OCTOBER 21, 1977 50 CENTS VOLUME 41/NUMBER 39

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

Protests demand: overturn ~Bakke' ruling! -PAGE 5

Militant/David Nudel SOUTH B SPEAKS

'Carter comes from a different world,' community tells socialist candidate -PAGE 9

~···'" Catarino Garza (right), Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of New York, talks to South Bronx residents. In Brief

THIS UFW OFFICE BOMBED: A building housing the United when the LoVaca Gathering Company shut off service. The Farm Workers New York headquarters was fire .bombed city's·Raza Unida Party administration had refused to pay WEEK'S October 9. The bombing was the latest in a series of a 600 percent rate hike. City officials announced October 7 unexplained attacks on the UFW-owned building. that they had contracted for a month's supply of propane. During the week before the bombing, rocks and golf balls Meanwhile, many of the city's impoverished residents are MILITANT were thrown through its windows, and mysterious fires were cooking on outdoor fires. Mayor Benavides said the propane 3 Carter okays set there." Water and smoke damage . has rendered the would be purchased with part of a $310,000 grant from the new MX missile building useless. federal Community Service Administration. 4 Black workers Union president Cesar Chavez called on Mayor Abraham Mayor Benavides also said the city is considering drilling in white unions Beame to protect the union's New York offices. a well for gas. Earlier, Zavala County Judge Jose Angel Gutierrez had urged the city administration to declare a 6 Steel imports cut: no D.C. GAY RIGHTS MEETING: Some 225 supporters of state of emergency. If it did, Gutierrez declared, he would victory for workers gay rights attended a "Speakout for Human· Rights" in follow suit with a county declaration of emergency and take Washington, D.C., September 23. A major demand of the over two wells owned by LoVaca's parent company. 7 Iron range meeting was enforcement of a D.C. law that prohibits strikers under attack discrimination in employment, housing, public accommoda­ 8 1 out of 10 pick tions, and education. UAW WON'T REJOIN AFL-CIO: The international socialist in Boston vote The meeting also called for an end to discrimination executive board of the United Auto Workers rejected a against lesbian mothers and gay fathers. proposal October 5 to reaffiliate with the AFL-CIO, which it 13 N.Y. women's groups Speakers included Washington Teachers Union President left in 1968. plan Califano picket William Simons; D.C. Statehood Party leader Josephine The board voted down President Douglas Fraser's plan to 14 National subscription Butler; Charlotte Bunch, of the National Gay Task Force; hold a special convention for a formal vote on rejoining the drive round-up and Leon Rottner, who is chairperson of the Speakout AFL-CIO. Committee of Dialogue for Human Rights. Fraser, who favors reaffiliation, explained that the board 16 Teacher strikes face The meeting was sponsored by Dialogue for Human believed a majority at such a special convention would fines, scabs, jail Rights, a newly formed gay rights group and endorsed by a oppose his view, despite the fact that most of the interna­ 17 AFT stand on busing, large number of women's, Black, gay, civil liberties, and tional executive board supports it. political groups. 'Bakke' hit

24 Red-baiting of Chicano/ RSB CONVENTION BANNED AT KENT STATE: The HAITIAN REFUGEES WANT ASYLUM:· About 150 Latino conference administration at Kent State University has denied the Haitian refugees and supporters marched through down­ Revolutionary Student Brigade the right to hold its national town Miami October 1, seeking asylum for the refugees from 25 Chicano leaders hit convention on campus. The RSB is a registered campus red-baiting attempt the island country's brutal Duvalier dictatorship. group. Marchers chanted, "Asylum yes, deportations no" and, Campus President Brage Golding defends his undemo­ "Hey, hey, USA, stop supporting Duvalier." 2 In Brief £ratic ruling by charging that he isn't convinced the 10 In Our Opinion convention will be legal and peaceful. After a brief rally, sixty of the demonstrators marched to Letters "Freedom Tower," a seventeen-story building that once housed special agencies set up to aid the half million Cuban 11 National Picket Line exiles who came to Miami between 1961 and 1974. Capitalism in Crisis Break-in at D.C. The U.S. government has refused to grant asylum to 12 Great Society Haitian refugees, and many have already been sent back to La Lucha. Puertorriquefla socialist offices Haiti. ThosP who remain cannot legally find work. An Capitalism Fouls Things Up immigration official said the 2, 700 refugees couldn't get By David Frankel legal status because they would take jobs from Americans. 18 Union Talk WASHINGTON-Offices of the Socialist Workers Party -Arnold Weissberg and Young Socialist Alliance were burglarized here October 23 In Review & . Investigating officer P. L. Green commented, "This is an WORLD OUTLOOK unusual burglary in that nothing was taken. They seem to 19 France: 'Union of have been mainly interested in your files." the Left' breaks up Later, however, it was discovered that a petty cash Special offer 20 What happened at China's envelope had been stolen. But the burglars passed up 11th Congress? typewriters, a small calculator, and other office equipment. SWP offices in other cities have been victimized by to new readers. 21 World News Notes similar break-ins, which have often turned out to be the work of the FBI, local police red squads, and other govern­ 22 New prime minister ment agencies. Tbe Militant-tO weeks/12 appointed in Iran Afrodita Constantinidis, SWP candidate for D.C. School Board, noted that the burglars entered the offices in broad daylight, sometime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. THE MILITANT "Anyone with knowledge of the SWP would have known that all our supporters and activists would be at the Bakke VOLUME. 41/NUMBER 39 protests at that time to demonstrate against the attacks on OCTOBER 21, 1977 affirmative action," she pointed out. CLOSING NEWS DATE-OCT. 12

Editor: MARY-ALICE WATERS Managing Editor: ST_EVE CLARK RAZA SI, MIGRA NO: More than 100 demonstrators, THE Business Manager HARVEY McARTHUR Southwest Bureau: HARRY RING . mostly Chicanos, picketed Leone! Castillo, commissioner of Washington Bureau DAVID FRANKEL the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, at the THE ~· 13AI

2 UN SP-eech a cover for arms escalation Carter OKs new 'first strike' MX missile By Fred Murphy Soviet land-based force in half an From Intercontinental Press hour." President Carter addressed the Gen­ Carter's proclaimed willingness to eral Assembly of the United Nations reduce the number of nuclear weapons on October 4. His words were widely "on a reciprocal basis" by up to 50 applauded in the U.S. news media, and percent is likewise deceptive. The Pen­ were apparently well-received in Mos­ tagon currently has 11,000 deliverable cow as well. warheads, as against 3,800 deployed Carter made several dramatic pro­ by the Soviet Union. Any "reciprocal" nouncements to shore up his image as reduction would still give Washington a man of peace: a commanding lead. "In Strategic Arms Limitation Similarly, there is little to be ex­ Talks, we and the Soviets are within pected from a new agreement on a sight of a significant agreement in strategic arms treaty, which Carter limiting the total numbers of weapons said is "within sight." and in restricting certain categories of A flurry of excitement ran through weapons of special concern to us .... the U.S. press after the latest round of "The is willing to go talks September 22-27 between Soviet as far as possible, consistent with our Foreign Minister Gromyko and Carter security interests, in limiting and re­ and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. In ducing our nuclear weapons. On a an October 6 column in the Christian reciprocal basis we are willing now to Science Monitor, Victor Zorza said: reduce them by 10 percent or 20 per­ "The ice did not really begin to move cent, even 50 percent.... until Andrei Gromyko ... persuade[d] "I hereby declare . . . that we will the U.S. administration that Moscow not use nuclear weapons except in self­ was now willing to accept the basic defense; that is, in circumstances of an negotiating context proposed earlier by actual nuclear or conventional attack President Carter-something it had on the United States, our territories or vehemently rejected earlier in the armed forces, or such an attack on our year." allies." After the May 18-20 round of arms The chief Soviet delegate to the UN, talks in Geneva, Gromyko had de­ Oleg Troyanovsky, "said it was grati­ clared: "From all I can gather, the fying that the problem of ending the United States has not given up its arms race and preventing nuclear war attempts to achieve unilateral advan­ was 'in the forefront of the President's tages, nor has the United States given questions efficiency of missiles su as speech'" (New York Times, October 5). up its attempt to conclude an agree­ will be 'more accurate and far more powerful than any strategic weapon now The reality, which Carter's rhetoric ment that would undermine the secur­ employed by the United States.' was designed to cover,up, emerged just ity of the Soviet Union." two days later, however. Bernard Obviously, Washington still holds to Weinraub reported in the Octob.er 6 Carter's pledge not to use nuclear vulnerable to attack, even if their silos its bellicose perspective. But the class­ New York Times: weapons "except in self-defense" rings are "hardened" to withstand blast, collaborationist bureaucrats in the "Secretary of Defense Harold Brown especially hollow against the analysis heat, or radiation.· Kremlin appear to have/concluded that has approved full-scale development of this new system (known as the "But the Air Force also concedes for the sake of the detente they should funds for a new mobile missile system "MX") offered by New York Times that hardening the silos makes them accede to Carter's wishes. Things are that could lead to the largest and ·most military specialist Drew Middleton. capable of providing survival well into now moving toward a new treaty not costly missile program ever under­ Middleton wrote October 6 that "the the 1980's and possibly longer." So the unlike the Interim Agreement on Stra­ taken by the United States.... deployment of 300 M-X missiles some real motivation is more likely the fol­ tegic Arms Limitation, or SALT I, "Although the project is still in its - time in the next decade could represent lowing: "Deployment of the M"X would concluded in 1972. planning stages, the new mobile mis­ a shift away from deterrence toward increase the capability of the Ameri­ The effect that accord had on the sile will probably occupy a trench 10 to capability to fight-and win-a nu­ can strategic missile force to hit more arms race was evident in a recent 12 miles long and five feet under­ clear war." targets in the Soviet Union." statement by the Pentagon's top mil­ ground. It will be movable, thereby Middleton explained that the Air itary commander, Gen. George S. avoiding Soviet targeting, more accu­ Force claims the MX is needed to Thus "MX would amount to a first­ Brown: rate and far more powerful than any counter advances in· Soviet technology strike weapon," the editors of the New "We have made tremendous techni­ strategic weapon now employed by the that make Minuteman III missiles­ York Times said October 10. "A force cal progress since SALT I in our mis­ United States." currently deployed by the Pentagon-· of 300 MX's could destroy the entire sile force."

All-white jYJ:Y. in Torres case Cops· who killed Houston Chicano fined $1 By Stu Singer shirts as badges of protest-have been district court. The two cops were also manding federal intervention to bring HOUSTON-One dollar. That's held here. placed on probation for a year. Torres's murderers to justice. what an all-white Huntsville, Texas, People say the idea that it is now The other four cops involved were Houston cops cited the publicity jury fined two Houston cops for the only "negligent homicide," a misde­ simply fired and granted immunity . generated by these· protests as reason murder of Joe Campos Torres. meanor, to kill a Chicano-will encour­ after they agreed to testify against for their demand that the trial be Last May Torres, a twenty-three­ age Houston's racist cops to step up Denson and Orlando. Houston police moved to Huntsville. year-old Chicano and an army veteran, their brutal treatment of nonwhites. officials only moved against any of the Huntsville also has many fewer was beaten by six Aouston cops and This fear was confirmed only one six after an outpouring of protest last Black,; and Chicanos than Houston. then thrown into the Buffalo Bayou to day after the Huntsville verdict. On spring. This helped produce the all-white jury drown. October 8, police beat and arrested Joe The murder of Torres was the latest that handed down the outrageous one­ Outrage in the Black and Chicano Luna and Margaret Torres, the parents in a string of brutal police attacks in dollar fines. communities here is running high over of Joe Campos Torres! Texas. Testimony from the four other cops the October 7 verdict. The Torreses, who have been active In one of these, Richard Morales, a involved in the murder and from other Many Chicano members of Local in demanding justice after their son twenty-six-year-old Chicano, was mur­ witnesses was very revealing: 1742 of the United Steelworkers of was murdered, tried to intervene to dered in cold blood by Castroville, • There is a police "code of silence," America-on strike against the stop a Houston policeman from killing · Texas, Police Chief Frank Hayes in witnesses said, that no matter what Hughes Tool Company-shouted "mur­ a young Chicano in cold blood. The cop September 1975. acts of misconduct are committed, a derers" at cops standing near their had been holding a gun to the youth's Although Hayes was indicted for policeman doesn't rat on his fellow picket line. head. murder, a San Angelo, Texas, jury officers. State Rep. Ben Reyes, reflecting this The Torreses told the cop who they found him guilty of a lesser charge. • Police regularly beat their prison­ widespread anger, termed the Hunts­ were, urging him not to repeat what The killer cop was sentenced to two to ers in out-of-the-way "holes" to "teach ville jury's decision "a farce." had been done to their son. ten years. them respect." Ray Ramirez, the state executive The police jailed them overnight, Outrage over this injustice finally • The government's campaign director of the League of United Latin along with their nine- and ten-year-old forced the federal government to enter against "illegal aliens" helps inspire American Citizens (LULAC), the old­ daughters. They were released October the case. In September a federal jury Houston's cops with the idea that all est Chicano organization in t4e South­ 9 on $1,900 bail and charged with found Hayes guilty of depriving Mo­ Chicanos are potentially fair targets west, called the sentence "a mockery of resisting arrest. • rales of his constitutional rights while for official murder. While the cops were justice." The Huntsville jury returned its ver­ "acting under color of law." He is beating Torres, for example, one of Several protest meetings attended by dict against Terry Denson and Ste­ scheduled to be sentenced later this them told a "joke" about an "illegal hundreds of people-many angrily phen Orlando, two of the six killer month. alien" who had been shot while swim­ wearing one-dollar bills pinned to their cops, after a four-week trial in a state Some Chicano leaders are now de- ming into the United States.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 3 D.C. AFT president defends affirmative action At the convention of the American -Federation of Teachers the Bakke decision-the question of affrmative action and quotas-was the main topic of debate. AFT President Albert Shanker was able to ram through a resolution opposing the use of quotas to enforce affirmative action. But a fourth of the delegates opposed Shanker and voted for a resolution calling for the overturn of the Bakke decision and for the use of quotas to protect the rights of women and minor­ ities. Black Workers in White Unions: unions under his microscope. in opening skilled trades to Blacks was The fight against Bakke was led by Job Discrimination in the United The history of these unions has been not much different from the construc­ the AFT Caucus on Desegregation and States by William B. Gould. to exclude Black workers wherever tion unions. Equality in Education. William Simons, president of AFT Published by Cornell University possible from their ranks. Many of the But two factors led to a significant Local 6 in Washington, D.C., is the Press, New York, 1977. 505 pages. craft unions even maintained "sepa­ change in the situation after 1968: the rate but equal" Black locals. ghetto rebellions and the rise of Black East Coast caucus coordinator. $20. In the summer of 1969 the civil worker caucuses, specifically the rights movement hit the construction Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement By Omari Musa ·industry. Blacks took to the streets (DRUM) and other "RUMs." The Bakke case before the U.S. demanding jobs. The Big Three auto companies and Supreme Court is a direct challenge to Demonstrations occurred in many the UAW leadership were forced to the struggle of Black workers for equal­ major cities including Seattle, Phila­ develop apprentice and preapprentice ity in the labor force. Allan Bakke's delphia, Boston, , San Fran­ programs that brought a relatively contention that affirmative-action pro­ cisco, Pittsburgh, and New York City. large number of Blacks into the skilled grams are "reverse discrimination" Thousands of Blacks and their sup­ trades. threatens all the employment gains porters demanded that the government won by Blacks over past decades. force the construction unions to open Steelworkers union The centrality of the affirmative up for Black workers. "Probably no industrial union has action issue for the labor movement is In Chicago, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, faced more Title VII trouble than the brought home in William Gould's book and Seattle, Black and white workers United Steelwqrkers of America," Black Workers in White Unions, an fought pitched battles at construction Gould writes. "Thousands of com­ indictment of the conspiracy by em­ sites. plaints have been filed against the ployers, the government, and trade Out of the protests came the feder­ union and employers with whom they union officials to lock Blacks out of ally imposed Philadelphia Plan and bargain in basic steel. . . .. better-paying jobs, skilled trades, and voluntary "hometown" plans to in­ "These complaints relate primarily entire industries in some cases. This crease Black employment in construc­ to problems of upgrading rather than book is must reading for trade-union tion by establishing affirmative-action hiring." activists-Black and white-and for goals and time tables. The problem faced by Black steel­ others engaged in the struggle to pre­ But these highly touted plans did not workers stemmed from a discrimina­ serve affirmative-action gains. tory Seniority system that kept th~m in On September 27 Simons held a Gould explains six areas where the dirtiest, lowest paying jobs. Black workers and the union official­ news conference to make clear that the 'This book is must The leadership of the USW A fought, entire membership of the AFT wasn't dom come into conflict: restrictions on and continues to fight, any meaningful admission to apprenticeship programs, reading for trade-union lined up behind Shanker's racist posi­ change in that system. However, under denial of journeyman cards to quali­ tion on the Bakke case. activists and others the impact of lawsuits and the restive­ "The basic question is whether or fied Blacks, denial of union member­ ness of Black workers, the steel trusts ship, establishment of segregated and struggling to preserve not affirmative action programs which and union agreed to modify seniority are designed to insure that blacks, auxiliary locals, seniority lists that affirmative-action gains.' practices. This was done through a hold Blacks in dead-end jobs, and the minorities, and women have an equal consent decree, a legally binding agree­ opportunity to enter into the main­ absence of Blacks from union leader­ ment between nine steel companies, ship. stream of American society are consti­ substantially increase the number of the USWA, and the federal govern­ Gould seeks to assess the successes Black construction workers. Resistance tutional," Simons's statement said. · ment. Simons expanded his views in an and failures of affirmative-action pro­ by the unions and the government As Gould explains, the consent de­ grams under Title VII of the 1964 Civil undermined them at every step. When article in the Washington, D.C. cree required Black, Chicano, and Teacher, the Local 6 newspaper. Rights Act, which outlaws race and the 1974-75 depression hit, it wiped out women steelworkers "to waive their sex discrimination. the small gains registered during the "The resolution adopted by the right to sue under employment­ convention is full of idealistic rhetoric The book takes up every significant previous five years. discrimination legislation, and simul­ lawsuit against unions for discrimina­ and long range solutions but offers taneously accept implementation [of little which provides immediate relief," tion. It has over sixty pages of notes Industrial unions antidiscrimination remedies] irom and cases where unions and bosses Gould devotes a large section of his Simons wrote. which minority workers who were not . "All of the affirmative terminology. were brought to court by Black workers book to the racist record of officials in union members were excluded." and/or government agencies. industrial unions. contained in many programs," such as· The recent Supreme Court decision "aggressive recruiting," special tutor­ One mark of the seriousness of the .He pays particular attention to the supporting seniority systems that per­ book is that the author separates equal United Auto Workers, Steelworkers, ing, and expansion of facilities, "is petuate discrimination is a serious blow meaningless, unless there is some opportunity in "theory" from discrimi­ and Teamsters. to even this modest victory. nation in practice. definitive action . . . which· will pro­ What distinguishes these unions Black Workers in White Unions duce measurable results. . . . In 1941, when Blacks threatened to from construction unions is the rela­ makes a valuable contribution to un­ march on Washington, they forced "One immediate way of insuring this tively large number of Black members. derstanding the role of the unions in President Roosevelt to issue executive is to establish short-term goals or Gould points out that this factor has maintaining racial discrimination in order 8802. This ex.._ecutive order sup­ quotas. It must be repeated that while made Black demands in industrial employment. posedly outlawed racial discrimination quotas were being used as a ceiling for unions quite different. Gould illustrates clearly that it by employers with government con­ certain segments in our society, blacks, "Black demands have two areas of didn't "just happen that way." It was a tracts. no matter their qualifications, were emphasis," he writes. "The first relates conspiracy by the bosses and lab

4 'Defend affirmative action!' Thousands at anti-'Bakke' rallies

WashingtonBy Omari Musa · :::-.-'U ·"r.t'···\. "' WASHINGTON-Chanting, "We say no to racism," and "We won't go back, send Bakke back!" more than 1,000 people marched on the U.S. Su­ preme Court and ·capitol here October 8 demanding the overturn of the Bakke decision. More than 2,500 rallied in Oakland, 1,000 in Los Angeles, and 1,000 in Seattle (see below). Overwhelmingly Black, Latino, and Asian, the demonstrators were protest­ ing the California Supreme Court deci­ sion that would eliminate special­ admissions programs for minority students in professional schools. The U.S. Supreme Court is sche­ duled to hear the case October 12. Its decision will have a major impact on affirmative-action programs for women and minorities in education and on the job. The protest actions were part of the October 3-8 week of activities initiated by the National Committee to Over­ turn the Bakke Decision (NCOBD) and the Black American Law Students Militant/David Nudel Washington, D.C., October 8. Rally speakers stressed building united movement to continue struggle for equal rights Association (BALSA). More than 150 organizations and individuals endorsed the action call. A lively contingent of Asian and Kinoy; Antonio Rodriguez, CASA; D.C. against the Bakke ruling in an action A steady rain here did not dampen Pacific Americans participated in the City Council member Hilda Mason; called by the National Committee to demonstrators' spirits. Grantland demonstration. and Prof. Alvin Thornton, Baltimore Overturn the Bakke Decision. Johnson, NCOBD national coordinat­ Shirley Hune, representing the Asi­ coordinator of the Committee to Over­ , The action was endorsed by some ing committee member, captured this an/Pacific Americans Federal Em­ turn the Bakke Decision. eighty organizations, including the spirit when he told the rally, "The ployees Council, told the rally that Seattle and Renton chapters of the demonstrations today are the begin­ "the so-called quiet, docile Asian is a National Organization for Women. ning of the ·resurgence of the mass myth. We are victims of racism and The Washington Education Associa­ movement against racism. discrimination. tion supported the march, as· did the "Despite the pressure of the Carter "The Bakke case represents a long, Alaska Cannery Workers Union, administration and the media black­ hard fight for all of us, but we will not Bay Area whose membership is predominantly out, we are going to overturn Bakke." be pushed back." By Anne Chase Filipino, and the United Construction The NCOBD coordinator in D.C., Sharon Parker, speaking for the OAKLAND, Calif.-Calling for an Workers Association, a group of Black Belinda Lightfoot, chaired the rally. Minority Task Force of the National overturn of the Bakke decision and for and Chicano construction workers She told demonstrators that NCOBD is Organization for Women, said, "We defense of affirmative action, 2,500 fighting for affirmative action in the projecting a week of educational activi­ pledge to help spread this movement people marched here October 8. construction industry. ties January 22-26. "We urge you to among women, especially minority The National Committee to Overturn A high percentage of the marchers join NCOBD and help make these women." the Bakke Decision initiated the march were Black, Chicano, Asian, or Native activities a success," Lightfoot said. Throughout the rally, speakers and rally, which won the endorsement American. Jimmy. Garrett, also a leader of the stressed the need to organize a strong, of more than 130 groups. A large contingent of Chicano high D.C. committee, spoke of the need for a united movement in defense of affirma­ Demonstrators carried signs read­ school students marched behind a national march on · Washington to tive action. ing, "We are the people, we are the banner declaring, "We are the future." force . the Supreme Court to overturn "This government tries to divide us nation, there ain't no such thing as On October 5, a debate over affirma­ Bakke. in every way possible," said Jose Med­ reverse discrimination," "Gente si, tivr action at the UniYersity of Wash-. Washington Teachers Union Presi­ ina of the Immigration Project at Bakke no," and, "End discrimination ington drew 200 people. dent William Simons, who is the East Georgetown University. in jobs and education." Coast coordinator of the American "They try to make some of us into About half the marchers were Asian, Federation of Teachers Caucus on scapegoats. They try to make us think Chicano, and Black. Desegregation and Equality in Educa­ we cause the problem. Especially significant was the large tion, also spoke. "Repressive immigration laws and number of unions that endorsed the protest, including Bay Area locals of Los Angeles. He read a statement from the D.C. the Bakke decision are both racist By Jol\nie"Quinn Central Labor Council demanding that attacks on working people," Medina the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; In­ LOS ANGELES-A thousand people the Supreme Court overturn the Bakke said. "The struggle against deporta­ rallied against the Bakke decision here decision. tions of undocumented workers is part ternational Longshoremen's union; American Federation of Teachers; Re­ October 8. Terry Herndon, executive director of of the fight for full equality for the Contingents from several MEChA (a the National Education Association, oppressed." tail Clerks; Communication Workers of America; and the state council of the Chicano student organization) chap­ the largest teacher organization in the Other speakers included Rev. Bob ters, from the UCLA Black Students U.S., also addressed the crowd. Pruitt;. People's Alliance leader Arthur California Federation of Teachers. Lee Brightman of United Native Association, the National Organiza­ Americans told the crowd that "there tion for Women, and the Skyhorse­ have always been special-admissions Mohawk Defense Committee partici­ programs-but they've been for the pated. Black student ratio drops Speakers included Vincent Reyes of Exposing the myth of "reverse Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Fed­ rich only." Aileen Hernandez of the San Fran­ the National Committee to Overturn discrimination" in education, two eral District Judge A. Andrew Hauk the Bakke Decision and the Union of new studies show that the percen­ declared unconstitutional the clause cisco Commission on the Status of Women and a former president of the Democratic Filipinos; Linda Ferguson tage of Black, Puerto Rican, Chi­ in the Federal Public Works Employ­ of the National Conference of Black cano, Indian, and Asian-American ment Act reserving 10 percent of National Organization for Women de­ clared, "If we don't get it together by Lawyers; Jorge Garcia, a professor of students admitted to medical school some government construction Chicano Studies at Cal State Nor­ has dropped in ·the last two years. spending for contractors of op­ ourselves, it won't be done for us. We have to move out today, after this thridge; Philip Vera Cruz, a former The reports were released by the pressed nationalities. president of the United Farm Workers; Carnegie Council on Policy Studies demonstration, and make the Bakke fight our fight every day." and Hank DiSuvero of the National in Higher Education and the Na­ Hauk cited the Bakke case, calling Lawyers Guild. tional Association of State Universi­ quotas "invidious and unconstitu­ Also speaking were University of California Professor Harry Edwards; ties and Land Grant Colleges. tional." * * * The number of Black and other A group of construption companies Maria Abadesco of the National Com­ minority medical students dropped backing the suit complained that mittee to Overturn the Bakke Decision; About 250 people, mostly Black or from 10 percent in 1974 to 9 percent they were unable to bid for city and Gilberto Mendoza of Comejas; U.S. Puerto Rican, joined a rally against this fall. The decrease occurred ''des­ county contracts because of quotas Rep. Ed Roybal; and others. the Bakke decision in a rally in New pite numerous special admissions and guidelines. York City. The Harlem protest heard programs," the reports say. · The judge said, "For the life of me William Jones of the National Commit­ The percent~ge of students of op­ I don't see how a quota system tee to Overturn the Bakke Decision, pressed nationalities jn undergradu­ achieves the stated purpose [of the Pearl Clark of .the Student Coalition ate schools also dropped-from 8.4 act]. Seattle Against Racism, Dennis Serrette of the percent in 1972 to 7.3 percent this "There are disadvantaged whites, By Louise Armstrong Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, fall. too." -O.M. SEATTLE-A thousand people Moses Harris of Black Economic Survi- marched and rallied here Octo'Qer 8 Cont/nued on page 26

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 5 .tfigher P-rices, fewer jobs Japanese steel imports cut: no victory for By Andy Rose more for it." Most consumers would get . American steel corporations are pretty mad. crowing over the Treasury Depart­ Not many workers go shopping for ment's October 3 ruling against im­ carbon steel plate-it's used in heavy ports of carbon steel plate from Japan. construction, ship building, offshore oil Industry executives say the govern­ rigs, and machinery. But the industries ment action confirms their claims that that use it will pass the price hike they are the victims of "unfair" foreign along. In the end working people will competition. They call the ruling "an pay. encouraging step" toward much stric­ Based on last year's steel consump­ ter import curbs. tion, this one anti-import ruling will There was just one thing missing cost us $56 million in higher prices. from the steel industry's victory And it could well be even more. Be­ hoopla. Nowhere did the corporations cause in practice the tariff will cut pledge to reopen the plants they have imports of this type of steel down to a closed or rehire the thousands of steel­ trickle. And freed from the pressure of workers fired in recent weeks. competition, U.S. producers are sure to Not now, and not in the future. Not raise prices even higher. even if the corporations win the sweep­ ing import restrictions they are de­ Trade-war danger manding. Union officials who support the anti­ And that ought to be a signal that import campaign argue that it is worth the anti-Japanese decision is no vic­ paying higher prices to save jobs of tory for American steelworkers. American steelworkers. Far from pro­ On the contrary, the anti-import tecting jobs, however, moves to restrict drive is a threat to the jobs, wages, and imports actually jeopardize jobs. union rights of every worker in this country. Such restrictions by one country First, import restrictions mean invite retaliation. What will happen to higher prices, which erode the buying "American jobs" if other countries power of workers' paychecks. throw up similar barriers against Second, import restrictions carry the goods produced here? danger of a global trade war, which The logic of protectionism is toward would rapidly lead to a new depression The ruling said that five Japanese The added tariff thus raises the price outright trade war. That's exactly and throw millions out of work. Mean­ steel companies were "dumping" car­ of Japanese steel by 32 percent-from what happened in the 1930s, deepening while, the anti-import campaign con­ bon steel plate, that is, selling it for $216 a ton to $285 a ton. and prolonging the Great Depression. ceals the real reasons for the ongoing less than it cost them to produce. This If you are buying a car, you shop Today the economies of all the capi­ ·destruction of jobs in steel. finding is preliminary, pending further around to find the best deal. It doesn't talist nations are tied together more investigation and hearings. matter to you why one seller offers a intimately than ever before. One of If the decision stands, the Japanese lower price than another. In fact, if you every six jobs in the United States is Higher prices companies will be forced on all future find a dealer who is selling below cost directly based on exports. Third, union cooperation in the anti­ sales in the United States to pay a in order to raise cash, you consider Even short of trade war, rising pro­ import drive leads to sacrificing tariff-a tax to the U.S. government­ yourself lucky. The seller's loss is your tectionism threatens to stunt already workers' interests in the name of mak­ equal to 32 percent of the factory price gain. feeble world economic growth. A report ing "our" industry more competitive. of their shipments. Starting now, the But suppose the government sud­ issued last month by the General What is the immediate effect of the Japanese must post bonds equal to the denly steps in and says, "That car is Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (the Treasury ruling? penalty tariff. too cheap. You have to pay 32 percent international body that administers What voice for steelworkers in Washington? The steel crisis has prompted a rehiring of laid-off steelworkers. flurry of activity in Washington. The Democratic and Republican President Carter appointed a top­ politicians serve the interests of big level "interagency task force on business only. They pretend that if steel." Democrats and Republicans they help the corporations the on Capitol Hill set up a "Congres­ workers will benefit. But, as the sional Steel Caucus." Hearings, meet­ story above shows, this is a fraud. ings, and studies are under way. Yet, steelworkers are correct in But all that the Democrats and demanding that the federal govern­ Republicans are discussing is how to ment take action to protect their solve the problems of the corpora­ jobs. A crisis of this magnitude tions. No one in Congress or the cannot be resolved through routine Carter administration is speaking union activity or through the estab­ for the interests of the workers. lished channels of collective bar­ The "Congressional Steel Caucus" gaining. is lined up solidly behind the corpo­ Political action is required. But rations' demands: restrict imports, the workers' interests can be ad­ roll back pollution controls, hand vanced only through working-class over tax money to the steel compan­ political action, independent of the Ies. parties of the employers. Workers The Carter administration says need their own party, a labor party that high wages for steelworkers are based on the unions. the source of the problem. It is A party controlled by workers, "considering" import quotas. And on putting forward working men and October 9 the White House leaked women for public office and fighting word that its answer to growing year-round for the interests of the unemployment is a $7 billion tax cut working class, would pursue an op­ for big business-"to spur invest­ posfte course from that now followed ment." by the Democrats and Republicans. io) addresses rally organized by union officialdom. Not one of the Democratic. or Re­ The most elementary need of 'Congressional Steel Caucus' aims to help industry, not workers. publican politicians challenges the workers victimized by the steel crisis profits or prerogatives of the steel is adequate relief. Through a labor monopoly, or supports a struggle by party, workers could fight for unem­ giveaways to business. to fight back-in the devastated mill steelworkers against corporate prof­ ployment benefits at full unioll­ If the corporations refuse to keep towns, on the iron range, and across iteering. wages for the full duration of unem­ plants open, a labor party would the country-are concluding that a Not one of these "friends of labor" ployment. campaign to nationalize them and new policy is needed, that the ranks has spoken up for the striking steel­ Instead of accepting the steel com­ place them under the control of the must assert democratic control over workers on the Mesabi Iron Range. panies' lies about their costs and workers. their union to make it serve their Not one has questioned the exorbi­ profits, a labor party would fight to The McBride leadership in the interests. tant prices, hidden profits, or tax open the books and records of the United Steelworkers puts its faith in A giant step forward will be made loopholes of the steel corporations. corporations so workers could see for the antilabor Democrats and in that fight when steelworkers de­ Not one has defended the right of themselves the real causes of the Republicans-just as it accepts the velop class-conscious ·leaders who workers to safety on the job and to a . crisis. steel corporations' program for understand the political needs of the clean environment. A labor party would rally opposi­ "solving" the industry crisis. - struggle and chart a course of inde­ Not one has even called for the tion to import restrictions and to tax But steelworkers looking for a way pendent labor political action.

6 Iron ore strikers under attack: workers leaders appeal for labor solidarity trade rules) concludes that growing By Andy Rose protectionist barriers-notably in The need for labor solidarity-with steel-contributed to the "extraordi­ striking steelworkers in the iron min­ nary severity of the last recession." ing industry is more urgent than ever To think that import curbs can "save in light of company intransigence and American jobs" is not merely stepped-up attacks on the strike. shortsighted-it is suicidal. "It looks like this thing will go 'til spring," one union leader told the Real enemy Star after a special Oc­ The real threat to American steel­ tober 5 negotiating session. workers' jobs does not come from J apa­ Eighteen thousand iron ore workers nese steelworkers. It comes from the in northern Minnesota and Michigan relentless drive by American steel cor­ have been on strike since August 1 porations to reap higher profits by over hundreds of local issues; includ- producing more steel with fewer . ing safety practices, dust and noise workers. lev~ls, ventilation, and various work­ Look at the record. Between 1956 ing conditions. and 1974 (the last year of high steel The October 5 meeting brought to­ production), U.S. steel companies in­ gether representatives from all the creased shipments 33 percent, from 83 companies and union locals involved, Militant/Andy Rose million tons to llO million tons. supposedly to discuss the union de­ School bus serves as picket headquarters for Local 4757 in Babbitt, Minnesota. In the same period, the companies mand for an incentive-pay plan. Iron eliminated more than 1()0,000 jobs! ore workers earn some eighty cents an hat," a union negotiator said sarcasti­ can cut off medical insurance pay­ The total hourly paid work force was hour less than workers in the steel cally. ments for the strikers as of October 20. cut from 509,000 to 393,000. mills, who receive incentive bonuses on Joe Samargia, president of United To pay insurance premiums averag­ Today, the corporations plan to im­ top of their straight-time pay. Steelworkers Local 1938, the largest ing $100 a month would be a heavy prov'e their competitive position local on the Mesabi Iron Range, reacts burden for the strikers, who are receiv­ against Japanese and European steel Instead of a discussion, however, the angrily to the "companies' anti-import ing only $30 a week in strike benefits producers through an even more dras­ union negotiators were treated to a line. from the international union. tic productivity drive. lecture from U.S. Steel Vice-president "They're blackmailing everybody!" .. Meanwhile, U.S. Steel President That means speeding up production William Miller. He said that under no Samargia told the Militant in a tele­ David Roderick announced in Pitts­ at the expense of safety. circumstances would the companies phone interview. "They're blackmail­ burgh that by importing ore and draw­ It means closing down mills the agree to incentive pay. ing the guys down in the steel mills to ing on a 24-million-ton stockpile, the companies deem "unprofitable," such Miller also complained about steel help them get steel import quotas set, company "could go on for an almost as those in Johnstown, Pennsylvania; imports and said that the companies and in turn they're using iron ore indefinite period" despite the strike. Lackawanna, New York; and Youngs­ couldn't afford to meet the strikers' imports to break our strike. It's sad In another line of attack, the com­ town, Ohio. demands. that some people are swallowing this." panies are pursuing a multi-million­ It means throwing thousands more "When Miller got done talking about Samargia thinks the company ulti­ dollar damage suit against the union. steelworkers out of their jobs and onto how the mighty steel corporations were matum was intended as "the second Company lawyers taking depositions the unemployment lines. losing money, we felt so sorry for him punch," coming just two days after an from union officials ha,ve demanded to A feature article in the September 25 we thought maybe we should pass the arbitrator ruled that the companies Continued on page 26 New York Times pointed to the indus­ try's strategy. "Many observers," the Times said, "look upon the closing of the aging facilities as a painful step that had to be taken eventually, the Why the Mesabi Iron Range logical sequel to the plant moderniza­ tion efforts that started in the 1960's." 'More Youngstowns' is a gold mine for steel companies The Times quoted Richard Cyert, an By Gene Anderson corporations can take advantage of a Pickands Mather and Oglebay Norton. economist linked to the steel industry, It seems paradoxical. depletion allowance on ore-mmmg Two conclusions stand out. First, the as saying: "It will be a smaller indus­ The steel industry is crying that it's profits. This allowance is based on the iron range strikers are up a6ainst some try, but it will also be more competitive broke. The companies are closing price of ore as it leav.es the mine-the of the most powerful corporations in and more efficient." plants and firing workers. higher the price, the greater the tax the capitalist world. Cyert also commented: "There are But on the iron range of northern write-off. Second, the steel industry uses its going to be a few more Y oungstowns Minnesota and Michigan-which Business Week explains: "The deple­ monopoly control to shift profits from before it's over." supplies the steel mills with iron ore, tion allowance last year helped U.S. the steel mills to the ore mines in order Of course, the companies welcome their basic raw material-prices and Steel to reduce its tax rate to about to save millions on taxes. import restrictions that protect them profits are booming. 21 o/o, less than half the normal 48% How many other tax dodges are from foreign competition while they The price of iron ore pellets has corporate rate." hidden in the records of the steel corpo­ implement their job-cutting plans. But nearly doubled in three years-from This one tax loophole added $88 rations? such restrictions will do nothing to $19.50 a ton in 1974 to $36 today. million to U.S. Steel's profits last year. How many of the "higher costs" the benefit the steelworkers whose jobs are Bethlehem picked up an extra $33 companies complain about are they on the line. And the ore producing companies million the same way. secretly profiting from through control In recent years the "fight against are investing more than $2.5 billion in Largely because of the ore depletion of their own suppliers? imports" has been used by top officials new mines and processing plants and· allowance, Armco Steel and Republic What's the truth about the "unprofit­ of the United Steelworkers to justify in modernizing their fleets of Great Steel paid no federal income tax at all able" steel plants the companies union-crippling concessions to the com­ Lakes ore carriers. last year! threaten to close? panies. How can ore production be so profit­ These are the companies that are The only way to find out is through a In 1971 the union launched a joint able while steel is in crisis? now demanding even lower tax rates fight to open all the financial books campaign with steel management for The answer not only explains who as part of the price for keeping the and records of the steel monopoly. higher productivity. Steel Labor, the the iron ore strikers are up against. It mills open. union paper, claimed this would "meet also highlights the monopoly control, But what about the "independent" the challenge posed by principal for­ hidden profits, and tax manipulations mining companies? Since there is a eign competitors.... " of the "troubled" steel industry. general oversupply of iron ore, why A threat In 1973 union officials signed the The August 15 issue -of Business don't they cut prices to grab a bigger Experimental Negotiating Agreement, Week magazine notes with uncon­ share of the market? Isn't that how giving up the right to strike over cealed admiration that "ore producers capitalist competition is supposed to to jobs national issues. I.W. Abel, then presi­ can demand a good price with little work? dent of the union, pledged that the regard for supply and demand." Business Week quotes an unnamed There is another side to the story ENA would stem imports and provide The reason, Business Week says, is "industry expert" as saying, "But that of the iron ore industry. It illus­ trates the destructive, antilabor job security. . "because their steel-company custo­ never happens. If you look closely at Right now 18,000 steelworkers are on mers now have a vested interest in the so-called independent mining con­ nature of the current campaign strike in the iron ore mines and pro­ keeping the prices up. Steelmakers cerns, you'll soon see that, financially, against steel imports. cessing plants of northern Minnesota have steadily increased their invest­ they're part of the steel industry. The To fully utilize their expanded and Michigan. The steel companies are ments in mining by developing their hundreds of millions of dollars put up mines and plants, the mining com­ determined to starve them into submis­ own mines and by teaming up with th.e for mining operations are mortgaged panies have stepped up exports of siOn. independent ore producers in giant with steel company assets and the iron ore to steel mills in other Yet the international union leader­ new ventures. mines end up being captive." countries. Such exports have grown ship has scarcely lifted a finger to aid "As a result," the financial maga­ In fact, says Business Week, the by 65 percent in the past five years. the strikers-it's too busy lobbying for zine reports, "steel companies now independents "are increasingly becom­ But if the campaign against steel "relief" for the bosses. produce as much as 701/'o of the iron ore ing minority owners of the mines that imports succeeds ... these foreign Steelworkers can protect their jobs, they consume, according to some in­ they operate." steel plants are forced to cut back wages, and working conditions. But dustry estimates." Control by the steel monopoly has production . . . and cancel their they will do it in struggle against the But that still doesn't explain why the paid off for the mining companies. In orders for U.S. iron ore ... what happens to the jobs of American corporations-not by collaborating in steel companies want to charge them­ the past five years, profits have tripled their anti-import, anti-working-class selves high prices for iron ore. at Hanna Mining, doubled at· iron ore workers? campaign. "The answer lies in tax loopholes. The -Cliffs, and quadrupled at -G.A.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 7 McCutcheon fights for Black rights 1 out of 10 pick socialist in Boston school vote By Maceo Dixon- ~· ~· get elected." BOSTON-One out of every ten Boston's Democratic-controlled gov­ people who voted in the first round of ernment has long denied political city elections here September 27 pulled representation to the Blac}t community the lever for Hattie McCutcheon. altogether by electing all local officials . McCutcheon is the Socialist .Workers on a city-wide basis, freezing out the , Party candidate for Boston School city's Black and Puerto Rican. minori­ Committee. She polled 6,043 votes- ties. 2, 700 short of winning a spot in the McCutcheon says that "none of the November 8 runoff. In the five Black Black Democrats in the runoff can wards 'here she polled between 21 and genuinely represent the needs of the 44 percent of the vote. Black community." McCutcheon's running mate, city "To do this," she says, "they would council candidate Diane Jacobs, re­ have to break with the Democratic ceived 3,902 votes-about 6 percent of Party that has kept this city de facto tlie vote. ~ segregated for decades." McCutcheon, a well-known Black McCutcheon says this is why she activist, was -interviewed by CBS-TV will continue to campaign, ·even news election night. "It was a big though she was not one of the Black victory for the Socialist Workers Par­ candidates to qualify for the runoff. ty," she told viewers. "I want to give the broadest possible "Thousands of Bostonians voted for exposure to the SWP's proposal that me as a socialist who campaigned for Black people form a party of their own, busing and school desegregation, independent of the twin big-business Black representation in city govern­ parties," she says. ment, jobs for Black youth, abortion The Communist Party also ran a rights for women, the need to overturn candidate for city council. Polly Half­ the . Bakke decision, and other issues socialists' Roxbury headquarters to the top ten vote getters who qualified kenny won 4,363 votes (7 percent). The that are of great concern to Black and watch the returns election night. for the runoff election. They are school CP supports Democrat O'Bryant in the other working peoplt!." Among the guests were: Bob Young committee candidate John O'Bryant runoff election but did not back McCut­ Noting that "only 25 percent of the of the Boston chapter of the National and city council contenders Arnie cheon's socialist campaign. eligible voters went to the polls," Black Assembly; Phil Martin, news Waters and Bruce Bolling. The U.S. Labor Party, a right-wing McCutcheon charged that the majority director, WILD radio; Dave Gilten, Boston's · Black community radio protofascist organization, also ran a "have been turned off, disillusioned, WILD radio; Christian Science Moni­ station WILD, along with the Organi­ candidat~ for city council. George and frustrated with capitalist politics tor reporter Luix Overbea; Yvonne zation for Voter Education and Regis­ Geller received 1, 788 votes (3 percent). and politicians." Davis, Lena Community Center; tration and Massachusetts Black state Restore Our Alienated Rights The respect McCutcheon and Jacobs Wayne Robinson, executive secretary, legislator Doris Bunte, had urged a (ROAR), the city's chief antibusing won by championing the demands df Boston NAACP; and Tony Santi.o, "bullet" vote for only the Black candi­ organization, ran Richard Laws for the Black community during their director, Robert Gould Shaw House dates-including McCutcheon-in the school committee. Laws did make the campaign was shown by the number of community center. election. "Bullet" advocates said this runoff, but only came in ninth with prominent persons who came by the Three Black Democrats were among was "the only means left for Blacks to 9,164 votes.

AJyson KennedY.. for mamc. Cleveland SWP campaign is front-page news On October 4 Cleveland voters see what you think." Nearly all the 30 ~e!;:!e:al;~o;!~k ~~ w~=~u~~~c::: ~r ~:~::k:~~ w;oh~~~se~a~:~ t~tp::~ two-year term. Perk was edged wanted to talk. PL. AI N DEALER out by Democrats Dennis Kucinich and Edward Feighan in the so- * *" * · called nonpartisan . There CLEVELAND. SEPTE;.. !l;'ER 25, 1977 will be a runoff election November he!~q:~:te;:~t ~~~~np::~= i~e~~t:. 8· Kennedy professed optimism. "In gen- Cleveland voters also cast the eral, people seemed receptive. One guy most ballots ever for a mayoral was standing by the time clock reading candidate of the Socialist Workers our platform for a long time. He picked Party: • who it up and took it with him.... " polled 1,235 votes (roughly 1 per- Thanks to publicity generated by the cent). FBI break-ins and espiqnage directed Kennedy told the 'Militant' that at the party, and by its 1976 presiden- an SWP mayoral campaign had tial candidate, Peter Camejo, the party "never gotten so much media cov- enjoys a new level of recognition re- erage before." She is convinced fleeted, it believes, in greater popular this helped bring the socialists' support. strong position in support of school desegregation to the atten­ * tion of voters in the Black com­ * * munity, where a ward-by-ward When she asks for votes, Ms. analysis shows the SWP made its Kennedy identifies herself as a social­ strongest impact. ist, then speaks for: The following excerpts fr~m a • A public works program that front-page article by Robert would put the unemployed, especially Alyson Kennedy campaigns on Socialilt Worken party platf-m front Holden in the September 25 (Sun­ black youths, to work at union wages. of downtown department atore. day) 'Cleveland Plain Dealer' is a • Desegregation of the schools by good example of the favorable me­ any means, including busing. Political disillusionment­ dia coverage. • Action to protect the rights of blacks and women. She backs the Equal Rights Amendment for women led candidate to switch Alyson Kennedy strode back and and the use of government funds to forth outside Gate No. 1 of the Repub­ pay for abortions for poor women. By Robert H. Holden years ago by a band of dissident lic Steel Corp. . . . It was still dark at Fearing a deliberate government Alyson Kennedy strode back and Communists wbo sided with Leon forth outside Gate No. 1 of the Trotsky in the Russian revolu­ 6:30 a.m., and the scene-clouds of plan to reverse the civil rights progress 'Republic Steel Corp. at 3175 tionary's split with Joseph Stalin, pinkish smoke amid an awesome net­ Independence Rd. It was still dark • Time chanrea Perk. general secretary of the Soviet of the 1960s and to cut back on social at 6:30 a.m., and the scene - Spotlifhts, Sec. 7, Pare I. Union's Communist party. work of overhead pipes and passage­ services, Ms. Kennedy asserts that the douds of pinkish smoke amid an Thanks to publicity generated awesome network of overhead by FBI break-ins and espionage ways, with persistent hissing and foul Democratic party no longer deserves pipes. and passageway&. with per­ from an adjoining building to buy dire<-led at the party, and by its odors--"-reminded her, she said, of the allegiance of organized labor, sistent hissing and· foul odors - a copy of the Militant, the party 1976 presidential candidate, Peter reminded her. she said, of some­ newspaper. He promptly turned Camejo. the party enjoys a new something out of science fiction, or which ought to form its own political thing out of science fiction. or it over to one of the guards, who level of recognition reflected, it "1984.... " party. "Unions don't allow bosses to be "1984." carried ir into a n~arby office. believes, in greater popular support. "Hi, I'm Alyson Kennedy, running members, but at election time the In Cle• for mayor on the Socialist Workers unions totally support their bosses' party ticket. Read my literature and political leaders."

8 Garza urges P-Ublic works to rebuild cities South Bronx speaks out on Carter visit By Cliff Conner happy to see Carter and confident that On Washington Avenue, where Car- response to his socialist campaign. He NEW YORK-"Carter comes from a his appearance there would benefit ter had gotten out of his limousine to talked with South Bronx residents different world," said Ikien Washing­ their community. shake a few hands, Garza asked Na- about his program and handed out ton, a twenty-six-year-old Black man, Garza went to find out first-hand thaniel Scott, a seventeen-year-old SWP campaign brochures. commenting on the president's what- the community-virtually 100 Black, what he thought Carter would Garza calls for a massive, federally headline-catching tour of the South percent Black and Puerto Rican- do for the South Bronx. · funded public works program to pro- Bronx last week. thought about ·the presidential visit "I don't think he'll do anything," vide jobs at union-scale wages for the "Here a child grows up knowing and to present the socialist alternative Scott said. "He'll help the rich plenty. unemployed and to build the badly nothing but dirty streets and the smell to the plummeting quality of life in But he's not interested in poor people, needed housing, hospitals, schools, of garbage," Washington said. "What U.S. cities. and that's all there is around here." and other necessities in devastated does Carter know about that?" "Did you see President Carter last Scott, who is unemployed, says he's areas such as South Bronx. He is week?" Garza asked a group of Puerto heard many politicians promise jobs, opposed to the cutbacks of social Washington was talking with Cata­ Rican men outside a grocery store on but "you wouldn't believe how many services and massive layoffs that have rina Garza, Socialist Workers Party Boston Road. jobs I got turned down for just this been forced on New York working candidate for mayor of New York, . "No," came one reply, "he went week-jobs I've been trained for. And people by Democratic Party politicians during the socialist's visit to the South through here like a bat out of hell-and my cousin got a college diploma to be a in order to meet millions of dollars in Bronx October 10. Garza and SWP this is hell!" teacher, and she can't even get a job." interest payments to wealthy bond- campaign supporters took a walking The South Bronx is filled with block Some of the people Garza spoke with holders each year. tour to talk with residents of the area, upon block-sometimes as far as the had apparently been impressed by the Garza says that the funds to meet which Carter had visited five days eye can see-of burned-out and aban- presidential visit. One Black woman, human needs in New York City are earlier. cloned buildings. waiting for the bus near Crotona Park, readily available. Just do away with Carter made the surprise trip to one "Why do you think Carter came here said, "It took years for this place to run Washington's $115 billion war budget of the country's most impoverished at all?" Garza asked. into the ground. He's only been in for a and cancel interest payments to the communities because, he said, "the "For publicity," one man suggested. few months. I think we should give rich. Put that money to use to rebuild people ... still have to know we care." Another thought perhaps Carter him a chance." the cities, instead. The media coverage-while noting really wanted to find out about the More typical, though, was the opin- One South Bronx man, upon receiv- that people shouted "Give us money!" South Bronx's problems. "But listen, ion of a man who told Garza, "Carter ing a "Garza for Mayor" brochure, was and "We want jobs!" along the route of man, what can he learn in an hour? don't know, and he don't care. None of suspicious at first. But when he noted the presidential motorcade-tried to You'd have to be here for two or three them do." the name Socialist Workers Party he create the impression that South months just to begin to know what's Despite such justifiable antipoliti- exclaimed, "Now that's the right party, Bronx residents were, by and large, happening." cian sentiments, Garza meta friendly all right!"

Yr_ges inde~ndent Black P-Qiitics SWP makes mark on New Orleans election- By Scott Breen cal organization. Leaders of the group NEW ORLEANS-"Most of you have been involved in the fight to free have probably seen the TV election ad Gary Tyler, a Black high school that has the punch line, 'New Orleans student serving a life prison term for a is that kind of city, and Joe DiRosa is murder he didn't commit. that kind of man.' BYP also endorsed several Demo­ "What kind of city is New Orleans?" crats, including Ernest Morial, a Black asked ·Joel Aber, Socialist Workers judge who won the most votes in the Party candidate for mayor, at a Sep­ primary. Morial may become the city's tember 23 campaign rally. first Black mayor. If that happens, "New Orleans is fiftieth of fifty Morial's election would be part of a major cities in illiteracy. Sixty-fifth of growing trend in major U.S. cities. sixty-five major cities in substandard Black Democrats have been elected housing. A city where the rich thrive mayor in Los Angeles, Detroit, Atlan­ amid poverty, urban decay, racism, ta, Newark, and Gary, Indiana. sexual oppression, and meager social This trend is a distorted reflection of services. New Orleans is that kind of the aspirations of the oppressed Black .city." masses for political representation. Aber's campaign aimed to change all The potential explosiveness of denial that. He and his running mates­ of these aspirations was shown,O.uring Derrick Morrison and Laurie Burke, the civil rigP,ts movement, the ghetto both candidates for at-large city coun­ rebellions of the late 1960s, and most cil seats-ran on a program of school recently by the New York City black­ that real social gains for Blacks Morrison pointed to the example of desegregation, equal rights for women, out. cannot be won through the Democratic Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson. and paying for needed social services All this convinced the Democratic Party. The problems Blacks face, he Although he was elected with the by taxing the rich and eliminating the Party that it had to clean up its act, said, are the result of the capitalist overwhelming support of Blacks and $115 billion federal war budget. opening more elective posts to Blacks system of production for profit instead municipal workers unions, Jackson did An important development in Morri­ willing to cooperate with its procapital­ of human need. All Democrats, Morri­ not hesitate to fire 1,000 striking son's campaign was the endorsement ist policies. son noted, even the most radical­ sanitation workers, most of them he received from Black, Young, Pro­ Commenting on the BYP's support sounding, represent a pa~ty committed Black, earlier this year. gressive (BYP), a neighborhood politi- for Morial, Morrison told the Militant to preserving that system. · Aber, Morrison, and Burke all cam­ paigned for a break with the Democrat­ ic Party and for independent political action by Black and other working people. Aber vs. chief of police on political spying A measure of the SWP's impact on NEW ORLEANS-A September 23 Aber and Roeder were permitted to "Do you believe in the First the city election here could be seen at confrontation between Joel Aber and meet with Giarrusso. Amendment to the Constitution?" the September 23 campaign rally. top cop Clarence Giarrusso was "Who told you I have files on you Roeder asked Giarrusso. Bringing greetings to the meeting were front-page news here. and your party?" the chief asked. "I believe in the 'whole Constitu­ Nadine Henneman, a longtime femi­ "Mayor Aspirant Denied Police Aber cited police photographers tion," Giarrusso said, "but some nist and member of the National Files," read the front-page headline taking pictures of people who en­ people abuse it. I love America." Organization for Women, and Mary Jo in the evening States-Item. tered the Socialist Workers cam­ The States-Item story that night Meinstone of the Gary Tyler Defense "We're here to demand that you paign headquarters and police sur­ noted that "a police spokesman Fund. hand over your files on me and my veillance of him at an August 27 refused to comment" when a reporter Tyler himself sent a telegram to the party," the socialist mayoral candi­ rally for women's rights as just two asked whether the cops keep the meeting. date told Giarruso. examples. SWP under surveillance. SWP members and campaign sup­ For two weeks, Aber and Ameri­ "You are not a district attorney to Columnist Jack Wardlaw, in the porters have been active in Tyler's can Civil Liberties Union Director question me," Giarrusso said. "You September 28 States-Item, sharply defense. Marlene Roeder tried unsuccessfully are in the position of a mayoralty criticized the police for wasting Merely getting on the ballot proved to make an appointment with Giar­ candidate and not an attorney. taxpayers' money spying on a group to be a significant victory. Louisiana russo. Finally, followed by an en­ "I suggest you go to the proper that "has done nothing illegal." had an unconstitutional requirement tourilge of TV cameras and repor­ forum for this, which is the courts in Wardlaw reminded readers that the that candidates take a "loyalty oath." ters, Aber and Roeder just walked this America which I so dearly local police activity is similar to A lawsuit filed by the three SWP into the chiefs office. love," Giarrusso continued, "and national FBI harassment and sur­ candidates and handled by the Ameri­ After waiting more than an hour, God bless America." veillance of the SWP. -S.B. can Civil Liberties Union struck down this undemocratic law.

.. THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 9 In Our Opinion Letters Free them all! The release of Andres Figueroa Cordero-one of five Nation­ Militant reader in Iran is on the side of the less fortunate, both alists imprisoned since the early 1950s for actions carried out in I read the Militant when an in this country and abroad. support of Puerto Rican independence-is, as he has said, a American friend sends it to me. I want After I left the plant Thursday and you to know that your publication is victory for all those who fought to win his freedom. got on· the bus, an older Black worker greatly appreciated by myself and my got on. He was carrying a Militant. But it is a bitter victory-one in which joy turns to anger as comrades. Socialist newspapers are Some white workers started hassling we see him carried in a wheelchair from an airplane, or hear almost impossible to find in this poor him, calling him racist names. They that during his hometown welcoming he was given fascist country. But with your support, said, "We don't like niggers who read oxygen to keep him alive. and the support of other socialist commie trash." I got up and told them, It is bitter because he is dying of cancer, and doctors give him organizations, we will overthrow the "I don't like people who tell other only weeks to live. It is a cancer that could have been cured had terrorist regime of the shah and people what to do and what to read. I authorities yielded in time to his pleas for proper treatment. achieve socialism. read the same paper." S.K. They jumped up and started And it is bitter because his comrades-Lolita Lebron, Rafael Iran slugging. The bus driver broke it up Cancel Miranda, Irvin Flores, and Oscar Collazo-are still in and made the racists get off. prison. The way I see it, Blacks are capable · Right up to Figueroa Cordero's release, "Justice" Department of fighting their own battles, but it's officials tormented him, telling him he would be freed just as Reads same paper the responsibility of white folks to put soon as he signed papers asking U.S. imperialism to pardon In most respects I consider myself an racist thugs in their place. him-something they knew full well the Nationalists had average working-class white male with Furthermore, anybody that tries to tell me what to read may have a fight on always refused on principle to do. And eve~ if it meant never my own share of prejudices and biases. Since I started reading the Militant, their hands. seeing his beloved homeland again, Figueroa Cordero wouldn't Larry Welch sign. however, I have learned to deal with those prejudices in a healthy and Minneapolis, Minnesota Such dignity and courage have made the Five Nationalists constructive way. symbols of the struggle for Puerto Rican freedom. That's why I'm not sure if I'm a Marxist or not four of them remain in prison. That's why Figueroa Cordero because I don't know much about the was released only on the verge of death, although it's been Marxist philosophy. But I read your Straightforward news known for years he has terminal cancer. paper when I can, and I'm trying to get We have heard of your newspaper, but Carter's claim that he released the prisoner out of "humani­ I an understanding of it. It's not easy for have not had the chance of seeing it. tarian" concern is revolting. If Carter had an atom of human me because I didn't finish high school. Since the prison system here is oppressive toward those of us decency and compassion in him, he would have freed Figueroa It is at least obvious that the Militant Cordero the moment he took office. Carter freed the prisoner because as medical bulletins became more alarming the outrage in Puerto Rico was so great that even the island's past and present elected governors-every one Peltier writes from prison The following letter was sent to a loyal supporter of U.S. imperialism-demanded that Carter the 'Militant' by American In­ act. dian Movement activist Leonard Mass pressure has now freed one of the Five. More public Peltier. Peltier was found guilty protests can free the others. The U.S. Committee to Free the this year on frame-up charges of Five Puerto Rican Nationalists, a new, broadly sponsored murdering two FBI agents dur­ coalition, is launching a campaign to win unconditional release ing harassment raids on the by Christmas. We urge our readers to join this effort. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975. Free them all now! Greetings to all my brothers and sisters: In late June, I was assigned a cell in the United States Penitentiary at Carter's gas swindle Marion, Illinois. I've had a chance to With White House help, the Democratic Party-controlled look around for a month or so, and I Nation/Celia Curry Senate acted this month to take billions of dollars each year out would like to share some of my experiences with you. type of solitary confinement is that of working people's pockets and put them in the coffers of the They took my name and tried to you are in the cage twenty-three-and­ energy trust. replace it with a number: 89637-132. a-half hours of every day. Alone. By a fifty-to-forty-six vote, the Senate decided to lift price Thisais the government's experimen­ Men go mad. Some commit suicide. controls on newly produced natural gas within two years. tal behavior modification center for Others only mutilate themselves. Fronting for Carter was Vice-president Walter Mondale, who political prisoners. Their No. 1 Maxi­ The prisoners in the Control Unit intervened decisively to end a filibuster by Senate opponents of Kamp. The baddest one they've got. have filed a law suit in federal court to see if the judge will think these gas deregulation. They keep about 500 captives here· under the tightest security ever de­ terms of confinement are unconstitu­ Those who favor decontrol argue that higher prices will vised by the evil genius of man. No tional. A decision is due most any encourage oil corporations to step up new production of the matter where you go, you are never day now. We hope to see the court supposedly scarce natural resource. out of the sight of your captors. TV close that draconia forever and re­ This argument is disproved by the facts. Since 1972 Washing­ cameras everywhere. Two-way mic­ turn our brothers to us. ton has raised the ceiling price for new gas by 500 percent. But rophones pick up almost every word Jails are not nice places to be, and in the same five-year period, new production of natural gas has you utter. A ·very weird thing to get we must remember that thousands of our people are in prison for resist­ decreased! used to. A Clockwork Orange. Com­ plete control. ing the genocidal policies of the U.S. To shield such facts from the public, the energy trust shrouds I enjoy the company of Rafael We should support our brothers and its operations in secrecy. Figures about gas and oil reserves, for Cancel Miranda, the Puerto Rican sisters in prisons and jails all over example, come from company sources with minimal govern­ Nationalist, who has the distinction the U.S. and Canada. All Native ment supervision. of being one of the longest-held People are political prisoners To uncover the truth about the corporation's claims, working political prisoners in contemporary whether they know it or not. They people will have to fight to open all the records of the energy American history. There are six all deserve our support. · trust to committees of unionists and consumers. Native American brothers here be­ The U.S. thinks they can stop our movement by locking us in a cell but "The battle ground in 1977 and for years to come," said Sen. sides myself. One of them, Alfred Smith, is in the dreaded Control they're wrong. We will resist with James Abourezk (D-S.D.), who filibustered against deregulation, Unit. our lives the outright murders, the "will be centered on the basic issue of who actually runs the The Control Unit has about sev­ theft of our lands, the forced sterili­ economy and in whose interest." enty sealed-tomb tiger cages, many zations. We will have justice rather That is indeed the basic issue. of them constructed with closed steel than more lies, deceit, and broken And the decontrol vote points to a simple answer: the fronts so that they are virtually treaties. We will continue to fight for Democrats and Republicans run the country in the interests of soundproof. These are sensory depri­ complete sovereignty-nothing less big business. vation chambers, and they are used than nationhood-and so long as the to cage human mammal organisms Mother Earth provides and the That's why working people need to break from these parties for very long periods of time. Broth­ Great Spirit guides, there is not a and forge their own party-a labor party based on a fighting ers are sent to these cages from all power on earth that can stop us! trade-union movement. A labor party would nationalize the over the federal system for experi­ energy monopolies and place them under the democratic man­ ments in brain tampering. Hiller In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, agement of the workers. Hayes has been on deadlock in the Ll'onard PPltier It would fight for a rational energy plan to conserve the Control Unit for five-and-a-half P.M.B. 896:i7-l:i2 earth's resources, protect the environment, and provide suffi­ years. P.O. Box 1000 The most sadistic thing about this Marion, Illinois 62.9;)9 cient and cheap energy for all.

10 National Picket Line Frank Lovell ~one big printers union' considered true revolutionary socialists, The following guest column is by George settled without a strike. ITU Local 21 succeeded in we find it very hard to keep up on the J()hnson, a chapel chairperson (shop steward) in staving off an employer demand for the right to "buy proper news. I have heard that you ·present the news in a straightforward California Bay Area Typographical Union out" jobs (after which, of course, no union member form, which is of interest to every Number 21. steps in to replace the bought-out member). Most, if not socialist. News presented in the proper all, other ITU locals around the country have form and context, as it pertains to what News from the August convention of the Interna­ succumbed to the bosses on buy-out. everyone should know, is hard to find. I tional Typographical Union (ITU) in was The newspaper owners settled just before a weekend wvuld like to request any old, extra, or heartening to workers in the printing and communica­ educational conference called by Local 21, to which unused issues you can spare. Such tions trades. Merger of printing-trades unions at long members of other printing-trades unions were invited. material will be used to inform, last appears to be under way. It was attended by more than eighty people, including politically educate, and propose action Delegates to the convention voted to merge with the officials and some younger ITU activists. modes among comrades here. Mailers union and approved a report on merger with Not surprisingly, the recent negotiations and the We have found that it is necessary for the Newspaper Guild that pointed to fusion as early as need for merger were on everyone's mind. There was every comrade to be informed of the next year. also discussion of how to organize workers not in latest events. New and better Combined membership of these three unions is unions. The need for independent political action by information helps to advance toward 106,000. But the necessity of "one big union" to meet labor was raised during a session on strategy. the goals that ever-changing issues the attacks of the employers goes further. Several Local 21 members, including myself, pre­ present. Any information whatsoever Other unions are responding favorably to the pared a leaflet for the conference that called merger a can be used here to the utmost. It is rare. merger, including the 300,000-member Paperworkers necessary step to answer the attacks by the bosses. We Keep up your fine work. We wish to voice and the International Printing and Graphic Communi­ said that unions must champion the rights of all our support to those who dare to print cations Union (press operators). oppressed-women, Blacks, Chicanos, gays, and the truth, and commend you for It· is high time we combined our strength in this others. "The best way to defend our own rights is to advancing the struggle. A victory is industry. Employers in recent years have taken join with others under attack," we wrote. certain-we will win. A prisoner advantage of automation and the incompatibility of The leaflet also pointed to the Steelworkers Fight Joliet, Illinois our traditional craft divisions to weaken our unions Back campaign as a step forward for labor. significantly. Response was favorable, both at the conference and No more than 25 percent of printing workers in this in shops where the leaflet was posted. country are organized. Conditions in all shop~;~ have These are all signs of stirrings over the attacks by Corporations built on greed suffered with the decline of the unions' strength. the bosses and their government in a bastion of An article I read in the August 9 In the Bay Area we had a recent demonstration of conservative craft unionism. These signs indicate a Atlanta Constitution reveals how the need for printing workers' unity during contract coming revitalization of the union movement. multinational corporations operating negotiations with daily papers in , In the 1930s some ITU leaders and locals supported in a poor country reap tremendous Oakland, and San Jose. The nine unions involved the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), profits. have a common contract expiration date and a joint which was an earlier revitalization of the unions. We According to the article, the Indian negotiating body on economic issues. can hope that printing-trades and communications government recently served notice on With the unions bargaining together and pledging to workers will play a larger role in the one that's the Coca Cola Company to transfer respect each others' picket lines, the newspaper owners their shareholdings in that country to coming. Indian shareholders. George Fernandes, India's industries minister, said; "The activities of the Coca Cola Co. in India during the last 20 years furnish a classic example of how a multinational corporation operating in Capitalism in Crisis a low priority, high profit area in a developing country attains runaway growth. and ... can trifle with the Andy Rose weaker indigenous industry in the process." The minister said that in the 1950s, Coca Cola invested a mere $100,000 in The story of Sharon Steal •· "/ · their Indian bottling plants and in twenty-five years had remitted over All is not gloom and doom in the steel industry. change Commission accused Posner and his son and $12.5 million "by way of imports, True some 18 000 steelworkers have been laid off in daughter of putting more than $1.7 million worth of profits, home office and service You~gstown, 'Lackawanna, Johnstown, and other personal housing, services, and travel on the tab of charges." cities. And true, thousands more are threatened with Sharon Steel and five other companies they control. Coca Cola was forced to sell their losing their jobs if they don't speed up at work and Posner charged more than $100,000 worth of air interests to Indian bottling companies shape up for the companies' anti-import drive. travel to such vacation spots as Haiti, the Bahamas, but not without a "very high margin of Many unemployed steel~orkers-in between figur- Mexico, Las Vegas, Miami, and St. Simons Island. profit of about 400 percent," he said. ing out how to pay their grocery bills-_have no doubt A penthouse suite for Posner's use at the Plaza Hotel Is it any wonder that other countries felt deep concern about how the top executives of their in New York cost $100,000 a year. It included four know the U.S. multinational poverty-pleading corporations are faring. bedrooms, a wine vault, kitchen, breakfast room, card corporations are built on greed, fraud, "It would be tragic indeed," the workers must be parlor, game room, dining room, living room, and deceit, exploitation, and the protection saying, "if our captains of industry were ever to grow assorted other amenities. of the CIA? so faint from hunger that they faltered in their ant!- The Posners charged liquor, grocery, restaurant, and John Rabbets import crusade that promises to bring higher prices to other bills to their companies. They enjoyed the use of Cullman, Alabama all of us." a Mercedes, a limousine with driver, and various other Take heart! Last year the six men who are the chief cars to the tune of more than $200,000. executives of· Armco, Bethlehem, Inland, National, The irony is that none of Posner's escapades were Republic, and U.S. Steel were paid a combined total of illegal. All big corporations provide such "executive more than $2 million in salaries and bonuses. Not the perquisites" as a matter of course. Posner's firms erred· Likes 'Bakke' coverage highest pay in the corporate world, but enough to keep only by failing to report the expenses to the Securities The Militant is an excellent paper­ body and soul together. Even if the price of a new car and Exchange Commission as required. keep up the good work! I really enjoy goes up $1,000 next year, these prophets of protection- Corporate executives do not have to pay tax on these "Great Society" and "Capitalism Fouls ism will not have to walk to work. luxuries, unless they choose to report them as Things Up." And, as a female student, Edgar Speer, chairman of U.S. Steel, fared the best. completely unrelated to business. Even then, "the the articles on Bakke and the women's He got $325,000 in salary and $100,000 in bonuses for truth is that IRS enforcement in this area has been struggles are of vital interest. his services last year. sporadic, and it& rule-making almost nonexistent," an Sandra Denton It is hard for most of us to imagine $425,000. A Internal Revenue Service official confided to News- Greeley, Colorado worker receiving the minimum wage would have to week magazine. labor ceaselessly for eighty-nine years to match that The Posner scandal provides a peek at the lush life- total. Even the average steelworker-one of the better- style of those who are today exhorting underpaid paid workers in this country-cannot expect to earn as steelworkers to speed up production and accept lower much in a lifetime as Speer takes home in a single health and safety standards to "save" the U.S. steel year. industry. If you assume Speer works forty hours a week, fifty- To be sure, the exorbitant salaries, bonuses, and The letters column is an open two weeks a year-which is certainly questionable- company-paid high living by e_xecutives are not the forum for all viewpoints on sub­ his remuneration amounts to $204 an hour. And that's only cause of the crisis in steel. But they are one jects of general interest to our not even counting dividends, pension plan, or profits indication of the fraud and deception steelworkers will readers. Please keep your letters from exercising stock options. uncover when they begin fighting to open the books of brief. Where necessary they will But there is more to life at the top than just salary the steel trust to discover for themselves the truth be abridged. Please indicate if and bonuses. This was underlined recently by the case about the industry's finances. your name may be used .or if you of Victor Posner, chairman of the Sharon Steel If those books were ever opened, they would disclose prefer that your initials be used Corporation. profiteering ripoffs that make Victor Posner look like a instead. On September 20 the federal Securities and Ex- piker.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 11 The Great Society Harry Ring

Well qualified-We don't under­ product of social environment, and of the late Sen. J:tobert Kennedy, TELL IT LIKE IT IS By DUNAGIN stand the big flap about Bert Lance. It criminal traits can be detected in decided it was time to go to work. He seems to us that anyone who cart flout children by age three, says Dr. Stanton got hired as a special assistant in the all the rules in borrowing money and Samenow, a psychologist who studied Community Services Administration. get away with heavy overdrafting is 115 convicted inmates at a federal $25,000 per annum. the ideal choice for budget director. mental institution. Not one of them, he said, was really ill. Right, doc.

No-comment dep't-"CORNER Flying high-Declaring -the accom­ BROOK, Newfoundland (UPI)­ Postmaster wanted?-The Post panying evidence "too inconclusive," Environmentalist Brian Davies was Office has increased its rewards. Like the Federal Aviation Administration fined $1,000 and sentenced to fourteen for turning in a mail robber, the rejected a petition to bar flight-crew days in jail Wednesday for flying his reward has been upped from $3,000 to members from smoking for eight hours helicopter too close to a seal herd in $5,000. prior to departure. A consumer coali­ which hunters were slaughtering 9-16 ~-•m,..,...... , tion declared in its petition that smok­ animals with clubs." --- ing had "deleterious effects on 'Thank goodness it's the economic vital brain and nervous system func­ indicators that are down ... and not Breaking the job barrier-Now tioning that are incompatible with Police the cribs-Crime is not the the economy itself.' twenty-four, Joseph Kennedy III, son maximum air safety." La Lucha Puertorriqueiia Catarino Garza The 'hot tip' Catarino Garza is the Socialist Workers especially Blacks or Latinos-are involved. So, on activists in the campaign to free the Five Puerto Party candidate for mayor of New York. general principle, I didn't believe the story when it Rican Nationalists, who have been held in U.S. was printed. And I wasn't disappointed. prisons since the early 1950s. One reason for the Last August 5 New Yorkers woke to the news that The real story about the phone tip, the cops now attempted frame-up, Alba said, is "the growing police had gotten their first big break in the hunt say, was that "someone" called about the apart­ interest in and prominence of the struggle to free .for the F ALN, a mysterious terrorist group. The ment but said nothing about the bombings or the the Five at a time"when the U.S. government has group was said to have claimed responsibility for a FALN. Police admit that there were no FALN raised the issue of human rights." fatal bombing two days earlier, with a note membership lists. The F ALN literature was stickers Alba said among the items taken from his demanding independence for Puerto Rico. that have been widely distributed at New York apartment were typewriters, a mimeograph ma­ The story was that the cops got an anonymous demonstrations. The police have yet to show the chine, t-shirts with pictures of the Five, and phone tip the day of the bombings saying "some­ alleged weapons to anyone. And, at a preliminary literature on the case. one" at a Bronx apartment was connected with the hearing September 28, charges against Alba and bombing. Acting under the ''hot pursuit" doctrine, Perez were reduced to misdemeanors-hardly your Perez viewed the repression as part of the drive by local cops and FBI agents raided the apartment everyday front-page crime story. Puerto Rican Gov. Carlos Barcelo to impose without ·a warrant that afternoon. They claimed to Shortly before that hearing, I spoke with Alba statehood on Puerto Rico. They must repress the have found guns, ammunition, FALN literature, and Perez. independence movement, he explained, because it membership lists, and "interesting _material." Alba said the raid and arrests had nothing to do stands in the way of a rigged referendum to rubber­ When police returned in a second raid, David with any tips. "It wasn't the phone call. The place stamp a decision to make Puerto Rico a state. Perez came by the apartment. Police grabbed him was picked out because of political activity." He Alba and Perez say they won't be silenced by the as a suspect. They launched a dragnet for another sees the arrest as part of an overall move by the government's drive against them. "We'll continue to suspect, Vicente Alba. His name is on the mailbox. government against the Puerto Rican independence be active in the campaign to free the Five Puerto After many years of political activity, I've come to movement and its supporters. Rican Nationalists and in the fight against grand expect the police to lie whenever activists- Both Alba and Perez have been prominent jury repression." Capitalism Fouls Things Up Arnold Weissberg Human enor, it's called . When oil in the Alaska pipeline leaked and "Expediting the oil flow." Who benefits from The cause of the near-catastrophe? "Human er­ exploded last July, killing one worker and injuring disregarding safety rules to get the oil through the ror," according to plant officials. five others, the pipeline companies said it was pipeline faster? The pipeline workers? Or Alyeska, A report by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission "human error." which has $9 billion sunk .in the project? Or the oil found that plant management had been given That's what the corporations say every time oil corporations, eager to get their hands on the 9. 7 plenty of warnings that urethane was highly flam­ spills, radiation leaks, or someone is injured on the billion barrels of North Slope oil? mable. All the plant electricians knew it. job. It's hardly news anymore that shoddy construc­ So evidently top plant operators didn't want to But a closer look at the "errors" shows who's tion makes the pipeline a prime candidate for oil spend the money to use something safer for plug­ really responsible. leaks. Alyeska was interested in getting the con­ ging leaks. After the pipeline blast, Alyeska, the pipeline struction job done in a hurry. So it's perfectly builder and operator, immediately blamed its plausible that the valve in Pump House 8 could It's true that humans make errors. But the Alaska workers. According to Alyeska, "someone" opened a have malfunctioned and opened by itself. pipeline explosion and Browns Ferry fire didn't valve to clean it while the oil was passing through, But even if someone did try to clean a filter the happen because someone made a mistake. and the oil vaporized and exploded. wrong way to save some time, he was only doing They happened because the oil companies, the what company policy dictated. utilities, and eveiy other corporation are in business Workers told a different story. "It [the valve] In 1975 two workers at the Browns Ferry, Ala­ to make a profit. When they do a job, they do it as opened by itself," charged Herb Robson, who was bama, nuclear plant were sealing air leaks under cheaply as possible. there. the reactor control room. They used a candle to So when there's another New York City blackout, The National Transportation Safety Board, how­ check to see if the leaks were filled. Air rushing or when an accident at a nuclear power plant gets ever, agreed with Alyeska: "[It] appears that the through a hole sucked up the flame and ignited the out of control, you can bet they'll blame it on technicians intent on expediting the oil flow" (em­ urethane used to plug the holes. The fire quickly "human error." phasis added) might have "inadvertently" disre­ spread, knocking out nearly all reactor controls. A Because "human error," for them, sounds a lot garded the company's written rules. major nuclear disaster was barely avoided. better on the evening news than "corporate error."

12 NOW leader urges big turnout for IWY conf. . . . By Joan Buchanan · form that mcludes a strong plank m Smeal pmnt<'d to Nl >W s obhgatwn SAN ANTONIO-Eleanor Smeal, · support of a woman's right to choose to provide lPadership to the ERA strug- president of the National Organization abortion. gle. She also stressed that it is a for Women, urged Texas NOW A third resolution urged the support national struggle that must be fought members to mobilize on a major scale of lesbian rights at the conference. with a national strategy, not on a to attend the International Women's In other business, Texas NOW dele- state-by-state basis. Year conference scheduled for Houston gates voted to reject a proposal to raise Abandoning other issues, such as November 18-21. state dues from one dollar to five the right to abortion, in hopes of sav- Right-wing forces are organizing a dollars a year. State dues are in addi- ing the ERA was rejected by Smeal. large presence at the conference, she tion to fifteen dollars annual national "The right-wing opponents of women's said, to try to impose their reactionary dues and five dollars chapter dues. The rights are opposed to all rights for positions. As a result, the conference is delegates agreed on state dues of two women, not just a few." shaping up ·as a political battle be- dollars. "What. has happened in the abortion tween women's rights advocates and . The Equal Rights Amendment work- field," she added, "is totally disgrace- the right-wing minority that is seek- shop was one of the largest at the ful. The president and the administra- ing to destroy the gains women have convention. Smeal, leading the work- tion's position on Medicaid and on won over the decades. shop, characterized 1977 as the year of poor women and abortion is intolera- "We have to mobilize for this confer- NOW PRESIDENT defeat for ERA supporters. ble, and we must register our protest in ence or eleven years of hard work goes must meet right-wing challenge at Pointing out that a majority of peo- an effective way." up in smoke," said Smeal. She was in International Women's Year conference. ple support the ERA, she said, "What San Antonio addressing the state con- we won in the opinion polls, we lost in vention of Texas NOW. The confer- sharp focus for the convention dele- horse-trading. We took a low-profile DANBURY, Connecticut-The first ence, h,eld October 1-2, was attended by gates. The consensus was that Texas approach so we wouldn't make anyone meeting of the NOW northeastern re­ more than 200 women. NOW has a major responsibility to mad and we lost state after state. We gional college and high school commit­ The IWY conference, she said, "will bring women to Houston. learned that we have to be able 'to tee took place here October 1-2. The be interpreted as NOW's defeat if it A series of resolutions on various deliver pressure to win." committee, established at the June goes badly.... We must be there in aspects of building for the IWY confer- Indiana, she continued, was the ex- northeastern regional conference of such large numbers that the anti- ence came out of the workshops and ception to the string of defeats. "We NOW, will coordinate the work of local women's rights movement cannot dis- were approved by the convention. organized a march in a blizzard with chapters in reaching out to campus rupt it. One resolution called for urging the lots of NOW banners," she observed, feminists. "If you hadn't planned on going," participation of organized labor "in "and the legislators knew what those The meeting discussed ways to bring Smeal emphasized, "please reconsider. rallying to the cause of equality at the banners meant. In every other state we more students into NOW, including the This is a conference for women and national women's conference in Hous- were going to organize vigils and dem- publication of a brochure to aid in where else should we be?" ton." onstrations and rallies. But we were building chapters of NOW on the cam­ Smeal's stand helped put the need to Another urged NOW delegates to the talked out of it. And the ERA went puses. Another meeting was set for mobilize for the IWY conference into IWY conference to organize on a plat- down in defeat." January.

N.Y. women's groups NOW: no abortion compromise The September/October issue of TION FOR WOMEN WILL NOT Do It NOW, newspaper of the DESERT ANY GROUP OF plan to picket Califano National Organization for Women, WOMEN. We are not willing to reports on the congressional stale­ compromise our position! These By Shelley Kramer United Nations. Supporters of abortion mate over the 1977 Hyde amend­ constraints condemn young poor "I have never met a woman who had rights picketed outside the UN chant­ ment, which would continue the women to a circle of poverty from an abortion," claimed Joseph Califano, ing: "Not the church, nQt the state, freeze on Medicaid funds for abor­ which they cannot escape. secretary of the Department of Health, women must control their fate!" The tions. Do It NOW points out that the "Statistics prove that Americans Education and Welfare, at his confir­ demonstration was cosponsored by Senate's ·more "liberal" version-the overwhelmingly support a ~oman's mation hearing earlier this year. NOW and the National Abortion Brooke amendment, which permits right to choose. Twenty-five percent Carter appointee Califano is an out­ Rights Action League. funds for "medically necessaryo• of all American women have had an spoken opponent of government fund­ It is estimated that 70 percent of the abortions-has produced dangerous abortion. Since the Supreme Court ing for abortions. With White House 300,000 women who depend on Medi­ confusion among womeri's groups. has thrown the decision into the approval, he immediately cut off HEW caid for abortions each year will now "Some abortion rights advocates political arena, we wiH meet the Medicaid for abortions this summer, seek illegal abortions. Hundreds will are willing to accept the compromise opposition head-on." · after court rulings upheld the 1976 die at the hands of back street Senate language," says the newspa­ Smeal's statement represents a congressional ban on abortion fund­ butchers. Thousands more will be hos­ per. "Other advocates, most notably welcome change on the part of the mg. pitalized due to complications. The National Organization for NOW leadership. The August issue To protest the HEW's anti-woman In a related development, the Ameri­ Women, refuse to gamble." of Do It NOW promoted the opposite stand, New York abortion rights acti­ can Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has The article goes on to quote a attitude toward the Brooke amend­ vists have called a picket line for decided to make abortion rights its top statement by Eleanor Smeal, presi­ ment. An article by Arlie Scott, November 12 outside New York Uni­ priority for the coming year. dent of NOW: NOW vice-president for action, said versity Law School, where Califano At an October 6 news conference, "While NOW condemns the Hyde that "NOW and pro-abortion organi­ will be speaking. The demonstrators national ACLU leaders condemned the Amendment as totally inhumane, we zations are lobbying for the 'medi­ will raise three demands: restore Medi­ actions of the U.S. Supreme Court, cannot support the Brooke Amend­ cally necessary' Senate language as caid funds for abortion, end steriliza­ Congress, and the Carter administra­ ment. Although we appreciate Sena­ the least offensive of the alterna­ tion abuse, and end the cutbacks in tion to restrict legal abortion and Medi­ tor Brooke's attempt to provide more tives." HEW funds. caid funds. "Freedom of choice is access to poor women, the Brooke The firm stance against the House Organizations sponsoring the dem­ gravely in danger," said Norman Amendment implies that a person's and Senate amendments taken in onstration include the Women's Center Dorsen, the group's national chairper­ right is divisible even though the the latest issue of Do It NOW will at New York University; NYU Wo:rpen son. Supreme Court has ruled that every aid NOW nationally and locally in Law Student!?; National Organization Dorsen said the ACLU will cam­ woman has a right to choose. intensifying the campaign to defend for Women; and CARASA, the Coali­ paign against the right wing's call for "THE NATIONAL ORGANIZA- abortion rights. -S.K. tion for Abortion Rights and Against a constitutional convention to outlaw Sterilization Abuse. abortion. Nine state legislatures have A similar action took place October thus far voted approval for such a 5, when Jimmy Carter addressed the convention. /([fp Nat'l meeting of Black women "This Conference is, we hope, a workshops will discuss perspectives first step toward breaking the long for the Black Women's Caucus at the silence about the oppression we ex­ Houston International Women's perience on a daily basis," says the Year conference in November. brochure for the National Black Among the scheduled conference Women's Conference planned for speakers are Aileen Hernandez, Chicago, October 21-23. "It is time former president of the National .for the masses of Black women to Organization for Women; Rev. Willie come together to combat racism and Barrow, national president of sexism. Surely, the time has come PUSH; and Addie Wyatt, an interna­ for 'A Meeting of the Minds.'" tional vice-president of the Amal­ The conference, to be held at the gamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Midland Hotel, is sponsored by the Workmen and a vice-president of the National Alliance of Black Femi­ Coalition of Labor Union Women. nists (NABF). The program in­ For more information, write to cludes plenary sessions, guest speak­ NABF at 202 South State Street, · itant/Mike ner ers, and workshops. One of the Suite 1024, Chicago, Illinois 60604. NOW-sponsored picket line against abortion restrictions in St. Louis. Continued protests are needed to defeat government's anti-abortion attacks.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 13 Selling the 'Militant' on the job By Andrea Baron Rayson says that the most important thing is to Sales to co-workers are an important part of the fall make the Militant as visible as possible. "A lot of subscription drive. In many cities, steelworkers, auto people here bring magazines to read. So I bring in a and railroad workers, teachers, and others have copy of the Militant and put it down by my machine. taken on goals for sales to co-workers this fall. "People notice the Militant sitting there and the In Houston members of the Oil, Chemical and headlines on the iron range strike or on the Chicago · Atomic Workers union have found that sales on the desegregation fight, which they are also interested in. job are easy. They set a goal of thirty subscriptions for They frequently stop by and pick it up and ask me the drive. They've already sold sixteen. about it. Twelve of these have been sold by Jana Pellusch. "Once I left an issue lying around and later found "The best way to sell a lot of subs is to ask everyone that the section on the iron ore strike was missing. you know." Pellusch says. "We make a list of ev­ The paper really gets spread around. eryone we think will be interested. Then we try to "The first person I sold a sub to was a Black worker talk to them about some of the current issues and who has been there for five years. He loved the article articles. on the Mesabi strike and got a sub right away. Now he ''After work I show them a copy and explain our says he reads the Militant cover to cover every week. special offer. So far, everyone we've asked has said Rayson found that it's important to be sensitive to yes. the people you talk to. "One man was interested, but "Many of the workers who bought subscriptions he was working two jobs and had little time to read. were Black. Besides the articles on the labor move­ So I cut out some clippings from back issues of the ment, they liked the seriousness of the Militants Militant and put them in a folder. He took it home and coverage of Black issues-such as desegregation of read the clippings on Sunday. the Chicago schools and the Bakke decision." · "He was impressed to find that the Militant covers Chris Rayson works in a copper smelting plant in the labor movement every week and decided to get a Cleveland. He found that the coverage of the steel · subscription." strike in the Mesabi Iron Range made it easy to sell In summation, Rayson said, "You don't have to · subscriptions. work in a plant a long time to talk to people and sell Most workers in his plant work overtime just to subs. I've been on the job for less then six-months. I've meet their basic expenses. So when they hear that sold four subs already and plan to sell a lot more 18,000 steelworkers are on strike in the iron range, before the drive is over. Two more people I've talked to they want to know what it's all about. are thinking about it already."

Scoreboard I National (Total received as of October 11) City Goal Tota~ Percent subscription St. Paul 150 105 ( 1)* 70.0 Albuquerque 150 85 (13) 56.7 150 76 ( 8) 50.7 round-up Lehigh Valley, Pa. 20 10 50.0 Catch-up weeks subscriptions in two hours at tional Women's Year sparked needeC: Portland, Ore. 250 113 ( 4) 45.2 Militant supporters in more Evergreen State College. the sales. azine. Raleigh, N.C. 120 54 ( 1) 45.0 cities are moving to set Kansas City, Mo. 225 87 (12) 38.7 "catch-up weeks"-full weeks Rem1 300 110 ( 5) 36.7 of intensive subscription Campus team II Sub tips ... pectivr Miami 250 91 ( 6) 35.4 gathering to take up the slack canal: A second national Militant Our supporters think the Dallas 250 89 ( 4) 35.6 between their current stand­ much, campus team has hit the Militant is the best paper San Diego 300 103 (11) 34.3 ing and where they should be issues 1 road. Southern California is around. They're always on 400 133 ( 8) 33.3 on the scoreboard. her frit this one's turf. It begins with the lookout for good ideas Phoenix 250 77 ( 9) 30.8 San Antonio's big week is Cincinnati 200 61 30.5 two people-but there are about how to get others to October 15-22; Tacoma's will plans to add a third before Houston 600 174 (11) 29.0 begin reading the paper. be October 21-28; and Los long. Boston 825 221 (19) 26.8 During the subscription CoffE Angeles will go all out Oc­ After its first day out-to New York 1,800 473 (51) 26.3 drive, we've been printing I've f tober 16-21. Cal State at Long Beach-the Los Angeles 1,100 285 (62) 25.9 their suggestions. Here are to sell Chicago 900 233 (10) 25.9 two-member team came back some that came to us recently. Detroit 850 219 ( 7) 25.8 123 in two days with eleven subscriptions. Baltimore 175 45 ( 1) 25.7 Los Angeles has already Save Washington D.C. 600 148 ( 1) 24.7 made encouraging progress And team I I have found it very useful New Orleans 300 74 24.7 over the weekend of October Meanwhile, our first cam­ to make sure people under­ St. Louis 375 92 24.5 8-9. pus team 1s busy visiting stand how much money they Oakland 600 140 (10) 23.3 In those two days alone cities in Ohio and Michigan. are saving by taking advan­ Pittsburgh 450 100 ( 2) 22.2 they sold 123 subscriptions. Team member Gary Bal­ tage of this special offer. Cleveland 300 64 ( 3) 21.3 "We had forty-five people sam says every Latino they The introductory offer al­ Atlanta 600 130 ( 7) 21.7 . go out on Saturday and meet is interested in Perspec­ lows you to get the paper for Tacoma 150 31 ( 3) 20.7 twenty-five out on Sunday­ tiva Mundial. The vice­ well below half price;._twenty Berkeley 300 61 ( 2) 20.3 with some participating both president of the Chicano stu­ cents an issue versus fifty Newark 350 66 ( 9) 18.9 days," says Los Angeles So­ dent group at Eastern cents. Toledo 150 28 ( 2) 18.7 cialist Workers Party organi­ Michigan University got a In explaining this I point to Philadelphia 675 124 ( 5) 18.4 zer Rich Finkel. "Our focus subscription. Louisville 150 25 16.7 was on the Black and Chi­ the section of the new sub­ scription blank that says, San Antonio 350 57 ( 2) 16.3 cano communities and stu­ Anxious to help? Bloomington, Ind. 50 7 14.0 dent housing." "Save three dollars." This Minneapolis 350 44 ( 1) 12.6 An invitation is extended to helps get across the advan­ Amherst, Ma. 40 5 12.5 all Militant readers to aid the tage of subscribing rather Seattle 300 37 ( 1) 12.3 Good news drive for new readers. than just buying one issue. Kipp Dawson San Jose 350 39 ( 5) 11.1 from Tacoma Among those who have re~ Penn State, Pa. 40 4 10.0 sponded is a group in Sche­ Pittsburgh Bob Rowand of Tacoma San Francisco 600 52 ( 3) 8.7 nectady, New York. testifies to the value of revisit­ Albany, NY 75 6 8.0 Writes Greg Jonas: "I and Your name ing people who only buy a Kent, Ohio 75 4 5.3 my associates are anxious to single copy. He says subscrip­ This may seem obvious, but Indianapolis 150 1 0.7 aid the Militant in its current tion sellers in Tacoma get I think many of us forget to Miscellaneous 170 ( 9) drive for subscribers. We have do it. When you're going door Total 18,000 4,353 24.2 good results from follow-up formed a committee for this during weekday nights. to door selling subscriptions, Should be 5,600 30.0 and · similar purposes. ·We begin by introducing It seems some people *Figures in parentheses indicate number of 'Perspectiva have contacts on several cam­ who've never seen the Mili­ yourself-that is, tell them puses. Please send your sub­ your name. It helps break the Mundial' subscriptions included in totals. tant before may be hesitant to scription blanks and posters ICe. buy a subscription on first in time for the drive." encounter. But after reading a Chris Ihlenfeld copy of the paper, they like Milwaukee KC raises goa~ what they find out and are NOW subscribers Alert readers may notice that there's a small willing to subscribe. (If the Ruth Getts of San Antonio Spanish but important change in the scoreboard. Kansas $.50 they pay for their first says Texas socialists sold Even though fluent Span­ City has raised its goal from 150 to 225-33.3 issue counts toward the sub­ twenty-one subscriptions at a ish is not essential in selling percent. That's good news for the drive. scription, then they only owe statewide NOW conference in subscriptions to Perspectiva We'll be looking forward to seeing other areas $1.50 when you revisit them.) that city October 1. That Mundial, it can be an asset. raise their goals in coming weeks. Those cities Tacoma also reports good amounted to one sub for every We have started a class on ranking toward the top of the chart are likely results from campus sales. A ten women there. The Mili­ beginning Spanish. We've candidates for such a raise. team of eight sold thirty-four tant back page on Interna- been learning conversations

14 How it's done in Salt Lake City By Jesse Smith brochure. This gives them a chance to get to know SALT LAKE CITY-Members of the Socialist Militant rea.ders better, talk to them about the ideas Workers Party here are enthusiastic about the in the paper, and find out what they might like to response they've been getting in the Militant sub­ get involved in. scription drive. Door-to-door sales are only part of the subscrip­ The Salt Lake SWP branch is already well over tion effort under way in Salt Lake City. Party halfway to its goal of 150 new subscribers (see members are involved in several movements and scoreboard). About 10 percent of these have signed coalitions. They make a point of talking to activists up for Perspectiva Mundial, the Spanish-language about the Militant and Perspectiva, explaining thwt biweekly. they are the best sources of information about The sales week starts Saturday morning, when things such as the women's movement and the fight the new issue of the Militant has just arrived. against deportations around the country. About a Members gather at a regular time and place for a dozen new subscribers have been introduced to the short briefing on the areas selected for door-to-door two publications in this way. sales and about the other materials being distrib­ The other major focus is on the University of uted along with the paper. They also quickly famil­ Utah campus, where a small chapter of the Young iarize themselves with feature articles in the new Socialist Alliance is working to get established. issue and compare notes on the areas they have SWP members decided it would be a big help if they previously visited. tried to sell a third of the branch's total subs on the Then they divide up into teams and head for their campus. neighborhoods in the Black or Chicano community. A couple of party members who are free during Team members get back together at an agreed-on the day are joining· forces with YSA members to time, usually after an hour-and-a-half or so of staff literature tables featuring the Militant and talking to potential subscribers. Perspectiva. By telling everyone who stops by about Each subscription seller carries a canvassing the special introductory offers, they got nine new sheet so they can note down every address and subscribers the first day. apartment number, the response, and anything else Salt Lake City has one of the newest and smallest to remember about the people visited. Often people SWP branches in the country. There are only a want to be recontacted after they have read one dozen members, some of whom are brand new and issue or after they receive their paycheck. People just getting their feet wet in the sub drive. Their who weren't home can be visited again next week. experiences suggest some pointers that may be And anyone who is turned off by the best paper in useful elsewhere. the country can be noted as a door to skip on coming visits to the area. Above all, the key is to be both aggressive and The same salesperson who first visited a certain persistent. We ask everybody we meet to get a block or apartment house will go back later to subscription. If they don't-if they decide to think follow up. This can often be done in half-an-hour on about it for a while-we check back with them. a weekday evening, leaving the next Saturday free We sell in largely Black and Chicano communi­ for pushing on into a new area. ties, where people are feeling the economic crunch. If the seller won't be able to stop by again to If they can't afford the latest issue, we'll give them clinch a sale, he or she leaves a leaflet that des­ a back issue as a sample and ask them to budget cribes the paper and has a coupon to be mailed to two dollars as soon as they can for a subscription. the local Militant sales office. One of our early advantages was our previous .. alk about the mag- is to bring a copy of .the This systematic approach has been one of the regular sales visits to certain neighborhoods. People Militant with me to lunch or factors in our success so far-not only in getting had gotten to know the paper and the salespeople coffee break. I work in a large er, though, Pers· new readers signed up but in getting to know them and were open to the idea of subscribing. But we ·lls itself. One Chi­ hospital in San Francisco, and most everybody takes a and talking to them about movement activities the also had to recognize when we had saturated those likes the paper so socialists are involved in. areas with door-to-door canvassing. asked us for back break or has lunch in the Militant sellers give people leaflets on upcoming We still follow up on specific people who have •how around among cafeteria. Most people will ask forums, meetings, and demonstrations on their first s. me what I'm reading. This been thinking about subscribing, but we also keep Carole Newcomb gives me a good opportunity visit. They also make a point of stopping by the adding new blocks or communities and repeating Albuquerque to talk to people about the homes of regular readers and subscribers when they the process. The same can be done in other areas of paper. I've sold a number of are in the area, dropping off the latest leaflet or the country in the remaining-. six weeks of the drive . . break subscriptions this way. •d that a good way Frank Calcagno lSCriptions at work San Francisco Keep our Militant teams traveling ...

If you go door to door in'the trailer affirmative action." to $10,000, that $240 doubled to $480. camps of Minnesota's iron range, Although it is costly to finance So far in the matching fund, $1,499 you're likely to find a copy of the these special Militant teams, the has been contributed, which equals Militant at many homes. More than importance of getting our newspaper $2,998 toward our $50,000 goal. 100 subscriptions have been sold into the hands of activists, and $31,000 was pledged to the fund there in the past few months, mostly expanding our circulation base has drive at an August rally for the Militant to striking miners. Seventy sub­ convinced us to send out more during the Socialist Workers Party scriptions were sold by a special team subscription teams. convention. So far, $25,044 of this Four Militant supporters are now money has been collected. The traveling to campuses in the Ohio and sooner we receive the rest of these Michigan area, and another team has pledged donations, the closer we will begun selling at colleges in southern be to the $50,000 mark. California. With your continued con­ ,------.------1 tributions, we hope to field more l1 want to contribute: I teams. I o $sao o $2so o $1oo I Our ability to do this depends on 1o $so o$2s o$1o I composed of Bob Schwarz and Joyce meeting our goal of $50,000 for the 1 Other 1 Stoller, who have just returned from Militant Fund Drive. As of October 10 1Name I we have collected $28,042, or 56 their trip .. 1Address I percent. Several subscription buyers were 1City State Zip __ I women miners, reports Stoller. ''They This week $240 in new con­ I Make checks payable to: The Militant 1 not only wanted to read our coverage tributions came in from readers. Fund, 14 Charles Lane, New York, New 1 of the iron range strike, but were also Because one of our readers has I York 10014. · interested in abortion rights and pledged to match every donation up L------J . . .give to the $50,000 fund today

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 15 Teacher strikes face fines, scabs, and jail By Lynn Henderson Supreme Court temporarily lifted the District offered scabs eighty dollars contempt of court charges under the School boards across the country jailings until October 11, when, if for the first day of work and sixty state's law banning strikes by public are dramatically stepping up their the strike continues, teachers will dollars every day thereafter. employees. use of heavy fines, arrests, and possibly be sent back to complete High unemployment among Cali­ The day before the vote by the scal;>s to crush teachers' strikes and their jail terms. fornia teachers, and the almost total Franklin Education . Association to impose austerity contracts. The board is trying to keep the lack of concern by the union in the (FEA) to return to work, Judge All three of these tactics are being eight schools in the system open by past for substitute teachers, who Greany threatened to jail the entire used against' a strike of 400 teachers, hiring 104 scab substitute teachers. made up the bulk of the scabs, membership if the strike continued. 65 clerical workers, and 6 bus drivers Despite high rates of absenteeism helped lead to the success of the Greany also imposed fines totaling in Matawan, New Jersey. and protests by parents, many of the school board's tactic. $:mo,950 on the FEA and its The Matawan Regional Education makeshift classes have forty-five or Mt. Diablo school district, the members. The fines on individual Association called the strike Sep­ more students. Movies are being tenth largest in the state, pays the teachers range up to $1,350. The tember 16 after the school board shown in the auditoriums. to fill out lowest wages of all eighty Bay Area total fines are the equivalent of the drew up a new contract eliminating the days. school districts. entire dues income of the union for benefits the teachers had won over Among the thirty-five teachers the next ten years. the past ten years. taken from Judge Lane's court to jail On September 30 jail sentences Greany insists that all fines will The school board also refused to cells was Janet Jones, who won the and heavy fines forced the 300 be paid in full and that teachers offer more than a 6 percent salary State Teacher of the Year award two teachers of the Franklin, Massachu­ must pay their own fines without increase for each of the next three years ago. setts, school system back to work any assistance from. the union. years. after a two-week strike. Greany also ordered the parent On October 6, Judge Merritt Lane After a fifteen-day strike that be­ The strike began when the school organization of the FEA, the Massa­ sentenced forty-four Mataway gan September 8, Mt. Diablo, Cali: committee demanded the right to chusetts Teachers Association teachers to jail terms of ten to thirty fornia, teachers voted to return to carry out projected layoffs without (MTA), to publicly disavow the days and levied fines of $50 to $150 work and refer the key issue in the regard to seniority. The school com­ strike and place advertisements to each on charges of ignoring a back­ strike-salary-to binding arbitra­ mittee wants to save money by lay­ that effect in four area newspapers. to-work order issued the first day of tion. ing off senior teachers in higher pay The MTA contested the constitu­ the strike. Seventy-eight more A major factor in their forced categories. tionality of the ruling but Greany teachers face hearings and possible decision was the recruitment of 1,300 On the first day of the strike 112 held it was legitimatized under the jail terms during the next month. scabs throughout the state to break teachers were arrested for "trespass­ same state collective-bargaining law On October 7 Associate Ju.stice the strike. ing." Superior Court Judge John that justified his jailing of the Alan Handler of the New Jersey The Mt. Diablo Unified School Greany later jailed sixty teachers on teachers.

By Diane Wang Commenting on the high court de­ James Gaylord used to teach social nial of his rights, former Tacoma studies in a Tacoma, Washington, high teacher James Gaylord said, "I'm not school. He had graduated with honors terribly happy about losing, but some­ from college and compiled a good one else will win, believe me." thirteen-year record as a teacher. Gay rights supporters are organizing But in 1972 Gaylord was fired. Why? against attacks on gay teachers· to Because he is a homosexual. No one make sure someone else does win. On accused him of doing anything im­ Septem her 24, 200 people from across proper. But when confronted by the California attended a conference in school board, he refused to deny being Sacramento to discuss how to stop the gay. Briggs drive. John Gish, a teacher in New Jersey, As part of the educational campaign was shifted from his teaching duties in planned, the conference voted to have 1972 and ordered to have a psychiatric a series of coordinated public speak­ test. Why? Gish had become president outs across the state during the first of his local Gay Activists Alliance week in December. (GAA). Since the Briggs's initiative is be­ On October 3 the United States coming a major national test for gay Supreme Court refused to review these rights, the conference urged that hu­ two cases, letting previous court rul­ man rights supporters outside Califor­ ings stand that legalized antigay dis­ nia also use the December target week crimination. to educate on the issues. In California, meanwhile, State Sen. John Briggs is preparing to collect 312,000 signatures to put an antigay referendum on the ballot there. Union Briggs's proposal "prohibits hiring, and requires dismissal" of any teacher, GAY TEACHERS ON THE MARCH: contingent in Los Angeles demonstration for gay backing teacher's aide, administrator, or coun­ rights last June 26. selor "who has engaged in a public Both the major U.S. teachers homosexual act" or who has "engaged unions back the rights of gay in advocating, soliciting, imposing, Since statistics don't support the as they keep their homosexuality se­ teachers. encouraging or promoting of private or slanderous claim that gay teachers cret is like telling Blacks they can The National Education Associa­ public homosexual acts directed at, or molest their students, most antigay teach as long as no one notices they tion has passed a resolution say­ likely to come to the attention of school bigots try to sound more reasonable: If are not white. Or like telling Jewish ing, "The NEA believes that per­ children and/or other employees." only gay teachers don't "flaunt" their teachers their jobs depend on being sonnel policies and practices must The right of gay people to be homosexuality, say the bigots, no one able to pass as Gentiles. "As long as guarantee that no person be em­ teachers has become a major target of will know they are gay. Or they accuse you aren't seen going to a synagogue ployed, retained, paid, dismissed, antigay bigots in recent months. Ac­ gay teachers of trying to "recruit" stu­ ... ,'' bigots might well say. or demoted because of . . . sexual cording to a Gallup opinion poll last dents. When gays are told they must hide orientation." summer, there is more confusion on This, of course, is a double standard. their private lives, they are being In 1970 the American Federation this issue than on any other gay rights What if a heterosexual teacher men­ forced- to help perpetuate the stereo­ of Teachers passed a resolution question. Although 56 percent of those tions a family or is seen in public with types of homosexuality that reinforce saying: polled agreed that gays should have a wife or husband? Is that "flaunting" antigay discrimination. "Whereas professional people in­ equal job opportunities-in general, only heterosexuality? This attack threatens more than the sist that they be judged on the 27 percent supported the right of gays The idea that gay teachers should be estimated 120,000 to 240,000 gay basis of professional and not per­ to teach in elementary schools. forced to stay in the closet is based on teachers in this country. Once human sonal criteria, and Marc Rubin, a leader of the Gay the myth that society has a legitimate rights are applied selectively, no one is "Whereas it is the responsibility Teachers Association in New York, interest in suppressing homosexuality safe. of trade unions to provide job pro­ explained what lies behind the propa­ through the schools. Or as Anita Bry­ If John Gish can be victimized for tection from all forms of discrimi­ ganda barrage against gay teachers. ant put it last spring: becoming president of the GAA, what nation that is not based on perfor­ "No matter what the opponents of "I'm concerned about how it might about the teacher who becomes a prom­ mance such as race, color, sex, gay teachers call it," he told the Mili­ influence the children. . . . I mean inent member of the NAACP? Or religion, age or ethnic origin, tant, "what they are doing is using a people who are role models being able leader of a women's liberation group? "Be it resolved that the AFT euphemism for child molesting. It's a to stand up and say 'I'm homosexual Or candidate for office on a socialist protests any personnel actions very clever and sophisticated way of and I'm proud of it,' implying to our slate? Or a union organizer? taken against any teacher merely hitting the same emotional button children that they have another legiti­ Any teacher whose ideas differ from because he or she practices homo­ without actually saying that gay mate choice open to them." the prevailing political o'r social major­ sexual behavior in private life." teachers are child molesters." Saying that gays can teach as long ity is vulnerable.

16 Interview with deseg~ation caucus leader Calif. AFT stand on 'Bakke' & busing hit RUPsets By Lynn Henderson AFT conventions for the past eleven The following is an interview years. election with Jeff Mackler, national coor­ For the first time the overwhelming dinator of the American Federa­ majority of Blacks and minority dele­ tion of Teachers caucus on Dese­ gates played the key role in opposing plans gregation and Equality in Shanker's policy on busing and Bakke. Education. Mackler has been an The pressure on Shanker became so By Nick Fuentes activist in the AFT for the past great that his own Progressive Caucus VENTURA, Calif.-A state conven­ eleven years. He is the organizer had to abstain from taking an official tion of La Raza U nida Party was held and former vice-president of AFT position on busing and the Bakke here September 3-4. Nearly 100 Chi­ Local 1423 in Hayward, Califor­ decision to prevent a possible split. cano activists attended. nia, and former president of the . The desegregation caucus sponsored The California partido was· formed Alameda County Council of the three meetings at the convention. They seven years ago. Yet, as the outgoing AF-T. drew the largest attendance that I've state chairperson, Andres Torres seen in years for any group proposing stated, the motivating idea of the RUP Question. When and why was the changes in AFT policy. is just as valid today as it was then. AFT Caucus on Desegregation and Our most impressive meeting was a Independent Chicano political action Equality in Education formed? · panel discussion on busing. It in­ is the key to advancing the Chicano cluded, among others, two AFT nation­ movement. Answer. Prior to 1975 the AFT al vice-presidents-Bill Simons, presi­ Although the convention delegates leadership was on record as supporting dent of the Washington Teachers were unable to agree on all of the school desegregation and endorsing Union, and Nat LaCour, president of many recommendations that came out busing as a necessary tool for accom­ the United Teachers of New Orlean~. of the workshops, important cam­ plishing that goal. In 1975, however, at More than 200 delegates attended this paigns were projected. the national AFT convention in 'Ha­ panel discussion. In the Goals and Objectives work­ waii, President Albert Shanker op­ During the convention several shop, Andres Torres proposed running posed and defeated every resolution hundred delegates signed our busing a slate of candidates for statewide supporting busing. This was a serious resolution and joined the desegrega­ offices in the 1978 gubernatorial elec~ setback for the union, reversing our tion caucus. tions. The specific offices would be former policy of defending civil rights. The desegregation caucus, in cooper­ decided at future meetings. The AFT Desegregation and Equali­ ation with the Black Caucus, also Torres suggested that the RUP seek ty in Education Caucus was formed First, for the Black, Chicano, Puerto played · a key role in opposing the independent rather than party ballot after the Hawaii convention to fight Rican, and other minority communi­ Shanker-backed resolution supporting status. for a probusing resolution at the 1976 ties, busing is crucial if these students the Bakke decision. We were able to To qualify independent candidates convention in Miami. are to achieve equal educational oppor­ defeat the Shanker resolution in com­ for the state ballot requires obtaining Officers from over 200 AFT locals tunities. mittee, something virtually unheard of the signatures of 100,000 voters on supported our probusing resolution Schools, especially in the urban at an AFT convention. nominating petitions. For placing a and joined the caucus. The caucus centers, have become more and more While Shanker was able to mobilize party's name on the ballot the require­ played a leading role in opposing segregated due to deliberate discr1mi­ enough votes in the general session to ments are even more discriminatory. It Shanker's antibusing position at the nation in housing, school zoning pass his resolution, 27 percent of the can be done either by registering some 1976 convention and again at the 1977 patterns, and allocation of educational delegates voted against it, including 63,000 members in the party or by convention held in Boston last August. funds. virtually all the minority delegates and · obtaining a half-million petition signa­ Many steps have to be taken to many of the younger white delegates. tures. . Q. Why did the Shanker leadership eliminate the separate and unequal In projecting the idea of shooting for abandon support for busing? situation that exists in education. But Q. What are the plans of the caucus independent status, Torres said he busing is the decisive first step. A. Shanker insists he doesn't oppose for future activity? believes there is a legal basis for hav­ Second is the question of teachers' busing per se. His stated position is A. We plan to step up the fight for ing "Raza Unida" placed alongside an own self-interest. The broad support of that busing is only one of a number of desegregation and equality in educa­ independent nominee's name as a bal­ the communities of the oppressed possible remedial tools for desegregat­ tion. Specifically that means building lot designation. This possibility will be minorities is essential if teachers are ing schools. But where busing has support for busing and fighting to investigated. going to successfully resist the present come under violent, racist attack-as reverse the Bakke decision. These will Forming new RUP chapters across campaign to slash education. in Boston-Shanker refuses to stand be our two major areas of work. the state would go hand-in-hand with a The parents and students of the up and support Black rights. The caucus was able to achieve a petition drive. Projections were made Black, Chicano, and Puerto Rican In practice Shanker has retreated significant victory this summer when to organize chapters in San Diego, San communities have the most to lose from support to desegregation and civil the California Federation of Teachers Bernadino, Fresno, Sacramento, and from the gutting of social services and rights throughout the past ten years. reaffirmed its full support for busing. elsewhere. A statewide committee was public education. They represent our In 1968 he led his own local, the set up to coordinate the effort. strongest potential allies. · The CFT set up a statewide committee United Federation of Teachers in New of the union to assist all' those locals Several years ago, the RUP set out to For the AFT to continue to treat York City, into a racist strike against that are going through the desegrega­ register enough people to win ballot them as the enemy-and in practice to Black and Puerto Rican community tion process. status. As a consequence there are oppose their legitimate social control of the schools. We want to duplicate this in other presently an estimated 15,000 people demands-is suicidal for teachers. In 1975 he abandoned any meaning­ areas so the union doesn't continue to registered RUP in California. With Third, the growing attacks on the ful support to busing. play a neutral and even reactionary these contacts alone, the basis exists minority communities are the first step · And this year he threw the full role on busing. for expanding the partido. in a broader campaign aimed at the weight of the AFT's national appara­ Members of the caucus also helped The convention voted to make El unions and at all working people. The tus behind the Bakke decision, which if build support among teachers and Sembrador, now the newspaper of the entire labor movement thus has a upheld would be a death blow to students for the demonstrations to San Fernando chapter, the statewide stake in defending busing, affirmative affirmative-action programs across the reverse the Bakke decision that oc­ organ of the RUP. action, and other civil rights now country. curred in a number of cities October 8. At a recent meeting, the state central under attack. Last year, in a school system where These are the kinds of activities we committee of the partido had voted to 67 percent of the students are Black, will continue to carry out. By the time endorse the Chicano/Latino antidepor­ Q. What response did the Caucus on Latino, and Chinese, the UFT was of the AFT convention next year in tation conference slated for San Anto­ Desegregation and Equality in Educa­ more than 95 percent white. Shanker Washington, D.C., we will be even nio October 28-30. The convention reaf­ tion receive at last August's AFT defends the New York City Board of stronger than at the Boston conven­ firmed this decision and voted to send convention in Boston? Education against federal government tion, and .we hope to reverse the delegates to the conference. findings of massive discrimination in A. The response was the most signif­ scandalous national policies of the The convention elected new state the hiring and promotion of teachers. icant that I have seen in attending AFT on busing and Bakke. officers. These were: Fred Aguilar, chairperson; Ruth Under Shanker's leadership the UFT Banda, vice chairperson; Gabino Ser­ has become a white job trust. Shanker rano, recording secretary; Evangelina thinks his career as an AFL-CIO Perez, treasurer; Jose Gonzales, state bureaucrat is best promoted by basing representative for Southern California; himself on the relatively privileged 'Ieachers Under Attack Ruben Botello, representative for Cen­ layer of older, high-seniority, white tral California; and Arturo Vasquez, teachers. He fears and opposes any By Jeff Mackler representative for Northern California. mobilization of the young, Black, and • How can teachers organize effectively Puerto Rican teachers and is willing to against massive educational cutbacks? see them bear the brunt of the crisis in • Why should the AFT stop supporting education. Democrats and Republicans? Shanker also places primary impor­ • Why have the present policies of both tance on his alliance with the Demo­ the NEA and AFT proved so inadequate in cratic Party and Democratic politi­ defending teachers' living standards? cians. And they are fundamentally • This pamphlet offers a program for opposed to both busing and quotas. teachers to defend public education.

Q. Why is busing such an important 32 pp., 50 cents. Order from Pathfinder issue for teachers and the AFT? Press, 410 West Street, New York, New York 10014. A. This question is important for teachers on three levels.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 17 Key_P-rovisions deleted Black lung reform passes House, Senate By Nancy Cole to claim benefits, so that they don't have You're short-breathed. You cough up to quit to find out if they qualify. blood. You tire easily and often have to The most vehement opposition was sleep sitting up. reserved for the automatic benefits You have pneumoconiosis, better provision. known to its victims as black lung. It's a The Carter administration, sup­ disabling respiratory disease caused by posedly a friend of black lung reform, inhalihg coal dust. testified against automatic benefits. There's no cure for black lung. It kills. Assistant Secretary of Labor Donald Yet before 1969, there was no relief, no Elisburg also spoke out against elimi­ benefits for the thousands who suffered nating the rereading of all X-rays that and died each year from black lung. coalfield doctors have already pro­ The 1969 Federal Health and Safety nounced those of black lung victims. Act, the result of a campaign by miners Elisburg also urged leaving the medi­ and the Black Lung Association, cal standards up to the Labor Depart­ changed that. For the first time black ment. lung victims and their survivors could get modest payments, if they were For leading congressional opponent judged eligible. Rep. John Erlenborn (R-Ill.), automatic benefits would have set "an horrend­ Complicated medical criteria, how­ ously bad precedent." He and others ever, have meant that thousands of charged it would open the door for miners with black lung are rejected for victims of other occupational diseases, benefits. The Labor Department has a such as those suffering from brown lung backlog of some 50,000 black lung cases. and asbestosis. It takes an average of two years to settle Last year a bill with the automatic a claim. benefits provision intact passed the So the battle by the United Mine House by a 210-183 vote. It died because Workers and the BLA began again. For bill considered improvements over the • Ten million dollars would be allo­ the Senate failed to act on it. several years now a reform black lung present setup include: cated each year for clinics and mobile "Attitudes have changed and har­ bill has been in the works. • Survivors of miners for whom there units to treat and examine black lung dened," reported the Capitol Hill News The House approved a black lung bill are no official records of the disease patients. Service, "and the spectre of dozens of September 19. The next day the Senate could produce affidavits in order to occupational diseases clamoring for approved a different version. A House­ quality. The bill's sponsors in the House special treatment has scared away Senate confere:p.ce is now working on a • Regulations for claims filed after traded off other key provisions: erstwhile supporters." compromise bill. 1973 could not be harsher than those • Deleted is the section guaranteeing That specter must have become more The coal industry predictably fought filed before. automatic benefits to miners and their haunting when a recent federal study the legislation, and both bills show • Survivors of miners who worked for survivors who worked twenty-five years revealed that one out of four American serious scars. at least seventeen years in an under­ in a soft-coal mine or thirty years in an workers is exposed to a substance on the The new law would transfer re­ ground mine and died in a mine accident anthracite mine. job that could lead to death or disease. sponsibility for financing benefits from prior to 1971 would be eligible. • Gone too is the part prohibiting. The idea that workers may demand the government to the coal industry. • Federal officials would have to mine operators or the government from the right to safe working conditions and · The goal of the billis to make it easier review all claims previously denied. challenging black lung claims approved to some money for the irreparable dam­ for miners to qualify for and actually • Miners would be allowed to collect by administrative-law judges. age done to their health has big busi­ receive the benefits. black lung benefits plus other disability • Also dropped is a provision al­ ness and its friends on Capitol Hill Provisions of the more liberal House payments they're entitled to. lowing working miners with black lung worried. We forced management to take a step back' By Ray Markey That's where the productivity committees came The second was the District Council 37 tops, who In many unions across the country, particular­ in. They were to be set up in each area, with the proposed that our negotiators give up more and ly in public employee unions, we are beginning to union taking major responsibility for proposing more to show management we were "serious" hear more and more about productivity commit­ and implementing cutbacks in the name of and "reasonable." tees. productivity. No cutbacks, no cost-of-living But the more we gave up, the more manage­ The boss, whether on the state, county, or raises. ment demanded. municipal level, says such committees are Victor Gotbaum, executive director of District necessary to make sure the public is getting a Council 37, sold this to the membership by Over the opposition of the local president and a fair day's work for its tax dollar. New York City insisting that everybody had to sacrifice to save majority of the executive board, an emergency is a good example of what the bankers and the city from the "fiscal crisis." membership meeting was called by petition. The capitalist politicians really mean. We were also told the proposal really wouldn't membership told the president and the negotiat­ hurt us very much because the union would ing team to stiffen their backbones and go back propose management saving devices to make up and fight harder. for the money the politicians were demanding in But the final agreement was so bad that four cutbacks. members of the negotiating team, including Both assertions proved to be false. myself, issued a statement calling for a "no" What's happening in New York City has vote. After a long and heated discussion, the nothing to do with "equality of sacrifice." The membership voted the contract down 195 to 5. productivity committees are used to squeeze city The negotiating team went back, but returned workers and ram through speed-up measures. with a package that was worse than the first. It District Council 37, American Federation of But even more important, when unions volun­ was rejected again, by a vote of 115 to 64. State, County and Municipal Employees, recent­ tarily agree to such proposals, the. effect is to The membership then threw out the old nego­ ly negotiated a "no-cost contract." No cost for big embolden the bosses to intensify their attacks­ tiating team and elected a new one that included business, but very costly for AFSCME members. to demand more. only two members of the old team, myself and a Its provisions included a wage freeze, deferral That's what happened in my local-the Li­ rank-and-file member who had fought the hard­ of one week's pay for each worker until he or she brary Workers, Local 1930. The management of est against the package. leaves the job, three weeks of vacation instead of the New York Public Library decided that not Management sensed the change in mood imme­ four for new employees, and a 10 percent cut in enough had been given up in the city-wide diately. They tried to intimidate the new team by starting pay. agreement and refused to sign a contract unless telling us they doubted they weJ:e dealing with What did we get in return? A cost-of-living we gave up more. trustworthy and reliable individuals. The team increase to be paid for out of productivity Management's demands were out of sight-an stood firm. savings. increase in the workweek, cut in sick and vaca­ A contract settlement was finally hammered tion days, and an end to provisions under which out and brought back to a membership meeting Ray Markey is a employees left early when the temperature­ of more than 250, where only 9 voted against member of the humidity index reached a given maximum level. acceptance. The membership felt proud they had executive board of the To get management to bargain we first had to fought against management, the District Council New York Public organize a pi.cket line of more than 500 at the 37 leadership and the president of their own Library Guild, Fifth Avenue main library. local, and come back with a slightly better deal. American Federation When negotiations began, Local 1930's nego­ We didn't win a dramatically improved con­ of State, County and tiating team, elected by the executive committee tract. That would have taken more than the Municipal Employees of the local, came under immense pressure from isolated forces of Local 1930. But we reversed a Local 1930. two sources. process. We stopped retreating. And by fighting The first, .J.nd most obvious, was management. we forctd management to take a step back.

18 World Outlook

France: 'Union of the Left' breaks up CP leader Marchais and SP leader Mitterand before (left) and after break-up of electoral bloc with Left

By Gerry Foley differences between the CP and SP the Left. He explained that the Soviet hand the government over to them. From Intercontinental Press proposals were. diplomatic representatives in Paris The tensions in French society had Only six months before the French It was pointed out that the CP had long made no secret of their been increasing in anticipation of a legislative elections, with what ap­ needed to adopt a more aggressive opinion that the best alternative for Union of the Left victory. A flight. of peared to be certain victory in sight, stance toward its allies and score some Soviet interests was a French bour­ capital had already been in progress the electoral bloc of the Union of the points for militancy. Since the forma­ geois government that would take a for some time. It was obvious that the Left parties broke up. tion of the Union of the Left, the CP more independent stance toward workers and poor masses were just The split in the coalition began had been experiencing an "identity Washington. waiting for a Union of the Left victory September 14, when the Left Radicals, crisis." The ranks could not see what Other commentators speculated that to start pressing their demands. the bourgeois component of the the difference was between the propos­ the CP wanted to pull back from a Thus, if the Union of the Left formed popular-front alliance, walked out of a als of their party and those of the SP. Union of the Left victory in order to a government after March, it could summit meeting of the Union of the Moreover, while. the CP had paid a sabotage the SP. That is, the SP has touch off a mass upsurge that neither Left, proclaiming their determination price for the Union of the Left, the SP grown rapidly by attracting disparate of the main parties in the bloc nor the to defend private enterprise from the was getting all the gravy. By reviving elements that could be held together bourgeoisie wants. The reformists seek "collectivist" claws of the Communist the SP's credibility as an electoral only by the perspective of a rapid the approval of the bourgeoisie on the· Party, cost what it might. party, the popular-front alliance had electoral victory. Thus, if such a basis of being the last hope for holding The open rupture in the Union of the rescued it from a moribund state. victory were deferred, the SP would back the masses, short of direct con­ Left was consummated on September Then, the revived SP was able to begin to come apart. frontation. If a popular-front govern­ 23-24, when the Socialist Party refused project an all-inclusive image and to On the other hand, some commenta­ ment threatens to promote struggles to accept the CP's demand that 479 benefit from a lack of identification tors speculated that the SP might have rather than contain them, the reform­ companies employing under 150,000 with .Stalinist dogma. So, it zoomed decided to call the CP's bluff because, ists lose their selling point to the workers be included on the list of those way ahead of the CP in electoral with the demise of the Union of the bourgeoisie. to be nationalized under a Union of the support. Left, it would emerge as the only alternative to the present government Danger of division Left government. Likewise, the SP objections were However, in trying to retreat from The CP leaders had called for "up­ thought to be tactically motivated. As and might get a big enough plurality to form a minority government. the prospects of a tJ nion of the Left dating" the Union of the Left program the elections approached, it was ex­ victory at the polls, the CP and SP will in order, they said, td revive the pected that the SP would have a Don't stand up run the risk of losing control over waning enthusiasm of the workers and greater interest in proving its modera­ sections of , the working class. It is mobilize them for the electoral strug­ tion to the bourgeoisie, since it would One thing is certain, and seems generally accepted, the explanations impossible to predict how extensive or gle. But the result was the opposite of obviously be the largest party in a long-lasting a demoralization may be the CP's stated goal. It dashed the Union of the Left government. given for the rupture by the Union of -the Left parties themselves do not caused by the split in the Union of the hopes of the workers for getting a Left. But it is likely that sections of the government that would be responsive Left Radicals stand up under scrutiny. It is possible that the SP leadership working class will decide that they to their demands. The waning confi­ In the same way, the sudden intran­ have to start fighting again for their dence it revived was that of the bour­ sigence of the Left Radicals was entertains the idea of an SP minority government. demands, without waiting any more geoisie. attributed to a desire simply to score for elections. some points. On its own, this fragment But an SP minority government or Inexplicable defeat of the old liberal bourgeois party has alliance with "liberal" Gaullists would In a statement published in the September 26 issue of Rouge, the For many months, the workers very little weight. Inside the Union of be a risky proposition. In the first Political Bureau of the Ligue Commu­ the Left, it has considerable impor­ ·place, taking this course would mean movement had been virtually in sus­ niste Revolutionnaire (Revolutionary tance because it represents the liberal exchanging certain victory for an pended animation, waiting for the Communist League, French section of bourgeois forces that both the CP and uncertain chance of a bigger SP vote. seemingly certain installation of a the Fourth International) appealed to Union of the Left government. Now SP leaders want to ally themselves Secondly, even if the SP were success­ with. It represents, moreover, a guar­ ful, this would mean leaving the the workers organizations not to let a the very parties that created these breakdown of the Union of the Left expectations had suddenly exploded. antee to the bourgeoisie that a Union opposition to the CP during a period of economic decline. The French Social divide the workers in their struggles: The abrupt split in the Union of the of the Left government will remain Democrats have seen the Italian SP Left was seen by the workers as an within the bourgeois framework. Let assemblies be called in all the plants Before the breakdown of negotia­ cut to pieces by the CP in a similar where all the unions and workers parties iQ.explicable defeat. The September 28 can explain their positions. After a demo­ 23"24, situation. issue of the French Trotskyist daily tions September the CP had cratic debate, the workers should be consult· Rouge commented: already reduced its list of additional The theory that the Kremlin forced ed and the CP and SP should agree to nationalizations by half. Both the SP the French CP to torpedo the Union of respect their decisions regarding the issue [The] workers have often taken the and CP pledged that under a Union of the Left also overlooks the fact that the of nationalizations but also the minimum attacks of the bosses without fighting back, the Left government, the capitalist, party leadership has shown in the past wage, the hierarchy in the plant, working accepting changes in hours and layoffs in market economy would be preserved. year and a half that it is capable of conditions, jobs, and the army .... the hope that in six months' time they could It is not surprising that the split in clashing rather sharply with the Krem­ The unity the workers need ·is not with settle accounts with the employers. So, a the Union of the Left over the stated lin when it thinks its electpral interests some section of the bourgeoisie; it is unity split in the Union of the Left is felt as a differences between the three parties are at stake. with the workers themselves, the unity of disaster. their organizations behind their demands, was incomprehensible to the French In all the speculation in the French people. behind an offensive to drive Giscard and Up until the suspension of negotia­ press, one fairly obvious explanation Barre [the premier] from office. tions among the Union of the Left for the crisis of the Union of the Left A split in the working class will not only parties on September 24, most com­ Ulterior motives? seems to have gone unnoticed. It is one mean that the right will win the elections mentators in the French press expected In fact, the sudden torpedoing of an that would be damaging to the pre­ but the Barre plan [austerity] will be the contending parties to reach some electoral alliance virtually assured of tenses of both the bourgeois and applied to the fullest and repression by the sort of compromise. victory aroused extensive speculation reformist forces, and a rude shock to bosses will be stepped up. . . . in the press about ulterior motives on We call on the SP and CP activists to join Throughout the three weeks in which the illusions of the. petty-bourgeois in forming united committees in the plants the split developed, reporter after the part of the groups involved. supporters of the popular-front al­ and neighhorhoods open to all workers who reporter and commentator after com­ For example, in the September 25 Le liance. It may be that the bourgeoisie agree on the need to oust the Giscard-Barre mentator in Le Monde, France's politi­ Monde, Andre Fontaine argued that simply let the Union of the Left parties government and who want to discuss thP cally most sophisticated bourgeois pressure from the Kremlin may have know in sufficiently forceful terms that program of an SP-CP government to meet daily, pointed out how unessential the forced the CP to scuttle the Union of it did not think the time was right to the aspirations of thP workers.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 19 World Outlook

What happened at China's

11th Congress? New central committee elected at eleventh congress of Chinese Commu

ByLes Evans ing the treasure-house of Marxist­ Hua said that the movement to "criti­ campaign footing to increase produc­ From Intercontinental Press Leninist theory and is Chairman cize LinPiao and Confucius" had been tion, put a halt to indoctrination The Eleventh Congress of the Chi­ Mao's most precious legacy to our era." "wrecked," the thousands of articles campaigns that disrupt work, import nese Communist Party (CCP), held in devoted to criticizing the novel Water more foreign technology, and revive Peking August 12 to 18, contained few The summary of Hua's speech which Margin had been a "vicious propagan­ scientific education, which had nearly surprises. It did offer a hint of the appeared on August 22, however, was da drive" to split the Central Commit­ collapsed under Mao. (The September lineup in the post-Mao leadership and a repudiation of virtually all of the tee, and that the purge of Teng Hsiao­ 1977 issue of the Bulletin of the Atomic the extent of the purge of Mao's specific campaigns initiated by Mao in p'ing was based on "false charges." Scientists reports that Chou Jung-hsin, personal faction, which has not by any the last ten years of his life. Hua Hua insisted that it was "upon the the minister of education hounded means been limited to the "gang of declared that the Cultural Revolution personal proposal of Chairman Mao from office last year, "concluded, after four." had come to a "triumphant and its adoption by the Political Bu­ investigation, that university stan­ After almost thirty years in power, conclusion"-with the arrest of the reau" on April 7 of last year that he, dards in 1975 were no higher than the CCP still conducts its deliberations "gang of four," who with Mao had Hua, had been named first vice­ those of technical middle schools be­ as though it were a persecuted been its principal leaders! chairman of the Central Committee. fore the Cultural Revolution.") opposition-in complete secrecy. The He added that "this has ushered in a Hua tactfully refrained from mention­ The new leadership's Concern with Chinese people discovered that their new period of development in our ing the other half of MaO's "personal industrial productivity and economic ruling party was · holding .a congress country's socialist revolution and so­ proposal" at that Politburo meeting, growth are so paramoul'lt as to be only after it was over, when the cialist construction. Now we are able to which was to strip Teng Hsiao-p'ing of written into the new party constitu­ announcement was released to the achieve stability and unity and attain all his government and party posts. tion, much as Lin Piao's aspirations to press on August 20. There was, as great order across the land in com­ rulership were written in eight years usual, no publication beforehand of pliance with Chairman Mao's instruc­ Production down ago. The plans for achieving this tions." any documents that could provide a These obvious slips are deliberate. desirable goal are more shadowy, how­ basis for discussion by the party's What Hua here calls Mao's "instruc­ They constitute an attack on Mao's ever. thirty-five million nominal members. tions" · are, of course, nothing of the prestige that stops short of direct Western music can now be heard on The new congress had a limited sort. As everyone in China recalls, public criticism of the late leader. The Chinese radio for the first time in a agenda: a political report, which took when Mao denounced Teng Hsiao­ reasons for the attack are not hard to decade. Foreign trade is welcomed and the fofJI1 of a four-hour speech by party p'ing as a "representative of the find. In April, Li Chiang, China's the slogan of "self-reliance" is seldom Chairman Hua Kuo-feng; the adoption bourgeoisie" in April 1976, it was foreign trade minister, told a group of heard. But in essence the new because Teng allegedly failed to make of a new party constitution, reported Japanese businessmen that China's leadership-which is not synonymous "class struggle" the "key link" ahead on by 79-year-old Defense Minister coal production had fallen by twenty­ with a younger leadership-has noth­ of "stability and unity." Yeh Chien-ying; the election of a new five million tons in 1976 as a result of ing with which to replace "Maoism" Central Committee and Politburo; and In Maoist jargon this dispute con­ natural disasters and "sabotage" by except variants of the same thing. a brief closing address by Teng Hsiao­ cerned real policy differences within the "gang of four." Steel production is They are still committed to a narrow p'ing. Teng had just been rehabilitated the ruling bureaucracy over the rela­ also reportedly down by some 10 to 15 nationalistic prospect of trying to . in July, having been purged by Mao as tive priority of economic construction percent. And there is a food shortage construct an advanced industrial econ­ an "unrepentent capitalist roader" in versus indoctrination campaigns to on top of the setbacks in industrial omy within the borders of backward "remold" loyal Maoists. The essence of April of 1976 in one of Mao's last production. On May 6, the Hong Kong China with whatever aid can be "Mao Tsetung Thought," insofar as it official acts. Far Eastern Economic Review report­ secured from imperialism in exchange differed at all from Soviet-style Stalin­ ed: for collaboration against foreign so­ ism, lay in Mao's novel insistence on Repudiation of Mao "Recent wallposters in Shanghai cialist revolutions. But technical pro­ the "human factor," i.e:, the impor­ The press communique issued by the . . . have protested against the size of fessionalism alone will not lift China government news agency, Hsinhua, on tance of using the party apparatus to the rations of rice and cooking oil, and to the level of Japan or assuage the August 20 said that Hua had stressed generate massive social pressure for similar manifestations have been not­ discontent of the Chinese masses in his report that "Mao Tsetung ideological conformity. ed in Canton." under the arbitrary rule of a privileged The new government has been on a bureaucratic caste. Thought is a new acquisition enrich- Extreme anti-intellectualism This went hand-in-hand with the Leadership changes most extreme anti-intellectualism, a While these problems were not open­ disregard for the most elementary ly discussed at Hua's handpicked requirements of teaching science and congress, concern over them was technology, a blatant xenophobia, and reflected in the leadership changes a cultural and political monolithism that took place there. In China the that threatened to disrupt the econo­ actual power is centered not in the my. congress, nor· even in the Central At the end of Mao's reign the CCP Committee, but in the Politburo and its found itself dominated by ignorant elite Standing Committee. sycophants of the chairman, with an Some Western reporters noted the economy in deep trouble and a popula­ high degree of continuity from the tion more and more restive under the remaining members of the Tenth lash of bureaucratic abuse. Small Politburo to the Eleventh, which is in wonder that Hua now promises "stabil­ contrast to an extensive new purge of ity and unity," choosing his words the Central Committee itself, revealed deliberately as a rejection of Mao's for the first time in the list published disastrous "class struggle" against after the Eleventh Congress. This independent-minded workers_and peas­ appearance of continuity is mislead­ ants. ing, since the purge in this important Speaking of the previous govern­ body was carried out long ago, right ment, Hua said that the "gang of after the death of Mao. The decimation four"-Mao's wife, Chiang Ch'ing, and of Mao's faction in the Politburo can three other senior Maoist members of be seen in the contrast between the the Politburo-"repressed and stifled numb"er of them included in the full the revolutionary enthusiasm of the Politburo of 1973 and th0se who were mass of intellectuals.'' still on hand to stand for reelection in HUA: 'legitimizes' his hold As for the campaigns of recent years, TENG: 'rehabilitated' 1977.

20 On the eve of the Eleventh Congress, which makes it about the oldest party of the five vice-chairmen elected at the leadership anywhere in the world. Tenth Congress, only two remained­ The "new" faces on the Politburo World news notes Yeh Chien-ying, and Li Te-sheng, the include such figures as Hsu Hsiang­ military commander of Manchuria and ch'ien, 75, and Nieh. Jung-chen, 78, a former hard Maoist. Of these, Li was head of the Academy of Sciences Fang Carter signs (part of) human rights accord dropped from his vice-chairmanship by I, 68; foreign trade expert Keng Piao, On October 5 President Carter signed two eleven-year-old United Nations the new congress. 68; Yu Ch'iu-li, 63, head of the national pacts on human rights guaranteeing civil liberties and the right to adequate Of the nine members of the Politburo planning commission; and Su Chen­ economic and social rights. One pact recognizes the right of all people to a job, Standing Committee elected in 1973, hua, 68, an admiral purged by Mao in fair wages, adequate health care, and education. Carter declined to sign an only two remained in 1977; again, Yeh 1966 who is now in charge of cleaning optional section of the pacts that would have enabled a human rights and Li. (Chairman Hua was not Mao's appointees out of their former committee to evaluate complaints from U.S. citizens. No doubt the committee considered important enough in 1973 stronghold in Shanghai. The youngest would have been kept busy hearing complaints from this country's Blacks, to be elected to the Standing Commit­ member of the new Politburo, and the Indians, Puerto Ricans, Chicanos, women, gays, and other working people. tee.) only one under 50, is Ni Chih-fu, 44, a Only twelve of the twenty-two specialist in questions of public order House arrests prevent Jewish protest in USSR \ members of the full Politburo were still and former head of the Peking militia, About twenty Jews who were previously denied permission to emigrate from around by August 1977, the rest either who is now in Shanghai reorganizing the Soviet Union have been placed under house arrest. The twenty had wanted dead of old age or under arrest. the militia there. to take their cases to the Supreme Soviet, the handpicked national legislature The situation in the 195-member that is meeting in Moscow .. But the Jewish activists were prevented by guards Central Committee (enlarged by the 'Half of heaven' stationed outside their apartments. August congress to 201) was quite In the official rankings, the hold­ The Supreme Soviet was discussing and approving the USSR's new constitu­ different. The list published by Hsin­ overs from the previous committee tion. hua on August 20 was the first retain the top posts. Hua Kuo-feng indication of who had survived the succeeded at this congress in "legitim­ U.S. monopoly on atomic fuel in trouble purge of the Mao faction. No fewer izing" his hold on the chairmanship, In the first week of October, Japan signed an agreement to have its spent than 85 of the 195 CC members elected which until now rested on a scribbled nuclear fuel reprocessed into plutonium by a French plant. The agreement is in 1973 were dropped. Allowing for the note by Mao in which the dying chair­ another blow to President Carter's efforts to maintain a U.S. monopoly on six known deaths among these, that man said that he was "at ease" with atomic fuel. According to the New York Times, French officials answer Carter's still comes to about 40 percent of the Hua taking care of some provincial claim that the United States can meet the growing market for uranium by party leadership. problems. The four vice-chairmen are pointing out that "there is great uncertainty that the United States will be able Defense Minister Yeh Chien-ying, to expand its uranium enrichment capacity in the face of mounting public 'Model workers' Teng Hsiao-p'ing, economic planner Li disenchantment with nuclear energy. Australia, the other great source of Those dropped were overwhelmingly Hsien-nien, and Wang Tung-hsing, the uranium with about 20 percent of the Western world's deposits, has been having a bitter public debate over whether or not to exploit its ore." the relatively young representatives of commander of the leadership's private "mass organizations" used by Mao in bodyguard troops and director of the the Cultural Revolution as a cudgel to General Office of the Central Commit­ Israel sets up six new bases in occupied West Bank beat the veteran bureaucracy into line. tee. On October 10 the Israeli government announced approval for six new Zionist Their replacements are the same aged Among the most prominent of the settlements in the Arab territory occupied during the 1967 war. The settlers­ administrators Mao accused of "capi­ remaining members reelected to the members of the fanatical right-wing Gush Emunim religious sect-will offi­ talist restorationism" in 1966. Politburo are Ch' en Hsi-lien, com­ cially be "employed on a mission on behalf of the army." mander of the Peking military region, This move should not be misunder­ and Wu Te, the capital's mayor; and in Leader of Irish Republican stood as having anything to do with Canton, party secretary Wei Kuo­ Socialist Party slain making the new CC less-or more­ ch'ing and Kwangtung military com­ On October 5 l).ssassins in Dublin democratic or representative. It is true mander Hsu Shih-yu. using a shotgun at point-blank range that most of Mao's model workers and The composition is clear. The "new" murdered Seamus Costello, leader of the peasants have been dropped from the leadership consists of aged military Irish Republican Socialist Party. The committee. But it would be mistaken to men, technicians, police, city adminis­ IRSP was formed in 1972 after breaking equate them with actual representa­ trators, foreign-trade experts, econo­ with the Irish Republican Army's Offi­ tives of the masses. Their elevation at mists, and planners. cial wing. Several bourgeois newspapers the party congresses in 1969 and 1973 Mao was fond of saying that in have labeled the murder the work of "a was tied to the rise of the Mao cult and China, women held up half of heaven. bloody ideological feud" · between Irish its peculiar adaptation of reactionary His successors have not lived up to his freedom fighters. But the IRSP charges Chinese ruling-class traditions to the saying in dispensing the posts of that the killing was done by a special administration of the Chinese workers power on earth. Not one single woman undercover unit of the British Army. state. They were chosen for their is included in the twenty-three-member personal loyalty to the chairman, not Politburo. In the Central Committee, S. Africa curbs press for truth on Biko murder to the masses they ostensibly repre­ the twenty who were elected in 1973 On October 7 the South African government called an emergency meeting of sented. were cut back to fourteen out of 201, or that country's pr_ess council to get a ruling against the Rand Daily Mail for Moreover, like the so-called gang of 7 percent. "tendentious reporting" on the death of young Black leader Steven Biko. The four, who epitomized this faction in the The elderly technocrats and generals government was angered when the newspaper published doctors' reports that party, the "model workers and peas­ who a:r;e now irF the saddle face the Biko, who died while in police custody in September, was killed by a severe ants" were among the most ignorant same political and social problems as beating. Justice Minister James Kruger had claimed that Biko died from a one- zealots of the bureaucracy. did Mao. Whatever immediate im­ week hunger strike. · It is not surprising, then, that Mao's provements they are able to achieve by Meanwhile, a month after Biko's murder, the government has not finished its faction has been swept away by the more rational methods of industrial autopsy report and is hinting that an inquest may be canceled. remainder of the bureaucracy. The organization will soon be vitiated by significant point is that these function­ their insistence on China's national Nobel Peace Prize: two strikes. . . aries have nothing to offer as substi­ isolation; hostility to socialist revolu­ Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams, leaders of the so-called women's peace tutes but their own aging corps of tion elsewhere, and zealous guarding movement in Northern Ireland, have won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize. The survivors of the Cultural Revolution. of the highly 9rivileged ~nd even award was made a year late because the two women began their campaign after The average age of the new twenty­ luxurious living standards of the rul­ the formal deadline for nominations in 1976. three-member Politburo is sixty-eight, ing bureaucratic caste. Corrigan and Williams say they oppose the violence of both Catholic and Protestant militants. But their movement has ignored the real source of violence in Northern Ireland-the 15,000 British troops stationed there to defend Britain's colonial domination of the area. When British troops killed a thirteen­ year-old Catholic last year the women refused to protest. Nobel Peace Prize: . . . and a hit The 1977 Nobel Peace Prize went to Amnesty International. For sixteen years Amnesty International has issued exposes and petitioned for the release of political prisoners around the world-in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Iran, Indonesia, Israel, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, South Africa, and other countries.

Belgrade conference opens to weigh Helsinki pact Representatives of thirty-five countries began meeting in Belgrade October 4 to review the pact on European cooperation signed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1975. The Helsinki pact called on signers to guarantee human rights. The Carter administration is eager to play up the violation of civil and other human rights in the Soviet Union in order to cover up Washington's own record of political repression and denial of fundamental social and economic rights to American working people.

EDUCATION UNDER MAO: Peking university professors building dikes. The new · government is on a campaign to reverse the extreme anti-intellectualism of the Maoists, whose policies led to the near-collapse of scientific education.

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 21 World Outlook

to organize, to publish, and to meet land a man on the moon, and sell you regularly without censorship or ha­ the most sophisticated arms. . . . And rassment from the government offi­ as long as the West supports you with cials. its dollars and its intelligence organi­ in another move, a group of about zations, you will continue to give the New prime minister sixty Iranian lawyers wrote two letters West the entire wealth belonging to the this summer to the shah's office in Iranian people and all their rights and Tehran. In their first letter, these freedoms." lawyers protested the passage of a law This mood of protest is also reflected appointed in Iran that violates the constitution. in the newspapers of Iran where In their second letter, July 31. they various individuals have taken up listed four demands: such issues as censorship of books and 1. That the laws on the functioning movies and asked that it be ended. to calm discontent of the judiciary be respected, and the independence of the courts be assured. Effect of int'l pressure 2. That the executive power stay The government has not yet cracked within "the powers !liven to it by the down on the protesters. In fact it has constitution and that it be responsible released some 340 political prisoners in to the legislative power." a much publicized move and it has 3. That ''the legislative power be relaxed some of the censorship laws. elected free of fear of.· harassment by Such a concession could have been the executive power." predicted, since the Iranian govern­ 4. That the democratic rights of "the ment had hinted earlier at a change in Iranian people, in particular freedom policy in response to criticisms directed of speech, freedom to write, and free­ against it from abroad. In fact the dom· of association, be respected." inability of the government to suppress Many others have also written the protests seems to be a direct result letters of protest to the government. of the international campaign against The most famous of these personalities repression in Iran. This has also been is the Iranian writer Ali Asghar Hadj­ noted and appreciated by those fight­ Seyed-Javadi. In fact, he was one of ing the repressive system inside Iran. the first to start the protest campaign It is against this background that more than a year'ago. In his last letter, the shift in prime ministers took place. written in July, he lodged an "indict­ Internal, as well as international HOVEYDA: Gets the axe AMOUZEGAR: New face, old policies ment on behalf of the Iranian people pressures had reached such a level that against Hoveyda." He charged Hovey­ a new administration with new prom­ da and his administration with the ises was required. The new prime following crimes: minister has done very little so far and By Ali Golestan in the August 25 issue of Etela 'at, 1. That he violated the constitution in fact seems incapable of solving any From Intercontinental Press asserted that the price of land has by "granting to the monarchy powers of the problems that he inherited from Iran's Prime Minister Amir Abbas increased by an average of 2,000 given to the ministers and the govern­ Hoveyda. Power shortages, high Hoveyda, who resigned August 6 after percent in the last decade in Tehran. ment in the constitution." ' prices, an acute shortage of housing, almost thirteen years in office, was This amounts to an average yearly 2. That SAV AK is "part of the scarcity of some food items, and repres­ replaced the following day by J amshid increase of 200 percent. organization of the prime minister," sion still persist. Amouzegar. Amouzegar was the chief Coupled with this is a shortage of and that it has served as an "instru­ OPEC negotiator for Iran and minister construction materials, notably ce­ ment of repression, terror, and torture Concession to capitalists of oil in the shah's cabinet before his ment. This factor alone caused both a against the Iranian people." Therefore, In announcing the policies of his present appointment. price increase in housing and a slow­ Hoveyda and his ministers are "re­ administration to the parliament, No specific reason was given by down in construction. sponsible for all the crimes, torture, Amouzegar introduced nothing new. Iranian officials for this change in the interrogations, and illegal arrests com­ No reduction in the purchase of arms, administration. It was perhaps in­ Shortages & corruption mitted by SAV AK. ... " no change in foreign policy, etc., as tended as a sop to a discontented Other problems marked Hoveyda's 3. That ' ... Mr. Hoveyda and his !'these policies are determined by His populace. years in office: a shortage in food administration have stripped the Iran­ Imperial Majesty." Under Hoveyda, Iran's electricity items, in particular meat and dairy ian people of their right to participate There is, however, one shift in policy, network broke down. Power shortages products; mounting bureaucratism and in associations, political parties, and and that is to keep the Iranian capital­ during the summer paralyzed plants, corruption to such an extent that genuine trade unions." ists more satisfied by a promise to hospitals, government offices, cold bribery is almost a requisite to get He went on to protest other hard­ better integrate them on the govern­ storage facilities, etc. anything done; and, of course, ram­ ships such as inflation and the hous­ mental level and grant them a bigger After the. first breakdown, the go­ pant inflation. ing shortage. In this regard, he said: share of the sector of industry now vernment decided to schedule daily On top of all this, Iran has suffered "You blame the 'weak Western technol­ controlled by the government. To show blackouts of up to five hours for for twenty-four years under the oppres­ ogy' and industry for the breakdown of his good will, Amouzegar appointed various parts of the country. This sive rule of the shah. The crowned the power generatQti -causing black­ Kazem Khosrow Shahi, one of the situation continued for more than cannibal gained power through a CIA­ outs in the scorching heat of the richest Iranian capitalists, as the three months, with total breakdowns engineered coup in 1953 that overthrew summer. Yet it is the Westerners who minister of trade. occurring frequently. Not until Sep­ the government of Dr. Mohammad tember 3 did the government announce Mossadegh. a possible end to the blackouts for Ever since then the masses have Tehran. The end, however, still re­ lived' in a nightmare of terror. Imme­ mains only "possible." Many plants diately after the coup, thousands of Opponents of shah praise and hospitals have installed their own persons were either executed or killed generators. under torture. Then in 1957, SAVAK, int'l defense .campaign the dreaded secret police, was created The Committee for Artistic and Intellectual Freedom in Iran (CAIFI) has 'Western technology' blamed with the aid of the CIA and the Israeli been in the forefront of the international campaign against the shah's Both Hoveyda and Amouzegar have secret police. Together with the mil­ repressive regime. In the September issue of Payam Daneshjoo (Student's blamed various persons and "Western itary forces, SAV AK has been able to Correspondence), a magazine. published in New York, a statement by a technology" for the failures. The shah, maintain the dictatorship by using number of intellectuals in Iran belonging to the "Group for the Freedom of in a speech commemorathig the violence and terrorism against politi­ Books and Thought" took note of the effectiveness of this campaign. It says: twenty-fourth anniversary of the 1953 cal dissidents. "First of all, we think it is necessary to send greetings on the broadest coup that restored him to power, At present the number of political scale to the 'Committee for Artistic and I:atellectual Freedom in Iran,' and blamEld individual incompetence for prisoners is estimated to be in the its conscious activists whose extended activities have been widely reflected the failures. neighborhood of 100,000. Torture has Another major problem has been a been usea routinely to either make the inside Iran. While it has given hope to those who seek freedom, it has at the leap in housing shortages and a huge· prisoners "confess" or to break them same time aroused fear in the institutions of terror and repression in Iran increase in construction costs in Teh­ down to praise the shah on television and has forced them to react." ran. A reporter in the Tehran daily or in the newspapers. Referring to attempts by various Maoist groups . to disrupt CAIFI Kayhan noted that with the money According to government figures, meetings, the statement says: "We hear with great regret and sorrow that needed to obtain an average house in more than 400 persons have either some individuals and groups, who are themselves against the regime, Tehran, one can live luxuriously m been executed or shot on the streets in disrupt meetings organized against repression in Iran.... We request that Southern California. the past five years. all antiregime forces and organizations, while holding to their ideological Changes in the mortgage rate or positions, do not neglect to cooperate with 'the Committee for Artistic and permitting construction in previously Rising protest Intellectual Freedom in Iran' whose activities have borne such fruitful forbidden zones have failed to alleviate Today protest is rising. As has been results and have resulted in such great hopes." the problem. The present housing reported in Intercontinental Press. Those wishing to get material from CAIFI, request speakers, or send shortage followed a long period of Iranian writers, poets, translators, donations can contact it at: speculation based on spiraling land research specialists, and critics have CAIFI, 853 Broadway, Suite 414, New York, New York 10003; prices. recently written two protest letters to (212) 673-6390. A _member of the parliament, quoted the government demanding the right

22 In Review Two views of an aging champ The "Acor,n" was a tough nut to crack. The "Acorn" was the name Muhammad Ali gave to bald-pated , the latest challenger for his heavyweight crown. Shavers is a nice enough guy, and is supposed to have one of those right hands boxing writers call "lethal." He unloaded it several times on Ali's jaw September 29. But Ali takes a punch better than Sports any heavyweight ever did. Bruised and tired, he dug down deep into his bag of tricks and pulled out victory again. The fact is, Earnie Shavers's jaw doubles as a chandelier, and such famous types as Ron Stander and Stan Johnson have stood him on his ear. His record as a KO artist was compiled at the expense of scores of second-rate boxers. The real story of the fight was the steady, sad decline of Muhammad Ali, the man bigger than the sport he reigns. It is not only the story of aging, but the passing of an age. The once lean, fleet-fisted boxer is heavy around the waist, and his flesh ripples over his trunks when he weaves away from a blow. He can still snap out a jab, but it is spunkless. The once­ powerful right is stolidly soft, good for scoring junk Muhammad Ali (right) battles Earnie Shavers for heavyweight championship September 29 points off a target like Earnie Shavers's shiny dome, but not for stopping relentless pursuit. Once in a while he floats like a butterfly. But he worse. To get beaten by one of these excuses just to disavow his beliefs. cannot sting like a bee anymore. isn't the way to leave. But in the eyes of boxing promoters Ali had bent Ali's i-ing dominance is based on the fact that he So Ali wins again. Much sooner than later some the stick too far. When pressed on how he felt about still has just enough to get by, is still the smartest hungry talent with a handful of smarts and more being drafted into the army, he delivered his most heavyweight around. The quality of the competition power than the aging champ is going to lay Ali out. famous rhyme: just makes it that much easier. It is going to hurt to see that. Ali's face looks worn, his clowning is painful to Retirement is better than a wake. And the only watch, and when it was clear that Shavers really way to go out the greatest. -Jon Hillson Keep asking me, no matter how long was going to test him, I got the nervous, tight On the war in Vietnam, I sing this song feeling I hadn't had since Ali met the mean Sonny I ain't got no quarrel with the Viet Cong. Liston thirteen years ago for the championship. Everybody was a lot younger then, and I thought Liston was going to kill the loudmouth wonder then He had taken a stand against the war, refused The Greatest: My Own Story by Muhammad called Cassius Clay. induction, and was therefore stripped of his boxing Ali with Richard Durham. Published by Random The erosion of skill is obvious, inevitable, and title for more than four years. House, 1975. 415 pages, $10.95 cloth; $1.95 tragic when the machine keeps going on fumes Only a unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme instead of gas. paperback. Court reversing the decision that denied his mil­ But sadder still is the erosion of Ali, the man and itary deferment allowed Ali back in the ring. That, the symbol. Whether or not you like boxing, you couldn't help and the fact that the boxing rich saw that they too The time was when he shouted his rebellion from but notice the attention given Muhammad Ali after could make some money off Ali. roeftops. His character was forged by the expe­ his latest victory. The front-page headline of the Since that time Ali has regained his title. But the rience of a generation in struggle. Against a racist September 30 New York Post blared, "Garden Post press, promoters, and capitalist America have never war abroad, against racism at home. Ali defied the been satisfied with him. Ali explains, the "resent­ draft board. Sided with the Vietnamese. Shook ment whites have had over a Black World Heavy­ hands with Palestinians and loudly opposed Zion­ weight Champion-the real 'Mr. America' spot­ ism. He was against white, white hopes, and Books and a champion who was bold and arrogant ann against Blacks who "stayed in their place." who broke all the taboos white racists held sacred," Ali was not a politician, but a hero who identified Tells Ali: Quit." Article after article carried on didn't fit in the boxing world. Just like Jack with and symbolized the angry, surging pride of about how Ali should step aside, how he's too old to Johnson was before him, Ali has been the target of Black youth. His stand against Washington's war fight, and how for his own interest and the sake of continuous racist abuse and attempts to make him in Vietnam and the draft inspired a generation of boxing he should retire. look less than the champion he is. All these have young rebels, not only in the United States, but This "concern" for Ali is a little hard to stomach. failed. around the world. As Ali points out in his autobiography, The Grea­ Ali doesn't owe these promoters or boxing a thing. So now we see him with a Gino's cheeseburger, test, professional boxing and racist America have As this book clearly shows, the boxing promoters which he says is almost as great as he is. His movie been trying to get rid of him for a long time. The have never had the interest of Black boxers in The Greatest is pleasant, but he plays himself as a problem for them is that he just keeps winning. mind. Black boxers were never allowed a shot at the religious fellow who boxes good and went through Ali describes his early life in segregated Louis­ championship title in the early years of professional some changes back then. All very tame and cleaned ville and, at the age of eighteen, winning the boxing, with the excuse that there could be "riots," _up. He is a celebrity, whispering in Jimmy Carter's Olympic Championship. But soon after that victory no doubt by white racists. But as they saw the value ear after campaigning for Gerald Ford. he received his first introduction to the reality of of using Black fighters for sell-out crowds, this . He is an old man's imitation of himself. American professional sports. changed . This erosion is inevitable, too, and in that sense Needing financial backing, Ali signed with the Ali has done it without them and in spite of them. beyond Ali's control. His molding by events a Louisville Sponsoring Group or, as he later was to He's attracted the crowds and support of millions of decade ago expressed itself one way and today, in a call them, "my White Southern Christian Million­ people, not only for his athletic ability, but also for different time, another. aire Sponsors." Their financial backing of only the stand he has taken and the identification that The thing is, you want him to go out the champ. $10,000 over a six-year period got them a 50 percent people have with him. Because of what he was, what he did-inside and take of all of Ali's earnings. This isn't any ordinary sports book with the usual outside the ring. Because he fought great fights But just as important to them, Ali says, it allowed "big play" or "big game" that so many of them are. against boxers. And better ones against the govern­ them to come to their "ringside seat, wave a cigar, It depicts quite vividly the racist and reactionary ment. or nudge an associate or girl friend as though character of professional boxing and big-time sports The pretenders to his throne are just that. Ken saying, 'There's our horse.'" in general. It's a story of one of the world's finest Norton of the glass jaw, awful awkwardness, and The "horse" was soon to become heavyweight athletes and his fight for religious and political "Ma:ndingo" movies. Jimmy Young, the punchless champion, only to have his Muslim faith and freedom. Whether he wins or losPs insidP the ring, wonder. The great white hopeless, Duane Bobick. association with Malcolm X challenged. Despite the in my opinion. he's still one of the greatest. The unretired has-been, Jerry Quarry. And they get constant threat of his career being ended, ht> refused -Kirk Fowler

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 23 Notables The facts on red-baiting of s1gn• Chicano/Latino conference By Pedro Camejo fund SAN. DIEGO-A red-baiting offen­ sive against the national Chicano/La­ ~an appeal tino conference and the Socialist ~rtnctta Workers Party is being conducted here. rorout tiignttp $. l)onor lll~ tntilr our \twc By Harry Ring The smear campaign is spearheaded SeptemberW.l$'17 SAN ANTONIO-A group of noted by Herman Baca, chairperson of the public figures has issued a fund appeal Committee on Chicano Rights and by for the National Conference on Immi­ the weekly La Prensa San Diego. CHICANOS gration and Public Policy. Among the Since last summer, Baca and La signers are Ossie Davis, Dick Gregory, Prensa have been actively discourag­ Eugene McCarthy, journalist Carey ing participation in or support to the SOCIALIST McWilliams, Benjamin Spock, and Glo­ National Chicano/Latino Conference ria Steinem. on Immigration and Public Policy. The The appeal to help defray the sub· conference is backed by some 400 groups and prominent individuals. 'RABT¥1 stantial costs of the conference is being S sent to some 15,000 supporters of pro­ Baca and La Prensa recently esca­ gressive causes. The letter deals with lated their campaign. On September 27 the victimization of undocumented im­ Baca held a meeting here devoted migrants and explains that the confer­ exclusively to denouncing the social­ ence will provide the means to respond ists and the conference. The September to President Carter's anti-immigrant 29 La Prensa ran an extensive report legislative package. on the meeting under the sensational­ Other signers of the fund appeal are: istic front-page banner headline, "Chi­ Robert Allen, editor of Black Scho· canos Expel Socialist Workers Party!" lar; Ruben Bonilla, director, Texas The article promises that a "declara­ League of United Latin American Citi­ tion" discussed at the meeting "will be barred. Organizers whipped up such a movement the same destructive tactics zens (LULAC) ; Anne. Braden, long­ sent to all Chicano organizations na­ witch-hunt hysteria that all copies of used against us by our common time civil rights fighter; Margo Cowan, tionwide, to the media, and to the the Militant carried into the meeting enemy? director Tucson Manzo Area Council; SWP /YSA." (The Young Socialist were confiscated, and some were physi­ Bernardo Eureste, mayor pro tern of Alliance-YSA-is a youth organiza­ cally destroyed. Ironic inconsistencies San Antonio; Rev. Patricio Flores, tion that shares the political outlook of Why were people not allowed to hear Ironically, after accusing socialists Bishop, Catholic church San Antonio; the SWP.) the socialists' side at the meeting? of having "falsified" names on leaflets, Robert and Michael Meeropol, sons of Why the intimidating confiscation and La Prensa's reporting contains several Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; Patrick The charges destruction of newspapers? There can factual inconsistencies. Gorman, chairman of board, Amal­ In La Prensa's coverage, many be only one conclusion: Baca knows "Over 50 organizations and individu­ gamated Meat Cutters union; Zavala slanderous charges are made against his "major indictment" would fall als signed" Baca's declaration, the County Judge Jose Angel Gutierrez; the conference and the SWP. The cen­ apart under calm, reasoned political September 29 La Prensa reports. How­ Rev. L:vdio Tomasi, editor of Immigra­ tral accusation is summarized in the discussion. ever, the paper neglects to list a single tion July 22 editorial that launched the These charges are a textbook exam­ one. campaign: "The Angel Gutierrez 'Call ple of red-baiting. No evidence is of­ The October 6 La Prensa includes for Action' has been co-opted by the. fered, because the charges are designed the list under the headline, "Chicano socialist party." (The reference is to the to play upon cold-war prejudices Organizations Sign Declaration Oust­ statement issued by Zavala County, drumme.d into working people by the ing Socialist Workers Party." However, Texas, Judge Jose Angel Gutierrez ruling rich. Socialists, the rulers tell us, the list contains only twenty-four per­ that publicly launched the idea for the never join a group. They "infiltrate" it, sons together with their organizations. national conference.) usually to "subvert" it. La Prensa doesn't make clear whether The paper's other charges against Whatever the intention of the red­ all signed as authorized representa­ the conference range from, "No longer baiters, their effect is to hurt the move­ tives of their groups, or if the groups is the issue the undocumented worker," ment as a whole. Red-baiting poisons are listed for identification purposes to, "the organizing effort has become relations within the movement, cutting only. but an empty shell." across the unity needed in the struggle The September 29 La Prensa reports La Prensa charges that the socialists for justice. It attempts to pit the more "Every single MECHA organization" issued leaflets "carrying the names of conservative elements against the (presumably in San Diego, not the individuals and organizations which more militant ones. And-by getting whole country) backs the red-baiting. were falsified" and tried to "subvert movement people fighting each other­ After the report was published, Baca the local Chicano leadership of San it ends up taking the heat off our supporters worked overtime to make it Diego County by labeling them violent, common enemy, the government that a self-fulfilling prophecy. reactionary, and revisionist." oppresses us. At San Diego State University, for These charges are extremely serious. example, Javier Bautista, MEChA's Several have been repeated again and Its own logic elected vice-president, was purged for again since they were first leveled Once unleashed, red-baiting has a continuing to support the conference. more than two months ago. Yet La destructive logic: At first it may seem But at· San Diego City College the Prensa has made no effort to substan­ that only a handful are affected. Soon MEChA refused to go along with the on human rights for immigrants. tiate any of them. Not a single scrap of after the purging starts, however, only witch-hunt, or to rescind its endorse­ evidence has been placed before the the purgers are left. That's because red­ ment of the conference. Obviously the movement for its consideration. baiting is designed to eliminate differ­ formulation "every single MECHA" ences of opinion without ever discuss­ wasn't correct. Why no evidence? ing them. Anyone who has differences The obvious question is: Why is no with the purgers soon becomes a · Shifting target evidence presented? Could it be that target. Another inconsistency is the target ... attend there is no evidence? Continued from back page The government and big-business of the attack. La Prensa paraphrases discuss and act on resolutions and This suspicion is reinforced by the media often publicize red-baiting Baca's speech to the meeting: "We position papers coming from the work­ way Baca organized the September 27 charges. They know that charges that didn't want to say anything against shops. meeting. All SWP members were come from legitimate movement the national 'Call For Action', because, Meanwhile, the committee an­ groups will have more credibility. At a lot of sincere Chicanos were in­ nounced, significant new figures and other times, the press will play up red­ volved." Baca said he and his collabor­ organizations are joining the now baiting to create a caricature of the· ators don't want to "interfere, or more than 400 endorsers of the confer­ entire movement as a factional jungle otherwise play a spoiler role, in the ence. that reasonable people should avoid. activities of the national ' Call For Among these are Ricardo Potter, The rulers understand that red­ Action.'" who will attend the conference for the baiting helps them. In fact, they often So why the red-baiting? Could it be National Council of Churches; Tri­ launch such smear drives on their own. due to some personal aversion to so­ nidad Lopez, president of the Mexican­ For example, after cops murdered cialists on Baca's side? Not at all. Most American Labor C0ui1ci1; Gloria Gu­ three persons at the August 29, 1970, activists here know that Baca, until ti.:•rcc~. the Los Angeles-based Chicano antiwar moratorium, city offi­ very recently, worked closely with the Chicana Service Action Center; Mi­ cials immediately blamed "known SWP for several years on various chael Mora, cochairperson of the Sky­ communist agitators" for the violence ISSUeS. horse/Mohawk defense committee; at­ in order to cover up their crimes. There's an obvious reason why Baca torney William Kunstler; Harvard More recently, Texas Gov. Dolph is shifting the focus of his attacks. Professor Verne Countryman, a noted Briscoe blasted the Raza Unida Party Despite his efforts, the conference is constitutional authority; Rabbi Balfour for creating "a little Cuba in Texas." now supported by more than 400 Brickner of New York; and writer Nat The issue? A cooperatiw farm in Crys­ groups and prominent individuals, Hentoff. tal City. Briscoe, a large landowner, making it one of the broadest in the Additional organizations endorsing thought it distinctly "un-Texan and history of the Chicano movement. This the conference include WomPn for Ra­ un-American." makes it more difficult for anyone to cial and Economic Equality and Las Herman Baca and La Prensa should charge that the conferencP is a social­ Hermanas, an organization of socially HERMAN BACA: Makes many grave stop and consider: Are they helping ist front. involved Latina nuns. charges, but presents no evidence. our cause by introducing into our Continued on page 26

24 Chicano leaders rebuff red-baiting drive By Pedro Camejo· Zavala County, Texas, Judge Jose and what is our struggle going to be ALBUQUERQUE-Organizers of Angel Gutierrez presented the letter to like, if we suffer with that kind of the national Chicano/Latino confer- the meeting, which was chaired by label?" ence have overwhelmingly rebuffed an New Mexico Raza Unida leader Juan Lucia Robledo of San Diego City attempt to divide their movement. Jose Pefia. College MEChA was shocked by the '· Twenty-five representatives of local The sentiment for nonexclusion suggestion to exclude the socialists. and state committees meeting here wasn't unanimous, however. Two re- "The socialists in San Diego have done October 2 signed an open leter respond- presentatives of Los Angeles CASA more than anyone to build the confer- ing to red-baiting articles published by supported the idea of excluding ence .... We should welcome everyone the weekly La Prensa San Diego (see members of the Socialist Workers who is willing to help support the below). Party from- the conference. conference." "It is not red baiting," insisted CA- Manuel Archuleta of the New.Mexico SA's Antonio Rodriguez. Why? Be- Raza Unida Party also spoke in sup- cause "some of those compafieros in port of the Gutierrez statement. "I San Diego believe in communism think we should. open this movement themselves.... Herman Baca may be up to anyone who wants to build the an anticommunist, if you want to call movement," he said. him that.... " Baca, a prominent Urging all participants to sign the figure in San Diego's Chicano move- open letter, Gutierrez said that "in this ment, has led the red-baiting of the particular activity" the socialists conference. "have done a tremendous job in prom- Esteban Flores of the Texas Format oting this conference. Committee in Austin was the only one· "And I have yet to feel uncomforta- to voice agreement with CASA. "The ble,. or insecure, or threatened by the best goal would be to exclude the presence of the SWP ... or of LULAC SWP," he said. [League of United Latin-American Ci- Almost all those taking the floor tizens], MALDEF [Mexican American spoke in support of Gutierrez's state- Legal Defense and Education Fund], or MANUEL ARCHULETA: 'We should ment that "we have to be firm in the clergy ... or the Communist open this movement up to anyone who standing up against red-baiting." Party, or the fact that you have Blacks wants to build this movement.' Gutierrez explained, "Can you im- coming to this conference, or that agine if the Washington Post, or the Eugene McCarthy wants to join in." New York Times, or the· Denver or Gutierrez concluded, "What we are everyone to "concentrate on the undoc­ Albuquerque papers, or any newspaper trying to do is protect our community, umented worker." controlled by the system uses the same and that transcends any obligations He ended by saying, "It's about time language, quoting a Chicano organiza- we have, or any other loyalty we may we wake up. There are some organiza­ Militant/Nelson Blackstock tion, or fifty others from San Diego, thi~k important." tions that later, you will see them JOSE ANGEL GUTI,ERREZ: 'We have to saying this immigration movement is Ernesto Pefia of the New Mexico GI jumping on the bandwagon because be firm in standing up against red­ nothing but a communist front? Forum summarized the sentiment of they see what we are doing is really baiting.' . "What is your battle going to be like, most of those present when he urged helping our people."

Letter to La Prensa: 'Our people need· unity' The following "Open Letter to La of evidence to back them up; only one of our speakers and press con­ forces. Prensa" was issued October 2. unsubstantiated assertions. For ferences has focused on the, issue of It ill, needless to say, very unplea­ Signers listed at the end of the letter instance, you simply assert that the the undocumented workers. The sant for us to write such a letter to attended the Albuquerque, New Mex­ conference .has become "an empty agenda at the 12 preparatory state you. All our energies, and more, are. ico, meeting reported in the article shell." Don't you realize that the pre­ conferences and for the national con­ needed to unite our people in op­ above. sent and still growing support for this ference will have the problem of the position to the unjust Carter plan. conference is perhaps the broadest of undocumented worker as the central And, we would respectfully submit, We are writing to you regarding two any Chicano conference so far? agenda point. your editorial columns could be used recent editorials In your paper which We have succeeded in bringing Your· editorial says that we are to far better purpose by zeroing in on we believe are damaging to the cause together some 400 organizations and "innocents" who have been "coopted" the Carter plan, not on those working of Ia raza in general and to the efforts individuals throughout the nation. by the "Socialist Workers Party." How to defend our people. to stop Carter's drive against un­ And the list is growing daily. Among do you explain this not very com­ We hope you will publish this letter documented workers in particular. those who have already endorsed and plimentary ·estimation of us? Is our and that we can move toward the We refer to the editorials which are actively Involved are such well innocence the innocence of stupidity? unity so badly needed by our people. appeared in La Prensa July 22 and established organizations as Texas If an anglo paper made such a charge September 22 of 1977. Both contain LULAC [League of United Latin against us we would not be . un­ Arizona: Daniel Carrasc·o and Ellie unjustified, baseless attacks on our American Citizens]; PADRES [a justified in interpreting it to mean: Garcia, Call for Action, Phoenix; committees, and on the Catholic church-based group]; the These Chicanos are so ignorant, they Ralph Carreras, United Barrio Union, Chicano/Latlno conference we will Manzo Area Council of Tucson; the don't even know when they're being Phoenix; Robert Petillo, Glendale be holding In San Antonio October influential New York-based Com­ taken over and used. We assume this Community College MEChA; ·Alonso 28-30. mittee for the Defense of Immigrants is not your view. Moraso, Call for Action, Tucson. Your editorial of July 22 stated that (CODI); the San Jose Confederacion California: Lucia Robledo and Raul initially you welcomed the Call to de Ia Raza; and the Chicago Centro The fact is no one group dominates Torres, San Diego City College Action issued in May by Zavala de Servicios Legales Para ln­ our coalition. Our numbers include MEChA; Anthony Gonzalez, Socialist County Judge Jose Angel Gutierrez, migrantes. Chicanos of virtually all political Workers Party, San Diego; Chava the call which led to the building of Influential church figures con­ parties-Democrats, independents, Natividad, Call for Action, Los the October 28-30 conference. But, cerned with the Immigration . issue Socialist · Workers, Communists, Angeles. your editorial asserts, "Somewhere have given their endorsement and, in CASA-HGT, and perhaps even a few Colorado: Everett Chavez, Josefina between May and July, the effort several important cases, their active Republicans. Our work has been en­ Perez, Juan Rios, Benito Sandoval commenced in Texas became sub­ assistance. Among these are the Most dorsed and actively supported by La and Sylvia Zapata, Colorado Coalition verted to where it no longer appears Reverend Patricio Flores, Bishop of Raza Unida Parties of Texas, New on lmm1gration and Human Rights, to be in the best interest of Ia raza. It San Antonio, Father Joseph Lara of Mexico, and California. Denver. now appears that the Angel Gutierrez Denver, Father Lydio Tomasi of Are all these Chicanos, Mexicanos, New Mexico: Juan Jose Peiia and 'Call for Action' has been coopted by Migration Today in New York and and Latinos dupes and fools? Manuel Archuleta, Conference Com­ the socialist party. It serves the Hermanas. We would hope that your criticism mittee on Immigration and Social socialist agenda and not necessarily is not based on the fact that our Impact; Ernesto Peiia, American Gl Ia raza's." Two members of the San Antonio coalition practices a non-exclusionary Forum, Albuquerque; Celia Anchon­ Your second editorial, Qf September city council have endorsed, as have policy of welcoming all concerned do, Centro del Centro, Las Cruces; 22 asserts: "The early flush of hope two city council members in Denver, with Carter's crackdown on the Lourdes Arias and Romelia Ramirez, has now dimmed . . . the process, it along with two members of the undocumented-including socialists. Call for Action, Las Cruces. now appears, has been co-opted Colorado legislature. Bernardo Eu­ This is our hope because we Texas: Miguel Pendas, office (taken over) by the cadres of the reste the mayor pro-tem in San An­ remember, as we are sure you do, coordinator, International Committee Socialist Workers Party (SWP). No tonio will be officially welcoming the how damaging to our movement and on Immigration and Public Policy, longer is the issue the undocumented conference participants. Student, people was the red-baiting of the San Antonio; Pedro Camejo, Socialist workers; no longer is this to be a community, labor, Chicana, and even McCarthy era. And we cannot help Workers Party, San Antonio; Jose voice for Ia raza. . . . In fact the prisoner organizations have also but be sensitive to the issue knowing Angel ·Gutierrez,· Raza Unida Party, organizing effort has become an joined in. Is this an "empty shell"? fiow the FBI and its COINTELPRO Crystal City; Juan Alvarez and Arturo empty shell populated by innocents You also state without any operations have used red-baiting to Ramirez, Houston Social Action and unaware of the real goal of the SWP." attempted proof Jhat "No longer is the divide and disrupt our movement. Immigration Committee. These are very serious charges. Yet issue the undocumented workers." Surely your paper would not ·want to (Organizations listed for you do not offer even a single shred But every piece of our literature, every give comfort to such reactionary identification purposes.)

THE MILITANT/OCTOBER 21, 1977 25 STRUGGLE FOR SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY IN Jamaica. Ausp: SWP. For more information call DOCUMENTED WORKERS. Speakers: Frobem EASTERN EUROPE. Speaker: Scott Cooper. SWP. (212) 658-7718. Lozada. Raza Contra Ia Migra; others. Fri .. Oct. 21, Fri .. Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. 4515A Troost. Ausp: SWP. 8 p.m. 942 E. Santa Clara St: Donation: $1.50. Ausp: For more information call (816) 753-0404. OAKLAND, CALIF. Militant Forum. For more information call (408) 295- THE STRUGGLE FOR BLACK LIBERATION TO- 8342. Calendar KENT, OHIO -DAY. Speaker: Clifton DeBerry, SWP National BOSTON: ROXBURY REFORM & REVOLUTION IN AMERICAN Committee. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 1467 Fruitvale Ave. WASHINGTON, D.C. UNEMPLOYMENT: THE DILEMMA FACING HISTORY. Speaker: George Novack. Mon., Oct. 17, Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more MOTHERHOOD BY CHOICE. Speakers: Kay BLACK YOUTH. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 612 Blue Hill 8 p.m. The Kiva, Student Center. Ausp: YSA. For information call: (415) 261-1210. Harrold, assistant to the director of NARAL; Vita Ave .. Dorchester. Donation: $1.50. Ausp: Militant more information call (216) 678-2489. ElliS, coordinator of Family Planning, D.C. General Forum. For more information call (617) 288-0753. WHAT IS THE SOCIALIST WORKERS PARe l;tospital; Dr. Marc Jerome, Preterm Center for LOS ANGELES TY? Speaker: Art Sharon, Veteran socialist Reproductive Health: Karen Reff; SWP. Fri., Oct. 21, CHICAGO: NORTH SIDE A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR SKYHORSE AND educator and trade-union organizer. Fri.. Oct. 28, 8 -8 p.m. 2416 18th st. NW. Donation: $1. Ausp: FEMINISM & SOCIALISM: HOW CAN THE MOHAWK. Native American singers; Buffey ·Saint p.m. 1467 Fr~Jitvale Ave. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call (202) 797- FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS SUCCEED? Marie and Floyd Westerman; comedian Clarke Hill; Militant Forum. For more information call (415) 261- 7706. Speaker: Betsey Stone, former staff writer for the John Trudell, AIM; others. Thurs., Oct. 20, 7:30p.m. 1210. Militant, member of SWP National Committee. Fri., Embassy Auditorium, 877 South Grand. Ausp: Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 1870 N. Halsted. Donation: $1. Ausp: Skyhorse/Mohawk Offense/Defense Committee. PITTSBURGH Militant Forum. For more information call (312) 642- SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY CAMPAIGN 4811. POLITICAL REPRESSION IN ISRAEL: AN RALLY. Speakers: Howard Beck, SWP mayoral 'Bakke' forums LOS ANGELES: CRENSHAW ISRAELI JEW SPEAKS OUT FOR PALESTINIAN candidate; Tania Shai, SWP candidate for city HOW TO OYERTURN THE 'BAKKE' CHICAGO: SOUTH SIDE . HUMAN RIGHTS. Speaker: Lea Tsemel, attorney council. Sun., Oct. 16, 6 p.m. cocktail hour; 7 p.m. DECISION. Speakers: representatives of 'LAST GRAVE AT DIMSAZA' A documentary film for Arab hunger strikers in Ashkelon Prison in program. Webster Hall Hotel, 4415 Fifth Ave., BALSA, National Lawyers Guild, SCAR. Fri., on apartheid in South Africa. Fri., Oct. 21,7:30 p.m. Israel. Tues., Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. Cal State Univ., Los Oakland. Ausp: Pittsburgh Socialist Workers Cam­ Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 2167 W. Washington Blvd. 2251 71st St. Donation: $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. Angeles. Student Union, Room 313. Donation: $1. paign Committee. For more information call (412) Donation: $·1,. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more For more information call (312) 643-5520. Ausp: Viewpoint Speakers Bureau. Sponsors: 441-1419.· information call (213) 732-8196. Mustafa Siam, chairman, United American-Arab CINCINNATI Congress; Dr. James Zogby, director, Palestinian ST. LOUIS: WEST END LOS ANGELES: SOUTHEAST CELEBRATION OF THE CHINESE Human Rights Campaign; Mohammed Busailah, OUR. BODIES, OUR LIVES, OUR RIGHT TO THE 'BAKKE' DECISION. Speakers: Terry REVOLUTION. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 970 E. McMillan. president, Association of Arab-American Graduate DECIDE. Speakout against forced sterilization and Black, Black American Law Students Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more Students of LA; Militant Forum. For more attacks on abortion rights. A penel discussion. Fri., Association; Linda Ferguson, National Con­ information call (513) 751-2636. information call (213) 482-1341. Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 6223 Delmar. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call (314) 725- ference of Black Lawyers; Raul Gonzalez, SCAR. Fri., Oct 21, 8 p.m. 2554 Saturn, CLEVELAND 1570. Huntington Park. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant SPEAKOUT ON POLICE BRUTALITY IN THE MINNEAPOLIS Forum. For more information call (213) 582- BLACK COMMUNITY. Speakers to be announced. FREEDOM AND NEW TRIALS FOR THE HILL ST. PAUL 1975. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 2300 Payne Ave. Donation: $1. BROTHERS. Speakers: Gloria Hill, sister of the Hill CHINA: AN ANALYSIS OF EVENTS SINCE THE Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information call brothers; others. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 23 E. Lake St. TIEN AN MEN DEMONSTRATION AND THE NEW YORK: THE BRONX (216) 861-4166. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more DEATH OF MAO TSETUNG. Speaker: Gary information call (612) 825-6663. Prevost, SWP; others. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. DEFENDING AFFIRMATIVE AC­ TION. Speakers to be announced. Fri., Oct. 21, HOUSTON: NORTHEAST Macalester College, Olin 200. Donation: $1. Ausp: 8 p.m. 2271 Morris ave. Donation: $1.50. Ausp: WHAT'S BEHIND CARTER'S ATTACKS ON NEW YORK: BROOKLYN Militant Forum. For more information call (612) 222- Militant Forum. For more information call (212) UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS? Speakers to be STOP THE ATTACKS ON ABORTION 892jl. announced. Fri., Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. 2835 Laura RIGHTS. Speakers: Sharon Grant, SWP; others. 365-6652. Koppe. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 220-222 Utica Ave. Donation: SAN ANTONIO SEATTLE more information call (713) 697-5543. $1.50. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more information WHAT IS THE SOCIALIST WORKERS PAR­ call (212) 773-0250. TY? Speaker: Harry Ring, southwest bureau of the THE 'BAKKE' CASE: THREAT TO AFFIR­ MATIVE ACTION. A panel discussion KANSAS CITY, MO. Militant. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. 1317 Castroville Rd. including representatives from the National THE FBI VS. THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT. NEW YORK: QUEENS Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more Committee to Overturn the Bakke Decision. Speaker: Marty Pettit, SWP; others. Sun., Oct. 23, QUEENS SOCIALIST CAMPAIGN information call (512) 432-7625. Fri., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. Place to be announced. 7:30p.m. 4715A Troost. Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant RALLY. Speakers: Catarina Garza, SWP candidate Donation: $1. Ausp: Militant Forum. For more Forum. For more information call (816) 753-0404. for mayor; Jane Roland, SWP candidate for city SAN JOSE information call (206) 329-7404 . council president; Helen Cairns, SWP; Pearl Clark, . STOP THE DEPORTATIONS-A SPEAKOUt VIEWPOINT: THE SWP DISCUSSES THE YSA. Fri., Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. 90-43 149th st., AGAINST CARTER'S ATTACKS ON UN-

body. When the government finally JOin in orgamzmg a powerful move­ sent him to a hospital, it was too late. ment to defend our communities from ... Figueroa And yet the White House said Carter ... red-bait la migra and win full rights for our Continued from back page released the prisoner on "humanitar­ Continued from page 24 brothers and sisters, the undocu­ 1950s for armed actions carried out in ian grounds." Baca's disclaimer aside, the confer­ mented workers. support of Puerto Rican independence. ·ence has been his real target all along. On October 9 Cordero returned to his But it's easier to attack the effort home town of. Aguada. Despite a indirectly by making false charges steady drizzle, thousands of people ... 'Bakke' about the SWP's participation. packed the streets to welcome him. Continued #rom page 5 La Prensa's original editorial attack .. .steel At the rally, Cordero initiated a val, and Dr. Helen Rodriguez, an acti­ on the conference, for example, did not Continued from page 7 petition drive demanding that Carter vist in the fight against forced sterili­ even mention the Socialist Workers know details of union discussions immediately release the remaining N a­ zation. Party. about the strike. tionalist prisoners. Three hundred students rallied Instead, the editorial denounced Union officials charge that such After twenty-three years in U.S. pri­ against Bakke October 7 in Boulder, movements "based . . . on bankrupt questioning violates union rights and sons, Andres Figueroa Cordero is free Colorado, at the University of Colo­ foreign ideologies," adding that the aims to give the companies privileged at last. But he will have only a few rado. The demonstration also protested conference "serves the socialist information about strike strategy. The weeks to enjoy the homeland he dedi­ a proposal by the student government agenda." Ironically, in all the huffing dispute is now being argued before cated his life to liberating. Doctors say that would effectively deny funding to and puffing about "foreign" ideas, La Federal District Judge Miles Lord in he has less than two months to live. many student organizations, especially Prensa forgot to mention the theme of Minneapolis. President Carter ordered the release those representing oppressed nationali­ the conference: defense of "foreign" Samargia said that despite these October 6 after a cancer expert, armed ties. workers. attacks the strikers' morale remains with a court order, examined Figueroa Seventy-five people, most of them And just days before the September "really great." Cordero at the Springfield, Missouri, Chicanos, picketed the post office in 27 meeting, Baca supporter Cesar Gon­ Samargia urged an increase in prison hospital. The doctor planned to San Antonio October 8. Speaking at a zalez distributed a flyer urging people support-messages of solidarity and testify on the medical treatment pro­ rally after the picket line were city to attend the meeting that said the financial contributions-from union vided the prisoner and on his health in council members Rudy Ortiz and Joe "major concern of the evening will be locals across the country. "We have got a suit for Figueroa Cordero's release. Alderete; Armando Gutierrez, a leader the committee's non-endorsement of a to get out more and tell people what's It has been known for several years of the Raza Unida Party; and Gloria national meeting called by Judge An­ happening," he said. "We've got to get that Figueroa Cordero has terniinal Najar, of the Coalition to Defeat the gel Gutierrez of San Antonio, Texas, that moving." cancer. Carter waited until the pri­ Bakke Decision.· dealing with problems of immigrants." Linus Wampler, director of United soner was liquidado-finished, to use The charges against the SWP are a Steelworkers District 33, has written Figueroa Cordero's word-before re­ Seventy people attended a teach-in smoke screen. The · grouping Baca an appeal to all steel locals in the leasing him. on affirmative action and special ad­ leads is simply flat-outopposed to the district for financial support. The re­ The fifty-two-year-old Nationalist is missions at the University of Massa· .conference. But instead of presenting cent convention of the Minnesota AFL­ dying today instead of ten or twenty chusetts at Boston October 7. The his differences with the conference CIO also urged its affiliates to provide 'years from now because prison author~ action was sponsored by the Student openly, Baca has sunk to red-baiting help. ities turned a deaf ear to pleas for Coalition Against Racism (SCAR). and siander-not only of the SWP, but Messages and donations can be sent adequate medical treatment from a Speakers included Charles Ogletree, of all conference supporters. to the District 33 Strike and Defense man totally at their mercy. He was national chairperson of the Black Baca and his supporters should re­ Fund, United Steelworkers of America, treated for hemorrhoids while a rectal American Law Students Association consider their course. Instead of at­ 334 West Superior, Duluth, Minnesota cancer grew and spread t~roughout his (BALSA). tacking the conference, they · should 55802.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE STATEMENT OF tion, the names and addresses of the individual more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other or other means. Sam_ples complimentary, and OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCU­ owners mus~ be given. If owne4 by a partnership securities. (If there are none, so state.) None. other free copies, O· E. Total distribution (sum of C LATION (Required By 39 U.S.C. 3685) or other unmcorporated firm, 1ts name and ad­ 9. For completion by nonprofit organizations and D), 17,1i00: F. Copies not distributed ( 1) Office dress, as well as that of each individual must be authorized to mail at special rates. use, left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing! 1. Title of publication: The Militant. given.) 408 Printing & Publishing Corp., 408 West 10. Extent and··nature of circulation. Average 1,400: (2) Returns from news agents, 0; G. Tota lA. Publication No. 349040. Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Joel Britton, 410 no. of copies each issue during preceding 12 (sum of E, Fl and 2-should equal net press run 2. Date of filing: September 27, 1977. West Streetl•• New York, N.Y; 10014. Thomas months. A. Total no. copies printed (net press shown in A) 19 000. . a. Frequency of issue: Weekly. No. of issues Kerry, 410 west Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. run), 28,722; B. Paid circulation (1) Sales through 1 L I cPrtify that the statements made by me published annually: 50. Annual subscription Allan Hansen, 410 West Street, 'New York, N.Y. dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter abov•• are correct and complete. price: $15.00. · 10014. Elizabeth Stoneb 407. S. Dearborn #1145, sales, 10,521; (2) Mail subscriptions, 111458; C. (signed) 4. Location of known office of publication: 14; Chicago, Ill. 60605. Bar ara Matson 407 S. Dear­ Total paid circulation (sum of lOBI ana 1082), Harvey K. McArthur Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. hom #1145, Chicago, Ill. 60605. Gus Horowitz, 410 21,979; D. Free distribution by mail, carrier or Business Manag<•r 5. Location of the headquarters or general West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Caroline other means, sam_ples, complimentary, and other 12. For completion by publishers mailingat the business offices of the publishers: 14 Charles · Lund, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. free copies, 380; E. Total distribution (sum of C regular rates (Section 1:12.121, Postal Service Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Jack Barnes, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. and D)J 22,359; F. Copies not distributed (1) Office Manual). :l9 U.S.C. :l62H provides in pertinent 6. Names and complete addresses of publisher, 10014. Peter Camejo, 1250 Wilshire Blvd. #404, use, lett over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing part: "No person who would have been entitled to editor, and managing editor: Publisher: The Mili­ Los Ang_eles, Ca. 90017. Doug Jenness.._ 410 West 1,22:1; (2) Returns from news agents, 140; G. Total mail matt<'r under former section 4359 of this tit! I' tant, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Carol J:teed 3004 (sum of E. F1 and 2-should equal net press run shall mail such matter at the rates provided under Editor: Mary-Alice Waters, 14 Charles Lane, New 16th Street, San Francisco, Ca. 94116. Helena shown in AI. 2:1,722. this subsection unless he files annually with the York, N.Y. 10014. Manag!ng Editor: Stephen P. Hermes, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. Actual no. of copies of single issue published Postal Servk•• a written request 'tor permission to Clark, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. 10014. Cindy Jaquith, 14 Charles Lane, New York, N.Y. nearest to filing date:' A. Total no. copies vrinted mail matter at such rates." In accordance with th•• 7. Owner (If owned by a corporation, its name 10014. Priscilla Ring, 12:37 S. Atlantic Blvd., Los (net press run), 19,000. B. Paid circulatwn (l) provisions of this statute, I hl•reby r!!50; C. Total paid circulation (sum of lOBI and :l9 U.H.C. :lH~6. (Signed) Harvey K. MeArthur, • total amount of stock. If not owned by a· corpora- «P.Curity holders owning or holding 1 percent or 10B2), 17,HOO; D. Free distribution by mail, carrier, Business Manager.

26 EhiEana ?afl,~. Liberation Hugo BlanEa an and Repression 5aEialism in Latin AmeriEa By Miguel Pendas Land or Death 16 pages 25 cents The Peasant Struggle in Peru Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 Three U.S. presidents barred Hugo Blanco from speaking before the American West Street, New York, New people about his experiences recounted in Land or Death and the realities of Latin York 10014. America today. Only a massive campaign led President Carter to relent and grant Blanco a visa Land or Death describes the conditions of peasant life and tells the fascinating story of how thousands of Quechua Indians began to take back the lands stolen Affirmative from them. English edition: 178 pages, cloth $9.00, paper $2.45. Spanish edition: paper only, $2.75 Action vs. Chile's Days of Terror Eyewitness Accounts of the Military Coup Introduction by Jose Yglesias. These first-hand reports, including one by Hugo Seniority Blanco, tell gripping stories about the dragnets, house-to-house searches, tortures, by Linda Jenness, Herbert Hill, and executions without trials in the wide-ranging reign of terror organized by the Willie Mae Reid, Frank Lovell, and military coup which overthrew President Salvador Allende. 124 pages, cloth $7.00, Sue Em Davenport. 30 pp., 50 cents paper $1.75 Order from Pathfinder Press. 410 West Street. New York, N.Y. 10014 Disaster in Chile Allende's Strategy and Why It Failed Edited by Les Evans, with contributions by Hugo Blanco. "Invaluable for Calendar and classified rates: 75 cents students of Marxism as well as those interested in Chile and Latin America."­ per line of 56-character-wide Perspective typewritten copy. Display ad rates: $10 Disaster in Chile sifts the Chilean and world press, documents of the left, and per column inch ($7.50 if camera-ready eyewitness accounts to put together this historic record of the Allende regime from ad is enclosed). Payment must be its triumph at the polls in September 1970 until it was overthrown three years included with ads. The 'Militant' is later. 271 pages, paper $2.95 published each week on Friday. Deadlines for ad copy: Friday, one week preceding publication, for classified and Order from Pathfinder Press, 410 West Street, New York, N.Y. 10014. VISA and display ads; 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, three Master Charge accepted on mail orders over $5-include account number, days preceding publication, for calendar expiration date, and authorized signature. Free, complete catalog available on ads. Telephone: (212) 243-6392. request.

Socialist Directory ARIZONA: Phoenix: SWP. YSA, Militant Bookstore, W. Madison, Second Floor, Chicago, Ill. 60644. Louis. Mo. 63130. Tel: (314) 725-1571. Bookstore, 5950 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, 314 E. Taylor, Phoenix, Ariz. 85004. Tel: (602) Tel: (312) 261-8370. Northside St. Louis: 4875 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Pa. 19144. Tel: (215) V14-2874. 255-0450. INDIANA: Bloomington: YSA, c/o Student Activities . Louis. Mo. 63115. Tel: (314) 381-0044 Philadelphia, West Philadelphia: SWP, Militant Tucson: YSA, SUPO 20965, Tucson, Ariz. 85720. Desk, Indiana-- University, Bloomington, Ind. Westend St. Louis: 6223 Delmar, St. Louis, Mo. Bookstore. 218 S 45th St .. Philadelphia, Pa. Tel: (602) 795-2053. 47401. 63130. Tel (314) 725-1570. 19104. Tel: (215) EV7-2451. CALIFORNIA: Berkeley: SWP, YSA, Granma Indianapolis: SWP, 4163 College Ave., Indianapolis, NEW JERSEY: Newark: SWP, Militant Bookstore. Philadelphia: City-wide SWP, YSA, 218 S. 45th St., Bookstore, 3264 Adeline St., Berkeley, Calif. Ind. 46205. Tel: (317) 925-2616 11-A Central Ave., Newark, N.J. 07102. Tel: (201) Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. Tel: (215) EV7-2451. 94703. Tel: (415) 653-7156. KENTUCKY: Lexington: YSA, P.O. Box 952 Uni­ 482-3367 Pittsburgh: SWP. YSA, Militant Bookstore, 5504 East Los Angeles: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, versity Station, Lexington, Ky. 40506. Tel: (606) NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box Penn Ave., Pttlsburgh, Pa. 15206. Tel: (412) 441- 1237 S. Atlantic Blvd., East Los Angeles, Calif. 233-1270. 4088, Albuquerque, N.M. 87106. Tel: (505) 256- 1419. 90022. Tel: (213) 265-1347. Louisville: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 1505 W. 1796. State College: YSA, c/o Bob Hill, 733 W. College Long Beach: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Bookstore, 3322 Broadway, Louisville, Ky. 40203. Tel: (502) 587- NEW YORK: Albany: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, Ave. #2, State College, Pa. 16801. Anaheim St., Long Beach, Calif. 90804. Tel: (213) 8418. 103 Central Avenue, Albany, New York 12206. RHODE ISLAND: Kingston: YSA, c/o Box 400, 597-0965. LOUISIANA: New Orleans: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Tel: (518) 463-0072. Kingston, R.I. 02881. Tel. (401) 783-8864. Los Angeles, Crenshaw District: SWP, YSA, Bookstore, 3812 Magazine St., New Orleans, La. Binghamton: YSA, c/o Andy Towbin, Box 7120, TENNESSEE: Knoxville: YSA, P.O. Box 8344 Univ. Pathfinder Books, 2167 W. Washington Blvd., Los 70115. Tel: (504) 891-5324. SUNY-Binghamton, Binghamton, N.Y. 13901. Station, Knoxville, Tenn. 37916. Tel: (615) 525- Angeles, Calif. 90018. Tel: (213) 732-8196. MARYLAND: Baltimore: SWP, YSA, 2117 N. Charles Ithaca: YSA, Willard Straight Hall, Rm. 41A, Cornell 0820. Los Angeles: City-wide SWP, YSA, 1250 Wilshire St.; Baltimore, Md. 21218. Tel: (301) 547-0668. University, Ithaca, N.Y 14853. TEXAS:. Austin: YSA, c/o Mike Rose, 7409 Berkman Blvd., Room 404, Los Angeles, Calif. 90017. Tel: College Park: YSA, c/o Student Union. University of New York, Bronx: SWP, Militant Bookstore, Librerfa Dr .. Austin. Tex. 78752. (213) 482-1820. Maryland, College Park, Md. 20742. Tel:. (301) Militante, 2271 Morris Ave., Bronx, N.Y. 10453. Dallas: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, 2215 Cedar Oakland: SWP, YSA, 1467 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, 454-4758. Tel: (212) 365-6652. Crest, Dallas, Tex. 75203. Tel: (214) 943-6684. Calif. 94601. Tel: (415) 261-1210. Prince Georges County: SWP, 4318 Hamilton St., New York, Brooklyn: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 220- Houston, Northeast: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, San Diego: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 1053 Rm. 10, Hyattsville. Md. 20781. Tel: (301) 864- 222 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213. Tel: (212) 2835 Laura Koppe, Houston, Tex. 77093. Tel: 15th St., San Diego, Calif. 92101. Tel: (714) 234- 4867. 773-0250. (713) 697-5543. " 4630. MASSACHUSETTS: Amherst: YSA, c/o Rees, 4 New York, Chelsea: SWP, Militant Bookstore; Houston, East End: SWP, 4987 South Park Blvd. San Francisco: City-wide SWP, YSA, 3004 16th St., Adams St., Easthampton, Mass. 01027. Libreria Militante, 200'/, W. 24th St. (off 7th Ave.), (South Park Plaza). Houston, Tex. 77021. Tel: San Francisco, Calif. 94103. Tel: (415) 626-6288. Boston: City-wide SWP, YSA, 510 Commonwealth New York, N.Y. 10011. Tel: (212) 989-2731. (713) 643-0005. San Francisco, Mission District: SWP, Socialist Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215. Tel: (617) 262-4621. New York, Lower East Side: SWP, YSA, Militant Houston: City-wide SWP, YSA, 3311. Montrose, Bookstore, Librerfa Socialista, 3284 23rd St., San Cambridge: SWP, 2 Central Square, Cambridge, Bookstore, Libreria Militante, 7 Clinton St., New Houston, Tex. 77006. Tel: (713) 526-1082. Francisco, Calif. 94110. Tel: (415) 824-1992. Mass. 02139. Tel: (617) 547-4395. York, N.Y. 10002. Tel: (212) 260-6400. San Antonio: SWP, 1317 Castroville Rd., San San Francisco, Western Addition: SWP, 973 Page Fenway-South End: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, New York, Queens: SWP YSA, Militant Bookstore, Antonio, Tex. 78237. Tel: (512) 432-7625 or (512) St., San Francisco, Calif. 94117. Tel: (415) 626- 510 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215. 90-43 149 St. (corner Jamaica Ave.), Jamaica, 432-3022. YSA, P.O. Box 12110, Laurel Heights 6814. Tel: (617) 262-4620. N.Y 11435. Tel: (212) 658-7718. Sta., San Antonio, Tex. 78212. San Jose: SWP, YSA, 957 S. 1st St., San Jose, Calif. Roxbury: SWP, 612 Blue Hill Ave., Dorchester, New York, Upper West Side: SWP, YSA, Militant UTAH: Logan: YSA, P.O. Box 1233, Utah State 95110. Tel: (408) 295-8342. Mass. 02121, tel: (617) 288-0753. Bookstore, 786 Amsterdam, New York, N.Y. University, Logan, Utah 84322. COLORADO: Denver: SWP, YSA, Pathfinder Books, MICHIGAN: Ann Arbor: YSA, Room 4103, Michigan 10025. Tel: (212) 663-3000. Salt Lake City: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 461, Salt Lak.e 916 Broadway, Denver, Colo. 80203. Tel: (303) Union, U of M, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109. Tel: (313) New York: City-wide SWP, YSA, 853 Broadway, City, Utah 84110. 837-1018. 663-8306. Room 412, New York, N.Y. 10003. Tel: (212) 982- WASHINGTON, D.C.: Adams-Morgan: SWP, 2416 FLORIDA: Miami: SWP, YSA, Box 431096, South Detroit, East Side: SWP, 12920 Mack Ave., Detroit, 8214. 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Tel: (202) Miami, Fla. 33143. Tel: (305) 266-4381. Mich. 48215. Tel: (313) 824-1160. NORTH CAROLINA: Raleigh: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 797-7706. Tallahassee: YSA, c/o Linda Thalman, 1303 Ocala Detroit, West Side: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 18415 5714 State Univ. Station,.Raleigh, N.C. 27607. Washington, D.C.: Georgia Avenue: SWP, 700'12 Rd. #140, Tallahassee, Fla. 32304. Tel: (904) 576- Wyoming, Detroit, Mich. 48221. Tel: (313) 341- OHIO: Athens: YSA, c/o Balar Center, Ohio Barry Pl. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: (202) 5737. 6436. University, Athens, Ohio 45701. Tel: (614) 594- 265-7708. GEORGIA: East Atlanta: SWP, 471A Flat Shoals Detroit: City~wide SWP, YSA. 1310 Broadway, 7497. Washington, D.C.: City-wide SWP, YSA, 1424 16th Ave. SE, P.O. Box 5596, Atlanta, Ga. 30307. Tel: Detroit, Mich. 48226. Tel: (313) 961-5675. Cincinnati: SWP, YSA, 970 E. McMillan, Cincinnati, St. NW, Suite 701B, Washington, D.C. 20036. Tel: (404) 688-6739. East Lansing: YSA, First Floor Student Offices, Ohio 45206. Tel: (513) 751-2636. (202) 797-7699. West Atlanta: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 137 Ashby, Union- Bldg., Michigan State University, East Cleveland: SWP, YSA, 2300 Payne, Cleveland, Ohio WASHINGTON: Seattle, Central Area: SWP, YSA, P.O. Box 92040, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. Tel: (404) Lansing, Mich. 48823. Tel: (517) 353-0660. 44114. Tel: (216) 861-4166. Militant Bookstore, 2200 E. Union, Seattle, Wash. 755-2940. Grand Rapids: YSA, P.O. Box 6301, Grand Rapids, Columbus: YSA, Box 106 Ohio Union (Rm. 308), 98122. Tel: (206) 329-7404. ILLINOIS: Champaign-Urbana: YSA, 284 lllini Mich. 49506. Ohio State Univ., 1739 N. High St., Columbus, Seattle: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, 2200 E. Union, Urbana, Ill. 61801. MI. Pleasant: YSA, Box 51 Warriner Hall, Central Ohio 43210. Tel: (614) 291-8985. Union, Seattle, Wash. 98122. Tel: (206) 329-7404. Chicago: City-wide SWP, YSA, 407 S. Dearborn Mich. Univ., Mt. Pleasant, Mich. 48859. Kent: YSA, Student Center Box 41, Kent State Spokane: SWP, P.O. Box 672, Spokane, Wash. #1145, Chicago, Ill. 60605. Tel: SWP-(312) 9_39- MINNESOTA: Minneapolis: SWP, YSA, Militant University, Kent, Ohio 44242. Tel: (216) 678-2489. 99210. Tel: (509) 326-2468. 0737; YSA-(312) 42l-0280. Bookstore, 23 E. Lake St., Mpls., Minn. 55408. Tel: Toledo: SWP, 2507 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, Tacoma: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 1022 S. J St., Chicago, North Side: ~WP. Pathfinder Books, 1870 (612) 825-6663. Ohio 43610 Tel: (419) 242-9743. Tacoma, Wash. 98405. Tel: (206) 627-0432. N. Halsted, Chicago, Ill. 60614. Tel: (312) 642- St. Paul: SWP, Labor Bookstore, 176 Western Ave., OREGON: Portland: SWP, YSA, Militant Bookstore, WEST VIRGINIA: Morgantown: SWP, P.O. Box 4811. St. Paul, Minn. 55102. Tel: (612) 222-8929. 3928 N. Williams, Portland, Ore. 97227. Tel: (503) 1484, Morgantown, W. Virginia 26505. Chicago, South Side: SWP, Militant Bookstore, 2251 . 288-7860. WISCONSIN: Madison: YSA, P 0. Box 1442, E. 71st St., Chicago, Ill. 60649. Tel: (312) 643- MISSOURI: Kansas City: SWP, YSA, 4715A Troost, PENNSYLVANIA: Edinboro: YSA, Edinboro State Madison, Wis. 53701. Tel: (608) 251-1591. 5520. Kansas City, Mo. 64110. Tel: (816) 753-0404. College, Edinboro, Pa. 16412. Milwaukee: SWP, YSA, 3901 N. 27th St., Milwaukee, Chicago, West Side: SWP, Pathfinder Books, 5967 St. Louis: City-wide SWP, YSA, 6223 Delm~r, St. Philadelphia, Germantown: SWP. Militant Wis. 53216. Tel: (~.14) 442-8170.

27 THE MILITANT Crowds in Puerto. Rico hail F. eroa Cordero After decades in U.S. prisons, a dying Nationalist goes home By Jose G. Perez ists imprisoned with Figueroa Cordero. "Don't cry. If one is dying for his Freedom!-to tell the United States country there is no need to cry." to get out of their country- so that These were Andres Figueroa Corde­ Puerto Ricans can run their own af­ ro' s first words to his brother as the fairs. ailing member of the Nationalist Party The night before, Cordero was also of Puerto Rico was carried from a given a hero's welcome at a rally of 350 plane at the San Juan airport October in Chicago. 7. Andres's brother had broken out in There Nelson Canals, head of Puerto Rico's National Committee to Free the An editorial on this subject appears Nationalist Prisoners, read a message on page 10. Figueroa Cordero had written but was too weak to read.

tears when he saw the pallid, frail "My release is a victory for the figure of Andres in a wheelchair, a Puerto Rican and North American Puerto Rican flag draped across his people, which should be dedicated to shoulders. work for the release of other political Outside, thousands of people greeted prisoners, especially the other four the Nationalist with shouts of, "Liber· Nationalist political prisoners, Lolita tad! Libertad! Libertad!" Lebron, Oscar Collazo, Irving Flores, Freedom!-to hail Figueroa Corde­ and Rafael Cancel Miranda," Figueroa ro' s release. Cordero said. Free_dom!-to demand that President The five were imprisoned in the early Carter release the other four National- Continued on page 26 Andres Figueroa Cordero defiantly displays his country's flag at airport Attend the Chicano/Latirio conference San Antonio, Oct. 28-30 By Harry Ring Manzo Area. Council; Antonio Rodri- Blanco will be there SAN ANTONIO-The national Chi- guez of CASA; Jean Bart of the Hai- to be deported again a few months cano/Latino immigration conference tian Refugee Center in Miami; Juan By Jose G. Perez to be held here October 28-30 will open . Gomez-Quinones, Chicano Studies di- Peruvian peasant leader Hugo later. He Iiow lives in exile in Sweden. with a public rally Friday night. rector at UCLA; and Sister Mario Blanco will be among the speakers The following is Blanco's tour Some of the slated speakers at the Barron of Las Hermanas. at the national Chicano/Latino con­ schedule in the days before the San rally include Rev. Jose Alvarez of the Also scheduled is Ali Shokri, a refu- ference. Antonio conf~rence: New. York-based Committee for the gee from the Iranian army seeking After a two-year fight, Blanco October 18 Champaign, Ill. Defense of Immigrants; Vilma Mar- asylum here. recently won a U.S. visa to conduct a October 19 New Orleans tinez, national director of the Mexican- Hugo Blanco, the well-known Peru- speaking tour for his publisher, October 20-21 Milwaukee American Legal Defense Fund; Ruben vian peasant leader, will speak at the Pathfinder Press, and the U.S. Com­ mittee for Justice to Latin American . October 24 St. Louis Bonilla, Texas director of the League conference ~s well. October 25 Kansas City, Mo. of United Latin American Citizens; ·The rally will open with welcoming Political Prisoners (USLA). · Pedro Camejo of the Socialist Workers remarks by Bernardo Eureste, acting Blanco speaks with, first-hand Party; Marge Cowan of the Tucson mayor of San Antonio and an endorser knowledge of the poverty and repres­ More information on Blanco's tour of the conference. sion that forces millions of Latin can be gotten from: USLA, 853 A Saturday morning plenary session Americans to emigrate to the United Broadway Suite 414, New York, will hear Dr. Jorge Bustamante, Mexi­ States. New York 10003. Telephone: co's leading authority on immigration. In the early 1960s Blanco was a (21.2) 254-6062. An invitation had been sent to Presi­ leader of a land-reform movement dent Carter to present his views to the among Quechua-speaking Indian conference, and a slot has been left farmers in Peru. For his political open for a representative of the admin­ activities Blanco was charged with istration. murder, and authorities sought the The keynote address will then be death sentence. It took an interna­ delivered by Judge Jose Angel Gutier­ tional protest campaign to save his rez, founding leader of the Crystal City life and finally. win him amnesty in Raza Unida Party, whose "Call for 1970. Action" last spring led to the calling of Only a few months after his re- · the conference. lease, Blanco was deported from On Saturday there will be two sets of Peru and then hounded out of one workshops. One set will focus on ana­ . Latin American country after lyzing the Carter plan and what's another because of his renown as an wrong with it. uncompromising opponent of capi­ A second set of workshops will deal talist -exploitation and oppression. with a variety of movemE1nt concerns, He was living in Chile at the time of including such issues as the Bakke the 1973 rightist coup and narrowly affirmative action decision and sup­ escaped death by seeking asylum at port to farm workers. the Swedish embassy. He was al­ On Sunday a plenary session will lowed to return to Peru in 1975, only Continued on page 24

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