Thousands Mourn Ben Schlesinger's Death
Thousands Mourn Ben Schlesinger's Death Tw. needte trades workers of New York aad Chicago turned out in great wis ears this week to demonstrate publicly their sorrow at the death on Monday of...
...Despite his illness and against bis doctor's orders he went to Philadelphia to attend the biennial convention of the union and was re-elected to the presidency...
...Schlesinger has had to work against the handicap of a chronic illness which he well knew' could have only a fatal termination...
...25, 1876, Schlesinger came to the United States at the age of 15 and went to work as a machine operator on cloaks and suits...
...So long as there is capitalism just so long there is graft...
...On the contrary, it smacks of the same sort of evasion that we denounce hi the capitalist parties...
...From 1808 to 1912 he was manager of The New Tork Jewish Dairy Forward after which he returned to the union uattl 1928 when he became resident manager of The Chicago Jewish Daily Forward...
...He waa their leader in winning victory after victory...
...Under Socialism both Incentive and opportunity for graft will have been eliminated and many things which now prove harmful to the Individual or collective life become useful servants, or without legislation automatically fall into the discard...
...The party demands that every member of the party must support the platform and its principles...
...Addresses were made by Norman Thomas, Sidney Hillman, president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers...
...Schlesinger died In a Denver sanitarium...
...The Communist split and changt ee in the nature of the industry brought evil days...
...I therefore again, on behalf ot many faithful comrades who have proved their loyalty to Socialism (and who were induced to Join the party on the premise it was purely an economic organisation) that no member or branch vote on the repeal referendum until there be time for fuller discussion, and what the decision may mean to the party membership and the outside world from whom we must gain our strength...
...But for those who spend more of their time In the hinterland west of the Hudson, know that there are still a few ordinary citizens who are deeply disturbed over the present economic situation, and who are ready to go with a party that challenges the capitalist system, who, nevertheless, do not conceive the repeal of prohibition as the signal for the economic revolution...
...The veteran leader received a demonstration of affection and confidence last month that touched him deeply...
...liquor issue knows that it will not be settled by announcing a platform for repeal, it will not be settled by a referendum...
...Following a demonstration in Chicago, the body of the deceased labor leader was brought to New York, his native city...
...In a few years his energies In or garnzing the workers in this industry were rewarded by a position In the union and, except for a few sorties into the newspaper publishing field, he remained until the end of his life an active union officer...
...It la alien to the spirit of the platform...
...Labor leaders hi Chicago Monday paid tribute to Schlesinger, who was a former Chicagoan...
...Born In Lithuania • Born in Kaidan, Lithuania, Dec...
...Our platform, therefore, should contain such planks as are In line with our principles...
...The two old parties are canny enough to know that...
...Edward Nockles...
...But our convention by motion allotted one hour to the question, at the end of which each proponent of a motion should have five minutes to sum up...
...They don't see the relationship between Socialism and the repeal of prohibition...
...Moreover, we need all the space possible to give attention to educational and propaganda matter...
...He found the union in bad shape because of internal and external difficulties and especially because of Communist mismanagement of a great strike in the trade...
...In that one respect, at least, the Socialists make common cause with the advocates of prohibition...
...In all my political actions while a member of the Socialist party, I agree to be guided by the Constitution, declaration of principles and platform of the party...
...to his tireless efforts...
...Such affirmative action will also mean closing the ears, and a deliberate slap In the face to millions of drya, and the religious or church element to whom this question la such as some of our people oan hardly comprehend —one that Involves their very "soul...
...After the services the funeral party left for New Tork From 8 to 11 AM, Thursday, the body will lay in state for union members at the auditorium of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union, 2 West 16th street Eulogies were delivered by William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor...
...On this question the capitalist parties, for a year, have had their trickiest masters of weasel words trying to frame a "plank," and even as yet no definite wording, so loaded with dynamite do they know the question to be...
...He was at one time president of the Needle Trades Workers' Alliance and a member of the Workmen's Circle and the Socialist party...
...Loud speakers carried the orations to the crowds in the streets...
...The first letter below had to be cut one-half to comply with this rule...
...Our aim Is to organize and educate the workers for Socialism, and drink, like religion, is and should be a matter for each person to decide for himself...
...THAT REPEAL PLANK By Owen M. Qeer Commenting on the platform adopted by the Socialist party at Milwaukee, a friend ot mine said: "It sounded great until I read down to the plank on prohibition repeal...
...OBJECTS TO WET PLANK By George H. Goebei This Is an appeal to every branch and party member In America for fair play and full discussion, and at least a couple of weeks delay In voting on the action of our national convention (by S majority) declaring for repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment...
...They listened solemnly to warm eulogies paid by co-workers of Schlesinger in the labor movement...
...He combined in an unusual degree the qualities of pure idealism with practical resourcefulness and a single-minded devotion to the cause of the laboring people...
...Prohibition of alcoholic beverages Is perfectly good Socialist doctrine, If society becomes convinced of the wisdom of curbing the traffic in liquor...
...Among tne tributes paid to Schlesinger were: MORRIS HILLQUIT, counsel to garment union: "In the death of Benjamin Schlesinger the American labor movement loses a leader of the best and highest type...
...He is survived by a widow, Ray, and three children, Emil, Abraham and Bella...
...It Is possible to live In America and believe that there is nobody except a few fanatics who desire to see the experiment of prohibition continued...
...needte trades workers of New York aad Chicago turned out in great wis ears this week to demonstrate publicly their sorrow at the death on Monday of Benjamin Schlesinger, one of the cornerstones of trade unionism in the nation, aad in particularly in the ladles garment Industry...
...Perhaps the long platform got us into the debate over prohibition...
...You say that's evasion...
...Our application reads "I, the undersigned hereby apply for membership in the Socialist party...
...Schlesinger was known for his leadership of some of the largest strikes In the cloak and suit Industry, Including the walkouts of 1016 and 1920, and for' his handling of strikes in the dress industry...
...To his family and to his union, which was dearer to him than life itself, I send my very deep sympathy...
...It holds that at this period of American and International Industry, as never before in history, there is crying necessity for a political party whose unrelenting efforts shall be consecrated to the one supreme task of focusing the public mind upon the desperately tragic conditions now confronting the workers of this entire nation, and the absolute, overwhelming necessity of dealing with these economic conditions by Intelligently constructive and radical methods such as only.the Socialist party stands pledged to enact and enforce whatever at this moment obscures or Interferes with this one supreme purpose Is the enemy and can be the ruin of the workers and those who fight for them...
...Benjamin Schlesjnger's name Is associated with the heroic days when the sweated workers in the women's garment trade became organized...
...We seem to forget that there are multitudes of people with whom the fight against liquor is a moral welfare, and though they may lose a single battle, their spirit Is the spirit' that wins wars in the long run...
...Thousands Mourn Ben Schlesinger's Death Tw...
...The adoption of the repeal resolution will mean the quiet dropping away ot many fine comrades, and even entire branches and drag our candidates and speakers into unnecessary controversy...
...Or Is the belief In the principles of Socialism to be the test...
...So long as there is Insecurity of are there will be craving for stimulants and narcotics, no matter how destructive or habit forming, or harmful they be...
...Speakers included John Fitx-Fitzpatrick, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor...
...As The New Leader goes to press, a funeral demonstration of scores of thousands of workingmen was being witnessed in the East Side as the body of Schlesinger was taken to Mount Carmel Cemetery for interment...
...Abraham Ca-han, editor of The Jewish Daily Forward...
...During 1919-28 he was a member of the general executive committee of the International Clothing Workers' Federation and delegate of the American Federation of Labor to the British Trade Union Congress In 1922...
...Is rum to be made the test for membership in the Socialist party...
...The announcement that the Socialist party had come out for repeal will cost us tens of thousands of votes throughout the West, particularly among the farmers...
...Jimmy Walker's parade would have been in better form before the depression...
...Ha helped to build the International Union with locals in the United States aad Canada aad was elected president nine times...
...The situation throughout the United States is grave and we must make the most of our opportunities.—Editor...
...At noon the body was taken to the Forward Hall on East Broadway, where a public funeral was held...
...If so, we would do better to cut the platform In two...
...Schlesinger resigned and was for some years out of the harness...
...He was always chosen by the organisation to*Mead negotiations for renewal of agreements in the industry...
...NORMAN THOMAS: "I have Just seen the sad news that Benjamin Schlesinger is dead, While not entirely unexpected, this news comes aa a great shock...
...Nobody wishes to follow their policy of evasion and subterfuge...
...B. C. Vladeck, business manager of the same paper, and Joseph Weinberg, of the Workmen's Circle...
...This progress is the more remarkable because within - the last two or three years Mr...
...I am not a dry, neither do I believe that this question of prohibition should be made an Issue by the Socialist party...
...A few years ago in response to an insistent demand he returned again to the presidency...
...To the men and women in the women's garment Industry he will remain irreplaceable...
...Therefore, I urge all comrades to vote no on this referendum...
...THE WET PLANK By Julius Oerber The party members are now called upon to vote for or against the inclusion of the wet plank In the party platform...
...Distressed, starving workers of America, do not be diverted or divided by the 4 per cent or other 'Red Her-rlnga' of your capitalist enemies...
...Under his leadership la spite of the depression the union has made much progress in reasserting Its hold in the industry aa a whole...
...THE NEW LEADER FORUM EDITORIAL NOTE We again notify our readers to be brief and to confine their communications to current questions and issues...
...Let's make principles and not rum the test for membership In our party...
...secretary and treasurer of the federation, and Sam Levin, manager of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers...
...We forget also that, the great enemy of a sober nation is the profit motive, not the appetite for boose...
...His friends declared yesterday his indomitable energy kept him at his tasks when his physical organism was all but worn out...
...Of that hour the only two speakers recognised (a total of ten minutes) to speak for those taking the position that "bread and freedom" should be made the supreme Issue of the party, and that we should not be divided nor diverted by effects (rather than fundamentals) such as this wet and dry question were Busick of California and myself...
...The substitute I favored was as follows: "The Socialist party deals with fundamental causes and not with effects...
...Why such a plank In a Socialist platform...
...The evolution of -the women's clothing Industry from the disgraceful conditions of the sweatshop daya to the present state of relative decency aad ordered relatione was to a considerable extent due...
...His struggle to carry on has been a gallant and an Inspiring thing to all of us who knew htm...
...Schleetnger's first office was as business manager of the Chicago aoakmakers' Union at the age of IT...
...More than 10,000 workers surrounded the building flowing over into Fifth avenue nearby...
...David Dubinsky and Salva-tore Ninfo, secretary-treasurer and vice-president, respectively, of the garment union, and Morris Hillquit...
...Would we who are Socialist* by conviction rest the case against capitalism by an appeal to the people at the present stags of Socialist thought...
...His body arrived there Tuesday afternoon and was escorted to the Labor Lyceum, where memorial services were held...
...Chicago, III...
...The body was taken East immediately by his sob, Abraham, who had accompanied Schlesinger there...
...Had the party expressed its opinion on prohibition in a resolution, I would not oppose it-no matter what the opinion expressed in such resolution, but It has no place in the platform of the Socialist party...
...There are many In America like him...
...He arrived at the sanitarium last Friday to undergo treatment for tuberculosis aad apparently overtaxed his strength ia making the Jong trip from New Tork...
...Here outstanding leaders of the Socialist party, of trade unionism, and of the Workmen's Circle added their tributes...
...Then followed a procession to the Forward Building, the center of Jewish Socialist and labor activities in the nation...
...In a second regard we make common cause, namely the recognition of the right and necessity for social control, where social control is wise and necessary...
...That struck a discord...
...May I ask how does the question of rum touch the principles of Socialism...
...let's And oat who are the real Marxians, and who are more Interested in getting a drink, or keeping someone else from doing so...
...But I insist that the one plank in the Socialist platform which does not sound like Socialism Is the repeal plank...
...Not only the Interna* tional Ladies Garment Workers Union but the whole labor move* ment has suffered a loss that is almost Irreparable...
...He suffered a hemorrhage from which he dad not recover...
...If this wet plank Is to remain part of our platform, we must necessarily exclude all those from our ranks who do not believe In rum as a panacea, although they are with us on every other plank and believe in our principles, and from now on we cannot accept any one who believes in the "principles of Socialism but believes also that the world would be better with a sober working class...
...It simply doesn't belong In the platform...
...Here one of the most striking demonstrations ever seen in the city took place, rjrst at the headquarters of the International, at 8 West 16th street, services were conducted by the union...
...He took an active part in the Socialist Labor party from 1895 to 1899 and was a member of the People's Relief Committee from 1917 to 1922...
...Let the capitalist parties worry about what to do with prohibition...
...Any one who knows anything about the...
...Therefore the Socialist party denounces and refuses to aid the efforts of our Industrial overlords and the subsidised press, grafting politicians, and insincere double dealing political parties who serve them, In their attempt to divert the attention of the people from this supreme struggle for bread and freedom to a struggle for beer...
...It is not what its advocates would have us think, "aa honest facing of the Issue...
...For the remainder of the hour (50 minutes) the chairman recognised delegates presenting the wet position hi a highly distorted manner...
...Schlesinger died at 4 o'clock Monday morning in Cragmor Sanitarium in Denver at the age of 55...
...Join with the Socialist party In one final ¦mashing blow at that which stands between you and the real life, the...
...I Insist that to discuss beer when people are starving Is to dodge the Issue...
...During a period of twenty years, with few short breaks, he guided their destinies as president of their organization, as their champion hi all struggles and counselor in all difficult situations...
...Not satisfied with this, the chairman, in violation of the rules, at the closing of the allotted hour, added a violent wet diatribe, and refused me the closing five minutes I was entitled to as mover of the resolution—a resolution, by the way, that so far not one of our party papers has printed, despite the gravity of this question...
...When I respectfully asked for my five minutes (as against their 55 minutes) the chairman not only refused, but placed me under such deep humiliation that to avoid a scene harmful to the party, I left the convention floor...
...The -fact is that the convention itself never had a fair chance, to know what it was all about —and certainly not the party membership, as the matter Is now up for action by our national office (see party constitution as to possible methods...
...President of tie International Ladies Garment Workers at his death and for many years previous, Schlesinger was not only mourned by the workers for whom he had directly fought but by 'the entire American labor and Socialist movement...
Vol. 13 • June 1932 • No. 24
