Negro Residents” Igmoring boos and catcalls, a squad of uniformed police and detectives directed by Capt Eugene Heller of 4th precinct dispersed about 50 CPers trying to hold a mtg at 59 Beacon St. meant to be a protest ag killing of 3 negros in Chicago riot. Despite efforts to rouse “thickly populated Negro settlement of the 4th precinct mtg only attracted 10 negroes. Police chief McRell denied cpers permit for Ukrainian hall on beacon st on grounds “mtg had no definite purpose.” After dispersal on beacon st. cpers moved to hall on 5 belmont terrace followed by heller and squad. He again ordered dispersal and short melee ensued which police won and crowd dispersed again.

NN 8/14/31 p4Communists win appeal when Commoin Pleas Judge Daniel J. Brennan reversed a number of convictions by Police Judge Howe from over a year ago. Included were convictions of saul stark and Dominick flaiani. Isserman handled appeals. Howe’s amendment of the complaints was illegal and “without legal justification.” Judge cannot amend a complaint on its own motion according to a N.J. Supreme Court ruling in Sullivan vs. the State. A complaint is the foundation of action and must conform to the statute and may be properly objected to for the first time on appeal. Flaiani, state cp organizer was fined $50 and given a 6 month suspended sentence on 4/7/30 for attempting to speak to Westinghouse Electric Company factory workers in the rear of the Plane St. plant. When asked to hold the meeting elsewhere Flaiani refused.

Daily worker 8/24/31 8/23 dateline1000 gathered sat. military park to mark aqnniv of sacco and vanzetti’s executions and for release of the Scottsboro boys. Addressed by ILD, League for the Struggle for Negro Rights and the cp.

Star Eagle 8/26/31 p 12Judge Brennan and first ass’t prosecutor fischdismissed 129 indictments thus clearing county’s criminal calendar a accumulated “dead wood” since 1926.Among dismissed indictments was one ag Preston Buzzard for running a disorderly house. Fisch told court prosecutor’s office unable to prove buzzard’s guilt. also dismissed was indictment ag 15 newark cpers with “hostility to the government” and plotting to overthrow us and municipal gov’t. 3 were found guilty and placed on probation –others never brought to trial. Fisch said he was sure they would have been convicted but he doubted “that any good could be accomplished.” Brennan agreed.

36 cp notes

Daily worker 10/23/31 p?10/22 datelineMrs. Ada Wright, mother of 2 scottsboro boys refused permission to speak at Friendship Baptist Church last night by Rev. R.D. Ponder because she refused to agree not to mention NAACP which she had previously criticized. Ada originally given permission to speak, but when she appeared at church accompanied by several speakers from the League of Struggle for Negro Rights Ponder gave her the ultimatum. NAACP had heard about speech and put pressure on Ponder. Pastor tried to close meeting but a member of League took floor and explained situation that the pastor was trying to censor speech of ada in order to “cover up the traitorous activities of the NAACP.”

Daily worker 10/27/31 P ?10/26 datelineUnemployed Council of Newark and Newark young pioneers have sent open letter to pres of Bof E asking board to meet delegation of unemployed workers and childrenon Saturday at 11 am to receive demands in form of petition for one hot meal a day and a pair of shoes all for free for those who need them. there will be a mass demonstration in front of Bof E HQ backed by petition from thousands of unemployed. Today don shugrue, sec. of Unemployed Council of Newark went to get permit for this demonstration. On Friday Unemployed Coucil has called meeting at 53 broome st. to elect delegation to present petition. Crowd to be addressed by shugrue, CLARENCE MITCHELL, local cp organizer, and William Albertson, organizer for YCL.

NSC 11/22/31 p1At Military Park on Saturday afternoon, CP held rally with 8 foot poles upon which were mounted signs “Hands off China”, “Fight Ag Imperialistic War” “Down with Secret treaties” “The War is fro the Bosses Profit”. “eloquent” orations by CP speakers announced the “exclusive information” that the US is on the verge of war with japan. The “more heated the orators became the more boldly they asserted we were in peril of war, and that they offered to sell pamophlets and periodicals which told how to keep out of it.”

Star Eagle 12/4/31 p2150 men and 2 women hunger marchers from Newark and paterson “drenched to the skin” gathered in military park this am and listened to speeches for an hour before jamming on to two trucks at 10:15 on their way to elizabth and thence to wash. Did not wait for 35 trucks from ny and new England who will catch up with newarkers in philly. Newark officials gave marchers ok to gather in paqrk but no9t to parade. Few had umbrellas as they were not prepared for rain. John kasper of prince st, Newark organizer of march spoke from a soap box. 25 police and 5 mounted police at scene to keep peace however no incident. Signs read: All war funds for the unemployed; we want food not war; To hell with charity, we want relief; bread fopr our babies. Acc to eagle people denied they were cpers but cheered speaker’s lauding cp and soviet union.

37 cp notes

NN 12/19/31 p4Newark communists met in hillside to form an unemployment council there. Police, in attendance, allowed meeting to take place although cp did not have permit. Plans were discussed to march on the Township Hall to present their demands.

1932 cp archiveReel 211 delo 2708 “statement” by fosterDuring recruitment drive Newark signed up 115 new members of which 20 subsequently leftReel 225 delo 2918 “Members recruited into the party since district 14 was established—from june 19 to September 10”165 in entire nj district –of these 95 are unemployed including 53 negroes and only 5 women. Also, 82 foreign born. 86 of 165 are in 8 newark units.Reel 212 delo 2724 ‘1932 Average dues paying membership”[these numbers include those who were in party before district 14 was established] In Newark in june 251 and in October 373Reel 212 delo 2723 “9 month average of unemployed dues for 1932”District 245Ibid. membership November 1932”For dist 14 10cent dues 170; 2cent dues 247 ; initiations 17Ibid. “Membership December 1932” For district 14 112 paid 10cents per week and 228 paid 2 cents a week. 12 initiations in December [for entire district—unbelievable]Reel 212 delo 2919 charts from 9/10/32 of party recruitment since beginning of branch on 6/19 to 9/10 for 8 newark branches 96 members including 20 negros; 2 women—of these at least 37 unemployed

NSC 1/31/32 p16 National Commander Henry L. Stevens Jr. in address to American Legion at Long Island mass meeting vowed to fight communist propaganda and simultaneously fight unemployment (because it has provided “fertile field for cp prop) by having each AL commander to form committee of prominent citizens to canvas stores, factories and all industries large and small to increase paid personnel by 10% .Ibid. p 2 Newark jewry backs simon l. fisch to be reappointed as first ass’t prosecutor. Rabbis foster and silberfeld among major backers. Also former prosecutor Jacob i. newman, louis v. aronson (pres of progress club) edgar Bamberger vp of bambergers; louis schlessinger; Samuel schechner; Samuel Kessler. Also many non-jews mentioned. See article on his affiliations and many successful prosecutions, inc Richie Boiardo.

NN 3/18/32 p10CPers and sympathizers to meet at military park tonite to commemorate anniv of paris commune (1871) under auspices of ILD

The daily worker 3/23/32 p?Despite threats by officialdom of Brotherhood of Carpenters, over 100 rank and file carprnters called by cp [wg—not in their name] on 3/5 to discuss miserable conditions and coming wage cuts. Districy Council henchmen were there to check up and put damper on mtg but enthusiasm of crowd forced them to lay low.

4/13/32 minutes board of commissioners April P55 resolution on death of henry f. hilfers who died 4/12/32. complete biography included as 3rd whereas—“he was a relentless and untiring foe of the forces of evil within the labor movement [cp], and unto the end of his

38 cp notes life fought vigorously to eliminate them.”P60 complaints ag closing of Americanization classes Murray we will urge b of e to continue classes

NN 5/12/32 p10CP files ticket for county and state office: included sb Levine, alec Barnett james friedman for assembly;sheriff Samuel brodkin.

6/1/32 minutes of board of commissioners june P19 conklin read letter on mtg. between 9 members Newark Committee for Employment and malady where they offered to run Mulberry st. facility for homeless “to preserve the fine spirit of practical Christianitynwhich has motivated the work of feeding many of this group at Old St. Paul’s Church under the direction of mrs. Florence T. Jenkins.” now being constructed to save Newark money. Mrs. Jenkins would run mulberry st same way she runs st. pauls. Committee felt that collection of food can more be systematically organized and that mrs. Jenkins can do this with cooperation of malady’s office p20 congleton—letter will be dealt with in conference an is appreciated.Egan— committee is offering a fine thing. “panhandling in Newark has gotten to a point where it seems a necessity on the part of those in need, but at the same time it is a great nuisance to the pedestrian and public and some of the riding public.” P21 resolution from the Workers Taxpayers council of Newark [CP] FOR MORATORIUM ON TAXES FOR ALL UNEMPLOYED WORKERS AND SMALL TAXPAYERS DURING THEIR ENTIRE PERIOD OF UNEMPLOYMENT.P22 Albert Woods (pseudo of CP member) sec of org spoke and said org is made up of those who will lose homes on 1/7 for nonpayment of taxes. Congleton moratorium is up to legislature not usWoods some ting must be doneCongleton we are doing everything possibleAlso speaking for group and endorsing plan was R.P.Angelo and P23 Charles Mitchell (black cp ex candidate for office) and harry harrisonCongleton- repeats they are doing everything they canHarrison “It is not much.” Congleton “We do not care very nuch what you havde to say. If you want to come here and be discourteous we do not want to listen to it.”Harrison- we must tax more people—“tax church P24 properyty, tax these religious racheteersd and these church racketeers who make millions off charity like the YMCA and the Salvation Army. Something must be done.”(applause)Pp24—26 lengthy statement by congleton explaining why it is now the time to reduce municipal salaries.

The daily worker 6/13/32 p?With return of nj delegates from cp national convention in Chicago, state ratification convention to be held june 26 at labor lyceum. 91 cp candidates in nj this year—double the # of any previous election. 300 delegates expected.

The daily worker 6/28/32 p ?Cp election campaign convention was in Newark on june 26 with 278 delegates from 138 workers orgs with total of 13,500 workers. “There were an especially large number of negro delegates present.” 25 cp workers ratified as candidates for state and county office. Of these 12 for congress.

39 cp notes

NSC 7/10/32 p5James w. ford CP candidate for vp will speak at Krueger auditorium Thursday. He is 1st negro ever put up by political party for this “high office.” He will speak on unemployment and forced labor.

NN 7/15/32 p 5800 men women and children packed Krueger auditorium last night to hear James W. ford, war veteran, college graduate and cp vice presidential candidate. First black ever to be put on pres ticket. Ford scorned what he called nj’s “forced labor” “whereby municipalities may extract labor in public works from unemployed men obtaining food allowances.” A dozen men in audience volunteered to attend Tuesday’s commission meeting to protest against this “forced labor.” “Ford’s manner and and speech were mild in comparison to the militant remarks of Rebecca Grecht, party organizer for nj, who preceded him on the platform.” She scored the suppression of free speech for workers in newark. “She shouted: The streets belong to us and we intend to use them for our meetings!” she lumped the socialist party the afl with other capitalist agencies and said they plus labor leaders as not lifting a finger to help the million unemployed in the state.

July 18, 1932 Report on the NJ District #14 reel 225 delo 2919 P 1 Acc to report official date of district 14 (Newark) establishment is 7/19.CC knows situation in district up to now. “very little mass work was conducted. Only one shop nucleus had been built (singer), and practically no contact was had with workers from basic industries. Similarly with unemployed work, while some activity had been conducted, thios had been very unsystematic; and for months before the establishment of the district, had practically ceased.” [A TERRIBLE EXAGERRATION]P2 situation of negro masses particularly acute with Jim Crow schools in some sections and jim crow practices are wide-spread.Socialist party are increasing in influence. In last few years their vote has increased ove 3 fold CP vote has only increased 50%P 3 Our district convention drew 96 delegates and decided on organizing metal, textile and chemical industries by building the Terxtile Workers Union and the Metal Workers Industrial League [apparently no chemical union for cp]P4 at convention, Newark was reorganized from shop basis to gographic basis. 5 units in Newark in the most proletarian areas of city and one in Harrison –center of metal factories.P4In Newark we will concentrate on chemical industry. [no mention of fur]P7 Newark unemployed work—has been started in a negro section, on a block basis. We have had a successful eviction fight and have started block committees.Six negro workers have joined party as a result of this neighborhood work..Now organizing fight ag forced labor and planning a city hall demo. also planning to set up unemployed council in Newark. Before district was organized, the only unemployed activity in Newark was meetings in military park. In Newark elections last year we were able to obtain permits for all street mtgs, this year we have unable to.[egan rather than brennan as public safety director??]P8 in newark a very bad tendency toward legalism before where party accepted being limited to military park for mtgs. “We now combat these legalistic tendencies, and begin a battle for free speech in Newark.” we began last week with an open air mtg in a negro section arranged by Unemployment Council, for which a permit had bwen refused. After fight mtg. broken up and 5 comrades arrested. “The fight,

40 cp notes however, has made a breach in the wall of terror.” More Mtgs on same street are planned. [grecht ignores many previous fights and arrests]

The daily worker 8/5/32 p?On August1 over 3000 workers jammed military park for an anti war rally. Principal speakers were William patterson negro national leader of the ILD and Rebecca grecht, dist organizer for cp. Chair of event, charles Mitchell, cp candidate for congress. Thet blasted efforts of nj to institute forced labor; deport negros to south and murderous attacks ag bonus marchers. Get Newark coverage of event

The daily worker 8/7/32 p1Johnson james friedson, unemployed cp assembly candidate and Thomas Damascus, ex-serviceman arrested when police broke uo Unemployed Council meeting on waverly anf Charlton. In addition, friedson given 5 day sentence for “smiling in court.”

8/11/32 reel 225 delo 2919 letter from grecht to secretariat CC (browdwe “earl” marked on top in handwriting) on expulsion from cp of Andrew matagla for “rank white chauvinism.”At 8/10 Newark mtg of Secretariat with grecht present four hour discussion on matter 5-2 vote to expel matagla affirming vote of linden unit of cp. Facts of case: about 1 month ago at ILD affair mataglas “young daughter (a YCL member) refused to dance with a “colored comrade”. Her father upheld action. Comrade Brown district organizer for YCL charged matagla with white chauvinisn and matagle rushed at him and would have struck him if other comrades hadn’t stopped him. At meeting of Linden unit with district 14 reps investigating affair, most of linden comrades “condoning matagla’s stand.”Last week grecht called special mtg. and explained party stand “with regard to the struggle for equal rights and ag white chauvinism.” Discussion followed. Matagla’s postion was that nothing wrong with white woman refusing to dance with colored man as it is a personal matter and not one of cp policy. He continued that “there is a negro woman for a negro man” “birds of one color or kind flock together. You can’t make one species flock with another.” He said he congratulated daughter for “brave, independent spririt..regardless of what others might say.”If he “insisted that his daughter dance with a colored man..it would have been a blow ag civilization” and would have been “filthy, filthy, filthy.” Matagle spoke for 45 minutes in same tone main point that Nergro “is a being totally inferior to the white.” “a kind of sexual beast”Matagla criticized linden YCL as “being infested with immorality.” Grecht explained that Matagla’s position is the “position of the lynchers of the south.” Accused socialist party plank of only calling for legal, political and economic equality w/o calling for social equality. Latter “gives the struggle ag national oppression of the negro people one of its special traits .. and leads in practice to the worst forms of persecutuion and oppression” including lynching. Matagle insisted his position was correct and accused grecht of making him a “goat” to get in order to get influence among negros.Matyagla is in cp about 5 months and he “is not unlettered. On the contrary he is well-read, has excellent command of the English language and is a good speaker.”Two comrades voting ag expulsion –one said it was personal matter and not question of party principle and expulsion would harm unit. Grecht said this man was “influenced by ‘rotten liberalism’ in his attiude toward matagla.” Secong comrade, a lithuanian thought a great fuss was being made about

41 cp notes nothing” and party should admit white chauvinistic workers and then try to correct them. a 3rd comrade would probably have supported him but left mtg to avoid having to vote. Grecht said these 3 comrades still do not “fully understand the question.” Acc to section organizer, this discussion clarified situation to a number of members of Linden unitand made situation healthier than it had been. Before mtg situation appeared to call for “ a reorganization of the entire unit.”Secretariat of district 14 passed following motionsexpel matagla“arrange a mass trial in Linden to bring issue before workers and to publically expel mataglaBring to the attention of the Lithuanian Bureau the stand of the Lithuanian comrades in linden and to arrange a special mtg with them with rep of bureau to speak to them in their own language and to raise and clarify issue in tth elithuanian pressTo continue discussion with comrades voting ag expulsion “in order to obtain their affirmative vote.” Depending on this, further action may be taken. In discussion at district secretariat it was brought out in IWO white chauvinism has expressed itself in various ways—in one white worker with car refused to transport Negro worker from state election picnic but took a white worker. Similar incidents have also ecurred. Secretariat agreed to take matter up with Jewish Bureau and IWO district bureau to carry through an ideological campaign in IWO branches on question of struggle ag national oppression and ag whiter chauvinism. Entire district 14 will be made aware of Linden situation and a broad ideological campaign will be waged “to week out white chauvinism wherever it has expressed itself.”

Star Eagle 8/9/32 p 3Last night 8/8, ten communists from Workers Unemployed league arrested and taken to police hq and fingerprinted while conducting mtg at Charlton and waverly avenue. All were charged with attempting to hold a meeting without a permit. Four were arrested for assault and battery allegedly for starting a fight with the policemen sergeant kabis and PATROLMAN THIGPEN---sarah wand, Thomas damaskos, albert woods, and louis jaffe (chatham). Other 6 were Samuel Brodkin, Robert gaynor, frank chandlker, William miller (685 south 16th st), elemr elkos, jack tanner.Cp issued statement charging police “with brutally breaking up the mtg.” CP said mtg was peaceful until police intervened. They claimed the city gov’t has “started a campaign of terror” ag workers in Newark.

8/24/32 minutes of bo9ard of commissioners AugustPp62,63 $250,000 bond issue for Poor Relief of 3/11/32 cannot be repayed and commssiners authorize new bond issue to pay off old oneP64 same as above for 3/11/32 Temporary Loan bonds on Account of Unemployment Relief.. both bonds payable 9/11.P73 communication by jack david campaign mgr fornCP complaing about police interference with outdoor mtgs. Also one from charles Mitchell on same issue. P74 mitchell spoke about 8/25 mtg when mountede and foot patrolmen charged crowd of cp as well as men, women and children. P75 we demand same rights as other parties. Egan-although you were granted permit for certain intersection, you chose other more congested intersection in order to provoke police intoaction. P76 lloyd brown, 7 charlton st. rep of ycl complains not only of breaking up meeting but arresting young people some of them yclers under rubric of littering when we were only distributing circulars to people and homes to come to cp election rallies.Jack david also spoke.P77 phillip burns 52 stecker st rep ILD which is org now conducting defense of tom mooney. I was called by cp that they were holding mtg at Charlton and

42 cp notes waverly and I was there. I come here to protest the beqtings of the workers at that location. Gillen matter referred to dir of public safety.

Handbill (have copy) issued by CP USA District 14 7 charlton st. reel 225 delo 2919 undated, but issued within several days of arrests—why was cp election rally broken up? why were men and women workers “brutally clubbed and jailed by the police?” “Why was charles Mitchell, cp candidate fro congress in 12th district, arrested?” Reps, dems socialists allowed to speak whenever they want to. Socialists held mtg several nites ago at Charlton and waverly. Why??cp fights ag forced labor, evictions, relief for starving unemployed and ag jim crowism. “Captain brady, as a tool of the boss-class, id afraid you will hear the program of the cp” if you do you will support it. We call upon workers to support cp and come to anotherelection rally on 9/2 at Charlton and waverly.

Handbill (have copy) Ibid undated but definitely pre-election 1932 circular “Smash the Bosses’ Terror Drive in Newark”—reel 225 delo 2919 find article to date better“The Newark police, acting under instructions of the bosses’ [egan]city government, have started a campaign opf terror against the workers of Newark.. the city government….refuses permits for street meeting of the cp. To the Unemployed Council, and to every militant working class organization, but breaks up street rallies, arrests militant fighters who dare defend the interests of the working class. Eight Newark workers now face prison terms because ethey distributed leaflets calling for a struggle ag war; because they stopped an eviction of a negro worker’s family; because they tried to hold a street meeting to protest ag forced labor.”

Star Eagle, 8/27/32 p4Charles Mitchell CP candidate from 12 congessional district (also an arrestee) issued a statement that the police made “a brutal and murderous assault in the most Cossack-like manner” in arresting 4 women and 8men. He said “it was a peaceful gathering.” “Police Captain Brady of the 4th precinct, representing the interests of the bosses and the landlords is determined to prevent me from presenting my party’s program to the workers. Brady and his men are openly permitting and even aiding Socialists, Democrats and Republicans to meet in the same neighborhoods.”

NN 8/31/32 p225 Communists appeared at city commission meeting to protest the breakup of their street meetings by mounted police. Charles Mitchell. 12th Congressional district candisate from cp was first complainant. He had been arrested for holding street meetings without permits. He spoke of a meeting of 2000 at Charlton and waverly aves where police drove horses into the crowd without provocation. “He charged that there was a conspiracy by the police dep’t and city officials to interfere with communist meetings.” Director of public safety Egan said “you’re a liar” and told the cp the rights they were entitled to from his dep’t. “The Dep’t of Public Safety is not afraid of you or your associates.” Mitchell said it was not necessary to call each other liars. He said police chief mccrell said “no permits would be granted to the communists anywhere in Newark.”Philip Burns of the ILD also spoke. He called breaking up of meeting “a vicious attack on defensless persons by the mounted police.”

43 cp notes

8/29/32 letter from charles Mitchell Comunist party Election Campaign committee” to the city commissioners informing them that at 11/31 commissio9n mtg, committee of 25 workers rep cp, ild, unemployed council of Newark, ycl, will appear “to demand the rights of speaking on the streets of Newark before the workersof the city of Newark…..and to protest ag the po9lice terror and brutality employed ag us..”

The daily worker 9/5/32 p2Communist Election Campaign Committee sent open protest letter to city commissioners ag police attacks on cp election rallies and other worker mtgs. Esp. mentioned was assault of foot and mounted police on crowd of over 2000 where men women and children were clubbed.

NN 9/6/32 p4Labor Day Parade in Newark on broad st. for 1st time since 1915!! [wg—perhaps this was in response to CP mayday event?] 15,000 marched and 100,000 watched acc to NN. After parade mass mtg at Olympic park. Essex Trades Council org event with cooperation of AFL. Assemblyman Edward D. balentine pres of council and chair of parade comm. said plans under way to make parade a yearly event. Labor leaders and politicians including 3 candidates for US senator gave speeches (Rep. percy H. stewart, Dem; Sen. Warren Barbour, rep; herman niessner, soc.).Floats were biggest attraction of parade, particularly the bakers float which had an oven and other equipment plus a ten foot long loaf of bread. Bakers on float distributed rolls along the route. Bakers who marched wore white work clothes; stage hands had a float depicting the interior of a theater. Among marchers, hatters wore pearl white fedoras.E.C.Davidson, gen sec of Internatiional Asoc of Machinists rep AFL said in speech thet first laboe day parade was 51 years before and said purpose of AFL is same as then: “to challenge social wrongs and the development of unsocial ideals.” Trade unionism is not result of an inventive genius or a scientific discovery but rather a result of the necessity brought into being by wage-earners seeking a a method of expression which has been denied to them as individuals. Mvement insists that those “who work for wages must work as a unit under the banner of organized labor.” Further on in speech addressing socialist and communist urgings, Davidson says of unemployment: “ It is not hard to understand the frame of mind of those who are its victims. We must recognize the fact that these conditions offer a fertile field of discontent that is based on despair. …..The American wage worker is not excited over the propaganda prevalent regarding the creation of a dole system. The demands of organized labor …. Are that the flag of our nationmust always float over a free people. It must never form a cloak to hide slavery, despotism or tyranny.”

Reel 225 delo 2919 September 18, 1932 “situation and tasks in district 14 new jersry”P 1 decries block aid; work for relief; deportation back to south of negros living in newark less than 5 years.P 2 since inception of district 14 on 6/19 165 new memberships including 53 negros, 82 foreign born and 30 americans (white).P 3 discussion of strikes – NONE IN NEWARK DURING PERIOD Negro rights in newark—in negro areas struggles ag evictions resulting in increase of police terror with 21 arrests of comrades for this, passing out leaflets, free speech fights and eviction fights. “The city government is making every effort to keep the CP out of the negro sections.”P4 weaknesses of cp work

44 cp notes in district –no success withAFL or setting up new shop orgs. no success with popular fronts with other unionsP5 struggle ag Social Fascism (The Socialist Party and the Muste elements) has been insufficient. Their fight for bread and jobs in order to win them away from CP has not been successfully countered.P6 15 th plenum of central committee has pointed out Right Danger nationwide and this can be seen in our district even in Newark where some exhibit lack of faith in the masses or ability of CP to lead masses and of fear of increasing capitalist terror. All this manifests itself in “apathy” exhibited by some.P 7 Turn Foster (pres campaign) newark mtg on 10/27 into state election demonstrations for CP program and candisates. Organize trucks and buses to bring supporters from all aover state. Establish Open Forum and then a full-time district school in Newark to start in December. Develop campaign within AFL for unemployment insurance. Expose role of Quinn state sec of AFL and state senator? In carrying thru hunger program in state [work for relief]

Star Eagle 9/22/32 p 10CP announces military park mtg to protest murder of walter rojek.Ibid. p 15Overseer Malady promised continued scrutiny of misuse of food vouchers by recipents and grocery stoers after isadore finkler grocery store owner on waverly ave was fined $50And sentenced to 15 days in jail on charge of willfully violating restrictions on grocery orders. Arrested after 2 month investigation by overseer where proprietors were spotted cashing vouchers for beer making apparatus, cigarettes and candy and even cash.

Star Eagle 10/19/32 p 3Abpuit 20 men alleged cpers were removed (not arresterd) by police from auditorium of Mutual Benefit during a welfare mobilization mtg. 10 police had cpers removed. They were there to heckle governor moore. Ousted men said their delegation was appointed by unemployed throughout state. . demands included 8 hour day; 48 hour week; $8 in cash per week for unemployed families; $2 for each dependent; $4 for single unemployed.; top public official pay at $4000 maximum and graduated income tax on incomes above $5000.

The daily worker 10/29/32 p1 (page one headline)Earl browder, cp ny candidate for congress, spoke before 4000 at laurel garden on 10/27. (Foster cp candidate for pres was supposed to appear but he was sick and browder was stand in) “The size of the meeting alone was a shock to the capitalistic officials and press here.” Newark has been center of presidential politics with Smith speaking here a few days ago and hoover due here on Monday. FDR to speak a few days later and Thomas will speak tomorrow (29th). Acc to worker, Newark newspapers took care not to announce cp mtg., they gave space to Thomas mtg. but it was so large Newark papers broke boycott on cp election news and printed 2 column stories on it.Browder said the 3 other parties “attack the cp on grounds that it advocates a violent revolution. They say that revolution is un-american: that it strikes at the very foundation of our government. In aqttacking us on such grounds do these men realize that they are attacking the very origin of these united states? Have they not heard of the American revolution, surely one of violence ag the tyranny of george III of England? Why even the republican party was born in violence, in four years of civil war. ….What do they call Americanism? Shall we sit quietly by and see our wives and children starve without ny effort to find a way out, without seeking new guarantees of

45 cp notes security?...... What America needs again is a revolution to build a government on the basis of the working class, allied with the toiling poor farmers, and the impoverished middle classes.”

NN 11/3/32 p9 Federal judge Clark in Newark said in bayonne false arrest case yesterday: “A man has a right to say heis a communist and communists are entitled to their rights just the same as republicans and democrats.” Trial of $40,000 damage suit af bayonne police chief Cornelius j. o’neill and 3 other members of force for false arrest and assault ag new york’s Solomon Pullman aka paul brown. Last 12/29 pullman went to bayonne police hq for a parade permit for the bayonne Unemployed Council. Supposedly Pullman had a radical magazine with him and he was arrested. Pullman said he was assaulted in the chief’s office. Star Eagle on same day (p12) adds that after he was taken to cell, 3 unidentified men were let in and beat him up again. Also, Abraham isserman was his attorney.NN Ibid.12 communists fined $20 each for unlawful assembly by 4th precinct court judge albano. Four women in group. A man and a woman from 12 were also jailed for one and three days respectively. Five others arrested for distributing handbills were let go because of faulty complaints. They were arrested august 8 and 25 by sgt kabis of 4th precinct for attempting to hold meetings in 3rd ward w/o permits. Albano chided defendants for not seeking legal redress from official in city hall not granting them permits rather than fighting with police who are only enforcing law. “I grant you have the right of free speech and I won’t deny your constitutional rights, but why go to a police court which is here to settle small arguments and keep peace and order?” albano said cp is only trying to arouse feeling ag constituted authority. “you are making a big grandstand play—get that into your records—you are making a farce of institutions. I find you guilty and fine you $20.” During hearing, ruth miller 20, irritated judge by smiling constantly. He ordered her to behave, but she continued to smile. Put her into jail until tomorrow, I consider her behaviour disrespectful. She left for jail with a smile. The next day she was again brought before albano. Albano asked her how she liked being in the cell. She again smiled and refused to answer. She answered others but sarcastically. “You’re a pretty smart young lady, I’ll give you 30 days in jail for contempt of court. Maybe that will wipe that smile off your face.” “it did. She was not smiling when she was led to a detention cell.”During yesterday’s hearing albano was continuously rapping for order when defendents insisted on making communistic speeches in answering questions. The daily worker 11/5/32 p2 brief account of above but adds that 12 workers were fined $20 each or 40 days in jail. Also, albano at beginning of trial declared he would find workers guilty because they are “organized disturbers of already disturbed workers.” Also that ruth miller and seth Johnson were given additional time –johnson 3 days- because albano said he “didn’t like the way they looked at him.”

NN 11/11/32 p9Ruth miller was released today by judge albano after serving one week of her 30 day jail sentence for contempt of court. Miller said she had been placed in solitary confinement, couldn’t get mail or visitors, and was importuned to write a letter of apology which she didn’t. warden charles Steadman called miller “an unqualified liar” saying she was contemptuous and defiant and tried to smuggle letters out in a shoe.

46 cp notes

Albano said cp delegations visited his home and his court had nothing to do with his early release of miller. “I intended to release her before they arrived” he said with a smile, “even after I learned that the young lady did not want to be released saying that she considered it an honor to serve a jail term for communism!”

11/26/32 reel 225 delo 2919 2 single information sheets titled “SHOP NUCFLEUS” for district 14 –one is for Singer showing 5000 employees with a total of 4 party members spread over 3 departments. In aqnswer to “Is there any shop group?””No” Also answers yes , periodically to question if a shop paper is issued. Says shop nucleus was organized before creation of district 14.Other has space blank for “Name of factory or mine” but under “Name the industry” it has “ FUR DYEING” NUMBER OF WORKER 120 – PARTY MEMBERS 10. UNDER “When was the shop nucleus organized?” answer is “During the strike just ended.” [this would have been after 9/18 when cp said on p 342 that no strikes in newark before 9/18.

Star Eagle 12/1/32 p 3Newark marchers slept in a rented hall as gov. moore prohibited their using state armory. Earl bnrowder said march planned on 10/10 by national unemployed councils but that the vast majority of marchers are not CP but “most of them become sympathetic in the course of the march.”Ibid p4 city comm. approved Pru plan yesterdayIbid. p 7 Newark Taxpayers Association (chair Reginald parnell) at mtg at Newark YMCA passed resolution that city clerk o’toole (ballots were in his custody), egan (put care of ballots in his hands), and gillen (city hall under hiscontrol) “may well be guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance in office” as result of ballot scandal.Parnell suddenly adjopuned mtg. after member Irving Schwarz charged that all city employees were forced to kick back; tenants of city market were forced to contribute up to $1500 to obtain leases on stalls and that 6 to 9000 city employees were kept on payroll to get votes.Ibid. p6 (continuation of 1st page story on ballot box scandal) Zwillman had 6 room suite on 6th floor of Riviera. All bills paid in cash. 25 of his henchmen also lived at hotel. All bills were paid to hotel by his henchman. Longey never made self conspicuous in hotel. After scandal when longy checked out all 25 went with him. Practicall all members of gang ate meals in their rooms. Many partiesd in rooms, tips generous and none whrn questioned could identify any of th egueasts. Questions about liquor being served.Ibid. Newark Chapter, sons of the americn Revolution in letter to prosecutor joseph l. smith praised him for “rounding up criminals” in ballot scandal. “As descendants of men who helped found our country, we realize that crimes, such as the above, strike at the very foundation of our government and we earnestly call on all city and county officials whose duties are those of enforcing elections laws to assist you in every way in bringing the perpetratorsd of this dastardly crime to speedy justice.”

Star eagle 12/19/32 p5Weekend snow results:All 4000 men on city’s emergency relief list were ordered to be available for snow removal by mayor congleton since the 330 now working from street cleaning and other city dep’ts are not enough to clean snow where enormous banks are halting traffic. Men from relief list not being paid since they get relief in form of grocery orders and other types of relief. [cp calls this slave labor] More than 100 homeless men unable to obtain accommodations in municipal lodging house

47 cp notes over cold and snow of weekend given shelter at HQ of citizens’ relief committee at 420 washington st.. rec room on 2nd floor filled with cotsto take care of 400 men during emergency. During height of storm about 1300 gathered in rooms. Heaviest storm since 2/21/29 snowfall was 9 inches.

12/21/32 minutes board of commissioners DecemberP67 Alex Barnett gets temporary app’t as “special emergency Investigator” at salary of $1,040 [cp?—ellenstein]P74 Henry Green—“Last Sunday over 300 men from the municipal lodging house were marched out to shovel snow. Our municipal lodging house was not organized as a hotel where people should pay for their night’s sleeping.”Ellenstein- I told you to come to me with complaints –P75 you haven’t come. You are wasting the time of the other commissioners.Congleton—any one else any metter to speak about. 11/22/33 minutes, NJ district bureau reel 255 delo 3300 [cp strength in 1933 despite depression] 1) Report on ILD—in Newark 2 english speaking branches and 3 language branches. Problems are lack of apparatus and lack of base with industrial proletariat. Struggles in districe i.e. murders have hampered growth. Approximately 200 weekly dues paying members.2) Report on Jewish Bureau by Malamuth. In district 14 600 members of IWO with about 600 members; 5 childrens’ schools and 3 youth branches with 90 members. In Newark 312 members in 3 Jewish branches with only 22 CP members. VERY FEW CONVERTS TO CP DURING YEAR. “The Jewish Bureau is very weak.”

1/13/33District secretariat meeting CP reel 255 delo 3300Grecht reported delegates to state hunger march decided to call state conference in Newark against “forced labor” [work for relief]. Attempt to get AFL delegates from unions (and opposition groups within these unions) mto call such conference. Even to get just one AFL union to call such a conference.

Star Eagle 1/21/33 p 5CP rally at sokol hall tomorrow for Lenin memorial mtg. grecht, nj disdtrict organizer will speak as will charles white, nj organizer for ycl.

2/21/33 freiheit p 4 “A letter from Newark by S.D. Levine “ discussion of socialist and communist campaigns and candidates for may commission election. Socialists from beginning “portrayed temselves as the loyal keepers of the ruling power.” Meeting of socialists in newark city hall. “comrade” george nobel, chair of meeting and commission candidate said SP would not attack current city administration and its candidates for reelection. He knew all of them and expressed thanks to commissioner gillen for making it possible for SP to meet in city hall for free. Priest also spoke at meeting bemoaning recent ballot scandal [wg-see nn 11/21/32]and effect it had on newark’s reputation. Comrade Reese, another candidate for commissioner promised hewould use milwaulkee as model for Newark “and warned the3 capitalists that they’d better surrender to the comrades in Newark now because in four years, when the next city election takes place, it willprobably be too late. The comrade threatened that by then the communists will have taken over.According to Nobel socialists are afraid of revolution. This is evidenced by lecture nobel gave last week in Allentown nj titled “How to Avoid Revolution in America.”When an unemployed individual [probably a cp provocateur--wg]wanted to ask

48 cp notes a question, he was immediately told to leave the chamber or be taken out.CP has five “worker-candidates””They will mercilessly tear off the masks of the phony favor-doers. They will rip apart the barbarians that the city council [sic] has put in place against the workers of the city. Putting an end to the dismantling of allotted aid to the unemployed will be the main platform of the party.”……”they will also tear off the masks of the SP- niks, the so-called labor candidates, who are looking to mislead the woirker. CP candidates are Rebecca Grecht, district organizer of the CP, charles white, organizer of YCL (and a Negro), and comrades Bernard shames, Herbert freeman and charles michin. “All these candidates have participated in various strikes and campaigns for relief.” cp line—change from 2/21 lineup—still grecht, white, shames and mitchen, but now S.D. Levine “Representative of the Morning freiheit” substitutes for freemanNN 2/27/33 p1 MURDER LINKED TO LABOR MOVE Communist Efforts Blamed in Fatal Dispute of Fur Worker Efforts of cpers to “pull out” workers at A. Hollander & Sons are beleved by police and officials to be cause of murder. Natale ballero, 26, shot at 14th ward Italian American citizens’ association 412 15th ave. rocco capo being sought. Both were pullers at fur dressing and dying plant at 143 east Kinney st. capo there since 6/2/24 and ballero since 5/7/31. company officials said he was a “steady and reliable worker.” Wife and 2 children.It was stated that communists of needle trades industrial union were trying to get workers to strike. “An abduction of a driver and threats toward other workers followed.” Ballero did not work last weekand had tried to persuade other workers to walk off job. Acc to police both men members of the club, met there yesterday am and argued over plant conditions. Blows exchanged and capo cut above eye and ballero got a black eye. Friends separated them.Ballero went to cousin, rocco ballero’s home next door to club and then to home of sister mrs fred santangelo at 424 s 10th st.. he was unmarried and lved in a Bergen st furnished room and got meals at mrs santangelo.After a 3pm dinner he went back to club, capo also entered and argument continued. Capo drew a revolver and hit ballero twice. Rocco heard shots from next door but thought it was backfire until man came tohis apt and notified him. Capo disappearedwith weapon four detectives searched for him while ballero taken to hospital. Detained as material witnesses were Michael fede 25 financial sec of club and frank corrao 22, two men of those in club when shooting took place.“In view of officials at the plant..it was capo’s refusal to leave his job that resulted in the fatal quarrel.” Many threats made by ny cpers have come to company officials and police protection hs been furnished to company.“There is no strike on in our plant.” Said albert Hollander, v.p. said today. “The communists have been trying to get our workers to quit, but withut success. They kidnapped one of ur drivers and have threatened others. Our employees are satisfied and want to work, if left alone. We have a welfare plan which they recognize as being in their interests. We have an open shop, but employ many union men affiliated with thte international fur workers, an AFL organization.”Acc to NN “Communists have been trying not only to disrupt the fur dressing and dyeing industry, but also the manufacturing of fur garments in ny.”Relatives of ballero have asked Abraham isserman, “frequently identified with communist causes” to see that the case ag capo is pressed. Acc to isserman, family claims capo was a scab and ballero a striker.Acc to NN “The labor agitators were successful in closing the plant in paris st of Joseph Hollander. Joseph was a brother of the late Adolph Hollander, founder of a. Hollander & sons. About 100 men were employed at the joseph Hollander plant.”

49 cp notes

NN 3/2/32 p6More than 100 communists attended funeral. They marched with a band from santangelo’s home to st. roccos for high requiem mass and then marched to cp hq at 385 springfield ave. and then to holy sepulcher cemetery. A large red banner with gold lettering reading “New York District, Needle Trades Workers’ Industrial Union” was carried by marchers. A wreath was also carried with words “We Mourn for Our depoarted Comrade” in Italian. Flaiani tried to make speech at cemetery but its superintendent john strong said no eulogies here. Police ordered group outside and once on the street, flaiani made short speech condemning Hollander interests. Another speaker followed whjo rfused to give his name and began to talk about cp candidates running for city commission but police broke in and ordered him to confine remarks to eulogies. He stopped a few minutes later and the crowd dispersed.

3/2/33 p1 freiheit “FUNERAL TODAY OF MURDERED FUR STRIKER INJ NEWARK.” BY S.D. LEVINE…..”The capitalist newspapers of Newark want to erase that history [wg-murders of novak and ruben] and are looking to twist the facts and help the Hollanders incite against thestrikers and communists in order to shake off the guilt of the murder.”[ballero’s]CP released statement saying “it is not a question of communism but rather a struggle by the workers against insufferable working conditions and that the guilt for the murder falls directly on the bosses who cannot abide by the organizing work that has already begun.” Ballero’s body on view at 424 10th st. many workers who visited him and knew him well “spoke of his devotion to the workers’ cause.” Funerql will be at his sister’s house this am at 9.

3/3/33 p1 freiheit “Workers Swear by Grave of Murdered fur-Striker to Support Battle Against Bosses; Local 3 Condemns Lucci’s Scabbing”Lucci, pres. of IFWU, is branded “strike-breaker” at meeting of his own local, Brooklyn #3 as it endorses battle of Industrial Union against Hollander and others. Several hundred Newark workers ignored heavy snowfall and marched through “worker districts” following ballero’s casket until they reached cemetery. “Red flags furled over the workers. Leading them with the battle- flag of the Industrial Union was a striker, a friend of the victim. The procession was surrounded by a forceful police presence.” Fliaini and Davis addressed crowd, flaiani for Industrial Union and Davis for “Newark Division of the cp. Both talked about “savage exploitation existing in Newark factories and the terrot tactics the Newark police employ against fighting workers.” Davis ended with: “The workers will long remember and never forget the spilled blood of natale bolero and the other victims of capitalist terror.”

3/4/33 p1 freiheit Hollander has ceased to to brand hides with their identification because of resolution at ny demonstration not to work on Hollander hides. LANGER, LEADER OF THE STRIKE, said most of shops are unionized and pelts are stamped with names. Thus, any unmarked pelts or those marked A or J Hollander oir Singer will not be worked upon and the workers in shop will contact

50 cp notes the union office. The strike at G. Hollander “has almost entirely paralyzed the shop.” Stikers picketed shop all day Wednesday. That nite they all went to an election campaign meeting of the cp which condemned the murder, the Newark police and warned the city administration against further attacks by thepolice or hired guerillas of Hollander.Industrial Union called for industry wide strike for today and tomorrow, but rather come to9 union hq to help stop overtime work and to resist wherever it became available. Association of Greek fur owners with about 11 members worrying about Industrial Union, came out with a 32 hour work week “to create jobs for the unemployed.” Industrial Union said associatio9n are looking to9 evade responsibilkity to pay union scale and meet union demands. Union declared that “greek bosses were the worst bloodsuckers.” In the few shops they still control, 50—60 hour work weeks prevail for half the union scale. Most Greek furriers belong to the Industrial union and the3 so-called union that belongs to the greek owners represent “a bunch of beaten racketerrs.” Industrial Union will now strengthen drive against Greek bosses.

3/6/33 letter Rebecca grecht district organizer district 14 to earl browder politburo cc reel 255 delo 3303 on 3/5 newark hosted state conference for Unemployment Insurance and against forced Labor. 210 delegates rep 123 orgs from nj. Acc to grecht although AFL unions elected delegates many “did not come primarily because of lack of transportation facilities.” However 13 reps of AFL unions did show. Also rep. of 6 revolutionaty unions, 33 fraternal groups, 7 block committees, 3 womens’ orgs, 26 unemployed councils, 6 youth groups, 17 ILD reps and 7 misc. orgs. I (grecht spoke as cp organizerabout cp role in unemployed struggle and on the red scare. For unemployment insurance and ag forced labor “This received a big ovation.” Fisher TUUL organizer also made speech enthusiastically received. Conference elected 29 members to a state Committee of the Unemployed Councils.Many serious shortcomings of conference including only “a few negro delegates rep 3 negro orgs “including the colored “International Longshoremen’s Union of Newark” and also “vert few women delegates present.”Important feature of conference was special session with the 13 AFL reps. A conference to be initiated by three locals for unemployment insurance. Main purpose of letter to Browder was to get CP money to organize conference. “Weinstock [wendrich?] agreed that such assistance should be given. “ he said such a conference not only imp for nj but for “National Rank and File Movement”He suggested we contact Stachel fon this.

3/10/33 minutes of board of commissioners March (continuation of adjourned 3/8 meeting on salary cuts for municipal workers. Pp 54, 55 Mayor congleton argues for the salary cuts and quotes FDR who on 3/9 said on subject: “Such economies which can be made will, it is true, affect some of our citizens; but the failure to make them will affect all of our citizens. The very stability of our government itself p55 is concerned, and when that is concened the benefits of some must be subordinated to the needs of all.”P57 commissioners except howe give last words on their departments’ budgets.Egan—before talking about reducing public safety dep’t budget talks about the CP:He said day before yesterday he had to take stand “in so far as what I type the Red or communist.”…”I did that because I knew fully well what the real problem in the country is today.”….

51 cp notes cp ticket. Spoke at many meetings and because of the recent ballot scandal in 1932 when speaking before a large womens organization I got great applause when I said that I was not sure I would be elected “because the votes in Newark didn’t matter-the people who counted them did.” American legion also gave me good reception when I spoke about central power’s war crimes. One place I didn’t get a good reception was before a hearing on improvements for the Newark and suburban jails. I agreed for the need for improvements because I saw firsthand as a prisoner there. “I am not ashamed of this,” I said “because the situation in newark is such that if you want to find an honest person you have a better chance to spot such a person in jail, and when you look for a thief you will find him among the City Hall bosses.”…”There was a lot of noise. Two policemen lifted me and dragged me out of the hall. “ this wasn’t my original wisdom—used in 1906 by William Heywood in Idaho on trial with 2 others for murder. Heywood was running for governor of Colorado on the socialist ticket . a reporter asked how do you feel as a prisoner being a candidate for such a high post. He replied “WE have now such a situation that, when you look for a decent person, you will find him in jail and when you try to find a thief or a charlatan, you will find him in the state capitol or in the U.S. congress.” Things have not changed much in 25 years in many American states.When I was gathering signatures for my petition, I was told not to worry about the amount of signatures but rather to bring the clerk a bottle of whiskey and place it on the desk [this was still prohibition] my petitions would be certified with no questions. When I presented my petitions without thebottle they were at first questioned butwhen the clerk saw that I had many more signatures than needed, he certified them.I was approached by hustlers who promised to produce votes for 50cents each. Others promised votes for adds in their periodicals or if I bought tickets for their events. P170 during my years in Newark I got to know the police rather well since they came to all our meetings. Once after a meeting, I saw the policeman who had beaten me up and he wanted to introduce me to another policemen. I demurred. They insisted and I had no choice.—they told me that next time I faced arrest, rather than the time and expense of a lawyer and a trial I should give the man $5 and he would let you go. “I am not saying I would take it …but many policemen would like to take it because their salaries are very meager and when you don’t make a couple of dollars on the side it is very difficult to make ends meet.”P170 south river strike in 1932 of 2000 workers at clothing factory owned by 2 ny jews. Workers low wages and were miserably exploited. Workers poles, Italians, and other nationalities. Bitter strike that turned anti-semitic. Police and state troopers hit and shot at the strikers. A 9 year old polish boy was shot to death. Strike led by the then left-wing Industrial needle Workers Union. Jewish workers from ny and nj helped picket and raise funds for the strikers. Funeral turned into a big demonstration for benefit of strikers. I as well as many jewish workers attended the funeral in a catholic cemetery. During the ensuing demonswtration, the police charged the crowd and beat and arrested the strikers.P 171 Answer to anti semites—jewish leaders rented buses to bring south river strikers to ny to huge meeting at cooper hall which was filled with jewish workers. The speakers convinced the workers that the jews were njot guilty, that jews were njot all manufacturers and that there were millions of exploited jewish workers who were in the same exploited class as the Christian workers. Christian bosses also exploited workers. The only enemies were the exploiters! I often wennt to south river to help the strikers.

52 cp notes

CHAPTER 35 MORRIS LANGER, MARTYR OF LABORPp388,389 Discussion of organization of several thousand fur dressing and dying shops in NY and nearby towns. P389 Wage cuts for rabbit dressers and discharge of older workers. Then in June 1932 further wage cuts for rabbit dressers.Morris Langer, manager of Dressers and Dyers Department of Industrial Union, immediately launched drive to rescind these cuts. Fearful that the Industrial Union would make inroads in their shops the bosses quickly surrendered.P390 Having defeated wage cuts, Industrial Union now called on the dressers to strike for increases. Under LANGER’s leadership, a number of shops struck and won increases. As increasing numbers of workers joined Industrial Union, it drew up demands and presented them to the employers for an agreement. Rejected, the workers voted to strike. Fourteen rabbit dressing shops struck for five weeks. Despite efforts by the International to supply scabs employers gave into all demands including 3% unemployment fund, 40 hour week, wage increase of 23%, 11 paid holidays (including May 1), equal division of work, and no discrimination against Negros or young workers.Now Industrial Union went after dying shops. Early successes.Now it went after dressing and dying shop, Vande Weghe, in Paterson (had moved from Brooklyn there in 1919 to avoid unionization) which had been an open shop for its 13 years in Paterson. Skilled workers earned only $12 for 50 hour week; young workers received starvation wage of 8 cents per hour and Negros less.On September 15, 1932 the Industrial Union, under LANGER’S leadership, called strike at Vande Wegh which all workers responded to.P 391 Chamber of Commerce (afraid if strike was successful thousands of textile workers would revolt), and Paterson Police and courts helped company. Strikers were teerorized by police and plinclothesman. Many were arrested for no cause, dragged out of their bed in the evening and held for hours in the police station. “Few were fortunate enough to escape severw beatings.”Workers got help from IWO, CP, YCL, Women’s Council of Paterson, Inter. Labor Defense, Workers International Relief, other members of the Industrial Union, “and other progressive organizations.aaaaaaa’ Paterson workers from other industries helped man picket lines; tenants in houses where scabs lived refused to pay rent until scabs moved out; NY fur workers refused to work on skins dressed by scabs from Vande Weghe.After 12 weeks, workers won a complete victory. Contract signed by Industrial Union gave 44 hour week; $2 increase per week; 10% increase for piece workers; 3% unemployment fund, equal division of work; recogniotion of union; pledge not to discriminate against Negro workers.P392 Description of similar victories by Industrial Union in other shops in other cities. Having organized many open shop centers of the fur dressing and dying industry, the Industrial Union now launched a campaign to organize the chief holdouts in the industry in Newark, A. Hollander and Sons, J. Hollander and Philip Singer. Morris Langer headed this drive. Langer was a worker since 12 and had experienced all the hardships of working in dressing and dying. He was a Communist. According to Foner, Langer was “Modest, unassuming and fearless, he was respected and admired by all workers, left-wing and right-wing.”One of leaders in struggle against corruption in International, Langer was expelled early in the AFL “reorganization.”Members of Local 25 defied intimidation of the International and a court injunction and re-elrcted him manager. He became an outstanding leader in the Industrial Union when it was founded. He led demonstrations of the

53 cp notes unemployed and once was arrested for leading a relief demonstration in Newark. Langer given job of organizing the three Newark shops.Levine op cit, p171 –173 “The Story of Morris Langer” split between left and right. Some right leaders lived in harmony with manufacturers and “they hated the organizer Morris Langer.” After they cut offone of his legs, he told his wife that “he would be able to struggle with the enemies of the worker’s movement with one leg.” After bombing, “I organized people and they ran to the hospital to give their blood in an attempt to save their leader’s life.” “He was active in the socialist party then the Communist party. He was active in the Workmen’s Circle and later in the founding the IWO. [not much else on langer—wg][wg—car bomb—shulman fingered langer’s auto— probably same mobster who put bomb in fritz kuhn’s car—see Nazis in Newark]

Star Eagle 3/23/33 p3Ny investigators joined nj ones in langer investigation because one theory of murder was that it was ordered by opponents in the Needle Trades Industrialk union. Irving potash, sec of union, said bombing linked to murder of ballero and was to prevent workers from organizing. Langer was one of 5 cpers taking turns speaking before Newark commission. In November, he was candidate for congress in 5th NJ District.

The summit herald 3/24/33 p4No clues to the langer bombing have yet been discobered. Mrs. Langer and a neighbor Mrs. Jaffee are said to be cp members and are alleged to have been arrested in Newark at various times where they delivered speeches at mass meetings.“Mrs. Langer told the police that she thought rackateers were responsible for the explosion.”

The chatham press 3/25/33 p1Langer near death although emergency operation and blood transfusion onevening of the 22nd gave more hope. Mrs. Langer said children usually went to garage to get in with father but that am they were late. Langer was questioned by state trouper Guerin of the berkeley heights barracks..”members of union said bomb may have been planted by opposing factions of the furrier trade.”Acc to chatham press Langer “made speeches to audiences of unemployed in military park, almost every night.”Ibid p 4 editorial “The bombing outrage”We are all shocked however, there is consensus that outrage was NOT the result of political differences “but rather of a business policy of the unfortunate mr. langer.” Early on stress that he was cp candidate for congress and that he had been “active in spreading political gospel of the group.” It now appears tragedy was caused by a labot union controversy. “We are glad that it does not appear to be due to class hatred…We do not favor communism, but we must all admit that capitalism against which it pits itself has not worked out as well as we would like, and some sort of changer seems to be imminent….In the meantime our sympathies go to the unfortunate man and his family.”3/26/33 freiheit p1 “Langer’s entire leg was amputated” yesterday. After, he took a turn for the worse and another new york specialist was consulted on whether to amputate his other leg because it is so badly mangled. The evening after the amputation, “he spent the night in the throes of agony, suffering similarly the next day.” At this time the doctors don’t know what to do next. cp?] asks permission to have tag day on Scottsboro Campaign. Egan says it is policy of city not to have such tag days in city. Congleton – we don’t permit tag days for matters

54 cp notes oif this kind. “Go amongst your people if you want to raise funds.” Irving Gross— BRINGS UP SILENCE OF COMMISSIONERS INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY ON BALLOT SCANDAL.Congleton- we are more interested in finding true culprits than self-glorification in newspapers. [applause] . Then defends egan saying when crime was discovered, he brought in head of detectives and man who reported crime to tell us of it right as we were sitting down for a meeting P23 egan asked me as mayor to make the investigation since he was director of public safety and certain member s of police force were alleged to have taken part in the crime. I refused not having power of subpoena and figuring if I couldn’t fond real culprits, I would be charged with “whitewash.” Egan was so “anxious for a full, thorough and competent investigation to be made that he went to the late chief Justice Gummere, and this State has never had a more honorable judge, a man of great independence, a man whose character has never been attacked,-and asked him, because of the position he occupied, to either appoint a special prosecutor to investigate this case or to have the NJ Attorney General—to appoint a special attorney to conduct this investigation.” Gummere refused – he said the case was under jurisdiction of the County Prosecutor, and he had confidence in this man who had available staff for the task. Prosecutor Smith then got full cooperation of egan and got chief Mccrell to work with him. OUR SILENCE WAS REQUESTED BY THE PROSECUTOR WHO WNTED COIMMISSION TO MAKE NO STATEMENTS. HE WANTED ALL INFO FOR PRESS AND PYUBLIC TO COME FROM HIS OFFICE. “THAT IS THE REASON WE HAVE NOT OPENED OUR MOUTHS.” “My colleagues and I have been taking it on the chinbecause we have been dong that which we thought was in the interests of justice, and at the request of the man that was in charge of the investigation.……..I am prepared to take the consequences.”

Labor Defender May 1933 vol9 no 5 p67“MORRIS LANGER MURDERED!” By Philip JaffeMorris Langer began working as fur dresser in 1910 when he was 11. he joined fur workers union .“In 1924, at the convention of the IFWU, an affiliate of the AFL, he raised his voice in protest ag the cowardly and reactionary maneuvers of his union leaders, who at every important turn sold out the workers. Langer opposed the leadership of Moe Harris and his militant oppostiopn was supported by the NY delegation headed by Ben Gold. Moe Harris’ notorious and defeaterst methods of fighting non-union shops was to make agreemnts for lower wages for union workers. This he believed would help the union shop bosses to undersell the non union shop bosses, and so defeat them. morris Langer fought that kind of leadership as he also fought graft practices within the union. It was in this year [1924] that langer joined the cp of which he remained a member until he died..In 1925, Langer, lesading the rank and file, defeated Moe harris, and for his first victory, captured the Newark local.. the AFL, rep by hjilfers, together with the Intenational, got an injunction ag the Langer leadership. The workers, however, redoubled their struggle, broke the injunction, and continued their fight for uniform prices and workers’ control.” In 1929 harris’’ last stronghold, local 58 “capitulated.” Fur Dressers Union now joined the newly formed Needle Trdesworkers Industrial Union which “fought and won for the furriers a complete unification of every branch of the industry.” “Langer and others organized completely the dressers, dyers,

55 cp notes trimmers and garment workers so that every bit of work done on a fur garment was done by union help from beginning to end.” Wages increased from 20 to 40%. Unemployment fund of 3% contributed by bosses but controlled by workers. Lowered work week to 44 hours.Three shops only not org by NTWIU A.H. Hollander and son, J. Hollander and Philip singer all of Newark. in February of this year strike called ag all three. “To these non-union sweatshops, the militant workers werte a thorn in their sides, and Morris Langer stood as a symbol for these workers and the Hollanders and the singers had no other way left but to use gangster scabs to intimidate and kill.”“Jack Schulman, arrested fofr his murder, is the well known contact man between the singer concern and Moe harris…”

Star Eagle 3/25/33 p1While services being held, police arrested Jacob shulman, 32, member Brooklyn local 85, IFWU at his home 276 hawthorne ave. ida said shulman was one of 3 men around her house . he was arraigned in Madison by JP Joseph Thomas and taken to morris county jail in morristown. .a warrant had been issued previously for atrocious assault and battery which was hanged to murder today. CP issued statement today saying langer was “murdered by hired thugs.”

The daily worker 3/27/33 p1Acc to worker langer identified 2nd of 3 assailants right before he died. Langer was a member of the CP for 11 years.

3/27/33 freiheit p1 langer died Saturday evening. Despite the efforts of two NY specialists, Paul Ashner of Mt. Sinai and Leo Isaac of Beth Israel. Langer’s internal bleeding had never ceased. Police arrested “a scab agent from the Hollander and Singer firms by the name of Jack Shulman.” P8 Langers body will be brought to Industrial Union hq this am at 347 springfield ave.; it will be on view until 5pm when Newark workers will demonstrate at military park. Body will be brought to park and workers will then accompany it on Hudson tubes to new york. At 9pm tonite body will be brought to Industrial Union office. It will then be carried in a procession through the streets of t he garment center.“In 1918 langer was leader of successful rabbit dressing tades strike. As a result of that struggle the trade was practically 100% organized”“In the last few months langer was the leader of the drive in the Fur Dying trade. In the span of three months all the shops were organized except for Hollander and singer of Newark where strikes are now in progress.” In the three months workers of about 25 firms won 25% wage increases; reduction of work week from 50 to 40 hours;unemployment insurance funds. These workers were never before organized.“Morris Langer was also very active in the CP since its inception in the US..In 1930, he was arrested for leading a demonstration of unemployed demanding relef from the newark City Government . he was then indicted for inciting a revolt and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The protests of the Newark workers then forced the court to throw out the indictment.”

3/29/33 freiheit p1 headline: TEN THOUSAND WORKERS PLEDGE AT FUNERAL TO UPHOLD BATTLE FOR WHICH LANGER WAS MURDERED10,000 demonstrated assembled on 28th street for langer’s funeral. Police forced to close street to traffic for hours. speakers amplified the words so workers and those listening from windows could hear. Speakers included friends--Potash, Ben Gold,

56 cp notes

Louis Hyman; Unity League Overgaard; CP Shepard and Langer’s wife, who said only a few words. It was hard for her to speak she said. She called the workers to cement their ranks and uphold the battle for which Langer devoted all his years since he began slaving in a factory at 12 years of age. After these few wordsshe said “I can’t speak any more.” Workers than sang the International with raised fists.Five thousand of the huge mass formed locked columns of rows of six to accompany the coffin and with revolutionary songs began to march up 7th avenue. At 40th st. procession turned east to 1st avenue and then to 59th st.P8 procession headed by 2 cars loaded with flowerssnet by individuals and organizations. Next came a “forest of red flags” followed by the GEB of the Industrial Needle Trades Union. “Hollander firm strikers carried a picture of those murdered and crippled in the 1915 by the same firm. Procession came to a halt at 59th st. bridge. Many workers and autos continued following the coffin to the crematorium on Long Island. A memorial meeting will take place tomorrow at Cooper Union.3/29/33 freiheit p4 AT THE FRESH GRAVE OF A FIGHTER by Gershon Einbinder. This was a tribute of purple prose mixed with similar poetry. Claims that murderers also wanted to kill langer’s children. Calls Langer “soft-spoken and earnest”

Freiheit 4/10/33 p6“Today Red Seder Night in Newark” Newark’s Jewish workers will enjoy a joyous Red Seder Monday night at Sokol Hall 358 Morris Ave. sponsored by the Jewish Bureau of the CP. “Don’t stay at home this evening and don’t go anywhere else. …Celebrate tonight and transform the Red Seder into a lively demonstration against the enemies of the working class.”

Cp has 5 candidates—sp has 2. “The last administration had so many crimes tallied against it that it was totally plausible to believe they wouldn’t dare run for re- election…Every one of the commissioners is involved with public and private business projects whose interests they serve…they have released bloody terror against the workers the whole time they have been in office. Their police force has attacked meetings of the unemployed.. masses of workers were arrested and sent to jail for distributing circulars or participating in meetings…In the last national election they conducted a ballot thievery that is not to be compared to any other in the history of Newark. not only were thousands of ballots stolen but 8000 ballots were stolen out of the ballot boxes and roll registers. The rolls and the ballots were in the Hall of Records at City Hall, guarded by police. They were stolen from there and the police “nebekh” didn’t see. The guilty are walking about free.” “To run for re-election with such a record, must really be a “burden.”This is why the campaign is such a hot one. Thousands of dollars are being spent on the campaign. Especially targeted are ethnic groups and the Negro electorate. ..Campaigning goes on at events with refreshments.”“in the Jewih community a plentitude of ‘friends’ and ‘providers’ such as rabbis, cantors, synagogue members, society secretaries, have emerged as active politicians. Every one of them has a candidate who pays him a few dollars to buy votes in his society or congregation.”“Societies that have practically ceased to exist are suddenly livening up arranging events in the name of one or another of the candidates. A special meeting is called where ‘education’will take place with ‘refreshments.’ A cantor sings especially fawning songs for the politician. An actor performs lame antics..”“A Zionist speaker doesn’t speak about Zion at this particular time…so he speaks, he says, not about politics, but about the troubles facing the Jewish

57 cp notes people: the Dretfusards, Hitler, Haman the tyrant, pogroms. He brings everything up. he doesn’t God forbid advocate protest but claims the righteous gentiles have always appeared offering help to the jews and here in Newark the biggest follower of the righteous gentiles can be found, the political racketeer for whom this particular Zionist is turning over worlds.”“Running for office is a candidate named Dr. Ellenstein. He thinks that only he has a monopoly on the jewish vote because he is a jew, even though he’s as little concerned with the jewish masses as the rest of them. an enemy of the working class, he is closely tied to the bosses of the Hollander factory….”“We must also point out that relief for the hungry masses has been reduced, and slave labor has been instituted under Ellenstein’s administration.”“Ellenstein along with the other commissioners voted to throw out representatives of the workers, the communist candidates in the election, when they came to City Hall to speak at the budget hearing. Ellenstein wants to utilize his jewishness to disenfranchise the jewish and non-jewish worker to the advantage of corporations and politicians of the city.”Ellenstein procured the “non-partisan” jewish choir “Hazamir” to sing at free concert for his campaign. “The Zionist Abe Goldberg is also coming down to speak for the “Jewish candidate.” All candidates courting jewish vote. Irish commissioner Egan “advertised in the papers a festival of well-wishing to the jews, wishing them a kosher pesach and making an appearance at the Talmud torah on shley street in Newark to distribute diplomas to the graduates of the Talmud Torah.” The police commissioner gave his blessing, wishing them to be good, religious jews-and that their fathers vote for him.” The English newspapers and the unaffiliated “Tog” printed pictures of this.2nd irish candidate commissioner gillen whose exec sec was accused in ballot scandal went to a seder and sat there in a yarmulke –this picture also used by press. A few days later another picture of gillen appeared at the installation of a new president of ahvas zion shul. In the picture gillen is speaking from the bima.“Jewish broadsheets are crawling out of the woodwork before the election like voices from the grave proclaiming support for the politicians and racketeers.” “And so they run around:the Zionist, the shul trustee, the rabbi, the cantor, all singing praises to the lowliest of politicians and dragging their congregations and societies along in support of earnest racketeers.”“The members of Newark’s Jewish societies should be flinging back their cheap sandwiches..which are being used to buy their votes, and display more presence of mind rather than allow themselves to be led astray by their officers who drag their organizations into the filthy swamp. There are enough organizations in Newark that have rejected the pre-election favors of the politicians and who have given a free platform to all the candidates.”

May 1933 “Resolution on the Newark city Elections May 1933”CPUSA District #14 newarknj Reel 255 delo 3303“One of objective factors influencing election [was] the failure of the city commissioners to establish responsibility for the election frauds of last November.”Low vote total in may election for cp candidates partly due fact that many of our supporters “were unable to vote for our candidates because, as foreign born workers, they are deprivrd of the right to vote.”Weaknesses of Campaign: after 4 yers of crisis, with mass hunger and misery steadily increasing----- we did not succeed in exploiting favorable objective situation.” Did not sufficiently “concoct” concrete actions with major struggles such as fight ag forced labor; unemployment insurance; wage cuts (eg to PS workers just before election campaign and struggle ag fascism and anti-semitism in

58 cp notes germany. Also, insufficient campaign among negros on Scottsboro case and local issues. “we did not sufficiently popularize our negro candidate, comrade white [YCL district organizer], who himself did not effectively participate in the campaign.”Achievments of campaign First mention was success of signature drive. 2nd “The parade and demonstration on the murder of Langer ”—Five other achievments then listed which also include grecht and levine’s in raising issues of struggle ag unemployment at city hall and also the appeals of grecht and white before the AFL carpenters union.

7/30/33 Draft resolution for the Second convention of the New Jersey District #14 of the CPUSA reel 255 delo 3303No mention Langer, ballero, hollander

Foner P462 5/15/35 convention of Fur Workersd Industrial Union in NYC. Delegates from many cities including Newark. P 486 Lyndon Henry, Negro, Jamaican, came to US in 1924. He was fur dyer in Fancy Fur Dyers, Local 88 for three years for Federal Fur Dying Company in NYC. Forced to leave because of anti-Negroism, he worked for next 5 years in various jobs. In 1932, he got former job back. In 1/33 company announced pay cut of $1 per week. At this time Industrial Union’s drive to organize dying shops was in full swing and when Federal workers were approached they immediately went on strike. Henry was leader but he was not sure that Industrial Union was not similar to others in Negro discrimination. To his great surprise, Potash and LANGER (REPRESENTING THE Industrial Union in the negotiations with Federal, asked strikers to elect him to negotiating committee with Federal. The strikers agreed. With Potash and LANGERS assistance, Henry got wage cut rescinded plus $2 more a week and other benefits. Henry then elected chairman of shop. In 1936, he was nominated organizer of Local 88 (CP member?).

59