A New Stage Opens in Vietnam Revolution By Dick Roberts FEB. 6- The massive National Liberation Front offensive against most of the occupied cities of THE South Vietnam opens a new stage of the Vietnamese revolution. The revolutionary forces demonstrat­ ed that they can challenge U.S. and Saigon armies for control of practically every square inch of the land. MILITANT The world's mightiest imperial· Published in the Interest of the Working People ist power has been dealt a stun­ ning blow. The blow is primarily Vol. 32 - No. 7 Monday, February 12, 1968 Price 10¢ political, although its immediate military impact is considerable. What has occurred is a sudden upsurge of the Vietnamese revolu­ tion; and those who are carrying it forward have written one of the most extraordinary and heroic Holsteotl Demont!: pages in history. The extent of the total attack is still not known, but it has al­ ready included "no less than 30 of South Vietnam's 44 provincial Bring Gls Home capitals, as well as larger cities such as Saigon and Danang, FEB. 7 - Fred Halstead, So­ ing the campus antiwar and black American installations and un­ cialist Workers Party candidate power leaders, endorsed the Hal­ counted towns," according to the Feb. 6 New York Times. for President, said today, "The stead-Boutelle ticket as a result of this meeting. Vietnamese patriots struck the offensive of the National Lib­ There is an active group of Hal­ "most secure" U.S. military strong­ eration Front in South Vietnam stead-Boutelle supporters on cam­ holds - from the new U.S. Em­ demonstrates clearly that the pus at NIU, and many students bassy in Saigon to the big base VICTIM OF WASHINGTON'S WAR. Democratic and Republican American people have been fed can be seen around campus with near Camranh Bay, once consi­ politicians are guilty of sending Gls to be wounded and killed in a pack of lies about the war "Vote SWP" buttons on their dered safe enough for visits from unjust, immoral war Washington is waging against Vietnamese. all along. coats. Lyndon Johnson himself. "The NLF is obviously gain­ While he was at NIU, Halstead Saigon and Hue really happen. At the time of the The Pentagon policy of support­ ing strength and support in its had a meeting with three leaders An AP dispatch this morning re­ broadcast, Thieu himself had fled ing fteld "search and destroy" fight for freedom and social of the Afro-American Cultural Or­ ports that fighting is continuing the city. Clearly the guerrilla operations with saturation bomb­ justice while the forces of the ganization in the campus cafe­ in Saigon and Hue where the reb­ fighters had been welcomed into ing was taken directly into pop­ Saigon dictatorship and the U.S. teria. els are "defying superior Allied city homes. And the city dwellings ulation centers. In Hue, Feb. 4, are becoming more and more The NIU meeting was publicized firepower to slug it out in the were bombed indiscriminately. an officer told New York Times reporter Gene Roberts, "What we isolated and hated by the Viet­ by the local chapter of Students for devastated streets. At some points, AP reported from Cantho Feb. a Democratic Society. In the SDS the enemy appeared to be out­ 5 that civilian casualties in Cantho need is sunny weather and air namese. Washington's course of newsletter, the Kishwaukee Sur­ maneuvering government troops. and 10 other Mekong Delta towns strikes and more air strikes." continuing the war can only fer, the Socialist Workers candi­ "Large sections of Saigon and were 1,250 killed, more than 3,000 An AP radiophoto, carried on result in untold additional suf­ dates are described as follows: Hue lay in smoldering ruins. Tow­ wounded, and 80,000 to 120,000 left the front page of the New York fering for the Vietnamese and "Halstead and Boutelle are not ering columns of smoke rose into homeless. The dutiful pro-war Post Feb. 6, shows a young wom­ thousands and thousands more the favorites of the Administra­ sunny skies as South Vietnamese agency stated "the official estimat­ an begging and sobbing. The cap­ American men being killed and tion, and the newspapers do not divebombers, U.S. helicopter gun­ ed that 10 to 20 per cent of the tion reads, "A Saigon mother maimed. support them with banner head­ ships, artillery and tanks blasted wounded civilians had been in­ pleads with South Vietnamese away at Communist troop pockets jured by U.S. military action." rangers not to fire into house "This war must be stopped, lines and victory cartoons. And like other anti-Establishment can­ in scattered sections." But the truth is that tens of where children are. The rangers and our men must be brought didates we have seen lately, ·Big The fact of massive U.S. and thousands of civilians are being said there were Viet Cong inside home from Vietnam right Fred speaks the open truth and Saigon aircraft bombing of these driven from their homes by U.S. and kept firing. The children away!" does not hesitate to put the blame cities dramatizes the turn that has bombing - if they are lucky escaped injury." where it belongs." taken place. Jan. 31, President enough to escape - and that this A likely story. The only way Thieu appealed to civilians to Fred Halstead, Socialist Work­ must be taking a terrible toll on U.S. and Saigon troops can hope Democrats and Republicans evacuate their homes so that the ers candidate for President, wound civilian lives. New York Times to recapture the cities is to bomb homes could be bombed and he up a week of campaigning in The article points out that reporter Charles Mohr wrote from and shell the areas of resistance called on citizens "to refuse to Northern Illinois on Jan. 29 by neither the Democratic nor the Saigon Feb. 6 that in another to the ground, as the Nazi forces allow Viet Cong sanctuary in their speaking to a crowd of over 300 Republican parties "have really Delta town, Mytho, "about 25 per­ did when they crushed the Polish homes." students at Northern Illinois Uni­ taken any direct action to solve cent of the town area, housing resistance armies in the Warsaw It would be a parody of the versity in DeKalb. The meeting, the problems of America. How do perhaps half of the people, was massacre. And those are the orders Saigon regime .,.... if only it didn't sponsored by the student govern­ the SWP candidates differ? in ruins." (Continued on Page 3) ment, was packed. There was "First, they, like our own Stu­ standing room only, and many dent Power candidates, are not students had to be turned away afraid to appear as leaders of mass for lack of space. demonstrations. . . . Halstead has Ed Heisler, Illinois Socialist continued organizing . . . political Black Gls Against War Workers campaign director, re­ demonstrations, rent strikes and ported that 25 students, includ- peace marches . . . Paul Boutelle By Susan Harris black Gis has been enthusiastic, help but feel like a black mer­ is also experienced in leading mass NEW YORK, Feb. 6 - A group and some white Gis have re­ cenary fighting to maintain a white demonstrations an d political of 13 black Gis at Ft. Sam Hous­ sponded well, too. privileged class rather than for movements." The article ends: ton in Texas have been attempt­ One of the articles in the news­ the political freedom of black "The platform of the Socialist ing to educate other Gis at the letter states that "black Gis are people. All across the land, black Workers Party is as honest and base about black power and the fighting and dying for the so­ men in and out of the white milita­ forward-looking as its candidates." true nature of the Vietnam war. called freedom of the South Viet­ ry complex are calling for new Ed Heisler reports on other suc­ At a press conference called at namese when black people in this action in the promotion of black cessful meetings for Halstead in SNCC headquarters here today, country are not yet free. The freedom. Honkey had better get the Chicago area: "On Monday, one of the Gis, Pvt. Alton Jones, government has never attempted right or suffer the consequences." Jan. 22, the Civic Activities Board described how it all happened. to spend even a fraction of the Immediately after the 13 Gis at Lake Forest College sponsored He said that he and the other money spent in Vietnam to help had passed out all their copies of a meeting attended by about 50 12 first got together when they the black masses in this country. the newsletter, they were ordered students. The meeting was organ­ found out through informal dis­ "Black Sectian" to stop the distributions. They ized and chaired by a member of cussions at the base that they "What happens when, or rather were also told that they could not the college Young Republicans. were in agreement on the fact that if, a brother comes back from continue their meetings at the "On Jan. 24 Halstead debated the real fight for black people is Vietnam? On Christmas leave a servicemen's club. Professor Daniel Reiber on the not in Vietnam, but here in the train of Gis stopped in Texas. Alton said that several of the 13 Vietnam war before 200 students U.S. He said they then started to Some black troops went into a have suffered harassment, osten­ at the University of Illinois in hold meetings on black power in restaurant to eat but were made sibly for reasons having nothing Chicago under the auspices of the the servicemen's club. They also to sit in the 'Black Section' or to to do with their political ideas. Student Senate. A ~loung Social­ published a mimeographed news­ take the food outside and eat. Two of them are presently in the ists for Halstead and Boutelle letter which they distributed to One brother sat at the 'white' stockade. Another was confined group is being organized on cam­ other Gis, mainly those in the counter for forty-five minutes to to his quarters and not allowed to pus to plan campaign literature medical corps where Alton is a an hour and wasn't served. He be visited by others. tables, parties and other activi­ trainee with conscientious objec­ was wearing the uniform of the Alton says that he has been ties." tor status. U.S. Army, but he was still black." ordered to go to Germany and Paul Boutelle While in Chicago, Halstead also SNCC has also distributed the Another one of the newsletter's plans to continue to state his Socialist Workers Party spoke at the University of Chicago, newsletter at other bases around contributors writes, "As a black views to other members of the Candidate for Vice President (Continued on Page 5) the country. The response among man in the white army, I cannot armed forces there. Page Two THE MILITANT Monday, February 12, 1968 PAUL BOUTELLE REPORTS Arkansas Chamber of Horrors The Jan. 28 New York Times ties to a graveyard where three nearby. Murton said that a button carried an article titled, "Arkan­ bodies were found. near the official's bed could sound sas Prison; Chamber of Horror." The Times reports that Murton a buzzer in the reformatory to It was the first of a series of ar­ "implicated guards and other pris­ order service from an inmate. ticles exposing atrocities which on authorities and charged they Black women were provided have been committed against pris· had sought to cover up by writing with a galvanized tub and scrub oners over the years at the State off the slain inmates as 'esca­ board to wash clothing sent in Penitentiary in Arkansas. pees' ... He was unable to esti­ by matrons and their families. The majority of the inmates at mate the number of deaths. He Their food was generally "limited that prison are black, and it can noted, however, that 213 inmates to leftovers from the table where be taken for granted that the were officially listed as escaped white prisoners ate." worst treatment in that and all and added that many had left no Politicians in Arkansas seem other prisons around the country discernib1e trace even after long more upset about the coverage is meted out to black inmates. absences." the prison is getting in the papers Thomas Murton, a criminology John H. Haley, a Little Rock than about the fact that such a professor who was recently ap­ lawyer who is chairman of the "Chamber of Horror" exists. The pointed prison superintendent, has State Penitentiary Board, said Arkansas state legislature has ac­ discovered that prisoners have prison records show a few one­ tually passed a resolution deplor­ been tortured and murdered. He week periods in which eight to ing the worldwide publicity the says, "Anything that man has done 10 inmates, some of them in their prison farm has received. Arkan­ to man down through the cen­ 20's and 30's, had died of "con­ sas Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller turies has been done officially gestive heart failure." has said, "I'd rather Arkansas here." The prisoner who led officials made the front page of the New The Times reports that officials, to the grave sites identified one York Times two days running guards, and trustees tortured and of the graves as belonging to Jack about something other than bod­ flogged scores of .prisoners with Jackson. He says Jackson and ies." heavy leather straps, rubber hoses, other inmates had been beaten and Action has been taken to cut SANITATION MEN. New York sanitation workers outside De­ chains, knotted ropes, shovels, shot by prison authorities. Prison down on the publicity. According partment of Sanitation building during work stoppage. baseball bats, hoe handles, records show Jackson as an to the Feb. 6 New York Post, the needles, pliers, and the fan belt "escapee." state police have taken over the FEB. 5 - When John J. De­ vldes for an increase of 28 cents from a farm tractor. Investigations of the prison have investigation and have shut of! Lury, president of the New York per hour, ra1smg the present Recently I saw Thomas Murton revealed the conditions in which the press from newsworthy infor· City Uniformed Sanitationmen's straight-time figure from $3.52 to on television and he said that he the prisoners were forced to live. mation. They reportedly have not Association, came out of City Hall $3.80. was considering quitting because The kitchens are filthy and even told Murton himself about last Friday with an unacceptable * * * he is finding so little support in swarming with flies. Kitchen the progress of the investigation. offer of wage increases from Fun The typographical unions now correcting the horrible conditions workers say that meat is served -Paul Boutelle City's mayor, he met a barrage on strike in San Francisco are at the prison. He said it was "af· only once a month. Other meals of opposition from 10,000 sanita­ asking federal action on possible fecting him psychologically." So consist of "a very thin, water· tion men demonstrating outside antitrust aspects of the merger far as I know, this was not re­ ed-down serving of rice" and City Hall. It was comparable to of the San Francisco Chronical ported in the newspapers. "tasteless corn bread." Vice President the reception the New York garage and Examiner into a joint printing When you read the details of In the women's section of the workers gave their leaders just a and sales company. The merger what has been exposed about the prison, inmates were once forced week before. But DeLury also got was accomplished in September prison thus far, it is easy to see to endure an enforced silence for Hit by Protest something else - an egg which 1965 to create the San Francisco why Murton would be unable to eight months. They were not per­ did not hit him. He got the pitch Printing Co. cope with what he found. Inmates mitted to speak except to ask one In Cllicogo without too much difficulty, and On Jan. 5 the Mailers Union, are charging that many prisoners of the matrons a question. Some from the top of a truck shouted, part of the ITU, struck the print­ have been beaten and murdered, of the women served as maids in By Ed Burress "I accept the motion for go-go-go." ing company - after fruitless and one prisoner has led authori- the former superintendent's house CHICAGO, Feb. 1 - Vice Presi­ The strike at this writing is in negotiations that lasted over 10 dent Hubert H. Humphrey was its fourth day. City officials, in months. Management claims the picketed by some 500 antiwar court today seeking an injunction talks broke off over the issue of against the union under the in­ automation. Union spokesmen said demonstrators at the University famous Taylor (RAT) law, claim they had stopped talking when Brooklyn Parents Ask of Chicago tonight when he snuck it has caused a health and fire the company tried to insert lan­ into town to speak at a testi· hazard, blaming everything on the guage into the contract that would monial dinner in honor of William strikers. Benton, a local Democratic Party have destroyed the union's juris­ hack. The sanitation men are asking diction - the company wanted to Control of Junior High for a one-year contract, a $600 farm out mailing to other plants. Humphrey's arrival was kept annual raise, a 40-hour week with As previously reported in The By Martha Harrison freedom he's called a racist, pro­ secret, but several members of time and a half for Saturday, Militant, newspaper strikes are Students for a Democratic Society NEW YORK-"Community con­ vocateur, and bad man," but double time for Sunday work, dif­ now going on in San Francisco, at the U of C. learned of his pres­ trol of our schools" was the sub­ "there can be no education without ferentials for night workers, and Los Angeles and Detroit. freedom." ence at Mandel Hall and quick­ ject of a speak-out held in Dis­ ly spread the word around the a higher city contribution to their Among the groups represented health and welfare plans. * "' "' trict 13 (Bedford-Stuyvesant) in campus. The Chicago Student On Jan. 24 the Copper Range Brooklyn on Jan. 25. Community at the meeting were: Brooklyn Mobilization Committee to End the You cannot exactly call these CORE, African-American Teach­ workers impatient. Their previous Co. of White Pines, Mich., broke control was defined as control War in Vietnam was meeting at employer ranks and signed a con­ ers, Youth In Action, Central contract expired last July 1. Mayor over the hiring and firing, the cur­ the U of C at the time and mobi· tract covering its 1,850 workers Brooklyn Coordinating Council, Lindsay says the city will not be riculum, books, and construction lized to join the rapidly growing with the United Steelworkers and repair of the schools. Young African-American Brothers picket line. Because the demon­ "blackmailed'' into a wage agree­ of the Lower East Side, and the ment that he terms "unreason­ Union. Terms of the contract have Over 100 people were present at stration was called on the spur of not yet been publicized, pending Teachers' Freedom Party. The able." the meeting which grew out of an the moment, there were very few ratification of the contract by the incident involving the refusal of Parents Organizations of District signs, but this was made up for * * * workers involved, 80 percent of 13 sponsored the meeting. On Jan. 15 workers who have Junior High School principal John by almost constant chanting of the whom are members of the USWU. been on strike at two construc­ O'Conner to allow the children to A leaflet passed out advertising slogan "End the War in Vietnam tion companies building Disney Informed sources, however, enter the school building earlier the meeting stated, "If the com­ - Bring the Troops Home." World in Orlando, Fla., had the claim the new 42-month contract during the recent spell of freezing munity controlled its schools: 1) As more people joined the dem­ active support of 2,000 workers increases wages by about 96 cents weather. Members of the black Our children would not be locked onstration, the picket line at the from Cape Kennedy and Orlando. per hour over the life of the community who had heard of the out in cold weather. 2) Our chil· main door sent groups to cover The Disney World workers are contract. decision were infuriated and went dren would not be two and three other entrances to the building. members of the International Copper Range Co. is a one­ to JHS 117 to remind the principal years behind in reading and math. A group of about 75 students in Union of Operating Engineers. mine, one-refinery operation, so of some of the basic principles of 3) There would be no fighting in the quadrangle could see the din­ They are demanding an increase other corporation officials dis­ humanity. What began as a verbal the schools if the schools served ner going on inside the building, in wages from $2 to $4.25 per count the possibility that the set­ exchange deteriorated into a mu­ the community. 4) There would and they made sure the diners hour. tlement reached there can set a tual physical exchange. be no need for $1% million for could hear the slogan. The sympathy strikers were met pattern for he whole industry. As a result of the incident there guards, since if the schools were The demonstration started at by a "hastily assembled force of Meanwhile the president's "fact­ has been an outcry from school part of the community, the com· 8:30 p.m. with about 50 students 200 law enforcement officers who finding" board is now hearing administrators demanding more munity would protect its schools. in the line. By 9: 45 p.m. the rushed to the scene with shot­ representatives of the Big Four "protection" in the schools. School 5) If our children were being edu­ crowd had grown to about 400 in guns and tear gas." copper corporations and the unions superintendent Donovan imme­ cated, parents would not be as front of the main door, with about National Aeronautics and Space involved in the seven-month diately responded to this by ask­ angry as they are today." 100 at other doors. Administration Information Offic­ strike. Rumors are afloat that ing the Board of Education for an African-American Teachers As­ Though the weather was very er Gordon Harris from Cape Ken­ face-to-face negotiations with emergency allocation of $1,125,000 sociation President Albert Vann cold and there was · steady rain, nedy reported, "about 94 members Phelps-Dodge are going on. to hire "school security aides" charged earlier that "The greatly the demonstration continued until of the Ironworkers Local 808 of An indication that the Steel­ (cops) for each of the city's 906 publicized incident at JHS 117 in 11: 25, when Humphrey left the Orlando did not show up for work workers Union, which is leading schools. which a principal and two teach· building by the main door. The at Cape Kennedy this morning ... the 26-union fight in the copper The meeting on Jan. 25 reflected ers were reported beaten by four waiting limousine that whisked work on Apollo-Saturn launching strike, is buckling on the demand the anger felt here because of the community people should not be him away was pursued by shout­ project was affected by the ab­ for company-wide contract terms readiness of the authorities to looked upon in isolation. . . . ing students. sence of workers." A spokesman covering all workers, is a state­ spend money on cops while turn­ "At best, the 117 incident is but During the demonstration, about for the U.S. Army Engineers said ment by Joseph Molony, vice presi­ ing a deaf ear to the demands and an inkling of the increasing hos­ 15 young Afro-Americans started 35 ironworkers were missing at dent of the USW, who said, ... the needs of the community. tility felt by the black communi­ a chant of "Free Rap -- Jail two projects. Construction at the two key issues are common con­ A CORE representative read ty as they begin to realize that Humphrey." Orlando Navy Base was disrupted tract termination dates for all aloud a statement in support of they have no control over forces On the picket line members of when 450 out of 500 workers properties of a company and ex­ Allie Lamont, who has been ac­ that directly and adversely effect the Student Mobilization Commit· failed to show up, mostly because tension of the eventual economic cused of assaulting the principal. their lives, and the lives of their tee passed out leaflets for a dem­ of "reported illness." settlement to all properties of each He asked for contributions toward children ... onstration to take place Sunday, * * "' company . . . But . . . there could the legal expenses facing Lamont, "Daily, hundreds of children are Feb. 4, at Northwestern Univer­ '' Within 48 hours after a strike be variations in the economic pack­ and people were urged to attend physically abused; daily, thou­ sity where Dean Rusk is expected began against 14 plants of the age from unit to unit ... We the trial on March 1. sands of our children are psycholo­ to speak at the graduation cere­ Harvester Company, a new con­ aren't inflexible," he said, noting The main speaker was Ralph · gically and academically whipped; mony of Loyola University. Uni­ tract was ready for presentation that the union is no longer seek­ Poynter, chairman of the Teach­ daily our community dies a little versity of Chicago students are to the affected United Auto Work­ ing company-wide contracts. ers' Freedom Party, who said too, because our young is our planning to send a busload to ers members. The agreement pro- -Marvel Scholl when the "black man speaks of most precious resources." greet Rusk at Northwestern. Monday, February 12, 1968 THE MILITANT Page Three

... New Stage of Revolution THE MILITANT Editor: BARRY SHEPPARD Business Manager: BEVERLY SCOT'l' (Continued from Page 1) countryside, the cities and sur­ rounding areas are strongly in Published weekly, except during JUly and August when published biweekly, Johnson gave his generals. But by The Militant Publlshln~ Ass'n., 873 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003. Phone these attacks will only increase the Saigon's hands and impenetrable 533-6414. Sewnd-class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription: domestto, to guerrilla forces. · $3 • year; Canada and Latin America, $3.50; other foreign, $4.50. By first cl­ determination of the Vietnamese mall• domestic and Canada, $9.00; all other countries, $14.00. Air printed matter: people to fight against the U.S. For purposes of close approx­ domestic and Canada, $12.50; Latin America, $23.00; Europe, $27.00, Africa, imation, the area now "pacified" Australia, Asia (including USSR), $32.00. Write for sealed air postage ratea. and Saigon forces. Signed articles by contributors do not necessarily represent The Militant's vieW11. The utter contempt for, and fear has been reduced to that number These are expressed In editorials. of, civilians-less than 10 days ago of square inches of ground actual­ alleged to be supporters of Wash­ ly occupied by U.S. and loyal Vol. 32 - No. 7 .~345 Monday, February 12, 1968 ington's invasion - is paralleled Saigon soldiers and their tanks only by the frantic savagery meted and artillery. out to captured rebels themselves. What really frightens the Amer­ An AP radiophoto of South ican ruling class about this at­ Meaning for Antiwar Movement tack, however, is precisely that it Vietnamese national police chief The dramatic new stage in the Vietnamese revolution sig­ Brig. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Loan throws into question the safety naled by the spectacular National Liberation Front offensive in shooting a captured rebel officer of one-half the occupied land, in the head, point blank, sent a namely, the land occupied by the the cities of South Vietnam has important implications for the chill of horror around the world. Saigon troops. antiwar movement here in the United States. The NLF offensive The execution of prisoners of war The brunt of the NLF offensive, has dealt Washington's whole line a severe blow, exposing the has precedents too, and these led in fact, was launched against cen­ truth about the war more clearly than ever before. · ters mainly held by South Viet­ to the trials at Nuremberg. The Westmoreland contention that the U.S. and its Saigon Lyndon Johnson's only answer "EVERYTHING'S OKAY-THEY NEVER REACHED namese troops. Reverses only THE MIMEOGRAPH MACH/HE" puppets were slowly winning the war has been blasted to shreds. to the disastrous political setback began to take place when U.S. of Democratic administration pol­ troops and bombers were brought The Saigon dictatorship obviously has no "secure" areas under to the rescue. For the first time icies has been a volley of threats, city and tens of thousands of its control, nor does it have the support of the masses of Viet­ in the war, the guerrillas had ap­ namese in either the city or the countryside. The National Libera­ lies and homespun Texas arro­ refugees fleeing from the U.S. gance. Most fantastic are the ca­ pealed directly to the soldiers of tion Front is growing stronger, with deep roots in the popula­ sualty. figures for the attacking reaction. the Saigon armies occupying the tion. The bombings and shellings of urban civilian centers by U.S. Thirdly, argues Johnson, the Na­ cities to come over to the side of guerrillas. revolution. What happened? and Saigon government troops, in frantic reaction to the NLF Now up to 21,300 dead, the fig­ tional Liberation Front has failed attacks, will only succeed in increasing the hatred of the Viet­ ures are supposed to prove that to rally the city populations to its The only report we have seen so far was in the Feb. 7 New York namese for the U.S. occupying force and its Thieu-Ky puppets. the offensive is a "last ditch" at­ side. But even on this point - The terrific power of the blow dealt by the NLF can only increase tempt by "suicide squads." A few and this is the crucial political Post. The Post reports that a Hanoi days ago, when the figure was point - Johnson has been unable Radio broadcast made by the Na­ the will and determination of the masses of Vietnam to fight. smaller, New Yo-rk Times cor­ to carry with him a significant sec­ tional Liberation Front command Washington's perspective of continuing its unjust war against respondent Tom Buckley wryly tor of the American capitalist says that Saigon troops in 169 the Vietnamese will mean more terrible suffering for the Viet­ posts defected to the NLF. commented: press. namese and more and more dead and mutilated American men. The Wall Street Journal, in the The once strongly prowar Wall The price ordinary Americans are paying and will pay for Wash­ Fantastic Claims editoria~ already cited, expressed Street Journal, for example, took ington's war is going up. "The tally as of this morning the fear (in the language of in­ a decidedly pessimistic stand on direction) that the Saigon army was 12,074 enemy soldiers killed, this question: "The fact that the These events are intensifying antiwar sentiments where they or about a third of the enemy at­ and government would disinte­ existed already, and are awakening new layers of the population Communists were able to infiltrate grate: tacking force. On the basis of two on such a scale and do so much to opposition to the war. The job before the antiwar movement men wounded for each man killed damage," it commented editorially "How Good Is It?" now is to reach out to as many people as possible and build the the casualty report would indicate Feb. 6, "is strong ground for sus­ "Now we suppose the Saigon next major mass action against the war into the greatest political that the entire Viet Cong force pecting that they had the covert government will manage to stay demonstrations this country has ever seen. April 27 has been has been put out of action." support of some nominally anti­ in power, or if it goes there will projected as a target date for demonstrations in every city in the The dead-to-wounded ratio for Communist South Vietnamese, be another, as there have been so U.S. and the world. The movement must begin to work on these American soldiers has been some­ perhaps even within the govern­ many. But if it doesn't really demonstrations without delay, and organize hundreds of thou­ what higher than two to one. As ment. have the support of most of the sands to demand that the senseless, unjust war be ended, and the of Feb. 6, the U.S. Command ad­ "No one knows that the Viet­ people or the ability to save them American troops be brought home now! mitted that 546 Gls have been cong-North Vietnamese objective from nationwide terror and mur­ killed in the attacks and 3,084 actually was to capture cities or der, how good is it? What, indeed, wounded. overthrow the government; the is the U.S. trying to save?" Johnson's second line of defense aim may have been that which What the Wall Street Journal War Crime in Saigon is the assertion that the NLF of­ has been accomplished - a ter­ reads in the cards is a new stage sensive has failed "militarily." rible demoralization, showing up, of the Vietnam revolution in which Millions of Americans and people throughout the world saw "That is not to say that they have for all the South Vietnamese (and masses of Saigon soldiers go over on television or in newspaper photographs the vile spectacle of not disrupted services," Johnson the U.S.) to see, the frailty of to the rebels. It would militarily the chief of the Saigon dictatorship's police force murdering a explained in a White House press the government and its military destroy Washington's position in young man described as a "captured Vietcong officer" during the conference Feb. 3. forces ... South Vietnam, not to mention its fighting in Saigon. "It is just like when we have a "It raises in the starkest form political impact both in Vietnam To shoot down captured prisoners is a war crime. The news riot in a town or when we have not only the question of the weak­ and the United States. a very serious strike, or bridges In his White House press con­ photograph showing Brig. Gen. Nguyen Ngoc Loan carefully ness in Saigon but of whether the aiming his pistol at the head of the young revolutionary and go out, or lights - power fail· U.S. effort is reaching a point of ference, Johnson attacked his ures and things. They have dis· diminishing return." critics on the war for playing squeezing the trigger captures the barbarous essence of the war rupted servtces. A few bandits "Monday morning quarterback" in being waged by Washington and its Saigon puppets, and is a can do that in any city in the Editorial second-guessing the American po­ reflection of their frantic response to the stunning offensive of the land." And on its editorial page the sition. He and General Westmore­ National Liberation Front. The evidence? Blocks and blocks land, Johnson contended, have of bombed out rubble in city after same day, the Wall Street Journal carried an article by Robert Keat­ been "looking at the other fellow's ley, who argued: "Those who hole card." stress that the Vietnamese people A bit of advice from another Generals Show didn't rise up in support of the poker player. There comes a time Vietcong seldom add that neither in some games when it doesn't did they supply information that make any difference at all what Contern About would have tipped off the allied "the other fellow" has in the hole. side.'' The cards showing are enough to tell you who is winning. U.S. Cosuolties The National Liberation Front attack destroyed a fundamental New York Times reporters in contention of the Johnson admin­ Clergymen Denounce Vietnam find out more than is istration. The administration has printed in its pages. Some of the maintained that, whatever control news the Times does not deem fit the NLF might exercise in the U.S. Crimes in War to print does show up, however, Twenty-nine prominent Prot­ in Times Talk, an internal news­ sheet published for Time's work­ estant, Roman Catholic and Jew­ THE OPTIMISTIC VIEW ish clergymen have released a ers. In/UtntliJJn frtJm tu North statement charging that the U.S. . In the January issue of Times luu 6eeneut 611 moro tha111urll. Talk, reporter Bernie Weinraub government's conduct in Vietnam desrribed a news-briefing given has demonstrated "consistent vio­ reporters in Saigon: lation of almost every internation­ "At a Wednesday briefing a few al agreement relating to the rules months ago - one of the those of warfare." 'deep background' sessions - a The document is part of a new brigadier general said with a book, In the Name of America, V/eteong eolllrtJII.I mtUIJJ11 published by the 16,000-member smile: ,.U!.,. ,..,,.thai&"' 1966, "'Well I'm happy to say that Clergy and Laymen Concerned the Army's casualties finally • oollllonun~d~rVIotco~nlcon-trollnltU~ . About Vietnam. Signers include caught up with the Marines' last Tot1l the Rev. John C. Bennett, presi­ ...... tl ... dent of the Union Theological week.' • 17.11111~ Seminary, and Rev. Martin Luther "There was a gasp. A civilian ~liora under VittcOftl cutrolln ""' U.S. mission officer, sitting next King. The book documents U.S. 'V(elctmg rtmdtment h l~ae war crimes under the Geneva to the general, turned and said than half that of a ueor ago. incredulously: 'You don't mean Conventions on the rules of mod­ DR. SPOCK. At Boston rally Jan. 28 for noted pediatrician and four ern warfare. you're happy.' others charged with advocating draft resistance, Dr. Spock read "The general was adamant. 'Well telegrams and messages of support. One of those he read was from the Army should be doing their A CORRECTION Last week we ran an article Fred Halstead, Socialist Worke,rs Party candidate for President, job too,' he said. who sent the following: "Attacks on you and your co-defendants "Jim Pringle, the bureau chief with the headline, "Nashville re­ of Reuters, turned to me and BULL. New York Times illu­ ports over '700 arrests." As the are attacks on the entire antiwar movement. I support you in the whispered: 'My God, this is stration of Westmoreland's re­ body of the article e:xplained, old and good spirit, which you have exhibited yourself on more straight out of Catch-22.'" port to President in November. there were actually '70 arrests. than one occasion, that an injury to one is an injury to all." Pag~_F__ ou_r ______T_H_E __ M__ IL__ IT_P.UN ___ T______~M~o~n~da~y~·~F~eb~r~u~a~r~y~12~,~19~6~8 OUR MAN IN HAVANA "Peace Party" Groups The Cultural Congress Split on Third Ticket By Harry Ring HAVANA, Cuba - I think the ByLes Evans mittee charged that the NCNP prime significance of the Cultural NEW YORK - Two separate was not interested in a permanent Congress of Havana held here Jan. organizations, both claiming to third party, but was only going 4-11 is the very fact that it was represent a "peace and freedom" to mount a "one shot" third ticket. held and that, despite its heter­ alternative to Johnson in the The Feb. 3 meeting of the ogeneous composition, it was near­ November elections, have an­ "Preparatory Conference for a ly unanimous in its declarations nounced they will seek a place on New York State Independent Con­ of revolutionary opposition to the New York state ballot. The vention" also drew about 100 U.S. imperialism. two groups describe themselves as people. It was announced that 43 It was a very clear and im­ the "New York Peace and Free­ organizations had registered for portant manifestation of the pro­ dom Party Organizing Commit­ the conference. These included the cess of radicalization that is now tee," and the "Preparatory Con­ Lower Eastside Mobilization for taking place among intellectuals in ference for a New York State In­ Peace Action, United for Peace of virtually every part of the world. dependent Convention." Long Island, New York Medical It confirmed that the increasing­ The Organizing Committee held Committee Against the War in ly evident global counterrevolu­ a press conference Feb. 1 at which Vietnam, the Communist Party, tionary role of U.S. imperialism is it was announced that local and a number of local New Poli­ having a profound impact on the "Peace and Freedom Party" clubs tics committees. thinking of intellectuals, outside would be formed and a statewide Third Tickets as well as inside the U.S. It has convention would be called within The meeting heard reports on been said that Lyndon Johnson a few months to adopt a program, third ticket and third party ef­ - and all he personifies - is choose candidates and take steps, forts in California, Pennsylvania, creating a new generation of rad­ to get on the ballot. Michigan, and New Jersey. The icals in the United States. It can A report was made at the press California report was given by be reported that he is doing the conference by Dr. Francis Hal­ Francis Halpern. He announced same thing on a world scale. pern, chairman of the San Diego, that the California PFP would hold The Congress was also one more Calif., PFP. Halpern said his or­ a state convention late in March testimony to the remarkable role ganization stood for "immediate to discuss questions of program that this tiny island plays in world withdrawal of troops from Viet­ and candidates. politics. Moscow and Peking may nam" and for "black power." He A group in Pennsylvania was be the two power centers of the said that he was personally op­ reported to be petitioning through anticapitalist world, but more and AT CULTURAL CONGRESS. Representative of South Vietnam posed to supporting candidates of existing organizations to put a more Havana is becoming the in­ National Liberation Front (center). the Democratic Party, but this was Dick Gregory-Dr. Spack ticket on ternational center for those who disputed by another participant the ballot. In Michigan a group seek a genuinely revolutionary and closing day of plenary ses­ anced view on the nature and in the press conference, author has been formed calling itself the course. sions, with daily workshop com· worth of culture in the imperialist Paul Goodman, who said he "New Politics Party"; it has not I was particularly struck by this missions in between. There were centers and in the victim coun­ strongly favored campaigning for chosen any candidates but has be­ fact as I sat in the Chaplin Thea­ five commissions: Culture and Na­ tries. liberal Democrats. gun petitioning. In New Jersey, ter while Fidel Castro made the tional Independence; The Integral "In the struggle for liberation Not Socialist on the other hand, most "New closing address of the Congress. Formation of Man; The Respon­ and development of that struggle," Politics people" were reportedly A majority of the participants The hall was packed with people sibility of Intellectuals With Re­ the resolution states, "elements of working for McCarthy. denied that the organization was from around the globe, and there spect to the Problems of the an authentic national culture grow socialist or favored the creation of During the meeting observers were a good number of prestigious Underdeveloped World; Culture and are strengthened. Tradition from the "New York Peace and a socialist society. figures among them. They listened and Mass Media; Problems of Art­ plays a double role. In defending Freedom Party Organizing Com­ to what Fidel had to say with the istic Creation; and Scientific and national values against the inva­ The following night this same mittee" criticized the gathering most intense interest. They ap­ Technical Work. sion of the ideology and artistic Organizing Committee held a pub­ for not favoring the formation of plauded with vigor as he lashed More than 50 position papers forms of the dominating country lic meeting in downtown Manhat­ a third party. Participants in the were submitted to the various . . . what may be taken as valid tan to launch local "Peace and meeting replied that they saw no nllllllllllllllllllllltlllllllltlllttllllllllllllllllllltlllltlltllltllllllllllllllllllllllllll commissions and a consensus re­ elements of the cultural tradition Freedom Party" clubs. About 100 real difference in perspective. Militant reporter Harry Rin9 solution was adopted by each. In are often only manifestations of people took part in a heated de­ Political issues such as Vietnam, is now in Cuba, and will be addition, the Congress adopted a folklore, valuable as historic bate on perspectives for the group. black power, and the nature of writin9 a series of articles on general resolution largely em­ evidence of the cultural process The sharpest discussion took the American system were not dis­ bodying the key points of the com­ but serving as stumbling blocks place over relations with the Na­ cussed by representatives of either his first-hand observations of mission resolutions, a resolution to true progress. tional Conference for New Poli­ group. the development of the revo­ in support of the Vietnamese lib­ tics. The NCNP played a major The "Independent Convention" lution. To be sure of receivin9 eration struggle and an "Appeal Tradition role in calling the "Preparatory was called for "no later than May the complete series, use cou­ of Havana," which is a call for "On the other hand, an alleged Conference for a New York State 1" and it was mandated to nomi­ pon on pa9e 7. revolutionary opposition to im­ 'universalist' point of view may Independent Convention," which nate a third ticket including can­ perialism in general and U.S. im­ was to meet the next day. Mem­ didates for President, Vice Presi­ UIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII111111111111111111111111IIII!IIIIIIIIIIIIIII!IItlllllltlll• lead us to overlooking features perialism in particular. and valid contributions of the cul­ bers of the PFP Organizing Com- dent, and Senator. out at the abdication of a revolu­ The greatest interest at the tural tradition that can serve as a tionary role in the struggle against Congress centered around Com­ driving force and may be integrat­ imperialism by the Communist mission III on the responsibility ed into new universal currents ... parties of Europe and elsewhere. of the intellectual. If I understood "Those who are making an ef­ (The only exception, I was told, correctly, a controversial issue was fort to contribute to the flowering West German Stalinists was a group of East European whether the responsibility of the of nationally rooted cultures . . . diplomats who sat with arms intellectual is to his work or to have the task of avoiding narrow folded.) joining the guerrillas, arms in nationalism and imitative univer­ The Congress was attended by hand. (After listening to some of salism.'' Slander (fie Guevara 500 delegates from 70 countries. the discussion, one delegate said Declaring that so-called under­ Echoing Moscow's opposition to someone who does not share in the They represented significant com­ he hoped that for the sake of the development is not the product of the revolutionary line of the Cuban least way the Soviet government's ponents of the world of literature, guerrillas the intellectuals would some mysterious process of slower leadership, West German Stalinist responsibility for world peace and art, science and politics. Some of decide to stick to their work.) growth but the result of impe­ circles are advancing "ideological" the fate of the Socialists countries, them were spokesmen for impor­ General Resolution rialist oppression and that "U.S. refutations of the Cuban position to ask the Soviet Union to be imperialism is today the brutal tant movements. Others were The general resolution of the - Che Guevara's in particular. readier to assume risks." agent of that opp.ression," the re­ there simply as individuals. All Congress presents the issue in a The Hamburg weekly Blinkfeu­ solution states: had equal voice. The heroes of the balanced way: er [Spark], which faithfully re­ gathering were the representatives ". . . the intellectual who de­ "The Congress has stressed that flects the viewpoint of the illegal of the South Vietnamese National sires to be really worthy of the in the present historic conditions West German Communist Party FUes Sto:l~en Liberation Front and the North name has no alternative but to of Asia, Africa and Latin Amer­ and which has published major Vietnamese government. join the struggle against imperial­ ica, dependency of a colonial or Moscow-line documents in the past, The Congress met in an opening ism . . . There are many ways to neocolonial nature must be elimin­ offers a scholastic contribution to Fro:m Cl~ev~eland participate in that struggle, but the ated. And this revolutionary the current polemics in its Dec. 21, only truly revolutionary intel­ change . . . can only be attained 1967, issue. lectual is he who . . . . is willing through armed struggle. This The Blimkfeuer article is an in­ Antiwar Offic~e makes revolutionary violence, and terview with Professor Joseph to face all risks, and who is not CLEVELAND Correspond- deterred from the supreme op­ in particular armed struggle, a Schleifstein, one of the coeditors NOW AVAILABLE ence and mailing lists were taken portunity to serve his country and necessity wherever this situation of the East German de luxe edi­ his people by the risk of dying exists." tion of the collected works of from the Cleveland Area Peace while fulfilling his duty. Franz Mehring; he is described by Action Council office here in an Acclamation BUnkfeuer as having "become well "The honorable exercise of liter­ unsolved burglary during the The resolution was adopted by known as one of the most prolific 1967 Bound Volume ature, art and science constitutes weekend of Jan. 20-21, Dr. Sidney in itself a weapon, and the intel­ acclamation with three absten­ Marxist scholars." lectual who resists the flattery and tions. The section quoted below is the Peck, coordinator of the Peace THE threats of the neocolonialists and The Congress declared its sol­ professor's answer to a question Action Council, announced. MILITANT the national oligarchies can feel idarity with those in the U.S., on the strategy of "many Viet­ When staff volunteers arrived at $10.00 satisfied that he is carrying out black and white, who fight against nams." 10 a.m. Monday, they found file his intellectual task with dignity. Washington's reactionary course. "That is an appeal to the un­ cabinets empty. A typewriter, the But the truly revolutionary crite­ The resolution further declared: known. It sounds very revolution­ petty cash fund, and the legal file rion for the intellectual ... is his "All honest intellectuals of the ary but it basically amounts to of the Cleveland Draft Resistance readiness to share in the combat world should refuse to cooperate wanting to prescribe forms and Union, which maintains an office duties of the students, the workers with, or accept invitations or fi­ methods of struggle for revolu­ there, were also missing_ and peasants when circumstances nancial assistance from, the gov­ tionaries and socialists in other The Peace Action Council ex­ so demand. ernment of the United States of countries. But no one has that pressed deep concern over the THE MILITANT "The permanent bond between America and its official agencies, right. That is the affair of the meaning of a robbery of lists of 873 Broadway, the intellectuals and other popular or from any organization or foun­ revolutionaries and socialists in names. Dr. Peck pointed out that New York, N.Y. 10003 forces, the process of learning dation whose activity leads one to each country, who must be con­ while no locks were forced and from each other, is a basis for believe that intellectuals who par­ sidered the best judge of the con­ there were no signs of vandalism, cultural progress." ticipate in them serve the imperial­ ditions of their struggle. he was concerned that "Police re­ The Congress also took a bal- ist policy of the United States." "It is equally unjustifiable for fused to take fingerprints.'' Monday, February 12, 1968 THE MILITANT Page Five. An Interview with Castro ••• Socialist Campaign An extensive interview with my is "subsidized" by the Soviet rillas cannot be led from outside (Continued from Page 1) trailblazing to build support for Fidel Castro, granted to the in­ Union, citing estimates of $600 their country.' "It is the adherence sponsored by SDS. A number of the SWP ticket. ternationally known journalist million per year that the Soviet of each fmember organization of leading SDS members endorsed the A Halstead-Boutelle supporter and political analyst K. S. Karol, Union spends on Cuba. OLAS] to internationalist prin­ campaign, and a Young Socialists from Sonoma State College in appeared in the February issue "Our economic relations with ciples," Karol says, "which will for Halstead and Boutelle group Rohnert Park, Calif., called the of Evergreen, the literary review the socialist countries are quite guarantee the cohesion of this new is being organized there. Bay Area Young Socialists for published in New York. clear," Castro said. "The Soviet organization, with the task of the An interview with Halstead on Halstead and Boutelle and asked This is the interview Karol ob­ Union and other socialist coun­ permanent committee being simp­ radio station WNUS was broad­ them to bring as many activists tained at the time of the confer­ tries have made a political choice ly to coordinate mutual aid among cast 10 times during the day, and as possible to Sonoma to partici­ ence of the Organization of Latin by establishing economic relations them." another interview with WCFL, the pate in a picket line in front of American Solidarity held in Ha­ with us at a time when the United He quotes Castro as saying of major Chicago rock and roll sta­ a meeting of the Board of Trus­ vana last July and August. It is States was trying to eliminate us. the dispute with the Kremlin­ tion, was broadcast every half tees, protesting a resolution passed published under the title, "Four This decision enabled us to re­ oriented Communist parties, "No hour one evening. by the Board prohibiting demon­ Days With Fidel." orient our foreign trade and one has a monopoly on revolution strations against campus complici­ "' * "' The two met at two o'clock in Halstead-Boutelle supporters are ty with the war. the morning in the newly built finding that by confronting local The report from the Bay Area village of Los Arados at the ex­ supporters of Senator Eugene Mc­ reads: "There were about 100 treme southern tip of Cuba. To­ Carthy's Democratic primary cam­ people at the rally, most of them gether with a group of Cuban paign, antiwar activists can be professors from the northern Cali­ army officers, Castro and Karol won over to supporting the SWP fornia state colleges. Students spent two days on a tour by jeep ticket. from Humbolt State College, whom through the Sierra Crista!, arriv· A campaign supporter from At­ we met on the trailblaze the week ing at last at an experimental lanta, Ga., reports: "Last night before, were also present. They agricultural project at Pinares de we went up to Athens (Georgia) seemed surprised and impressed Mayari. for McCarthy's speech at the Uni· to see us at the picket line. Castro talked about Cuba's versity of Georgia. This turned ... Several of the professors came economy, stressing projects to in­ out to be our most successful cam· up and asked us about Young So­ crease the volume of free goods paign activity to date. cialists for Halstead and Boutelle. and services in order to eliminate "We set up a literature table Many of the younger professors money as a regulator of social outside the hall where McCarthy were involved in the Peace and relations. was speaking. After the meeting, Freedom Party, but were very in­ "This isn't a poor country," the table was almost mobbed. terested in what we had to say about it." Castro said. "It has a number of Nearly all the literature and post­ natural resources (precious metals ers were sold in a matter of min· On Jan. 28 Young Socialists for and iron in particular) and is an utes. There were more people Halstead and Boutelle came to extremely fertile land for a coun· wanting to engage us in conversa· Shasta Junior College in Redding, try with a relatively small pop­ tions than we were able to speak Calif., in the midst of a campus ulation. What made Cuba an un· to. The reporter from the local free-speech dispute. They re­ derdeveloped .country was imperi· paper was very interested and in· ported: "The Student Senate has alist exploitation. More than half tends to write something about us. passed a free speech bill which of our land was not cultivated, He was impressed by the litera· the school administration will not and we had no clear idea of its ture sales and commented that recognize ... resources." this was an indication of the cam· "The Student Senate approved paign's popularity. us and our socialist literature Milk Production "A person from the Young table. The administration had to inspect it first in consultation As one example, Castro pointea Americans for Freedom wanted with county officials and later to the increases in milk produc­ to know if we had somebody who denied permission to display or tion: would debate either one of their people or the head of the Young sell our books. However, we were "We have always had plenty ot permitted, by other college author­ cattle in Cuba, but our herds were Republicans." Young Socialists for Halstead ities, to set up the campaign table, never good dairy cattle and we but without the knowledge and used to import milk. Even now it and Boutelle at Roosevelt Uni· versity in Chicago had a similar sanction of the dean of students. remains rationed. Then, two years "The YSHB made an impres­ ago, we bought some bulls re· experience when Fred Halstead spoke there Jan. 19. A campaign sion on Shasta College. A few stu­ puted for their dairy qualities; dents expressed gratitude for our we've studied various methods for supporter wrote in: "Although the meeting was small (25 students), appearance. It has become a con­ improving our pastures, we've Photo by Harry Ring crete issue for the free-speech created almost 2,000 insemination it was larger than the McCarthy Fidel Castro for President group meeting held fight going on at this campus, and centers ... By 1970 we'll be pro· we have been invited by the stu­ ducing 20 million liters of milk previously. Ten students attended thwart our enemies' economic or revolutionary theory. We make dents to come back to speak per month, and our maximum that meeting, and five of those left maneuvers. Russia a'Lso supplies no claims to playing the role of and/or debate. domestic needs will be only two after being informed by Halstead· us with arms, because not only guide, nor do we think that our "The day we left town, the dean million liters. Free milk is not Boutelle supporters that McCar· must we cope with an economic party should serve as a model. We of students suspended Rick Perl­ a pipe dream." thy is opposed to antiwar dem­ war but also with sabotage and believe in the virtues of discus­ onstrations and the immediate man, the person who had helped At Pinares de Mayari, Karol the constant threat of invasion by sion and constant reexamination withdrawal of U.S. troops from us set up our table, evidently for was shown a vast agricultural the United States ... of certain truths which for 35 Vietnam." by-passing the dean's approval for project: 25,000 hectares [61,000 "But, aside from the arms we years have been considered as our appearance. The Student Sen­ acres] of. citrus fruits, truck gar­ "' * "' receive free of charge, we pay self-evident and which, in fact, are Vigorous campaign activity is ate voted for Rick's reinstatement, dens, and precious wood on land for all the merchandise we import not at all." going on for Halstead and Bou­ but the board of trustees upheld which had lain fallow before the from socialist countries. No one telle right in LBJ's home state. the dean's action ..." Revolution. It is worked by 7,000 Later the discussion shifted to gives us any gifts or 'subsidizes' The first issue of The Campaigner, young people, all volunteers. the war in the Mideast. Castro at­ • • • us . . . When we owe money to newsletter of the Texas Commit­ Karol questioned Castro about tributed Egypt's defeat to its At the Student Mobilization France or England, no one thinks tee for Halstead and Boutelle, the still significant number of army's "lack of revolutionary Committee conference held in that they are 'subsidizing' our so­ spirit." came out recently. The six-page Chicago on the Jan. 28 weekend, small private farms. cialism. They profit by their trade "A truly revolutionary force," bulletin gives information on the over 50 students signed up as en­ with us, as does the socialist bloc." Small Landowners he said, "can sometimes retreat in candidates and a schedule of Fred dorsers of the Halstead-Boutelle During the last lap of the trip the face of an enemy who is bet­ Halstead's tour of Texas in March. ticket. Many participants had al­ "You asked me why we helped through the Sierra Crista!, the ter equipped, but it is always To subscribe or to contribute to ready become endorsers before the the small landowners," Castro re­ revolutionary leader and the re­ capable of continuing the fight this voice of the Texas Halstead­ conference. Fred Halstead attended plied, "giving them credit and porter discussed Cuba's position Boutelle campaign, write to: Texas furnishing them with fertilizer under another form and of wrest­ the conference as an observer, in the world revolutionary strug­ Committee for Halstead-Boutelle, and was asked by several students and free installations: they rep­ ing final victory." gle: P.O. Box 39006, Houston, Texas if he would speak at their cam- resent the private sector resisting While very concerned with the He said that even if Egypt had 77039. been entirely overrun, if it had puses. control, whose existence is, to all development of Cuba's socialist In addition to Halstead-Bou­ the necessary cohesion and revolu­ "' * • intents and purposes, diametrical­ economy, Castro declared, "We're telle campaign committees already tionary determination it could When Paul Boutelle was speak­ ly opposed to our socialist plans. not crazy enough to want to try established in Houston and Austin, My answer is: private property have carried on guerrilla warfare ing in Boston, campaign support­ and build here at home a 'national there is growing interest in the will disappear in Cuba the day and eventually beaten the Israeli ers were able to raise $135 for communism' which would work campaign in Dallas. the campaign fund with almost no when the socialist sector will have out a modus vivendi with the forces. a productive capacity sufficient to effort. A campaign supporter vol­ United States and, little by little, Karol said that Castro was "pro­ * "' * unteered the use of her home for make family businesses obsolete." become reintegrated into the foundly shocked by certain Arab In California the Bay Area Young Socialists for Halstead and a reception for Boutelle, and at­ "Why haven't you tried to American economy. Such an atti­ propaganda" on the eve of the tractive invitations were mailed. group these peasants into coopera­ tude would be both immoral and war: "True revolutionaries," Cas­ Boutelle have tried a new way of finding speaking engagements for Around 30 people came, almost all tives?" Karol asked. unrealistic .... tro declared, "never threaten an of them new supporters of the Fidel answered, "What, after "The American leaders . . . will entire country with extermination. Paul Boutelle on as many cam­ puses as possible when he comes campaign, and they donated very all, is a cooperative? It is a cer­ agree to coexist with us if we will This propaganda unwittingly help­ generously. issue an invitation to the rest of ed the Israeli leaders mobilize through on tour. First they sent tain number of individual farms -Caroline Lund brought together, and if one or Latin American to accept the their people's patriotism which out a mailing to student body two families are hostile to us, status quo. they then used in a war of con­ presidents, introducing them to that's enough to influence the en· "This kind of 'peaceful coexist­ quest, carried out under the pro­ the Halstead-Boutelle campaign tire group. The cooperative does ence' is of no interest whatever tection of Yankee imperialism. and asking them to finance and Malcolm X not represent a socialist form of to us." Our condemnation of Israel is un­ sponsor speaking engagements for property; it even threatens to ere· The last meeting between Karol equivocal, but we do not dispute the candidates at their school. The Man and ate another form of private prop­ and Castro took place just after its right to exist." Then a mailing was sent out to erty on the land and consequently tho end of the OLAS conference, Karol says that he was able student supporters of the SWP His Ideas impede real socialism later on. It Aug. 10. to verify that Cuba is a country ticket all over the state urging is not my impression that this Karol concludes on the basis of of armed people, ready to defend them to put some pressure on By problem has been solved in the this discussion that Castro does themselves if the United States their student governments to in· other socialist countries." not view the OLAS as a new inter­ should attempt to invade. vite the SWP candidates to speak. George Breitman Castro said that there are still national. This flows, he says, from Castro told him that "Our only * * * 25 cenh 250,000 peasants who own their Castro's statement to him that guarantee in the face. of aggres• Bay Area Young Socialists for own land in Cuba. "The Communist parties have sion is our capacity to defend our­ Halstead and Boutelle have been MERIT PUBLISHERS Karol asked Castro to comment their place in this movement ..." selves and our determination to involved in some campus free· 5 East Third St., on the charge that Cuba's econo- and Fidel's insistence that guer- fight to the last man. speech fights as a result of their New York, N. Y. 10003 Page Six THE MILITANT Monday, February 12, 1968

••~t•s the Flu" Critical U.S. Medical Situati~on By Marvel Scholl more realistic ratio is one doctor to repay it by serving the sick for every 2,000 people. The drastic medical crisis facing people in an inland county. this country goes far deeper than At the beginning of the cen­ Even in large cities the distri­ evei;l the frightening fact that tury, the ratio of general practi­ bution is lopsided. Recently St. there are more than 50,000 too tioners to specialists was 8 to 1. Luke's Hospital, on the edge of few doctors to take care of a pop­ Today that ratio has been re­ Harlem, made a survey of that ulation now over 200,000,000 peo­ versed. In the 1966 graduating ghetto. They found that there was ple. ·Basically the reason for the classes of 7,000, about 5,000 stu­ not one single doctor under 35 in crisis is capitalism itself, with dent went on to study for some the whole area. Most of the phy­ health care doled out for profit, specialty, went into research, or sicians still practicing there are not for human welfare. In most left the profession entirely to work from 60 to 70 years old. industrially advanced countries, for the drug industry advertis­ How did this mess come about? the health of a nation is counted ing agencies. It's a long story, but, as briefly as as one of the important natural Thus only 2,000 doctors - gen­ possible, here it is: resources. eral practitioners, obstetricians, Back in 1848 a group of Euro­ But that is not the case in the pediatricians and ophthalmologists pean-educated doctors organized United States, the richest country - actually went into practice. the American Medical Association. in the world. As a result, health And it is estimated (by the AMA) The 'AMA began life as a pro­ standards are dropping. Infant that about 2,000 doctors leave gressive, scientific organization mortality is still staggering-24.9 medicine through retirement or whose main aim was to improve death every year! medical care for American people APPALACHIA. Poor and rural areas have the worst medical per 1,000 live births nationally, facilities. and 44 babies, out of every 1,000 In addition to the numerical by educating doctors. There were born alive, die in Harlem, New shortage, there is an alarming just four colleges that offered York. The life span has remained g eo graphic a 1 maldistribution. courses in medicine - all theory. pitals. By 1906 many states had taught clinical medicine because stagnant for several years. Con­ Great stretches in the country are They were Harvard, Yale, Prince­ begun to build such schools, aided their teachers are not clinical doc­ tagious diseases, particularly tu­ either entirely or almost entirely ton and Kings College (now Co­ financially by the federal govern­ tors. This same outspoken man re­ berculosis and syphilis, are in­ doctorless - the mountain and lumbia). ment. Licensing laws and stiff ports that students complain creasing. Nutritional deficiency plain states, Appalachia, Florida's In addition to these creditable state tests were also instituted. "their professors are not profess­ diseases have not yet been con­ pine-barren center spine where but inadequate schools, there were The government asked the ing.'' Many classes are taught by quered. the rich tourists don't go, and even hundreds of diploma mills, cor­ American Medical Association for tape recordings or closed circuit Several years ago the authori­ some middle-sized and small cities respondence schools from which its assistance in establishing these prerecorded TV lectures. One re­ ties began sounding the tocsin, in the Midwest. anybody with the money could new schGols - gave it carte sult, among many, is that there warning that by 1970 there would For instance, Florida has almost purchase his sheepskin, his title blanche in deciding upon class is an average of 2,000 medical be a shortage of 50,000 doctors. a plethora of physicians on both "doctor," and the right to kill size, curriculum, tuition and other school drop-outs every year. That figure has already been ex­ its tourist coastlines. Yet in the patients legally. There was also fees, and faculty. During the second two years ceeded. According to the Ameri­ inland counties there are. almost an apprenticeship system where­ Since that long-ago day, many the student is assigned as a "medi­ can Medical Association, there are no doctors. A few years back the by young men exchanged their things have happened to the char­ cal clerk" on a hospital ward. He 275,000 licensed doctors (not all Florida Department of He

cratic Party? In California, the Peace and Freedom Party exists. Thought for the Week . ' Not only is it an alternative to the present administration, but it "But the destruction goes on. We are the flies that captured the represents an alternative to the ypaper. We are stuck with our concept of a military victory, and corrupt and bourgeois two-party main question goes unanswered: What is the end that jusUfies system in this country. But, where slaughter?"- James Reston in the Feb. 7 New York Times. else in this country is there such an alternative? The Socialist Workers Party? When I got The Militant on a precise meaning in the labor move­ You also offer an alternative, newsstand, I picked up all the ment, and the Ramparts interim but not of the nature that non­ other socialist newspapers near paper is in no sense of the word Letters socialists are going to adopt. The it, and in one of them, the Weekly a scab operation. It is set up and Democratic Party exists and there People, I read an excellent edi­ printed in ITU shops. The edi· are quite a few people, workers torial mentioning Article XIII of torial side has not been organized and other class strata alike, who the Constitution, which, the edi­ by the Newspaper Guild; Guilds· From are going to vote Democrat in the torial says, "in effect legalizes men now writing for the paper are elections. If the choice of a Mc­ revolution." doing so with the permission of Carthy over a Johnson is not there, Article XIII refers to "slavery" the Guild. Our then where is the choice for them? and "involuntary servitude." These Disagreement with the opinions On the question of the Commu­ words cover a lot of ground! We of the various correspondents nist Party seeking to end dissent should hear more about Article commenting on the strike is cer­ outside of the democratic process, XIII. tainly no justification for applying Readers here is really an unfounded and G.P.W. this appellation to either the cor­ essentially untrue allegation. The respondents or the paper itself. Communist Party, while not being What a Way to Go I must therefore apologize most the most advanced ideologically at Decatur, Ga. sincerely for my mistake and ask this time, has taken an essentially Why don't you have a five- or that you print this correction. [This column is an open forum ning during a demonstration in correct position regarding the Mc­ 10-year renewal? Do you think the Mary Kraft for all viewpoints on subjects of Sheffield against Prime Minister Carthy campaign in that they too revolution will come and put you general interest to our readers. Wilson (fined £2), and with see the need for an alternative in out of business? Wants Amalgam Please keep your letters brief. prices going up and up we have the Democratic Party to the rabid s.w. Santa Barbara, Calif. [As a matter of fact, we think Where necessary they will be to count our pennies. war policies of Johnson and his I am not a letter writer. I am T.G. crew. the revolution would give our busi­ abridged. Writers' mitials will be a fuzzy and unpoliticalized class­ wed, names being withheld unless As Marxists, the Communist ness a salutary shot in the ann.­ authorization is given for 'L-~~.j Hypocritical Government Party is against the war and EDITOR;) conscious "worker" (barbershop New York, N.Y. willing to move along whatever owner). British Reader I enjoy your paper. It is one of lines are necessary to help this A Correction I read your paper three months. question, whether in or out of the San Francisco Nottingham, England the few opportunities one gets to as I have read The Worker, Peo­ Feel I must send a word or two read the truth about what is going Democratic Party. For this pur­ I am indebted to a number of striking newspaper workers here ple's World, etc. But I find the about The Militant and the Inter­ on behind this hypocritical gov· pose they lend support to the Mc­ Is national Socialist Review. I have ernment. Carthy campaign and any peace for pointing out to me a grievous only paper that "reaches" me taken both now for about six R.F. move within the Democratic Party. error I made in my story on the the National Guardian. years, first in Canada and now Ed Stover San Francisco newspaper strike in I realize you have financial the Jan. 29 Militant. I would like here. I rely on them to give me McCarthy Campaign limitations, etc. It would be great the lowdown on what the signif· Canyon, Calif. Article XIII to apologize for my unfortunate terminology in referring to the if all groups of the left could form icant developments are in the As I pored through the Dec. 18 Union City, N.J. Ramparts interim newspaper as an amalgam and forget doctrines, American left. copy of The M ilitamt, I ran across Thank you for your excellent the "McCarthy Campaign" article issue in which there is an article the "Daily Scab." the bane of all left-progressives. Six or seven years ago, the pa­ R.L. per was very informative on the and read it. I came across three about Dr. Spock's indictment. "Scab" is a word with a very developments b::i the Cuban Rev­ points I consider to be erroneous: olution and was one of the factors 1. McCarthy does not represent in persuading me to become a so­ a genuine peace force in the cialist - that and a visit to Cuba. Democratic Party. The development of black nation­ 2. The McCarthy campaign has alism and the speeches and sub­ only the purpose of drawing dis· sequent development of Malcolm sident elements back into the bour­ X, extensively covered by The geois political arena, and Militant, I found tremendously 3. The Communist Party favors absorbing and exciting. stopping dissent by channeling it And for the last few years the back into the bourgeois democratic heightened activity of the antiwar process. On the first point, let us look movement - with its debates Private Enterprise, I - A "mag­ Tex., Daily Heratd, "told them were "so grotesque and repulsive,•• which have justified our position into the factors surrounding Mc­ ic capsule," supposed to "arouse how they are willing to die for he said, that he couldn't send them on the vital questions of the tac­ Carthy's bid for the presidential their country." It was a mistake. nomination. Anti-Vietnam-war sleeping sexual desires and ability to his in-laws in the Netherlands tical and political methods of best within a few days," cost the dis­ A murmur of dissent swelled up opposing the Vietnam war. As you sentiment among Democrats has tributor about 40 cents per bottle from the ranks of soldiers. - as he had promised. So, he had know, the "solidarity" position has taken a quantitative and a quali­ and was resold to the public at to pay to take the entire wedding now hegemony among the antiwar tative leap in recent times, yet Don't Panic - Columnist Art $5.98. Analysis showed that the Buchwald swears that he didn't party - best man, matron of groups in Britain. without a viable (in their view) "aphrodisiac" was simply a vita­ The Vietnam Solidarity Cam­ alternative nationally, as to what make up these Treasury Depart­ honor, singer - on a $2,000 trip min supplement with 100 units of ment instructions to employes: "If to the Netherlands "for the pur­ paign was tremendously success­ form their opposition to the war Vitamin E added to each capsule. ful with · the response that was should take. Contrary to your you are prevented from going to pose of assuaging the bride's fam­ given to the October 22 demon­ view, McCarthy does offer these Private Enterprise, II - An· your regular place of work be­ ily." stration, which was held due to antiwar Democrats a choice, and other enterprising crook, this one cause of an enemy attack ... go its initiative. as far as bourgeois democratic with good government contacts, to the nearest post office, ask the Gets It in Writing - Accord­ Best wishes for your continued politics go, a very good choice. sold the Agency for International postmaster for a federal employe ing to Time magazine, LBJ asked success. We had hoped to take our On the second point, what anti­ Development $24,000 worth of registration card, fill it out and each member of the Joint Chiefs subscription airmail, but my hus­ war forces are going to be sucked "physiological sodium chloride return it to him." Provided, of of Staff to sign a statement that band was declared redundant on back into Democratic Party polit­ solution 10 per cent" for shipment course, that there is a nearest he believes Khesanh, the U.S. Friday and arrested in the eve- ics that are now outside the Demo- to Vietnam. Supposed to cure post office, or any post office, or stronghold near the demilitarized nausea, skin eruptions and morn­ a you, for that matter. zone, can be successfully defended. ing sickness, the "medicine" was Perfectly Logical - A New J er­ Now if Khesanh turns out to be ·actually ocean water. sey lawyer is suing the photog­ another Dienbienphu, LBJ can al­ Private Enterprise, III - Some rapher who took his wedding pic­ ways sue them. Weekly Calendar of Events drug purchasers lose only their tures. The pictures of his bride -Ruth Porter money - others lose their lives. Weight reduction pills have been I­ BOSTON to 7 p.m. 1702 East Fourth St. Ausp. linked to 14 .deaths in Illinois. And -t. THE BLACK LIBERATION STRUGGLE. Socialist Workers Campaign Committee. the chief medical investigator for Speaker: Derrick Morrison, nationel com­ the Oregon Board of Health told I r mittee member. Young Socialist Alliance. NEW •YORK a Senate subcommittee investigat­ Friday, Feb. 16, 8:15 p.m. 295 Hunting­ CUBA'S CULTURAL CONGRESS. A ing misuse of drugs in weight­ New Readers ton Ave., Rm. 307. Ausp. Militant Labor reducing that, during a period of Forum. first hand report by: BARBARA DANE, If you would like to be sure of receiving every issue I folk singer: HELEN YGLESIAS, literary less than four years, he was able containing Harry Ring's special on-the-spot series from • editor, The Nation: JAMES HIGGINS, to identify at least six deaths he CLEVELAND Ass't. editor, York Gazette & Daily; felt were due to "rainbow" pills. Cuba, order an introductory four-month subscription now. I MEMORIAL MEETING FOR MAL­ IRWIN SILBER, editorial boord, Sing These are combinations of thyroid In addition, you ~ill receive FREE a c~py of the November· COLM X. Speakers: Frenkl'in Anderson, Out. Friday, Feb. 16, 8:30 p.m. 873 Broadway, ne11r 18th St. Contrib. $1. hormone, digitalis, amphetamines, December 1967 1ssue of the International Socialist Review chairman, Cleveland CORE; Bonnie Holt, and barbiturates. Socialist Workers Party; A represente­ Ausp. Militant Labor Forum. containing Fidel Castro's speech at the OLAS conference tive from Central State University Now We Know - No less an held in Cuba last summer, and the general declaration is· 1 SNCC. Friday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. Debs SAN FRANCISCO• expert than "barber of the year" sued by OLAS. Send this coupon and $1 to Hall, 9801 Euclid. Ausp. Militant Forum. ARE THE CRACKDOWNS COMING? Murphy Arseneaux, who received Spe11kers: Jerry Densch, staff worker, his title at a recent hair stylists' I Movement Preu; Derrel Myers, Young LOS ANGELES• convention in New Orleans, re­ Sociolist Alliance: Bob Broadhead, S. F. vealed the reason for the new ELECTION RALLY: The Socialist Al­ State College antiwar activist. Friday, ternative in the Californ"la Elections. Feb. 16, 8 p.m. 2338 Market. Contrib. hairdo LBJ sported for his tele­ THE MILITANT J vised State of the Union message. Speakers: Peter Camejo, SWP cendi­ $1 (students 50 cents). Ausp. Militant 873 Broadway L11bor Forum. "It covers up the imperfections dote for U.S. Senate, and John Gray, of the skull," Arseneaux explained. New York, N. Y. 10003 SWP candidete for Congress. Friday, • I TWIN CITIES Tactical Error - Not all was Feb. 16, 8:30 p.m. 1702 E. Fourth St. Name Ausp. Militant Labor Forum. Donation. PRESIDENTS, POLITICS, AND smiles and cheers when LBJ de­ ·················--··-···---···-··-········-······-····------·-····-····-······-·-·-·-·- --~--- I UNIONS - New developments end dicated Central Texas College this ••• trends in the U.S. union movement. past December. Included in the 1 BOOK BAZAAR. Books, pamphlets, Speaker: Paul Chelstrom, militant union· audience was a "sea of uniformed Street ...... -·-········---·-··-·-···--····- ·------·-···-····--·ZiP··---··- paperbacks, magezines o·n all subjects. ist and socialist. Saturdey, Feb. 17, 8:30 soldiers." Looking down on them, Rare and out of print political and p.m., 704 Hennepin Ave., Hall 240, Min­ other. Paintings prints. Stock your libra­ neapolis. Ausp. Twin Cities Socialist LBJ departed from his prepared 1 CHy ··---·--·--·---- -·· ····-· - .... ··--····-· ------Stale ·-·------I ry for pennies! Saturday, Feb. 17, noon Forum. text and, according to the Killeen, ------~~: Page Eight THE MILITANT Monday, February 12, 1968 S.F. Labor Movement N. Y. Socialist Workers Party Backs News Strikers By Mary Kraft SAN FRANCISCO - The news­ and San Francisco, and resolved Names Congressional Slate paper strike here is a month old, to fight Hearst and his professional NEW YORK, Feb. 7-The New dates will run in the 17th, 19th, and veterans are already compar­ strikebreakers to the end. political and military setback the The resolution presented by the York Socialist Workers Party an­ and 20th congressional districts U.S. has suffered in Vietnam in ing the labor solidarity created by Labor Council was passed unani­ nounced a slate of four candidates in Manhattan, and in the 22nd the last week shows how we have Congressional District in the the strike to that of past great mously at the meeting. It con­ for U.S. Congress at a press con­ been lied to by Washington about Bronx. strikes in the city's history. demns San Francisco's newspaper ference here today. The congres­ how the war is going. The new The struck papers are the in­ monopoly, and views Hearst's use sional candidates are an addition Miss Judy White, SWP candi· of imported professional strike­ date for Governor in 1966 and a offensive by the National Libera­ dependent Chronicl.e, published by to the party's national ticket of tion Front shows what deep roots breakers in Los Angeles as a threat Fred Halstead for President and former project director for the Charles de Young Theriot, and the to all unions in San Francisco as Fifth A venue Peace Parade Com­ it has among the Vietnamese Paul Boutelle for Vice President, people. Thousands and thousands Hearst Examiner, published by well. The resolution calls for: and the New York senatorial can­ mittee, will run in the 17th Con­ gressional District. of American Gis will die defend­ Charles Gould. The two papers, Demands :iidate, Mrs. Hedda Garza, an­ ing the corrupt military dictator­ In the 19th Congressional Dis­ which merged their printing opera­ nounced two weeks ago. All five ship in Saigon unless we get out "1. All-out opposition to profes­ trict the Socialist WorK:ers' candi· tion in 1965, were shut down Jan. of the state candidates took part now. We should support our Gis sional strikebreakers. 2. Demand in the press conference. date will be Peter Buch, a former 5 of this year when Mailers Union that the California State 4egisla­ staff member of the National Mo­ by bringing them home alive, and The SWP congressional candi- fast." Local 18 struck the San Francisco ture promptly enact legislation to bilization Committee to End the Newspaper Printing Company (the remove this evil from the face of War in Vietnam. dummy corporation that prints the California. 3. Activation in the Derrick Morrison, a member of public interest of the most effec­ two papers) after nearly a year of the national committee of the tive boycott legally possible Young Socialist Alliance, will run fruitless contract negotiations. All against the Hearst Empire. 4. In­ against Democrat William Ryan 11 other unions working for the volvement of all labor organiza­ in Manhattan's 20th Congressional two dailies refused to cross the tions in such a boycott. 5. Call District. Morrison is a founding Mailers' picket lines, and the upon the government, including member of the newly formed Na­ shutdown is 100 percent effective. the President and Department of tional Black Antiwar Antidraft Justice, to survey, review and ac­ Union. Showdown tivate antitrust and antimonopoly In the Bronx, Richard Garza The latest developments indicate actions against the Hearst Corpora­ will be the SWP candidate in the that the showdown In the Hearst tion and the San Francisco News­ 22nd Congressional District. Garza empire's nationwide war against paper Printing Company." grew up in New York's Puerto the newspaper unions may come The strikers are holding tough, Rican neighborhoods, and partici­ right here. with morale high. They are oper­ pated as a rank-and-file seaman in Organized labor in San Fran­ ating their own commissary and the post-World War II strike wave. cisco came to the aid of the news­ publishing a daily paper of their He has been active in the com­ paper strikers at a meeting called own, the Newspaper Strike Bul­ munity struggles of the Latin by the San Francisco Labor Coun­ letin. American community in New cil Feb. 1. More than 600 leaders Strike benefits for some unions York. from all local unions represented are low. Readers are urged to Hedda Garza said at the' press on the council (including the in­ send contributions to the strike conference that the demand for dependent International Long­ fund, 433 Natoma Street, San immediate withdrawal from Viet­ shoremen's and Warehousemen's Francisco. Make checks payable to nam would be a central part of Union and the Teamsters) heard Joint Strike Committee. Readers the campaign for all the SWP reports on the situation of the in the Bay Area can donate food Photo by Shannon candidates, state and national. Photo by Shannon newspaper unions in Los Angeles for the strike commissary. Derrick Morrison She said that "The tremendous Peter Buch Black Militants Quit Detroit Committee By Evelyn Sell II General Motors President surrounded by white folks on all drawal of the more conservative for the Federation proposal and R~ach, Chrysler Board Chairman four sides." DETROIT-Speaking at the Feb. traditional leadership elements and refused to accept any curtailment Townsend, Detroit Edison Board However, he participated with 2 Friday Night Socialist Forum another new group was formed Chairman Cisler, Michigan Bell the rest of the Committee in lob­ of the Federation's right to de­ here, 19-year-old Norvell Harring­ called the Detroit Council of Or­ Telephone President Day and De­ bying for an open-occupancy bill termine for itself what it would ton, organizer for the Student Rev­ ganizations (DCO). The DCO, troit City Council President Carey. in the state capital. "They went representing 15 civic and religious do and how it would do it. olutionary Organizing Committee, down and lobbied in Lansing; explained why he resigned from The eight Afro-Americans in the and business groups, claimed to Within the committee a favor­ NDC included five representatives they threw a big party. The whole speak for over half of the black able decision was finally reached the New Detroit Committee New Detroit Committee flew (NDC) set up by Gov. Romney of the traditional Negro leader­ community. It denied that it was and Harrington felt the fight had ship ("U.T.'s" is the way Har­ there . . . got down there and had formed to compete with the CCAC and Detroit Mayor Jerome Ca­ cocktails all over the joint, and been won to secure the Federa­ vanagh after the July uprising rington referred to them) and and stated its purpose was to ham was all spread out and every­ tion funds "with no strings at­ last summer. three militants: Harrington, Lo­ speak on behalf of the "law­ body was sipping and nibbling tached." He was shocked 20 min­ The announced purpose of the renzo Freeman of the West Cen­ abiding citizens in Detroit." The and talking about open occupancy. utes later when NDC Chairman NDC was to develop, coordinate tral Organization, and Alvin Har­ leaders of the DCO also had a long rison who had led a long cam­ We flew back and then next week private meeting with J. L. Hud­ Hudson announced to the press and refer proposals to rebuild the we flew down there again ... This city to appropriate governmental paign against police brutality son, Jr., and afterwards the NDC that the Federation was to receive is what the New Detroit Commit­ $137,000 on the condition that it and private agencies. But, as Har­ when he was head of the Afro­ chairman announced that the DCO American Unity Movement. tee was doing. They had one big had pledged to work with his com­ would work with the DCO, that a rington explained, "They were party for open occupancy . . . I Education, police brutality and mittee. mediator between the rival groups playing a giant con game on the woke up one morning, turned on open housing were the main areas would oversee the Federation ac­ black community." the radio: 'Open occupancy was In December 1967, the militants of concern and activity for the tivities, and that the Federation Harrington reviewed the history defeated!' '' organized the Federation for Self­ NDC. Harrington explained that would be accountable to the New and accomplishments of the NDC. The final test of the sincerity Determination to serve as a forum the Committee asked Gov. Rom­ Detroit Committee in its use of the The 37-member committee includ­ and workability of the NDC was for the exchange of ideas and in­ ney for $5.3 million in state funds funds. ed leading businessmen and civil its reaction to the Afro-American formation and to serve as a means for more schools in Detroit. Rom­ Harrington and Freeman re­ leaders ("fat cats," as Harring­ groups that sprang up after the of working out cooperation be­ ney told the Committee that it signed from the NDC and de­ ton put it) such as: Henry Ford July uprising to demand black tween its member groups. Cleage could bid for monies set aside in manded that Hudson publish a control over the rebuilding of the was named chairman and he an­ a special state fund. "That went statement retracting his state­ city. The City-Wide Citizens Ac· nounced that the New Detroit down the drain!'' was Harrington's Committee had given "favorable ments about the Federation's will­ tion Committee ( CCAC), headed ingness to accept the onerous con­ summation of the NDC accom­ by the Reverend Albert Cleage, consideration" to proposals sub­ plishments in the area of better ditions. Jr., was formed by people from mitted by the Federation. education for inner-city children. On Jan. 5, Cleage announced a wide cross-section of the black Harrington, in his Forum talk, that the Federation was severing The NDC asked for a thorough community on Aug. 9, 1967, the described what happened to the investigation of the police depart­ all ties with the NDC and with· night before the first official meet· Federation's request for $137,000 drawing its request for funds. "The ment. Instead of such an investi­ ing of the New Detroit Commit­ to carry out its program. At NDC gation, Harrington related, the New Detroit Committee can't tell tee. meetings, committee members us how to work or who to work police department received "Stoner NDC Chairman Joseph L. Hud­ vigorously supported the Federa­ rifles, nerve gas . . . two armored with," Cleage stated. "We'll accept son, Jr., owner of one of the tion request and it seemed as if white money but not white lead­ vehicles . . . machines guns, mor­ world's largest department stores, the funds would be easily and tars ... You hit a cat with a ership and dictation." immediately announced, "We want quickly gotten from the Ford In his speech before the Friday Stoner rifle and you send his guts to work with them as quickly as Foundation. However, the rival 12 feet back." Night Socialist Forum, Harring­ possible. We're not playing games. DCO complained publicly that the ton listed the methods used by the What next on the NDC agenda? We're deadly serious about work­ NDC was "buying off" the mili­ NDC to woo him and the black "Open occupancy - I really ing with this group.'' He had a tants and the DCO threatened to militants back into the NDC. After thought this was a good one two-hour private meeting with carry out economic boycotts of his resignation he received three myself," Harrington commented, Cleage and other officers of the white-owned firms connected with telegrams a day, innumerable "because statistics tell me that 87 CCAC and stated, "We have the NDC if that were necessary phone calls, and an offer of a percent of the black community is worked out a very fine relation­ to win equal recognition for mod­ $12,500 a year job on the per­ damn near too poor to eat - that ship," and explained that Cleage's erates. manent New Detroit Committee means they're indigent. Now, if group would submit proposals to The decision on the Federation as "Community Consultant." Har­ they are indigent they neither the New Detroit Committee. request was postponed four times rington and the other black mili­ have the means and, from what Within a week the unity of the and delayed eight weeks. Harring­ Rev. Albert B. Cleage tants have continued to refuse I can evaluate, the desire to be CCAC was disrupted by the with- ton, Freeman and Harrison fought handouts with strings attached.