If You're a Socialist You're Sure to Be Called a Traitor
Crosswaith, Frank R
By Frank R Crosswaith If You're a Socialist You're Sure to Be Called a Traitor Socialist Lecturer Tells Experiences with "United Fronters" Diving Coast-to-Coest Tour—Reel and Spurious Unity. _ t ...
...I m Uunkwg ol the German Socialist* who left Germany for oOxr exHimtrif...
...Not at all...
...W. M. F . | (Next week: Hilda G. Claessens...
...The teamsters have cleaned out the racketeers, I know there may be many casualties...
...our meetings in these cities were uninterrupted and a measure of unity effected...
...Copies are immediately sent to the Daily Worker, handbills are circulated with excerpts together with an attack upon the addressee for "not replying...
...This has happened to German and Hussion refugees in previous critical periods and to Italian refugees in Paris linee the rise of the Fascist dictatorship m Italy...
...Spies are sent abroad and there are instances in revolutionary history when the refugee has been lured into some ambush by the spy and destroyed...
...There wast Whitehora *J partie* chaM there wss al Hillquit tad taught the oil law, and tan two .Socialist| their quiet t when the uaj ged into tati And that Governor Whl snd the otai ' I Ww LU WM 1 Josepk i break loos...
...After studying the plan thoroughly, those interested caused a permament campaign committee to be elected to carry it through...
...He did not return to Italy but has gone to another country to carry on the fight against Fascism...
...No compromise and no running away when duty calls...
...And you don't look good to me...
...Comrades Thomas, Hillquit, Alfred Baker Lewis, Clarence Senior, Oneal, Dan Hoan, Jim Maurer and every other outstanding Socialist with years of devoted service to labor have likewise "betrayed and sold out" the working class...
...It is not his i habitation but his work that determines our attitude to him...
...but he was not the ebullient sort The party was happy...
...So said Edward N. Nockels, veteran secretary of the Chicago Federation of Labor...
...they are typical...
...Many individuals and organizations who joined with the Communists in a sincere effort to save the Scottsboro Boys have been compelled to withdraw because of the highly questionable conduct of the Communists...
...The response (not for publication) was the 1916 equivalent of "Oh, yeah...
...It was a pretty good district where we had polled an excellent vote in past years...
...On the first day, nineteen men came and ate the food made i to eat and not to sell—and it was , good...
...I think you're a diminutive crustntein," said Bill...
...We can get more...
...when it stops racketeers will have not even to toe-hold in the ranks of labor...
...Bill fled, laughing over his shoulder, as he passed through the entrance, shouting, "duty calls...
...The sole question regarding each revolutionary in Germany and each one who fled to other countries is thie: Do they intend to carry on the struggle for the overthrow of Hitler's regime...
...Well, what's your answer, Mr...
...There was nothing he would not do when called on, but he was never more than just a soldier...
...they ire in dantheir parlinch...
...Some labor men may be lost to us, but we are going through...
...Our aim, and so far we have made bulls-eyes, is to build up our party membership with new members...
...You have reasoned like a liberal, not like one who lives and thinks and works in terms of a proletarian philosophy...
...Lenin and Trotsky and others were out of Russia and did not get back till after the war...
...When the Socialist party first named Joseph A. Whiteborn as candidate for Assembly in a Williamsburg district it was just another nomination...
...and if nee- : ! ossary, demand appropriations for I I them from the government...
...In practically every instance where local Socialists worked up a large meeting for me Communists, by their conduct, convinced me that what they seek is not a genuine united front but the extermination of working class elements that cannot accept eratkism as a substitute for radicalism...
...Only campaign manager Harry KriUer, always the incurable optimist, insisted that Whiteborn would be elected...
...Joe's Premise Is Sound His Logic Poor and Bill Flees Before His Wrath By Autolycus "U/HAT we need today it courage and determination fa If tBt working das* movement...
...Though only in existence since March, this committee has so far succeeded in organizing ward branches in three of the fourteen wards in Camden...
...you were in it with a sound idea," Bill replied...
...He tauni veloped hither...
...In these two instances the local comrades had a committee to maintain order...
...Many a town charter came up for ratification with a property qualification for voting that Whitehorn caught Then came 1917—the great election campaign that sent ten Socialists to Albany...
...Theodore Roosevelt wss shouting and screaming hi* way about the country demanding immediate war, and in the clamor little was heard of the Socialist campaigns, except'for one or two districts...
...Not that be was obscure and unknown, but he.was indeed unspectacular...
...Active party Socialists will know what I mean...
...Unity of the working class has ever been one aim of every sincere Socialist but the spurious brand of unity which the Communist Party seeks is for the purpose of further weakening and eventually destroying the Socialist Party...
...AN Italian comrade, a former Socialist Deputy in the *• Italian Parliament, recently had to leave the United States because his stay under the immigration laws bad expired," said Bill...
...We presented this idea just three i years ago and two months ago to 1 the Joint Board of the Fur Work- ' ers' Union when we asked for a 1 contribution for our kitchen...
...Whenever I addressed a large audience the Communists invariably conducted themselves in the usual intolerant and abusive manner, although in no single instance did I refer to the Communist Party...
...The proposition, however, was not taken seriously because no one believed the stress was other than temporary...
...Then your conclusion is already a cripple," said Bill...
...suffice It to say here that Joe Whitehorn was in the thick of every battle on the floor...
...Three weeks ago a representative of the Fur Workers' Union came before the Women's Commit- ' tee and said: "Our men are out ¦ of work, some for three years...
...We have ' the food...
...asked Joe sneeringly...
...Inside, the place had been scrubbed spic and span and along the walls were appropriate propaganda i slogan...
...You've pressed me into a corner," said Joe...
...These are not isolated cases...
...The American Federation of Labor and the Chicago Federation of Labor have joined in this campaign," said Nockels...
...His eip then is a viw sanity rsrisf and its effect The Genets 'established...
...Two small signs were displayed in i the cleaned and curtained window, "All unemployed men and women invited...
...Practically finished in three months and with a campaign to go through for the November election, we feel that we have a fairly good start toward the goal of a branch in each of the 14 wards in the City of Camden, consisting of all new material, by 1936...
...The Board listened courteously and donated $25.00...
...Quietly, without fireworks he was , active in the party, speaking when called on, serving on committees— and that was all...
...Practically all of the leading Italian Socialist* fled Italy when Mussolini finally bad all power in his hands...
...They i and their families are hungry and , destitute...
...That exciting session of 1918 is a story that belongs on its own account to Socialist history...
...A new maneuver for a "united front" is to send letters to outstanding Socialists and trade unionists asking questions calculated to put the addressee "on the spot...
...and they also nobly serve who do the quiet, unspectacular work not known to the masses, but only to those who come into intimate contact with them...
...Verbosity and dramatics do not constitute true indexes to revolutionary progress as even the Communists are learning...
...Bill Runs Away...
...We are awkward and unhandy to prepare and serve i the food...
...Bill paused but Joe was silent and he' continued...
...1 been so quiet I few outside ol knew more thi strated rare without heroic with Shiplaeol and internals] raging mob a knew their vei ger, but they I ty's stand and that quiet, SB1 characteristic t life...
...and bow, "with the aid of Bill Green of the A.F.ofL...
...This can be done if the I unions themselves establish relief f 1 stations for their members as they : jdo in times of strike...
...a Soeiali*t remains in Germany it i$ not a revolutionary virtue, and if one flee* to Switzerland it i* not a betrayal of the revolution...
...Gangdom is savage and desperate...
...We also need silverware and boilers...
...But there are plenty of indications that the rank and file of the Socialist movement are not idle, and are adjusting themselves to the new conditions with a view of being prepared whenever there is an opportunity to strike, j Otto Wels, now in exile, has I withdrawn hi* resignation from the Executive Socialist Inter ment in whid resignation al fice he ever I life...
...A'* you going to revue that history and declare the refugee* o' that period also coward* f" "Wen, it doesn't look good to me, »riyw»y," said Joe stubbornly...
...It's good to work | together without any kind of dis- j tlnction and the best kind of competition, each doing what he can...
...For further information address I F.tta Meyer, secretary of Women's I Committee, 7 E. 15th St., New...
...What wdl we dis-cas...
...The sole question is whether the fight continues, and very often the fight carried on in other countries is as dangerous as it is when carried on at home...
...The pages of Socialist history are illumined with the stories of men and women whose work and deeds thrill the very soul, and without such our cause would lose infinitely...
...It was 1916 and the black threat of war hung over the land...
...What is going on within Germany, of course, cannot be told...
...They get to I the headquarters, 28 W. 31st St, | esrly every morning to prepare | the food end get it ready to serve , by noon...
...Labor is determined...
...Faid Joe with some warmth...
...we now hoi j •emblymea, fj Shiplacoff hat a second tan...
...the Economic Confer...
...They peel potatoes, clean tables ; and wash dishes...
...There is a heart-searching among German Socialists, both those still in Germany and those in exile, that indicates a new spirit Those who felt that by bowing to the storm, by going through the forms of legality or even playing ball with the Nasi regime are either thoroughly disillusioned or thoroughly repudiated...
...27-Joseph Whitehorn IT isn't always the man who makes heroic speeches and strikes heroic attitudes that best serves a cause that, after all, depends for a large part of its effectiveness upon the enthusiasm bf its members...
...In Minneapolis, had it not been for the tact of the chairman, plus my experience, they would have turned the meeting into a riot...
...Until the time came to get out in front—and then ' we were proud of him...
...In Bakersfield, California, where Socialists made it possible for the Communists to stage a Mooney meeting, Richard B. Moore, a Negro Communist leader, attacked the "Socialist betrayers of Tom Mooney and the working class...
...Wels Withdraws Resignation From International Bureau ¦NOCUMENTS have come from Europe that indicate that even the most sanguine of the German* Socialists, who hoped that the fury of the Nazis would soon spend itself and that some sort of "legality" would' shortly be possible, are completely cured...
...If Socialists are the evil creatures we are painted by Communists, then we are justified in asking, What ia to be gained by joining with us...
...A committee of men chips in too...
...The fight is on...
...M Prague, and 1 Voruarts then Friedrich 91 Berlin Vorwt break of the I deputy, writ* Germany is t living under I is able to tell ment is an ments attril Germany M Nazi "news" Wilhelm St of pain after by Nazi at heroic perioi is now begtt Great abl not be gatl man without Labor and ¦ a state-I that his tort saeri-*e fa his bis act of the in-nadhouse wmrades...
...Wont you please come j and help us...
...a branch of 20 members in the Bth ward...
...If they do, each has hi* place in the struggle and each is responding to his revolutionary duty...
...There was, for example, Joe Whiteborn...
...I betrayed the Pullman Porters...
...He did his work, he served our cause, he inspired many with his fiaye, rugged, upright character, and be passed...
...a branch of >t least 10 members (total not known at this time) in the 18th ward...
...they should no longer be trusted, when the fight's on they should be st home not leave...
...said Joe a* he and BUI enured the Rand School lobby...
...I guess you're right," said Joe with a sigh...
...He was one of the sweetest and most modest souls I ever knew, and because of his modesty no one suspected his solid worth until he was almost literally forced into the arena where it became apparent...
...If a man surrenders to the enemy at home or abroad he is lost to us and It Is our duty to repudiate him...
...A small lobster," said Bill, and Joe stepped forward, his eyes ablase...
...Originally this work was planned to be accomplished by the end of < 1933...
...Wise Guy...
...Many German Socialists fled to Switzerland during the Bismarck anti-Soeialict law*, but no intelligent pen»n ever charged them with dodging their duty bet*u«* they fled while masses of Socialist* remained at home...
...They're the limit...
...So is your premise, but your reasoning is faulty," Bill replied...
...Yes, we may need more volunteers...
...He was a real Socialist...
...Joe went back with the rest of us, and there those of us who had known him just as a good Socialist, a good speaker and a good comrade and pal were amazed a t his genius as a parliamentarian...
...There was nothing spectacular | about his life...
...On the other hand the Socialist Party continues to increase its membership and influence and today it is almost within reach of the place it occupied in the days before the famous 21 Points of Mr...
...there are Nasi agents in all countries prepared to cable whatever information they can get to the madmen in Berlin to punish Germans who dare to be men...
...You draw one inference regarding Cirman refugees and another regarding Russian and Italian refugee...
...but whether he remained here or slipped into Italy or went to some other country the sole test of his duty as a revolutionary is whether ho carries on the fight against Fascism...
...He died suddenly in the spring of 1926...
...Zinoviev disunited it...
...Hundreds of revolutionaries fled from Russia after the failure of the revolution of li»05...
...Many comrades will be astounded to learn that I am "a faker...
...and those who knew him will never forget him...
...Managed by the Women's Committee of the Socialist Party...
...New Kensington and Pitta-burgh, Pa., where I spoke on May Day, are the only exceptions to the rule...
...Your premise of no compromise and no running away when duty calls is splendid, but you have applied it like an amateur in assuming that revolutionary work is abandoned when a revolutionary crosses the frontier...
...Not that there were no constructive achievements as well...
...The response to the call by the ' Womens Committee for cooperators I in the kitchen and for donations ' of food and money was magnificent However, Socialist women cannot 1 for long feel satisfied to dole out 1 crumbs of charity however fine' the ' spirit Yet, whih capitalism is still I maintained^ economic dislocation ' will repeat itself from time to time 1 with increasing misery for ^he 1 working class...
...It is an invaluable lesson in cooperation...
...Here are the results to data: A branch of 80 members in the 12th ward...
...But . . . "They also serve who only stand and wait...
...You start with a basic idea that is sound, but you apply it one way in one situation and another way in another...
...No well apply the premit*,' Joe...
...Fighting at Home and Abroad "WY answer applies the same to all these revolutionary Iv* perjods," said Bill...
...Then we should go back to other revolutionary situations and apply your premise," said Bill...
...In Harlem under the guise of a "united front to save the Scotts-boro Boys" the Communists attack the Socialist Party and "Frank R. Crosswaith, the Socialist and labor faker...
...But no one really expected to carry it that year...
...And so our women j are on the job...
...We positively need food stuff , or the means to buy it...
...A Crippled Conclusion TOUR premise if atill good, but you now admit that you drew a wrong conclusion from it...
...t ¦ COME active comrades lend a friendly ear to "united front" ^ appeals of the Communist Party...
...He was respected by the men who had threatened to lynch him...
...Every Women's j unit is taking turns...
...You usually start with a wrong premise or a faulty one, bat you hand me one today that « fool-proof and leave* nothing more to be said" Bui replied...
...e>---In my recent lecture tour I observed "united 'renters" in action...
...that he was a wise counselor and a brave fighter...
...And roism was orn all his m> he deleted gifts I stood his She savage ttacks of often d r a n k e n "patriots" and together with Shiplacoff he won respect and admiration for himself, his party and his eauae...
...In Stockton the "united fronters" tried to turn a highly successful meeting into a riot...
...The main or central" branch, which makes four branches in Camden, has not lost one member, even though he or she lived in the ward where a new branch has been started...
...born in Roumania in 1879, he came to the United States as a boy, and before he was ; 80 he was an enthusiastic Socialist...
...he was liked by those who had denounced him as a minion of the armed foes of his country...
...Yes, I remember some of those cases," said Joe...
...The one at home may give up the struggle and the one abroad may carry it on more vigorously than ever...
...Did these revolutionaries dodge their duty...
...I "Whaddnya mean, a crustacean...
...Whiteborn conducted an excellent campaign—Lut so did dozens of other candidates in that year and other years...
...It seems therefore ' reasonable and necessary immedi- I ately to check the rapid spiritual demoralization which charity breeds...
...as a parliama ground, he ha taunts and i 13" A be |pag when Eft* old dm to do fjcialisra— MM d r t f - lignal for tker Sweet . „ , . . , tO , who had imber that lal friends DC, demon Quietly, : his stand le Socialist rainst the )ts...
...We have fixed up a j kitchen in our headquarters, 28 W. ¦ 31st St, to feed them...
...But i we are mere men...
...No, they carried on just the same in the countries to which they fled," said Joe...
...These appeals have become frequent since the November elections exposed the weakness of the Communists...
...Charles S. Whitman was running for reelection as governor, opposed by a young judge named Samuel Seabury...
...Watch usl Chicago Labor War to Finish on Racketeers Labor means its declaration of war on racketeers...
...After his Assembly service he went back to the practice of law and to the service of his party...
...wave has ttrters at *J Publish "to* of the | •the out- ! 'fclchstag , » terror in j J** no one , ¦Swastika > state- | ¦» rtate- ; *»«ta in i 1 thropgh 1 * on a bed 1 fr«»t-ent Hid: "The I 'Socialism i ; can- i 't by _ny | I CAMDEN AHEAD OF HER SCHEDULE IN FOUR-YEAR PLAN By a New Leader Correspondent pAMDEN, N. J.—Following the four-year plan of the Socialist Party local Camden has been build-inga more extensive and effective party organization...
...He never dreamed of bejng a "leader...
...Bill replied...
...and the makings of a strong flourishing branch in the 8th ward...
...Have any real Socudut* aaaerUd that Mod\gltani and Turatti a* refugee* tn Pan* were more remiss in their revolutionary duly than MatUoU, who trot murdered by Mussolini's filar* Shtrur "I don't think I have," said Joe...
...Socialist Profile No...
...York City...
...Translate the Sanscrit Into Ameiicnnese,' said Joe...
...Whitehorn developed a positive genius for smelling out jokers in innocentlooking bills and nailing them...
...The Women's Committee and The Fur Workers' Kitchen By Bather Friedman In April 1930, the Women's Committee of the Socialist Party of New York opened an emergency kitchen on 26th St near 6th Ave...
...But Joe was elected, and Harry was so happy that on election night he so far forgot himself as to kiss met Joe himself was glad, of 1 course...
Vol. 15 • June 1933 • No. 25
