THE NEW LEADER FORUM

...The I. L. P., as an organisation, was not involved for the matter was strictly trade union business, but undoubtedly I. L. P. members In the unions had a good deal to do with that action...

...UNION PROPAGANDA By Sarah Vesevtek I want to call attention to Comrade Clarke's article oa "A Day in the Life of a Good Union Man...

...One* I would have seen in communism something of a check to fast-Ism...

...Sirn all inquiries with four full name and address, not necessarily for publication but as evidence of good faith...

...I was not...

...Please don't fall me...

...And we are partisan to the candidates who stand for these things...

...It Is a shame to send them home with a heartache...

...Also, how and when did the Socialist parties in Norway and Sweden prevent an Impending war between those two powers...

...Visualise Broun soaking a soap-box speech in the present campaign...

...Whether or not the Lloyd George government had any such intention cannot be known, but it is a fact that at Just the right moment the General Council of the British Trades Union Congress (despite-that fact that the Communist International was at that very moment roundly damning that organization as "betrayers") voted to declare a general strike in the event of British war upon the Soviets...

...Belgian dock laborers at Anti werp, under Socialist leadership, refused to unload munitions of war destined for the Warsaw front, that had been manufactured by French munition workers who were then under Communist leadership...

...The other suggestion Is that a deliberate attempt be made—by announcements from the platform or otherwise—to get the more modest delegates to take part in the discussions and to give them the opportunity to do so...

...To a faithful party worker back home here in the Borough of Brooklyn It Is most discouraging to find that the enemies he has to fight constantly because of their fanatical destructive policy are honored at "constructive" by the standard-bearer of hit party...

...The struggle was widely bruited as a battle between the forces of "law and order" and of revolution and chaos, and there was considerable reactionary sentiment' in all countries for an alliance with Poland against Bolshevism...

...Some of these tried in vein to get It...

...Comrade Thomas seemed to have found it necessary to make public confession of his one-time belief that Communism might be a check to Fascism...

...It ought to make the rounds of trade union publications, for it Is Just the klosi of matter which such publications are looking for...

...Sports, including an all-star soccer game between the Manhattan and Union City teams at 3 P. M. will be an attraction that in past years has drawn thousands of enthusiasts and spectators...

...My statement It that we drift to catastrophe rather than to anything at constructive even at Communism...

...8. We have not seen the items in,the "Daily Worker" regarding Tom Mooney and it isn't necessary...

...To Socialists his posturing* are a source of chagrin and apology...

...Though I admire his candor in admitting his mistake, what sensible purpose was served by making public this fact particularly when the Communists have as a matter of record, everywhere and at all timet, bolstered up the forces of Fascism...

...I may add that the very news release from which the New York "Timet" quoted went ort with a sharp criticism of William Z. Foster's book to that no one was In any danger of thinking me a Communist sympathiser...

...He paid a tribute to Victor Berger, for being one who had all three and used them to the advantage of the workers...

...m "SHOOT THE WORKS" By Ben Illumenberg Heywood Broun stated recently in the World-Telegram that he became so excited at the Democratic convention thai be joined the delegates in the cheering for Alfred Smith...

...Milwaukee, Wis...

...What does Comrade Thomas mean by constructive Communism, anyway...

...Lillian Herstein, Chicago teacher, struck the keynote of the convention whan aha said In answer, "We are not a non-partisan group...

...I have heard this case cited a number of times...

...W<9 are partisan...

...Dewey said, "but one of communist tactics...

...Great Britain remained out of the mess...

...Three Questions Will you answer In as early number of the New Leader the following questions...

...Miss Herstein spoke on the situation in Chicago and discussed the tax situation...

...If the band should play the Tammany theme song, choking emotion might prevent the playboy of socialism from continuing his speech...

...Music will be furnished by the Hollywood Serenaders...

...When will we have the sense to depend on spokesmen and strategists who have long and honorable records free from buffoonery and press-agentry Broun's place is not m the Socialist party...

...A reference is also made to these tactics by Lenin in his "Left Wing Communism," p. 30...

...Broun stops long enough to join in the cheers and then completes his Socialist (?) address...

...A* little further on he said: "Against these very destructive forces (Fascism) only the rapid growth of socialism can prevail...

...It is not a question of communist principles," Dr...

...and that the more modest delegations be seated in front when: they will have a better chance to be recognized...

...Denounces Disruption By HV FISH CLEVELAND, Ohio.—Concluding a tepid two-day session, the League for Independent Political Action urged support of Norman Thomas and James H. Maurer, the Socialist candidates for president and vice-president While endorsing Thomas they made it plain, as one delegate put it, that the Socialist program was a "bit too radical for them...

...Such an article in the form of a leaflet, pastes up in shops or circulated among trade unionists is sure to create an impression and cause comment...

...Pa., writes of the position taken by Jim Maurer at a branch meeting who declared that the "day of straddling Is past" Be adds thai a straw vote taken oa this issue In Berks Counts gave a decision of « to 1 against prohibition David G. George of Virginia writes that he Is "emphatically opposed" to the platform plank on liquor...

...In their declaration they said, "While we do not necessarily support every feature In the ultimate program of the Socialist Party, we do believe that in the present election the candidacy and platform of Norman Thomas and-James Maurer is infinitely preferable to those of other parties and we therefore urge all our members and friends to work and vote for him" The conference decided to cooperate with all independent groups who were interested in building a "third party...

...A crowd passes shouting for the champion of the New Tammany...

...Perhaps the Labor Committee, or some other committee of the party can give this its attention...

...a delegate to the recent convention, but, in my capacity as editor of the editorial page of the Milwaukee beads*, I sat at the press table a large part of the time, and I observed that there were some delegates who never sot the floor...

...Emphasis mine...

...Dewey presided as Howard Y. Williams, the national organiser of the L. I. P. A., Lillian Herstein, leader of tha Chicago teachers, and John W. Herring, executive secretary of the league, discussed "Are the People Ready to Take Power...

...With more than 200 organizations participating, tickets are being spread among their members and friends...

...I grant you this is a large order, but I have come to expect much from that question and answer section in the New Leader...

...Bronx, N. Y. QfjraTTOMS and ANSWERS Readers of The New Leader are requested to confine their questions as nearly as possible to labor, Socialist, economic and related questions...

...published In The New Leader last week...

...The Communist Party In I his and other cities Is now follow fng the Instructions mentioned in the answer to question 1 more faithfully than ever before...

...A. *i, The quotation is taken from a pamphlet published by the Workers' Party (now the Communist Party) by Lenin entitled "Should Socialists Participate In Reactionary Trade Unions...

...Wisconsin, New Jersey, sod seme others—should be seated in the rear of the convention hall, where they cannot so easily monopolise the floor...

...New York ^City...

...My second statement Is that I once thought, limply as a matter of objective observation, that Communism might at least be somewhat of an antidote to Fascism...

...We are partisan for social legislation, for giving the government back to the people...

...To me it < teems like aa excellent article to circulate among trade unionists, it u written in the language that most easily appeals to the worker, and the treatment Is one which Is sure to strike home...

...Even Socialists more critical than I am or than the party's resolution on Russia is will admi', that the situation In Russia is infinitely more hopeful than pure catastrophe...

...ROSS ATKINSON, Bronx...

...In that year the ' Norwegian people voted to resume independence, and as a matter of routine Sweden prepared for the conventional bloody war to i keep the Norwegians under a king they did not want...

...As if this Were not enough...

...Now I think that the Communist violence and Its glorification of dictatorship play into the hands of Fascism...

...On the other hand it was only a few years ago that Mooney wrote a letter denouncing the Communists for col| lectlng mostly i for ¦ his 4eSenas and . keeping It fir their own WOrieJ hli LlPA Endorses NationalTicket Of Socialists Refuses Endorsement to Any Communist Candates...

...At that time it appeared that the British government, spurred on by the ultraChauvanist Winston...

...Dancing from 1 P. M. to the early morning hours will be furnished in the Main Casino of the Park...

...Churchill,| might throw in Its lot with Poland and Join France In fighting Trotsky's army...

...Up to 1906 Norway was united with Sweden in a union under the Swedish king...

...Communists have as their aim the disruption of all parties...

...This may or may not continue to be the case: It is true today, •it is...

...THE NEW LEADER FORUM TO COMRADE THOMAS By Benjamin Haskel In the "New York Timet" of June 27, Norman Thomas k quoted M having Mid at the L. I. D. Tamlmeant Conference: By no means .do I believe In Inevitable disaster...

...Emphasis mine...

...It is certainly not the same at Fascism and If we must choose I certainly prefer Communist Russia to Fascist Italy...

...Many Features Will Mark Big Party Picnic Many attractive features will draw upwards, of 25,000 Socialists and their sympathizers to Ulmer Park, Brooklyn, Saturday, July 30th, on the occasion of the opening of the greatest Socialist campaign since the days of 'dene Doha...

...3. What is there in the Communist charge that the Socialist Party has "betrayed" Tom Mooney...

...The quotations he takes from the New York "Times" mean what they say and no more...

...NATIONAL CONVENTIONS By John M Work There Is a matter concerning our national conventions which bothers me and I want to get it off my chest...

...But upon a motion by Professor Paul H. Douglas and supported by John Dewey, they decided by a vote of 47 to 8 that they would endorse no candidate of the Communist Party...

...Williams pointed out that any new party miL.t have an adequate philosophy of government, a sufficient program, and the ability to organize...

...It was only because the Swedish Socialists calli ed huge anti-war mass meetings and created nation-wide sentiment for a peaceful settlement that war i was averted and the Norwegians permitted to go their way in peace...

...The first session of the Conference opened Saturday, July 9, at which Dr...

...Herring brought out the need for Immediate action to "avoid the dangers of fascism and the rising of an American Mussolini...

...TO COMRADE HASKEL By Norman Thomas My good friend, Comrade Raskel, is unnecessarily worried...

...Communism la certainly more constructive than "chaos and dark night...

...MORE ON THE LIQUOR PLANK Two more letters have been received on the liquor plank...

...Fred M. Merkel of Reeding...

...To obviate this Injustice in futon conventions I would make two suggestions The first one it that the delegations which are made up largely of seasoned speakers—su-h ss the delegations from New York...

...2. In the summer of 1920 Soviet Russia was at war with Poland, and to save Warsaw from capture by Trotsky the French government rushed to the defense of her puppet state with an army...

...The whole subject, with other material, Is covered by Oneal in his "American Communism," Chapter VIII...

...Before a Communist movement was organized in this country the Socialist Party bad taken up the case of Mooney...

...There are indications that a record crowd will turn out...

...When will Socialists drop their hero-worship which results In selecting spokesmen who have gained their "honors" In movements other than our own...

...It is to him s pleasing newspaper diversion...

...others did not have the courage to try- Ton may be sure that this Is a tragedy to these comrades and that it it an Injury to the movement...

...Brooklyn...

...The story is told in full detail in George R. Klrkpatrick's book, "War What For...

...Royal D. Rood, Detroit delegate, offered a substitute to the endorsement plank of Thomas and said that they should Just ask the people to cast a protest vote against the two old parties so that the league could maintain its non-partisanship...

...If the mechanism of the party depends on superfluous cogs like Broun, the sooner we "shoot the works" the better...

...however, an extreme and, I think, unproved statement for Comrade Haskel to say that "Communists have at a matter o frecord everywhere and at all times bolstered up the forces of "Fascism...

...It provides an arsenal of fact with which to meet outside attack or criticism...

...Our criticisms of Communism will certainly have more weight If they are not at blind as are Communist criticisms of socialism...

...Surely tint has not added to the prestige of Comrade Thomas or the Socialist party...

...Anonymous inquiries will be ignored...

...1. Where is the quotation of Lenin dealing with the use of mendacious and underhand tactics (printed in the New Leader of July 9th) to be foundT 2. When and how did the Independent Labor Party avert a Russian-Polish clash of arms...

...He said that he had lost all hope in the "progressives" and that the leaders must "come from our own ranks...

...I now think, simply as a matter of objective observation, however, that whatever Communist Intentions may be, Communist tactics in America actually strengthen the drift to Fascism...

...Has Tom Mooney accredited the statements attributed to him in the Daily Worker with regard to the Socialist "betrayal...

...Nevertheless, drift In the United Bute* and in the world In general Is drift to catastrophic disaster...

...In short, they should be treated with consideration, In keeping with the genuine Socialist spirit of kindness and brotherUness, and should be made to understand that they are Integral and Important parts of the convention work...

...Broun's socialism is no deeper than the impression made by the ink of a typewriter ribbon...

...He does not write as "a dry or a wet, but at a Socialist...

...It is at least as probable that out of it we should get a generation of chaos and dark night as that we should get anything aa construe - llve as communism...

...Part of our strength as socialists lies or ought to He In our ability to discriminate...