Workers of (he World, Unite! MURRAY on 'MORALITY 7 OF DUTCH BLITZKRIEG AGAINST INDONESIANS ••• See Page 3 — THE MILITANT PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKING PEOPLE

V ol. X III - No. 1 267 NEW YORK, N. Y., MONDAY JANUAY 3, 1949 PRICE: FIVE CENTS SWP Plenum a Opens Offensive Dubinsky Deals Stab-in-Back O n A nti-Marxists National Body Outlines Program to Defend To Labor in Taft-Hartley Fight Union Democracy, Labor Independence N E W YO RK , Dec. 27— The 20th Anniversary Plenum of the Socialist Workers Party, which concluded here tonight, NMII Chiefs Copy mapped out an ideological and political counter-offensive against ILGWU Bureaucrats Peddle all the enemies of Marxism in®------CP Methods in the labor movement. elected National Secretary, and Taking advantage of the crimes M. Stein was again chosen as OwnAnti-Strike'Substitutes’ Organization Secretary. A Trade Purge of Stalinists of Stalinism, the top union of­ By Art Preis ficials and their Social-Democratic Union Department was establish­ By Ralph Bell ed, with Bert Cochran, veteran allies are waging a war of distor­ The anti-Stalinist purge in tion and defamation against the CIO leader, as chairman. While basking in the sunshine of swanky Miami Marxist program for the socialist Farrell Dobbs, presidential the C IO National Maritime candidate in 1948 and for many Beach, Fla., the well-heeled bureaucrats on the gen-i liberation of mankind. At the Union was accelerated last week years editor of The M ilitant, war same time they are attacking with the expulsion of three prom­ eral executive board of the AFL International Ladies elected National Chairman of the democracy in the unions and inent Stalinists and the suspen­ SWP. Dobbs, who was the Party’s Garment Workers Union ' h fastening their dictatorial grip on sion fo r one year of four others banner bearer in the election the workers, aiding and abetting on charges of “anti-union activi­ announced on Dec. 26 campaign, w ill now continue, :r the schemes of the capitalist gov­ ty.” Under the general head of details of a proposed “ substi­ the capacity of party chairman ernment to deprive the unions of “anti-union activity” were includ­ tute” for the Taft-Hartley Act their independence. the activity he began during the ed such charges as participating that has promptly been dubbec presidential campaign. He will in an illegal meeting, circulating The campaign of the SWP to (he “ Bubinsky-Taft-Hartlcy Bill.’ testify before congressional com­ literature containing slanderous strengthen and advance the Marx­ ILGWU President David Dubin­ mittees and utilize all possible attacks on union officials and ist program in the labor move­ sky—whom the Big Business press mediums of expression to publicize disruption of union meetings. ment w ill begin w ith the follow­ nas frequently praised as the the program of the party. The tria l was strongly remi­ ing measures decided on by the niscent 6f the technique perfected “ most responsible” and “ states­ plenum: CANNON’S REPORT by the Stalinists in dealing with manlike” union leader in the 1. An organized and well-in­ The report that aroused the union opponents during their country—is the chief author of legrated campaign in the ideo­ greatest, discussion of the two period in office. It was a mass this first “substitute” anti-labor logical, theoretical and political day sessions was the one bj trial in which diverse elements bill put forward by any major spheres against the enemies of Cannon on “ New Problems of were lumped together in a group union. But it is widely know- Marxism in the labor movement, the American Labor Movement.’ and voted on as a whole. Included that Dubinsky and’ other AFL whose sinister influence has been The growth and consolidation of with the Stalinists were individ­ top leaders held a secret meeting growing in recent years. a conservative labor bureaucracy uals charged with such offenses with Truman in the White House 2. A struggle to defend demo­ he said, and its alliance with as shipping o ff the dock, use of several weeks ago at which the cracy in the unions, for the in­ Social Democrats and renegade: deadly weapons, defacing union AFL heads made far-reaching dependence of the unions from in support of American imperial­ shipping cards, etc. The latter commitments on a new labor- the government, and fo r in­ ism, obliges the Marxists to re­ came off with the lightest penal­ control law. dependent labor political action. examine the situation in the ties. Dubinsky’s “ substitute” law St. An intensified campaign labor movement and define their The tria l committee was a would go beyond even what Tru­ against the current witch-hunt, methods of struggle more “hanging committee” composed of man is reported to be seeking in administration adherents. The with the objective of defeating precisely. the way of union-curbing legisla­ thg government’s attempts to count was taken by administra­ tion. It would foist on all Amer­ The early days . of the move­ tion-appointed counters. A re­ DAVID DUBINSKY outlaw or half-outlaw the SWP ment, Cannon recalled, were of ican labor a law modeled on the and other working class organ­ quest by the accused that the notorious Railway Labor Act the Taft-JIaitlcy Act arid' the necessity a 1 m o s't exclusively count be checked by their own izations through the “subversive” that has hamstrung the railroad Railway Labor Act, for stalling devoted to. theoretical exposition counters was rejected by the ad­ Who Will Do Planning blacklist. and polemic, designed to combat workers since the first World o ff union demands and halting ministration chairman. The ac­ militant union struggle. 4. An extension of the effec­ the degeneration of Stalinism, to cused were required to speak War and driven them from first tive propaganda and agitation work out the party’s program to 20th position in comparative This proposal is all the more first, w ith the last word reserved treacherous coming at the very methods developed in the presi­ and to assemble the cadres of the for President Joseph Curran, the Under U. S. Socialism ? wages with other industries. It time one million members of 16 dential election campaign. organization. In recent years the main architect of the purge. would give the capitalist govern­ By Farrell Dobbs non-operating railroad unions are 5. A strengthened SWP staff, SWP devoted itself increasingly A fter Curran completed a ment exceptional powers to in­ increasing the striking power of to practical work of organization twenty minute attack on the ac­ The nature of planning under socialism is described by Farrell Dobbs, National Chairman terfere in internal union affairs, being stalled by a “ cooling o ff” period after months of fruitless the Trotskyist press, improving and general anti-capitalist agita­ cused, discussion was immediately of the Socialist Workers Party, in the following letter to Sylvia E. Porter, columnist on the regulate the unions, break strikes the direction and coordination of and otherwise fulfill the aims of negotiations, climaxed by a dirty tion. The 1948 presidential cam­ closed and a vote taken. Observers New York Post. the party’s work in the trade paign was the highest point of at the union meeting concede that the Taft-Hartley Act itself. deal handed them by the gov­ December 29, 1948 man needs and to erect a new that only the rich can now afford unions and other mass organiza­ the party’s activity in this field. i f an accurate count had been ernment’s “ fact-finding” board. tions. taken of the hand vote, the report, Dear Miss Porter, culture not for an elite but for w ill be enjoyed by everybody. MAJOR FEATURES This board rejected all the unions’ In the next period, however, Your column of Dec. 21 in the the mass of the people. While collective ownership will James P. Cannon, the founder Cannon warned, the party must of the trial committe would have The major feature of Dubin­ basic demands. For instance, been rejected. As it was, the N. Y. Post reports that Norman Socialism w ill abolish the cap­ prevail in the means of produc­ sky’s proposed stab-in-the-back when the unions asked for a 40- of American Trotskyism, was re­ (Continued on Page 2) Thomas, in an interview on the official tally recorded was 1,172 ita list system of causing a rtificial tion, each person w ill retain p ri­ at American labor is the provi­ hour instead of the present 48- radio program “ Meet the Press,” to accept the trial committee re? scarcities in order to coin huge vate ownership of his fa ir share sions fo r blocking strikes in so- hour veck, with premium pay failed to answer your questions corporation profits. Wealthy cor­ of the fruits of production. port with 667 opposed. The de­ called “ vital” industries through for Saturdays, Sundays and holi­ about economic planning under poration owners will no longer mand for a recount was summari­ You may object that this is mere days, the board offered a 40-hour socialism. You ask if “ any social­ “ theory,” not ‘’practice.” For you compulsory “ cooling off” periods Stalinist Legislator in Ceylon ly refused. live in fantastic luxury at the staggered work week, without ist among you” wants to try his expense of the great mass of the spy in your column, “ To date, no and “ fa ct-fin d in g ” government premium pay on week-ends and “THEIR OWN MEDICINE” hand at it? I accept your invita­ people. The basic means of pro­ one has shown me how to avoid bo:irds. These are standard proce­ holidays—to be put into effect From the conduct of the meet­ tion. duction and distribution w ill be substituting the evils of state dures now employed by the T ru­ Joins Trotskyist Movement ing it was apparent that the You want to know, "W hat basis nationalized. The country’s rich monopoly in our country for p ri­ man Administration, under both (Continued on page 3) Stalinists were to be given a have I fo r believing socialism in natural resources, vast industries, vate corporation monopoly.” I as­ Lakshmone Rajapakse, a In a recent by-election fo r the “ dose of their own medicine.” The practice, as opposed to socialism skilled labor force and advanced sume you have in mind present member of the Ceylon Parlia­ parliamentary seat fo r South practice of charging opponents in theory, w ill cure the ills of the technology w ill be geared for conditions within the Soviet Colombo, Bernard Soysa, the ment, has quit the Communist with “anti-union” activity, hand­ American system?” all-out production — planned to Union. JAMES KUTCHER INVITED Trotskyist candidate, made an (Stalinist) Party and joined the picking a trial committee, rigging First let me say that revolution­ meet the needs of the people. Life under Stalin’s brutal police impressive showing. H.c came Trotskyist movement. He was the count and railroading the ary socialism has nothing in com­ The firs t goal w ill be to provide regime is not socialism in “ prac­ third in the field, polling 4,200 elected from the south part of victims out of the union was mon with the capitalist liberalism everybody with adequate food, tice,” as the Stalinist liars falsely votes. He was topped by a well- TO ADDRESS CONN. CIO Ceylon, the tea and rubber produc­ introduced into the NMU by the of Norman Thomas which he mis­ clothing, housing, medical care, claim. It is anything but social­ known independent candidate ing island off the tip of India. Stalinist machine. The “ 9(1 year calls "socialism.” Genuine social­ educational facilities, and eco­ ism. Why then — if the revolution who received 4,700 votes and the The executive board of the Connecticut Stale Industrial- In a public statement, Laksh- club” composed of hundreds of ism w ill bring conscious aims and nomic security during periods of of 1917 led by Lenin and Trotsky winning United National Party Union Council, CIO, has endorsed the fight to help James mone Rajapakse ■declared that seamen expelled for 99 years by rational plans into the struggle disability and in their old age. started Russia on the road to candidate who got 5,900 votes. As social wealth grows, luxuries Kutchcr, legless veteran fired from his VA job because he belongs his views on most national and (Continued on Page 4) to wrest from nature everything (Continued on page 2) international questions are more ()to the Socialist Workers Party-; in conformity with those of the In addition, it has invited Bolshevik Samasamaja Party, Kutchcr as a guest speaker to Ceylon Section of tire Fourth In ­ present his own story to the state ternational, than the Stalinists. CIO convention on Jan. 15. Therefore, he has decided to The State o f the Union and Our Legislative Program John J. Driscoll, Connecticut accept the discipline of the Trot­ CIO secretary-treasurer, also in­ skyist fraction in the Ceylon formed the Kutchcr Civil Rights parliament. BY THE EDITORS more than a tiny fractional increase in federal expenditures com­ real power to root out discriminatbty practices and eliminate segre­ Committee that the CIO execu­ The Bolshevik Samasamaja pared to the §15 billion minimum he plans for direct m ilitary gation wherever it exists, including the armed forces and govern­ tive board intended to send let- Party was form erly known as spending, including the atom bomb. ment agencies. ters to all its affiliates, urging Congress and the American people arc eagerly awaiting tho them to give support to the the Ceylon U nit of the Bolshevik President’s annua] “State of the Union” message, which Truman Leninist Party of India. During the election campaign, the Socialist Workers Party presi­ 6. Nationalize the basic industries, natural resources ana Kutcher fight. w ill deliver on Jan. 5. dential and vice presidential candidates, Farrell Dobbs and Grace This brings the number of banks, and operate them through democratically elected committees Carlson, predicted that few of Truman’s promises would be kept if In California, Carey McWil­ Trotskyist members of parlia­ We predict in advance that the main direction pointed by Tru­ of workers and technicians. he were electee’. His “ State of the Union” message next week w ill liams, noted author and lecturer, ment tol seven. Stalinist, represen­ man w ill be toward militarism and war. We further predict that he confirm this prediction to the hilt. 7. Build 25 million permanent low-cost, low-rent housing units. has joined the movement to re­ tation has declined from five to w ill offer little or nothing toward the solution of the major problems store Kutcher to his job and re­ confronting the American people. Finance the .housing program with the billions now spent for war three. In addition to I.akshmonc The following election campaign program of the SWP remains gain his civil rights. Rajapakse, another Stalinist mem­ Truman—as he has alreanY indicated—is going to water down the only sound legislative program to meet the urgent needs of the preparations. people as the 81st Congress prepares to convene: The Dec. 16 Newsletter, issued ber of parliament resigned, but many of the promises he made in his election campaign. He w ill 8. Federal benefits equal to union wages, automatically adjusted has not announced affiliation to hedge on unconditional repeal of the Taft-H artley Law, his key by the Student League fo r Indus-3 any other party. promise to labor, and offer a substitute bill with many features of 1.. Take the war-making powers out of the hands of Congress. to meet rising prices, for veterans’ allowances, old-age retirement tria l Democracy, reports that the The so-called “ left turn” of the the Taft-Hartley Act. Let the people vote through nation-wide referendum on the question pay and unemployment and disability compensation. Wayne University SLID has voted Stalinists has convinced mem­ Last week Truman’s Attorney General Tom Clark revealed how of war or peace. No secret diplomacy. Withdraw all troops from 9. A government program to provide complete medical care for to support the position taken by bers of the Communist Party in the Administration intends to carry out its promise to defend civil foreign soil. all working people and their families, financed entirely through a the Kutcher Civil Rights Com­ Ceylon that the Trotskyists were rights. It w ill continue its Gestapo-like “ loyalty” purge and “ sub­ tax on the monopoly corporations. Expand school facilities to meet mittee. correct in opposing World War versive” blacklist and w ill seek to amend the Espionage Act to legal­ 2. Unconditional repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act. No govern­ II. During the war, the Stal­ ize many of the illegal practices now carried out in star-chamber ment interference in union affairs. No restrictions on the right to the needs of the day and pay the teachers a living wage. “Again Wayne SLID has as­ inists slandered the Trotskyist sessions of Truman’s “ loyalty” boards. organize, strike and picket. No compulsory arbitration. Outlaw 10. Establish price control to be regulated and enforced’ by mass serted itself in a matter of civil leaders as agents of Japanese The most Truman w ill offer as a housing program is a for-the- government-by-injunetion. liberties which is creditable,” says imperialism. Now the Stalinists consumers committees of housewives, unionists, working farmers record endorsement of the Taft-Ellender-Wagncr bill calling for are compelled to cat their own 3. End rea’-baiting, witch-hunts a.nd political persecution. Tear and small shopkeepers. the Newsletter. “ Acting chairman only 5 million government-financed, privately-built housing units in \bords about, the war. Consider­ John Houston and the chapter arc 10 years. Housing experts say there is an immediate urgent need up the anti-dcmocratic “ subversive” blacklists. Abolish the1 House 11. Guarantee the cost of production to working farmers through to be praised for their alertness able disillusionment with Stalin­ fo r 25 million new units. Committee on Un-American Activities. ism has therefore become notice­ a program to be operated by their own representatives. Abolish to this vital cause.” able among the best elements in On the high cost of living, Truman w ill repeat his proposal for 4. Liberalize the election laws which discriminate against mi­ sharecropping and landlordism. Transfer title deeds of the land to The Kutcher case was scheduled their ranks. limited stand-by price controls couplea’ with power to freeze wages, nority parties. Extend the right of franchise to youth of military those who work it. Ban commodity speculation. after prices have soared ’way beyond wages, and with the object of to come up fo r discussion at 'the The ranks of the Trotskyists, age. on the contrary, are firm and maintaining this gap between living costs and the pay-envelope. 12. Repeal all payroll taxes._ Abolish all sales taxes. No taxes national convention of the SLID, confident, and the movement is All, Truman’s campaign promises on social welfare—health, edu­ 5. Pass and enforce legislation to punish lynching, abolish the on incomes under $5,000 a year. A 100% tax on incomes over held in New York over the Christ­ gaining in influence in Ceylon. cation, minimum wages, old age benefits, etc.—w ill boil down to not poll tax, establish a F air Employment Practices CQmmittee with $25,000 a year. mas weekend. Page T w o THE MILITANT Monday, January 3, 1949 Post-Election Trends and Perspectives in U.S. By M. Stein analyze why it happened, and what is even unions for political strikes and too capitalist- must now become our point of departure in as their victory convention. They were treat­ tion promises and performance w ill come to more important, to understand what can re­ minded to launch labor’s own political party. (The jollozcing extracts are from the re­ summoning the workers to greater and bolder ed there to a speech by Justice Douglas. His the fore when the 81st Congress convenes. sult from it. When the elections came, there was little deeds. main theme was the refutation of Marxism port by M . Steiv, SW P Organisation Secre­ What is to be the substitute for Taft-Hartley For it is the new clnss equilibrium estab­ choice but the “ lesser evil.” But the impor­ Let us take an example: Our slogan for a and the class struggle as applying to the Law? Will the burden of taxation be shifted tary, on "The Election Results and the lished by the elections which represents the tant thing is that labor took this course as Workers and Farmers Government w ill ap­ United States. That is purely a European to the monopolists? What w ill happen to the Tasks p j the SW P," delivered at the 20th objective situation which must determine our a class. By so doing, it gave such a demon­ pear to a worker far more practical since phenomenon, according to the learned Justice high prices? W ill the people get homes? tactics for the next period. stration of power that it startled the world Anniversary Plenum of the SW P in Nezo the elections than it did before. Our propa­ of the Supreme Court: We here have a class­ What w ill happen to Negro rights? What There is nothing especially new about class by upsetting all predictions. More than that, ganda for a Labor Party w ill henceforth occur less society. w ill happen to civil rights, generally? A ll York, Dec. 26.) collaboration or coalition politics. It has be­ it upset the plans of the bourgeoisie. on a much higher plane. The question as to The bureaucrats assembled ate it up. They eyes w ill be on Congress when it is in session. There were a number of significant fea­ come the pattern in Europe where capitalism The New Deal coalition of the 30’s was im­ whether labor has the strength to build its cheered themselves hoarse for the distinguish­ We on our part must follow carefully the tures which make the last elections a land­ in its death agony could no longer rule in posed on the bourgeoisie by a grave"economic own party is no longer a debatable one. ed guest and his pearly drops of wisdom. But mark in American history. Ope was the emer­ next session of Congress, intervene through its own name and was compelled to resort to crisis. The 1948 coalition was forced on the lo and behold! several weeks later the New gence of the Progressive Party — the first coalitions and “ peoples’ fron t” combinations WHAT FUTURE DEPENDS ON our spokesmen in Congressional hearings, capitalist class when it least needed it from York State CIO met in convention. There sttch attempt to create a third capitalist par­ I t is true the Democratic Party has a period agitate for the independent action of the with the powerful but treacherous workers’ the economic point of view. I t w ill never Potofsky, who inherited Hillman’s mantle, ty since the LaFollette movement in 1924. A parties. of grace before it. So does the trade union workers and the Negro people to force again sit on top of a more favorable economic made a very significant speech. He said, in second was the Dixiecrat split from the Demo­ bureaucracy. The workers w ill give them Congress to come through with the fu lfill­ Here in the United States we have seen the conjuncture than 1948. It had everything effect, that if Truman does not come throifgh cratic Party. A third was our own party’s some time to deliver on the campaign prom­ ment of their election promises. special American version of coalition politics pretty much as it would have wanted. with his election promises, the trade unions entry on the national political.arena for the ises. How long this period will last it is hard under Roosevelt. That too, like its European But where it miscalculated — and so did w ill have to take the European road and The slogan of the Congress of Labor w ill first time. to tell. It depends on the international situa­ counterpart, was imposed on the capitalist we — was in not properly assessing the con­ build their own party on the British model. acquire particular potency. Only the other But the role played in the elections by the tion, on the duration of the economic boom. class by a devastating economic crisis. What sciousness and the power of the working class. To paraphrase Leon Trotsky, the bureau­ week the Illinois State CIO went on record working class as a class stands out like a It depends on Truman’s ability to deliver the gave it its peculiarity here was the fact that We made the mistake in thinking that the crats may not recognize the class struggle, for a Congress of Labor. This slogan proved mountain peak in the total picture. To be reforms he promised. It depends on our own the working class had no party of its own. Republicans Would win as a consequence of but the class struggle recognizes them. And powerful during the strike wave in 1946. It sure, it did not act through the instrumenta­ development. But it is safe to say that the The coalition then took the form of a deal working class apathy in the elections on' the I may add, very often uses them as its in­ then declined in popularity during the period lity of its own party and its own candidates. first real conflict between Truman and labor with the trade union bureaucracy on a com­ one hand and a greater Wallace vote on the strument against their will. of working class passivity, but was picked Instead it used as its vehicle a minority capi­ mon program. From this deal, capitalism other. For the revolutionary vanguard, such w ill bring up the Labor Party issue with ex­ up by tlie ITU, which was under special talist party. gained a lease on life. I t staved o ff complete a mistake in properly estimating the work­ plosive force. A t the present stage, Potofsky was only attack under the Taft-Hartley Law. But what In our resolution on the Wallace party, we bankruptcy, gained time to prepare for war, ers’ moods and the compulsions which made The arrogant offensive of the bourgeoisie threatening. But isn’t it a little soon after is interesting is that it should be adopted by characterized it as a splinter capitalist party. and carry it out to a victorious conclusion. them take the course they did is a cause for following the war sharpened the class strug­ November 2 to be threatening? It certainly important union bodies now so soon after the We can with some justice say that the Demo­ The trade unions, in this deal, gained in blushing under ordinary conditions. I t can gle here almost to the breaking point. What is, unless the bureaucracy is already dis- elections. satified with the treatment it has been ac­ cratic Party, as it appeared in 1948, was strength, Wage concessions, social reforms. prove disastrous under revolutionary condi­ prevented a real showdown fig h t more than It is a clear indication the workers, even a m inority capitalist party. A much larger The bureaucracy gained in power and reve­ tions. anything else was the fact that the working corded since the elections. The trade union bureaucracy, which cringed though voting for Truman, did not give him minority than the Wallaceites, but a minority. nue. This coalition broke up at the end of class is politically unorganized and saddled a blank check. There is a growing awareness I t represented a small minority of the capital­ the war. THE POWER OF AMERICAN LABOR down with a capitalist-minded leadership. before Roosevelt during all his years in the White House, holds out a threatening finger that whatever concessions w ill be gotten ist class, which was united as a class around We have been cognizant of the power of This sharpened class struggle, without the from the 81st Congress, must be wrested the Republican Party and its candidates,. It POST-WAR CAPITALIST OFFENSIVE American labor. We have talked about it. possibility of an immediate conclusion, re­ under Truman’s nose even before his in­ auguration. The difference is not merely in from it. The past experiences w ith capitalist was united around a common program of A fter the war the capitalist class — once We have written about it. But we were solved itself in a deadlock. Such a position politicians who had been hoisted to power Taft-Hartleyism. I t was united' in its confi­ sure of its power — bolstered by lush profits, caught by surprise when we saw just how can only be of brief duration. Truman must the caliber of the two men. The difference is in the shift in class relationships. The bureau­ on the workers’ backs, only to betray them, dence of a Republican victory — and treated fe lt cocky enough to launch a drive agaihst it expressed itself in life. And we w ill be seek to free himself from this deadlock, for has not been wasted. The American worker’s with contempt the Democrats and their can­ the working class, to deprive it of its acquired caught by surprise again and again unless he must do the bidding of his capitalist mas­ cracy has acquired’ a new sense of power which stems from the power of organized labor. attitude towards them is . now far more didate. power. we take yet another factor into account, ters. The working class in its present frame distrustful and vigilant. The working class, by its intervention in The drive against the unions on the eco­ namely, that the political power of the work­ of mind w ill on the other hand not be satis­ W ith power grows desire. They can no longer The easy victory monopoly capitalism won the elections through the instrumentality of nomic front proved very costly. It resulted ing class is a demonstrated fact today and fied with mere sops. The elements of con­ be satisfied With the Vole they played under against the workers in the 80th Congress this minority capitalist party, upset the en­ in bitter strikes out of which the unions is part of the consciousness of all classes in flic t are there and they are building up even Roosevelt. proved inconclusive. This battle w ill now be tire picture. It imposed on the ruling class emerged with their organizations intact, and society. now. The organizing drive decided on by the a coalition it did not seek. It imposed a policy even with some wage gains. What is most important from our point of CIO convention was only in part a maneuver fought cfver again. The outcome of this fig h t will depend on the maximum mobilization of of appeasement of labor it had discarded at Then came the political offensive, culmin­ view is that it is part of the consciousness SIGNS OF DISCONTENT against the Stalinist-controlled unions. In the end of the war — and hoped it was done ating in the Taft-Hartley Law. Against this of the average workers. The worker in the I get the impression that even the trade the main, it is an attempt by the union leaders the independent power of the working class with. political offensive, the unions proved power­ factory felt on the morning after the election union bureaucracy is beginning to show signs to really strengthen the labor movement and and the Negro people in a Congress of Labor We, of course, do not condone class colla­ less. They had no party, no spokesmen in that he put it over, that he is the man who of dissatisfaction with the treatment it is re­ their own specific weight in the political life that would bring together and unify the boration politics, and the workers acted w ith­ Congress. The trade union leaders were too can bring victory or defeat to a candidate. ceiving from Truman. Only a few weeks ago, of the country. exploited and the oppressed around a common out our approval. It is our task though to I cowardly to use the economic power of the It is this new consciousness of power which the CIO leaders held what they referred to The elements of conflict between the elec­ program and a common course of action. SWP Pioneers Honored Mitie Tragedy SWP Opens Offensive A t Anniversary Affair Against Anti-Marxists N E W YO RK , Dec. 26 — skyist movement in Chicago, told twenties and early thirties em­ (Continued from page 1) other mass movements. The report emphasis on the shortcomings, difficulties and errors in the Tonight was a gala occasion of the early experiences and phasized the world influence of more properly balance its agita­ and resolution were both adopted. hardships. “ Today we have a American Trotskyism, whose tion and propaganda, with special Extracts from the report are campaign. This included short­ fo r the Socialist Workers Party, party with solid ranks and ex­ literature penetrated the “farthest emphasis on polemical struggle printed on Page 2 of this issue, comings over which the party now celebrating the 20th Ar- perienced cadres.” Describing the corners of the earth” and inspired against opponent tendencies and and the resolution w ill be printed as yet unfortunately had little niversary of American Trotsky­ upheaval of the workers every­ the reawakening of socialist in­ organizations in the more politic­ in the next issue of Fourth In ­ or no control, such as its finan­ ism, the authentic Marxist move­ where and thq. decay and corrup­ ternationalism. ally conscious sections of the ternational. cial handicaps. It also included ment in the United States. A t a tion of capitalism, he said, “ What A highlight of the celebration labor movement. Singled out for special concen­ mistakes which the party must banquet in Irving Plaza hall, some still is lacking is leadership. That was the ovation accorded James The party cannot grow and tration was the struggle against recognize and correct, such as 200 members and friends of the is what we will supply.” Kutcher, Newark legless veteran prosper by simple anti-capitalist the government’s persecution of inadequate planning and prepara­ SWP paid tribute to the veteran fired from his VA job for mem­ agitation and good works alone, the SWP. A report by William tion, the setting of unrealistic fighters who for two decades Vincent Dunne, chief organizer, bership in the SWP. whose Cannon continued. It must defeat F. Wlarde dealt with the case of goals and faulty propaganda following their expulsion from of (he famous Minneapolis D riv­ courageous fight against the every attempt to smuggle James Kutcher and the response orientation. the Communist Farty in 1928 ers Union and SWP candidate for “loyalty” purge has become the bourgeois ideology into the labor which his fight against the black­ Clarke urged that the whole have carried on the battle for U. S. Senator from Minnesota outstanding civil rights struggle movement under the guise of a list has already won in broad sec­ party should study these problems international socialism. this year, stated that “ one of in the country today. Comrade workers’ program. Otherwise, the tions of the labor and liberal and lessons in preparations for Founders and pioneers of the things we are proudest of is Kutcher praised the SWP and its agitation w ill be wasted and movements. It was decided to give future campaigns, and that it American Trotskyism, including that we have established here one leaders for their all-out support the workers’ vanguard w ill be increased backing to the Kutcher learn to use and extend the James P. Cannon, SWP National of the finest examples of revolu­ tionary party-building anywhere in his defense. demoralized and disrupted by the defense movement, and through propaganda and agitational Secretary, Arne Swabeck, Virt- methods which it has employed on the planet.” He made a special Grace Carlson, first vice-presi- offensive of the anti-Marxists. this case to step up the party’s cent R. Dunne, Rose Karsner, on a large scale for the first time appeal to the youth to join the dent.al candidate of the SWP, The general line of Cannon’s fight in defense of its political George Clarke and Harold Rob­ opened the affair by blowing out liberties. in this campaign. Both the report bins, were honored for their 20- Trotskyist movement. report was adopted unanimously the 20 candles on the beautifdl after a fru itfu l discussion of the and recommendations were ac­ year - long struggle fo r the Harold Robbins, introduced as ELECTION REPORT a “ veteran of three wars—the SWP birthday cake, symbolizing perspectives which it opened up. cepted, and steps were taken to regeneration of the revolutionary A high point of the plenum implement them. Second World War, the class the 20 years of struggle of Amer­ It will be printed in a coming socialist movement. was the report by George Clarke, The National Committee also struggle and the struggle to build ican Trotskyism. issue of the magazine, Fourth Special tribute was paid to SWP National Campaign Man­ received a financial report and American Trotskyism,” described The master of ceremonies, W il­ International and the discussion Comrade Cannon, who launched ager, on the lessons to be drawn the bitter battle the early Trot­ liam F. Warde, reminded the w ill be continued. took steps to insure the collec­ the fight against degenerate from the party’s highly success­ tion of sufficient funds to carry skyists had to wage in physical gathering that this was the Stalinism and has been the out­ ful entrance onto the national out the decisions made at the defense of their right to speak celebration of a series of an­ THE PARTY’S TASKS standing leader of American political scene in the 1948 elec­ plenum. and circulate literature. niversaries, including the 100th Complementing this report was Trotskyism since its inception. He Grim faces reveal ordeal of miners who survived cave-in tions. It also voted to continue until George Clarke, National Cam­ Anniversary of the Communist the resolution on “ The Election climaxed the celebration with an of the Christmas mine near St. Meinrad, 111. Four men were killed. the next plenum the discussion paign Manager in the SWP’s first Manifesto of Marx and Engels, Results and the Tasks of the The campaign, he showed, was inspiring speech in which he a magnificent achievement fo r a by the party of the draft resolu­ presidential campaign, described and the fifth anniversary of the SWP,” the report on which was described the immeasurable com­ party as small as the SWP, bring­ tion on Negro work introduced interesting experiences of the war-time imprisonment of the 18 silent tribute to the memory of “ International,” everyone was made by M. Stein, Organization pensation the revolutionary so­ all the Trotskyist fighters the ing benefits in many ways — in at the last SWP convention in recent Dobbs-Carlson campaign, SWP leaders, in the Minneapolis urged to join a picket line at the Secretary. cialist movement gives the in­ increased morale; in the acquisi­ July, 1948. in which the SWP fo r the first l abor Case, for their opposition world over who have given their Dutch consulate here next Thurs­ The resolution traces the back­ dividual in the privilege and lives in the cause of socialist tion of ' new techniques and The first day of the plenum time won wide recognition “ as to imperialist war. day to demonstrate international ground of developments in the satisfaction of serving the cause emancipation. solidarity with the Indonesian methods of propaganda; in publi­ was followed by a spirited cele­ the banner bearer of the revolu­ The audience paused in their class straggle since the end of of human progress. Just before the singing of the freedom fighters. city that reached the biggest bration of the party’s 20th an­ tionary left of American politics.” celebration to pay a standing the war. Against this back­ “ True, we got a few wounds in audience the party has ever had niversary, held under the auspices Clarke was the youngest of the ground Stein described the poli­ the fight,” he said, “ but we and helped to establish it in the of the New York Local. When the founding members of American tical trends among the workers consider these decorations of minds of millions as the extreme plenum itself ended tonight, Trotskyism. di’ring the election campaign, merit.” He added pointedly, “ And left wing of American politics; many of the 'old-timers present Ted Selander and Jack Wilson WHO WILL PLAN UNDER US SOCIALISM and the influences which per­ on these decorations something is in experience and training of the were of the opinion that it had spoke as representatives of mili­ suaded them to back the Demo­ written, ‘Remember, your fight (Continued from page 1) world would follow the American A giant network of democrat­ party members in the many fields been one of the most fru itfu l tant groups which had fused with crats. He laid great stress on the isn’t finished yet.’ ” socialism, as it did — was Stalin workers unto the socialist road. ically constituted committees rep­ that are indispensable fo r the sessions of the National Com­ the Trotskyists in the Thirties. able to take power and betray the The great mass of the workers, resenting every field of produc­ consciousness of their political Rose Karsner, first woman growth of the revolutionary party. mittee in the history of the move­ Selander, Ohio SWP organizer, entire world working class? supported by the farmers and all tion and distribution w ill be power felt by the workers as the member of the official Trotskyist Clarke’s report placed equal ment. movement founded in New York, told of the way in which the SWP Russia, in 1917, was an indus­ the little poeple, would be drawn d ra w into the preparation and result of their impact on the described with pride how she was integrated the worker-members trially backward country, with into the struggle for socialism. execution of economic plans under election results. the first person in America to of the old American Workers only a small percentage of indus­ Once in motion, they would re­ the guidance of the workers and In addition, he analyzed the read the famous suppressed Party on the road 4o building the tria l workers. Before socialism lease the country's -tremendous Farmers Government. There will new position of the trade union productive capacity to quickly document, by Leo Trotsky to genuine revolutionary party. W il­ could be established there, it was be full freedom of criticism. In­ bureaucracy in its coalition with THE M ill TAARM Y eliminate economic scarcities. itiative w ill be encouraged every­ the 6th World Congress of the son, a m ilitant steel worker, who necessary fo r highly industrial­ the Democrats, showing how this ized countries like Germany and There would be no privileged where. The working people w ill Comintern, which Cannon had joined the Trotskyists from the had changed from their role in the United States to take the layers of society on which an decide all questions and build Philadelphia Got to notices of rising rates in 1949, smuggled out of the Soviet Union left-wing of the. Socialist Party the pre-war New Deal coalition. 45 renewals and new subs were and which laid the programmatic in 1937, told of how “ it was like socialist road and come to the aid American Stalin might base him­ their own life. self. The United States, and the Differing opinions over policies And then he carefully delineated 79 Subs in December mailed direct to this office last basis fo r the American party. walking from a smoky, dusty of the Russian workers. Instead, whole world with it, would start and methods in building the the elements of conflict that are Philadelphia continues tq lead week. These included 14 subs for Arne Swabeck, beloved veteran room into the fresh air.” the ruling capitalists in Europe and America were able to organ­ the uninterrupted march to social­ socialist society w ill no doubt at work in the present coalition off this column by turning in 34 Fourth International for a year of more than 40 years of socialist Two SWP leaders who had been ize m ilitary expeditions against ism. lead to great debates. Political between them and the Democratic more subs this week, 22 of them or more. Three were for two- in Europe and Asia in the late Struggle, who found’ed the T rot­ the Soviet Union. We come now to your question, parties will crystalize in support Party. fo r a fu ll year and eight combi­ year renewals. The new subs The Russian workers defeated “ W ill the economic planning be of various points of view and Stein pointed out that the world nations including Fourth Inter­ were mostly sent in by old sub­ their enemies, but they emerged by me or will it be for me?” Will contend for government office. contradictions of capitalism set national, monthly theoretical scribers for their friends. SUBSCRIBE TODAY from battle hungry and tired, cut it ignore or Underestimate the There w ill be genuine freedom of specific lim its to the reformism magazine of American Trotsky­ * * * off from the rest of the world. human element? elections with universal suffrage of the new administration and ism. Boston has kept up a steady Then Lenin died. Socialism w ill give fu ll freedom in these contests and free access pave the way for its discredit- This was partially the result flow of renewals, five or six a Stalin exploited these condi­ to the creative capacity of the to all mediums of expression now ment. The inability of the ad­ of the branch’s last 1948 mobiliza­ week in the recent period, mostly T H E MILITANT tions to defame and exile Trotsky entire population. For the first controlled by the monopolists. ministration to fu lfill the promises tion to visit readers whose subs the work of Bebe Patch in calling so he could impose his fatal time in history, the central in­ The youth w ill be guaranteed a 116 UNIVERSITY PLACE NEW YORK 3, N. Y. it made the masses w ill surely had expired or will expire soon. back fo r renewals. theory of “ socialism in one coun­ struments of production will be complete education in their chosen lead to new political explosions, This was their last opportunity * * * try.” Next the Stalinist ruling controlled’ by the majority. De­ calling. They will receive every Stein predicted. to renew at 1948 rates. Newark held a mobilization $2 $1 mocracy w ill come into fu ll bloom. □ □ clique utilized scarcities of goods opportunity to criticize, make Even before Truman’s in­ Ten renewals were obtained which obtained 18 subs last week. to foster development of privi­ Contruction of the socialist mistakes and grow up free from One Year Six Months auguration, the demand fo r a from readers whose- first in­ Eleven from New Ydrk and eight leged layers in Soviet society, as order will begin under the leader­ regimentation or restraint. Congress of Labor is winning new troduction to The M ilitant was from Detroit we re the next a means of support for their ship of the Workers and Farmers Neither an arbitrary plan nor support in the labor movement, highest returns of the short □ $4oneyeor of The Militant police rule. Under Stalin, instead Government. That government a shadow of compulsion w ill be the 25c. special election sub. Five proving that the workers did not Christmas week. Many of the and 12 monthly issues of of advancing toward socialism, will be composed of democratical­ imposed in personal relations or new subs were also obtained. The the Soviet Union has degenerated. ly elected representatives from in science or art. The degree to give Truman a blank check and rest were renewals-by rea-d’ers of recent subs obtained by branches Fourth International all segments of the working pop­ which creativeness is individual that the prospects are good for longer standing. have not yet been received here. BASIC DIFFERENCES ulation — industrial workers, or collective w ill be decided en­ successful combat against class- The 34 Philadelphia subs However, all mailed before the N am e ...... Unlike Russia of 1917, the white collar workers, sharecrop­ tirely by the creators. oollaborationist politics. Stein brought in $43 at a time when year-end w ill be entered at 1948 United States is the most ad­ pers, working farmers, house­ Socialism w ill free all mankind called fo r special attention to it was particularly welcome here. rates. * * * Address...... vanced industrial nation in the wives, professional people, negro­ from the beast-like search for the Negro movement, the Wallace Philadelphia already has a record A dozen renewals and new subs world, with the most powerful es, students, rank and file soldiers food, from the madman's dream voters and the awakening student of 79 subs fo r December, after came in at 1949 rates, which we working class. Instead of foreign and sailors. Unions w ill be pre­ of profits and empire. Oppressed movement as fertile sources for 49 in ’November. appreciate. The old rates don’t City ...... powers launching m ilitary as­ served as a means fo r the workers humanity w ill be released from recruitment to the SWP. * £ - * quite half pay the costs of saults on a socialist America, as to defend themselves, by strike the shackles of superstition and The discussion of this report Not even Philadelphia equals publication. That is why we: were S ta te ...... Zone...... they did, against the Soviet Union, action if necessary, against any prejudice. Civilization will rise to drtdt mainly with the new prob­ The M ilitant’s business office in forced to raise sub prices begin­ the wqrking people of the entire injurious government policy. undreamed of heights. lems and trends in the unions and recent sub-getting. In response" ning this year. " Morality” in Indonesia War Where Philip Murray Stands in Struggle Against Dutch Imperialism By Joseph Hansen & )in developing free, democratic' “ In the capitalist states the most monstrous forms of bureau­ In his Dec. 23 letter to Secre­ Dutch Invaders Overrun Indonesia governments.” cratism are to be observed precisely in the trade unions. . . It is tary of State Marshall, CIO To conform with this moral thanks to this that the whole structure of capitalism now standard, what actions are re­ President Philip M urray de­ stands upright, above all in Europe and especially in England. quired of Murray? As head of If there were not a bureaucracy of the trade unions, then the clares that the attack of the the CIO, shouldn’t he do some­ police, the army, the courts, the lords, the monarchy would Netherlands government on the thing like the following: Call on appear before the proletarian masses as nothing but pitiful Indonesian people “ conforms th.e maritime workers to halt ahd ridiculous playthings. The bureaucracy of the trade unions neither to the morality of our shipments of war supplies to the is the backbone of British imperialism.” civilization nor to the practical Dutch. Call fo r demonstrations' political needs of the people of and picket lines to put the spot­ —Leon Trotsky, “ Communism and Syndicalism,” 1929. Western Europe and the United light on the sinister role' of the States.” TROTSKY Truman Administration in sup­ LENIN The Dutch imperialists take a plying the ' Dutch despots with, different view. They believe that arms, ammunition and dollars to practical political needs demanded carry on their war of conquest. their Nazi-style blitzkrieg attack Mobilize labor’s mighty power The UN and Indonesia against Indonesia; and they con­ against the Dutch imperialists sider their action morally justi­ and their American backers The Dutch armed forces are proceeding The proposal was first advanced by the fied, as can be seen from the through boycott and other means. following: with “mopping up operations” in Indonesia United States delegation in hope of creating Organize effective, direct aid for On Dec. 24, Dutch Commander- the Indonesian Republic. the way Hitler’s armed forces once mopped the impression that Truman Was doing some­ In-Chief Spoor urged his troops Philip Murray took no action up in the Netherlands after the initial sur­ thing against the Dutch while really continu­ to “ live up to the Christmas like that. It. cannot be argued in prise attack. Meanwhile the big powers ing to supply them with armaments and spirit” so that “Christmas may his behalf that he was too stupid In violation of truce agreement, Dutch troops in Nazi-style blitzkrieg were landed by air dominating the United Nations are putting Marshall Plan aid. The Soviet, Ukraine. be a symbol from which you may to think up such obvious-measures. draw strength to carry out your (1) and sea (2) on the islands of the Indonesian Republic, which had declared its independence on a show of disapproval of the Dutch action French and Belgian delegates abstained, after the war. Indonesian spokesmen have appea led to the United States to cut o ff M-arshall Plan It so happens that the Socialist orders with the beautiful ob­ Workers Party wired Philip Mur­ while at the same time doing everything thereby killing the measure. jective — to bring peace to In­ aid to Holland. The Dutch imperialists could not c arry on their war without this m ilitary and ray, as it did John L. Lewis and possible to help the drive to crush the In­ donesia.” financial aid. The Socialist Workers Party hfts backed tjie Indonesian plea and called on Murray, The Soviet delegation thereupon repeated W illiam Green, proposing this donesian Republic. And on Dec. 25, in her Christ­ Green and Lewis to mobilize the American labor movement to help the Indonesian Republic in its the proposal. This time the United States desperate struggle for freedom. m ilitant course of actidh. The So far, the United Nations has issued only joined in killing it. mas Day broadcast, Queen Juliana Socialist Workers Party follows three orders: (1) for both sides to “cease declared that the Dutch armies Bolshevik morality,, practising While the big powers tossed the hot potato pathize with the Dutch capital­ From this point of view, con­ this delusion despite an occasional were merely carrying out the nhat it preaches about fighting fire”; (2) for the immediate release of all ists and share their views on sequently, Philip Murray is inner twinge! of responsibility for UN inaction back and promise during Wbrld War II in the cause Of the oppressed political prisoners: (3) for the UN observers morality. The British are waging wrong and the Dutch despots are This is true not 'only of the forth, the Dutch armed forces continued their “ of assuring the Four Freedoms ajid making its deeds conform to in Indonesia “to observe and report” on com­ similar action on their ownaccount right in the dispute over whether capitalists but of their agents in blitzkrieg on Indonesia. to Indonesia." the views it proclaims. pliance with these orders and to telegraph Are these declarations pure in Malaya; and the French in or not a ruthless colonial war the labor movement, as can be The UN farce was all the more shameful in M urray did something quite an account of "the events which have hypocrisy? No, not entirely. The Indo-China. The Belgian capital­ conforms to the morality of Seen in the case of Philip Murray. view of the perfectly apparent fact that the Dutch imperialists must be credit­ ists are notorious for their capitalist civilization. However, He no doubt is convinced that he the contrary. He lauded the State transpired in Indonesia since Dec. 12, 1948.” Department on its cheap, face­ Netherlands government would not have paid ed with a certain amount of colonial brutality. And Wall it must be at once added that is a paragon of virtue. Yet if Eventually the Dutch hope to get around fervor. They probably feel the Street, besides its own criminal Murray is not completely o ff his actions be compared with his saving gesture of stopping some the slightest attention to a UN order to with­ S14 million in future Marshall to "obeying” the orders. They will permit the same kind of moral glow that record in Puerto Rico, the Philip­ base in his statement. There' is a professed beliefs, some unpleasant draw. The dispute was not at all over whether Plan orders earmarked fo r the UN observers to travel around when the main the Southern Bourbons feel in pines and Latin America, backs grain of truth in what he says. discrepancies emerge. the Dutch should actually be forced to with­ Dutch East Indies while con­ butchery is over. They will "cease fire”-when instigating lynch murder. all the other colonial rulers with Tile actions of the capitalists do The ! contrast between his draw their troops, but solely whether the UN guns and dollars. not conform' to the m orality they tinuing Marshall Plan aid to the last Indonesian freedom fighter is six The Dutch capitalists are not declamations on democracy and as an organization allegedly favoring world The truth is that capitalist profess. his actions in building a dicta­ Holland. feet under ground. They will release the bulk suffering from a temporary peace should or should not go on record in aberration, a passing lapse from morality is the very opposite of They hate to admit their real torial bureaucracy in the CIO is Murray thus served the prac­ of the political prisoners after Dutch military what most working people con­ moral views. First of all, they the most glaring instance but not tical political needs of the Tru­ favor of withdrawal. the “morality of our civilization” rule is entrenched. which they will rectify as soon sider upright. In the moral world must pay lip service to the the only one. man Administration by doing his Actually with these inconsequential The war on Indonesia has therefore served as a sterling moralist like Philip of the capitalist class a war of morality which the working peo­ In his letter to Marshal), Mur­ part to cover up White House guilt for what is happening in "orders” the UN did nothing but give the to once more underline the fact we have Murray calls it to their atten­ conquest is a crusade for “ peace.” ple observe in their daily lives; ray proclaims the lofty moral Mass murder is “pacification.” otherwise they could not long view that “ The CIO has always Indonesia. Like the Dutch im ­ green light to the Dutch imperialists. This insisted upon since the United Nations was tion. Their actions accord with capitalist morality. Plunder and rape and the smash­ remain in power. Secondly, al­ felt that the peoples of the perialists, Philip Murray pro­ becomes even clearer when you consider what set up: That this thieves’ den does not serve ing of an independence move­ though the capitalists actually live colonial countries should be given fesses a morality that does not happened to the proposal to order the Dutch the interests of world peace but only the MORAL PRACTICES ment is “ police action.” Broken by cold calculation and a merci­ the greatest possible assistance conform with his actions. to withdraw their troops to previous truce sordid economic and political interests of This is confirmed by the fact promises, violated truces, the less drive for profits, they in­ lines. the Western imperialist powers. that the British, French, Belgian lies, deceit and treachery lead­ dulge in rationalization to salve and American capitalists are aid­ ing up to a Pearl Harbor attack their conscience. Many of them ing the Dutch' in their war of are viewed by the capitalists as find the feeling of guilt result­ imperialist conquest instead of justifiable means “ to save lives.” ing from their actions painful to Workers Forum Ferrestal Asks for More Power calling them to account for their Everything is turned upside bear. So they picture themselves crimes against humanity. down in their m orality—that is, as guardians of morality, in many Proposes United Senator as a preliminary to Last week The M ilitant called attention to dictatorship has required Congressional ap­ They do this because they sym- their real morality. cases actually cbming to believe possible challenging the election Action Against of Republican Homer Ferguson.” the Dec. 16 report of the influential Eberstadt proval in each case. Forrestal wants Congress Fitzgerald, Democratic National Committee outlining how the ruling clique to abdicate this power. Forrestal wants to Election Fraud Committeeman, said, “ Oakland intends to militarize America. The report by-pass leigslative discussion and approval, Editor: county reported quite a few holds that war is the "normal” condition of leaving the amount of aid, the kind of aid DUBINSKY STABS WORKERS IN BACK errors there and Jackson county A fter reading the report by national life. and its destination to the discretion of the says the tabulations were wrong Emmett Moore of F lint, regard­ there.” He added that “the word White House. This thesis, we said, reflects "the monstrous WITH ‘SUBSTITUTE’ ANTI-LABOR BILL ing errors in the counting of from Shiawassee county is that growth of militarism in the United States. '['his ominous proposal, if enacted, would votes in his city, I feel that I have more votes were reported than A specific grouping is developing in power greatly increase the dictatorial powers of the (Continued from page 1) W ith these proposals, Dubin­ the most reliable agents of U. S. to put in my two-cents worth. the registration lists allowed.” Reports of vote stealing in this and influence, the military caste. Its thinking military clique. They could, for example, put September 1, 1949! sky has now assumed the dubious imperialism inside the unions. • In Lansing, Democratic chal- recent election have made me on national affairs starts from the premise General Franco, of fascist Spain or any other It is with this type of procedure honor of spearheading the drive Dubinsky’s move to split and . , lengers reported numerous irregur of the AFL moguls for revision betray the fight for unconditional fighting mad and I would like to ,arities. «0ne of the more serious of the certainty of war. Presumably written ultra-reactionary regime on their list without that Dubinsky wants to shackle all the unions. of the Wagner Act along anti­ repeal of the Taft-Hatley Act pass on just a few of those jrreffulai.ities reported . . . was under civilian auspices, the Eberstadt report having to consult Congress or explain to Dubinsky also wants to give the labor and anti - industrial union comes as a direct repudiation of reports that have put me in this | an instance at one precinct in frame of mind. affirms this Prussian-minded view.” the public. government power to settle lines. Dubinsky has spelled out the workers’ demands, expressed Lansing where a machine was On Dec. 29, one of the chief spokesmen of Bad as this would be, there is a still worse “jurisdictional” disputes through the text of the law implied, but in their overwhelming vote to There have really been some reported out of order. The Chair­ the military caste, James Forrestal, reported gimmick. The trigger-happy brass hats could a board nominated by the Depart­ i:ot specified, in the AFL con­ oust the Taft-Hartley Congress­ fireworks in Michigan over the man of the precinct election board vention resolution adopted in men and Senators. The workers vote count. And the point to tested the machine, pulling down on a year’s operation of the National M ilitary plunge America into war whenever they ment of Labor. This board could November. want 'full and unqualified smash­ remember is that it has been be­ the lever over the Republican Establishment. His report picks up Where the pleased without the inconvenience of asking rule out of existence a m ilitant union in favor of a conservative ing of the Taft-Hartley Act. And tween the Democrats and Repu­ presidential candidate’s name at Congress. Under Forrestal’s proposed legisla­ HELPS REACTION Eberstadt report left off. union or even a disguised com­ their further slogan is: “Accept blicans. So if they are busy least 11 times and each time Forrestal includes a legislative program tion, the White House could send military pany union. He likewise favors The effect of Dubinsky’s traitor­ No Substitutes!” cutting each other’s throats at recorded it on the machine.” which the military caste will try to push missions abroad anywhere and any time on a ban on so-called “ unjustifiable” ous proposals w ill be to intensify Labor has just demonstrated the ballot box, what must they be (There are many other charges the efforts of the Truman ad­ its power. I t does not have to go doing to the minor parties? Any­ that I won’t go into.) through the coming session of Congress. First its own initiative. Where is the dividing line secondary boycotts — a perfect ministration and the Democratic begging hat in hand. Mobilized way, here are just a few samples The Detroit Free Press report­ on the list is a demand to give the White between a military "mission” and an Ex­ legal weapon to force unions to handle goods made by scabs dur­ and Republican labor-haters in in united action, placing no of what went on in Michigan: ed of one precinct that “(Pro­ House and the top brass a blank check in peditionary Force? ing a strike of a sister union. Congress to retain as much of reliance on Truman or any other “ George D. Stevens, F lint gressive, Socialist and Prohibition providing "military assistance” to any This militaristic legislative program de­ Such a provision in the Taft- the Taft-Hartley Act restrictions capitalist politician, using its own Democrat, declared officially to Party votes were lumped with the country. manded by the brass hats must be aggressively Hartley Act has- blocked efforts as possible in any “ substitute” independent organized strength, have lost his bid fo r the sixth Republican, vote. The counters labor can compel Congress to said, ‘There were so few of these Up to now military assistance such as that opposed by the labor movement. Stop the of the ILGWU itself to organize law. Having already yielded so congressional seat, announced F ri­ much in advance, the “ labor grant its demands on Taft- day he would petition Congress votes, it would not make any growth of Prussianism in America! scab clothing contractors. given the Greek Royalist regime or the Chiang statesmen” w ill now be called on Hartley repeal, housing, civil for a recount within 30 days.” difference’.” If this is going to YELLOW-DOG OATH to agree to further “ reasonable rights and all other progressive Stevens’ attorney, Stanley E. be the attitude of election boards, The “Dubinsky - Taft - Hartley compromises” when repeal of the measures. Beattie of Detroit, “ contended I say that we should take steps The Stalinists and the Smith Act B ill” would go even beyond the Taft-Hartley Act is actually What is needed is a National that there were disturbing errors to do something about it. We ai-e present law in requiring non­ under debate in Congress. United Congress of Labor, such in the count.” on common grounds with all other communist affidavits and financial The treachery of Dubinsky and as the AFL International Typo­ And on Nov. 8: “ Democratic minor parties so why don’t we Elsewhere in this issue The M ilitant has file CP members should press for a change in statements. It would require a others of his stripe is all the more graphical Union proposed and the party leaders in five counties get together and try to eliminate printed the sensational evidence, drawn from this policy. In self-defense they should yellow-dog oath not only from vile because he and the other National Maritime Union and were searching today fo r evidence this practice? the Louis Weinstock correspondence on the demand that the Communist Party openly all elected officers of a union, Trumanite labor leaders called on many local union; bodies have of reported irregularities in K. N> endorsed. This Congress of Labor Lansing, Mich. Minneapolis case, of some of the Communist proclaim its support of Kutcher’s civil rights, but from all paid functionaries of the workers to vote for Truman tabulating the vote for U. S. should be convened in Washing­ Party’s consistent violations of the principle despite the deep and unbridgeable political ♦he union. To make this restric­ with the assurance that “ In­ tion on labor more “ equitable,” junction Harry” would work for ton, with rank and file representa­ of labor solidarity during the war. differences that separate the CP from the Dubinsky wants it extended to all unconditional repeal of the Taft- tion of all unions, to confront the SWP. In behalf of their own rights they 81st Congress with labor’s Visit your local headquarters of the Today the Stalinists have changed the kind employers — a pretty tough Hartley Act if elected. Since the should insist that the CP leaders accept the restraint on the capitalists, to elections, Truman has made clear, demands and labor’s mighty of slander they direct against the Trotskyists power on the day the new session offer of the SWP for a united front struggle make them swear they’re not he intends to advocate his own — they now do not denounce us for hamper­ opens. SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY against the Smith Act and the growing witch­ “ communists” ! anti-labor bill, including some of ing "national unity,” as Weinstock did in AKRON — 4 So. Howard St.. 2nd fl. tant Labor Club. 165 Main St. (next to hunt against political dissidents. Another Taft - Hartley clause the most vicious features of the every afternoon 1 to 4 p. ra. Meetings Strand Theatre). 1944— but they have not in any way changed that Dubinsky wants incorporated present law. Sunday 2 p. m. N E W H A V E N — L a b o r School, 858 As for non-Stalinist workers, they must BALTIMORE—1121 B. 'Baltimore Bt. Grand Ave., 3rd fl., Tue». 8-10:30 p. m. their line with respect to labor solidarity. into his “substitute” bill would These union leaders a*; not 3rd floor, front. Phone WOlfe 9321M. not permit themselves to be so revolted by NEWARK—423 Springfield Are. Phone continue to permit emplbyers to: Now On Sale Open dally 5-9 p.m. MILITANT and Bigelow 3-2574. Reading room. Opes They still refuse stubbornly to lift a finger only trying to cover up for Tru­ FOURTH INTERNATIONAL on aalo. the criminal policies of the Stalinist leaders petition for collective bargaining man’s dishonest repudiation of his d a ily, 12-4 and 7-10 p.m. on behalf of the civil liberties of their poli­ m INTERNATIONAL BOSTON—Worker* Educational Center, N E W Y O R K C IT Y (H q .)—116 U n lre rg * that they become indifferent to the outcome elections where “ a bona fide promise of unqualified repeal of 30 S tu a rt St., open M qh. 5:30-9:00 p. m.. Ity P I. Phone GR. 5-8149. tical opponents in the working class. Wed. 7-10 p. in. of the government’s attack on the C P’s civil question” exists as to which of the Slave Labor Law. They ac­ CONTENTS FOR EAST SIDE—251 B. Houston Bt. The most recent example is their silence on BUFFALO—Militant Forum, 829 Main 1st fl. liberties. The outlawing of the CP and the two or more unions is entitled tually like certain features of the JANUARY St., 2nd fl. Phone MAdison 3960. Every H A R L E M — 103 W . 110 S t., R m . 28 the case of James Kutcher, the legless veteran to represent the workers. This has Taft-Hartley Act! They find the afternoon except Sun. Phone MO. 2-1866. Open discussion. arrest of its leaders by the government CHICAGO—777 W. Adam* (corner Hal­ Thurs., 8 p. m. fired from his government job because of his already been widely used by em­ yellow-dog oath procedure a Economic Balance Sreet of B R O N X —1034 Prospect Ave., le t f l. presents a threat to A L L workers, because te d ) . Phone D E A rb o rn 4767. D a lly except ployers as a. pretext fo r refusing Sun., 11 a. m.-5 p. m. Library, book­ Phone L U . 9-0101. weapon in their raids on non­ 1948 . . By John G. Wright BROOKLYN—635 Fulton St. Phone membership in the Socialist Workers Party, store. the precedent thus established will in turn to negotiate with long-established complying unions. They welcome ST. 3-7433. as a result of the “subversive” blacklist The Marshall Plan and be directed against all other working class unions, particularly when they go the red-tape of “ cooling o ff” and C L E V E L A N D — Pecks H a ll, 1440 E . CHELSEA—130 W. 23rd St. Phone which is also being used again the Stalinists European Recovery B2nd St. (off Wade Pk. Ave.) Monthly OH. 2-9434. groups. on strike, and for bringing in “ fact-finding” as a means of Public Forum, let Sun., 8 P. M. OAKLAND (Cal.)—Write P. O. Box themselves. It is reported that many CP rival and company unions. By Louis T. Gordon 1351, O akland 4. It is necessary in this connection to over­ curbing the militancy of their D E T R O IT — 6108 Llnw ood Ave. Phone rank and file members have expressed doubt The ILGW U president an- j members, The Position of the American TY 7-6267. M on. th ro u gh S at., 12-5 p. m. PHn.ADEI.PHIA — 1303-05 W . G ira rd come the many prejudices and the great FLINT—Socialist Workers Party Hallj A ve., 2nd fl. Phone Stevenson 4-5820. or opposition over this policy, but the leaders' nounced that his executive board ! Working Class — 215 E. N in th S treet. Phone: 2-2496. Open dally. Forum, Frl., 8 p. m. miseducation on labor solidarity that have had even voted to “ thank” the j FOR W ALL STREET WAR Open House Saturday evenings. PITTSBURGH—1418 F ifth Ave., 2nd .flv« refuse to alter it in any way. 100 Years After the Com­ Tues.. Wed,, Frl., 7 to 9 p. m.. foruma. been spread by the Stalinists for many years. SOth Congress fo r one provision Dubinsky has a special aim in LOS ANGELES—M ilitant Publ. Assn., munist Manifesto Room 201, 124 W . 6th St. Phone V A ndyke Sun., 4 p. m. Members of tRfe Communist Party can see Support of the Stalinists’ civil rights does not of the Taft-Hartley Act—the ban | mind, moreover. He is seeking 8061. S A N FR A N C IS C O — 1739 F illm o re A re ., on the use of union funds for to establish himself as the most By C. Curtis SAN PED RO —M ilita n t, 1008 8. P a c ific 4th fl. Phone FI. 6-0410. Dally except for themselves that the Stalinist refusal to in the least signify support for their anti­ Sun., 12-4:30 p. m. political campaign purposes. Be­ "reasonable labor statesman” in Room 214. support the Kutcher movement’s fight against labor policies. Support of their civil rights A Suppressed Chapter in the WATTS—Militant, 1720 E. 97th Bt. SEATTLE—Maynard Bldg., 1st Are., cause of this ban on labor’s poli­ the eyes of the U. S. State De­ South & W ashington. Phone M a in 927$. the blacklist serves, like the Stalinist sabotage is necessary if our own civil rights are to be History of American Capital­ LYNN, (Maas.)—M ilitant Pub’l Aaa’n. Mon. through Sat., 12-5 p. m. Branch tical rights, Dubinsky explained, partment, ever ready to sacrifice 44 Centrel Ave., office open Tues., Wed. meeting. Frl., 8 p. m. Library, bookstore. of the Minneapolis fight against the Smith ism ___By Wm. P. Warde 7:30-9:30 p. m. preserved. That is why The Militant vigor­ the ILGW U bureaucrats had the labor’s interests for the sake of MILWAUKEE—SWP State Campaign ST. EOtllS—1023 N. Grand Blvd., Rm. Act, to undermine the very principle of labor pretext for keeping their huge Wall Street’s war preparations Stalinism and Communism H eadquarters. 608 S. 5th St. San. through 312. M ilita n t F orum s. T h u rs.. 7-30-10 p.m. ously urges on all workers the necessity to Frl., 7:30-9:30 p. m. Phone BRoadway ST. I’AUI.—M0 Cedar St. Phone Oar* treasury intact While squeezing against. the. Soviet Union. He is fie ld 1137. Open d a lly . Bookstore. solidarity which they are compelled to invoke stop the persecution of the Communist Party, in Albania 2-9845. an additional $275,000 for Tru­ one of the ambitious Social TOLEDO — Monthly open meeting, in the fight against their own persecution whose false and reactionary policies we were MINNEAPOLIS—10 So. 4th St. Phone man’s campaign out of "volun­ Democratic-type liberals in the Report on the 4th Int’l, Since M ain 7781. D a lly except Sun., 10 a. m .- second Saturday, 8 p. m., Kappa Hall, under the. Smith Act. 6 p. m. Library, bookstore; 413 S um m it, Bim. 5. the first to expose and warn against 20 years tary contributions” from the labor movement who are playing the Outbreak of Wat, 1939-48 YO U N G STO W N — 234 E . F ederal a t.. In self-interest, if nothing else, the tank and ago. NEW BRITAIN, (Conn.)—M ilitant Dis­ Phone 3-1335. Wed., Frl., Sat., 1:80 to membership. for government recognition as cussion Group every Frl. 7:30 p.m. M ili­ i p . o . "Children Not Wanted" the MILITANT By Art Preis “ I never realized how unpopular children are — Why do landlords discriminate against chilren? VOLUME XIII MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1949 NUMBER 1 how discriminated against, even how hated — until The most common excuse is that “ Children are I went across America in search of apartments destructive. However, that is not the real reason.” to rent,” Howard Whitman declares in the January “ When stripped of masquerade,” says Whitman, Woman’s Home Companion. “ My mind still echoes “ the basis of child discrimination is largely a with ‘No Children,’ ‘Adults only,’ ‘No dogs or greedy axiom: “ Get the most money fo r the least children.’ Discrimination against children would be occupancy.’ ” bad enough any time. I t ’s fantastic in the worst “ What can we do about it? ” asks the author. Weinstock Letters Show CP housing shortage in American history.” He proposes “ educating” the landlords. “ A small From coast to coast Whitman found apartment landlord can be painfully ignorant,” Whitman house doors barred to children. “ In Chicago, after says. “ He hasn’t been ecfticated to the basic tenet dismal plodding, I was offered only two places of the free enterprise system: a profit motive to live — provided I boarded out the children. In conditioned by the public good.” Sabotaged Fight on Smith Act a small Missouri town a professor’s wife denied This is a hopeless proposal. Capitalism has me even a trailer which she had advertised fo r existed fo r hundreds of years, yet the capitalist By George Breitman 1 Qists was not at all an isolated ‘adults only.’ ” class has not yet learned to “ condition” the profit phenomenon. A ll the other Stalin­ motive “ by the public good.” Capitalism puts “ Out of 43 ads in a Cincinnati paper, 22 openly On the eve of the trial of 12 Communist Party leaders under ISo Justice H ere ists in leading union positions did profits first. I t always has and always w ill. barred children. In a Pittsburg paper 17 out of the same, and issue after issue Only under socialism w ill the welfare of the the Smith Act, The M ilitan t has come into possession of a file 26. In Columbus, Ohio, the total reached 87% — ef the Daily Worker read like 'a fam ily be placed firs t and children welcomed as of correspondence that clearly proves: I. That the indictment 13 out of 15!” summons to the workers to lynch In New York, the world’s largest city, conditions our most preicous asset. Under socialism, Amer­ of the Stalinists under this reactionary law is due in great part ica fo r the firs t time w ill be able to fu lly solve the Trotskyists and other of are no better. “ The New York City Housing to their sabotage of the laborr tneir political opponents who did Authority maintains a Vacancy Lasting Bureau. its housing problem and provide every family movement’s fight against this anything that might in any way In its sparse files 88% of the listings contain with the ideal living conditions that children of the Council delegates who interfere with “national unity.” a ban against children. Many of those which admit require. law during the war. 2. And that “ were almost ready to give these A step in that direction can be taken right now people a helping hand” and urges children are either priced sky-high or fa r removed the Stalinists, who now arc ad­ UNDERMINED SOLIDARITY from working centers.” by mobilizing public pressure on Congress fo r a vocating labor solidarity against Tobin to send him “ a brief his­ Thus the campaign to mobilize Whitman discovered that this universal dis­ federal housing program to relieve the present the coming tria l, themselves were tory of the case” that could be crimination against children embitters parents. impossible conditions. I f the money now spent the grossest violators of this used to prevent aid to the CRDC. ' the labor movement to smash “ I was aghast at the number of couples who have in armaments were turned into the construction fundamental principle, materially The second letter was to Sidney the Smith Act was undermined apparently been convinced' that somehow it is of homes it would not take long to break the back contributing by their example to Hillman, chairman of the CIO in part by the Stalinists in col­ a crime to have children these days. One father of the housing shortage. the workers’ present lack of Political Action Committee, laboration with reactionary unioR walked into the Los Angeles Housing Authority With plenty of vacant apartments for rent, response to the appeals fo r united falsely charging the CRDC with bureaucrats like Tobin and De­ and said, ‘Every time I find a vacancy I know landlords would begin to think twice before put­ orotest against the government’s using the name of the PAC and partment of Justice officials like there is no use because I have two little children ting up their cruel sign, “ Dogs and children not persecution of the CP. asking for a prompt reply that Biddle and Clark. Although the I shouldn’t have had.’ ” wanted.” CRDC won the support of organ­ This file of correspondence con­ would accuse the CRDC of mis­ representing facts. izations representing millions of sists of letters from and to Louis “ I know that this is not the people, it was unsuccessful in its Weinstock in the months of May challenge to this gag law, and it and June, 1944. They were written case,” wrote Weinstock, “but a Not So Few, But So Many lot of other people are misled by remained on the books where the by him in his capacity as Department of Justice last year secretary-treasurer of New York this subterfuge. We know that By Paul Abbott the Political Action Committee picked it up again, this time for District Council 9 of the AFL use against the Stalinists. Brotherhood of Painters. A t the ot the CIO is doing everything I t has come to be an axiom that the revolution­ all countries, it is the rare party that has lasted for the rc-election of President I t used to be a recognized as much as ten years and the rare individuals same time Weinstock was a mem­ ary socialist movement is a devourer of men. ber of the National Board of the Roosevelt. We also know that principle in the labor movement Yet as I looked around at the comrades during who has survived even as long. Communist Party, which means these eighteen (18) Trotskyites tiiat all sections must unite in last Sunday’s banquet celebrating 20 years of I t cannot be said that American Trotskyism convicted in Minneapolis were defense of any individual or sec­ American Trotskyism, I was struck by the thought has had an easy time of it or offered material that he was carrying out the Stalinist line. everything but supporters of our tion within its ranks that was not of how many had fallen by the wayside, but rewards to its members and leaders. No advan­ President. . . .” subjected to reactionary attack herw many have stood firm over the years. tages of good living or public acclaim have held A t the beginning of 1944, the Army court martial procedure w ill continue under the It is true that the Trotskyists by the employers or government. Of the leaders of the party, most of them the veteran Trotskyists to their posts fo r so long. IS leaders of the Socialist Work­ dictatorial sway of commanding officers, since the new “ reform” had serious political differences law which goes into effect in February makes no basic changes. The Stalinists, by their behavior have to their credit 15 to 20 years of continuous On the contrary, they have all led lives of poverty ers Party and Minneapolis in the Minneapolis case as in and physical hardship. They have undergone with those elements in the labor Above is scene of a court martial in session. service to the American revolutionary movement Teamsters Union Local 544-CIO many others, did more than any ceaseless abuse and victimization from a host of movement, who were supporting of our times, and none has less than a fu ll were imprisoned because they ex­ other group to disrupt and destroy decade. And among the ranks, I saw scores and powerful political enemies. ercised free speech in opposing Roosevelt. But Wcinstock’s point Equally ironical is the fact that ist m ajority in the District was that since, such differences the. practice of labor solidarity. scores at the banquet — and it was largely a New Ana' rich American capitalism has tremendous the 2nd world war and fought for Weinstock himself would now be Council voted down the motion existed, the pro-Roosevelt union­ By withholding support from York City a ffa ir — who have staunchly fought resources for the corruption of revolutionary democracy inside the union move­ among the 12 CP National Board tc support the 18. Weinstock on victims of reactionary persecu­ the good fig h t fo r as many years. How remarka­ leaders, either to buy them o ff entirely or soften ment. The indictment against ists should not give any support members under indictment ex­ June 12 then issued a press state­ tion merely because they had ble, I thought, that we have not just a few them. No one can say that of the American them was based on the Smith to the Trotskyists in their cept for the fact that in 1946 the ment denouncing the Trotskyists political differences with these veterans, but so many. Trotskyists, who are recognized by their bitterest “Gag” Act—the first time this resistance to persecution. It is painters revolted against Stalin­ as “ fascist minded disrupters enemies as incorruptibles, who never yield an victims, the Stalinists helped to Sitting at the speakers’ table were James P. witch-hunt legislation was used. precisely this approach which ist domination and kicked him out . . . who are trying to break up inch on principles. create a new approach to the Cannon, Arne Swabeck and Vincent R. Dunne, The U. S- Supreme Court three many labor leaders today use in of office, which led to his demo­ the unity that exists today in Only one thing has held so many so long problem and a precedent which men who already were veterans of the struggle times refused to review the case. opposing support to the Stalinist tion from the National Board. the American nation.” In sub­ fo r more than 20 years when they took up the unswerving to their revolutionary duty — a victims of the witch-hunt! the labor leaders are today em­ great and true, program, principles so powerful On June 2 Weinstock got his stantiation, he reprinted in full cudgels in 1928 to fig h t to rebuild the revolution­ THE CRDC CAMPAIGN There is no evidence in the file ploying with full force against and enduring that those who absorb them become answer from Tobin, who offered Anderson’s remarks on the con­ ary lpovement from the ground up after the The Minneapolis case was the to show that Hillman ever the Stalinists themselves. men and women of tougher moral fibre, armored "information" that he hoped stitutionality of the Smith Act. betrayals of Stalinism and the Second Inter­ most flagrant attack on American answered this letter. He knew national “ socialists.” And they are not merely against all adverse circumstance and inspired would be helpful to Weinstock, An examination of the press political liberties in World War that although the PAC had never (See Page 3 for editorial on honorary figures, but dynamic, active leaders to utter selflessness. including a letter Tobin had at that time demonstrates that II. and as such aroused a storm acted on the Minneapolis case, The Stalinists and the Smith of our movement. These men and women do not come from the solicited from Victor E. Ander­ Weinstock’s frenzied activity of protest from most sections of Not only individuals, but so many movements privileged sectors of society. Most of them are most of the important CIO lead­ son, prosecuting attorney in the against support to the Trotsky- Act.) professing to be Marxist, have disappeared from ordinary working people. They had no special (he labor and libeial movements. ers had expressed support for the Minneapolis trial. In this Jetter, the scene or degenerated in the past 20 years — educational advantages. Yet the cause and the The Civil Rights Defense Com­ 18 defendants. Hillm an’s own dated. May 21, Anderson tried to movements far larger numerically and with great­ program have molded them into revolutionary mittee. which was organized to paper, The Advance, did the justify the persecution of the 18 er material resources to begin w ith than Trotsky­ leaders, teachers and fighters, ever young and aid the defendants, carried on an same. by asserting that the Supreme NMU PURGE COPIES CP ism. In the annals of revolutionary movements in ever courageous. aggressive campaign for the Court while refusing to review (Continued from page 1) gave vent to hysterical outbursts IRONICAL ASPECTS pardon of the defendants and the case had found the Smith Act the Stalinists on trumped-up calculated to invite reprisals. against the Smith Act. In the The third of Weinstock’s letters was “not unconstitutional.” charges, became a notorious scan­ In opposition, the Stalinists course of time it asked the Paint­ dated May 11 was addressed to dal on the waterfront. acted like people bereft of their Attorney General Francis Biddle, GOVT. INTERPRETATION ers District Council 9 for formal The ipemory of this ferocious senses and permitted themselves to be repeatedly provoked into These Eyes that Haunt... support of its objectives. whose department had engineered Anderson’s letter to Tobin in­ bureaucratic persecution so em­ A number of delegates to the the ■ trial and conviction of the terested Weinstock so much that bittered many members that they committing acts of disruption Council from locals which had 18. Weinstock told Biddle he was iie entered into direct corre­ are ready to condone any method that turned the membership against them. Thus, they provided In Indo-China and Indonesia, the French and like poultry at the approach of a hawk. already endorsed the CRDC’s cam­ anxious to get information spondence with Anderson. In a to rid the union of the hated the leadership with abundant pre­ Dutch imperialists are carrying out what they I crossed the rice field, dived into a wood and paign urged the Council to do demonstrating that the 18 were letter dated June 5, he praised j Stalinist clique. The Curran texts for moving against them. call the “pacification” of the local population. squatted in the middle of a thorny bush, my likewise. The Stalinists, who then convicted for “sedition” rather Tobin for supplying him with “a leadership has cleverly exploited This is a time-worn term invented in the early clothes torn and my body lacerated. than “ activities in behalf of the proper and satisfactory explana­ this sentiment. A t each stage in The most ominous development controlled the Council, opposed is the tendency of the Curran ad­ days of colonial conquest, not to place a truthful The rumbling of motors became louder. Then, labor movement.” tion concerning these defendants” the purge Curran has been able this action and Set up a committee ministration to seek short cuts to and accurate label on what the troops abroad noises of heavy boots on the road, oaths and jokes. The first reply1 Weinstock got and asked Anderson for addi­ to point to the Stalinist record to “ investigate” the matter. eliminate their Stalinist oppo­ were doing but rather to help in the pacification Suddenly a cry of terror burst out, a feminine Weinstock took the lead in secur­ to these letters was from Biddle’s tional help to “ satisfy some of and the bureaucratic precedents of popular indignation at home. voice calling fo r help. A long and feeble groan of office on May 17. “ You may be they established to justify their nents. This manifested itself firs t ing the “ evidence” on the case. these doubting Thomases whom in the publication of a purge list That the process of “ pacification” of a colonial agony was followed by a squall of laughter. I On May 11, 1944 he sent o ff assured,” it said, “ that the basis we have,around here.” use against them. people has not changed to this day can be seen trembled to think of the fate of this unfortunate and the announced intention of three letters, copies of which of the prosecution in this case On June 7 Anderson replied from the following letter sent by a woman in the woman, of that of thousands of others who are CP ADVENTURISM jerking union books without trial. The M ilitant now has. had nothing to do with activities with an offer to supply any addi­ The administration was com­ zone of Indo-China now occupied by the French suffering from the French bestiality. In addition, since their defeat on behalf of the labor move­ tional information “if it is within pelled to abandon this practice imperialists. The letter was released by the Time turned out horribly long to me. I kept on in the last election, the Stalinists SCABBY LETTERS ment.” our power to do so.” Again he when the Stalinists went to court Vietnam American Friendship Association. waiting, restraining my anger; and indignation. embarked on a reckless course of The first was to Daniel J. An ironical aspect to this letter to seek an injunction against the Dear Friend, I finally heard a death-rattle and the noise of referred to the Supreme Court’s irresponsible adventurism and dis­ Tobin, czar of the International was that it was written for leadership for violating the un­ A am w riting to you at 1 A.M. from the boots and trucks slowly fainted away. refusal to act on the defendants’ ruption. Their mimeograph ma­ Brotherhood of Teamsters, at Biddle and signed by an assistant ion’s constitution. In recent weeks martyrized province of Quang-tri. I have been I waited until complete calm had returned. Then appeal because “ the law under chines churned out a steam of whose request Roosevelt had in­ attorney general—Tom C. Clark, there have appeared a number of sitting up all night fo r the last two days, for leaving my hiding place, I went in the direction which the prosecution was had unsupprted accusations and in­ structed the Department, of inspired resolutions adopted by as soon as I go to bed I see them appear in from which the cries of distress had come. who is now attorney general and was not. unconstitutional in vective against the elected of­ various branches calling fo r a, front of me, haggard, in tears, crying for I found under the shade of a tree ... guess it Justice to prepare the indictment spearheading the persecution of violating free speech or for being ficials. Membership meetings referendum to amend the consti­ vengeance. Oh these eyes that haunt . . . How can . . . the corpse of a g irl of about twelve or of the Trotskyists. In this letter the Stalinists under the same indefinite.” were broken up and rump meet­ tution to outlaw “communists” I forget them ? thirteen. The blood was coagulating on the road. Weinstock complains about some Smith Act. With this “ evidence” the Stalin­ ings held at which the Stalinists Two days ago, when I was following the She was dead but her open eyes were fixed from the union. Quang-tri-Dong-ho road to go to the village of upon me. The great danger is that under Khai-phong, the noise of motors suddenly throb­ Ah! how serene and ingenuous these eyes were cover of the fierce faction fig h t bed in my ears. There the enemy is coming. Save which moved me to the bottom of my heart. They against the discredited Stalinists the leadership w ill move to curb himself who can. cried out the hatred of the Vietnam women, the Jim Crow Puts Liberals on Spot A ll those who were on the road and in nearby hatred of the whole Vietnam people. They craved the democratic rights of all mem­ villages disappeared in the bushes and forests for vengeance. How can I forget these eyes? By J. Meyer itan Life Insurance. and the labor movement set out other cases upon the New York bers and reintroduce those bu­ Bartley Crum is another of reaucratic practices against which The left wing of the Demo­ on a. systematic campaign thor­ municipality and upon liberals these liberals and his paper, the oughly to expose this fraud. First like Fiorello La Guardia—all such the membership rebelled when cratic Party finds itself on the New York Star, very often ex­ of all, who gave Metropolitan this people are hypocrites and fakers they ousted the Stalinist gang Notes from the News spot on the Negro question. It presses the views of this particu­ Jim Crow contract? Nobody but who are playing politics with the from office. Ironically enough, is far easier to repeal the Taft- lar wing of the Democratic party. the New York municipality itself. Negro question. the prime movers against the Hartlcy Act than it is to make On Dec. 23 it printed an editorial The municipality, mind you, of We single out this editorial be­ Stalinists were long-time collab­ any serious attempt to grant civil on the decision, bursting with New York, which is supposed to cause it is characteristic of the orators and ex-members of the FREE ENTERPRISE — John R. Franco, DEATH FROM THE SKIES — Peacetime uses rights to the Negro people. Dis­ righteousness, good w ill and a be the center of freedom fo r the politics of the liberal wing. We Communist Party. In view of this Michigan Democratic chairman, frankly admits of atomic energy still remain a dim prospect, but crimination against Negroes is desire fo r Negro emancipation. Negro people above the Mason can expect much more of the same fact the membership has good reason to feel apprehensive about he paid commissions as high as 45% to its wartime uses have apparently unlimited part of tthe life-blood of Amer­ Housing, it said, was a public and Dixon line. in the future. There is no doubt horizons. Defense Secretary Forrcstal’s annua) ican capitalism and as fa r as this problem. Stuyvesant Town, it Who was the person directly that as a result of the election, any tendency to stifle the hard- professional fund raisers in won and dearly-bought internal the recent election campaign report envisages a project fo r a man-made system is concerned, Negroes are said, had been granted tax exemp­ resposibie for this infamous trans­ the government is going to pass tion by the municipality of New union democracy without which and denies that the practice satellite or platform, hanging beyond the earth's going to have to stay “ in their action? Nobody but that great laws which in one way or another, York for 25 years. Restrictive there can be no talk of m ilitant is cither unusual or unethical. gravity pull. From this “earth satellite vehicle” place.” liberal, the late Fiorello La w ill make the pretence of clear­ covenants, it said, had been barred and progressive unionism. “ I have won an election and atomic rockets and bombs could be launched by This is the dilemma in which Guardia, the Little Flower him­ ing away some of the terrible by a decision of the Supreme self. Was La Guardia unaware of the end justifies the means,” radio. Scientists are now busy at work on this Senator Humphrey, Governor burdens that now rest upon the project as part of the central guided missiles Chester Bowles, Leon Henderson Court in May. Therefore, argued what he was doing? The Negro Negro people. The Star, Bowles M IL IT A N T he explained. and other liberals of this group the Star, the Negro petitioners people in particular protested with his appointment of Negroes, * * * program. * * * find themselves. They were very should take their case to the Su­ vigorously to him on the injustice Humphrey -with his speeches INCREASES SAND RUNNING OUT — Allan L. Swim, prodigal w ith promises before the preme Court in Washington with and the inevitable consequences POPULATION STATISTICS — U. S. popula­ against the Southern Dixiecrats, RATE JAN. 1 CIO News editor, writes that the Democrats must election. They know that this is a good chance of winning a vic­ of his signing such a contract for and all that bunch are going to tion stood at 148 million at the end of the year— “do their utmost to carry out their campaign one question about which they tory. It was “ pretty sure,” it said, the city. In vain. La Guardia spread themselves in denunciation an increase of 3 million in the last year, and USA Foreign pledges” if “ the nation is to avoid the creation have to do something. But they that the adverse decision would be insisted. of Jim Crow and passionate ap­ almost 17 million since 1940. The number of- The M ILITA N T of a real third party.” also know that this is one question “ knocked down.” It gave bland So that in New York, La Guar­ peals for justice on behalf of one year $2.00 $3.50 households exceeded 40 million, making the * * * which can ruin their careers and encouragement to the American dia, the great liberal, on behalf Negroes. six months $1.00 $2.00 FED UP W ITH RENEGADES? — The New average fam ily about 33/,- persons. More than 3 the fine, fa t and rosy futures they Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP of the municipality, signs this We w ill not believe one word FOURTH Jersey Labor Herald, a local AFL paper, didn’t million families . were living “doubled-up” with see for themselves as pioneers of and all others who are fighting Jim Crow contract with one of the of it and we ask the people who other families. There are over 14 million women the new liberalism. What there­ the case. largest capitalist concerns in the voted fo r civil rights fo r Negroes INTERNATIONAL like Max Eastman’s speech at the recent AFL 12 issues $2.50 $3.00 national convention and complains editorially that workers out of a total civilian labor force of fore is their tactic ? To maintain a The whole method of approach country over the protest of the "o t to believe one word of it. U ntil 63 million. tremendous racket about Negro and line of argument are fam iliar. I Negroes. Then a New York judge, these fast-talking politicians point COMBINATION it is “ fed up with the horde of ex-Communists : * * * who, in recent years, have had the unmitigated grievances and to tackle such Chester Bowles would dress it up Justice Bcnvenga, decides in favor out that not only La Guardia in one year $4.00 $6.00 one way, Leon Henderson would gall to assume the ridiculous pose of prophets, COMPETITION — The House Committee on modest problems as seem to offer of Metropolitan. The Appellate New York but their own Demo­ Bundle rates unchanged Un-American Activities is competing with the dress it up another-, and Hubert lecturing (at so much per) those of us who never some prospect of solution without Division supports Benvenga’s de­ cratic Party, ruler of the country Justice Department to see which can propose touching fundamental industrial Humphrey would be very noisy tolerated the Commies, on our behavior.” But of cision. And then, the Star, breath­ for sixteen years, has been the more savage laws against radical parties and and political interests. indeed. Bowles, speaking on this most active practitioner and ex­ course the top AFL leaders know how useful the ing battle, proposes: “ On, Boys! READ m ilitant labor. Recently Attorney General Clark subject, would probably have on to Washington!” emplar of Jim Crow in the coun­ renegades from Marxism can be. A TYPICAL CASE * * * informed reporters that the Truman administra­ the platform with him the young try, we shall continue to insist tion w ill present a bill to Congress tightening up A case in point is the decision Negro whom he has appointed as A POWERFUL OBSTACLE that on this, as on all other seri­ h ■ 2 - V . . Z r A ! ■ STALINIST DEFEAT—The Stalinists suffered on “subversive” organizations. This week the by the Appellate Division of the one of his m ilitary aides (the firs t We are for using the law courts ous politics affecting the people, a severe setback in the UE-CIO last week when House Committee aaVocated passage of, “ Com­ Court of New York supporting in the history of Connecticut). All to the utmost lim it that is pos­ these liberals and their circle are i . Fovirth the members of Local 601. in Pittsburgh, represent­ munist-control legislation” along the lines of the discrimination against Negroes in this is supposed to be fighting the sible. But any kind of champion a powerful obstacle in the road of ing 16,500 members, voted theni out of control notorious catch-all Mundt B ill. The House Com- j the Stuyvesant Housing project, Negro issue. of Negro rights who does not lay Negro and all other types of I nWrimfibhaU by a vote of almost two-to-one. mittee also advocated its own continuance. I which is controlled by M'etropol-1 I t is time that the Negro people the responsibility for this and emancipation.