AUGUST 6, 1976 25 CENTS VOLUME 40/NUMBER 31

A SOCIALIST NEWSWEEKLY /PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE

Militant/Harry Ring CALIFORNIA ·Admits July burglary SOCIALIST ol Denver socialists BALLOT DRIVE -PAGE 7 TOPS 100.000 -PAGE 4 1.. 000 march to RACIST MOB tree Gary TYler EYEWITNESS DETAILS ATTACK ON CHICAGO OPEN-HOUSING MARCH. PAGE 28. TEACHERS WILL AFT CONVENTION BACK BUSING? PAGE 9.

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MIIIT"n"·'""' Aber CHICANOS New Orleans, July 24. Protesters from throughout the South demand DEMAND FEDERAL INDICTMENT freedom for Black frame-up victim. Page 3. OF KILLER-COP. PAGE 27-. ERA Peter CameJo's AUGUST 26 ACTIONS PLANNED FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. PAGE 8. ROOTS OF RACIS OLYMPIC II A ERICA WOMEN SPECTACULAR SHOWINGS SPARK DEBATE ON SPORTS Excerpts lrom new book ROLES. PAGE 28. In Brief

TIBBS GETS NEW TRIAL: The Florida State Supreme Rogers. The workers were seeking a >L1 percent increase in Court has reversed the murder and rape convictions of wages. Delbert Tibbs. With the death penalty about to go into effect The city fired all li17 strikers and hired scabs. On ,July 1i1 in Florida, the thirty-five-year-old Black man's life was in city officials announced that all the jobs would be filled by imminent danger. The high court ordered a new trial for the next day, prompting a number of strikers to return. THIS Tibbs because of conflicts in trial testimony. Union leaders called off the strike July 16. Fewer than one­ Tibbs, a writer from Chicago, was hitchhiking through third of the strikers were rehired. Those rehired lost all sick WEEK'S Florida at the time of his arrest in February 1974.Although leave and other benefits. he did not resemble the description of the assailant, he was brought to trial and convicted by an all-white jury. A COMPUTERIZED MILITANT: Beginning with the MILITANT August 27 Militant, our entire mailing operation will be 3 1 ,000 march in La. This is the last issue of the Militant before our two-week computerized .. This will make it easier to expand our to free Gary Tyler summer break. We will resume our regular weekly circulation, but there are bound to he bugs in the new system. Let us know if your subscription does not arrive or schedule with the is~ue dated August 27. 4 Calif. petitioning: if the address contains errors. over 100,000! 'HANDS OFF REFUGEES IN ARGENTINA': More 5 Roundup of SWP REPRESSION AND POETRY: "A moving, disturbing, than seventy-five people attended a meeting July 2:~ at the petition drive and profoundly terrifying book of poems." This is how the United Nations Chapel in New York to protest the July issue of Library .Journal describes God's Shadow: 6 Carter woos Chicanos: persecution and murder of political refugees in Argentina. prison poems. Reza Baraheni, the prominent Iranian poet. empty promises Speaking at the event were U.S. Rep. Edward Koch (D­ describes his experiences during l 02 days in the torture N.Y.), Rev. William Wipfler of the National Council of chambers of the shah. The book is available for $6.% from 7 FBI informer confesses Churches, and Eddie Kaufman of the London Secretariat of Abjad Publications, 85:3 Broadway, Suite 414, New York, Denver break-in Amnesty International. Mirta Vidal, executive secretary qf N.Y. 10003. Abjad Publications also distributes a Persian 8 N.Y. parents: 'Day the U.S. Committee for ,Justice to Latin American Political edition. For those attending the upcoming Socialist Workers care, not welfare' Prisoners (USLA), chaired the meeting. party convention, the book will be available at a reduced Three days later a group of thirty people picketed the rate. 9 How can teachers defend Argentine consulate. jobs, wages, schools? These protests were sparked by the ,June murder of two NEWSPAPER GUILD WINS AT D.C. 'POST': In a Uruguayan legislators and last week's kidnapping of thirty 25 Phila. city workers National Labor Relations Board election at thl' Washinf.{ton more Uruguayans in Argentina. face cutbacks Post ,July 17-21. Newspaper Guild Local ;~;) defeated the company-sponsored "Washington Newspaper Union." The 26 USSR: the bureaucracy FBI PROMOTES CROOK: Six groups that have been results are a setback for the Post management's efforts to consolidates its power victims of FBI attacks protested the promotion of Chicago break other newspaper unions after driving out the press FBI .head Richard Held to the number two position in the operators last winter. 27 San Antonio Chicanos demand bureau. Despite this victory, victimizations by the Post's manage­ charges against killer-cop At a July 27 news conference in Chicago, the groups ment continue. On ,July 21 a federal grand jury indicted 28 Chicago mob attacks charged that the G-man withheld documents in a civil suit eight more press operators for alleged "destruction of open-housing march that accuses the FBI and local authorities of conspiracy in property" and "rioting" during last winter's defeated strike the murders of Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark at the paper. 30 Santucho killed Clark. Held's credentials also include directing attacks on in Argentina the American Indian Movement at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. COPS HARASS WORKERS LEAGUE: Huntington, 32 Steel union activist shot Participating in the news conference were: American California, cops dug up an old city ordinance to harass in Houston Indian Movement, December Fourth Committee \a group supporters of the Workers League. On ,July 10, cops raided a publicizing the civil suit charging conspiracy in the deaths dance sponsored by the group. They arrested elevPn people 2 In Brief of Hampton and Clark), Socialist Workers party, Puerto for "dancing without a license." Sheila Leburg, WL candidate for Congress, charged police with delilwrately 10 In Our Opinion Rican Socialist party, CASA (an antideportation group). harassing her campaign. -Ginny Hildebrand Letters and National Lawyers Guild. In a related development, Minneapolis lawyer Ken Tilsen 23 National Picket Line revealed th.at Held once sent an anonymous poison-pl'n By Any Means Necessary letter to a Minnesota prosecutor to discredit Rlack students. 24 The Great Society The students were facing state charges for occupying a La Lucha Puertorriquefla university hall. Their Government OLYMPIC FIRINGS: "Security." That's the reason-the 11-22 International public reason-why the Organizing Committee of tlw Socialist Review Montreal Olympics has fired dozens of employees. Among the targets are members and supporters of: Young Social­ ists/Ligue des Jeunes Socialistes; Gay Coalition Against Repression; League for Socialist Action/Ligue Socialiste Ouvriere (Canadian section of the Fourth International); THE MILITANT and Groupe Marxiste Revolutionnaire (sympathizing group of the Fourth International). VOLUME 40/NUMBER 31 Several of those fired have filed a complaint with the AUGUST 6, 1976 Quebec Commission on Human Rights. They are also CLOSING NEWS DATE-JULY 28 demanding that all police files be opened and illegal spying Editor MARY-ALICE WATERS and harassment ended. Managing Editor LARRY SEIGLE Business Manager ROSE OGDEN . Special Offer Southwest Bureau: HARRY RING MINERS' WILDCAT: Miners have walked off the job in Wash1ngton Bureau: NANCY COLE West Virginia. Their protest against being •'kicked around" by federal judges is spreading through Ohio and is expected Published weekly by The Militant Publishing Ass'n .. For New Readers 14 Charles Lane, New York, NY. 10014 Telephone: to reach into Pennsylvania. Miners began the wildcat strike Editorial Office (212) 243-6392; Business Office ,July 19 in response to a $50,000 fine slapped on a United The Supreme Court has sanctioned the murder of (212) 929-3486. Southwest Bureau: 1237 S Atlantic Mine Workers of America local near Charleston, West hundreds of prisoners on death row. The Militant will Blvd., Los Angeles. Calif 90022 Telephone: (213) Virginia. A federal judge penalized the coal miners for not bring you the reactions of the men and women inside the 269-1456. Washington Bureau: 2416 18th St. NW, returning to work after a grievance-inspired walkout. Now prisons. It will cover protest actions against this barbaric Washington, D.C. 20009. Telephone: (202) 265- ruling. And it will continue to report on the struggles of 6865. miners are demanding that pending injunctions and fines Correspondence concerning subscriptions or against all UMW A locals be droppt>d and that there be no Gary Tyler, J.B. Johnson, Stanton Story, and other victims of racist frame-ups. Subscribe today. changes of address should be addressed to The reprisals against the strikers. Militant Business Office, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Second-class postage paid at New York. NY. BLACK RIGHTS SUPPORTERS MEET: Leaders of the The Militant-10 Weeks/51 Subscriptions: U.S , $7 50 a year; outs1de U.S . New York Student Coalition Against Racism (SCAR) met $13.00. By first-class mail U.S .. Canada. and Mex1co, ) $1 for ten issues (new readers only) .July 20. Students and parents from Queens gave reports on $35.00. Write for surface and a~rma1l rates to all other ) $4 for s1x months ( ) $7.50 for one year countries. the struggle to desegregate Andrew Jackson High School. ) New For subscriptions airmailed from New York and Discussions also focused on defending Gary Tyler. an ( l Renewal then posted from London directly to Britam. eighteen-year-old Black youth who was falsely convicted of Ireland. and Continental Europe £1.50 for e1ght Name --~-~ ·---~----·--·~---·----~-·---- 1ssues. £3.50 for six months. £6.50 for one year. murder in Louisiana. Send banker's draft or international postal order Address (payable to Pathfmder Press) to Pathfinder Press. 47 The Cut. London. SEt SLL. England. InqUire for SANITATION STRIKE DEFEATED: A strike by Black ______State ______z,p air rates from London at the same address sanitation workers in Raleigh, North Carolina, has lwt>n 14 Charles Lane. New York. NY 11)014 S1gned art1cles by contnbutors do not necessarily crushed by city officials, reports Militant corrPspondent .Jim represent the Militant's v1ews These are expressed m ed1tonals

2 Part of crowd at July 24 'Free Gary Tyler' march Militant/Joel Aber 1,000 march in La. to free Gary Tyler ByJoel Aber and Tyler's mother, Juanita Tyler. Gary." A very Alexander and from Scharlette NEW ORLEANS-On July 24, under After greetings from Black communi­ "Mothers," she warned, "just like it Holdman, executive director of the a scorching summer sun, 1,000 suppor­ ty leaderS' in New Orleans, sixteen­ was my son, it could be imy of your Louisiana American Civil Liberties ters of Gary Tyler rallied, marched, year-old Terry Tyler came to the sons." Union. and shouted one message, loud and microphone and gave a clenched-fist An attack on one is an attack on all. The crowd was overwhelmingly clear: "We're gonna kick. We're gonna salute. The response from the crowd Hampton delivered the same message. Black, overwhelmingly youthful, and fight. We're gonna save Gary Tyler's was electric: "Free Gary Tyler, Free "If it's Fred Hampton at 4:30 a.m., it 100 percent determined. They came not life." Gary Tyler!" can be Gary Tyler today," he said. "We only from St. Charles Parish, but also Two banners at the front of the "I want to thank you all for helping will free Gary Tyler just as we freed . from the housing projects and universi­ march told the story to downtown to free my brother," Terry Tyler told Angela Davis, just as we freed Joanne ties in New Orleans, and from Texas, shoppers on Canal Street. Pr~claiming the crowd. Again they shouted, "Free Little. And we'll bring justice in the Alabama,· Georgia, and Maryland. "St. Charles Parish Supports Gary Gary Tyler!" Fred Hampton case." The Southern Conference Education­ Tyler" and "Gary Tyler Freedom Terry and his classmates at Destre­ Hampton urged continued mass al Fund organized a Southwide con­ Fighters," the banners were held by a han High School have organized the rallies as the only way to free Tyler. tingent. Other supporters from around contingent of 200 Black people from Gary Tyler Freedom Fighters. In the Later he told the Militant, "The coali­ the country included members of the Tyler's home community, St. Charles week prior to the rally, the Freedom tion to free Gary Tyler should be Socialist Workers party and Interna· Parish, Lousiana, followed by students Fighters and the Student Coalition broadened. The whole state of Louisia­ tional Socialists. from New Orleans mobilized by the Against Racism went door to door na should be brought into it. More Shoppers along the march route Student Coalition Against Racism through the towns in St. Charles pressure must be brought on the state shouted their approval and joined the (SCAR). Parish urging everyone in those Black and national officials." march. Tyler is an eighteen-year-old Black communities to come to New Orleans The breadth of support for Tyler was In addition to the colorful placards youth falsely charged with the killing July 24. reflected in the greetings to the rally. and banners with the slogan "Gary of a white youth on October 7, 1974, At each home, they asked for small Speakers included Minister Ahmad Tyler Must Be Freed," other signs and convicted by an all-white St. contributions to charter buses for the Atai of the Nation of Islam; Kurte demanded, "Abolish the Death Penal­ Charles Parish jury last November. day. The Freedom Fighters and SCAR Pellerin, president of the NAACP ty" and "End Racism from Soweto to The march down Canal Street was members drove through St. Rose, Youth Council; Rev. Byron Clay, vice· Destrehan." preceded by a rally at city hall, across Norco, and New Sarpy with bullhorns president of the Louisiana Southern "Today is just the beginning" of the the street from the Louisiana Supreme announcing that buses were available Christian Leadership Conference; Mar­ movement to free Tyler, defense com­ Court. The court is expected to hear to bring people to New Orleans for the ie Galatas of the Grass Roots Organi­ mittee coordinator Walter Collins told Tyler's appeal for freedom this fall. demonstration. zation for Women; Musheer Fandan, Channel 6 news July 24. Featured speakers at the rally were The loudest, longest applause at the representing the New Orleans SCAR; At the rally, $700 was collected for Walter Collins, coordinator of the Gary rally was reserved for Juanita Tyler. Carl Galman of the A. Philip Ran· the defense fund. Readers may send Tyler Defense Committee; Bill Hamp­ "What me and my family have been dolph Institute; Terry McGillis from contributions to: Gary Tyler Defense ton, brother of Black Panther leader through for the last two years has not Fight Back; and Bill Rouselle of the Fund, c/o Mrs. Juanita Tyler, 736 Fred Hampton, who was shot to death been easy for us," she said. "Please Free Southern Theater. Mockingbird Lane, Destrehan, Louisia­ in his bed by Chicago police in 1969; continue to stand by me and fight for Greetings were read from State Rep. na 70047. NAACP takes N.Y. police chief to court By Scott Cooper police arrested her fourteen-year-old A neighbor of Thrower's vouched for and possession of fireworks. OSSINING, N.Y.-The Ossining son because he was allegedly uncooper­ her charges. The cop, she told the The NAACP organized a big show of branch of the NAACP has filed ative when they questioned him about meeting, "had a night stick around his support for the two defendants when charges in federal court against the fireworks. throat and was choking him." their cases came up July 1:1. The head of police here. The NAACP is When Thrower found her son was The second incident involved Roder· courtroom was packed. The case asking the court that Warren Stahl be being arrested, she asked if she could ick Facey, an eighteen-year-old Black against Thrower was "adjourned in. found in contempt for violations of a drive him down to the police station. youth. Facey was carrying a car-repair contemplation of dismissal." The 1973 court order that prohibited co'ps The police refused. But the cops said tool when he was stopped by two cops. charges against Facey are also expect· from using excessive force or engaging she could ride in their car. The cops asked him what the tool ed to be dropped. in racially discriminatory conduct. was and examined it. Then a third cop, Police Chief Warren Stahl has been The charges stem from two incidents The police then attacked both Nugent Zaccardi, showed up. heavily criticized in recent weeks. during Ossining's bicentennial celebra­ Thrower and her son. Zaccardi confiscated the tool, arrest· Many people have called for his resig­ tion July 4. What happened was the Thrower said the police had her son ed Facey, and handcuffed him. While nation. subject of a July 12 meeting sponsored in a "scissors hold" and were choking en route to headquarters, Zaccardi Stahl complained that young people by the Political Action Committee of him. "You could actually hear the slapped and punched Facey several had been throwing firecrackers at his the NAACP .. gurgling in his throat," she said. times. home. The chief cop told reporters he Melvina Thrower-her left arm in When the Black woman tried to Police charged Melvina Thrower "would have no more compunction bandages-spoke to the mostly Black protect her young son, the cops at· with second-degree assault. They about shooting them [youths who audience of seventy. She described how tacked her. charged Facey with disorderly conduct threw firecrackers] than I would dogs."

THE MILITANT/AUGUST 6, 1976 3 Socialist Qetitioning in California· SWP Over 100,000 signatures! certified By Harry RinJC than 1.5 percent. The first week there were fifty through- LOS ANGELES-As of July 25 the The law requires that an independ- out the state. By the end of the second for Ohio Socialist Workers party had passed the ent nominee obtain the signatures of 1 week it was close to sixty. By the time 100,000 mark in its petition drive to put percent of the number of California drive is over it may approach eighty. its presidential slate on the California voters who were registered prior to the The work is intense and can be ballots ballot. 1974 general election. There were a grueling. Yet they are obviously per- By Chris Gauvreau The drive is continuing full speed shade under 10 million registered then, suaded it is worth the effort. CLEVELAND-Despite the attempt ahead. To be certified for the ballot establishing the 100,000 requirement. For one thing, they have seen that by Ohio Secretary of State Ted Brown 100,000 signatures of registered voters But after the election all those who the very petitioning process has prov- to keep the Socialist Workers party off are required. The party intends to did not vote were purged from the rolls en an important way of getting out the the state ballot, the SWP's presiden­ submit substantially more than that to of registered voters. That means that name of the party to a greater number tial, vice-presidential, and senatorial ensure socialist candidates a place on today there are not 10 million but only of people than ever before. candidates will appear on the Ohio the November ballot. 6.6 million voters eligible to sign peti- By the time the drive is over, well ballot in November. News that the · Success in the petition effort means tions. over a half a million people will have SWP will be on the ballot came July a socialist ticket will be on the state- Those 6.6 million registered voters been spoken to. Many of those who 21. wide ballot for the first time in four must be sought out among a much sign receive a leaflet featuring princi- Earlier, on July 14, the secretary of decades. It will be a first for the larger body of adults. The federal pal planks of the party platform. Those state announced that the Communist Socialist Workers party. government estimates that there are 14 party, the "United States Labor par­ The very fact that it is possible to million potentially qualified voters in ty," the Socialist Labor party, the gather such a huge number of names California. Only a minority are actual- American party, and Eugene on socialist nominating petitions is ly registered. McCarthy would be on the ballot. But testimony to the depth of . popular Soliciting enough people to secure Signing Brown claimed that the SWP had filed commitment to democratic rights in the 100,000 signatures is a big enough "insufficient signatures." this country. It also reflects the grow- job in itself. And state officials have In fact the SWP had filed over 11,000 ing disillusionment with the two major stayed awake nights to figure out how petitions signatures-more than twice the parties. And it underlines the political to make it harder. number legally required for each candi­ dedication and capacity for hard work To begin with the law requires that date. on the part of SWP campaigners. the petition must stipulate that the In the 1974 statewide Ohio elections The petitioning period opened July 5 person signing is thereby committed to the SWP's candidate for governor, with September 3 as the deadline for support the nominee at the polls. Nancy Brown, polled nearly 100,000 filing. This is as unenforceable as it is votes. unconstitutional. When voters are in Nevertheless, it took a concerted Ballot restrictions the secrecy of the polling booth, campaign by civil liberties activists to The scope of the effort has been truly nobody knows how they vote. People rebuff the secretary of state's attempt prodigious. Until it recently reduced its can sign a petition either because they to keep the SWP off the ballot this fall. petition requirement from 300,000 to support the nominee politically or for Richard Niebur, president of District 100,000, California had the dubious the entirely valid reason of supporting 7, United Electrical Workers, protested. distinction of having the most undemo­ the right of a minority ticket to a place the SWP exclusion to Ohio officials. cratic election law in the entire coun­ on the ballot. Other inquiries were made by Donald try. Now it only ranks among the very But it can take time to explain that Jacobs, director of the Greater Cleve­ worst. . to a concerned potential signer. land Inter-Church Council; Lil Janis of It is worth reviewing how the law is Signing itself is a time-consuming the Americans for Democratic Action; rigged to compr~hend what has been job. Each person must hand print their and Ms. Brokaw of the League of involved in meeting its requirements. name, then sign. They must also fill in Women Voters. Until this year, an independent the complete address from which they The SWP's candidate for the U.S. nominating petition had to be signed are registered to vote. Senate, Melissa Singler, appeared on a by 3 percent of the registered voters. TV talk show and in numerous radio Then it was reduced to 1 percent, still a Separate petitions interviews, and was interviewed by the solid 100,000. Not only that. In addition to its political editor of the Cleveland Plain And that's only the tip of the presidential ticket of Peter Camejo and Dealer. proverbial iceberg. To begin with, the 1 Willie Mae Reid, the SWP is also Ohio Secretary of State Brown held percent isn't really 1 percent. It's more nominating Omari Musa for the U.S. out for seven days altogether. On July Senate. But Musa's name cannot 21 word came over UPI that a "re­ appear on the same petition as the count" of the Cuyahoga Board of presidential slate. A separate petition Elections "discovered" more than 1,000 is required. signatures for the SWP candidates. Petitions The party must, therefore, have The SWP was on. stolen people sign the petitions not once but LOS ANGELES-Nominating pe­ twice. Actually, 200,000 signatures are titions bearing signatures of 7,000 needed, not 100,000. voters were stolen from the Califor­ Furthermore, residents of each of nia Socialist Workers party. The California's counties sign a separate petitions to put the SWP presidential petition for their county. If that wer­ Rightist slate and its senatorial nominee on en't enough, residents of each city and unincorporated area must sign on Omari Musa, Socialist the ballot were in the trunk of a car candidate for U.S. senator from owned by Sam Manuel, Crenshaw separate sheets. challenge California, joins supporters in Watts Petition at any busy shopping center campaign manager. The car was area circulating nominating petitions. and you'll run into people from as stolen from in front of his home July More than 100,000 signatures have 27. many as ten cities. The petitioner has quasheCJ been collected for Musa and the to carry a stack of sheets and be able The petitions had been removed SWP's Camejo-Reid ticket. from the campaign office because of to provide one for the proper city. the party's experience locally and Other obstacles are thrown up as in Mass. nationally with political burglaries. well. Petitioners can obtain signatures By Susan LaMont It was the first time that a substan­ only in the county of which they are a BOSTON-The right-wing National tial number of petitions were collect­ resident. This prevents campaigners indicating greater interest receive a Caucus of Labor Committees' attempt ed in a single place. from moving around the state to one or copy of the platform, "A Bill of Rights to keep the Socialist Workers party off The theft followed on the heels of another area that might be more for Working People," in English or the Massachusetts ballot fell through the revelation that an FBI hireling productive than their own. Spanish·. at hearings here July 20. was responsible for the burglary of Other obstacles have been included. And with a place on the ballot, the In its typical reactionary jargon, the the party's Denver office. For instance, with the eighteen-year­ party will be in an. unprecedented NCLC, which also uses the name "U.S. The California SWP demanded old vote, college campuses are an position to reach a broad audience Labor party," declared that the SWP action on the petition theft from excellent source of signatures. But with its socialist message. had been guilty of "pervasive fraud" in federal, state, and local officials. The petitioning is set for during the the signature collection. theft violates both a federal and summer months, when campus attend­ California is a state where the media But in hearings before the State state statute relating to interference ance is minimal. have tried particularly harder to im­ Ballot Law Commission the NCLC with election activities. pose a curtain of silence around the could not produce one shred of evi­ Initially, local police said the SWP petitioning effort SWP. The party's suit against the dence to back up their phony charges. matter could be treated only as a Despite all this, and more, the SWP federal government, and the conse­ They then tried to gain extra time. "routine car theft." However, at a is well on its way to obtaining many quent revelations, has gone a long way The state commission dismissed the July 28 SWP news conference, two more than the necessary signatures. toward piercing that curtain. A place request. detectives were in attendance. The effort being poured in is proving on the ballot will take that process In addition to the SWP's national At the conference Peter Camejo commensurate with the size of the job. significantly further. Because of Cali­ Camejo-Reid ticket, this puts Carol reiterated the demand for official On Saturdays there have been as fornia's political weight in the country, Henderson Evans on the Massachu­ action and declared the SWP cam­ many as 250 petitioners on the street. this will prove a factor nationally as setts ballot for U.S. Senate. Mac paigners would intensify their ef­ Many have also been going out in the well. Warren, the socialist candidate from forts to secure the signatures neces­ evening after finishing a day's work. It is such political considerations the Ninth Congressional District, was sary for a ballot place. In addition, there has been a sub­ that have sparked ,this remarkable not challenged and will also be on the stantial force of full-time volunteers. campaign. ballot.

4 Roundup of SWP national petition drive By Dick Roberts rapid turnarounds by election officials Where do we stand with petitioning? that took place in Ohio and Massachu­ What's left to do? setts. In Ohio the government made a PUT CAMEJO AND REID The Socialist Workers party is con­ phony challenge of SWP petitions; in ducting its largest ballot drive in Massachusetts it was the right-wing ON THE 1976 BALLOT! history to put the party on state ballots National Caucus of Labor Committees across the country for the upcoming (NCLC). elections. But in both cases, when the SWP Goal: 30 states and District of Columbia The goal is thirty states and the asked for help, Black, labor and civil District of Columbia. liberties activists were quick to register By July 27: their protests against these antidemo­ • Nine states have certified SWP cratic challenges-and the challenges petitions, meaning that the SWP will were quashed. appear on these ballots in November. In Michigan, the SWP and the • In seven states petitions have Communist, Socialist Labor, Commu- been filed more than fulfilling the legal . nist Labor, and Human Rights parties number of required signatures. These have joined in an American Civil have not yet been validated. Liberties Union suit against the state, • Petitioning is under way in seven contesting a new law on primaries that states and the District of Columbia. threatens. to ban smaller parties from • Petitioning is planned for seven the ballot. (In this one state, although other states. the more than 23,000 signatures filed • More than 240,000 signatures by the SWP a year agQ have been have been handed in. validated, final appearance of the SWP • This doesn't include the more than on the November ballot hinges on the Legend 100,000 signatures already collected in decision in the ACLU suit.) 0 ballot drives California as petitioning goes into its \\\ on the ballot final stretch there, but signatures have Seven states (Not petitioning in yet to be filed. Similar obstacles and similar sup­ Alaska and Hawaii.) port for smaller party ballot rights is Legal obstacles reported in seven states where SWP July 27, 1976 Last winter, nationally syndicated signatures have been filed but valida­ TV journalist Bill Moyers ·filmed a tion of the signatures is being with­ Currently petitioning: Filed but not certified: Certified: piece on the SWP's presidential candi­ held. California Idaho Arizona date Peter Camejo as Camejo cam­ Militant correspondent Dayne Good­ Delaware Louisiana Colorado paigned in Boston. Moyers emphasized win reports from Salt Lake City, Utah, Illinois Missouri Kentucky the tremendous legal obstacles that the laws that require smaller parties to Indiana Pennsylvania Massachusetts Democrats and Republicans have hold ten county conventions! Rhode Island Texas Michigan erected to keep smaller parties off the Goodwin notes the local officials' South Dakota Utah Minnesota ballot. hostile attitude in the fact that the Virginia Wisconsin New Jersey "It's easier to get a camel through Cache County sheriff has admitted to Washington, D.C. New Mexico the eye of a needle than for minority tracking down the names of signers of Ohio parties to get on the ballot," Moyers Communist party petitions. concluded. In Missouri SWP supporters have He wasn't exaggerating. And it filed 25,304 signatures, well over the seems to be support for the socialists' 17,844 signature requirement. This is also been filed but not certified in "There are a lot of people who are democratic right to be on the ballot the second attempt to get on the ballot Idaho, Louisiana, and Wisconsin. concerned about what's happening to that stands in the center of the minds in Missouri. The SWP was arbitrarily The success of SWP petitioning is· them and what's happening to every­ of the tens of thousands of people who ruled off in 1974. tied to new receptivity to socialist body else. Look at that battle of the are signing the petitions in state after Helen Savio, the socialist candidate ideas. According to Militant corres­ New York hospital workers, the long state. for Missouri governor, and Dan Bro­ pondent Mark Allen in Minneapolis, strike against the rubber barons, the After all, the SWP suit against gan of the Peac~ and Freedom party, socialists set up a campaign­ spreading strike in the coal fields. government harassment is in the press Missouri affiliate of the People's party, petitioning table in the downtown "A lot of these people in various day after day and many people know have announced the formation of the shopping area. struggles are going to see that the about it. Not the SWP but the police "Committee for an Open Ballot." Campaigners staffed the table from capitalist candidates are completely agencies of the U.S. government, In Texas, as the Militant reported 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A total of 3,500 unconcerned with the problems they notably the FBI and CIA, have been last week, more than 31,000 signatures signatures were obtained on have. The capitalist candidates are violating democratic rights year-in and were· filed and a campaign to win petitions-1,000 in a single day. against them. year-out. It is the socialists who are support for the SWP's right to be on "About 1,500 campaign brochures were "Many will say to themselves, 'Capi­ leading the struggle to defend people's the ballot has been launched. distributed, and there were sales of the talist politics isn't for me any more. rights. It was last March that 50,000 signa­ Militant and campaign buttons as I'm going to do something that counts. The mood is caught in a number of tu:·es on SWP petitions were filed in well," Allen says. I'm going to support the socialist ways. Pennsylvania, but an NCLC challenge Many people signed, he thinks, campaign, and maybe join the SWP.'" Reported on the facing page are the remains unresolved. Petitions have because they saw the banner reading Heisler noted that there were seven "Help Put Socialists on the Ballot. states where the SWP plans to petition Sign Up Here." but hasn't started yet: North Dakota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ver­ mont, New York, Tennessee, and Iowa. New York view "We need volunteers to help in these states as well as the states we're Ed Heisler in the SWP national currently petitioning in," Heisler said. campaign headquarters in New York (The socialist directory on page 31 lists says that almost 750,000 copies of the the campaign headquarters around the SWP's platform, "A Bill of Rights for country.) Working People," have been distribut­ Given the whole drive, how many ed in the campaign as of this week. states is the SWP actually going to get Heisler believes the number is going on'? "We haven't given up in one place to get much higher in the final inten­ yet," Heisler answered. sive stretch of socialist campaigning, after the August SWP convention. He explained why. Help petition to put "We expect more and more interest in the socialist alternative," Heisler said. "Look at the capitalist candidates running over themselves in this vote Camejo & Reid grab. Ronald Reagan picks the most liberal Republican in the Senate as his on the running mate. "It's not only what this tells you '76 ballot! about the conservative Reagan. What Contact: Socialist Workers 1976 does it tell you about the liberal National Campaign Committee, Senator Schweiker'?'' 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. "All of them work for the capital­ 10014 MilitanVKris Kimmell ists," Heisler continued, "and that is Spreading socialist ideas. SWP presidential candidate Peter Camejo campaigning in why all of them are avoiding the most Chairperson, Linda Jenness; treasu,..,_ Ai.iwr Hughes Philadelphia. pressing concerns of working people.

THE MILITANT/AUGUST 6, 1976 5 Carter woos Chicanos Making em promises in return for votes By Miguel Pendas work here, they deserve the same LOS ANGELES-Jimmy Carter re­ rights as the next person. The catch to cently called together a meeting of work permits is that they can be "Mexican-Anlerican leaders" where he revoked. Come another depression, made known his views on the question they'll be trucked back over the border, of "illegal aliens." like so many cattle. Carter doesn't mind talking with And why a time period? If one people who may be able to help him person deserves the right to stay and win votes in the Chicano community, work, why not everyone? Is Carter as long as they're polite about it. interested in human rights or simply a Screened out of the meeting were some well-regulated supply of supercheap ill-mannered types, who, at a previous labor? get-together, had reportedly Carter certainly didn't have much "screamed" at the gentleman -from worth saying to Mexican-Americans Georgia. whose votes he's looking for. Imagine The second meeting, held in Houston what he has to say about "illegals" early in July, was put together by behind closed doors to his big-business Henry Lacayo, a functionary of the cronies. United Auto Workers. Lacayo, curious­ It's also interesting to note the ly enough, is the Spanish word for attitude of the "doul:>le-knit Chicanos" lackey. on this. When th•, same ideas that The participants in · the Houston Texas's Bexar County Democratic party convention delegates Carter put out were mouthed by other meeting apparently weren't just picked politicians, many of these people said for their manners. Among others they mented migrants lucky enough to have as well as "illegals." they disagreed. The difference, I sus­ included Gov. Raul Castro of Arizona escaped la migra for a certain period of For those immigrants not deemed to pect, is that Carter is also talking and Gov. Jerry Apodaca of New Mexi­ time. How much time? Carter's not have been here long enough to qualify about some government posts for the co. saying. He's "studying" that. for work permits, Carter favors the right, polite, people. He promised to One observer described the assemb­ One thing he did make clear. He's same solution as do all the other name a Mexican-American to his lage as "establishment people . . . not talking about granting citizenship racists-deport them. As president, you "intimate" White House staff. double-knit Chicanos who wear suits rights, just work permits. see, he will have to "enforce the law." To the most polite of all at the and ties and have a fairly high in­ He says he favors a law like the Also, he says, "illegal immigrants gathering, he even gave his home come." Rodino bill, which would fine employ­ contribute greatly to the unemploy­ phone number. ("The one right at my Carter's position on immigration is ers for "knowingly" hiring undocu­ ment problem." bedside," he said.) not a new or a good one. It pretty well mented workers. Virtually the entire If justice is to be done even to some I hope these vendidos have lots of reflects the consensus among capitalist Chicano movement has agreed that of these undocumented workers, why intimate meetings with Carter where politicians. Carter said he favors ·such a bill would victimize not the stop with work permits? Why not full he smiles a lot and they act real polite. giving "legitimate status" to undocu- employers, but the workers-"legals" citizenship rights? If they're going to They deserve each other.

New round of devaStating cu~s hits CUNY By Izabella Listopad drastically. One CUNY official told the But the vast majority of those being NEW YORK-Developments in the Militant the work load in some offices laid off are non-tenured faculty. This month of July in the City University of "is impossible to handle" because most includes a disproportionate number of New York system show that the end of of the workers have been laid off. the Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and women free tuition and open admission was These cutbacks are the direct result teaching at CUNY, who were only able just the beginning of a continuing of a bill passed by the Democratic- to obtain faculty positions in the past attack on education. controlled state assembly, ratified by few years. At the beginning of the month, the Republican-controlled state senate, In the midst of announcing the Robert Kibbee, chancellor of the and signed into law by Democratic cutbacks, Mayor Beame and Governor twenty-campus system, announced Gov. Hugh Carey at the urging of Carey appointed fourteen of the fifteen cuts totaling $69 million. Democratic Mayor Abraham Beam e. members to the board of higher educa- The bill was supposedly designed to tion, which is charged with administer- lzabella Listopad is a student at "save" CUNY, which had defaulted on ing the CUNY system and was restruc- Queens College and a member of a faculty payroll at the end of May. tured as part of the "rescue" package. the local executive committee of the But in reality, it imposed tuition and The new board of higher education New York City Young Socialist cutbacks. will be very niuch like the state Alliance. The leadership of the Professional Emergency Financial Control Board Staff Congress, the faculty union, and "Big Mac"-the Municipal Assist- The budgets of individual campuses supported the bill. This helped lay the ance Corporation for the City of New were reduced anywhere from 10 to 23 basis for the present attack on faculty York. percent. CUNY officials called the cuts members' jobs. Like those two institutions, it will be "devastating," pointing out that some Instead of learning from the expe- dominated by representatives of institutions might have to be closed rience, the PSC officials are continuing bankers and big business, who will N.Y. DEMOCRATS CAREY AND permanently because the cuts were so the same "cut somewhere else" stra- make sure that cutbacks are carried BEAME: Destroying education to 'save' tegy. A month and a half ago it was through on time and in full. severe. it. No one knows how many professors support to tuition in exchange for Among those on the new board are will be dismissed. More than 900 are paychecks. representatives of the Ford Founda- being laid off from three of the larger Now, PSC officials are saying that tion, the Joint Industry Board of the by A von products. People directly from colleges alone, including a few dozen layoffs are acceptable, as long as Electrical Industry, American Tele­ what's called "the world of finance"­ tenured faculty. they're "minimized . . . particularly phone and Telegraph, the Carnegie Wall Street brokerage houses-were Other staffs have also been cut where tenured staff are involved." Corporation, and a· foundation funded also named.

By Roberta Frick the seven would provoke a renewed grievances on hospital time, and NEW YORK-The strike by workers walkout. The seven were allowed to Towner informed management that 1199ers at New York's voluntary (private return to work. she will continue to exercise that right. nonprofit) hospitals successfully beat • In· the X-ray department, union • Cesar "Tony" Vascones, the pick­ back a management attempt to break members were told to train several eter who was savagely beaten in the harassed the union. "volunteers" to handle their jobs. This Thirtee.nth Precinct police station, But events after the strike at Beth would place management not only in suffered additional harassment when Israel Hospital, where I work, show violation of the contract, but also in he returned to the job. He called in sick following that management is determined to violation of the law that says X-ray the first day he was supposed to be harass and victimize union activists. technicians have to be licensed. back, and on the second day when he • On Monday, the first day back, The workers told management they came in he was told he needed a note three workers in the pathology depart­ would not train the "volunteers," and from a doctor to return to work. NY strike ment were told by their supervisor to the management has made no retalia­ go home because there wasn't enough tory moves. When the doctor in charge of em­ work to do. The union protested, and ployee health saw the bruises on management backed down. • Union delegate Caryl Towner was Vascones's body, he was outraged. The • Seven workers in the dietary harassed by her Sl.IJ)ervisors for han­ doctor quickly wrote a note, handed it department were told, "The volunteers dling grievances in the first few days to V ascones, and said, "Give this to can do a better job than you, so go after the strike. Finally, she received a them. If this is not enough, tell them to home." Some of these "volunteers" had writte;n memorandum warning her to speak to me directly." Vascones was served as paid strikebreakers during regain her "common sense" and "cur­ allowed to return to the job and will the walkout. tail all union activity on the job." receive full pay for the day he called in The union explained that dismissing Delegates have the right to handle sick.

6 JulY. burg~Y- of SWP offices FBI informer confesses Denver break-in By Robert Spencer DENVER-In a startling development, an FBI informer has been identified as the burglar who carted off files from the Socialist Workers party here. The Justice Department in Washington has dispatched investigators to Denver as part of a broader probe into FBI burglaries around the country. The disclosure of the FBI's involvement in the break-in also has major ramifications for the socialists' $:37 million lawsuit against government harassment. At a July 28 emergency hearing in federal district court in New York, Judge Thomas Griesa issued an unprecedented order to the FBI to turn over to the socialists, before noon on July 30, all files in the FBI's possession relating to the informer and to the break-in. In a highly unusual step, Griesa specified the files be produced without any deletions by the FBI. Judge Griesa brushed aside frantic objections from government lawyers that the releaSe of the files would "damage the ongoing criminal investi­ gation" into the burglary now being conducted by the Justice Department. This is an "urgent matter," said Griesa. The FBI files on the informer, he added, are "of great 'Myself, I find all dis talk highly demoralizing to my agent self-image!' relevance to this lawsuit." The judge also rejected a motion by government lawyers to block the socialists' attorneys from interrogating the informer under oath. bureau had "absolutely no knowledge of the break- One G-man, John Almon, has been identified in the In.. " press here as Redfern's "control" or immediate But on July 24, the Rocky Mountain News supervisor. Disproves Kelley's claim reported that Denver police chief Arthur Dill had "We intend to carry this investigation through to The revelation that the FBI was involved in the said that the Special Agent in Charge of the Denver the end," Stapleton declared. burglary here, which occurred July 7, proves FBI had told police where the files could be found. Juan Jose Pena, state chairperson of the New '"'-completely false FBI Director Clarence Kelley's The whereabouts of the files when located by the Mexico Raza Unida party, told the news conference claim that the FBI no longer engages in illegal police have been variously described as "a house" that the break-in at the SWP headquarters was "intelligence gathering" activities. It also adds new and "a car." The Rocky Mountain News reported similar to break-ins of Raza Unida party offices in weight to the socialists' charge that government that "a source" would not rule out the possibility several counties in New Mexico. Pena was in town informers are used to carry out criminal acts. that the files had been handled by Special Agents of to speak at a conference on Chicano liberation The informer, whose name is Timothy Redfern, the FBI. sponsored by the SWP. has admitted that the FBI paid him $400 a month Prior to the identification of Redfern in the "It is very clear to us that agencies which are for his work as a fink in the Denver chapter of the newspapers, Denver cops had told SWP members supposed to protect our rights are being utilized to Young Socialist Alliance. that there were two suspects in the case, both Black, harass those with ideals opposed to certain 'majori­ After news reports tagged Redfern as the burglar, who were wanted for a series of other burglaries. ty' groups in this country-specifically the Demo­ YSA members visited his apartment and found it However, the cops offered no explanation for why cratic and Republican parties," Pena said. decorated with Nazi emblems. Redfern confessed ordinary burglars would be interested in the files of Priscilla Schenk, SWP candidate for U.S. Con­ his role in the burglary and provided some details of the SWP. gress from Colorado's First Congressional District, his activities as an informer. Police Chief Dill was quoted as saying that the told reporters the SWP would ask Colorado Demo­ Since then, however, Redfern has refused to files were recovered after a "suspect" talked to a cop cratic Sen. Gary Hart to use his position as a answer questions from reporters. who had "some rapport" with him. Dill told the member of the Senate intelligence oversight com­ The FBI link to the burglary was first publicly Denver Post that the cop in question had "some mittee to open an investigation and conduct disclosed in the July 23 Rocky Mountain News, a connection" with the burglary. hearings into the burglaries and other FBI attacks major daily here. A front-page headline read, According to one version, the burglar had told the on socialists, Chicano activists, and others in "Probers trying to learn if. FBI was involved in cops, "You can't arrest me, I'm an FBI agent." Colorado. burglary." Redfern has not yet been charged in the SWP The next day, Syd Stapleton, national secretary break-in. He is reportedly already facing charges in Series of attacks of the Political Rights Defense Fund (PRDF), flew connection with another burglary. The July 7 burglary was only the latest in a series here to collect facts about the FBI's role in the At a widely covered July 24 news conference here, of acts of political harassment against the Denver break-in. The defense fund is the civil liberties the PRDF's Stapleton announced that attorneys for socialists. The most serious occurred on April 5, organization financing the socialists' suit. the socialists were preparing to take a deposition, a when several shotgun blasts were fired into the This suit has already forced the FBI to admit that form of sworn testimony, from the Denver FBI SWP headquarters, breaking windows, damaging the SWP was the target of at least ninety-four Special Agent in Charge about his knowledge of the literature, and leaving the walls pocked with pellet burglaries between 1960 and 1966. Information on break-in. The SWP will also require the FBI to make holes. Since then the outside of the building has more recent burglaries, turned up as a result of available for depositions any other Special Agent been vandalized several times. court orders in the case, has sparked the Justice with knowledge of events surrounding the break-in. In December 1973 the home of a member of the Department's inquiry into the FBI's continued use Young Socialist Alliance was burglarized while she of burglaries to gather data on radicals. was attending a YSA convention. Various political This investigation, which has tied several dozen records and files were left in disorder. FBI agents to criminal break-ins, has centered, In none of these cases have the police made any according to news reports, on crimes that took place Rep. Schroeder arrests or located any suspects. in 1972 and 1973. The decision to probe the Denver This past Monday, July 26, the day Redfern's events is the first time that current FBI activities asks inquiry identity was exposed, a photograph of a Nazi poster have been brought under the sweep of the inquiry. DENVER-U.S. Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D­ was found pinned to the door of the YSA office at New York Times reporter John Crewdson, in a Colo.) has requested a "full investigation" by the Metropolitan State College. July 27 dispatch from Washington, wrote, "The Justice Department into the FBI's role in the Stapleton told the Militant, "We don't know if decision to send investigators to Denver was July 7 burglary of the SWP offices. The request Redfern is a lone Nazi sympathizer or part of some reportedly reached here last night after Justice was made in a July 23 letter from Schroeder to­ ultraright organization connected in some way with Department lawyers learned of allegations by the U.S. Attorney General Edward Levi. the cops or the FBI. In either case, this story is informer, Timothy Redfern, that an F.B.I. agent in Schroeder also sent a letter to the Denver SWP going to shed a great deal of light on the kinds of Denver had taken possession of four cartons of supporting its call for an investigation. Said people the FBI employs as informers, and the kinds documents stolen from the party before the local Schroeder, "Numerous investigations by Con­ of activities they carry out." authorities were notified of the burglary." gress have demonstrated that agencies with Stapleton emphasized that if the FBI obeys the City officials in Denver were understood to have police powers, such as the Federal Bureau of court order to produce its files on Redfern, it will be contacted the Justice Department directly to de­ Investigation, have in the past grossly over­ the first time in history that an FBI informer's file mand an investigation into FBI involvement in the stepped their legal authority." has been made public. break-in. Schroeder added, "The seemingly harmless In her statement to the news conference here, break-in at the Democratic headquarters in SWP candidate Priscilla Schenk emphasized that 'Black bag' job Washington led to the entire Watergate fiasco. "we intend to use every legal and political means At a news conference on the day after the Surely, the political files of the Socialist Workers available to us to demand a full investigation and burglary, the .Denver SWP had pointed out that the party must be held as sacred as those of the to force the truth into the open. We urge all theft had all the earmarks of an FBI "black bag" Republican or Democratic parties." individuals and organizations who support civil job. However, an FBI official told reporters that the liberties to join us in this vital effort."

THE MILITANTI AUGUST 6, 1976 7 August 26 NOW vigil in fourth week ERA Day actions set By Ginny Hildebrand capitol on Saturday, August 28. The In many cities women's rights sup­ demonstration was called last month porters are planning to commemorate at a statewide convention of the the anniversary of ratification of the National Organization for Women. woman's suffrage amendment by mak­ In neighboring Illinois, ERA sup­ ing August 26 "Equal Rights Amend­ porters are angry that their legislature ment Day." did not discuss and ratify the ERA In Philadelphia ERA supporters will during the spring. To dramatize the gather August 26 at John F. Kennedy importance of speedy ratification, Plaza for a rally from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. activists will hold their own legislative Forty-five activists began to plan the session in Chicago August 26. The Philadelphia event at a July 21 meet­ event, organized by NOW, will also ing. Participants included members of discuss employment and marriage the National Organization for Women rights. (NOW), National Black Feminist Or­ Following the mock legislative ses­ ganization, Women Strike for Peace, sion, NOW is sponsoring a concert at Socialist Workers party, several Black Northeastern University at 7:30p.m. It community churches, Women's Inter­ will feature Ginnie Clemens and Mar­ national League for Peace and Free­ gie Adams. dom, Gay Activists Alliance, and the On August 29 in Chicago, women Women's Union. will portray the lives and contributions Representing labor support for the of outstanding American women at a ERA were members of the Coalition of "Women and Hers tory" seminar. The Labor Union Women and six unions, event is being sponsored by the Mil­ including National Union of Hospital itant Forum. (For time and place call and Health Care Employees Local (312) 939-0737.) 1199C, Philadelphia Federation of Cleveland office workers leaving Teachers, and American Federation of their file cabinets, phones, and type­ State, County and Municipal Em­ writers for lunch on August 26 will ployees (AFSCME). find a rally in Public Square. NOW Candle-bearing marchers will light chapters in the area are sponsoring the up Broad Street in Newark, at mid­ event. The welfare department chapter night on August 26. Some demonstra­ of AFSCME Local 17 46 has endorsed Militant/Nancy Cole tors will wear ankle-length dresses as a the rally. Several women in the union In this bicentennial year women still don't have legal equality. This is the reminder of the women who marched have formed an ad hoc committee to message of Equal Rights Amendment supporters holding a daily vigil at the time and again until they'd won the publicize the event among workers in White House this summer. Carolyn Maxon (above) is a member of the National right to vote. Newark, Essex County, downtown office buildings. Organization for Women (NOW) in Ames, Iowa. She interrupted her vacation in and Montclair NOW chapters are As reported in earlier issues of the the capital to join the NOW vigil for a day. The protest began July 5 and will organizing the action. Militant, marches, debates, and picnics run until Saturday, August 28. On that day Washington, D.C., area NOW In Madison, Wisconsin, ERA sup­ are als.o planned in Boston, New York, chapters are holding a "Shoulder to Shoulder" march around the White House porters will march from the University Atlanta, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, to cap the summer activities in support of ERA ratification. of Wisconsin campus to the state Minneapolis, Louisville, and Seattle. N.Y. parents: 'Day care, not welfare' [The following interviews were daughter Aishah, it will also shut off conducted in mid-July. At the time, her own educational plans. a court injunction preventing the It's the same story for Arlene Cassa­ closing of forty-nine child-care rio. "It would put me out of school," centers was in effect. On July 20, she said. A job would also be out of the District Court Judge John Cannel­ question: "There's no alternative­ la lifted the injunction. The city there'd be nobody to take care of could stop funding the centers, he Yvonne and John but me." said, since it had complied with his Denyse Robinson would also be in a order to hold hearings on the real bind. "I'd have to find a way to cutbacks. keep working-I'm not financially able [As of July 22, the Alianza Civics to quit my job-but I don't know what Tropical day-care center (men­ I'd do. My mother might be able to tioned below) had shut down. Vol­ take care of Christina for me. But she unteers at some of the centers are runs a restaurant and that's not the trying to keep them operating. best place for a child to be all day [Cliff Conner works in a pre­ every day. I can't get a baby-sitter school education program and is a because the ones I've checked into member of the Socialist Workers charge. as much as a salary for a party.] regular job." Finally, I buttonholed a day-care By Cliff Conner teacher, Michelle Vallon, as she was NEW YORK-Carmen Castillo is a started having emotional problems; he mother, a bank teller in the South leaving Greenwich House for the day. Puerto Rican working mother. Her would cry every morning when I left Bronx. "I have to work. I guess I'd She told me that even though her three-year-old son Emil has been him and when I came back in the have to get a baby-sitter." center is still open, the budget cuts enrolled in the Alianza Civica Tropical afternoon he'd be crying again. "What would that cost?" I asked. have diminished the quality of care. day-care center in the Bronx. The city "I went once in the middle of the day "At least twenty-five dollars a week. Children transferring from closed planned to close the Alianza and to see how he was doing; he didn't It would probably cost me more than a centers have swelled enrollment at forty-eight other centers on July 1. know I was watching. He was just quarter of my take-home pay. But I'd Greenwich House. Meanwhile, layoffs However, a federal court order has sitting there, not playing with the have to do it if they closed the day-care are shrinking the numbers of profes­ delayed the closings. other kids or anything. He wouldn't centers.'1 sionally trained staff members. I asked Carmen Castillo what hap­ even go outdoors to play. And he'd Rebecca Soto is also ~:tnxious over the Money for transportation and activi­ pened when she found out her child's always been very happy at the other educational loss Kimara would suffer. ties has been cut to the bone: children center was threatened. center." "These centers are very good for can go on field trips and outings only "I had to find another center. If I "Why the change?" I asked. children. · They're not just being if their parents send money to cover don't have someplace to keep him "Well, the Alianza is the only bilin­ watched all day. They're learning expenses. The food budget has been during the day, I'll have to stay home. gual center anywhere close to here. things at the same time. They're severely slashed, the parents' activity I won't be able to work and I'll have to Emil was the only Spanish-speaking learning what it's like to be around funds are gone completely, and the go on welfare. child in his group at the new center. other kids their own age." family counselors have all been "I don't understand why they're None of the teachers could speak I spoke with several women as they sacked. doing this. I read in El Diario [New Spanish. He was miserable." came to pick up their children at Hildreth Battiste, the center's direc­ York City Spanish-language daily] With the federal court injunction Greenwich House in lower Manhattan. tor, said "sweat, toil, and love for that it would cost less to keep the day­ temporarily keeping the Alianza center City funds for this center aren't Greenwich House" has inspired par­ care centers open than to pay for the open, Emil is back there again. enough to correct violations of the ents and teachers to organize one welfare checks for all of us who have to I spoke to Rebecca Soto, whose three­ city's standards. This means the center benefit after another. They hope to quit working." year-old daughter Kimara also attends could lose its license when it's reviewed bring in enough money to correct I asked if she'd been able to locate the Alianza center. What would she do in November. violations so the center can hold onto another center for Emil. if the cutbacks forced Kimara out of Donna Hundley-Jackson is working its license. "Yes, but' it didn't work out. I only the day-care program? on a college degree. If the city closes As Battiste put it, "We're trying to took him there for two weeks. He "It would be really rough," said the the doo~ of Greenwich House to her stay alive any way we can."

8 schoolS? By Jeff Mackler standard of living of working people, The annual convention of the in order to better ensure the profits of 475,000-member American Federation those who control these parties-the of Teachers, AFL-CIO, will convene in giant corporations and the rich. Bal Harbour, Florida, August 16-20. The AFT officialdom's political ties More than 3,000 delegates are expected to these antilabor politicians cripple to attend. the union's ability to resist the assault The convention follows a year of on education. turmoil for teachers. The AFT national An alternative to this dead-end office reports that more than 40,000 strategy will be presented to the teachers received end-of-the-year termi­ convention through a resolution intro­ nation notices in the fourteen states duced by the Hayward Federation of where AFT membership is greatest. Teachers in California. The resolution calls on the AFT to Jeff Mackler is the organizer of AFT "use its resources now employed to Local 1423 in Hayward, California, elect Democratic and Republican 'friends' of education and labor to and a delegate to the AFT instead encourage labor's political convention. break from these two parties through independent labor campaigns, making Eleven thousand were fired in New labor the political champion of this York, 10,000 in Michigan, and 6,000 in country's poor and working millions." California. MilitanVFred This resolution was prompted by the During 1975,200,000 AFT members- · Striking Pittsburgh teacher last December has good idea on school financing, but experience of Hayward and other 40 percent of the entire union-were AFT President Albert Shanker supports Democrats' and Republicans' squandering of California teachers with Democratic forced to strike. All of the strikes were Gov. Edmund "Jerry" Brown and billions on war budget. defensive actions to forestall layoffs, to innumerable other Democrats. Brown, save existing contracts, or to win who was billed by both the California modest salary adjustments that failed Federation of Teachers and the Cali­ to match the increased cost of living. Heritage-the American Dream," is ic party convention, Shanker pleaded fornia Teachers Association as educa­ In many school districts teachers geared to mobilize the resources of the with its platform committee for a full­ tion's friend, began his career as have suffered severe setbacks. In AFT to support those same politicians employment economy. At the same governor by slashing school finance Berkeley, California, nearly 20 percent who have been directly responsible for time his Democratic "friends of labor" measures, eliminating 6,000 teaching of the teachers have been fired. These the drive to weaken or break public in New York City were voting to fire jobs, and effectively freezing salaries layoffs are racially discriminatory. employee unions. additional thousands of teachers and for those who remain. Fully 70 percent of those laid off in Although the presidential candidates other public employees. In discussing a strategy to counter Berkeley are Blacks, Chicanos, or of both the Democratic and Republican While Shanker urged the Democrats . these attacks, Hayward teachers also other minorities-hired in past years parties have been invited to address in Washington to support federal considered the crisis of school finan­ through affirmative-action programs. the delegates, no one has any doubt collective bargaining legislation, his ces. More and more teachers are The pattern is the same throughout the that the AFT tops will introduce a own union's contract was being torn finding themselves engaged in self­ country. motion to endorse Democrat Jimmy up by local Democrats. defeating battles with working people Unfortunately, AFT officials have Carter. AFT President Albert Shanker While Shanker calls for greater in their own communities as they join failed to draw the lessons of the and other union leaders will join with funding for education, union-endorsed in strained alliances with local school disastrous experiences of recent years, Carter in placing full blame for the Democratic politicians from coast to boards to support tax increases to fund or to organize any effective defense of state of the economy on the Ford coast are slashing school budgets. schools. teachers' interests. administration. This is conscious de­ The truth of the matter is that both The funds to maintain and improve The theme of this year's convention, ception. the Democrats and the Republicans education ought to come out of the "Teachers in Politics: the American As a delegate to the recent Democrat- are engaged in a direct attack on the Continued on page 3D Local leaders campaign for AFT to back busing By Jeff Mackler "the best way to desegregate Boston today is not Little Rock," Shanker Equality in Education. This indicates The debate on school busing at the schools or Chicago schools or Cleve­ said. But AFL-CIO President George the high priority the civil rights group American Federation of Teachers con­ land or California or anywhere else." Meany has taken the opposite position. gives to winning the AFT to a strong vention will be crucial for the future of He argued that the problem was not Meany has spoken out strongly on the probusing stand. the union. busing but rather the need for funds to need for the labor movement to support The AFT's current "no position" on The racist campaign to block school improve substandard schools. busing. busing is tantamount to endorsing the desegregation through busing is part Obviously we need billions of dollars After last year's convention, a group inequality that exists throughout this of the nationwide assault on public to improve the schools. But Black of AFT local officers and leaders country, with schools in minority education. Teachers have a vital stake students have the right to an equal, throughout the United States formed communities kept far below the stand­ in fighting all aspects of this assault. desegregated education now-not an ad hoc AFT Committee on Desegre­ ards for white schools. Defending the right of Black and sometime in the distant future. gation and Equality in Education. The Delegates to the coming AFT con­ other minority students to attend Shanker's arguments echo the racist committee has spent the past year vention will have the opportunity to desegregated schools is the only way "separate but equal" doctrine of the organizing support for a probusing weigh and reverse this backward the AFT can expect to win the trust last century. resolution that will be introduced by stance. Doing so will be an important and support of minority communities, Tragically, the Boston AFT filed suit several locals and state federations at step toward putting the AFT on a support we urgently need. last year to overturn key aspects of the the AFT convention. course of fighting together with the Last year's AFT convention wit­ court-ordered desegregation plan in More than 120 AFT officers have minority communities for better educa­ nessed a sharp retreat on this question that city. Instead of counseling the endorsed the resolution, including AFT tion for all students. when AFT President Albert Shanker Boston local on this mistaken course, local presidents in California, Minne­ and the AFT executive board fought to the Shanker leadership reinforced it. sota, Ohio, New Jersey, Michigan, defeat all resolutions supporting school Shanker opposed a resolution to call Washington, D.C., Louisiana, India­ busing for desegregation. on the government to physically de­ na, Florida, and elsewhere. Shanker told the delegates that the fend Black students in Boston being In a mailing sent to all 2,200 AFT AFT did not know whether busing was brutalized by racist mobs. "Boston locals, the committee pointed out, "It is clear that' we are witnessing a growing attack on school desegregation. There is no doubt that efforts to seek a ~ee it resolved ... ' constitutional amendment to prevent The resolution drafted for the AFT raise the standard of education and busing and the president's stated convention by the Committee on improve the classroom conditions of opposition to the law of the land, have Desegregation and Equality in Edu­ teachers and students. emboldened racist individuals and cation 'proposes the following: "3. The AFT encourage its local organizations. The result has been a affiliates to actively support ·and concerted effort to resist, sometimes "Be it resolved that: participate in efforts to desegregate with organized violence, school dese­ "1. The AFT affirm its support for public schools through busing. gregation plans throughout the coun- busing to achieve desegregated "4. The AFT call for the full , try. For these reasons, it is imperative schools and help achieve equal intervention of local, state, and that the AFT act now to reaffirm its educational opportunity. national _ authorities when racist commitment to desegregation through "2. The AFT continue to support elements seek by force to prevent busing." all efforts for massive federal fund­ Black students from attending dese­ The national NAACP has agreed to ing of public education, including gregated schools. send Michael Myers, its assistant remedial ~nd bilingual education "5. The AFT publish this resolu­ director, to address a meeting at the programs, as the only means to tion in the American Teacher." convention sponsored by the AFT Committee on Desegregation and

THE MILITANT/AUGUST 6, 1976 9 In Our Opinion Letters

Likes China series administration here cares less whether I would like to compliment the this overcrowding will permit us to live Free Gary Tyler Militant on the special feature series like human beings, and they show no The 1,000 demonstrators at the July 24 Free Gary Tyler rally on China by Dick Roberts. This is a respect for· basic human rights. in New Orleans set an important example of how to defend the very valuable addition to the paper's Unless we can generate some concern victims of racist police and government frame-ups. The comprehensive analysis and reporting from our brothers and sisters in the demonstration was a crucial component of the legal and on the international workers community we are in an almost hopeless political struggle necessary to win the eighteen-year-old Black movement. state. I hope that you will be able to We are asking that those of you who youth's freedom. include a series of similar comparison read this and would like to assist us in Particularly noteworthy was the turnout of young Blacks to the China series on the Moscow our struggle to gain our elementary mobilized by the Gary Tyler Freedom Fighters and the New Stalinists. While the special news human rights, write letters to the Orleans Student Coalition Against Racism. items in the World Outlook section are governor of this state and to the The steadfast determination of Gary Tyler's family and his great, a series of articles would be director of the department of defense committee have tapped the energies and creative helpful even if they were limited to the corrections demanding that they put a . abilities of a new generation fighting for its freedom from racist one topic of the Stalinists' bureaucratic stop to the overcrowding and that they injustice. manipulations, such as light and return the peaceful protesters to their heavy industry. original assignments. With your help The New Orleans action showed the potential for a truly I would also like to add my voice to we can win. • massive national defense on Gary Tyler's behalf. His case has those who have written the Militant in Letters can be written to: Gov. become a symbol of Black oppression in this society. favor of the new cover format. Daniel Walker, Office of the Governor, All of Gary Tyler's supporters should unite to reach out to Jim Callahan Illinois State Capitol Building, · thousands more in a fight to get him out of prison. Portland, Oregon Springfield, Illinois 62706, or Director, Illinois Department of Corrections, 201 [Editor's note-As planned, the Armory Building, Springfield, Illinois, series of articles on China will include 62706. analyses of Soviet society. This week's The Spark Collective installment takes up the question of Joliet, Illinois the evolution of the Stalin regime.] Dems fight for jobs [The Militant's special Prisoner On July 22, the Democratic-controlled "veto proof' Congress Fund makes it possible for us to send finally mustered enough votes to override a presidential veto. complimentary or reduced-rate By big margins in both houses they authorized spending $4 St. Louis teachers picket subscriptions to prisoners who can't billion for public works jobs. Three hundred persons pay for them. To help out, send your But don't rush down to the state employment service yet. demonstrated recently at a picket line contribution to: Militant Prisoner sponsored by American Federation of Fund, 14 Charles Lane, New York, There are 10 million unemployed. At best, 260,000 jobs will be New York 10014.] created by this bill. It'll make. a dent in unemployment charts. Teachers Local 420, the St. Louis that you'll need a microscope to see. Teachers Union, to protest the failure of the board of education to come to an A few months ago, Congress approved a $6 billion version of agreement on a contract for the the bill, which is still pretty stingy. Ford vetoed that as coming school year. Aborted reader inflationary, and apparently the Democrats agreed. They The main issue involved is salaries. My subscription is not to be renewed upheld the veto. The base pay of teachers is now $8,500 due to your views promoting killing It's not that Congress is getting thrifty with our money. Just and the union is asking $10,500. The 750,000 babies a year by abortion. a couple of weeks before enacting the jobs bill, they voted $:~2 board has offered a complicated and Social justice and civil rights begin at billion for new weapons, including $1 billion to start building inadequate schedule of pay raises. birth. The board also tried to scrap the G.W. the B-1 bomber. They're not misers when it comes to big bucks sick-leave policy and is attempting to Evansville, Indiana for big business. force teachers to take additional course In all fairness to the Democrats in Congress, though, it work or perform fifty hours of should be noted that they are quite serious about some jobs­ "community service" in order to be their own. This fall they're going to campaign as the party eligible for raises. Lozada for Congress that's against unemployment, and they hope the $4 billion will The executive board of the union has I was very happy to read Jeff at least keep them from the jobless lines. passed a resolution calling for a "no Powers's article on Froben Lozada contract, no work" position and will (Militant, June 18), Socialist Workers recommend that teachers vote for a party candidate for U.S. Congress. strike at a mass meeting called for What Powers did not mention was September 6 if there is still no Froben's ability-especially with agreement. Chicano audiences-to popularize An alternative The general feeling among union Marxist dichos (old sayings) within the members is that the board of education Chicano movement. I remember when A refreshing contrast to the Democrats' jobs-for-Democrats is trying to provoke a strike and many of his concise explanations plan this year is the program being put forward by the weaken the union. In board about Democrats, racists, and the candidates of the Socialist Workers party. They have ideas for propaganda they cite the Supreme system were incorporated­ providing jobs that are reasonable and workable: For example, Court ruling upholding the firing of uncredited-into Raza Unida scrap the $115 billion war budget for useless armaments and striking teachers and a· Missouri court literature. use the money to put the unemployed to work providing things decision voiding the right of collective Probably the most wonderful thing bargaining for teachers that was won we really need-such as schools, hospitals, cleaning up the about Froben is his rapport with in the St. Louis teachers' strike in 1973. Chicanos. In 1971, I traveled with him environment. Helen St. John through South Texas and attended a The Democrats' convention is over and the Republicans' is St. Louis, Missouri barbecue held in his honor and coming up. This summer the big news media are devoting full attended by several hundred people. attention to these carnivals. But there's another convention The respect and esteem in which he that they won't be saying much about. That's the SWP was held at that and other subsequent convention. Inhuman prison conditions events have convinced me that he is The socialists will be talking about a variety of proposals. On June 18, 1976, approximately one of the, if not the, most loved seventy men were forced to peacefully They will be developing a strategy that can defeat the drive by Chicano socialists. protest the inhuman practice of I certainly urge people in the Ninth the two capitalist parties to roll back our standard of living and placing five and six men into cells that District in ·Oakland to support Froben democratic rights. were designed for only four men by Lozada for Congress. In contrast to the Democrats, who refused to allow even a having themselves placed in the Mariana Hernandez-Alarc6n couple of hours to talk about the issues, the socialists will segregation unit here at Stateville East Los Angeles, California discuss at length what can be done to defend the interests of Penitentiary. Blacks, women, Chicanos, and Puerto Ricans. They chose to place themselves in segregation rather than allow the This is because the SWP-unlike the two parties of big administration here to pack them into Northeastern U.'s Dr. Stern business-is organized by working people to fight for their own these tiny cells like sardines. They The headline that appeared on my interests. chose this alternative only after their article (Militant, July 23) concerning If you like the ideas of the socialists and are interested in pleas went unheard by the officials. the attempt to fire Northeastern Prof. seeing what an SWP convention looks like, contact the SWP The men who chose this alternative Daniel Stern was very misleading. The branch nearest you in the Socialist Directory on page :H. were mostly college and high school headline read, "Prof faces dismissal And for news about a different kind of conwntion this students. Some were within a semester for exposing Pentagon spy." Dr. Stern summer, look for coming issues of the Militant. of receiving their hard-won degrees. never accused Samuel Betances of Due to their protest they are being a spy. threatened with being transferred from He exposed the fact of Betances's their educational assignments. employment as a paid consultant for Human beings are being literally the Defense Race Relations Institute packed 'into tiny cells. The (DRRI). In this capacity Betances gave

10 MONTHLY MAGAZINE SUPPLEMENT TO THE MILITANT

AUGUST 1976

!rade-union Democracr-­ Past and rutun

Pranlr Lovell diseusses three versions of .lmeriean trade-union bistorJ

nrst !lmeln Inglish: Letter Pnm !rotskr Oil btlfaselst Straggle (INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW! PAGE 2)

death penalty has been a weapon used by the munities across South Africa. Black university ruling class to defend its wealth, power, rank, students rose up, holding demonstrations, and privileges against the great majority. The occupations, and other actions. United States has been no exception to this Significantly, white students and Black rule. workers demonstrated together in defense of In 1887 August Spies and other leaders of the Soweto rebellion in the , streets of the Chicago labor movement were executed Johannesburg. on false charges of murder as a result of the The South African regime admitted Haymarket bombing. Their real "offensive gunning down 174 Blacks during the conduct" had been organ1z1ng rebellion. Doctors' reports indicate the real demonstrations for the eight-hour working death toll could be twice that number. An •eanlng of Death PenaltJ day. official statement issued June 25 admits that The U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding The death penalty was used in 1927 against 1,298 persons, including many children, were the death penalty was a major blow to human Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, arrested during the protests. Massive arrests rights. Under the terms of this decision, more Italian-born anarchists who were framed up and· detentions directed against all forms of than 300 people face the electric chair, the on charges of robbery and murder during the opposition to apartheid continue. gas chamber, and other barbaric methods of post-World War I witch-hunt. Their real This repression has not snuffed out the official murder. "crime" was refusing to give up their militancy of the South African masses. Their The media have attempted to portray the revolutionary views. strikes, demonstrations, and other protests court decision and the state death penalty The Rosenbergs were electrocuted in 1953 are rooted in a deep crisis for South African laws that preceded it as a concession to because they refused to help t~e FBI frame imperialism that could lead to the toppling of "public opinion." In reality it is the fruit of a up others on phony "spy" charges. the apartheid regime. well-orchestrated propaganda campaign by Today the death penalty is used to South African imperialism has suffered the capitalist rulers. In pressing for intimidate Black youths like Gary Tyler important setbacks in southern Africa. In restoration of the death penalty Democratic who stand up to the racist authorities and Angola, it was militarily defeated by the and Republican party politicians and refuse to confess to crimes they did not MPLA and Cuban forces, and politically propagandists have sought to stir up racist commit. defeated by the international opposition that resentments against Blacks, who are sup­ But there are other actions that do not at all prevented the United States from coming to posedly the "criminals" who are "getting off constitute "particularly offensive conduct" in its rescue. easy" in the courts. the eyes of the cops, courts, and politicians. In Zimbabwe, called Rhodesia by its white Thus the reinstitution of the death penalty The engineers of the Vietnam War, who are settlers, the South African masses see the is consistent with the attacks on school responsible for the deaths of hundreds of example of growing mobilization against a desegregation, discriminatory layoffs, and thousands of Vietnamese and 50,000 white-settler regime whose days are clearly attacks on social services. It is part and parcel Americans, have gone unpunished. numbered. of the general racist offensive that is an William Calley and the top brass responsi­ Meanwhile, the social and political power aspect of the current attack on the living ble for the My Lai massacre are also free. and the confidence of the Black majority in standards and rights of all working people in Jimmy Carter, an advocate of capital punish­ South Africa are growing. Today there are this country. merit as a "deterrent," declared "American more than seven million Black workers in The Supreme Court decision reflects a Fighting Men's Day" in Georgia in response South Africa, concentrated in urban areas like decision by the ruling class to strengthen its to Calley's conviction in 1971. Soweto. The increased industrialization of legal and extralegal instruments of terror in Real estate operator Bernard Bergman­ South Africa has given them increasingly order to preserve an unjust and outmoded who forced elderly people to live and die in decisive positions in that country's economy. system. The reinstitution of the death penalty subhuman conditions in his nursing-home The "new policy" for Africa, heralded by in the name of "law and order" is consistent chain-is in no danger of execution. He has Kissinger during his visit to Africa and his with the refusal of federal and local been sentenced to four months in jail. meeting with South African Prime Minister governments to defend the basip legal rights The CIA's professional assassins have John Vorster, is aimed at squeezing out more of Blacks against fascist and ultraright nothing to fear from the court's decision. time for the apartheid regime and enlisting hoodlums in Boston and Chicago. This basic The cops who shoot down dozens of the neocolonial states in southern Africa such policy explains why the court has defied Blacks, Chicanos, and Puerto Ricans each as Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia in the civilized world opinion by upholding capital year in the streets of our cities will not feel job of helping to curb the liberation struggles. punishment. "deterred." Washington fears that the collapse of the In this country, revulsion against the death The struggle against the death penalty will South African regime would threaten the penalty has been growing among working be advanced by efforts to expose the frame­ profitable investments of U.S. capita1ists in people for many decades. After 1967, the use ups of Gary Tyler, J.B. Johnson, Stanton the apartheid economy. Washington fears of capital punishment was held in abeyance Story, and other Black, Chicano, Puerto that the example of the freedom fight in under the impact of the widespread op­ Rican, and Native American activists. Massive South Africa will fuel the struggles not only position to official violence and injustice protests can stay the hands of the ex­ by Blacks in the rest of Africa, but also by sparked by the civil rights and antiwar ecutioners. millions of Black people in the United States. movements. Opponents of the death penalty can also The labor movement, students, and civil The mass sentiment against capital punish­ support Peter Camejo and Willie Mae Reid, rights organizations in this country have an ment is reflected by the fact that even Socialist Workers party candidates for presi­ important responsibility. We have to build a advocates of the death penalty like Gerald dent and vice president, who are fighting for a movement to expose and protest Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan have society in which capital punishment will be Washington's role in propping up the South been strangely silent on the question since only a dim memory from a barbaric past. African racist regime. the court decision. They sense that a posture The first thing opponents of apartheid of cheering the impending bloodbath will not around the world can do is demand the help them with the voters. Blow to Apartheid release of the thousands of political prisoners The majority decision, written by Justice held by the South African government Stewart, stated sanctimoniously, "Capital The world was shaken by the upsurge of because they support Black equality. South punishment is an expression of society's South Africa's Black masses that exploded in Africa's Blacks are entitled to the basic moral outrage at particularly offensive con­ Soweto in June. Thousands of Black workers democratic rights to protest, demonstrate, duct." The real meaning of the death penalty and youth rebelled against the racist system and organize to fight the racist regime. An can be seen by examining the kind of in South Africa known as apartheid. international campaign to free these people "particularly offensive conduct" that has been The rebellion spread from Soweto-a Black will be an important assist to the struggle for punished in this way in the past. city with a population of about one million on freedom and equality for South Africa's Black Throughout the history of class society, the the fringes of Johannesburg-to Black com- millions.

Letter from Trotsky on Antifascist Struggle By Leon Trotsky 9 Socialists vs. the CIA Syd Stapleton Debates Editor: Caroline Lund Associate editors: Nan Bailey, George The Month William Colby 10 Breitman, Fred Feldman, George No­ In Review 2 'The Magic Flute'- vack, Dick Roberts, Tony Thomas Trade-union Democracy­ A Marxist Interpretation Past and Future By Jim Morgan 12 The International Socialist Review ap­ By Frank Lovell 3 pears in the Militant that is published the first week of every month. The Roots of Racism in America Copyright© 1976 Militant Publishing As­ By Peter Camejo 7 sociation

12 (PAGE 3/INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW) Trade-anion Demoeraer--Past and Patare Frank Lovell contrasts the versions of American labor history put forward in recent books by Victor Reuther, Frank Marquart, and Farrell Dobbs.

The Brothers Reuther involvement in assassination attempts on both a seamy side to UAW history. This is the side and the Story of the U A WI A Memoir, Walter and Victor shows the extreme means that Marquart saw for most of the twenty-seven years by Victor G: Reuther. Houghton Mifflin are used by the employers and their agents to he worked for the union, long associated with the impose their control upon unions and to destroy education staff. His short volume is a collection Company, Boston, 1976. them if possible. But few new facts about the of remembrances and retrospective commentary. development of the UAW and the role of the There are serious lapses of memory on his part, An Auto Worker's Journal Reuthers are revealed. but his impression of the UA W are closer to the The UAW from Crusade to One-Party Their story is told in the way Victor Reuther tru'th than Reuther's version. Marquart tries to Union, by Frank Marquart. Pennsylva­ would like it to be remembered: the early socialist tell how the U A W was transformed from a nia State University Press, University commitment of the Reuthers (lightly glossed democratic union into a bureaucratized institu­ Park and London, 1975. over); their support of Roosevelt's war policy tion. (which Reuther tries to distinguish from jingois­ Both Reuther and Marquart tell about the pre­ Teamster Politics, tic support of the war and wholesale surrender of CIO period in the auto industry. Marquart began by Farrell Dobbs (third of four-volume union rights by the Stalinists); their struggle for his working life in a Detroit auto plant in 1914, at series on the Teamsters union). Monad control of the UAW at the 1946 and 1947 age fourteen. Walter Reuther got a job as a toolmaker in the Ford Highland Park plant in Press, 1975. conventions (presented as a principled program­ matic struggle conducted in the interest of union 1927. democracy); their postwar involvement with the The Reuthers and Marquart were active in State Department and the CIA in their interven­ Detroit radical circles in the early 1930s, but By Frank Lovell tion in the affairs of European and Latin there is no evidence that they knew each other American countries (described as an honest until later. Marquart was older. He associated effort to advance the cause of unionism and with radical worker groups-the Industrial Unions were originally voluntary associations working-class needs as opposed to the. subversive Workers of the World (IWW), the Proletarian of workers organized to protect themselves aims of the CIA and George Meany); the AFL­ party, and some Socialist party study circles. He against unjust employer-imposed work rules and CIO merger in 1955 and the UAW disaffiliation read Marx and Engels, also books by Daniel to demand higher wages and a better standard of in 1968 (presented as an attempt to unify the DeLeon and Karl Kautsky. living. The organizers envisaged a broad reor­ union movement that failed because of the The Reuthers identified more closely with the ganization of society and the establishment of a reactionary policies of the Meany gang.) radical students of those years, and were active more just government by the vast majority-a Victor Reuther wants to be known and remem­ in 1930 in organizing the Social Problems Club government controlled by the working class bered as a champion of union democracy. He (affiliated with the League for Industrial Democ- instead of the employing class. tells about the 1937 sit-down strikes in Flint, The early CIO movement of the 1930s was a Michigan, at the General Motors plants, and the mass crusade, animated with the same fervor for important part he and Roy played in those radical social change that inspired the first strikes. He recalls the determination of the unions a century earlier. Yet today the unions are strikers, their solidarity in action, the confidence bureaucratized almost beyond recognition. How of the leaders, and the democratic participation did this happen? of the vast majority that was essential to the The above books deal with union democracy in success of the sit-down strikes. However, he hides the United Auto Workers union and the Interna­ the treacherous role of Michigan Gov. Frank tional Brotherhood of Teamsters. Taken together, Murphy, who conspired with General Motors to they describe and explain how the will of the end the occupation of the plants without recog­ majority asserted itself in the formative years of nizing the UAW. the modern labor movement, and the process by Reuther describes the CIO as a crusade, which which this majority involvement and control was it was; he says the UAW never became "a simple eroded. bread and butter union." The UAW, more than The authors deal with many other problems any of the other CIO unions, retained the besides union democracy, but this issue brings crusading spirit, he says. It never lost the social most of the others together. consciousness that inspired the early organizing Reuther and Marquart seek formal guarantees drives. of union democracy-or of a state of affairs Under the leadership of the Reuther caucus the within the unions that they define as union UAW during the postwar years championed the democracy. Dobbs, on the other hand, explains cause of oppressed Blacks (Walter Reuther the class-struggle policy that is necessary to keep marched at Selma, Alabama, with Martin Luther the democratic process active and viable. King); it supported · the antiwar movement These accounts of the union movement in the against the U.S. policy in Vietnam (Victor turbulent half-decade before World War II agree Reuther and UAW Secretary-Treasurer Emil on most of the essential facts, but disagree on Mazey helped organize the Labor Assembly for their meaning. Peace and urged a negotiated settlement in There is no disagreement, for example, that the Vietnam, but not withdrawal of U.S. troops); it new, industrial unions of those years were endorsed and helped finance the United Farm organized and led in class battles by radical Workers union under the leadership of Cesar workers, who belonged to the Socialist party, the Chavez (Walter Reuther marched with Chavez at Communist party, and the revolutionary socialist Delano, California); it incorporated most of the forces who in 1938 formed the Socialist Workers democratic forms adopted in the early years (the racy) at the College of the City of Detroit (nt>w party. establishment of a Public Review Board to guard Wayne State University). They read books by What happened to shape the unions during against bureaucratic violations of democratic Upton Sinclair, Will Durant, Stuart Chase, H.G. World War II and since is a disputed subject. But procedures is Reuther's guarantee of union de­ Wells, Gustavus Meyers, and other popular Marquart, Reuther, and Dobbs would agree that mocracy). debunkers of the capitalist system. They organ­ the UAW and the Teamsters are less democra,tic This is the image the Reuthers sought to ized campus meetings for Scott Nearing, Harry today than in the upsurge of the 1930s. project, and with some success. The UAW under Laidler, Norman Thomas, and other socialist the leadership of Walter Reuther was seen by agitators. The Reuther Brothers many as the most democratic union in the world, The radical movement of the early 1930s had Victor Reuther tells. the story of The Brothers a union that sought to defend the interests of the its roots in the pre-World War I Debsian socialist Reuther-himself, Walter, and Roy-participants working class and worked for social betterment. movement, strongly influenced by the 1917 in the leadership of the UAW from the formation Victor Reuther describes the UAW as a crusade Russian revolution, and fired by the 1929 of the union until 1972, when Roy and Walter that never ended, that continued until the economic crisis. Most radicals looked to the were dead and Victor retired. It is an interesting untimely death of Walter Reuther in an airplane planned economy of the Soviet Union as an story. crash in 1970. The farsighted leadership of the alternative to capitalist anarchy. The account of the Detroit police and FBI Reuther administration supposedly guaranteed We find Marquart and the Reuthers together that the UAW crusade for "social equity" will inside the Socialist party after the successful sit­ Frank Lovell is the national trade-union continue. That is the public relations version of down strikes of 1937. Both writers report some of director of the Socialist Workers party. He has UAW history that Victor Reuther helped create the same incidents, and relate common experi­ been a member of the United Auto Workers union and seeks to preserve. It looks smooth from the ences, but Marquart (who in Reuther's book is since 1955, and was a leader of the Detroit outside. "Marquardt") reveals more of the political life of branch of the SWP in the 1950s and 1960s. the SP than Reuther does. His Journal is put Previously, he was a member of the Carpenters Seamy Side of UAW History together like a series of slides flashed on a screen union and the Sailors Union of the Pacific. Frank Marquart tells a different story. There is showing what he saw inside the SP and inside

13 (INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW/PAGE 4)

the union apparatus while the UAW was being converted from a crusade· to what he calls a one­ party union. He takes us inside the Detroit SP in 1937-38 where there were two branches, one for UA W members and the other for lawyers, teachers, small businessmen, etc. We see Mannie Seidler, SP organizer, angrily telling Marquart, "Walter Reuther is a power-hungry bastard who wants to become president of the UAW, and those guys around him like Woodcock and Mazey are opportunists who are using the Socialist Party as a training ground to promote their union car­ eers!" Looking back on that incident, Marquart comments: "How prophetic he was!" It does not occur to him to question, even at this late date, what kind of party the SP had become. Among the UAW leaders who belonged to the Detroit SP at that time were Kermit and Genora Johnson. The Johnsons and other militants quit the SP in 1938 to join the Socialist Workers party. The SWP was founded by revolutionary socialists, including many members of the SP youth group, the Young People's Socialist League, who were expelled in 1937 from the SP. This development is conveniently omitted in Marquart's book. Some prominent SP leaders, unlike the inexpe­ rienced -Seidler, were advising Reuther to quietly dissociate himself from Socialist candidates in the 1936 general election. They were also looking for ways to covertly;support Roosevelt and the New Deal Democrats. The Stalinists of the Communist party, likewise, in the 1936 election and after followed a slick formula for supporting Roosevelt and the Democratic party by urging workers to "defeat the fascists at all costs!" (Meaning the Republicans.) There is no further mention of the SP by Marquart or Reuther after this crucial turning point in the party's history. Thereafter, every­ thing is described from the vantage point of their respective positions inside the U A W.

How Marquart Saved His Job Marquart tells us that in 1938 he was ordered by the executive board of Dodge Local :3, where he was the education director, to explain to the local membership why the UA W strongly en­ dorsed the reelection of Democrat Frank Murphy for governor of Michigan. Marquart felt that workers should vote for the Socialist candidate, but he dutifully prepared his talk about all the good things Murphy was said to have done for the UA W and concluded with men women who built the UAW. Above: sit-down ~rikers inside Flint, Michigan, plants in 1937. this advice: "Workers must judge Governor Below: women rally outside plant. Murphy-as they must judge all candidates running for office-on the basis of his record." And that is how Marquart saved his job that Marquart shares the notion of many workers Walter's offer? At my age and with my broken time. that in union politics one set of crooks is needed health, how long would I last if I went back to Later, as editor of the Voice of Local 212 and a to watch the other. Reuther, with the aid of the the Dodge paint shop? I've been out of the staff member of the education department of that FBI and other antiunion forces, defeated the factory for years; if I had to go back now and UAW local, Marquart established a Town Hall Stalinists and subdued or eiiminated most UAW buck production, I'd probably drop dead in a forum, conducted debates, and wrote a socialist­ militants in 1947. When one gang gets the upper week's time." oriented column titled "Plain Talk." Political hand, democracy disappears. Pat Quinn probably never knew it but he gave action, the labor party, contract demands such as There was no principled difference between the up the class struggle-"sold out"-long before he the wage escalator clause, wildcat strikes, and contending power blocs. When the final show­ lost his union post to the Reutherites and was many other issues were discussed and debated. down came, it was easy for most secondary given a job at Solidarity House to get him out of Top officials of the local were unhappy about leaders of the losing faction to transfer their the way. The same is true of Marquart, who this, and there was one subject they declared out allegiance to the entrenched bureaucracy and continued until the day he retired to be of value of bounds. That was, "Resolved that the interna­ accept the new relationship. to the bureaucracy far exceeding his pay. tional UAW officers be elected by referendum." In a short slide titled "Ghosts Within," In one of Marquart's stories about techniques After this was debated, Marquart says, "one of Marquart shows what happened to the opposi­ for worker education he relates how he and the local officers told me that under no circum­ tion when the Reuther faction gained controL He another "old socialist" used films to good stances must I raise the referendum question 1n has former Dodge Local 3 President Pat Quinn advantage at a UA W-sponsored open-air meeting the Voice of Local 212." Soon thereafter a tell his own story: in 19:38. He says the two of them recalled the scheduled panel discussion on union ethics was "We're ghosts, that's what we are, the ghosts times they gave socialist talks and got nothing canceled "because the officers locked the door within. [Quinn speaking.] When my•opposition in for their efforts-except perhaps the satisfaction and we couldn't get in." Marquart says he got the Dodge Local 3 defeated me the last time I ran for of telling the truth, which h~ forgets to mention. message and discontinued the local 212 Town president, Walter Reuther called me to his office "Now we get paid for talking to workers, but if Hall. ... you know, I belonged to the anti-Reuther we so much as mentioned the word 'socialism,' The testing of ideas in free and open debate slate. Walter offered me a job in the Internation­ the union officers would throw us out," his was possible in the · U A W if the bureaucracy al; he knew damn well that if I went back in the comrade said quietly. allowed it, and then only if it did not threaten the shop, I'd stir things up ... I'd build a strong They spoke even more quietly about socialism bureaucratic structure. Talk was allowed only if group and unseat the pro-Reuther administration during World War II, when they got paid to give it didn't provoke action by the membership. in the next local election. That's the last thing their win-the-war talks. The contending power factions in the UAW Walter wanted, so he put me on the IntPrnational During the repressive decade of the J9;)0s, were both ardent supporters of Roosevelt and the payroll to get me to hell out of Dodge local. union officials and their hirelings had little or Democratic party before and during World War "Walter's a sharp operator; he knows how to nothing to say about civil rights, civil libertiPs, II, and both sought collaboration with the auto weaken his opposition in U A W locals. You'd be union democracy ... or anything else of impor­ corporations in compliance with the dictates of surprised at all the reps on the staff who wen· tance. Occasionally there would be a mild protest the HoosevPlt administration. The power struggle one-time political enemies; even some who wen' against the warmungers, the bigots, and the kept the U A W open to democratic discussion known Communists. I'll bt> frank; WP got bought witch-hunters from Heuther or somP UA W local within these prescribed limits during the Second off. Some of my union local caucus friends official. But such protests WPre rare and nevPr World War and after, until the government­ accused me of selling out. In a way, I did.·But intended to arouse any response from the ranks inspired witch-hunt in 1947. what kind of a fool would I be if I didn't accept of the UAW.

14 (PAGE 51 INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW)

Friday Night Socialist Forum the CP were then looking for a way to trick the channeled right up to the international union The only place in Detroit in those years-1954 radicalized workers into supporting Roosevelt. and finally to the umpire. It became more and into the late 1960s-where such questions as They finally hit upon a scheme of not openly more difficult to settle grievances on the job; now socialism, union democracy, the labor party, endorsing Roosevelt for fear that an official an outside party settled them." capitalist economic recessions, shorter hours of endorsement by the CP would prove embarassing This provoked sharp clashes in the shops and work, the wage escalator clause in union con­ to him, but to campaign against his Republican severe struggles in the UAW. The various tracts, the fraudulent two-party system, the opponent. Thus, the Stalinist campaign slogan in wartime government agencies, the corporate struggle for Black liberation, the imperialist war 1936 was "Defeat Landon at all cost!" managements of the auto industry, and the UAW machine, and other subjects relating to the The SP ran Norman Thomas again for officialdom combined to impose the new system problems of working people were freely and president in 1936 and was more critical of of compulsory arbitration on the auto workers. openly discussed was at the Friday Night Roosevelt than the Stalinists were, but the SP did The workers had on their side the democratic Socialist Forum, sponsored by the Socialist not attempt in any way to discipline its union procedures within the U A W, vestiges of the Workers party. It was held every week and members like the Reuthers for their disgraceful formative years. They argued, took votes, called attended by many auto workers, students, all silence on the pro-Roosevelt resolution at the wildcat strikes to protect their rights in the shades of radicals, supporters of the Cuban 1936 auto workers convention. shops. But they were forced eventually to accept revolution, Black nationalists, and others. Speak­ "Right here," says Hansen in her sketch of the arbitration system, to submit to the decisions ers included on occasion UAW members and Reuther's political career, "in 1936, we can put of an outside "impartial" party over whom they officials. Paul Silver, president of a UAW local, our finger on the time when he had already gone had no control. debated the issue of union support for the opportunist, departing from the teachings and Marquart believes that the contending power Democratic party on at least two occasions. example of Eugene Debs, and subordinating his caucuses helped to preserve the democratic Carl Hessler, founder of Federated Press and politics or even changing them in order to procedures in the union. It is true that the forms closely identified with the Stalinist caucus in the promote his career as a great labor leader." of democracy remained. But how did this serve UAW during World War II and before, spoke Reuther did not openly dissociate himself from the workers when the leaders of both. caucuses several times at the forum, once on "The Rise the SP at that time and hit the campaign trail for supported the no-strike pledge and accepted and Fall of the CIO." On another occasion he Roosevelt. Far from it. Auto workers in those compulsory arbitration of all grievances? These debated George Breitman of the SWP on "Should days looked to the radicals, Communists and union caucuses were organized to support the Radical Workers Vote for Democrats?"-taking Socialists, for leadership. It was to the advantage leaders, not to control them. the affirmative. of an aspirin~! "'lion official to be known as a Caucuses have never ceased to exist in the socialist. UAW. They exist to the present day for the Ernest Mazey, mentioned frequently in Mar­ In October, 1937, Walter Reuther was a purpose of electing local union officials every two quart's Journal, sp~ke on civil liberties at the candidate for Detroit Common Council, endorsed years when the gang that happens to be out of Friday Night Socialist Forum on more than one occasion. The UA W research department sent a office challenges those who are in office. In this young "labor economist" to participate in a way local officials are frequently unseated. but symposium. The president of the Detroit Federa­ these contests do not change union policy tion of Teachers, Mary Ellen Riordan, spoke at a 'There is no guarantee of because the top international officials are beyond panel on public education. Professors from the reach of the small local caucuses and have Wayne State University lectured on their special rank-and-file control in the established their own one-party regime subjects when invited by the forum. Would matters improve if the one-party regime About the only figures in Detroit who were union except through action were overthrown and a two-party system in­ interested in free speech or radical politics during in defense of working-class stalled? Marquart gives as an example the the repressive decade and who did not attend or International Typographical Union, which has speak at the Friday Night Socialist Forum were needs, at all levels of operated for many years with a two-party Frank Marquart, B.J. Widick, and a few other old system. Candidates for president and secretary school social democrats. It wasn't that they economic and political and all executive board posts campaign on party weren't invited. Everyone was welcome. struggle.' tickets, the Independent party against the One of the lectures at the forum was presented Progressive party. They are elected by referen· duni ballot. Union members are not required to by a member of UAW Dodge Local 3, Beatrice Hansen. She was the younger sister of Genora cast a slate vote; they can cross party lines and Johnson and a member of the Socialist Workers often do. In some ITU locals the members reject party. Her talk, given in 1955, was titled "A both parties and elect officers who belong to Political Biography of Walter Reuther-The by the UAW. He said, "As an automobile worker, neither. This gives the appearance of greater Record of an Opportunist."* as a union official, as a member of the Socialist democracy. This talk, published as a pamptilet by Merit party, and as a patriotic citizen of Detroit, I The ITU is much smaller than the auto union, Publishers in 1969, ought to be read by all those pledge myself to the service of all the people of and there is greater membership participation in who read Marquart's Journal or Reuther's the city." the ITU. But with all this the ITU is not much Memoir. Its fills the blank spaces with essential He resigned from the Socialist party in 1938 different from the UAW so far as membership information. What happened to the SP? What and supported Democrat Frank Murphy for control is concerned. Both organizations are was Walter Reuther's relation to it? Why did governor of Michigan upon the insistance of bureaucratized, all basic decisions being made by democracy flourish in the union at one time, and Sidney Hillman and John L. Lewis, who pro­ the international executive board. In the ITU all what forces suppressed it? mised in return to promote Reuther's fortunes in such decisions are submitted to referendum vote At the second convention of the UAW in South the UAW. This was done with the full knowledge of the membership, but by the time this happens Bend, Indiana, in April1936, Walter Reuther was of the SP top leadership, including Norman the membership is left with little or no choice. elected to the union's executive board. His only Thomas. It ex{llains Marquart's problem in UAW Furthermore, both parties in the ITU are Local 3 when he was inclined to support the SP credentials at that time were his experience as a committed to the policies of craft unionism and I gubernatorial candidate against Murphy. skilled worker in the auto industry and his active I class collaboration. There is little difference membership in the Socialist party. Both Marquart and Reuther fail to recall these between the "Progs" and the "Indys". facts about their own past because they long ago At that UAW convention the delegates adopted put them aside as of no consequence. Guarantees of Democracy? unanimously a resolution for a farmer-labor t party. Hansen tells what else happened there: What Marquart and many others in the union "Later in the convention. it is true. another Questions But No Answers movement are looking for is guarantees of union resolution was introduced-that the UAW should For Marquart the central question is: Why did democracy. This is not a new quest. When endorse and work for the election of Franklin the auto union cease to be a crusade for social Marquart was a young man he must have heard Roosevelt in that year's presidential election. But change, and what could have prevented its from his friends in the IWW that the only most of the delegates regarded this as in conversion into an institution of the status quo? guarantee of rank-and-file control is limitation contradiction to the farmer-labor party resolu­ He never gets beyond the incidents that describe on the term of office. The Wobblies argued that tion, and the interesting thing is that they voted how this happened. Several times he asks the the power of office is corrupting, and that no one this pro-Roosevelt resolution down. question: Why? But the answer never comes, not should be allowed to serve for more than one year ·"Roosevelt heard about this, got worried, and even a hint of it. without returning to the point of production for put some pressure on John L. Lewis; and Lewis Marquart asks a former UA W shop steward purification. put pressure on the convention. Lewis told the why the steward system broke down, and when After a while the job seekers found out how to UAW leaders through his lieutenant, Adolph did stewards lose their power in the auto shops? beat this. They formed a clique and began Germer, that if they didn't endorse Roosevelt the Here is the answer: "The war did it. Yes, the war rotating the offices among themselves. Some CIO would not give them the $100,000 contribu­ killed it. In 1942 the UAW gave up the right to would go back to factory work or into the mines tion for an auto organizing drive that had strike. What power does a union have when it or harvest fields from time to time, but it wasn't previously been promised to them. In the last five gives up the right to strike. What power does a long before they explained to the members that minutes of the convention the resolution endors­ union have when it gives up the right to strike, the work of the organization required all their ing Roosevelt was again brought to the floor, and even gives up the right to threaten to strike? No time and there was no opportunity for any of this time it was rushed or railroaded through sooner did we surrender the strike weapon than them to take the required purification treatment. without discussion-also without enthusiasm." the employers gave us a hard tlme. Grievance All the schemes that have ever been invented This was done with the acquiescence of both procedure became a joke. At each step of the to guarantee that unions, or any other organiza­ the SP and Stalinist caucuses. The Reuther group procedure, supervision would answer with a flat tions, will remain under the control of the in the SP either voted for the resolution or NO. membership have failed. The most elaborate remained silent. The Stalinists did likewise "When the company and the union agreed to safeguards can breed the most dictatorial bu­ because Earl Browder and other top leaders of set up a so-called impartial umpire system, we reaucracy. stewards became mere referral agents. The union Marquart's sketches of the UA W at different *Available from Pathfinder Press. 4l0 West St.. N<•w York. contract got larger and more complicated, union times in its evolution are instructive. When the N.Y. 10014. 40 cents. procedure became more legal, grievances got UAW was a crusade in the formative years it was

15 (INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW/PAGE 6)

tion of the entire trade union movement on the basis of the preservation and extension of the industrial form of organization. The PBI vs. the Ul\1 "2. Unity of the employed and unemployed. In his book Victor Reuther describes the UAW's criminals. The trade unions to assume full responsibility for experience with the FBI. Cointelpro papers and Again the sleuths did nothing. Although they the organization of unemployed. other secret files have already exposed many FBI had the shotgun used and footprints of the · "3. Full democracy in all the unions. The crimes against socialists, Blacks, antiwar activists, attackers, the FBI never solved the case. return of the policy making powers to the rank and political dissidents. It is clear the FBI hates the "The FBI entry into the Reuther cases had visible and file. trade unions too. effects on local police authorities," reported a "4. Against class collaboration. For class In 1948, a would-be assassin blasted Walter private eye hired by the UAW. "They seemed to sit struggle policies. Reuther with a powerful shotgun. There was a further down on their fannies than they had, if that "5. For an Independent Labor Party. huge outcry against the crime, and members of was possible." "6. Against racial discrimination. For the Congress asked the FBI to investigate. After three years of doing nothing the FBI closed immediate repeal of all union laws restricting But J. Edgar Hoover, FBI director at the time, the case. · membership rights of the Negroes and other made no secret of his refusal to act. Attorney Even today the FBI refuses to give Victor racial minority groups. General Tom Clark told a UAW lawyer what Reuther the complete files on these attempted "7. For special attention by the trade unions to Hoover answered. "Fellows, Edgar says no," assassinations. the problems of the youth. reporte9 Clark. "He says he's not going to send the The Reuthers' help to the CIA and purging of "8. For the defense of the strike weapons, FBI in every time some nigger woman gets raped." communists from the labor movement-this wasn't including the sit-down. Against all attempts to A year later Victor Reuther was seriously enough for Hoover. In his eyes the Reuther incorporate the unions or impose government wounded in a shotgun attack. This time the Senate brothers and UAW were still just trouble-making regulation. passed a resolution asking for FBI help to find the trade unionists. -Diane Rupp "9. Against imperialist war." This was suited to the state of the union movement and the problems of the working class in this country at the beginning of the decade of a democratic organization. This is what Mar­ cences that have recently appeared by leaders the 1940s, when it was clear that the Roosevelt quart seeks to recapture. But the crusade he and participants in the strike struggles and the administration was heading for war and prepar­ remembers was not confined to the auto industry. CIO movement of the 1930s, the books by Dobbs ing to shackle the unions to the war machine. It was a crusade to establish industrial democra­ are the only ones that explain why radical The program Dobbs put forward at that time cy, to end the system of wage slavery, to create parties flourished at that time. Most of the other was based on his experience as a leader and jobs for all, to reduce the hours of work, and to books have been by members or former members organizer of the Teamsters union from 1934 to organize an economy of abundance with freedom of the Communist party (Len DeCaux's Labor 1940. and equality for all and favoritism for none. Radical, From the Wobblies to CIO, A Personal The struggle in the Teamsters union and These ideas are necessary to any popular History), or by those who were identified with the extending into the broader union movement in crusade against the evils of modern society, even Socialist party (Reuther and Marquart), but none the north-central states was in some respects when the immediate objectives are more limited, of them try to explain the purpose and program more complex than the CIO organization of the as they were with the UAW and the CIO of the party they belonged to, or the role of that mass-production industries. The Minneapolis movement. This is why it was the radicals, with party. That is because most of them long ago Teamster leaders undertook to transform the their greater vision, who organized and led the ·abandoned the ideas they held as union militants existing union structure; also they were confront­ UAW in the early years. and strike leaders in their youth. They write now ed in Minnesota with the Farmer-Labor party, The UAW was a democratic organization in only to describe the rise and decline of the union which they sought to bring under the control of the beginning because it could not achieve its movement as they saw it, and to justify whatever the new and revitalized unions. first objective-recognition of the right to collec­ part they may have played. There was never any question that these tive bargaining-without the support and partici­ Dobbs writes with a different purpose. His leaders in Minneapolis would have considered pation of the vast majority of auto workers and books are texts for union militants and trade­ bending their political goals to suit the dictates their natural allies. A class-struggle policy was union organizers of the future. The first thing he of top union bureaucrats, as happened at the the only solution for the workers. Strike actions tells us is why he joined the Communist League 1936 convention of the United Auto Workers. and mass demonstrations were the only means of America and what the participation of the They would never have considered collaboration available to them. To protect against the political members of this party meant to the success of the with the CIA. The clear class-struggle program of traps and hidden pitfalls of the employers and truck drivers' strikes in 1934. the union leadership in Minneapolis ruled out their government agents, the , young union such developments. The program made the leadership had to take into account the irreconcil­ leaders and separated them from the corruptible able conflict between the employing class and Nothing Happens by Accident elements in the union, of which there were plenty the working class. Many sought to understand He goes on to explain that nothing happens by at the top and some in the ranks. and explain this, looking to the lessons of history accident. The course of events is planned by the The revolutionary socialist leaders in the and political economy as taught by the radical employers, usually. In Minneapolis in 1934 the prewar Teamsters union were defeated and jailed and socialist movement. employers' planning group was the Citizens by the combined forces of the Roosevelt adminis­ In the auto industry the Socialist and Com­ Alliance, and it had successfully disrupted union tration and the Tobin bureaucracy in the union. munist parties, which many of the frontline organizing and maintained open-shop conditions This story will be told by Dobbs in the fourth of union leaders looked to for help and support, for several years. The workers' planning commit­ his series, Teamster Bureaucracy. were inadequate, and the revolutionary socialist tee was the Communist League, and it aimed to The advent of war and the prowar policy of the forces too weak. Control of the unions passed into make Minneapolis a union town. To that end, Stalinists and social democrats in the union the hands of officials who sought peaceful from the first strike of coal-yard drivers to the leadership sealed the fate of the only genuine left collaboration with the Roosevelt administration successful conclusion of what amounted to a wing in the unions at that time. This was the and the employers. The important decisions were general strike, every stage of the struggle defeat of democracy in the Teamsters. And made in the councils of the Democratic party and between the workers and the employers was during the war, democracy was eroded every­ in union-management negotiations, not in union carefully planned down to the last detail. where, as the union movement became bureau- meetings. The third lesson Dobbs explains is that the . The union membership lost the essential workers must develop their own class organiza­ NEW PAMPHLETS! elements of union democracy: the ability of the tions, including a political party, and win allies membership to make decisions and act upon among the other victims of capitalist society them. There is no other guarantee of rank-and­ such as small farmers, merchants, students, file control in the union except actions in defense oppressed minorities, women; and never rely of working-class needs, at all levels of economic · upon organizations and institutions of the em­ The Fight for and political struggle. ploying class (government agencies, arbitration The full story of how this could and did boards, Republican and Democratic party politi­ Democracy in Steel happen-but in another industry-is told by cians.) By Andy Rose Farrell Dobbs in Teamster Rebellion, Teamster The fourth is that nothing can be won by 32 pages, 50 cents Power, and Teamster Politics. A fourth volume, workers in a shop or industry or in this society Teamster Bureaucracy, is scheduled for publica­ without struggle, always with agreement and tion next year. participation of the majority. This is decisive for union democracy. Farrell Dobbs is one of the few- union leaders These are axioms of a class-struggle policy, the A Struggle for from the 1930s who understood the need for basis for the development of a broad class­ working-class independence on the political level. struggle left wing in the union movement. The Union Democracy His books about the Teamster strikes in Minnea­ specific program of a future left wing will be The Story of the polis and the transformation of the International dictated by current issues: unemployment, Right to Vote Committee Brotherhood of Teamsters from a narrow federa­ inflation, government corruption, bureaucratic of the United tion of craft-bound local organizations into an control of the unions, antistrike legislation, Transportation Union industrial union explain why the working class suppression ·of civil liberties, attacks on the By Ed Heisler must have its own independent political party. rights of minorities, the burden of a vast military 48 pages, 75 cents More than that, he explains the decisive role of machine, the threat of future wars. the working-class vanguard party (the Commu­ On the eve of the U.S. entry into World War II Order today from Pathfinder Press, 410 nist League of America, later constituted as the Dobbs proposed the following program in a West Street, New York, New York Socialist Workers party). pamphlet titled Trade Union Problems: 10014 Of the several books of memoirs and reminis- "1. A rank and file referendum for the unifica-

16 (PAGE 7!INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW)'

cratized under the government's wartime wage government were brought against the Minneapo­ But the deterioration of the union movement freeze and no-strike controls. lis Teamsters. can be explained only by the advocates and practitioners of the class-struggle policy. So in Some have said that the class-struggle policy The present leaders of the UAW, some of them this respect, as in all others, the policy that won failed. James R. Hoffa, onetime president of the survivors of the 1930s, occasionally congratulate the big strikes and founded the modern union Teamsters union who disappeared last year, themselves on their survival-as does Victor movement is proved superior. This is the policy boasted in a TV documentary that "we [meaning Reuther in his Memoir. What they have to tell that will restore power to the union movement himslf and some goons hired by Tobin]defeated about the history of the union movement and and return control to the ranks. None other can. the Trotskyites in Minneapolis." He ignored the their part in it is interesting, sometimes informa­ fact that the powerful repressive forces of the tive. !he Boots of Racism In America How was racial oppression maintained under new -forms after slavery was abolished? Why is racism so central in American capitalist society? In his new book, Peter Camejo finds answers to these questions in the hidden history of the rise and fall of Radical Reconstruction.

Following is the introduction to Peter Camejo's book Racism, Revolution, and Reaction: 1861- 1877, to be published this month by Monad Press . .c, 1976 by Monad Press, Inc. Reprinted by permission.

By Peter Camejo

This 200th year since the Declaration of Indepen­ dence also marks the 111th year since slavery was abolished. Yet nonwhites continue to suffer flagrant discrimination throughout America. Although the fact is admitted by almost everyone, there are few consistent explanations of why this injustice persists and seems to many unsolvable. During the 1950s and 60s the civil rights movement raised the hope that, with the elimina­ tion of all laws specifically discriminating against Blacks, a gradual process would set in leading to full equality. Gains were made at various levels through the mass struggle itself. But now, a decade after the crest of the civil rights movement, it is clear that, despite the elimination of anti-Black laws and even passage of laws specifically protecting the rights of Blacks, oppression and discrimination remain with no end in sight. Recently the disparity in income between Blacks and whites has begun to widen. Black income is now about 56 percent that of whites-that means Blacks live at about half the standard of living of whites. Segregation in housing, jobs, and educa­ tion is prevalent. Unemployment among Afro­ Americans continues at twice the rate for whites, and in some areas the disparity is even greater. The evils and injustices are indisputable. Yet accredited social scientists seem incapable of explaining the secret of their persistence. This problem, usually called racism, seems to have such a grip on U.S. society that it is able to prevent the discovery of its cause. The usual explanation given is highly simplis­ tic: namely, the prejudice of whites, especially working-class whites, which liberal politicians, commentators, and sociologists are constantly be­ moaning. We are told that, for some unaccountable and perverse reason, people with white skins seem determined to dislike those with darker skins. Why this is so and why it is so persistent is shrouded in mystery. Pilate washing his hands of the affair, dissociate officials would address these gatherings-not to If an individual, brick in hand, waited in front of themselves from the "methods" used. Clearly the halt, admonish, or recommend psychiatric help­ a school to kill or maim a child because of the matter goes far beyond considerations of individu­ but to encourage the lynchers. When the schedule child's color, such a person would be considered al psychology and political hypocrisNazi Germany murder of nonwhites to lapse, we must ask ic people? Of course, these notables, like Pontius and South Africa. As recently as the 1930s the ourselves how such racist atrocities, as well as the phenomenon of public lynchings still existed here. current forms of racism, can be explained. Peter Camejo is the presidential candidate of Thousands of people would gather to watch Marxists and most serious non-Marxist histori­ the Socialist Workers party. He began his study another human burned alive or tortured to death. ans recognize that racism had its origin in the of Black history and the Reconstruction period Elected representatives and law enforcement establishment of chattel slavery in the early stages while an activist in the civil rights struggles of officials would often participate in these Roman of the development of capitalism. While slavery the early 1960s. holiday events. Sometimes Democratic Party had generally disappeared in Europe during

17 fiNTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW/PAGE 8)

feudalism, it took a new lease on life in the West as racist ideology as its justification, the racial commercial capitalism grew. Slavery was intro­ Available now: oppression of our epoch owes its strength to the duced into the New World colonies to solve the profit motive and it, in turn, has promoted racism problem of an acute labor shortage. Racism, the for ideological support theory that those with white skins are superior to Historians try to convince us ofthe reverse. Most those with black skins, was gradually elaborated often they begin by complaining that racist to justify this chattel slavery. First came slavery, ideology among the mass of whites, especially then racism. uneducated plebian whites, made it impossible to This historical fact poses the question: Why has do away with the peculiar circumstances of Black racism and ra·~ial oppression survived the aboli­ oppression. To this argument they usually add tion of the original cause, chattel slavery? What that, since the Blacks had just emerged from is responsible for its perpetuation? This question slavery, they were not educationally qualified for a is particularly crucial for the study of American status fully equal to that of whites. history because chattel slavery was ended in such A look at the facts points to exactly the opposite a cataclysmic manner. conclusion. The racism of the white masses The existence of slavery in the southern part of showed signs of disintegrating under the impact of the United States created a social formation which revolutionary events. The industrial capitalists found itself in conflict with the development of who cam~ to control and dominate American industrial capitalism. The struggle for supremacy society, including the two big political parties, had between the two finally led to a military showdown to wage a long campaign, which included an and a titanic civil war, the most momentous event armed counterrevolution and an enormous propa­ of the nineteenth century. ganda effort involving the rewriting of history, to In that conflict the deaths on both sides totaled assure the continuance and reinforcement of 623,000. This is a figure only slightly less than all racism. the deaths sustained by the United States in World From the end of the Civil War into the 1880s it Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Paper $3.45 was demonstrated again and again that the most War, combined. If the wounded are added, the Order from Pathfinder successful tactic for winning votes among plebian casualties reached 1,094,453. For the Union, which Press, 410 West·St., New whites in the North was an appeal against the had 22 of the 31 million population at that time, mistreatment of Blacks in the South. this meant one out of every ten adult males was a York, N.Y. 10014 The turn towards granting the ex-slaves equal casualty, and for the Confederate states (including rights with whites in 1867 had the support of the the Black population) it meant one out of four. majority of white workers and farmers in the A conflict of such magnitude had a profound The interconnection of events in the phases nation. This was indicated by the triumph of the effect on the entire population. Existing attitudes constituting this second American revolution and Radical Republicans in the decisive elections of of whites toward Afro-Americans were especially its aftermath are not as confusing and inpene­ 1866-before Blacks could vote. It did not mean shaken by the fact that the decisive turning point trable as most historians like to make out. Why that the mass of whites had abandoned racist in the conflict was the freeing and arming of racism survived slavery can be ·concretely and attitudes but that such attitudes had been greatly Blacks. This great revolutionary war destroyed scientifically explained. The reason our present weakened and a strong antiracist current was chattel slavery forever in the United States. That society has so difficult a time with this problem is flowing. The later revival and strengthening of development in turn confronted American society that an honest accounting points the finger of guilt racism was rooted in socioeconomic factors much with a most formidable problem: What would now directly at the present capitalist system and its more powerful than the ideological carry-over from happen with the Afro-American people and other ruling class. The same social system that gave rise pre-Civil War times. nonwhites? Would they be considered equal to to chattel slavery found it necessary to abolish it, An understanding of the rise and fall of Radical whites and assimilated as those from Europe­ but it also found the by-products of slavery-racial Reconstruction is therefore essential for under­ Irish, Germans, Scandinavians and Italians-had oppression and the ideology of racism-extremely standing why racial oppression and racism have been and would be? For a short period significant valuable for further use. become integral parts of present-day society. steps were taken in this direction. Then the course Just as chattel slavery was originally esta­ of the nation was sharply reversed. blished because it was profitable and produced

!he •ost Demoeratle lovernment lver In the South The following is an excerpt from Chapter 5 of In the South the pressure and influence of Black Teacher: Yes, but what enabled them to obtain it? Peter Camejo's book Racism, Revolution, Reac­ officeholders resulted in a series of progressive How did they get money? tion, 1861-1877. The chapter is titled "Class reforms. Most important, of course, was the Students: Got it off us, stole it off we all! Struggle Under the Radical Regimes." elimination of the Black Codes and the guarantee­ ing of juridical rights for Afro-Americans, includ­ The first statewide free public schools in the The most "radical" aspect of Radical Recon­ ing the right to serve on juries, hold office, speak, South were established during Radical Recon­ struction was the opening it provided for Black organize, and serve in the police and militias. struction. The Black lawmakers sought schools for labor to wage struggles in its own behalf. Blacks, Other important reforms were also achieved. An both Blacks and whites and preferred integrated who had been slaves only a few years earlier and enormous demand went up from the Afro­ schools. Integration for all schools was esta­ who had not even had the right to vote the day American people for schools. There was more blished by law in Louisiana and at the university before, were now registering, voting, and sitting as interest in education among the ex-slaves than level in other states. In most cases separate schools delegates to write their state constitutions. Later among the poor whites, who were not caught up in were established because most whites insisted on they would take seats as legislators in their state such a profound social transformation as was the all-white schools before they would allow their capitals and even in Washington, D.C. Black population. children to attend. When schools of higher learn­ In all, fourteen Blacks would go to Washington General Pope, referring to his military district, ing were integrated many whites withdrew. as congressmen from six different Southern states, which included Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and New rights were granted to women during and two from Mississippi would enter the Senate. Mississippi, wrote in 1867: "It may be safely said Reconstruction. The first divorce and property Several others were elected to Congress but were that.the marvelous progress made in the education rights laws for women were passed. Better facili­ refused their seats on one pretext or another. Most of these people, aided by the noble charitable ties for the care of the sick, blind, and insane were of these representatives were ex-slaves. On the contributions of Northern societies and individu­ established. The judicial system and penitentia­ other hand, there was not a single Black from the als, finds no parallel in the history of mankind. If ries were modernized. North in the House until the 1920s and none in the continued, it must be bythesamemeans, and if the Albion W. Tourgee, a Union soldier who settled Senate until 1966. masses of the white people exhibit the same in North Carolina after the war and wrote A Fool's It is difficult to grasr the full revolutionary indisposition to be educated that they do now, five Errand, the best-known historical novel in defense implications of this Black representation. No years will have transferred inttilligence and of Radical Reconstruction, summarized the parallel exists in the United States today, there not education, so far as the masses are concerned, to achievements of those governments as follows: being a single worker, much less a socialist, in the the colored people of this District." "They instituted a public school system in a realm House or Senate. The election of Black legislators By 1869 there were 9,000 teachers in the South where public schools had been unknown. They was testimony to the depth of the revolutionary instructing the children of ex-slaves. By the next opened the ballot box and jury box to thousands of changes unleashed by the Civil War. Even though year there were 4,300 schools with close to 250,000 white men who had been debarred from them by a some of them maintained moderate political Black children in attendance. Apparently these lack of earthly possessions. They introduced home positions they were, regardless of the rhetoric used, students learned fast, as the following student­ rule in the South. They abolished the whipping above all representatives of the oppressed nation­ teacher exchange indicates. post, and branding iron, the stocks and other ality of Afro-Americans, a nationality composed Teacher: Now children, you don't think white barbarous forms of punishment which had up to almost entirely of laboring people. people are any better than you because they have that time prevailed. They reduced capital felonies The voice they raised in the halls of Congress straight hair and white faces? from about twenty to two or three. In an age of was anomalous among the paid representatives of Students: No, sir. extravagance they were extravagant in the sums the Robber Barons. They spoke up for the Chero­ Teacher: No, they are no better, but they are appropriated for public works. In all that time no kees and other dispossessed Indians and for the different, they possess great power, they formed man's rights of person were invaded under the hounded Chinese laborers in the West. They this great government, they control this vast forms of laws." sought to increase the rights of women and argued country.... Now what makes them different The governments under Radical Reconstruction for federal support to education, a concept that from you? were in many ways the most democratic the South would not be accepted for another generation. Students: MONEY. (Unanimous shout) has ever had up to the present day.

18 (PAGE 9/lNTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW) Leon !rotsky on Antifascist Struggle Should the labor mpvement or antiracist movement support laws supposedly aimed at restricting the rights of fascist or ultraright organizations? Trotsky offers some advice in this letter, published for the first time in English. attacks. In this highly critical period, the main enemy Introduction In countries like France and Holland, the of Bonapartism remains, of course, the revolu­ Should working people or Black people support ruling class began to moue to the right, seeking tionary wing of the proletariat. Thus, we can say laws or other government restrictions ostensibly to construct a "strong" (Bonapartist) state that with absolute assurance that as the class aimed at suppressing fascist or ultraright organi­ would keep "both right and left" under control. struggle deepens, all emergency laws, extraordi­ zations? In December 1935, shortly before Trotsky wrote nary powers, etc., will be used against the This question has arisen recently in at least this letter from Norway, the French parliament proletariat. two cities-Milwaukee and Chica{;o. In Milwau· passed a law disbanding all paramilitary organi­ After the French Stalinists and Socialists kee last year, City Attorney James Brennan zations. It obviously could just as well be used voted for the administrative disbanding of responded to widespread protests against Nazi against the workers' self-defense organizations paramilitary organizations, that old scoundrel vandalism and racist attacks by proposing an as against the fascists, but the Stalinists and Marcel Cachin wrote in l'Humanite approximate­ Social Democrats in parliament voted for it. ordinance that would ban all literature that ly as follows: 1 "A great victory.... Naturally, The idea was at once picked up in Holland, "exposPs the citizens of any race, color, creed or we know that in capitalist society all laws can be where it got the support of the conseruati ue religion to contempt, derision or obloquy." used against the proletariat. But we will strive to The Milwaukee Socialist Workers party op­ -government headed by Premier Hendrik Colijn. Trotsky's letter, dated January 13, 1936, was an prevent this, etc." posed the proposal, saying that any curtailment The lie here is in the word "can." What should of democratic rights will be used by the govern­ attempt to orient the Dutch Trotskyists to oppose the bill, and to provide them with arguments and have been said was: "We know that as the social ment against the labor movement and the crisis deepens, all these measures will be used antiracist movement rather than against the even amendments that they could use against it. At this time the leader of the Dutch Trotskyists, against the proletariat with tenfold intensity." racists. The party pointed to the hypocrisy of the There is a simple conclusion to be drawn from city government, which has done nothing to Henricus Sneeuliet, was a member of the Dutch this: We cannot help build up the Bonapartism of apprehend and prosecute those responsible for parliament. The letter does not seem to have been degeneration with our own hands and supply it the actual racist attacks. printed in Holland. The Communist party, on the other hand, Trotsky's letter was published in the February with the chains it will inevitably use to bind the praised the measure in an article in the Daily 1936 issue of Informations Dienst, a discussion proletarian vanguard. World entitled "Milwaukee Council gets anti-hate bulletin of the German Trotskyists in exile. It has This is not to say that for the immediate literature bill." been translated from the German by Russell future, Colijn will not want to free his right elbow Similarly in Chicago, where there has recently Block for a forthcoming volume of the Writings from the excessive presumptuousness of the been an outbreak of anti-Black niolence, Mayor of Leon Trotsky series published by Pathfinder fascists. The social revolution in Holland does Richard Daley has attempted to give the appear· Press. Copyright c 1976 by Pathfinder Press, Inc. not seem to be an immediate threat. Big capital ance of doing something about it by taking legal Pathfinder's editors have been unable thus far hopes to allay the threatening dangers by using steps to close dou·n a Nazi headquarters. Mean­ to learn what happened to the Dutch bill and the strong, concentrated (i.e., Bonapartist, or while, Chicago City Hall continues to let those would appreciate receiving pertinent information semi-Bonapartist) state. But to keep the real u1ho have assaulted Blacks roam the streets and at 410 West Street, New York, New York 10014. enemy, the revolutionary proletariat, within continues its policies of fightin{; to maintain bounds, Colijn will never completely eliminate or se{;rP{;ated schools, housing, and racist hiring even sidetrack fascism. At most he will simply practices. By Leon Trotsky keep it in check. The followin{; letter by Leon Trotshy, pu h­ That is why the slogan for the disbanding and lished here in English for the first time, is a disarming of the fascist gangs by the state (and valuable contribution to the debate over what Dear Friend: voting for similar measures) is reactionary attitude socialists, trade unionists, and antiracist The question of our attitude toward govern­ through and through. (The German social fighters should take toward such "antifascist" mental measures ostensibly aimed against fas­ democrats cry: "The state must act.") This would laws. cism is highly important. mean making a whip out of the proletariat's hide, · Since bourgeois democracy is historically one which the Bonapartist arbiters might use to Hitler's seizure of power in Germany in 1933 bankrupt, it is no longer in a position to defend opened up a period of deep social unrest in many softly caress the fascist rear ends here and there. itself on its own ground against its enemies on European countries. Native fascist and right­ But it is our binding responsibility and duty to the right and the left. That is, in order to wing movements, emboldened by the Nazi protect the hide of the working class, not to hand example, began to organize violent attachs on "maintain" itself, the democratic regime must over the whip to fascism. worllers organizations. In France they also progressively liquidate itself through emergency launched an armed attack on the Chamber of laws and administrative arbitrariness. There is another aspect of the same situation Deputies on February 6, 1934, leading to the This self-liquidation of democracy in the which seems even more important. Bourgeois resignation of the liberal Daladier government. struggle against right and left brings to the fore democracy is a sham by its very essence. The The French Trotskyists responded with a call the Bonapartism of degeneration, which needs more it flowers, the less it can be utilized by the for a workers militia so that the workers could both the left and the right danger for its proletariat (compare the history of England and defend themselves. "Vigilance committees" were uncertain existence in order to play them off the United States). But the dialectic of history formed throughout the country, composed pri­ against one another and to progressively raise commands that bourgeois democracy can become marily of trade unionists and supporters of the itself above society and its parliamentarism. The a powerful reality for the proletariat at the very Communist and Socialist parties, to provide the Colijn regime has seemed to me for a long time to time when it is falling apart. Fascism is the workers with a means of defense against rightist be a potentially Bonapartist regime. outward sign of this degeneration. The struggle against fascism, the defense of the positions the working class has won within the framework of degenerating democracy, can become a powerful reality since it gives the working class the opportunity to prepare itself for the sharpest struggles and partially to arm itself. The last two years in France, since February 6, 1934, have given the workers organizations an excellent opportunity (and perhaps one that will not be so soon repeated) to mobilize the proletariat and the petty bourgeoisie on the side of the revolution, to create a workers militia, etc. This precious opportunity is supplied by the decay of democracy, by its clear inability to maintain "order" by the old means, and by the equally clear danger which threatens the work­ ing masses. Anyone who does not take advan­ tage of this situation, who calls on the "state," i.e., the class enemy, to "act," in effect sells the proletariat's hide to the Bonapartist reaction.

1. Marc·pl Cachin was a lf•ader of tht• FrPnch Communist part:­ and t•ditor of its newspaper /'Hwnan/1,;. The law ret'Prn·d to by Trotsky was introdm·pd into the French parliamPnt hy a rea!'tionar:v deputy in t.hP name of '"national n·L·onciliatlon." EagPr to prove then1selvl'H "responsible" politicians, Socialist Nazis surround home of Black family in Chicago. Mayor Daley talks about 'anti-Nazi' legal measures, while and Communist party leadPrs L<•on Blum and Maurice Thorez refusing to assure protection of Black community. rose to (•ndorse the proposal. It passed immediately.

19 (INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW/PAGE 10)

Therefore, we must vote against all measures right to construct and arm their self-defense propaganda technique and not to the essence of that strengthen the capitalist-Bonapartist state, organizations in the face of the fascist danger. the matter). even those measures which may for the moment The state is committed to aid these organizations We have to take strong measures against the cause temporary unpleasantness for the fascists. with weapons, ammunition, and financial sup­ abstract "antifascist" mode of thinking that Naturally, the social democrats and the Stalin­ port on demand. finds entry even into our own ranks at times. ists will say that we are defending the fascists In parliament, these motions will sound rather "Antifascism" is nothing, an empty concept used against Father Colijn, who, after all, is better strange and Messrs. Statesmen (and the Stalinist to cover up Stalinist skulduggery. In the name of than the evil Mussert.2 We can say with assur­ posturers) will regard them as "shocking." But "antifascism" they instituted class collaboration ance that we are more farsighted than the others the average worker, not only in the NAS,3 but in with the Radicals. 4 Many of our comrades and that future developments will completely the reformist trade unions as well, will find them wanted to give the "People's Front," i.e., class confirm our perceptions and our demands. quite justified. collaboration, positive support in the same way We can, however, formulate certain amend­ Naturally, I offer these amendments only as an that we are ready to support the united front, i.e., ments which, when they are rejected, will make it example. One coul(i, perhaps, find better, more the separation of the proletariat from the other clear to every worker that what is at stake is not exact formulations. Will Messrs. Social Demo­ classes. Starting from the thoroughly false the fascists' rear ends but the proletariat's hide. crats and Stalinists deny their support or even slogan "People's Front to Power," in the name of For example: 1) Workers pickets are not to be vote against them? Even if they vote for them, "antifascism" they go still further and declare affected by this law under any circumstances, the motions will fail nevertheless, and then it that they are inclined to support Bonapartism­ even when they are obliged to take action will be absolutely clear why we vote against the for voting for Colijn's "antifascist" bill would against strikebreakers, fascists, and other lump­ government motion as a whole-and we must do mean nothing less than direct support for Bona­ en elements; 2) the trade unions and the political this without any second thoughts whatsoever for partism. organizations of the working class reserve the the reasons given above (even if the Colijn parliamentarianism rules these amendments out of order on the grounds that they apply only to ·1. The Radical (or Radical-Socialist) party was the main 2. Adriaan Mussert was the leader of the Dutch fascist capitalist party in France between World Wars I and II, and organization, the N ationalsocialistische Bewegening (National the chief capitalist component of the People's Front coalition Socialist Movement), which was founded in the 1920s. Mussert 3. The NAS (Nationaal Arbeids Sekretariat-National Labor that was elected to office in May 19:36. functioned as Hitler's agent during the Nazi occupation of the Organization) was a small left-wing trade-union grouping Netherlands in the Second World War. whose principal leader was Sneevliet.

Socialists vs. the CIA Srd Stapleton Debates William ColbJ

WILLIAM COLBY SYD STAPLETON

On April 11 some 1,000 students at Southern forward to the elections of 1976. Stapleton. Mr. Colby said that the CIA was not Illinois University at Carbondale attended a Assassination is a very flamboyant kind of a involved in the overthrow of the Allende regime. "Debate on the CIA" sponsored by the Graduate word and I think that most Americans and I I think that's just not true. Student Council. myself are against it. I was against it in the early The CIA has been involved in the overthrow of On one side was William Colby, former director 1960s. I turned down suggestions to that effect. governments in the past, and I don't see that of the Central Intelligence Agency. there has been any reexamination of the CIA's On the other was Syd Stapleton, national Shout from the audience. "What about the policy that has led it to renounce that course of secretary of the Political Rights Defense Fund Phoenix program?" action. and a member of the Socialist Workers party Nativnal Committee. The PRDF is a civil Colby. I'll answer the Phoenix program if you Now, on the allegation that the CIA has never liberties organization publicizing the multi­ want to. I've been against assassinations all killed anybody. million-dollar suit filed by the socialists against along. In fact, Operation Phoenix was a program government spying and harassment. But if you will read the Senate report on the aimed at the suppression of the political structure The event was originally scheduled to be a subject you will find that the CIA didn't of the National Liberation Front in South lecture by Colby, but after protests by an ad hoc assassinate anybody. [Uproar from audience.] Vietnam. It resulted somehow in the deaths of group, the Graduate Student Council and Colby There were five pages in the report that stated 20,000 people, according to a number of indepen­ agreed to change the format to a debate. that there were only two assassination attempts dent accounts. Colby and Stapleton had previously debated at where the CIA did try to go out to see if they Now, the last point was that people shouldn't Cornell University in Ithaca, New York: March could kill somebody, but neither M them died. be prosecuted for activities that were supported 8. [Laughter from audience.] by the executive branch and by Congress. I don't The debate began with prepared remarks by On the question of prosecutions of our people think it accomplishes anything to say these were both speakers. which Mr. Stapleton raised, no, there haven't bipartisan policies, as a way of exculpating the Following are excerpts from the rebuttals and been any prosecutions and I don't think there people who carried them out. question-and-answer period that followed the should be. Because the activities that were initial presentation. The remarks were trans· undertaken were undertaken in the belief that Question. What kind of Neanderthal justifica­ cribed and edited for grammatical smoothness. they were approved at the top level of the tion exists for the CIA to give money to an Neither speaker has had the opportunity to government-that is, that they reflected the Italian political party? revise his comments for publication. consensus of what the American people, and the Congress, and the executive were thinking at the Colby. The basic answer to your question I time. cannot discuss specifically, since I am con­ In respect to accusations abut the FBI, I'm not strained by certain bonds of secrecy. [Laughter.] Colby. With respect to some of the specific going to comment; I wasn't in the FBI. But I did refer to the fact that the CIA did assist allegations-the CIA helping to overthrow Al­ I believe the Constitution of the United various democratic and socialist forces in free lende. No, the CIA did not have anything to do States, if we follow it and if we apply it, will Western Europe when it was threatened by with the military coup against Allende. reflect what our American people want and what possible political subversion supported by the What . we tried to do was to support the they expect as things that should be done and as Soviet Union during the forties and fifties. democratic forces and media in Chile, looking things that should not be done. I believe that I have said publicly that we have

20 (PAGE II/ INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIS-T REVIEW)

not given one dime to the Italian parties in the past six months to a year.

Stapleton. When the debate at Cornell took place, one of the points that Mr. Colby made was that the United States had the right and responsibility to carry out activities around the world to insure its security. The CIA's conception of the security of the United States is not to protect democracy in Europe. It's to support friends of the United States, including the same kind of people that Lockheed was supporting in Japan and in Italy-not friends of democracy, but right­ wingers verging on fascism.

Question. Mr. Colby, are you saying that operatives who were involved in illegal activities should be let off the hook, but if one of the operatives leaks information beforehand, making an assassination not a reality, then that person would be thrown in prison?

Colby. I think the question is really, should the­ CIA keep secret something that was wrong? I think President Ford has stressed several times that he will not allow secrecy to be used to keep secret something that was wrong, meaning illegal. If it is wrong, meaning a wrong policy, it can be discussed behind closed doors with the committees of the Congress representing the American people. In former CIA Director William Colby's answer to followers. . . . And this was another case where I a question during the debate, the sleuth came personally gave instructions against Stapleton. Of course, it's interesting that you within a hairbreadth of openly stating for the first assassinations." say we should not allow secrecy to hide some­ time that "Operation Phoenix," which he headed Colby continued, "Yes I'll admit that people were thing wrong. The only problem is, we have to while assigned to Vietnam, was in fact a massive wrongfully killed. Some-and the figure 20,000 is find out about it first before we can know program of political assassinations. used because I reported that 20,000 had been whether secrecy has been used to hide something Colby was trying to substantiate the allegation killed, but not assassinated-55 to 90 percent of illegal. that the Thieu regime in Vietnam had mass them had been killed in military actions ...." That's the difficulty with that formula. support, and he cited various steps that were ta.ken Stapleton said after Colby's comments: "We've On the question of assassination, take the at the CIA's insistence to shore up the puppet's heard a revealing admission here, and that is Mr. CIA's role in the murder of Patrice Lumumba. I image. In the course of his remarks, Colby said, Colby's startling statement that of the 20,000 don't think that question has been explored "And the Phoenix was part of it. Phoenix was an people who died in the Phoenix program, 10 adequately. It's simply not true that the people effort to identify who the communist cadres and percent of them were not killed in military action­ the CIA targeted for assassination somehow leaders were and to stop bothering their that is, 2,000 were assassinated." managed to survive. Because Patrice Lumumba did not. an inimical effect on the rights of people in this and organize it as soon as possible. Colby. Patrice Lumumba was killed by totally country and around the world. And that's the separate forces in Africa. It had nothing to do problem we have to deal with. Question. When should the CIA overthrow with any group the CIA was in touch with. foreign governments? Question. Mr. Colby, are you in favor of ending Stapleton. How do we know? all spying activities against the Socialist Work­ Colby. In the first place, there is a perfectly ers party? And what is the CIA doing to protect practical matter. You don't overthrow a foreign Colby. I do know. [Laughter.] us from the Democratic and Republican parties? government, you help somebody in that country [Sustained laughter and applause.] who wants to overthrow the government do it. [Laughter.] Question. Would each of the speakers comment Colby. I can assure you the CIA wasn't doing I think that's an important fact, because on the Daniel Schorr matter? anything to protect you from either the Demo­ there's an image that somehow you just pull a cratic or the Republican party in the United string in Washington and-bang!-it goes. Stapleton. I think what we're seeing in the States, and I'm pretty sure that it hasn't done That's not true. attack on Daniel Schorr is an attempt by the anything since I left. The second answer is when. I think it should intelligence agencies to intimidate critics of their Now, on the second part of the question. I be used sparingly. activities. wouldn't give any party an absolute carte I think there are situations, however, where a As information has come out through people blanche. I would look at the question of whether force in a country indicates it will tum the like Daniel Ellsberg and Daniel Schorr in the there is any foreign support or manipulation, and country into a force hostile to the United States, past few years, there has been an increasing I would say that it is reasonable for the CIA to that you can perhaps avoid a more serious awareness in the United States that the govern­ look at whether this is happening. problem later by operating through some assist­ ment has bean carrying out policies which the Within the United States that's the FBI's job. ance to friends. people of this country have not been asked to Outside the United States that's the CIA's job. It's not an ideological urge to go over there and approve and have not approved. remake the world in our image. It is a matter of The answer of the intelligence agencies is not Stapleton. Well, there's obviously a dual the direct interests of the people of the United to open their files, to respond to the requests for standard being used here because there are States. information about their activities. Instead they certain institutions that operate overseas, like try to create a hysteria about the threat of lost Gulf Oil, that engage in political activities in the Stapleton. This is precisely the point I was secrets and damage to our "intelligence capabili­ United States and that aren't subject to surveil­ trying to make earlier, that the CIA and its ties." lance and infiltration by the CIA and the FBI. defenders continue to claim the right to try to I think Daniel Schorr should be defended, and So some become a target and some don't. And I overthrow governments. whoever leaked the information should be don't think the criterion is foreign tinks. The CIA And that's_ a very important point Mr. Colby defended as someone who was doing an impor­ and FBI target those people whose activities are made about how they don't try to create images tant and immeasurably valuable service to the inimical to the interests of the rulers of this of the United States around the world. That's American people. country. completely true. They don't try to establish constitutional Colby. I, of course, have already publicly Question. Mr. Colby, what's the status of the freedoms around the world. They don't try to defended Daniel Schorr. But I think the people files on domestic dissidents being held by the establish a bill of rights in Brazil or Uruguay or who gave him the information should be pun­ CIA? Greece or Chile. ished. The CIA is trying to support people it feels are Colby. The president of the Senate and the "friends" of the United States, people like Question. Mr. Stapleton, do you think the KGB speaker of the House wrote me a letter asking me Chiang Kai-shek, Pinochet, and the rest. does a better job in protecting the interests of that I destroy nothing. I've directed my people to Russia than the CIA? comply with that letter, but I also said that I Question. I am an Iranian and I and other hoped we would have the biggest bonfire I knew Iranians think that the CIA had a lot to do with Stapleton. I don't know, the KGB may be more of as soon as that letter of restriction was lifted. the coup in Iran in 1953. I would like to know if or less efficient than the CIA. It isn't a matter of Mr. Colby will support our right to look at CIA concern to me particularly. I think as Americans Stapleton. I assure you that officials of the CIA files and see for ourselves what the CIA has done we have a problem to deal with. Our government and FBI would like to have a big bonfire of all to our country and why we don't have any has set up agencies like the CIA, which is having the files we haven't seen, and they're going to try democratic rights. Why we have to suffer a

21 (INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST REVIEW/PAGE ,12)

dictatorship. [Sustained applause.] Question. For Mr. Colby: what is subversion, pat answer for that question. foreign and domestic? Colby. The Freedom of Information Act gives Stapleton. It's a very good point that subver­ a citizen of the United States an opportunity to Colby. I think the word subversion, there are sion is not a very precise term. It's used by the go to the government and get hold of government quite a number of different definitions of it-no FBI, for example, to target people for harassment documents, with a few exceptions outlined in the very precise ones. · It basically means working whom the FBI considers "subversive." And act. I do not believe that the CIA should be underneath to pull out from under the structure, there's no telling what they mean. It just means responsive to every foreigner who comes to the the things that hold something up, to penetrate they want to get you. front door and asks for a look at his files. it, infiltrate it, and so forth. [Applause.] That's the general meaning but I don't have a 'Thellaglc Flute'-.& llar:dst Interpretation Ingm.ar Bergman's film of the Mozart opera takes a new look at this puzzling tale, whose origins can only be explained through the Marxist view of human develop­ ment. Pamina. "You women need to have a man in By Jim Morgan control of your hearts, otherwise every one of you tends to go far out of your sphere." Why such concern about a woman's "sphere"? Mozart wrote The Magic Flute in 1791, at the time Bergman's version of The Magic Flute is of the French revolution, the triumph of bour­ beautiful, worth seeing several times. geois society over feudalism. But the "Liberty, But what is Mozart's Magic Flute all about, Equality, and FrqJernity" did not apply to anyway? women (or Black slaves). (At the end, the queen, On the surface, this Masonic morality play is her Ladies, and the Moor sink into the earth, about Enlightenment overcoming the Dark Ages. crying, "We are all cast into eternal night.") Lest The forces of light are represented by Sarastro women, inspired by the bourgeois-democratic and his priestly Brotherhood. Opposed to them revolution, become too "uppity," it was necessary stand the Queen of the Night and her spear­ to emphasize their proper "sphere." They were wielding Ladies. (In an interesting switch, the needed by capitalism to reproduce and raise the · three Ladies rescue Prince Tamino from a dragon labor force and serve as a "reserve army of and then view him as a sex object.) labor." In a sense, women had a more respected place Patriarchy vs. Matriarchy under feudalism, in which production was At another level, the opera is about the "battle carried on in the family and women were of the sexes." Its patriarchal bias shows up in recognized as producers alongside men. As many ways: the antifemale Brotherhood are the MOZART production moved out of the household into the good guys; a sexist contempt for women (as one business world, women were seen more and more of Sarastro's priests says, "A woman does little, as "doing little, gossiping much." Women's gossips much") is even more pronounced than The wavering Pamina is ruthlessly forced to private labor as housewives became only the the opera's racism (black is ugly; white is choose between helping her mother destroy the labor of consumption (cooking, etc.). As such it beautiful). patriarchy or severing all connections with the remained in "darkness," never entering the One is tempted to interpret the story with matriarchy. (The queen may be compared to the marketplace to become socially evaluated or "colors reversed," so to speak. Nietzsche tried to "Furies" of ancient Greek mythology, those recognized as a constituent part of social labor. interpret the Bible with God as a tyrant opposed remnants of the overthrown matriarchy who to progress ("Thou shalt not eat of the fruit of the visited revenge on men. For evidence of an actual Thus The Magic Flute expresses a parallel Tree of Knowledge"). So one might see Sarastro prehistorical matriarchy, see Frederick Engels's between the overthrow of the matriarchy and the and his Temple of Wisdom as tyrannical and Origin of the Family, Private Property and the overthrow of feudalism, both of which brought fraudulent. In fact, these are the very charges State, Pathfinder Press, 1972; Evelyn Reed's women down a notch. But a problem arises: Was raised against him by the Queen of the Night. Woman's Evolution, Pathfinder Press, 1975; and there not something progressive in the overthrow Sarastro's Brotherhood, which preaches "love, Elizabeth Gould Davis's The First Sex, Penguin, of the matriarchy, just as in the ending of duty, and forgiveness," is actually based on 1972.) feudalism? Is there an element of truth on slavery. Evidently the slaves, whose "foreman" Sarastro's side? is Monostatos, the lustful Moor, are supposed to Good Guys vs. Bad Guys (Gals) Yes. The overthrow of the matriarchy was be Black. And the powerlessness of women is A note on Bergman: Unlike Schikaneder, progressive in the sense that it brought about a implicit in the all-male rule. Mozart's librettist; Bergman portrays the queen class society that made possible enormous Of course, it is not hard for Sarastro to preach as unambiguously evil-in spite of her beautiful cultural and technical advance. Culturally: a forgiveness. For he is on top. He has bested the arias. Mozart's queen is not so simple. She feels group of "priests" (Sarastro and company) were queen-who desires vengeance to the point of wronged and oppressed by Sarastro. She be­ set free from labor so as to develop culture wanting to burn down Sarastro's temple. It comes more and more frustrated and desperate­ (Sarastro's Temple of Wisdom). Technically: the seems Sarastro has partially overthrown her to the point of joining forces with the evil social division of labor was developed, bringing rule. And to make sure the queen is finished, he Monostatos. But she is evidently sincere, not about a higher productivity of labor. has stolen her only daughter for the purpose of only in her rage, but in her initial dealings with instilling in her the patriarchal rules of the Prince Tamino. And by overthrowing feudal restrictions, capi­ game. talism has developed the world market and brought about an industrial revolution. This has Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, Bergman, however, shows her to be completely prepared the way for worldwide culture and the becomes a central character in the opera. Around devious from the beginning. But it is she who ending of capitalist exploitation along with the her the struggle is concretized. The queen sends gives Tamino his magic flute (which tames the end of class-divided society. Prince Tamino to rescue her from Sarastro. beasts a la Orpheus). And it is her ladies in But the problem is that culture and advanced Tamino is a bit like Don Quixote, with Papageno waiting who bid Tamino and Papageno to follow technology are used by those in power to the bird-catcher as his Sancho Panza. Tamino the advice of the three angelic boy~ (who are in maintain their privileged rule. Culture and knows nothing of Pamina, but immediately (and fact good spirits). This latter point, which shows science are bound up with class society and quixotically) falls in love with her picture. Their a connection between the queen and the forces of debased into making such things as atomic marriage is to be arranged, first by the queen, good, is erased by Bergman. He has the boys bombs. One "solution" is to reject science in then by Sarastro. introduce themselves, singing the part Mozart favor of astrology or to return to a more primitive Tamino betrays the queen's trust, as Sarastro wrote for the Ladies. way of life. (The Queen of the Night wanted to persuades him to join the Brotherhood. Tamino Furthermore, Bergman changes Sarastro into burn down the Temple of Wisdom; but she offered reveals his reason for going against the queen: Pamina's actual father. Thus his abducting her nothing positive to put in its place~) "She is a woman, with a woman's mind." from her mother is made more palatable. Like a The solution lies not in destroying technology This betrayal increases the queen's fury. In a good liberal, Bergman attempts to smooth the but in using it and building on the class culture fit of rage she gives Pamina a dagger and orders rough edges, playing down the sexist and racist of the past in order to bring about a new classless her to kill Sarastro-or else be disowned forever. elements. He omits the duet of the priests: society in which everyone will have real access to "Beware of woman's tricks; that is the first law culture, wealth, and leisure. For the "magic" of Jim Morgan, a member of the Upper West Side, of our order." technology, the power that can destroy the earth, New York, branch of the Socialist Workers party, is also the power that can create a new world if is a student of philosophy and economics at the 'Woman's Place' working people, the descendants of Papageno New School for Social Research. He is an And what is Sarastro's excuse for stealing and Papagena, can get control over it. amateur musician and has taught music in the Pamina from her mother? He says the queen is New York public schools. "proud and weak"-"only a man should guide"

22 National Picket Line Frank Lovell lectures and advice to the U.S. military brass on the problems of race relations in the military. Man with a future The DRRI has been totally Teamster President Frank Fitzsimmons was re­ over the union was increased by giving him power to ineffective in its supposed purpose as minded on a national television show a couple of years appoint "international representatives" whose salaries an affirmative-action program within ago that his two immediate predecessors, Dave Beck and perquisites he determines. the military. Its real purpose is to head and James Hoffa, had both gone to jail. He was asked Having in this way secured his immediate prospects, off and co-opt militant groups what he thought his chances were. Fitzsimmons said Fitzsimmons seemed to take a longer look into the protesting racism and to provide some future. The Cen­ window dressing. he didn't intend to go to jail if he could help. it. "TO TIIOSf .•. WIIO SAY TIIAT IT IS TIME TO tral States Pen­ Betances, a figure in the Puerto This was before the disappearance of Hoffa. And WOIJt:P REFORM TillS ~IZATIOH, THAT IT IS TIH£ fOii! sion Fund is Rican movement, had kept his since Fitzsimmons grants few public interviews, he lME LEA"PERS TO STOP Sfll1N6 OUT Tiff MEMBERS reported to be employment with the Defense hasn't had to say anything openly in recent months --1 SAV"ll)THfM,GO TO fiEU.!" -~~~m.slf!r-!Jq~s /'hr11k fihSIMfll()fS under new man­ Department a close secret. When it was about the threat of a jail sentence. His performance agement, with revealed, he was severely discredited indicates that he may be trying to keep out of jail, but final decisions within the Puerto Rican movement his efforts seem misdirected and unpromising. · on the disburse­ and criticized by the radical Puerto Several federal agencies are picking at criminal ment and m­ Rican student groups at Northeastern. misuse of the union's $1.4 billion Central States The Northeastern Illinois University Pension Fund. There is also a separate investigation vestment of funds resting administration is trying to railroad Dr. of the embezzlement of $2.38 million from Teamster with Daniel Stern by accusing him of unethical Security Funds of Northern California. Some of Shannon. He is behavior by causing "demonstrable Fitzsimmons's close associates are suspects in the described as in­ damage to the professional reputation disappearance of Hoffa and have recently been corruptible, a of Dr. Samuel Betances." indicted on charges of kidnapping and murdering a former protege The Stern Defense Committee has New Jersey Teamster official in 1961. of Chicago's repeatedly pointed out that if Dr. At least one of the big trucking firms under union Mayor_ Richard Betances's reputation was damaged by contract is complaining bitterly that rival companies, Daley. Appar­ the exposure of true facts, it is due to financed with union funds and operated by business ently Fitzsim­ his own questionable political partners of union officials, pay lower wages with mons decided on activities. It is for this reason that the union approval. his own or was error in the headline should be told by others to corrected. There is deep resentment in the ranks of the union. look for cover. Elizabeth McNulty Several opposition groups have developed to challenge Another, earli­ Chicago, Illinois the way Fitzsimmons and the gang around him are er, move in this direction might be palmed off as an running the two-million-member organization. attempt to clean up the union. Local 413 of the To make matters worse, Fitzsimmons is unable to CP won't fight city hall Teamsters in Columbus, Ohio, was seized last Febru­ find the political protection he enjoyed when his friend ary by a forty-member squad of Teamster "organiz­ The Communist party has not even Nixon was in the White House. ers." They handed the local union president, Vito mentioned once in its newspaper, The way Fitzsimmons ran the union convention last Mango, a notice to vacate, signed by Fitzsimmons. much less voiced support to, the June in Las Vegas didn't help promote the image of a landmark suit of the Socialist Workers good guy who ought to be defended against his The notice listed specific charges, among them: 1) party against the U.S. government. enemies and the bad company he keeps. The conven­ The SWP's suit has been responsible failure to ballot properly on a pro'posed dues increase; tion was policed by goons who seemed to be trying to for releasing and publicizing 2) acts of violence against employers, employees of the conform to the movie version of gangland hit men. thousands of documents detailing union, and members; 3) mishandling of union dues; 4) The lone opposition delegate was roughed up outside decades of government harassment of improper transfer of money from the union's Health the hall and silenced on the convention floor. Fitzsim- socialists and other political activists. and Welfare Trust Fund; 5) causing dissension among As if to remind everyone that even old prisoners can Meanwhile, the CP says it too has local executive board members, business agents, and have a rewarding future, the eighty-two-year-old Dave been harassed and has even asked the the membership. government to release records of this Beck was brought to the convention podium to harassment. denounce critics of corrupt union leaders. It may be that Fitzsimmons thinks his conduct will However, according to an article in Fitzsimmons, however, wants to be sure that he gets help keep him out of jail. But it is hard to believe that the Poughkeepsie Journal, Communist his rewards now. The convention raised his yearly pay any of this is very carefully thought out. It could be "party officials have declined to sue for to $156,250, plus an unlimited expense account and that there are other consequences Fitzsimmons fears these documents because they are exclusive use of a Learjet plane. His apparent control more than jail, and is trying to postpone. convinced that the FBI has doctored the records." CP presidential candidate Gus Hall told the Journal, "What Nixon did with the tapes, the FBI has done with By Any Means Necessary our records." Laurie Byrd ' Poughkeepsie, New York Baxter Smith

Democrats hired scabs The Democratic convention's Not yet uhuru prolabor image was tarnished They had trained for months and years to get to the athletes to participate in sports events with South somewhat by the discovery that heavy­ Montreal Olympics for that one moment when they Africans. handed credential officials had kept an would be Steve Austin and Jamie Summers no inore. Now don't go off half-cocked. This fan is not one of AFL-CIO film crew out of Madison When they would step out as six-million-dollar men those "politics. and sports don't and shouldn't mix" Square Garden. and bionic women to swim, dive, high jump over the · types. Any examination of Blacks in sports will reveal At the July 15 meeting of the New moon, and run fast, faster, fastest. that racial discrimination-a political phenomenon­ York City Central Labor Council, Bill But when they arrived, the James Gilkeses, Mike has kept them off the center stage despite their skills. Morgan of Cameramen Local 644 and Boits, and Filbert Bayis had to step back into their And it has taken struggles-political efforts-by Julius Margolin of Motion Picture roles as mild-mannered Steve Austins because their Blacks to achieve equality in sports. Studio Mechanics Local 52 protested governments were among the twenty-some African The point is that there should have been an the exclusion, and also pointed out and other nations that opted to boycott the Olympics. Olympics protest by these countries. But the boycott that nonunion film crews had been There was considerable disappointment among the was short-lived, had little staying power politically, used, in violation of a prior agreement. athletes and fans that this happened. After years of and hurt the athletes-the wrong people. "Every nail was union but on film training for this moment, the world would not be crews we got the raw end of the deal," Instead, the countries should have let their athletes Morgan said. witness to some of the best athletic match-ups compete. But months ago the countries should have Steve Beck possible. This fan-if to the chagrin of some--shares been-and still should be-initiating a big campaign New York, New York that disappointment. to educate humanity about the South African regime The issue was said to have been the admission of and who profits from racist oppression. New Zealand into the games. It had recently toured a Then they should have called for a massive protest rugby team in apartheid South Africa, and the African turnout at Montreal. They should have organized and other nations said if New Zealand was not booted protests of millions throughout Africa. And with their The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on sub­ out they would boycott. resources and authority they could have called on their jects of general interest to our "We will not align ourselves with a country that has friends in the Caribbean, the rest of the Americas, the readers. Please keep your letters sports ties with South Africa," said the chairperson of Middle East, Asia, and Europe to do the same. brief. Where necessary they will Kenya's National Sports Council. If protests on that scale had occurred it would have be abridged. Please indicate if If such a practice were closely followed there would been a much more powerful gesture to the Black your name may be used or if you be jillions of boycotts. Nearly every country-from the victims of apartheid inside South Africa. And, by the prefer that your initials be used United States and the Soviet Union to some of these way, there wouldn't have been a peep from at least one instead. same boycotting countries-regularly allow their fan who wanted to have his cake and eat it too.

THE MILITANT/AUGUST 6, 1976 23 The Great Society Harry Ring

A city with heart-Los Angeles champagne and caviar and you never buyers of Right Guard into thinking City Council members, who recently go wrong." they are getting more for their money. hiked their $30,000 salaries 10 percent, They will stop using oversize boxes aren't just looking out for number one. Philosphical-An Atlanta grand with false lids, sides, and bottoms. The They also reinstated free bus trips for juror charged that a judge refused to government also hit them with finan­ senior citizens. The bus, which pro­ authorize a crime probe, explaining, cial penalties for the deception-fines vided trips to the zoo, etc., was discon­ "Organized crime will never be elimi­ and legal fees totaling $7,500. tinued for lack of funds. But the good nated; a tolerable level will have to be council members voted $2,500 to keep it accepted as a fact of life." However, The sacred institution­ rolling until New Year's. the judge assured, "The court will act if 'Warrington Trently, this court has "WASHINGTON (UPI)-Married per­ and when the problem reaches crisis found you guilty of price-fixing, bribing sons are usually healthier than the proportions." a government official, and conspiring to formerly married, but healthiest of all Social tip-In case you're consider­ act in restraint of trade. I sentence you are those who never wed, according to ing a party, here's a good suggestion On guard-Gillette, the company to six months in jail, suspended. You the government's first statistical study from Mrs. Del Webb, widow of the late that pioneered razor blades with built­ will now step forward for the ceremonial on the relationship of marriage to real estate tycoon: "Start out with in obsolescence, agreed to stop conning tapping of the wrist.' illness." La Lucha Puertorriqueiia Catarino Garza Our ~democratic' system [Catarino Garza is the Socialist Workers the shopping areas. I need 3,500 valid signatures to the ballot. party candidate for U.S. Congress from New get on the ballot. We will collect many more, Seems funny, doesn't it? They are the ones with York's Eighteenth District.] however, to make it as difficult as possible for the big full-time staffs, millions in legal and illegal anyone to bump us off the ballot. campaign funds, and high-powered coverage in the When we go to school in this country, the The capitalist politicians have a third line of news media. But heaven forbid that people should textbooks boast that there is no system of govern­ defense. They sometimes have right-wing goons­ get any strange ideas. Socialists on the ballot might ment that is fairer than ours for every man and like the National Caucus of Labor Committees-or set an example to independent Puerto Rican or woman. If you don't like the Republicans, you can their own flunkies challenge the signatures ga­ Black candidates-or to labor candidates. After all, vote for the Democrats. Historians have written thered and filed. In 1974, a Democratic party millions of people are so fed up with the government books describing the futility of smaller parties or official in New York unsuccessfully challenged the that they don't even bother to vote any more. A lot independent candidates trying to stick their toe into SWP petitions. Another Democratic official told the of these people will be open to voting-and fighting the electoral arena. New York Times that he was "sick of those minor in other arenas-independent of the big business But just in case someone does decide to run for parties ~iphoning votes away from us." parties. If they have the alternative. office outside the two capitalist parties, the system We are not going to let the power brokers who are has a second line of defense. On the books are an My Democratic opponent, Edward Koch, has to responsible for the exploitation of millions succeed untold variety of laws and restrictions passed by collect 1,205 signatures, barely a third of what I in keeping the socialist alternative off the ballot. the Democrats and Republicans to keep socialists have to get. And it's almost 100 percent certain that They may win temporary victories, but even in and independents off the ballot. no one will challenge his signatures. He's a member states where they've kept the SWP off the ballot In California, for example, friends and supporters in good standing of one of the parties of the ruling before, hundreds of people are back in the streets of the Socialist Workers party are required to collect rich. again in 1976. In some states, we've filed suit 100,000 signatures to put our party on the ballot. An But this self-styled "liberal with a human face" against reactionary ballot laws. This year we aim to exorbitant number! willingly stoops to trying to kick independent be on the ballot in thirty states. In New York City, the drive to get me and the candidates off the ballot. In 1972 one of Koch's staff other socialist candidates on the ballot will begin members challenged the Socialist Workers party, If you agree with the right of the Socialist August 17. Scores of people will fan out through the the Free Libertarian party, and the Tenant's party. Workers party to be on the ballot, join us in New predominantly Puerto Rican Lower East Side on The SWP beat his undemocratic move, but he York the last two weeks of August. We need your street corners, in the housing developments, and in succeeded in eliminating the other two groups from help! Their Government Nancy Cole A Mondale for all seasons WASHINGTON-Carter's choice for a vice­ Carter opposes busing, but Republican Sen. Bob The point apparently being that they didn't need presidential running mate has been greeted with Dole gleefully calls Mondale "Mr. Busing." Fritz a secret police agency to do the job. At least, he wild relief by the nation's liberal commentators. It's plans to shake that epithet as fast as possible. added, as far as he knew the FBI and CIA didn't not Hubert Humphrey, but Sen. Walter "Fritz" Questioned by reporters, he said he had never been help out. "We just ran them [Communists] out of the Mondale is the next best thing, having been "an advocate" of busing. It's just that he isn't meetings on ·the grounds that they weren't Demo­ Humphrey's constant political companion since he against enforcing the law, "which occasionally crats and they weren't good union leaders, and we first worked on HHH's election campaign in 1948. requires busing." didn't want anything to do with them." Perhaps, the liberals dare to hope, Carter's I recall the first time I had a chance to observe Then in June, I caught Mondale's act at the selection of Mondale means the Georgia peanut Fritz firsthand. It was at a hearing of the Senate national conventions of AFSCME (American Feder­ farmer will be campaigning out the progressive side Intelligence Committee last December. The commit­ ation of State, County and Municipal Employees) of his mouth this fall. Carter's "intentions" were tee had just heard from a former FBI informer who and the National Education Association. Fritz had "clarified," said the New York Times, by chosing after infiltrating the Klan had joined murderous to fill in at the AFSCME convention for Carter, "so devoted and unquestionable a liberal." attacks on civil rights activists. who at the last,minute decided the fish were biting The Times "Man in the News" piece described Mondale didn't have any questions for him, but in Plains. He had never bothered accepting an Fritz as one "who finds it impossible to hold a when the spotlight moved to an FBI official, he invitation to address the NEA meeting. plastic smile and difficult to slap a back." showed concern. As long as the bureau stayed in In retrospect, I think Carter picked a real soul Lest you think this bodes change for the Carter the area of criminal investigation, Fritz noted, it did mate. My notes indicate only one memorable technique or program, the Democratic presidential okay. But when it moved to the realm of "political Mondale quote-delivered with great passion to candidate assures us that he is "completely satis­ ideas," the FBI "bungled its job." teachers at the NEA gathering: fied" that Mondale could "support with enthusiasm "I started in politics years ago," the Minnesota "Nothing is more beautiful than the face of a my own positions." That was after he and Mondale senator continued, "and the first thing we had to do healthy child ... [pause, the suspense builds]. had discussed what Carter calls the "litmus paper was to get the Communists out of our party and out And that's what this country needs more of!" issues," including "forced busing." of the union. We did a very fine job." Jimmy Carter couldn't have said it better.

24 YlY.offs, wage freeze Phila. city workers face cutbacks One-day By Terry Ann Hardy PHILADELPHIA-The municipal crisis that has plagued New York City walkout for the past year is spreading south. Here in Philadelphia, working people are under attack through higher taxes, by Atlanta layoffs, wage cuts, and cutbacks in health, transportation, and other servi­ ces. The main weapons of the ruling rich AFSCME in this attack are the Democratic party By Martha Shockey ATLANTA-City employees here administration of Mayor Frank Rizzo and the capitalist-owned mass media. carried out a highly effectiv~ one-day The first victims have been public work stoppage July 19 demanding employees. The latest battle began on payment of a $500 wage increase that June 30, when the contract expired had been promised and later with­ drawn by Mayor Maynard Jackson. between the city and its 24,600 nonuni­ Heads of city departments acknow­ formed employees. Negotiations be­ ledged that virtually no one except tween the city and the American supervisory personnel showed up for Federation of State, County and Mu­ work on what was designated "City nicipal Employees (AFSCME) broke Employee Day" by Local 1644, Ameri­ down because the city refused to offer can Federation of State, County and any wage increase and said it was delaying layoffs only until it thought it Municipal Employees. Eight hundred workers marched on could get away with them. city hall to confront Jackson. They The unions had been demanding a demanded that he honor the wage 4.5 percent wage increase, the same MilitanVJon Flanders agreement he negotiated and signed amount granted to police and fire Hospital workers protest last February against closing of city hospital. Democratic last March. fighters this spring, and no layoffs. administration is now extending mass layoffs to other departments. That agreement called for an imme­ For months, Earl Stout, president of diate $208 raise to be followed by the AFSCME District Council 33, which $500 increase by July 1. When July represents 22,000 city employees, had one city official said, "which was a It turns out that almost half the rolled around the mayor declared the said his union would strike rather than threat hanging over our heads. Now deficit consists of debt service pay­ city government had no funds for the accept a wage freeze or layoffs of any we can hold fast and let the pressures ments that were due in 1972. (Debt promised second step. union members. build up and see who they build up on service means interest and principal Under pressure from Local 1644's faster, the union or us." repayment to banks and other city campaign, however, Jackson offered a No picket lines This attack on city workers is. the bondholders.) one-time bonus reportedly ranging On July 1, however, no picket lines latest round in the ruling-class offen­ In 1972, during Rizzo's first term, the from $100 to $200. The discovery of were set up at work sites. City workers sive against Philadelphia workers. The banks agreed to postpone collection of this bonus money contradicted Jack­ didn't know whether they were first assault came when the Rizzo the debt until 1976. It probably looked son's original claim that the city was supposed to report for work or staff administration announced the closing like the cheapest way to buy Rizzo broke. picket lines. of Philadelphia General Hospital, the another term in office, by waiting until "The mayor is lying to us," declared Confusion abounded outside the city only city hospital, by July 1977. after the November 1975 election to James Malone, head of the AFSCME hall complex as employees hesitated The closing of PGH, which serves demand repayment. public works chapter, at a recent for as much as an hour to go to their 236,000 patients yearly, is an attack membership meeting. jobs. Elevator operators reported for not only on city workers but on the New loan crisis Local 1644 is an overwhelmingly work an hour late. right of the Black and Puerto Rican In November 1975, the city had to Black union that worked hard to elect "This is a half-hearted strike if I ever communities to health care. borrow $25 million from the banks at a Jackson as Atlanta's first Black may­ saw one," said Alfred. Doyle, a city On July 1, working people here were record high interest rate of 10 percent or. But his antilabor actions have custodian for eleven years. hit with an increased city wage tax­ in order to pay off the interest on its revealed the true face of the city's Union sources were quoted later as now 4 percent, the highest in the old bonds. In return, the city agreed to saying they had never intended to country. Homeowners suffered a 29 layoffs and cuts in social services. The stage a strike. They had thought "it percent property tax increase. In addi­ banks demand these cutbacks as a was a good bargaining technique," one tion, water and sewer rates will in­ guarantee that their interest payments source said. crease by 50 percent in August. are and will continue to be the top Instead, the city's nonuniformed Last May, the Southeastern Pennsyl­ priority in city finances. workers began a slowdown aimed at vania Transportation Authority (SEP­ The city now has $82 million in affecting city services over the July 4 T A) claimed they had a budget deficit. short-term debt payments due De­ weekend. In addition, city workers in They threatened to shut down bus, cember 3. It will have to borrow more almost every department refused to streetcar, and subway service, raise money to pay off this debt in De­ accept overtime assignments for night fares from thirty-five to fifty cents, and cember. But by the beginning of the work and the bicentennial weekend. lay off 345 workers. summer no bank had agreed to buy City Managing Director and Rizzo any city bonds. crony Hillel Levinson announced that In July, having proved its serious­ the city would dock the 'pay of all Transit layoffs ness about attacking social services, workers who participated in the slow­ When the SEPTA workers were laid wages, and unions, the city was able to down. "Even if the workers put in off, the Transport Workers Union sell $60 million in bonds to the banks. eight hours a day, if they only give us (TWU) initiated a slowdown and threa­ Deputy Finance Director Irwin Davis four hours of productivity, they'll get tened to strike July 4 unless they were called the successful sale "a pat on the four hours' pay," Levinson said. rehired. head that we've remedied our defects." JACKSON: Threatens to fire any city The city has suspended sixty-two "The mayor and politicians of this That's the crisis in a nutshell: employee who strikes. sanitation workers for "not putting in city better send a message to the drastic cuts in the living standards of a full day's work." According to people coming to visit," Merrill Cooper, workers to ensure the profits of the Levinson, "These are immediate sus­ secretary-treasurer of TWU Local 234 banks. Democratic administration. After re­ pensions with the intent to dismiss." told 1,000 cheering members at a For working people, the crisis prom­ fusing to grant the promised raise, The sanitation department is al­ meeting in June. "Tell them they better ises only to get worse. The public Jackson threatened to revoke the ready so understaffed that the workers bring tricycles . . . they better bring school system has announced that its union's dues checkoff rights if it led put in many hours of overtime just to roller skates. If SEPTA doesn't rehire deficit will run to $66 million. One any sort of work action. keep up with trash collection. these men, not a wheel will turn in the reason for the city's hard line toward Undeterred by these threats, the AFSCME leaders called off the SEPTA system." AFSCME is that teachers and school union proceeded to organize a "safety slowdown after the first week, but City officials took the threat serious­ employees will expect their contract to program" slowdown and the one-day workers are still refusing overtime. ly, and negotiated a settlement with at least match that of other city strike. the TWU before July 4. Thirty of the workers. Jackson addressed the angry 'Tough it out' 345 drivers laid off were rehired. TWU The Rizzo administration and the workers at city hall, assuring them As the stalemate goes into its second President Ned Le Donne passed this school board have told the Philadel­ that he sympathized with their prob:­ month, the ruling class in this city off as "the greatest victory that a phia Federation of Teachers, whose lems and had always supported their refuses to budge. The city's last offer union could ever achieve." contract expires in September, not to right to organize. But, he said, the city was a two-year contract with no wage The capitalist politicians and news­ expect any wage increases. The PFT could not afford a raise unless increase the first year and 6.5 percent papers say the reason for these break­ represents 14,000 teachers and 8,000 AFSCME agreed to layoffs. the second year. downs and impending catastrophes is nonteaching employees in the Phila­ When the workers returned to their One union official pointed out that that the government has been spend­ delphia schools. jobs the next day, they found a memo "by the second year, without a pay ing too much on public services and The antilabor austerity program of from Jackson declaring that any city raise now, we would be 17 percent now has a budget qeficit. Back in the Rizzo administration is going to employee who goes on strike will be behind in the cost of living and taxes January, the Rizzo administration get worse before it gets better. Growing fired. alone." "discovered" a deficit in excess of $80 numbers of workers in Philadelphia The Rizzo administration clearly million, although it had claimed a are beginning to recognize this harsh intends to '(tough it out." "We're past surplus of $12 million in the 1975 city reality, and are discussing how be!ft to the critical Fourth of July weekend," budget. fight back.

THE Mll.ITANTI AUGUST 6, 197~ 25 USSR: the consolidates its power

KAMENEV ZINOVIEV RYKOV BUKHARIN RADEK executed executed executed executed fate unknown

By Dick Roberts apparatus and its replacement by a workers state, foreign imperialism if the workers in one or several (Sixth of a series) to rule in the interests of the majority. But this imperialist countries in Europe did not seize power Most defenders of Moscow and Peking who claim workers state is transitional. As the new classless and prevent this. that'"socialism" already exists in the Soviet Union society is built, the need for the repressive power of "We are in a besieged fortress until other armies or China would nevertheless agree that democratic the state is eliminated. The state itself will "wither of the international socialist revolution come to our rights are drastically restricted in both countries. away," as Marx said. aid," Lenin wrote in a letter to American workers in The USSR and China are ruled by monolithic 1918. parties. Policy is decided at the top. Free discussion Lenin's view The imperialists invaded Soviet Russia. Led by is outlawed. Writing, both political and artistic, is "We ourselves," Lenin wrote, "the workers, will former tsarist generals and backed by virtually heavily censored. There are no alternative parties organize large-scale production on the basis of what every imperialist power, the White Guards attemp­ and the press is completely controlled by the state. capitalism has already created, relying on our own ted to crush workers' rule. Voicing an independent critical opinion can land experience as workers, establishing strict, iron The Russian civil war lasted for three years. anyone in jail. discipline supported by the state power of the armed Ultimately the Red Army under Leon Trotsky A reminder of the absence of democracy in China workers; we will reduce the role of the state officials repulsed the reactionary attack. The Bolsheviks came with the Tien An Men Square demonstration to that of simply carrying out our instructions as were aided by the fact that workers all over the in Peking last April. responsible, revocable, modestly paid 'foremen and world rallied to their support. In 1919, for instance, In that event the Peking police had removed bookkeepers' (of course, with the aid of technicians workers in Seattle, Washington, prevented arms thousands of wreaths placed in honor of Chou En­ of aU sorts, types, and degrees). This is our from being shipped to aid the White Guards. lai at the Martyrs' Monument in Tien An Men proletarian task, this is what we can and must start But there were no successful revolutions abroad. Square. An enormous crowd, estimated at more with in accomplishing the proletarian revolution. Imperialism, defeated on Russian soil, nevertheless than 250,000, demonstrated against the removal of Such a beginning, on the basis of large-scale succeeded in confining Soviet power within Russian the wreaths. The crowd was routed by the police. production, will of itself lead to the gradual frontiers. Furthermore, the civil war left the Soviet Hundreds were arrested. Since then radical Chinese 'withering away' of all bureaucracy.... " economy devastated, with production leyels well students from Hong Kong to Chinatown, New York, But the Soviet state has not withered away. It has below prewar tsarist times. have protested the Tien An Men Square repression. become a monstrous repressive apparatus dwarfing The civil war claimed the lives of thousands of The traditional argument in defense of Moscow's most capitalist regimes. The Kremlin bureaucracy revolutionary-minded workers and cadres of the and Peking's repressive policies is that harsh has not become a "modest" officialdom subordinate Bolshevik party. measures are necessary now in order to build a to the needs of workers; the bureaucracy itself took In the ensuing climate of desperate poverty and democratic socialist society in the future. over the state in order to protect its own interests demoralization, careerists rose to the leadership of Leaving aside the question of at what point against those of the Russian workers and peasants. both the Bolshevik party and the Soviet state "socialism" would exist in a postcapitalist society, apparatus. Their central concern was their own are the regimes in Moscow and Peking headed in Russian civil war bureaucratic privilege. The spirit of revolutionism this direction? Do the rulers of the Soviet Union and The bureaucratization of the Russian revolution gave way to opportunism in the ranks of the new China really aim to build a society of workers and is rooted in historical developments ·that were not bureaucracy. peasants democracy? foreseen by the Bolsheviks when they overthrew Social advances begun on all levels by the tsarism in 1917. The Bolsheviks thought . their Bolsheviks under Lenin were taken back piece by State apparatus revolution would spread to the West. They believed piece under the Stalin regime. Between 1917 and To get at these questions it is helpful to begin that Bolshevik power would be overthrown by 1927, for example, the Soviet government passed a with the Marxist conception of the state. In his famous pamphlet The State and Revolution, Lenin quotes a summary of this conception by Engels. "The state, then, has not existed from all eternity," Engels wrote. "There have been societies Vtctims of the purge that did without it, that had no conception of the state and state power. At, a certain stage of Gregory Zinoviev (1883-1936), Bolshevik leader, Nikolai Muralov (1877-1937), Bolshevik leader, economic development, which was necessarily Lenin's closest collaborator in the decade preced­ head of Moscow military district and Central bound up with the cleavage of society into classes, ing 1917. Chairman of the Communist Interna­ Committee member under Lenin. Executed. the state became a necessity owing to this cleav­ tional from its founding in 1919 to 1926. Execut­ Leonid Serebriakov (1890-1937), secretary of age." ed. Bolshevik Central Committee. Executed. State power is repressive power. It protects the Leon Kamenev (1883-1936), Bolshevik leader, Mikhail Tukhachevsky (1893-1937), outstand­ interests of the class that rules: in capitalist society, chairman of the Moscow Soviet and of the ing military commander in civil war, appointed the interests of the capitalist class against those of Communist party political bureau after Lenin's marshal of the USSR in 1933. Executed. the working class. Engels continued: death. Executed. Alexei Rykov (1881-1938), Bolshevik leader, succeeded "We are now rapidly approaching a stage in the Ivan Smirnov (1881-1936), Bolshevik leader, Lenin as chairman of the Council of People's Commissars. Executed. development of production at which the existence of hero of the civil war in Siberia. Executed. Sergei Mrachkovsky (1883-1936), Bolshevik Nikolai Bukharin (1888-1938), Bolshevik lead­ these classes not only will have ceased to be a leader, famous civil war commander. Executed. er, second president of the Communist Interna­ necessity, but will become a positive hindrance to tional, member of Lenin's political bureau. Exe­ production. They will fall as inevitably as they Yuri Pyatakov (1890-1937), Bolshevik leader. cuted. arose at an earlier stage. Along with them the state Lenin called him and Bukharin the "two ablest Nikolai Krestinsky (1883-1938), Bolshevik lead­ will inevitably fall. The society that will organize young men in the party." Executed. er, secretary of the Central Committee, Soviet production on the basis of a free and equal Karl Radek (1885-1939), leader of the Commu­ ambassador to Germany in Lenin's time. Execut- association of the producers will put the whole nist International in Lenin's day. Either died or ed. . machinery of state where it will then belong: into was executed in prison. Christian Rakovsky (1873-1941), Bolshevik the Museum of Antiquities, by the side of the Gregory Sokolnikov (1888-1939), Bolshevik leader, chairman of the Ukrainian Soviet, Soviet spinning wheel and the bronze axe." leader, people's commissar of finance from 1922 ambassador to London and Paris. Died or was For Marxists the overthrow of capitalist rule to 1926. Died or was executed in prison. executed in prison. means the dismantling of . the capitalist state

26 series of new laws giving women legal equality with men. Marriage became an easy registration process. The concept of illegitimate children was abolished. San Antonio Chicanos demand Free, legal abortion was made every woman's right. But during the 1930s every one of these gains was taken away. U.S. charges against killer-cop The destruction of the promise of revolutionary By David Salner for the gun and it went off accidentally. advance for workers and peasants required the SAN ANTONIO-Frank Hayes, chief of police in Then Dunford and Hayes return to the scene of destruction of the revolutionary party. When Lenin Castroville, a town near here, got away with the shooting, where they try to cover up the died in 1924, the new regime unleashed a furious murder. bloodstains. They put the corpse into the trunk and attack on Trotsky and Leninism that has not died That was the reaction of Chicanos here when then drive to Hayes's home. down to the present day. they heard a state court gave Hayes a two-year There they wash and clean the car. Hayes's wife, Through assassinations, purges, trials, and impri­ sentence for executing Ricardo Morales. The com­ daughter, and sister-in-law then take the body to a sonments, ultimately leaving millions in concentra­ munity is demanding that the Justice Department relative's ranch more than 300 miles away where it tion camps, the new bureaucracy asserted its intervene and prosecute Hayes to the full extent of is buried in a shallow grave. triumph over the masses. federal law. A clear-cut case of premeditated murder? Here's what happened: Read on. State terror It is September 14, 1975. Hayes sets out to arrest Hayes was indicted for murder, a capital crime. It is not possible to explain the extent of Stalin's Ricardo Morales. His trial was moved to San Angelo, 200 miles away, violence and repression solely on the basis of one Morales, an unemployed construction worker, has where a jury that included no Chicanos and only man's personality, as many bourgeois critics try to been accused of two misdemeanor thefts, but that is one Black heard the case. do. It is equally false to pretend that the terror of not why Hayes wants him. Morales was in court His trial ended July 8, when the jury returned its the Stalin regime was "merely excessive," as two days earlier and took care of the matter. verdict. Stalin's admirers in the pro-Moscow and pro-Peking Hayes tells his son-in-law, Dennis Dunford, why The jury reasoned that Hayes did not murder camps attempt to do. he wants Morales: "I am going to shoot him three or Morales-that was done by the shotgun shell. Isaac Deutscher described tl 1e extent of the purge four times," Hayes tells Dunford. Hayes was guilty only of attacking Morales­ trials in his biography of Stalin. "Of the endless Hayes asks Dunford to come with him. Hayes aggravated assault. Hayes was sentenced to not trials, public and secret, four were of the greatest needs a witness to a "shooting in self-defense." less than two years' imprisonment. importance: 'the trial of the sixteen' (Zinoviev, At 10:25 p.m. two of Hayes's deputies arrest Marla Morales, widow of Ricardo, sat in the San Kamenev, Smirnov, Mrachkovsky, and others) in Morales at his home. Hayes arrives with Dunford, Angelo courtroom as the jury announced its verdict. August 1936; 'the trial of the seventeen' (Piatakov, and hits Morales. Hayes says, "Let the s.o.b. go, Then she cried. "I just wanted to see justice done," Radek, Sokolnikov, Muralov, Serebriakov, and uncuff him and let him run so I can shoot him." she said. "I don't think he got what he deserved." others) in January 1937; the secret trial of Marshal With Hayes and Dunford in one car, the two This was followed by a July 14 Justice Depart­ Tukhachevsky and a group of the highest generals deputies in another, they proceed to a rendezvous at ment decision to close its file in the case without of the Red Army in June 1937; and 'the trial of the a remote point on U.S. Route 90. From there they go bringing federal charges against Hayes. The twenty-one' (Rykov, Bukharin, Krestinsky, Ra­ down a dirt road, where they stop. Justice Department says it has a poli~y of not kovsky, Yagoda, and others) in March 1938. Hayes pulls a shotgun, takes Morales from the enforcing the law when there is a conviction in "Among the men in the dock at these trials were deputies, and orders the two to leave. state courts. all the members of Lenin's Politbureau, except "I have killed me a Mexican before," Hayes says, On July 17, a San Antonio press conference to Stalin himself and Trotsky, who, however, though "and I am getting ready to kill me another." protest the kid-gloves treatment of Hayes drew more absent, was .the chief defendant. Among them, The two deputies drive atiout a mile, turn off their than 200 people. Fifty groups, including virtually moreover, were one ex-Premier, several vice­ headlights, and park. every Chicano organization in the area, sent repre­ Premiers, two ex-chiefs of the Communist Interna­ Meanwhile, Hayes takes the handcuffs off Mo­ sentatives. tional, the chief of the trade unions (Tomsky, who rales and tells him to walk down the road. A couple "It's been said we are a patient people, we turn committed suicide before the trial), the chief of the of minutes later the two deputies hear a muffled the other clieek," said Manuel Gonzalez. "Well, how General Staff, the chief political Commissar of the many cheeks do we have?" Gonzalez is national Army, the .Supreme Commanders of all important sound. Morales is dead. president of the League of United Latin American military districts, nearly all Soviet ambassadors in The Chicano's body has been ripped to shreds by Citizens. Europe and Asia, and, last but not least, the two a shotgun blast at point-blank range. "The Morales family, two or three months ago, is chiefs of the political police: Yagoda, who had going to be your family tomorrow if we don't stand provided 'evidence' for the trial of Zinoviev and Hayes tells Dunford it was an accident. They load the corpse into the car and drive to rejoin the two up and protest this," charged Patrick Flores, a Kamenev, and Yezhov, who had done the same for deputies. They tell the deputies Morales struggled bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San the trials of all the others." Antonio. Stalin & Mao Ruben Sandoval, an attorney for the Morales Peking doctrine maintains a high place for Stalin, family, voiced their demand that the federal government prosecute Hayes for violating Morales's second only to Mao himself. The central reason for civil rights. this is to blur the sharp line separating revolution­ Since the news conference, the campaign for ism from bureaucratism. The regime in Peking has justice for Ricardo Morales has been gathering stamped out workers and peasants democracy with steam. no less vehemence than Moscow. Mao's supporters On July 21, more than 200 students attended a praise the period when Stalin ruled the Soviet rally at the University of Texas at $an Antonio. Union. Speakers included Sandoval, Charles Cotrell of the For example, Martin Nicolaus writes in Restora­ ACLU, and Rosie Castro, a leader of the Raza tion of Capitalism in the USSR (originally a series Unida party. published in the Guardian): "The Soviet Union of On July 22, it was reported that U.S. Rep. Henry the mid-1930s was predominantly a scene of Gonzalez had written several letters to state and triumph and unity. Its elementary features were federal officials urging further action in the case. that state power was solidly in the hands of the On July 22, U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen added his working class; the major opposition blocs within the voice to those demanding that the Justice Depart­ party had been exposed and defeated and the unity ment consider reopening the case. He urged Attor­ of the party was strong.... It was this triumphant Frank Hayes (left) murdered Ricardo Morales, ney General Edward Levi to meet with a delegation spirit that animated the party's 17th Congress of pictured here with wife Marfa. of Chicano leaders to hear arguments on the issue. 1934 ...." Nicolaus betrays a profound antipathy to Leni-. nism. For if state power was solidly in the hands of the working class, why would it be necessary to unleash horrendous state terror against a workers party? Beginning in 1934 the Bolsheviks were tried, Immigration arrests activists imprisoned, and murdered en masse. "Unity of the By Pedro Vasquez Cantu stood by his constitutional rights and refused party" consisted solely of obedience to the bureau­ SAN ANTONIO-The U.S. Immigration and to let la migra ente~ without a search warrant. cracy. Naturalization Service, or la migra, as it is known When they obtained a warrant and searched the Nicolaus seems to be unaware of the fact that two to Cl;licanos, is on a campaign to victimize Chicano restaurant, the immigration cops left no stone years after the seventeenth congress of the Soviet activists in this city. unturned. Everyone was grilled about their citizen­ Communist party, which he extolls for its "strong On July 13, at 11:30 p.m., Mario Cantu was ship, including a few visibly upset Anglos. Five unity," 70 percent of the members of the Central arrested at his restaurant by U.S. marshals. Cantu people were arrested for having no immigration Committee elected at that congress were arrested was charged with "conspiracy to harbor and shield documents. and shot. illegal aliens, knowingly and willfully," and was As he was being released from prison, Cantu said, The terror of the Stalinist state was rooted in the released on $5,000 bond. "I believe it is a privilege and an honor to be objective necessity for it to wipe out practitioners of On July 23, Ignacio Perez was picked up at the charged with coming to the aid of people whose Leninism-those who believe that socialism can crack of dawn for "attempting to shield illegal only crime is trying to find a job and support their only be built through the struggle for workers and aliens from detection." As of July 26, Perez was families." peasants democracy. being held in jail in lieu of $25,000 bond, which a Over the dead bodies of the leaders of the first judge said must be put up in cash. In an interview with the Militant, Cantu said he successful workers' revolution, the Soviet bureau­ Both Perez and Cantu are well-known Chicano was being singled out as an example of what can cracy erected a state to protect and defend bureau­ activists in this area. Cantu was a founding leader happen to any person who challenges la migra. cratic privilege. of TU-CASA, an antideportation organization. "It is obvious," Cantu said. "They are trying to This state is unalterably opposed to socialism. It Perez was a leader of the Chicano student move­ scare merchants and businessmen who try to do the is an obstacle that will have to be removed by the ment and a supporter of the Raza Unida party. same as I did and exercise their rights by forcing Soviet workers to complete the task the Bolsheviks The charges against the two stem from a June 18 the immigration to show some legal reason for began. raid on Mario's Restaurant, which Cantu operates. making a raid on their business."

THE MILITANT/AUGUST .6, 1976 27 In Review E¥ewitness- account Chicago mob attacks [On July 17 an open-housing white racists were throwing apples, march of some 200 persons was tomatoes, full bottles and cans of beer, viciously attacked by 1,000-2,000 and firecrackers at us. I even saw a Women champions white racists as it entered Mar­ baseball bat and a tire iron sailing quette Park, an all-white commun­ through the air. Once upon a time, women were In fact, the performance of women in ity on Chicago's southwest side. One of the most amazing things barred from the Olympics, even as many events has sparked speculation The following eyewitness account about what was going on at that point spectators. That's how the Olympic and debate: Maybe the physical differ­ of that day's ev~nts is by Cecil was the behavior of the police. They story began twenty-seven centuries ences between men and women are Lampkin, chairperson of the Chi­ had been ordered by a judge to protect ago when men ran a 200-yard race in "more an artifact of social or cultural cago Student Coalition Against us. About 90 percent of the missiles ancient Greece. restrictions imposed on the female ... Racism. Lampkin participated in were coming toward us from our right Whew! Have things changed. than a result of true biological differen­ the march and served as a mar­ side. But almost all the cops were This year women wrote a new ces between the sexes." This is the shal.] behind us on our left side! chapter and stole the main character conclusion of Dr. Jack Wilmore, a In spite of this, we were able to roles. ABC's "Wide World of Sports" researcher of women's physical abili­ protect ourselves pretty well. We used brought the spectacular achievements ties. of female athletes into millions of In his studies Wilmore shows that The march began at. the headquar­ kitchens and living rooms. boys and girls are equal in strength ters of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Women across the country tuned in until they turn ten or twelve: the age Movement in the predominantly Black especially to see Olga Korbut. In 1972 when girls are expected to retreat to community of West Englewood. We the Soviet gymnast dazzled the world the sidelines. marched on Seventy-first Street toward An article in the July 31 National Marquette Park. Observer points out that lhe gap About six blocks from the park we between the record times of male and encountered the first hostile whites. Television female swimmers and long-distance They shouted, "Niggers go home," and runners is dramatically narrowing. other epithets. Anyone arguing that women are About two blocks from the park, the with her abilities and unprecedented basically physically inferior to men is debris really started to fly. showwomanship. Many of her young blinded by prejudice. The truth is we Clearly, the racists had organized in admirers have since taken to the haven't had the chance to see what advance. Stored in niost alleys and balance beam and uneven parallel women's full potentials are. Outstand­ intersections were stockpiles of rocks bars. ing female athletes will be the excep­ and bricks. Korbut's first exercise on the bars tion as long as sex stereotyping and A brick hit one woman in front of this year was magnificent-almost me. It struck her mouth. She bled perfect. But "almost perfect" was no profusely. I saw at least two others longer a sufficient measure of great­ injured by huge chunks of concrete. ness. But the stoning at this point was a A new dictionary definition of "per­ drizzle compared to the storm we fect" might include as one of its encountered at the southeast corner of synonyms a name-Nadia Comaneci. the park itself. Militant/Mark This fourteen-year-old Rumanian There, from one to two thousand NSCAR leader Cecil Lampkin was not satisfied with flying around the bars-seeming to defy the laws of gravity. She challenged the laws of motion too. Swinging onto the high bar into a hand stand, she stopped, motionless for a few seconds. SWP's Pulley blasts She performed equally spectacular feats on the balance beam, where she By Andrew Pulley hoods? Is this Black people's fault? Are also received perfect "10" scores. CHICAGO-Recently I picked up the we lazy or possessed of some inferior Comaneci and the other gymnasts Chicago Daily News and was appalled genes, as Royko implies? are short and slight. They hide the to find that Mike Royko, one of the No. Slums (both Black ones and strain and struggle that lie behind best-known columnists in Chicago, white ones) are caused by poverty. And each movement with an easy grace. had written a column supporting the because of racial discrimination a high It's different with the women bigots who have been terrorizing percentage of Black people in this swimmers. Their exertion is as obvious Blacks in the Marquette Park-Chicago country are poor. as the muscles that stand out on their Lawn area. If you're poor, if you don't have a large frames. Royko says it's "understandable" job, or if you're on welfare, it's hard to As seventeen-year-old Kornelia End­ why whites want to keep Blacks from maintain an apartment or house. This er stepped up to the starting block, moving into Marquette Park. "There's is all the more true because landlords sportscasters called her the "bionic not one iota of evidence to indicate and city services discriminate against woman." Electronic timers clocked that when a working class neighbor­ Blacks. Garbage pickups, street clean­ three new world records for Ender as hood begins to change racially it will ing, pest control, and street repairs are she swam her way to four individual remain livable and whites can remain all inferior in poor neighborhoods. gold medals. there," Royko writes. Landlords neglect the buildings. One night the woman from the Royko blames Black peopl~ for the Banks practice redlining, which means German Democratic Republic passed a they have a policy of not . lending grueling endurance test. She swam two Andrew Pulley is the Socialist money for home repairs in slum areas. races within the space of thirty min­ Workers party candidate for All these things add to demoraliza­ utes and won both. Congress from Chicago's First tion and hopelessness in our communi­ A new Olympic event for women is Congressional District. ties. That leads to drugs and crime, basketball. If you could stomach the which make things even worse. sexist commentary from ABC's Kurt bad conditions in many Black areas. Royko argues that whites like those Gowdy and basketball pro Bill Russell, He implies that Blacks are too lazy to in Marquette Park haven't been given it was great to watch. The problem is keep up their neighborhoods, while the any significant privileges over Blacks. American sportscasters just aren't whites in Marquette Park (even though The whites in Marquette Park aren't used to seeing women playing this many of them don't have much money) rich, he says, the median income in the sport. So during the game between the have created "clean, neat homes main­ area being only $11,000. And, he adds, United States and Canadian teams tained with sweat, callouses and care­ this was earned without benefit of Gowdy showed his chauvinist ignor­ fully hoarded money." preferential hiring and special scholar­ ance: "These women can pass behind This racist poison has to be an­ ships that Blacks receive. their backs, dribble; scramble, and NADIA COMANECI swered. This is particularly true since What about this? Are Blacks in slum shoot." What did he expect them to do? Royko has in the past been a supporter areas given just as great a chance "to Sweep the ball around the court with a of civil rights struggles, including make it" as the whites of Marquette broom? economic discrimination is the rule. Martin Luther King's marches back in Park? The answer is No! Whites, The hustle and skill of these women Once we rid ourselves of those shack­ the 1960s for open housing in the because they are white, have a better buried the old "women's" basketball les, then we'll see. Marquette Park area. He is listened to chance of getting the jobs and educa­ rules forever. "Don't dribble more than While today's female champions by people who might close their ears to tion needed to make even the modest three times. Stay on your half of the haven't written the conclusion to the the Nazis. sum of $11,000 a year. Black people, on court," gym teachers used to tell story of women in sports, they are Royko's assertion that Black people the average, make much less. women. So we "protected our reproduc­ inspiring our sex to unprecedented destroy all the working-class neighbor­ Who is responsible? Certainly not tive organs" and "femininity" and achievements. And two women in hoods we move into is absurd on the Black people! In the past several years soon left the courts to the boys. particular have written a happy end­ face of it. There is a whole lot more Black unemployment has increased. In the Olympic games, the Soviet ing to this chapter. No man or woman than "one iota" of evidence that when Why? Is it because all of a sudden a Union team topped them all. In addi­ ever executed an Olympic gymnastic Black working people can get the kinds certain percentage of Blacks got lazy? tion to having all-around good players, feat perfectly. Not until Nadia Co­ of jobs and income the whites of No. We are victims of a racist system the team had seven-foot-two Yuliana maneci did it this summer, seven Marquette Park enjoy, our neighbor­ and of policies that are beyond our Semyonova. 'l'his team showed that in times, and the Soviet Union's Nelli hoods are also "neat" and "clean." control. Black unemployment is high skill and size women can be a match Kim did it twice, What about the large numbers of us because the people who run this for male players. -Ginny Hildebrand who do live in deteriorated neighbor- country have a policy of keeping it

28 Marquette· Park open-housing marchers the picket signs as shields_ and the picket sticks to bat down the stones and concrete. Media smear: Blacks blamed for violence We made it into the park still under Typical of efforts in the Chicago police in the racist violence-was conduct and released on their own fire. There, police had set up a barri­ media to blame the July 17 violence drawn by one of the legal observers recognizance. This is yet another cade in the shape of a horseshoe. At on the open-housing demonstrators on the march. Steven Lubet, assist­ example of the subtle approval that least 1,000 racists lined the barricade instead of on the racists was an ant professor of law at Northwestern the authorities give to attacks on and continued throwing the bottles editorial in the July 20 Chicago University, wrote in a letter pub­ Black people. The crimes I saw and rocks at us from three directions. Daily News. It stated, in part, lished July 22 in the Chicago Sun­ committed certainly warranted The march back was almost a rerun "Citizens have the right to assemble Times, "Like every other observer, I charges of aggravated assault and of the march to the park. The only and protest peacefully, as the 150 was appalled at the violent racism of aggravated battery." difference was that we were pelted for civil rights marchers did under many of the neighborhood residents. eight or nine blocks instead of two. The heavy police protection. But with I was even more appalled, however, Rev. Edgar Jackson, a leader of racists followed us up to the B&O that right comes a responsibility, by the virtual free hand that our the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., railroad tracks that divide the Black one that the march leaders abrogat­ attackers were given by the police. Movement, which led the march, community of West Englewood from ed. While legally unaccountable, The police made no effort to disperse charged in a news conference, "It is the Marquette Park area. they can be blamed not only for the the hostile crowd and only sporadi­ clear that the police and the city When we finally got across the weekend's violence, but also for the cally attempted to arrest any of the were in a conspiracy to allow us to tracks, we knew we were safe. But a lot increased black-white passions and hundreds of rock throwers. be attacked, injured, and even killed. of us were hurt and bleeding. Almost tensions that lie in the wake of the They wanted to 'prove' that our everyone had been hit at least once. I incident." "The newspapers have since re­ march was wrong and that the city had been hit five times. A more accurate picture -one that ported that most of those arrested had been right in attempting to deny The role played by the police was also points to the complicity of the were charged only with disorderly a parade permit." outrageous. Judge Grady had ordered them to provide up to 1,000 police to protect the march, but there couldn't have been more than 250 cops out it clear before we started that our date conflicts with a major annual Thousands of people will be participat­ there. march was to be peaceful and that we event in the Black community, the Bud ing in this cultural event, which is At no point did the police attempt to wanted to make clear that the respon­ Billiken Day Parade. sponsored by the Chicago Defender, a disperse the racist mob. Almost all the sibility for any violence had to be We want to build a united coalition Black daily newspaper here. sixty or so racists arrested had hit placed clearly where it belonged-on for our future demonstrations. The way While a smaller number of people policemen. the racists. I see it, this is key because all antira­ might want to march on Marquette When we were inside the horseshoe After the march, we held a meeting cist forces are not yet united in the Park that day, I think these people at the park, the cops said we couldn't at which we decided to sue the city and kind of powerful coalition that can could most effectively begin to mobilize leave until reinforcements came. They the police for violating the court order. struggle successfully to win open mass support by building an open­ kept us waiting in a cross fire of bricks A decision was also made to ask for a housing and equal access to all public housing contingent that reaches out to and bottles for a half hour. Then only permit for a larger march into Mar­ facilities in Chicago. the thousands in the Bud Billiken Day twenty-five extra cops showed up. quette Park on August 14 and to I think the Bud Billiken Day Parade Parade instead. This will help us I want to point out that our people demand that federal troops protect this on August 14 offers an excellent involve more people in future activi­ showed tremendous restraint. we made march. Unfortunately, however, this opportunity to move ahead in this way. ties. Royko column backi.ng segregationists high. They've decided that a relatively for our condition and that whites are high unemployment rate is good for justified in keeping us segregated is a dealing with inflation and for dampen­ theme we've been hearing more of ing the wage demands of all workers, . these days. Not just from the out-and­ Black and white. Blacks bear the brunt out racists, but from liberals like of this high unemployment because of Royko and some of the top politicians racial discrimination. in this country. When whites started Royko argues that "it is being throwing rocks at school buses in unrealistic to expect whites to meekly Boston, we heard it from some of the pack up and leave whenever the black liberals there. And we heard it from city wishes to expand. Just as nations President Ford, who said he sympa­ don't accept border changes peacefully, thized with the antibusing forces. willingly, neighborhoods like Mar­ This retreat by many liberals and quette Park aren't going to, either." the racist demagogy of the politicians But no one is asking any whites to is not a chance happening. It does not "pack up and leave." Whites leave come out of the blue. It results from a when a Black moves next door because change in the economic and political of their own racism and the conniving situation. In the 1960s the ruling of white real estate sharks who panic circles in this country felt it wise to other whites into selling cheaply so give some concessions to Blacks in the they can sell the same homes to Blacks face of the rise in Black militancy. But at high profits. in the context of their new economic NOT RACIST?: Part of July 17 mob that attacked open-housing demonstrators in Blacks only want the right to go troubles today, they are taking away Marquette Park. anywhere in the city, and live any­ some of the things Blacks won in the where we please. If a white moves out past decade. of a house and we have the money to In line with this, the decision-makers buy it, it is our right to do so. in Washington have decided to main­ We have to fight for a reordering of recognize that both the Republicans The idea that Blacks are responsible tain Black unemployment at a high the priorities of this country-for who control the executive branch and level. They've decided to cut back taking the funds spent on war and the Democrats who control Congress education, the numbers of Blacks using them instead for public works are responsible for the attacks on the going to college, public health care, programs that can put the millions Black community. public housing, child care, and care for seeking ~obs back to work, building There is widespread dissatisfaction the aged. housing and maintaining hospital, in this country over the way these In the face of the economic squeeze, child care, and educational facilities. politicians are acting. We have to which hurts both white and Black We have to stop the cutbacks. We have organize this dissatisfaction. We can workers, racist sentiment is being to fight within the union movement and should do this by organizing whipped up. Some whites are taking against speedup, against discriminato­ protests that mobilize every possible out their frustrations on Blacks. The ry hiring and firing, and for a shorter supporter of Black rights. But we also real source of the economic problems is workweek with no cut in pay so that need to educate people at these protests hidden by the politicians and "opinion existing jobs can be spread around to about the need for them to oppose the makers" and the door is left open for more workers. Republican and Democratic parties at racist demagogues who tell whites that We have to fight for school desegre­ the polls. Blacks are the enemy, that it is Blacks gation and open housing, and for the My campaign in the First Congres­ who threaten their jobs, homes, simple right of Blacks to go anywhere sional District and the campaigns of schools, and economic security. we please without fear of physical other candidates of the Socialist There is a need for Blacks and the attack. Workers party across the country say real friends of Black people to answer In doing this, we have to recognize that, because the Democratic and these lies. We have to hit the streets in that we will not simply be defending Republican parties do not represent us, protest~ that demand solutions to ourselves from racist attacks by a we need to build a new political party social problems in a way that places handful of bigots, but from the racist that will be controlled by and that will the blame for them where it really policies organized by the top politi­ represent working people. This will Andrew Pulley belongs. cians in this country. We have to take time, but the time to begin is now.

THE MILITANT/AUGUST 6, 1976 29 Santucho killed in Argentine clash; Calendar BOSTON was main leader of guerrilla group THE FRAME-UP OF SACCO AND VANZETTI. Speaker: Bev Scott. SWP. Fri., Aug. 20, 8 p.m. 510 By Judy White ed militant, mistakenly viewed guerril­ His nineteen comrades were delayed Commonwealth, Fourth Floor. (Kenmore Square). From Intercontinental Press la actions by small armed groups as an in reaching the airport and surren­ Donation: $1. Ausp: Boston Socialist Forum. For Mario Roberto Santucho, the central effective means for combating repres­ dered to the authorities with no resist­ more information call (617) 262-4620. leader of the Argentine Ejercito Revo­ sion and winning political power for ance. Days later, sixteen of them were lucionario del Pueblo (ERP­ the oppressed majority. He was a murdered in cold blood at the Trelew CHICAGO WOMEN IN HERSTORY: WOMEN SPEAK OUT. Revolutionary People's Army), was founding member of the ERP, one of prison. Sometime later Santucho re­ Seminar with women portraying leading feminists killed in a confrontation with security the main guerrilla groups in Argenti­ turned to Argentina to resume func­ of the past; plus a women's poetry reading and forces July 19, according to a number na. The ERP was set up in 1970 by the tioning with the ERP. It was in a women's music. Sun., Aug. 29, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. of press dispatches from Buenos Aires. Combatiente faction of the Partido Buenos Aires press conference, where Body Politic. Donation: $1. Ausp: Illinois SWP campaign. For more information call (312) 939- Several reports said that the second in Revolucionario de los Trabajadores he was one of four representatives of 0737. command of the ERP, Enrique Gorria­ (PRT-Revolutionary Workers party). the ERP, that the organization public­ ran Merlo, was also killed in the clash, At that time, the PRT Combatiente ly dissociated itself completely from which took place near Buenos Aires. was the section of the Fourth Interna­ the Fourth International and Trotsky­ Santucho, a courageous and dedicat- tional in Argentina. There had been a Ism. split in the PRT in 1968, leading to the In February 1974 the ERP was one formation of two public factions. The of four guerrilla organizations to ... AFT PRT Verdad was accused by the launch the Junta de Coordinaci6n Continued from page 9 faction headed by Santucho and others Revolucionaria (Revolutionary Coordi­ profits of the giant corporations and of being "rightist." The Combatiente nating Committee). This committee, from the billions now squandered by group set out to form a "people's army" organized to carry out a strategy of the federal government on armaments. to conduct "revolutionary war" in "revolutionary war" throughout Latin Teachers need an alliance with other Argentina. America, a process "converging unions and community groups to take The PRT La Verdad became the around the axis of armed struggle," the tax burden off workers and small Partido Socialista de los Trabajadores was founded by the ERP, the Bolivian homeowners and place it on those who (PST-Socialist Workers party), a sym­ ELN (Ejercito de Liberaci6n have the ability to pay. Any fight to pathizing organization of the Fourth Nacional-National Liberation Army), reverse the regressive methods of International in Argentina. the Tupamaros of Uruguay, and the school financing is certain to mean a The PST recently suffered the loss of Chilean MIR (Movimiento de lzquierda head-on conflict with the Democratic one of its central leaders, Arturo Revolucionaria-Movement of the Re­ and Republican parties, which legis­ Gomes, who died of a heart attack. volutionary Left). late and protect the unequal tax Gomes was a member of the PST All of these organizations have structure at all levels of government. Secretariat and political editor of the suffered severe repression in recent Experienced delegates to AFT con­ party's paper, Avanzada Socialista. years. The only one still notably active ventions are well aware that reversing One of the ERP' s most spectacular was the ERP. the union's reliance on capitalist actions was the March 21, 1972, However, the ERP and other Argen­ politicians to solve labor's problems is kidnapping of Oberdan Sallustro, the tine guerrilla groups have been heavily not an easy task. But a real alternative general director of the Argentine hit by repression especially in the year to the Shanker misleadership of the branch of Fiat Concord. When the and a half since the army launched its AFT will be forged in the struggles of guerrillas' terms were not met, Sallus~ campaign to exterminate subversion. teachers to unleash the real power of tro was executed. In addition, the families of guerrillas the labor movement, independent of Five months later, on August 15, have frequently been singled out as the two parties of war, racism, and rule 1972, Santucho helped lead an escape special targets for repression. The July by the rich. from the Rawson penitentiary in 16 issue of the French revolutionary­ southern Argentina. socialist daily Rouge reported that two Twenty-five guerrillas participated members of Santucho's family-his in this escape and fled to a nearby sister Manuela Erminda Santucho and airport where six of them managed to his sister-in-law Cristina Navajos de SANTUCHO: A courageous and get aboard a plane bound for Chile. Santucho-were arrested in Buenos ... Poland dedicated militant. Santucho was among the six. Aires July 14. Continued from back page the workers at all levels. Gierek is seeking to preserve the grip of this bureaucracy by using "consulta­ tions" to give the appearance that the La. governor defies labor protests, government retreat on prices repres­ ents a genuine step toward workers democracy. But Gierek is combining this carrot signs open-shop ~right to work' law with the stick of repressive moves By Joel Aber amendments excluding from its provi­ Only one month earlier, on June 8, aimed at intimidating those workers NEW ORLEANS-Louisiana's Dem­ sions those few workplaces that are Edwards was the featured speaker at a who are not fooled. ocratic governor, Edwin Edwards, already union shops. ·rally of 8,000 workers in Baton Rouge The confidence and militancy of the signed into law July 9 a union-busting The capitol grounds resounded with sponsored by the state AFL-CIO. rapidly mounted protests June 25 "right-to-work" bill less than twenty­ booing and hissing. The angry union At that rally, Louisiana AFL-CIO shows that the" desire for workers four hours after it passed the state members saw Edwards's speech as no President Victor Bussie introduced the democracy in Poland is widespread senate. compromise at all, but a knife in the Democratic governor as "our friend in and can be ignored by the regime only On July 7, 12,000 angry trade union­ back of Louisiana workers. the governor's mansion," who could be at great risk. The pressure this senti­ ists massed at the capitol building in The state senate was also quick to counted on to fight the "right-to-work" ment exerts was indicated by the Baton Rouge demanding defeat of the get Edwards's message. The next day, law. Edwards had been elected with decision of the government-controlled bill. By an overwhelming two-thirds, when most of the demonstrators had the solid backing of the union leader­ press to publish an open letter soon the senators ignored the wishes of gone home, the senate quickly passed ship. after the protests signed by eleven organized labor and voted for the so­ the bill without the governor's "com­ The "right-to-work" bill was rail­ Polish intellectuals. called "right-to-work" measure. promise" proposal. roaded through the legislature by the The letter called for a "real dialogue" As union members from all over the Louisiana thus became the twentieth Louisiana Association of Business and to cure the "serious ailment" of Polish state arrived in Baton Rouge July 7, state, and the last in the South, to have Industry (LABI), which admits it spent society. One of its signers was Jacek they learned that Governor Edwards a "right-to-work" or open-shop law. more than $400,000 on lobbying, and Kuron, a Marxist who had been was about to deliver a surprise address The law prohibits contracts specifying perhaps $1 million if you include a imprisoned by the Gomulka regime for to both houses of the legislature. The that all employees at a workplace must union-baiting TV and radio advertis­ his role in antibureaucratic struggles capitol buzzed with rumors that Ed­ become union members or pay dues; ing campaign. during the 1960s. wards would ask the senate to defeat that is, it outlaws the union shop and The 'news media called this the Another open letter, delivered June the bill. agency shop. biggest legislative clash ever between 29 to the parliament and signed by Hundreds of unionists ringed the The law prohibits workers from the employing class and the working seventy Polish intellectuals, said, "We capitol steps with picket signs. Unable insisting that co-workers who are class in Louisiana. are of the opinion that discussions to squeeze into the senate· galleries, nonunion pay their fair share of the LABI has already announced it will cannot be held behind closed doors. To thousands jammed the stately marble cost of benefits they receive through push other antiunion bills after the make nationwide discussions more halls that are usually the provin'ce union representation. passage of "right-to-work." authentic, it is necessary to widen of big-business lobbyists. They wore When Edwards signed the antilabor The state AFL-CIO views the open­ democratic freedoms." lettering designating their union lo­ bill July 9, he ominously warned, shop campaign as part of a national These repressive moves by the Gier­ cals: T-shirts of a Teamster local in "Those who own the . . . industries drive to lower workers' living stan­ ek government have proven embar­ Shreveport; stickers on the elothes of and capital investments in Louisiana dard. AFL-CIO literature points to rassing to the Italian Communist members of the United Tea~hers of have a right to expect that their lower wages than Louisiana's in the party, which is trying to present itself New Orleans; women with hard hats property will be protected. . . . ·surrounding Southern states with their as a suitable governmental partner for from a steamfitters local in Lake "Nothing can be gained by vio­ long-standing open-shop laws. Italy's Christian Democratic party. Charles. lence," Edwards continued, "and the The strategy the AFL-CIO leader­ A July 20 dispatch in the New York A hush fell over the crowd as full weight of organized society will be ship relied on to meet this attack on Times reports that "Italy's Communist Edwards's speech was piped over the placed behind law and order." Louisiana working people included a Party asked Poland today to treat food AFL-CIO's public address system. The unions expect rough economic few rallies, but consisted mainly of an rioters with 'moderation and clemency' Instead of opposing the "right-to­ times ahead. They could not get much attempt to out-lobby big business and and said socialist countries should give work" law, the governor urged its comfort from the governor's thinly corral "friends" in the legislature. This the workers an active role in solving passage, with some "compromise" veiled threats. strategy met with defeat. social conflicts."

30 Spend the summer with these new Pathfinder books Leon Trotsky on Leon~on China China By Leon Trotsky with an introduction by Peng Shu-Tse_ Essention to understanding the defeat of the 1925-27 Chinese revolution Jtnd the rise of Maoism. 688 pages, cloth $22, paper $6.95 This button is available from the National Student Coalition Against Racism. The button has black lettering on a white background; the actual size is shown here. Send $1 for each button; or 35 cents each for orders of twenty-five or more. James P. Cannon Mail to: NSCAR, 612 Blue Hill Ave., Dorchester, As We Knew Him Massachusetts 02115. Edited by Les Evans with an introduction by Jack Barnes. . A fascinating personal portrait and political appraisal of a lifelong revolutionist by thirty-three comrades, friends, and relatives. 256 pages, cloth $13, paper $3.95 NEW! What Is America's American Fascism? Writings on Father Coughlin, Mayor Frank Hague, and Revolutionary Heritage Senator Joseph McCarthy Edited with an introduction by George Novack. By James P. Cannon and Joseph This is a portrait of capitalist America from its colonial infancy to its emergence as an imperialist power in the Hansen twentieth century. 384 pages, cloth $15, paper $4.45 48 pp., 82 x 11 format, $1.25 An Education for Socialists publication, distributed by Order these new Pathfinder Press books directly by writing to Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New York, New Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, York 10014; or contact the bookstore in your area (see the Socialist Directory on this page). Write for our free New York, N.Y. 10014 catalog. Socialist Directory ARIZONA: Tempe: YSA, c/o Jessica Sampson, Box Union, Urbana, Ill. 61801. MI. Pleasant: YSA, Box 51 Warriner Hall, Central Pittsburgh: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 3400 2235, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85252. Tel: (602) 277-9453. Chicago, South: SWP, 9139 S. Commercial Ave., Mich. Univ., Mt. Pleasant, Mich. 48859. Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213. Tel: (412) 682- Tucson: YSA, SUPO 20965, Tucson, Ariz. 85720. Room 205, Chicago, Ill. 60617. MINNESOTA: Minneapolis: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder 5019. Tel: (602) 624-9176. Chicago, South Side: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, Bookstore. 15 4th St. SE, Mpls., Minn. 55414. Tel: State College: YSA, c/o William Donovan, 260 CALIFORNIA: Berkeley: SWP, YSA, Granma Book­ 1754 E. 55th St., Chicago, Ill. 60615. Tel: (312) (612) 332-7781. Toftrees Ave. #320, State College, Pa. 16801. Tel: store, 1849 University Ave., Berkeley, Calif. 94703. 643-5520. St. Paul: SWP, Labor Bookstore, 176 Western Ave., (814) 234-6655. Tel: (415) 548-0354. Chicago: City-wide SWP, YSA, 428 S. Wabash, Fifth St. Paul, Minn. 55102. Tel: (612) 222-8929. TENNESSEE: Knoxville: YSA, P.O. Box 8344 Univ. East Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, Floor, Chicago, Ill. 60605. Tel: SWP-(312) 939- MISSOURI: l

THE MILITANT/AUGUST 6, 1976 31 SadlOWSki THE MILITANT demands Investigation union a ou or in.25-caliber rifle. had not even taken a statement from By Sara Johnston HOUSTON-At 7:20a.m. on July 26, The bullet struck Corum in the neck eyewitness Julian. Nor had they ques­ someone with a rifle tried to kill Ben and narrowly missed his spinal cord. It tioned Hughes guards on duty at the Corum. was a shot to kill. gate when Corum was shot. Corum, fifty-two years old, is a Corum was taken to the intensive­ When asked to provide protection for Ed Sadlowski, director of member of the United Steelworkers of care unit of a local hospital and is now Corum in the hospital and for steel­ steelworkers District 31, immediately America (USW A) from Bonfield, Illi­ listed in "good" condition. workers leafleting at plant gates, condemned the 'reign of terror' in nois, and an activist in the Steel­ David Julian, a recently elected homicide department officer James Houston against supporters of his workers Fight Back movement for delegate to the August USWA conven­ Pierce declared, "There's no such thing union reform movement. Sadlowski union democracy led by Ed Sadlowski, tion from Local 1742 at Hughes, was as police protection in Houston." called on the federal Labor director of USW A District 31. leafleting with Corum. Julian told the The FBI office in Houston is reported Department and the FBI to investigate He is one of a team of Sadlowski Militant that the shot came from a to be investigating the shooting. Inter­ violations of labor and civil rights supporters from the Chicago-Gary brown Ford sedan carrying three men ference with union elections IS a laws. Sadlowski also sent a telegram district who have been traveling whose faces were hidden by cowboy violation of federal labor law. to steelworkers President I.W. Abel throughout the South organizing for hats. urging him 'to join me in condemning Steelworkers Fight Back. Houston police have so far refused to The Steelworkers Fight Back team this violence and to put the full Corum was handing out leaflets to launch any serious investigation of the and several Houston USWA members resources of the international union USWA members at the gates of attempted murder, claiming that with­ had been distributing literature at behind efforts to punish the Hughes Tool Company here when the out the license number of the car they Houston plant gates for a week. perpetrators and prevent any would-be assassin, about thirty feet can do nothing. During that time they were physically recurrence of these heinous crimes.' away, shot him from behind with a .22- Two days after the shooting, police attacked twice at Armco Steel. Their attackers at Armco included officials of the Steelworkers local there. The shooting took place just hours before the team was to depart for Dallas. threaten the "integrity of our union." Team member John Askins, a Veteran unionist Herman Hughes, seventeen-year veteran of USWA Local secretary of Houston Typographical 2374, called the attempted murder "an Union Local 87, supports the steel­ intolerable attack against the union workers' call for an investigation. movement. "This type of tactic is often used to "The suggestions contained in the brand the labor movement as being literature that was being distributed run by a pack of goons," Hughes said. are for a change in the Steelworkers "You can't win that way. This is a union, to make it more responsive to right-to-work state, and antiunion the needs of the rank and file," Askins forces like to portray the union move­ said. ment as violent. Violence of any kind "These proposals have to be dis­ is not the answer of a trade unionist. cussed and decided democratically by That's the answer of the employer." Steelworkers at news conference protest attempted murder. From left, David Julian, union members. Terrorism can't be Efforts are under way to organize a witness to shooting; Jack Russell and John Askins, members of Steelworkers Fight permitted to interfere with our discus­ broad, united labor response to the Back team touring South. sion." attempted murder of Corum. John Askins called on steelworkers Dis­ Askins says the team will remain in trict 37 Director Jim Ward, the officers Houston "as long as necessary" to and members of the Hughes and explain what happened and to win Armco locals, and the other thirty­ support. He added that the violence ·an attack on all labor' three USW A locals in Houston to join would not stop the team from cam­ paigning for their ideas. [The following telegram was imd the entire labor movement. in condemning the shooting. "You know, in Chicago we went to sent by Peter Camejo and Willie It is typical of the violence promot­ Ward has so far said only that his the plant gates, and that's where we Mae Reid, Socialist Workers ed by the open-shop movement, the attitude is "hands off the entire mat­ got our support," Askins said. "It's the party candidates for president Ku Klux Klan, professional strike­ ter." same thing here in Houston. and vice-president, to I.W. Abel, breakers, and others used by corpo­ W.W. Woods, president of Local 1742 "This Steelworkers convention is president of the United Steel­ rate management to weaken and at Hughes, said, "I do not condone going to be different. There are many workers of America, and to Ed destroy the unions. violence." But he went on to insinuate new guys getting elected and they'll all Sadlowski, director of USWA that the attack took place because be at this convention. District 31.} We support wholeheartedly ac­ workers at the plant were allegedly "It's time for a change. With the tions by the Houston labor move­ angry at being "handbilled in the past layoffs we face, with the economy the The attempted murder of Ben ment and by all leaders and locals of by communists." way it is, we have to get our union Corum, a member of the United the United Steelworkers to see that One Houston Steelworkers official back into the hands of the member­ Steelworkers, in Houston July 26 is those responsible for this crime are has spoken out clearly against the ship. We met some serious young an attack on the steelworkers union apprehended and prosecuted. shooting. Fabian Greenwell, president unionists here, and that's what keeps of Local_I6000, said that such assaults me going." Polish workers i lor price protests By Peter Seidman of Ursus. The seven, all males aged similar announcements of food price party approved a new price hike Thirteen workers were sentenced twenty-one to thirty-five years, worked hikes in 1970. Those protests forced proposal. This July 13 proposal will July 19-20 to prison terms of three to at the Ursus tractor plant. According Communist party head Wladyslaw boost meat prices by 35 percent, but ten years for their part in protests that to Polish officials, all seven pleaded Gomulka to step down. leave other food prices frozen for the forced the Polish government to back guilty to the charges. Gomulka's place was taken by Ed­ rest of the year. down on plans to increase the price of Six other workers were sentenced in ward Gierek, who reversed the pro­ The bureaucracy's inability to in­ food. Radom, an industrial city sixty miles posed price increases. crease agricultural productivity and The protests erupted June 25, one south of Warsaw. They were charged Gierek moved to avoid Gomulka's thereby lower food prices shows how it day after Premier Piotr J aroszewicz with attacking people and property fate by announcing June 25 that the is an obstacle to the full benefits that announced price increases of 100 during the June protests. price increases would not go through could be obtained if genuine workers percent for sugar, 69 percent for meat, Both trials were closed to Western as planned. democracy prevailed in economic plan­ and 30 percent for butter and cheese. reporters and received little publicity "We want to discuss it further in the ning. Those sentenced were workers in the in the Polish media. mass media, in meetings and consulta­ Workers democracy requires the two biggest centers of revolt. So far, the thirteen are the only ones tions in factories and plants," he said creation of a plan for national and Seven workers were convicted of who have been prosecuted for the in a July 4 television speech. local production that results from a full damaging-state property and blocking demonstrations. The trials began just a few days discussion by elected representatives of railroad traffic in the Warsaw suburb There were massive protests against after the Politburo of the Communist Continued on page 30