Argentina Asks AFL-CIO Convention THE Fair Oil Deal; Kennedy Yelps Seeks to Avert Anger B y George Saunders NOV. 19 — The current con­ MILITANT troversy over Argentine annul­ Of Civil-Rights Forces Published in the Interests of the Working PeopU ment of U.S. oil company con­ tracts is a case study of U.S. fo r­ By Fred Halstead eign policy in the service of the Vol. 27 - No. 42 Monday, November 25, 1963 Price 10c private profits of big business. It NEW YORK — The top brass speaks volumes about the real of the AFL-CIO convention, which policy of the U.S. government opened here Nov. 14, put on a toward Latin America. And it ex­ show of support to the civil rights plains why the “Alliance for Pro­ revolution. U.S.-to-Cuba Peace Walkers gress” is bound to fail in its A t a special session on Nov. 18, avowed aims of raising the living A. Philip Randolph, president of standards of millions of Latin the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Americans. The U.S. is not con­ Porters and the only Negro on the Tortured, Jailed, in Georgia cerned with the poverty of those 29-man AFL-CIO executive coun­ peoples. It is concerned to protect cil, was given the honor of open­ the approximately $9 billion in ing proceedings with a speech. He U.S. private investment spread was followed by UAW President over Latin America. W alter Reuther. This session was When the newly-elected govern­ the only one of the week-long ment of Arturo Illia announced it convention in which time was would cancel some undesirable scheduled for discussion from the foreign oil contracts, U.S.-Argen­ floor. At the session’s close a re­ tine relations suddenly took a turn solution, giving verbal support to for the worse. Newspaper reports the civil-rights struggle and to described the situation as “ grave.” complete integration of the unions This was strange. When the Ar­ themselves, was passed unanim ­ gentine m ilitary took over the gov­ ously. ernment and annulled democratic From the floor, Hank Brown, a election results in 1962, no diplo­ top official of the Texas AFL-CIO, matic crisis occurred. Yet the “Al­ made a blunt speech declaring, liance for Progress” was supposed­ “We’ll take our stand with the A. Philip Randolph ly devoted to democratic govern­ Negro.” Brown said there are half ment — that was the reason Ken­ a million Negroes and a million new procedures for eliminating nedy recently gave for excluding Mexicans in Texas working for “Communist” countries from it. 50 cents an hour or less, that they Jim Crow w ith in „the AFL-CIO or for participation in the general Special Envoy can’t be organized on a basis of But when talk of canceling con­ racial discrimination, and that any civil-rights struggle. tracts of U.S. oil companies came local union that discriminates is Randolph’s speech contained a' up, a special envoy of the U.S. not worthy of membership in the number of concrete proposals iri­ President was immediately rushed AFL-CIO. cluding a joint effort by the down to talk to President Illia. All this was a considerable unions and civil-rights organiza­ This special envoy was no small change from previous top AFL- tions to “stimulate vigorous local potatoes. It was Averell Harri­ CIO meetings where civil rights and national mass-action cam­ man, a big financier in his own was handled in a perfunctory, paigns by labor for a strong civii- right, and a long-time diplomatic even a hostile, manner. rights bill by Christmas.” A mo­ trouble-shooter. For example, he This change in public face by tion from the floor to incorporate' helped arrange the cease-fire in the AFL-CIO tops represents a Randolph’s speech into the civil- Laos and recently represented victory for civil-rights fighters and rights resolution was defeated Kennedy in the test-ban treaty an additional proof that militant, after Meany spoke against it. negotiations. Harriman told Illia independent action — such as has The real motivation of the AFL- that Argentina might cut herself been building up in the Negro CIO tops’ show of support to civil off from any more U.S. aid if the community — can force the labor rights was to take some of the cancellations went through. movement off dead center on this heat off themselves and to at­ At home, senators pushed for an issue. tempt to keep the Negro revolt in amendment to the foreign aid bill No longer does the AFL-CIO line. The central theme of this that would deny aid to any coun­ executive council feel secure year’s AFL-CIO convention was try canceling contracts with U.S. enough in the face of Negro cri­ mobilization of the labor move­ companies. Could anything show ticism to censure Randolph — as ment to hustle votes for Kennedy IN DANGEROUS TERRITORY. CNVA peace walkers in Georgia more clearly how much the U.S. it did two years ago — for his and the Democratic Party in 1964. town shortly before being assaulted by cops. Senate is just a mouthpiece for the fight against Jim Crow in AFL- That fact alone is enough to big companies? CIO affiliates. No more can AFL- undercut and cripple the civil- MACON, Ga. Nov. 19 — Nine­ On Nov. 9, apparently fearing Kennedy technically recognizes CIO President George Meany rights resolution. teen members of the Quebec-Wash­ the walkers were going to enter the “right” of Argentina to con­ storm at Randolph from the con­ In his speech Randolph de­ ington-Guantanamo Peace Walk the Negro district adjacent to the trol matters within her borders. vention podium as he did four clared: were jailed here this morning on park, police attempted to stop the But he insists that there must be years ago: “Who the hell ap­ “ The mass of black Americans charges of violating a local anti- group by arresting Lyttle, The “fair and prompt” compensation pointed you the guardian of all stand today in the same relative leafleting ordinance. The walkers following account is a composite if U.S. properties are taken over. the Negroes in America?” Now economic position they occupied have refused to accept counsel or supplied by members of the walk: This demand for cash on the bar­ Meany refers to Randolph as “one in the depths of the great depres­ post bail and have begun fasting Approaching Lyttle, Spalding rel head — and plenty of it — is of our own.” sion . . . Two out of three Ne­ in protest against their arrests. If County Sheriff Gilbert shouted: one that no Latin American gov­ The concessions are largely gro fam ilies subsist on less than convicted they face maximum “I’ll get this one first, he’s the ernment can meet. verbal, however, and w ill be given $4,000 a year. More im portant, the penalties of a $1,000 fine, a year leader.” Another policeman ap­ Actually, there was not so much real meaning only through in­ gap between Negro and white in prison and an additional six prehended Jack Shapiro, 20, a De­ to get excited over. The men who creased pressure from militant median incomes has actually months at labor. troit student, and told him he was canceled those contracts are not Negroes. For all its fine words, grown wider in recent years. The (Continued on Page 3) (Continued on Page 2) the civil-rights resolution adds no (Continued on Page 3) GRIFFIN, Ga. — White and Ne­ gro members of the Quebec-Wash- ington-Guantanamo Peace Walk REPORT FROM HAVANA ■were tortured Nov. 9 by police in this community 35 miles south of Atlanta. The 23 walkers, sponsored by the Committee for Nonviolent Ac­ Morale High as Cubans Dig in to Repair Storm Damage tion, include three Negro men, 14 HAVANA — Hurricane Flora Let me mention that contrary where communications had been the 24-hour-a-day work of the white men and six white women, did tremendous damage to the to the rumors spread by the cut off. voluntary Red Battalions of elec­ including 70 year old Pearl Ewald provinces of Camaguey and Orien­ gusanos [Cuban term for counter­ She led the caravan through trical workers. of Washington who is recuperat­ te, almost half the national terri­ revolutionary] not one volunteer completely flooded areas over The workers of the Ministry of ing from a heart attack suffered tory of Cuba. The loss in human coffee picker was lost. Due to the bridges that were in the process Public Health Red Brigades im­ immediately after her release from life amounted to over a thousand, precautions taken by the Revolu­ of crumbling and made it to mediately began a vaccination the Griffin jail. most of them little children. The tion and by the now being formed Oriente without losing one life or campaign against typhoid. Purpose of the walk is to help loss in cattle, pigs, chickens, etc., party, thousands of people, were one package. If there were hero medals, the ease tension between the U.S. and is as yet unknown but extremely saved by evacuation. The majority Fidel also made his way to helicopter brigades should receive Cuba by presenting a nonviolent heavy. Most of the roads in the of lives lost were among the Oriente and immediately began them. They transported relief and alternative to the continuing area and bridges, both old and in campesinos living in areas near organizing the life-saving brigades worked in life-saving under all Cuban crisis. In addition to signs construction, were wiped out. the river but at a distance to which which he led personally. Twice conditions. In the middle of the urging a reconciliation with Cuba, Communications were also wiped the river had never before risen we almost lost him. cyclone — during which the the pacifist walkers are marching out but they are already being in past hurricanes. The stories of tragedy and chances were nine to one they through the South with banners restored. The conduct of the Cuban rev­ heroism are more than can be would crash — they were con­ calling for racial integration. The loss of crops in these two olutionary leaders is something told, but the magnificent solidarity stantly working. Difficulties with the police in provinces, which happen to be the which stirs the heart of every rev­ of the Cuban people at times like The United Party of the So­ Griffin neared a climax when the richest in Cuba, is practically total. olutionary. From the first mo­ these is what makes the revolu­ cialist Revolution organized and walkers attempted to distribute That includes such important ments of danger all the top lead­ tionary heart burst with pride and directed all operations during and peace leaflets to Negroes in a park crops as coffee (from 30 to 50 per ership went to the afflicted area. the throat choke with emotion. after the cyclone and in this hard at the end of town on Nov. 8. Po­ cent loss), rice, bananas, cotton, As in the invasion and in the Immediately in all cities, in cen­ test the newly-born party cut some lice ordered the Negroes to leave com, beans, all types of fruits and voluntary work they were at the ters of work and study, Red Bat­ of its teeth. the area. Bradford Lyttle, leader vegetables. front. talions were formed for repairing The process of rebuilding is well of the 3,500-mile peace w alk, When the cyclone left us, Cama­ Celia Sanchez put on her boots damage and saving lives. under way. Here in Cuba, due to called off activities for the day guey and Oriente looked like part and uniform and led the first Telephone communications, which the climate, as soon as the river and informed police the walkers of the sea the flooding was so caravan of food, clothing and had been completely wiped out, and sea recedes planting can im - would return the next day. heavy. medicine to the area of Oriente were restored in 15 days due to ( Continued on Page 6) Page T w o THE MILITANT Monday, November 25, 1963

One Man's Dream A Speech That Didn’t Follow Kennedy’s By William F. Warde capitalists rather than putting I had a dream the other night. much more income in the hands I dreamed that I followed Presi­ of the working people. dent Kennedy as a speaker be­ “He said nothing about shorten­ ing the work-week. His adminis­ fore the AFL-CIO convention in The AFL-CIO convention, meet­ tinue the Mexican farm labor im­ tration is against that. But here is New York. This is what I remem­ ing in New York last week, went port system which was defeated ber saying. one of the most effective means of cutting unemployment and in­ through its usual ritual of endors­ earlier this year. A bill to con­ “Brother Meany, members of ing a shorter work week with no tinue the program, under which the Executive Council, fellow del­ creasing the income of the wage- earners. If the average work-week reduction in pay as an answer to groups of Mexican farm workers egates, ladies and gentlemen — unemployment. This time AFL- are “contracted” to factory-farms and all the rank and file union was reduced one-fourth from 40 to 30 hours, this would spread the CIO president George Meany even at wages generally below those for members who are not really rep­ declared that the primary task of w hich U.S. bom workers can be resented at this assemblage of of­ available work to a larger number of workers. It would also ease the the convention was to give a cam­ hired, and invariably under non­ fice-holders and business agents: paign for the shorter work week union conditions, was passed 173 “You have just heard the Presi­ pressures on the men at work while increasing their leisure time for “the full weight of its endorse­ to 158. A similar bill has already dent of the United States, who ment and to devise a broader and passed the Senate. was elected with the help of your enjoyment. If at the same time more effective drive toward its “Extension of this law,” Rep. votes and at the advice of your the weekly pay remained un­ implementation.” But Meany did R. Walter Riehlman (R.-N.Y.) leaders in 1960, tell you — what changed, the workers would suf­ not fool anybody. It was clear that pointed out, w ill “benefit only one you already know far better than fer no loss of income. Indeed, they would take home more if they the “primary task of the conven­ per cent of U.S. farms and those this millionaire son of a million­ tion,” as conceived by its organ­ aire — that four millions are out had to work overtime. are huge corporation-type opera­ izers, was to boost President John tions.” Opposed to the bill were of work in this time of prosperity. “The achievement of a 30-hour Kennedy F. Kennedy for the 1964 presi­ virtually every union in the coun­ And that three times that many week at 40 hours pay would do dential election. And everything try and many church, small farm­ have experienced some unemploy­ more to benefit workers on the was set up that way, with Ken­ er, civic, and consumer organiza­ ment. on Washington last August de­ job and off the job, increase their manded both jobs and justice. purchasing power, and thus deter nedy — who vehemently opposes tions. In favor of it were only big "He also told you that jobs were the shorter work week — as the more important than civil rights. “The President bemoaned the recession than any other single farm and big business pressure fact that the unemployment rate measure. However, it would featured speaker at the conven­ groups. But these were “allied He failed to point out that the tion. two are as inseparably connected today at the peak of the boom is lower the profits of the corpora­ with leaders of the House and * * * powerful Southern chairmen of as Siamese twins. Twice as many as high as it was in 1954, a time of tions. And that is why President colored workers are unemployed recession. He has been in office al­ Kennedy is against a cut in the The chairman of International House committees,” according to as white workers. And the bulk most three years. He promised ‘to work week while he is for his Business Machines, Thomas J. the Washington Post. of the unemployed youth are Ne­ get America moving again.’ Why, tax-cut. Watson, last week testified be­ groes, too. That’s why the March then, with all the powers of his “If your convention was really fore the Senate subcommittee on high office and with the Demo­ on its toes, ‘30 fo r 40,’ w ould come unemployment. Watson, whose Bernard Fox, president of Unit­ cratic party in control of Congress, first on its agenda. Especially corporation is one of those chiefly ed A uto W orkers' Local 588 in Banquet Will Celebrate hasn’t his administration been able since your own President George responsible for automation, ex­ Chicago has been expelled from to eliminate unemployment in the Meany declared yesterday that hibited a split personality on the the UAW “ for life” by action of the world’s richest country or even automation in capitalist hands was question. On the one hand he international officials. Fox led a Our 35th Anniversary reduce the jobless rate? becoming ‘a curse to society’ that recognized the seriousness of auto­ series of strikes earlier this year NEW YORK — The Militant “Evidently he neglected to tell could lead to a national catastro­ mation unemployment, recom­ which UAW President Walter w ill celebrate its 35th birthday you a few important things. And phe. Sustained struggle for the mending that Congress support Reuther refused to support. Fox with an Anniversary Banquet on with reason. He cannot disclose shorter work week is urgent to liberalized retirement provisions and another local official, John Saturday, Dec. 7. the full truth about the operations head off such a disaster for the under social security and even a Conway, were fired from Chi­ Since it first began publication of the profit system because he is w orking people. shortened work week. cago Heights Ford earlier. They on November 15, 1928 as the organ a dedicated upholder of capital­ “Since the head of the Demo­ On the other hand he warned had stopped an unsafe press by of the Left Opposition of the ism. He may lament certain of its cratic Party refuses to help or­ that a shorter work week should job action because they couldn’t get American Communist Party, The consequences before you, in order ganized labor defend its vital in­ not be introduced hastily, lest it prompt results through the griev­ M ilita n t has come a long way. to deceive your members and re­ terests, why should the unions “raise production costs.” That, of ance procedure which was clogged “We planned the first issue of tain your votes, but he dare not continue to support him? Should course, is just the problem under with over 200 unsettled grievances. The Militant before we knew how reveal the underlying causes. not our labor movement cut loose a capitalist system. From the boss’ we were going to pay for it,” Role of Unemployment from the servitors of big business point of view, a shorter work week James P. Cannon, the founding and white supremacy and consider at no reduction in weekly pay, “The reality is that a certain editor, recalls in The History of launching its own political move­ w ill at any given moment always DeBerry Speaks on TV American Trotskyism. amount of unemployment is both m ent in 1964 . . .” “raise production costs.” He may necessary and beneficial to the The paper in those early days At this point there was so much have been putting in labor sav­ And Campuses in Colo. interests of the capitalist class, was published only every other commotion on the platform, shouts ing machinery in great haste for even though it harms the workers. DENVER, Nov. 12 — Clifton De­ week. “After our little paper was and shrieks in the hall, that I years to cut production costs, but Let me explain why this is so. We Berry, spokesman for the Socialist printed, then the editors, as well woke up. It was only a dream. when the question of a shorter have a system of producing, not Workers Party now on a national as the p arty members, had to go But for the workers — especially work week comes up, he always p rim a rily fo r use, b ut fo r the pro­ speaking tour on the subject of out and sell it.” the jobless — it’s the same old says he can’t afford the increased fit of the owners. In order to ac­ “The Negro Revolution,” debated At the Dec. 7th celebration edi­ nightm are. costs. There is no way around it, cumulate more profits, the cor­ University of Colorado Professor tors and contributors who have the labor movement is going to porations are compelled to install Alex Garber before 200 students been closely associated with The have to fight to get a shorter work more and more labor-saving de­ yesterday. M ilita n t over all or part of the week at no reduction in pay. vices. This generates more un­ Garber, a spokesman for the past three decades will briefly ...Argentine Oil employment along with more * * * right wing of the Socialist Party, recall some of the memorable in­ (Continued from Page 1) advocated what he called an “anti- cidents of those years. Some of goods. It is estimated that four The question of re-admitting the jobs are wiped out for every new Dixiecrat, anti-conservative, lib­ those who cannot be present in Fidelistas. It just happens that Teamsters wasn’t formally dis­ eral Democratic-Republican-Labor- person have sent recordings of job automation creates. foreign companies which get rich cussed at the AFL-CIO conven­ “ This saves wages, adds to un­ off Argentine natural resources Civil Rights Alliance.” their reminiscenses. tion in spite of the fact that both employment, and increases profits are not popular with Argentina the Building Trades and the Metal DeBerry, who was the only Ne­ all at the same time. That is one voters. Illia’s Popular Radical par­ Trades departments of the AFL- gro candidate for Brooklyn coun­ reason the U.S. corporations are ty won the recent elections on a CIO had recommended re-affilia­ cilman-at-large in the recent elec­ having a most profitable year with platform of rescinding contracts tion with the nation’s largest sin­ tion, supported the idea of a Free­ such a rate of unemployment. handed out to those companies by gle union. The question was an dom Now Party and independent “That is not all. The millions of former-president Frondizi. Fron­ issue, however, in the corridors. labor political action.. DeBerry, unemployed perform, despite dizi had broken his campaign At one point the discussion who was in the Denver area for CHICAGO themselves, invaluable services for promises when he awarded those broke into a scuffle when a dis­ two days, also spoke on two ra­ WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THE NE­ the employers. Their existence contracts and apparently violated play by the Philadelphia Building dio and two TV programs, before GRO STRUGGLE. Speaker Betsy Stern. tends to keep wages down by Argentine law by not subjecting Trades Council was set up in the a student meeting at Denver Uni­ Fri., Nov. 29, 8 p.m. Debs Hall 210, his action to approval of the Ar­ 302 S. Canal St. Ausp. Friday Night enabling the corporations to speed lobby outside the convention ball­ versity and before a lively meet­ Socialist Forum. up their workers and discourage gentine congress. room. Prominent in the display ing of some 50 persons at the M il­ • union action to raise wages and So the contracts — which even was a picture of Teamster Presi­ itant Labor Forum here. MINNEAPOLIS better working conditions. The U.S. oilmen admit were “mighty dent James R. Hoffa addressing a THE NEGRO REVOLUTION and the auto bosses and foremen point to juicy” — have been annulled. But meeting of Philadelphia unionists. Lessons of Birmingham. Speaker, Clifton the legion of unemployed outside the companies have not been ex­ Convention guards insisted the DeBerry, Socialist Workers candidate for the plants as a goad upon propriated. If they are they will picture be removed and the Phila­ Councilman in New York. Fri., Nov. the men sweating out their guts most likely be compensated for delphia men resisted briefly be­ 29, 8:30 p.m. 704 Hennepin Ave., Hall on the assembly lines. This gives their investment. But reports in­ fore moving their display outside 240. Contrib. 75 cents. Ausp. Friday them a cheaper and tamer labor dicate the Argentine officials the building. Night Socialist Forum. • force. merely want to renegotiate the * * * contracts on a more favorable NEW YORK (“Were I not an uninvited guest at your proceedings, I would add basis. A New York Times reporter saw Venezuela, the Next Cuba? — Speak­ the gathering this way: “The cap­ that the policies of your leaders The Argentine government di­ er, Peter Camejo, nat'l sec'y, Young tains of American labor . . . Socialist Alliance. Fri., Nov. 28, 8:30 do more to help than to hinder sputes the amount the foreign p.m. 116 University Place. Contrib. $1 these efforts of the employers. But companies claim to have invested; swarmed through the Americana (students, 50c). Ausp. Militant Labor we’ll take that up on another oc­ it demands damages for unpaid Hotel yesterday, talking softly and Forum. carrying no sticks at all . . . they * * * casion.) taxes and irrational exploitation “Let’s concentrate now upon by the foreign companies; and it could have been members of the Freedom of Speech Party. Meet W il­ what ought to be done about this points out that it paid the foreign National Association of Manufac­ liam Worthy and eight other defendants state of affairs. The President companies exorbitant prices fixed turers. Many carried copies of the who stood up for the First Amend­ just assured you that the best way by the international cartel — $70 Wall Street Journal under their ment at a benefit for the Workers De­ arms. to relieve unemployment and million worth of overcharging. fense League. Sat., Nov. 30, 9 p.m. “ At noon, some had lunch in the Hudson Guild Hall, 437 W. 27 St. prevent recession would be to back In short, the oil companies are (Near 9th Ave.) Entertainment and his tax-cut before Congress. He not likely to lose their invest­ hotel’s La Ronde room, where a refreshments. Contrib. 99c didn’t tell you that these pro­ ments. It is just that they don’t cocktail, chicken livers, scallops * * * posals would do far more to ease want anyone to tamper with the amadine, lemon sherbert and cof­ The M ilitant celebrates 35 Years. A N ­ the taxes of the rich than the poor. juicy deal they had going. And fee cost $9.03, plus tip .” NIVERSARY BANQUET, Sat., Dec. 7. that’s why such a stink was raised * * * From 5 p.m. Dinner at 7, program at Or that they are designed to 8 p.m. C ontrib. $2.50. For reservations stimulate business by adding to all the way from the White House The House of Representatives call AL 5-7852. the investment potential of the to Buenos Aires and back. has reversed itself on a bill to con­ Clifton DeBerry Monday, November 25, 1963 THE MILITANT Page T h re e Timid New Haven Leaders No Help ... AFL-CIO Stand on Rights (Continued from Page 1) NAACP Officers a Headache for Pickets same is true of the gap between By Fred Halstead The white power structure, of Negro and white unemployment rates. On Nov. 4, The Militant printed course, responded gleefully. The a story about an incident in Phila­ New Haven Register ran a front­ “Thus, the Negro worker finds delphia where frustration exploded page editorial blasting the CORE that, despite progress toward so­ into a riot after a policeman killed chapter and chiding the police for cial and political equality, his a Negro and where a conservative being too soft on the demonstrators. relative economic position is de­ section of the Negro leadership The police began a manhunt for teriorating or stagnating. The de­ panicked and violated the most the “escaped” demonstrator pick­ speration and frustration that this elementary rules of solidarity and ing up Yale University psychology paradoxical situation engenders is decency. In that case, Philadelphia teacher Edward E. Krieckhaus on responsible for much of the m ili­ NAACP president Cecil Moore charges including “ escape from tancy and impatience of the cur­ echoed the slanders of the white custody.” They also arrested CORE rent civil-rights revolution. And power structure and blamed the housing committee chairman Win­ that militancy w ill not abate . . . violence, not on the perpetrators nick and several other persons. “Our recent civil-rights gains of police brutality and discrimina­ Winnick declared: are based largely on the economic tion, not on those who are indiffer­ “My role in this demonstration progress the Negro registered, ent in the face of injustice, but was that of a supporter . . . It is with labor’s help, in the 1940s and M eany on a more militant section of an insult to the Negro people to early 1950s. We are fearful that the civil rights movement. suggest that they can’t act on be­ these gains w ill be wiped out by discuss the civil-rights revolution Subsequently, a similar develop­ half of their own freedom unless a the economic stagnation that has is therefore to write the agenda ment has occurred in New Haven. white person leads them. It is an characterized the Negro commu­ of labor’s unfinished revolution. It is to be hoped that these con­ absurdity to paint me as the Paul nity since 1953 . . . The labor movement cannot servative leaders in Philadelphia RAYMOND H. PAIGE. He was Revere of the Negro people . . . “The labor movement must not ignore this under-class. It cannot and New Haven reverse their ir­ independent candidate for May­ The police, whose numbers had ignore or ridicule those who lie degenerate into a mere protective responsible and divisive policy or of New Haven, Conn., receiv­ been sharply increased, began down before delivery trucks, association, insulating the ‘haves’ before they become completely ing 823 votes. New Haven has pushing people around, and many climb cranes, or engage in other from the ‘have-nots’ in the work­ discredited and — what is more an estimated four to five thou­ Negroes pushed back. I was in the allegedly ‘extremist’ actions . . . ing class . . .” important — do damage to the en­ sand Negro registered voters. middle of the crowd and was labor is no stranger to these tire movement by giving aid and pushed first by the police, then by techniques. I bid you to recall the comfort to the white power struc­ situation in the Negro community the people.” unbridled hysteria which greeted Miss. NAACP Urges ture. is abhorred and condemned by us “Furthermore, I believe a good labor’s first sit-down strikes . . . The New Haven developments and other more responsible ele­ part of Barber’s animosity against If the behavior of militant Ne­ Action in Evers Killing began with a Saturday afternoon ments in the Negro community. me is to be found in my support groes baffles many white Amer­ BILOXI, Miss., Nov. 16 — march Nov. 2 along Dixwell Ave. We must hold the CORE leader­ of Raymond Paige [independent icans, it should not baffle the Charging that the murder of Mis­ in the Negro neighborhood protest­ ship, and in particular William Negro candidate for Mayor] and house of labor. For, more than sissippi NAACP- Field Secretary ing slum housing conditions. The any other segment of American Winnick, its housing chairman, my criticism of Barber’s and W il­ Medgar Evers has gone “unat­ demonstration, sponsored by the directly responsible for the violent liams’ shameful desertion of him. society, we have intimate knowl­ tended,” the Mississippi NAACP local CORE group, began with activity. [The two NAACP leaders cam­ edge of the forces blocking the State Conference last week called some 20 persons carrying signs Negroes’ stride toward freedom. . . “Winnick, who incidentally is a paigned for the Democratic Party for the immediate trial of his ac­ such as: “Mayor Lee, We Demand white person, by his agitative lead­ incumbent, Mayor Lee.] The “Make no mistake about it, cused w hite assassin. Low Rent Housing,” and “People echoing of Barber’s charges by ership in the center of the street, brothers and sisters, there is a Evers was killed by a sniper’s Before Profits.” the so-called Progressive Demo­ urging the u n ru ly ones on, precip­ growing feeling of alienation bullet in June. Segregationist One Sat Down cratic Council [the Democratic itated their involvement in the from the labor movement in the Byron De La Beckwith was ar­ Apart from the fact that traffic Party organization in the Negro situation. These persons proceeded Negro community . . . The Negro- rested a few weeks later and was momentarily delayed when community] reveals the direct in­ to assault officers, hurl bottles and labor alliance, needed now as charged with the crime but his the marchers occasionally crossed tervention of the Lee administra­ block traffic . . . never before, is being pulled trial has been delayed while the the street, there had been no dis­ tion, which resents CORE’s ex­ “Finally, we demand that the apart . . . not only by the per­ courts determine if he should be turbance whatever until a contin­ posure of the reality of slum chief of police issue a warrant for sistence of racial discrimination in given a mental examination. gent of some 50 police appeared housing and poverty of the Negro the arrest of Winnick for inciting a number of unions, but also by Included in the audience at the and began ordering the marchers people.” to violence and riot at the dem­ the failure of labor to throw its State Conference were several around. A single demonstrator onstration and we stand ready to In contrast to the cowardly and full weight into the civil-rights then allegedly sat down in front white Yale students who had been assist the prosecution in convict­ irresponsible role of the local revolution in every community . . . in Mississippi campaigning for of a car. He was told he was ing this person.” NAACP officials, New Haven “Let our alliance be strength­ under arrest, but he ran away. The NAACP State President Aaron This statement was issued in the CORE president Burl Towles de­ ened. It is in labor’s own in­ Henry who ran as independent police made a scene chasing him names of John Barber, NAACP clared that his organization would terest. For the Negro’s protest to­ and a crowd of about 350 persons gubernatorial candidate in this branch president; Earle I. Wil­ provide bond and legal aid to day is but the first rumblings of month’s election. form ed and cheered when the cops liams, vice president; Mrs. Ruth any persons arrested as a result the ‘under class.’ As the Negro failed to find their man. Delegates to the conference re­ Brown, secretary; and Thomas of the Saturday incident, several has taken to the streets, so will elected Dr. Henry president of the A CORE official then announced Holloman, legal redress chairman. of whom are not CORE members. the unemployed of all races. To state organization. over a loudspeaker that the CORE demonstration was over. A part of the crowd, however, crossed the street several times, laughing at the police. As the police closed . . . Georgia Cops Assult U.S.-to-Cuba Peace Walkers ranks and pushed the crowd, the crowd pushed back and there was (Continued from Page 1) tice. Two officers dragged her to Miss Klein and burned her legs “Get up and walk,” they yelled under arrest. Shapiro sat down, the bus while another applied the some scuffling and a few blows and upper thighs. at him, but he refused. “I’d die refusing to cooperate with an cattle prod to her legs and back. Police then ordered the pacifists exchanged. before I’ll get up for you,” he re­ One Negro, Thomas Chappel Jr., order to walk to the police car. Most of the walkers in the bus to walk to their cells. Most of 30, was clubbed by the cops, two The officer yelled to a member refused to leave under their own them refused to on the grounds plied. Writhing in pain he repeat­ police were slightly injured, and of the Georgia Bureau of Investi­ power and underwent the same that their arrest was unjust. edly shouted, “K ill me, kill me, six more persons were arrested. gation (G.B.I.), waiting in a torment as before. Alan Nyysola, Michele Gloor, 20, a student from go ahead and kill me!” He event­ Tension rose and some bottles parked car: “Bring the electric 20, a student from Baltimore, Md., Chicago, was the first to be so ually was dragged upstairs, the were thrown at police cars. In­ prodder over here.” (An electric was thrown from the bus. As he ordered. She refused. prodder all the time being jabbed spector Harold Graves then or­ prodder is a device capable of giv­ lay on the sidewalk, the GBI A policeman with a cattle prod into his face. dered all policemen, except those ing a powerful electric shock agent prodded him on the face burned her repeatedly on the neck A local physician visited all the normally on the beat, to leave the w hich produces localized sensa­ and legs. Another officer held him and legs in full view of the other walkers, asking them if they had area. As soon as they did, the tions of extreme pain and burning while the agent shocked him in walkers, the sheriff and several complaints or injuries. Pearl crowd dispersed and filtered away. and involuntary muscle spasms in the groin. The student tried to policemen and women. Several Ewald (70, a retired school teach­ That was all there was to the New humans.) The GBI agent ordered roll over to escape the prod but walkers cried out in horror at the er) was feeling unwell and be­ Haven “riot.” Shapiro to rise. When the youth the agent continued to alternate pain Miss Gloor was enduring. cause of her history of heart Following the incident the continued to sit, the agent applied between applying the prod to his Their appeals to the policemen trouble, the doctor was particular­ CORE chapter issued a statement the prod first to Shapiro’s chest genitals and head. Nyysola pulled had an effect. He apparently could ly concerned about her. She had which said in part: “No doubt and stomach and then his genitals. his sweater over his head in self­ no longer continue tormenting the not been tormented by the police, many persons in New Haven w ill The student rolled over to shield protection, exposing his back to girl and finally stopped. Another but the sight of the other walkers find it convenient to blame CORE himself, giving the agent an op­ the prod. Finally, the agent left policeman grabbed the prodder, in pain apparently was too great for what happened. Yet it is very portunity to prod the base of his the student in order to work on saying, “ Heck, I ’l l use it.” Event­ a strain for her. He did not, how­ clear to all who were there that spine. Several agents then carried 17 year old Tom Rodd, a Pitts­ ually he, too, tired and, together ever, recommend that she be what generated the tension was him to the car and threw him in. burgh student. He applied the with the first policeman, began taken out of the violent environ­ not the peaceful demonstration but A policeman grabbed walker prod to every sensitive part of carrying the girl up the stairs to ment of the prison. Later in the the reaction of the crowds of K it Havice, 23, a medical student Rodd’s body. the cells. The GBI agent followed day, as the walkers were being from Boulder, Col., and ordered them, applying the prodder to spectators to the large concentra­ Dragged from Bus * released from the ja il, she suf­ tion of police in the area. It is her into a police bus. She refused Miss Gloor’s legs and thighs. Miss fered a severe anginal attack and evident that the police are not and sat down. The officer first Shapiro was dragged from the Havice was treated similarly. eventually was taken to a hos­ bus and up the stairs in such a well-liked in the Dixwell area. A said to another, “Get a police­ During the entire episode, tears pital. manner that his head was forced number of CORE members and woman,” and then changed his streamed down the faces of two The authorities apparently had to bump each stair. At the land­ spectators observed one reason mind: “Get the prod over here policemen standing by the door, no desire to keep the walkers in why in the brutal and unre­ instead.” Two officers picked her ing, the GBI agent jammed the but they said and did nothing. town or in jail, but the group prodder into Shapiro’s genitals and strained clubbing by policemen of up and were carrying her to the With the women thus dis­ was adamant in their demand that continued shocking him all over a young Negro during the milling bus when the GBI agent who had patched, the police turned to the they be allowed to distribute the about that followed the CORE tormented Shapiro ran over with his body, including his eyes. The m en. John Stevens, 20, a San Fran­ peace leaflets. After extended dis­ demonstration. This Negro re­ the cattle prod and began applying pain was so great that the youth cisco student, was burned on the cussion with Bradford Lyttle, ceived an inch-long gash on the the electric current to Miss jumped up and ran inside the head and back. An eight-inch bum Sheriff Gilbert left, and later re­ right side of his head, a cut finger, Havice’s legs and thighs. She was police office, the agent running mark was left on his stomach. turned with a permit for the walk­ after him, burning the back of and injury to his right eye.” shoved into the bus. Ray Robinson Jr., a 29 year old ers to carry on all the activities A statement issued in the name A policeman approached Edith his neck. Negro ex-prize-fighter from Wash­ they had planned. The entire group of local NAACP leaders, however, Snyder, 22, a New Y o rk C ity sec­ Miss Snyder was dragged into ington, received particularly brutal was then released. The majority declared: “The ugly violence retary, and asked if she was going the jail reception room. Several treatment. Stretched full length on of them went immediately to the w hich occurred at the scene of the to be a “lady” and walk to the minutes later, the GBI agent en­ the floor, police burned his legs, point at which the Walk had been housing demonstration sponsored bus. She replied that it was be­ tered and applied the cattle prod­ arms and spine. They shifted the suspended, and continued the today by the New Haven Chapter cause she was a lady that she der next to her eye, raising a prod to his genitals and held it short distance to the outer city of CORE in protest of the housing would not cooperate with injus­ black welt. He then turned to firm ly in place. limits of Griffin without incident. Page F o u r THE MILITANT Monday, November 25, 1963

To Some It's a Puzzle THE MILITANT Freedom Now Party Draws Republican Ire Editor: JOSEPH HANSEN Managing Editor: GEORGE LAVAN Business Manager: KAROLYN KERRY By George Breitman Published weekly, except during July and August when published bi-weckly, DETROIT — The Freedom Now by The Militant Publishing Ass’n., 116 University PI., New York 3, N.Y. Phone Party movement is very much in CH 3-2140. Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription: $3 a year: the news here in Michigan be­ Canadian, $3.50; foreign, $4.50. Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily cause this is the first state where represent The Militant's views. These are expressed In editorials. it has started collecting petitions to get on the 1964 ballot. The way V o l. 27 - No. 42 345 M onday, N ove m b e r 25, 1963 this news is being handled has puzzled some political observers. Why, they ask, are the two 100 Witch Hunt on the Air Waves per cent Republican daily news­ papers here so bitterly opposed to The Federal Communications Commission acted with Mc­ the Freedom Now Party? Carthly-like gall when it demanded that the directors, officers It is generally assumed that if and station managers of three non-commercial, listener-supported the Freedom Now Party gets on FM radio stations fill out questionnaires on whether they have the ballot next year, it w ill draw any “Communist” affiliations or ties with any organization which most of its votes from Negroes “advocates the overthrow of the U.S. government by force and who previously voted Democrat, violence." The three stations, KPFK, Los Angeles, KPFA, and that the Republicans would Berkeley, California and WBAI in New York City, are operated benefit from the cutting down of the total Democratic vote. by the Pacifica Foundation. No other broadcasting company has been subjected to such If this is so, then why do the pro-Republican Detroit News and demands. And this is but the latest incident in a record of hostile the pro-Republican Detroit Free treatment. The FCC has for some time refused to renew or grant Press go out of their way to at­ operating licenses to the stations, in spite of American Civil Lib­ tack the Freedom Now Party? erties Union protests that the delays lim it free speech. Why do they print editorials There are several reasons for this. First, the high quality of denouncing the Freedom Now the Pacifica stations’ programs — especially their freedom from Party? commercials! — are an obvious threat to the dreary, jingle-ridden, Why the Knocks? profit-oriented stations which dominate our air waves (and also Why do they corner every “big the FCC). Second, the Pacifica stations have provided an open name” Negro that comes to town AN IDEA THAT GREW. William Worthy, addressing Harlem forum to all points of view, Communist as well as Birchite. and try to get them to knock or street rally June 10, 1963, where he first proposed building of But what doubtless provoked this attack above all were the belittle the Freedom Now Party? Negro-led Freedom Now Party as step for civil rights movement. interviews these stations ran last fall w ith two former FBI agents Why don’t they just sit back, who criticized the FBI and its powerful boss, J. Edgar Hoover. pretend to be neutral about the Largely as a result of this, eight persons connected w ith Pacifica Freedom Now Party, quit trying Republicans.) Temporarily, the publican News and Free Press. were subpoenaed last January by the Internal Security Subcom­ to keep Negroes from joining .it, Republicans will probably derive They are more far-sighted than the mittee and Hoover’s hand is very likely behind the new FCC let the Democrats lose votes to the some advantages from this. white and black liberals. questionnaires. Freedom Now Party, and enjoy Uncle Toms and their white Temporarily and in the short The Pacifica Board of Directors has properly and courageously the possible election victory of cousins will argue, already are run they can see the Republicans refused to comply with the FCC demand. their own party next year? arguing, that that is the purpose gaining an advantage at the polls Here is one man’s explanation: of the Freedom Now Party — to through the defection of Negroes Whenever a new political party help the Republicans. That’s a lie. from the Democratic Party to the All Out of Step But Jim is formed, it grows at the expense The purpose of the Freedom Now Freedom Now Party. But this evi­ of one or more of the existing Party is to organize the political dently seems to them like a small Columnist Jimmy Breslin of the New York Herald Tribune parties. That’s a political fact of strength of the Negro people in­ thing compared to the long-range had better watch his step. Another column like that of Nov. 13 life. When the labor movement dependently of the white power and permanent effects of large and some Kennedy understrapper in charge of “managing” the gets the Meanys and Reuthers off structure so that it can be em­ numbers of Negroes saying “Good­ news (in the interest of “national defense,” of course) may fix its back and starts its own political ployed to promote the cause of bye forever” to the Democrats and party, it w ill do so at the expense it so he is an ex-columnist. Negro equality, instead of letting Republicans, and uniting their po­ initially of the Democrats, whom their political strength be exploit­ Breslin had the temerity to sully the image — so assiduously litical strength in a party that w ill organized labor has so long and so ed by the ru lin g class. be controlled by themselves and built up by the administration and the daily press — of the Cuban foolishly supported. A labor par­ Secondary Factor responsible to themselves. For that counter-revolutionaries in this country. That image is that they ty would be formed to the original could mean the collapse of the are as pure as the driven snow — and Breslin threw mud on it. detriment of the Republicans if If this gives one or the other whole two-party shellgame, and Explaining the rash of robberies, especially in hotels, Breslin previously labor had been tied up of the major parties a temporary political shifts, leading only God said a factor is “a mass influx of experienced criminals, many w ith them. advantage, that, in the eyes of the knows where. Freedom Now Party leaders, is not of them Cuban refugees.” His Nov. 13 column continues: “ ‘We It is therefore to be expected only unavoidable but incidental So the Republican editors are know it’s these Cubans,’ a detective was saying the other night. that since most Negroes have not acting stupidly or irrationally backed the Democrats during the and secondary. What counts to ‘There are dozens of them around town. These bums have records them is the long-range effect of the when they try to torpedo the last 30 years, a Negro political Freedom Now Party. They want as long as Sixth Avenue. But we don’t speak to Cuba anymore, party like the Freedom Now Par­ Freedom Now Party. In the long so we can’t get the police records. If a man has a record you can run they know that the construc­ the Negro vote to remain con­ ty inevitably will draw much of trolled. They would prefer to have at least keep tabs on him. But we don’t even know who these its support from formerly Demo­ tion of a Negro-controlled party it controlled by the Republicans. cratic voters. (It will also draw will weaken and damage both of people are. Last year we grabbed this guy . . . The FBI told us But if that can’t be done, they’d heavily from the large portion of the major parties, which alike he had 18 murders on his record in Cuba . . . They walk around rather see it controlled by the Negroes in the North who have stand for Freedom Later, If Ever. and say they’re Freedom Fighters or something, then they get $30 Democrats than let it break loose together and check into a hotel and go to work.’ ” not voted at all up to now because, And that, I think, also accounts and become independent. Now as any damn fool who reads and believes the daily press understandably, they saw no basic for the hostility to the Freedom difference between Democrats and Now Party shown by the pro-Re- What guides them are the in­ can tell you, anti-Castro Cubans in this country were and are terests of the white power struc­ actuated only by the highest motives. They just love democracy. ture, which they correctly put None left Cuba in fear of punishment because they were so Socialist Education Fund ahead of temporary partisan ad­ steeped in the blood and corruption of the Batista dictatorship; or vantages. The interests of their because their juicy rackets couldn’t be continued under Castro’s class are more important to them than the interests of their party. un-American regime. When they slug an old lady leaving a meet­ Another Reason Why You Should Help ing of which they disapprove or when they are caught in a big If this explanation is correct, it is another argument why Negro counterfeiting operation, U.S. newspaper readers can be sympa­ By Marvel Scholl Fund Director militants should join and build thetic to the claim that it was all to hasten Castro’s overthrow. the Freedom Now Party and why Breslin is out of step with U.S. journalism! W ith less than fo u r weeks to go, House are suddenly concerning white militants should defend and the Socialist Education Fund col­ themselves with — Medicare and help it in every way possible. lections are lagging badly. Most the real situation in the distressed groups listed have promised that area now known as Appalachia. Fund Scoreboard they will fulfill their quotas by Our readers are fully convers­ Dec. 15 but much concentration is ant with the history of so-called City Quota Paid Percent needed to carry out those prom­ Medicare and the political foot­ Fidel Castro Baltim ore 120 120 100 ises. ball it has become. Minneapolis/St. Paul 850 725 85 In past columns we have We have carried many articles, Connecticut 200 153 76 stressed the vital need of, educa­ including eyewitness accounts, of Denounces Chicago 1,300 1,000 77 tional material for the newly the terrible conditions among the St. Louis 100 75 75 awakening younger generation, displaced, often permanently un­ D etroit 700 458 65 and the obligation of the older employed coal and iron miners Bureaucracy A llentow n 150 95 63 generations to do their share by on the Appalachian range. The General 100 62 62 contributing the very necessary other day Mr. Kennedy expressed New Y ork 4,300 2,329 54 money for that task. “surprise” when informed that the And Sectarianism 53 Today I’d like to point out an children who inhabit this sub­ Boston 600 320 March 26 speech assailing Aníbal 250 132 53 advantage all age levels of our culture are often worm-infested M ilw aukee Escalante and others for converting San Francisco 650 310 48 readers share — the ability to and undernourished! Our only sur­ the Integrated Revolutionary Organ­ Cleveland 650 302 46 read between the lines of the prise is that Mr. Kennedy is so Oakland-Berkeley 600 235 39 daily capitalist press and “hear” blatant about his underestimation izations into "a yoke, a straitjacket." Los Angeles 4,300 1,672 39 radio and TV newscasters and ed­ of our general intelligence. But Denver 100 34 34 itorial commentators for what is in a pre-election period anything 40 pp. — 35c N ewark 200 60 30 behind what they say. Regular is possible! San Diego 300 57 19 exposure to the truth has that You can help us continue our effect! PIONEER PUBLISHERS Seattle 500 85 17 job of spreading the truth by Take two acute social problems Philadelphia 300 38 13 making a contribution to the So­ 116 University Place which the politicians, from the cialist Education Fund, 116 Uni­ Totals through Nov. 19 $16,270 $8,262 50 Kennedy family down through versity Place, Now York, N. Y. New York 3, N. Y. the newest representative in the 10003. Monday, November 25, 1963 t h e m i l i t a n t Page Five

More Facts About Our 'Golden Age' Poverty in the Land of Plenty

By Art Preis ing wherever a friend has parents alone, although that is an impres­ out at work.” sion which white capitalist propa­ The most widely circulated These examples from the daily gandists seek to convey. It is true myth in this country is that we press give only the faintest sug­ that in relative terms these minor­ have achieved the “affluent so­ gestion of the real dimensions of ities suffer economic deprivation ciety.” We are told through every poverty in this country. We have in far greater proportion to their medium of propaganda that the to dig into fine-print statistics to numbers than the white workers. U.S. private profit system has at­ excavate the facts. But the absolute number of im­ tained a “Golden Age” in which Words like poverty and depriva­ poverished whites is several times poverty persists only as a mild so­ tion vary widely in meaning ac­ greater than the poor non-whites. cial blemish which can be healed cording to the persons, groups or Affluence still has a lot of picking with a bit of governmental bud­ classes who use them. Neverthe­ up to do among wage earners as getary salve. less, we have certain o fficia l and a whole. Once in a while, however, the generally accepted guideposts on In its March 1961 issue, For­ big business press permits us a the standard of living, such as the tune magazine stated that there fleeting glimpse through the family budget standards period­ were 32 million American people propaganda curtain drawn over ically published by the U.S. De­ living in outright poverty, a con­ the reality of the “American way partment of Labor or by local dition which this millionaires’ PROSPERITY? Jobless line in front of Detroit unemployment of life.” A careful survey occa­ agencies like the Community magazine determined was below compensation office at height of last recession. sionally reveals shocking examples Council of Greater New York. the $2,500 a year level per fam ­ that hint at the real extent of In my article, “The Myth of ily. poverty and deprivation in this 'People’s Capitalism,’ ” dated May Recently, Dr. Walter W. Heller, of them “didn’t sell out and take Crockett and Irwin Friend as part richest of all lands. 1, 1961, and published in the Win­ Chairman of the President’s Coun­ losses . . . O nly a small percentage of a Ford Foundation report. We read and hear a great deal, ter 1962 issue of the International cil of Economic Advisers, reck­ of them sold . . .” The Wall Street The study, based largely on gov­ of course, about the terrible plight Socialist Review, I cited the De­ oned poverty at an income level hirelings cling to that 17,000,000 ernment reports and figures, es­ of the people in other lands, es­ partment of Labor survey made in of less than $3,000 a year fo r an figure as tenaciously as a bulldog timates that persons with incomes pecially in a country like Cuba. the autumn of 1959. This showed average size fam ily, a condition gripping an old disinterred bone. over $100,000 a year, or less than We are treated regularly to “eye­ that the average American family, which he said “afflicts about 20 However, on Oct. 14 Doyle 0.1 per cent of the tax paying pop­ witness” reports from Miami about including a working husband, a per cent of our white population, reported from Bal Harbor, Fla., ulation, own 19.5 per cent of the “economic ruin” of Cuba since housewife and two dependent but almost half our nonwhite that the keynote speaker at the all stock. Some 48 per cent of all the Cubans showed the U.S. cor­ children, at that time needed an population.” fifteenth annual national Mutual shares are owned by those with porations to the nearest exit. But Fund Dealers’ conference “ pointed incomes over $25,000. Moreover, annual income of $6,140 a year — “Other America” even the September 14 Business out that the public has become the study shows, that, while there $118 a week for 52 straight weeks Heller’s definition of poverty, Week magazine (before the de­ more reluctant to invest in stocks has been a big increase during the — to maintain a “modest but ade­ based on a fa m ily income of less vastating hurricane struck Cuba) since the 1962 stock market crash.” past decade in the number of quate” budget that did not allow than half the official “modest but felt impelled to concede that An article by Elizabeth M. Fow­ shareowners, the- distribution of for any prolonged illness or sub­ adequate” standard, embraces . . no one is starving in Cuba, ler on the financial page of the income remains practically the stantial savings. some 34,000,000 w hite and 10,000,­ and many Cubans — including Sept. 14 New York Times asks: same. The top 5 per cent of the If we up-date that “modest but 000 non-white Americans, for a students and peasants who form “Who is the small investor?” She income bracket in 1955 took 20.3 adequate” budget to allow for a total of 44,000,000 human beings. the backbone of Castro’s support replies that in 1961 “he was al­ per cent of the total income; in conservative rise of five per cent Heller’s figure, in other words, — are eating better than ever.” most everyone w ith a little cash 1961, according to the latest avail­ in the cost of living during the falls squarely within the range of on hand . . . [But] the type that able Department of Commerce Bigart’s Report past four years, today’s family the estimate of forty to fifty mil­ brokers think may be coming figures, the highest 5 per cent got It cannot be said that “no one standard budget according to the lion made by Michael Harrington back into the market now is ap­ 19.6 per cent of the total income. is starving” in the “affluent” federal government’s own survey in his penetrating study of poverty parently the businessman type “Large individual blocks of cap­ United States. An extensive eye­ would be $6,447 a year. In fact, in the United States, The Other who buys on margin or with bor­ ital often appear staggering,” re­ witness report by Homer Bigart in the Community Council of New America. rowed money and picks his shares ports the Times, citing the ex­ the October 20 New York Times York early in October issued a But this is not the last word carefully.” ample of B illy Rose, the largest details the “grinding poverty” of family budget standard of $6,268 on the extent of poverty in our individual stockholder in Amer­ “tens of thousands of unemployed annually. “ a fflu e n t” land. A strong case can Faded Out ican Telephone and Telegraph coal miners and subsistence farm­ In 1959, the median family in­ be made for a far larger number. The phrase “people’s capitalism” Company, w ith 80,000 shares w orth ers” of eastern Kentucky. He come was $5,400 before taxes. Indeed, Leon H. Keyserling, who has faded out of the public prints nearly $10 m illio n . But, the Times writes of “the pinched faces of “That is,” I pointed out in my was chairman of President Tru­ since the Dow-Jones index of points out, Rose’s stake in AT&T hungry children, the filth and above-mentioned article “half the man’s Council of Economic Ad­ average industrial stock market “falls far short of many individual squalor of cabins, the unpainted families in this country had in­ visers during the Korean War, prices slid 200 points between De­ investments in other corporations.” shacks that still serve as school- comes during the last ‘boom’s year wrote in the New York Times cember 1961 and July 1962. But below $5,400, or at least $720 less even if the New York Stock houses.” Sunday magazine section of Au­ Billionaire than the government’s own ‘mod­ Exchange “census” held good to­ The Times commented editorial­ gust 5, 1962, that there are “77 For instance, J. Paul Getty, est but adequate’ family budget.” day, it would mean that only 8.9 million Americans who still live president of Getty Oil Company, ly on Bigart’s report: In August 1962, a U.S. Bureau of per cent of the American people “The boast that no one starves in poverty or lesser deprivation.” alone controls 12,570,939 shares of the Census survey disclosed that are “capitalists” sharing in the in America is hard to support In the late Fifties and until June his company worth more than the median family income was “affluent society” by reason of after reading Homer Bigart’s ac­ 1962, Wall Street and the New $300,000,000, w h ile the 101,000 $5,700. stock ownership. “People’s capital­ count in yesterday’s Times . . York Stock Exchange put on an persons participating in the stock ism,” like affluence, also has a The same editorial cites a county Take-Home Pay intensive propaganda campaign exchange’s Monthly Investment lot of picking up to do. That’s es­ health officer who told Bigart: The average weekly take-home around the theme that American Plans at the end of 1962 owned pecially true if we remember that “ I ’ve seen children who are pot­ pay of all U.S. factory workers, by capitalism wasn’t capitalism any­ 6,600,000 shares in listed corpora­ there were 8,039,000 shareholders, bellied and anemic. I ’ve seen ch il­ far the largest single category of more but something else by the tions (an average of about six per or 6.3 per cent of the population, dren eat dirt out of chimneys. Of wage-earners, was $87.78 a week same name — “People’s Capital­ shareholder) w orth about $270,­ in 1936, during the great depres­ 8,200 children in Letcher County, in September, including all over­ ism.” The corporations, it was 000,000. G etty’s total wealth has sion. 75 to 85 per cent are under­ time earnings. For a full year of claimed, were no longer controlled been estimated at a billion dollars. weight.” employment, this wage would by a few individuals of immense The most important point to re­ Other owners of huge stockhold­ B u t the impression that such amount to $4,564.56. T hat is al­ wealth. Rather, they were owned member about stock ownership, ings “ have managed to escape the conditions are rare and limited to most $2,000 less than the “ modest by millions upon millions of peo­ however, is how few own how general public eye,” reports the geographically isolated areas such but adequate” family budget pre­ ple through the simple process of much of the stock. In my Interna­ Times. “Though 308 persons re­ as the coal regions of the Cumber­ scribed by the experts of the U.S. buying a few shares of stock — tional Socialist Review article, ported taxable income of at least land Mountains is false. Unem­ Labor Department. “taking a flyer,” as the expres­ previously quoted, I described a $1,000,000 in 1961, the latest year ployment and low-wage poverty It is safe to say, therefore, that sion went — in some corporation. survey by the National Bureau of for which figures are available, no exist all over the United States a substantial majority of U.S. fam­ Broadened ownership of stock Economic Research reported in precise estimates of personal and deface every urban area with­ ilies have total annual incomes was a hallmark of the “ affluent so­ the February 20, 1960, New York wealth are available.” out exception. below — and most of them, con­ ciety.” Everybody was a “capital­ Times. This survey, said the Times. The account immediately adds: A few weeks ago Mayor Wagner siderably below — official “mod­ ist” — or soon w ould be. In May “showed that since 1949 there has “The list could go on and on. It publicly acknowledged, for polit­ est but adequate” standards. This 1962, the New York Stock Ex­ been a trend toward wealth in the would certainly include the Presi­ ical reasons of his own, that “ one- is the first big unassailable fact change published a “census” pur­ hands of fewer people . . . clearly dent’s father, Joseph P. Kenne­ fourth” of New York City’s fam­ of the “affluent society” in this porting to show there were more evident in 1953 . . . when 1.6 per dy . . .” ilies are near or within the border wealthiest and most productive than 17 million individual share­ cent of the country’s population The Times article sums up the of poverty, “including a number country in the world. holders in the U.S. This claim was held 30 per cent of the nation’s corporate power of these big stock­ who are poor to the point of grim Among the majority of Amer­ issued in the midst of the third personal wealth,” including “at holders in one paragraph: privation.” ican families with incomes well worst stock market slump in U.S. least 80 per cent of the corporate “All of these holders wield a In this same New York City, the below the official “modest but history. stock held in the personal sector...” great influence in corporate board financial and commercial heart of adequate” standard are tens of But the propagandists of the On Sept. 13, 1963, the Times rooms. In practically every in­ the United States, there are home­ millions of people who are suffer­ “affluent society” continue to cite brought up to date the previous stance, the rich differ from the less, hungry children wandering ing outright poverty. This is the the Stock Exchange “census” as if finding on the division of share average shareowners . . . because the streets. A brief account in the second outstanding fact of our all the petty shareowners took the ownership. “Multimillionaire they almost always can be as­ October 22 New York Post calls “affluent society.” There are how­ big stock selling wave without Stockholders Still Rule Big Busi­ sured a representation on the them “DP’s” — “young displaced ever, widely divergent estimates blinking an eye. Last May 16, fi­ ness,” blared the headline. It board of directors.” persons” — like the refugees of of the extent of this stark area nancial columnist Sylvia Porter in admitted that the “emphasis on The article concludes with the a war. “The roamers,” the young of the “American way of life.” the New York Post boasted “we the purchaser of a few shares, claim that these huge stockholders displaced persons, are New York Commenting editorially on the dwarf every other nation . . . in the Monthly Investment Plan who “wield a great influence in City’s children who prefer a de­ Community Council’s new family the total of stockholders — over participant, the investment club corporate board rooms” neverthe­ serted cellar to their overcrowded budget standard, the October 7 17,000,000 at last count.” More re­ member, and other small inves­ less “ may be something of an an­ or broken homes. New York Times stated: “ 300,000 cently, the New York World-Tele­ tors has cloaked the importance of achronism” in “an era of corpor­ “ They are children who sleep New York families — or roughly gram’s William A. Doyle, author established millionaires, with great ate democracy.” in hallways and subways in the one family in every eight — have of “The Daily Investor” column, holdings in well-established ‘blue- They’re an anachronism, all winter and anywhere when the incomes less than h alf that re­ on October 11 castigated a reader chip’ corporations and of new right, along with the mass poverty weather is warm. They are poten­ quired for the ‘standard’ budget. who wrote him that the stock millionaires, with substantial own­ and insecurity created by the “af­ tial criminals who must steal to And in this group the ratio for market is “just a big gambling ership in rapidly growing newer fluent society” of private profit eat.” Negro fam ilies runs two and one- den” and who blamed the 1962 enterprises.” and monopoly ownership. But they An official of the Police Depart­ half times the ratio for whites. crash on “the big bankers, brokers The Times account reassures us: w ill not cease to exist u n til re­ ment Youth Investigation Bureau The ratio for Puerto Ricans is and professional gamblers.” Doyle “ Stock ownership is still well con­ placed by the non-profit social told the Post that these young three times as great. Affluence cited, of course, the “ latest ‘census’ centrated, according to a study, ownership of the means of pro­ “DP’s” “hang out in parks, play­ still has a lot of picking up to do.” by the New York Stock Exchange ‘Characteristics of Stock Owner­ duction by the vast majority who grounds, boarded-up houses. They Poverty is not the province of . . . more than 17 million stock­ ships,’ released last week.” The do all the useful work, but who float from house to house, sleep­ racial and national minorities holders . . and added that all study was prepared by Jean now own few or no shares at a ll Page Six THE MILITANT Monday, Novem ber 25, 1963 Jamaica Gov't to Photograph FOUND MUCH PROGRESS And Fingerprint All Voters An Economist Reports on Cuba The government of Jamaica has lished diplomatic relations with By Constance Weissman announced a plan under which all Cuba, its close neighbor; and the Cuba has been running an annual citizens must be photographed U.S. has shipped over $1 million NEW YORK—Economist James balance-of-payments deficit of and fingerprinted in order to vote. in arms to the Bustamente regime. O’Connor, who visited Cuba last more than $300 m illio n . This is a The West Indian island became The Unemployed Workers Coun­ summer as a reporter for The Na­ very large figure, he noted, and independent of Britain in April, cil, which declares itself in the tio n , told the Militant Labor the Soviet Union has requested 1962. Since then the government tradition of Marcus Garvey and Forum audience on Nov. 15 that Cuba to attempt to reduce this has been in the hands of the con­ the African freedom movement as the Cuban economy had made im­ figure. Mangoes, pineapples, etc., servative Jamaican Labor Party, well as being pro-socialist, com­ pressive progress since his visit are exported but the real burden headed by Sir Alexander Busta­ pared the scheme to South Af­ a year and a half earlier but is on sugar and cattle for foreign earnings. mente. The Bustamente govern­ rica’s passport system and de­ had been set back about a year ment, ruling now without British scribed the dangers inherent in it. by the devastation of Hurricane To achieve this expansion of arms to back it up, has instituted “The various youth, workers, Flora. O’Connor, who follows the sugar production, mechanization the plan to “mug” all voters as a peasants and revolutionary group­ Cuban press and corresponds with of the harvesting is essential, means of controlling the country’s ings dedicated to the struggle Cubans, said that more than 1,000 mainly because there are not political life. against oppression, w ill now be people were killed and 200,000 enough workers. Many who pre­ The Unemployed Workers brought under close scrutiny and made homeless in Oriente and viously cut cane are now in other Council, a militant organization their patriotic activities suppressed Camaguey provinces. One half of jobs. Both Cuban and Soviet tech­ founded in March 1962, has de­ from time to time. Eastern Cuba’s agriculture was nicians are working on the me­ nounced the fingerprinting-photo­ “Progressive and militant work­ destroyed. Fifty-five per cent of chanization problem. graphing scheme as the latest ex­ ers employed in Government serv­ the coffee crop was lost and ex­ One of the impressive features ample of “direct interference by ices and big companies, w ill be tensive damage was done to the of the revolution for O’Connor is the American imperialists in the easily framed to get rid of them sugar crop. the continuing policy stand of the political affairs of our country.” from their employment. Political Another serious loss, he said, government in refusing to use any The $400,000 contract fo r the victimization and discrimination was the destruction of the new coercive measures against the technical side of the job went to would become more ruthless. fishing fleet at Manzanillas. The small private farmers who still own the greater part of Cuba’s an American company, the Shoup “Civil rights would be seriously cattle losses are unknown. The James O’Connor Corp. The Unemployed Workers curtailed and thousands more whole population of the area has land. Despite many problems, he Council has charged that the Cen­ would be added to the list of been mobilized for disaster relief. during the interval between his said, this policy is paying off in tral Intelligence Agency, well those who are denied passports Fortunately there were 50,000 two visits, O’Connor said there a steadily improving flow of food skilled in such matters, w ill be for various reasons. workers in this area recruited for was much less sectarianism now. to the cities. Previous to the hur­ working with the U.S. outfit and “ Above all, an atmosphere of in­ the harvest of the coffee crop, who He said, that old Communists and ricane the amount of chickens that the information gathered security against our conscience as stayed to help repair the damage, 26th of July members who do not being delivered had increased would find its way into U.S. free-men would prevail and the plus 10,000 agricultural workers qualify for their jobs are being more than 100 per cent. Embassy files, to be used by adverse psychology to bow to the there already. steadily replaced. Che Guevara, the U.S. powers to intervene in authority of the oppressors would Help has come from all over he said, won’t allow anyone in Jamaican politics against elements be encouraged.” the world. Ships fill the harbors the economics department who is they may not like. The UWC called for an all-out fro m everywhere but the U.S. not qualified. He gives them six Indicted Students Since independence, Jamaica’s boycott of the fingerprinting- Some food and drugs are being months to learn. Everyone takes ties w ith the U.S. have grown photographing scheme. Calling on sent from the U.S. by the Emer­ their jobs more seriously. Win Right to Tour closer. The Jamaican representa­ all citizens to defend their rights, gency Committee for Disaster Re­ There is lots of self-learning, tive has voted with the U.S. on they pointed out that a majority lief of Cuba, which he said is do­ evening schools, ministry sem­ NEW YORK — On Nov. 12 a important questions in the United boycott could squelch the whole ing a wonderful job. The commit­ inars, where O’Connor heard federal judge in Brooklyn grant­ Nations; Jamaica has not estab­ plan. fascinating political and economic tee is now waiting for a license ed permission to Levi Laub and to send clothing, which is much discussions. He said this was very needed. impressive and a big change over Phillip Abbott Luce to travel out­ The Cuban government is plan­ 1962 “when no one seemed to side the geographical limitations ...A Report from Havana ning massive reconstruction and know what the hell they were imposed on them by the court on water preservation projects, such doing.” September 30. Laub and Luce, (Continued from Page 1) The crops, in their great major­ as dams, so that even if a hur­ Cuba has begun to change its defendants now under indictment mediately begin. That has begun. ity, can be replaced in six months ricane of the same scope should general economic policy. Stress is Red Battalions are to be seen ev­ for violating last summer a State (sweet potatoes, 40 days). Like­ ever hit the island again, it would now on sugar and cattle instead erywhere in the afflicted areas. not have the same effect. of reducing sugar production and Department public notice denying wise construction. But the cattle The ration quotas have, naturally, Discussing his general impres­ increasing other agriculture. The travel to Cuba, had previously is a much longer process. sions of the changes in Cuba reason, O’Connor said, is that been affected. Here in Havana, been restricted to New York City eggs are for children and older The p a rticu la rly sad thing about and Long Island. people; chicken is regular; milk the cyclone hitting at this time is They will make an eight-day (canned) is regular; rice is reg­ that after going through three ular; meat, coffee, fruit and vege­ Freedom Now Candidate Gets trip under the auspices of the Na­ years of an intense dry spell, in­ tables have been cut in half. There tional Student Association to col­ is plenty of fresh fish and lentil vasion and what have you, the Modest Vote in San Francisco leges in New England. At some beans so while things are a bit meat and agricultural production of them they are scheduled to tight it is not too bad. had been raised to such a height The voters of San Francisco white and Negro press kept news gave Sam Jordan, the Freedom of the Freedom Now candidate debate persons of opposing points that with this crop we would have of view. They hope to travel after­ Now candidate for Mayor, 2,347 from reaching many voters who Set N.Y. Theater Party begun to breathe easier and there votes. This vote disappointed ward to the Midwest, the South, was talk of a slightly higher meat many of Sam Jordan’s supporters might have responded. Even the and the West to explain their case, For 'In White America' quota. who had expected a bigger re­ very energetic campaign waged by Luce said. The court’s permission now allows them to go anywhere NEW YORK — The Militant However, with the tremendous sponse, at least from the Negro the Jordan forces could not be ex­ in the United States if invited. Labor Forum is sponsoring a the­ spirit that has engulfed all the comm unity. pected to overcome the news In the decision, federal Judge ater party for the widely ac­ Cuban workers, as Fidel said, we Actually Sam Jordan ran fourth blackout. Zavatt piously expostulated: “The claimed new off-Broadway pro­ w ill repair the damage and much in a field of seven. His vote was Made Impact court hopes that these defendants, duction, In White America. more. The factory production has three times as large as any of the on their visit to Cuba, learned gone up fantastically and if we strictly minor candidates. This Despite these handicaps the The New Y orker critic said of enough about the laws of that keep up this pace everything w ill points to a very conscious vote for the play: “I don’t see how any­ Jordan campaign made a definite country to be able to include in be repaired in six months. the Freedom Now candidate. thing could have made the story impact on the community. His pro­ their addresses at the several in­ of the American Negro more the­ However the relatively low Immediate Measures gram for a 30-hour week at 40 situations of learning which atrical or moving than this vote indicated that many San they w ill visit a clear exposition chronological arrangement of ac­ hours pay struck a responsive Also the government has taken Francisco Negroes were hesitant of how Cuba would treat those of note among both white and Negro tual documents and excerpts from steps for the immediate building to vote for a candidate not en­ its citizens who would defy a stat­ documents — state papers, offi­ of dams, reservoirs dikes and so dorsed by community leaders. Not workers. Members of the Na­ ute, administrative order or dic­ cial records, and records of con­ forth. The price of cigarettes and a single prominent minister or tional Maritime Union stuck by tatorial edict prohibiting travel versations, reports, letters, jour­ meat have been upped about ten spokesman of the Negro commu­ abroad.” nals, speeches and histories — their endorsement of Jordan de­ cents each, with the extra money nity came out in support of Sam We can be sure that the good starting with a slave-ship captain’s spite the personal plea by the to be invested in these projects. Jordan. judge’s words will be of great description of conditions below Everyone (except the gusanos, of The news blackout by both the Democrat, Shelly, to the Local. comfort to the students who now decks, and ending w ith a 15-year- course) are 100 per cent behind The idea of a Freedom Now face up to 15 years in prison for old Negro girl’s account of the Fidel’s plans which are discussed Party was given wide circulation, penetrating the U.S.-built wall day in the fall of 1957 when she and voted on factory by factory. and discussion of such a party is around Cuba. These very students thought she was starting school The aid from the socialist taking place in numerous sections could confirm, if the judge had at Central High in Little Rock . countries has been more than was of the Negro community. This taken the trouble to inquire, that expected. From the capitalist coun­ “There are dramatic moments, discussion w ill not cease w ith the the Cuban government has never and funny, enraging, defiant and tries, too. Some people thought election, but w ill continue as the imposed a ban on travel out of or quiet ones . . . The selections were that after Fidel refused to sign the new administration comes into of­ within the island. made by Martin H. Duberman. . . test-ban treaty that the aid from fice and — as is certain — fails to A ll credit to him. Well, part credit, Russia would be nominal but this live up to its campaign promises. really, for surely Harold Stone, has not been the case. A group of Jordan supporters who staged the show with such Everyone got very emotional have formed a continuations com­ va rie ty of mood and pace, de­ over the aid from China which mittee for a Freedom Now Party. serves a big share, and so do those we all realize is a big sacrifice for They are looking towards the 1964 Yours for the Asking fine actors.” them. elections and future political de­ The New York Times was In general, the aid is coming velopments to push the idea of a For books and pamphlets on Cuba, equally enthusiastic about the from practically all the countries Freedom Now Party to fruition. the Freedom Now struggle, the labor in the world where the workers show. It said: “It is a flaming This was the first political ven­ movement, socialist theory, send for editorial . . . amusingly and pas­ movement is strongly organized. ture for Sam Jordan. The respect a free copy of our catalogue. sionately alive.” In Latin America Chile is par­ his many friends felt for him in­ The theater party is scheduled ticularly noteworthy. Venceremos! creased as they watched him de­ for the 7 p.m. performance on [We will win!] velop as a political leader and PIONEER PUBLISHERS campaigner. They are sure that he Saturday, Dec. 17. Tickets, at $3.45 116 University Place each, are available from the M ili­ “A liberal is a man who leaves will be heard from again as the tant Labor Forum, 116 University a room when the fight begins.” — struggle of San Francisco’s Negro New York 3, N. Y. Place. Phone A L 5-7852. Heywood Broun (1888-1939) Sam Jordan and white workers develops. Monday, November 25, 1963 THE MILITANT Page Seven

[T his column is an open forum Thinking the Wobblies may on the military takeovers on Latin ciety ruled in a despotic manner. in Africa often requires two fo r all viewpoints on subjects of have developed it I called Fred America. The people on the pro­ It is very simple to explain how stages: first the overthrow of the general interest to our readers. Thompson who is their best schol­ gram included A. Berle, Harry such a figure commands the despotic colonialists and, second, Please keep your letters under ar. He is also author of The F irst Schwartz of the New York Times, prestige and distinction he (I the struggle to achieve socialism. really should capitalize the “h” ) 400 words. Writers’ initials w ill be Fifty Years. The Wobblies had and several other political anal­ J.M. used, names being withheld unless been using it so long and fre ­ ysts. enjoys. Without doubt he is one authorization is given for use.] quently they had forgotten it had The outstanding impression of the firmest and most stable a derivation. that came from the program was friends of the U.S. government The Worse the Better? a sense of incapacity of the U.S. and big business. As for Uncle Tom? I always New York, N.Y. Blatherskite? in dealing with these military equated him with the Wobbly During his 47 years as ruler of There can be. no question but Chicago, Ill . coups that are erupting again in term, “Scissorbill.” Their apt and Ethiopia only one of his actions that the recent coup d’ etat in Will you please tell George Latin America. The participants salty definition is, “A capitalist has served to rationalize the high South Vietnam was directly pre­ Breitman that there is already a seemed completely baffled by without any money.” esteem in which he is held (and cipitated by the United States perfectly good name extant for these developments and certainly Slim Brundage that took place 27 years ago!). In government and its interventionist the type of labor official he com­ had no answer as to how to pre­ 1936 he attempted unsuccessfully arm, the CIA. The only question plained about in his article Nov. vent future authoritarian take­ 'Old Buck' Meany? to persuade the League of Nations existing is, should the coup be sup­ 4. “LABOR SKATE.” I heard it overs. Romulus, Mich. to help him against the invading ported as a progressive measure? 50 years ago. So it is at least that Near the end of the program, I hope George Breitman is suc­ Italians. If we care to, we can The answer, I feel, is “no,” for the old. Harry Schwartz, who is himself cessful in finding an appropriate question his motives even then fo llo w in g reasons: Since so many people hadn’t very conservative, felt moved to — was he concerned about the term that would give as much ex­ The Militant heard of it, I looked it up in the express dissatisfaction with the * evils of fascism or of losing his As wrote when it pression to the treacherous labor appeared that a coup was in the dictionary some years ago. W heth­ “ misleader” as Uncle Tom does answers that these “experts” were own power and privilege? er it derives from “An old decrep­ coming up with. He said he didn’t offing in Haiti some months ago, for the subservient Negro “mis­ His address to the UN on Oct. consider himself an expert on a coup in a rightwing Latin Amer­ it horse,” or is a member of the leader.” Anyway, his article 4 of this year, aside from his con­ Latin America but he had traveled ican country would set the prece­ fish family I have been unable to brought to mind an old newsreel gratulations to Kennedy on his there and found many of the peo­ dent for an attempt to overthrow determine. film I saw about 1929. noble efforts to eradicate race ple there cynical about the U. S. the government in Cuba. Although The film showed how a male discrimination, was faultless. He apathy toward these take-overs. this argument has been largely sheep expedited the handling of advocated stern measures against He also said that when he voided (because in the meantime thousands of sheep that were the regimes of South Africa, An­ 10 YEARS AGO traveled in Europe he was con­ a precedent has been set by the herded over the runway between gola and Mozambique. But behind fronted by many West European coups in the Dominican Republic the Chicago stockyards to the his words stands a shrewd poli­ intellectuals who asked why are and Honduras) since then, it re­ slaughtering pens. tican. The governments he would IN THE MILITANT you in the USA so opposed to mains valid. The stock handlers had learned like overthrown are no more reac­ Castro. After all the Alliance for The second reason I oppose that sheep, like men, were prone tionary than his own, the only “The long, hard legal battle of Progress program of reforms about Diem’s overthrow is tactical. The to follow a leader. So this one difference being that these coun­ the National Association for the which you people ta lk is actually Diem regime was completely Advancement of Colored People to sheep was chosen by the handlers tries are colonized. Since Ethiopia being carried out in Cuba today. has always been “independent,” unable to wage war against the end segregation of Negro children to lead the hundreds of other From what Schwartz said I got National Liberation Front because in schools has once again forced sheep on each trip across the run­ he not only considers himself the impression that at least people exempt from cleaning up his own it was forced to keep its best the issue to a hearing by the U.S. way between the stock yards and in West Europe get a little more troops in Saigon and Hue to sup­ Supreme Court on Dec. 7-8. An slaughtering pens. The name of house but is viewed that way by honest reporting about what’s outsiders as well. The fact is that press the Buddhists, and because historic legal decision on segrega­ the leader was “Old Buck.” happening in Cuba than we do its repressive policies in the coun­ tion is within sight . . . When “Old Buck” reached the not only the U.S. (whose hypocrisy here in the good old USA, and ulterior motives we are all tryside drove the Vietnamese “The NAACP attorneys filed a slaughtering pens with the trust­ peasants en masse into the arms ing sheep following, he darted Jerry Alberti acquainted with), but countless 240-page b rie f w ith the Supreme other nations, including most of of the Viet Cong. If the new Court Nov. 16. A small army of through a small gate opened to regime keeps its promises of end­ him but immediately closed to his those in Africa, make no demands 130 lawyers and experts spent 22 Selassie's Role on him and hold him in high ing repression against the Bud­ weeks preparing the brief, using followers. “Old Buck” then leis­ New Y ork, N. Y. admiration. dhists, and grants token liberty the combined talents of author­ urely made his way back to the I would like to offer some com­ Ethiopia cannot be looked to by to the country, it w ill be able to ities in all parts of the country. stock yards to enjoy his reward release its troops to fight against of good food and sheltered secur­ ments on an anachronism which the 34 independent states of “The NAACP attorneys argue has been hailed by the U.S. press Africa as an example of what to the Viet Cong, and perhaps be able that segregation is in effect dis­ ity and wait for another flock of to con the peasantry into support­ sheep to be assembled. as a progressive, forward-looking do with independence. She has crimination and is therefore un­ element of our time — namely been independent fo r 3,000 years ing or remaining neutral in its constitutional. They contend that I am sure that if this old news­ fight against the popular uprising. reel could be resurrected and giv­ Haile Selassie I, Emperor of but her people have not been free the ‘Fourteenth Amendment prev­ Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a feudal so­ for three minutes. The revolution B.L. ents the states from according dif­ en a re-run, then, anyone seeing ferential treatment to American it would have no difficulty iden­ children on the basis of their tifying George Meany, Walter color or race.’ The Fourteenth Reuther and many other labor Amendment was ratified July 28, “misleaders” as “Old Bucks.” 1868. It provides that ‘no state Troy E. Hopson It Was Reported in the Press shall make any law which shall P.S. U n til about tw o years ago, abridge the privilege or immun­ when I read my first copy of The All in Due Time — A nthony this question: “If your party theaters to show its film of Jac­ ities of any citizen of the United M ilita n t, I actually thought I was Celebrezze, Secretary of Health, nominated a woman for president, queline Kennedy’s trip to Asia. States . . . nor deny to any per­ a good Democrat and voted that Education and Welfare, aroused w ould you vote fo r her if she The intent of the ruling is to bar son within its jurisdiction the way. Now, after reading every the ire of Mexican-Americans at qualified for the job?” This year the USIA from propagandizing equal protection of the laws.’ ” — subsequent issue, I am glad to say a conference in Los Angeles Nov. 57 per cent of those queried said the American people. So why not Nov. 23, 1953. to the world that I subscribe to 14 when he told them they were “yes,” and 43 per cent “no.” In show the same consideration for The Militant’s philosophy. simply having their turn at ex­ 1937 only 34 per cent said “yes,” people in other countries? T.E.H. periencing what Italian-Americans and 66 per cent, “no.” Some Joke — Walking through and Irish-Americans had gone Global Strategist — Keith Fun­ 20 YEARS AGO through before them in fighting the streets of New York we have Favors Xmas Boycott ston, president of the New York Brooklyn, N. Y. job discrimination. Speakers point­ been amused by the old tenement “The U.S. Supreme Court joined Stock Exchange, who just returned Malcolm X is right about the ed out to Celebrezze that Mex­ buildings with government signs the Roosevelt-Biddle campaign to from a visit to the USSR, thinks white people and their leaders. icans have been in California for officially designating them as deal crushing blows to labor and we should sell consumer goods to Here the Muslims are trying to 200 years or more and had ex­ “fallout shelters.” But we stopped to destroy civil liberties by its the USSR. “If we can get their teach their people not to drink perienced second-class and third- laughing when we learned that Nov. 22 decision denying the peti­ gold in return,” he shrewdly ob­ or gamble and our leaders are class citizenship for generations. the federal government has a served, “they will not be able to tion to review the case of 18 mem­ busy trying to bring on legalized w hacking $30 m illio n w orth o f The Voice at Work — In case stir up trouble in the rest of the bers of the Socialist Workers Par­ off-track betting. you’ve been wondering how the w o rld .” dried wafers and other “survival” ty and of Minneapolis Motor During this last election a Cath­ supplies in a Brooklyn warehouse Transport W orkers Local 544-CIO, Voice of America handles the olic priest went on a hunger strike Why Not Give Others a Break? and is waiting for the City of New news, you’ll be interested in this convicted under the infamous against people buying books like — The United States Controller bit of casually offered information York to distribute them at a cost Smith ‘Gag’ Act . . . Fanny Hill, but he didn’t say a General has ruled that the United from the Nov. 18 New Y ork of $595,000. We wonder how “These dispensers of capitalist word about off-track betting. But States Information Agency has no many low-cost housing units could Times: “British and Swiss press ‘justice’ refused to test the first I guess those who recommend legal right to allow American be b u ilt fo r $30,595,000? reports had suggested that Soviet­ case under the Sm ith ‘Gag’ law, that people arrange their lives bloc aid to Cuba, which runs at the constitutionality of which has around the rhythm system, must about $400 million a year, had been universally disputed since the love to gamble. been severely cut. Although the day of its passage and the con­ I don’t blame those Negro artists Voice of America put considerable stitutionality of which had been who call for a boycott of Christ­ SPECIAL 50c INTRODUCTORY OFFER emphasis on these reports in directly challenged by the defense mas buying. broadcasts to Latin America, high through all the different stages of S.W. To reach the widest audience with our administration officials concede the Minneapolis Trial . . . coverage of the Freedom Now Movement “The arbitrary action of the they had no information to sup­ TV Panel on Latin America we are offering a 4-month introductory Supreme Court comes two months Brooklyn, N. Y. port them.” after the U.S. Circuit Court of Ap­ Last Wednesday night my wife If a Woman Ran for President subscription to The Militant for only 50c peals in its Sept. 20 decision up­ and I watched a TV symposium — The Gallup Poll regularly asks held the conviction under the Smith ‘Gag’ Act . . . Nam e “ These decisions, in defiance of Thought for the Week the law, the Constitution, and of all principles and traditions of “WASHINGTON — Cuban premier Fidel Castro is sometimes right S tre e t Zone democracy, are the product of when he announces the capture of Central Intelligence Agency op­ class prejudice and class justice . . . eratives. Some CIA agents have been executed . . . Considering the “We are witnessing a repetition nature of the beast, the Kennedy administration is not advertising its C ity State of the juridical frameups that hand . . . But Castro would be wise to assume that American agents President Wilson and his Attorney- contine to infiltrate Cuba, that they are responsible for acts of sabotage, Send to The Militant, 116 University Place, General Palmer used against Debs, and that the United States is supporting an underground apparatus the IWW and the revolutionists in on the island.” — David Kraslow in the Nov. 11 Long Island Star- New York 3, N. Y. the last war.” — Nov. 27, 1943. Journal. Page E ight THE MILITANT M onday, November 25, 1963 Rights Fighter Found Guilty Integration Group Ky. Miners' Leader Rips Of 'Perjury' in Albany, Georgia Sues to Void Racist Miss Joni Rabinowitz, one of La. 'Anti-Red' Law Congress for Blocking Aid nine freedom fighters indicted by NEW ORLEANS, La. — The the federal government in Albany, By Tom Leonard Ga., was found guilty Nov. 15 by Southern Conference Educational NEW YORK, Nov. 19 — Berman a federal jury on three counts of Fund, and its executive director, Gibson, leader of the Hazard, Ky., perjury. Slater King, head of the James A. Dombrowski, filed a roving picket movement, blasted militant Albany Movement, and suit in Federal District Court on the House Appropriations Com­ eight others active in that move­ Nov. 12, attacking the constitu­ tionality of the Louisiana Subver­ mittee today after it rejected a ment are under indictment for $45 million public works aid pro­ “conspiracy” to injure a federal sive Activities and Communist gram for Eastern Kentucky. juror or “perjury” to cover up Control Law. The plaintiffs are asking that a three-judge Federal Although the rejected aid would such “ conspiracy.” The charges District Court issue a Declaratory have meant only 1,000 jobs over stemmed from the claim of Carl a four month period it could have Smith, a white grocer, that his Judgment that the law violates the constitution of the United States. provided at least token relief in store was picketed because of his Dr. Dombrowski and New an area where 75 per cent of the role as a juror. Rights fighters in­ labor force is unemployed. sist the picketing was over his Orleans attorneys Benjamin E. Jim Crow hiring policies. Smith and Bruce C. Waltzer were Gibson, in New York to visit Miss Rabinowitz, a senior at arrested and SCEF records seized the AFL-CIO convention, said he Antioch College who worked with on Oct. 4 under this law and didn’t expect anything different the Student Nonviolent Co-ordin­ charged with managing a “sub­ from the congressional committee ating Committee in its Albany versive organization.” Arrests and because, “ The miners in our voters drive, will be sentenced seizures were made by New picket line have been fighting for Dec. 23 when she faces up to Orleans and State police, at the this kind of action by the local $6000 fine and 15 years in ja il. instigation of the Louisiana Joint and federal government for a She was charged with perjuring Legislative Committee on Un- year now. We’ve had no support herself when she “denied” being American Activities. from our union (United Mine present at picketing of the store. Joni Rabinowitz The charges were dismissed Workers) and the local and Fed­ eral government officials have The all-white jury of 11 men and Oct. 25 for lack of evidence. But Photo by Tom Newman told us we are trouble makers — one woman disregarded conflict­ employe of Smith’s, testified that the confiscated documents have Berman Gibson ing testimony of prosecution w it­ he had seen her at the picketing not been returned to SCEF, an a disgrace to the good name of Kentucky — and they have even nesses in coming to a decision and identified her as wearing organization dedicated to further­ less we get organized to do it. against her. dark glasses. The dubiousness of ing racial integration in the jailed us on framed-up charges to The $45 million wasn’t enough, keep us quiet.” The grocer, Carl Smith, testi­ this testimony was pointed out South. because the people down there by defense attorney Victor Rabin­ According to Gibson, the unem­ need more than 1,000 jobs fo r fied, for example, that Miss Ra­ Records Subpoenaed binowitz had been present at the owitz, who is also the defendant’s ployed miners are turning to four months. They need something picketing but was not wearing father and a well-known New On Oct. 5, SCEF’s records were political action but . . . when permanent, that they can depend glasses. A nother witness, a form er York lawyer. subpoenaed by U.S. Senator James we tried to elect people who on and if we don’t get it we are O. Eastland’s Senate Internal Se­ wanted to do something for the just going to have to get out on curity Subcommittee and a num­ poor class of people in the last the streets and demonstrate like ber of them transferred to Wash­ local election, they arrested nine the colored people are doing.” Negro Artists' Group to Press ington, D.C. after Louisiana au­ of us miners on the voting line for something they say happened All those who would like to thorities had made copies for their aid the Kentucky miners or who own use. a year ago. Because of this last arrest a lot of people didn’t vote. would like more information can Rights Fight on Cultural Front On Nov. 8, the Louisiana Joint They were afraid to go to the write or call: Committee For Legislative Committee on Un- NEW YORK — The Association Nov. 14 statement recalled, “that polls, so the men we wanted to Miners, 96 Greenwich Ave., New American Activities held a hear­ Y ork 11, N. Y. Y U 9-0768. of Artists for Freedom has decided Bill Moore and Medgar Evers elect didn’t get in and the ones ing on SCEF in Baton Rouge. At to become a permanent committee. were murdered; Cambridge and who were elected were coal op­ the three-hour session, open to the Founded in response to the murder Birmingham erupted; a mob erators and their lawyers. of the six Birmingham Negro chil­ showed its ugly face in the Bronx, press but closed to the public “to “I would like to see the pro­ A W arning dren, the group — which includes at White Castle; and an infini­ keep out agitators,” copies of letariat rule for a while . . . SCEF documents were used as such prominent Negro artists and tesmal number of Negroes got “I just wish the unions could Through all the past this world “evidence” in an attempt to label writers as James Baldwin, Ossie jobs, despite all the demonstra­ see what’s happening to the miners has been ru led by property, and if the organization “ subversive.” Davis, Ruby Dee, Odetta Gordan, tions and arrests. This was the in K entucky,” he added, “ because there can ever come a time when Louis Lomax and John O. Killens, centennial of the Emancipation The Southern Conference Edu­ it ’s going to happen soon to the the workingman can rule it, I w ill who is acting chairman — said in Proclamation, rendered meaning­ cational Fund and executive di­ whole of labor. say he ought to have that chance a Nov. 18 statement “we have less fo r 100 years. This was the rector Dombrowski have also filed “The unions are going to have to see w hat he can do; and yet to decided to remain in association year that we were supposed to be damage suits in New Orleans to support the fight for the rights tell you that is to believe in the with each other and with other free, the year when Civil Rights and Washington, D.C. against of unemployed workers. There’s dictatorship of the proletariat’ — going to be nothing put through artists.” became the biggest football since Louisiana officials and U.S. Sen­ well, why not?” — Clarence Dar­ ator Eastland. Congress to help the people un­ row (1857-1938) The association described its pigskin . . .” aims as follows: “1. To be a cultural adjunct [to ], and not in competition with, Los Angeles-Area Phone Strike the existing organizations fighting for civil and human rights in this country. High Rates, Lousy Service-But Company Pleads Poverty “2. To achieve a meaningful unity of all artists who are con­ By Robert Montilla the country. What is more, Gen ty, but now as in the past it is breakers. The students met the cerned with the great American Tel is notorious for its slipshod done by irate customers unhappy company’s offer to scab by form­ moral and cultural crisis. LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 — service and chaotic management. with the company’s rotten service. ing the Student Committee Against Several thousand members of the “ 3. To conceive and sponsor and Even the investment counsellor at Strikebreakers at General Tele­ Communication Workers of Amer­ Since Gen Tel has never gotten encourage cultural and artistic Dean W itte r & Co., John Brody, phone. The student committee ica in this area have been on along well with the public, not activities in the Negro commun­ who gave this writer the lowdown marched with the pickets on Nov. strike since Sept. 18 against the only because of the unreasonably ities particularly, and in the en­ on Gen Tel stock, felt obliged to 2 to demonstrate sympathy with General Telephone Company. The high rates but because of the ex­ tire American community as well. add that “I don’t like their serv­ the union’s demands. union is asking for the same work­ tremely poor service as well, it “4. To help make art a part of now finds its customers in open ice too well,” a universal senti­ Bargaining in this dispute has ing conditions presently enjoyed ment in Los Angeles. ended with no plans for future the ordinary life of all people. by employees of Pacific Telephone sympathy with the strikers. To Gen Tel’s policy of intimidation meetings. In what is now a war of “5. In the main, our activities combat this, the management has and Telegraph. attrition, the hopes of the strikers, will be neither political, nor le­ resorted to the most outlandish is not limited to legally dubious Gen Tel. however, claims that court orders. They have, for in­ who have been living on a “De­ gislative, but cultural.” sort of tactics. meeting the union demands would stance, been making the wildest fense Fund” of food orders, are Limits Picketing The address of the Association spell financial ruin. Gen Tel is the claims in the press and over the that the scabs and “management” of Artists for Freedom is 15 East largest telephone operating com­ Gen Tel has succeeded in wran­ phones that 52 per cent of the workers, who have been toiling 40th Street, New York 16, N.Y. pany in the United States and is gling from the courts an injunc­ workers have returned to work. around the clock with no overtime Telephone — MU 6-0530. connected with the General Tele­ tion against the union which limits This statement, in the words of a pay under 48 hours, w ill get tired phone and Electronics Corporation, picketing. Parker Sullivan, Gen union official, is “a lie.” Gen Tel of trying to keep up with new NEW YORK — Brooklyn CORE one of the 50 largest corporations Tel’s president, tried to explain has been sending W2 forms to installations and faulty equipment. w ill join the Association of Artists in the country. The management this injunction in a recorded tele­ strikers, implying slyly that they The company is hoping to hire a for Freedom in a Christmas shop­ cries of ruin are in striking con­ phone message on November 6. are fired. They hope by this meth­ whole new team of non-union ping boycott this year. The main trast to the rosy profit picture (By dialing a well-advertised num­ od to scare some of the strikers workers. So far, they have been focus will be on the shopping painted for Gen Tel in the finan­ ber anyone can hear the presi­ back to th e ir jobs. Gen Tel has operating w ith 2,000 employees areas in the Bedford-Stuyvesant cial publication Standard and dent’s little speeches, w hich moved employees from other areas compared with the pre-strike level area of Brooklyn, the second larg­ Poor. S&P gives Gen Tel its high­ change daily.) He claimed the in­ into Los Angeles, they have hired of 9,000. est Negro ghetto in the country. est rating as a financial invest­ juction was necessary because of hundreds of scabs, and have been This is the first strike against Poster walks w ill take place there, ment and is ecstatic in describing “vandalism, personal abuse, coer­ using foremen in positions norm­ Gen Tel in ten years. It is a pilot as well as selective picket lines. the company’s continuously high cion to employees, damage to ally held by the strikers. One of effort by the union to spearhead CORE called on “our fellow profits, predicting it w ill pay $1.75 company property, and incidents the company’s master acts was to a drive for better working condi­ Brooklynites, black and white, to per share this year as compared of violence.” Actually, there have disconnect the telephones of lead­ tions for union members in com­ join with us this sorrowful year to $1.34 per share in 1962. been no such incidents, a fact ing strikers. panies across the land. Gen Tel in making Christmas meaningful; Of further interest is the fact which has been substantiated by has no friends in this battle. It Thumping Defeat a time to remember the myriad that Gen Tel’s phone rates have Officer Keen of the Santa Monica faces strikers who are in a strong unchristian acts performed by so- for years been higher than those Police Department, who is in Where Gen Tel’s intimidation moral position and an antagonistic called Christians, and the six lit­ of Pacific Telephone. Yet it still charge of policing the strike. tactics have met the most thumping public which wants to see its tle children who w ill not celebrate refuses to pay its employees There has always been an in­ defeat is in its attempt to recruit phones put in order, a state the Christmas this year, or ever . . . wages equal to those at Pacific or ordinate amount of “vandalism” UCLA, USC and Santa Monica phones have seldom been in be­ “This was the year,” CORE’S other phone companies throughout and “damage” to Gen Tel proper­ City College students as strike­ fore.