Joe's Against Democracy But Favors a Roll Gall In Discussion With Bill
Autolycus
Joe's Against Democracy But Favors a Roll Gall In Discussion With Bill --r------ By AutolyClU ssssssssss "I'm tired of this bourgeois democracy that has become a sham everywhere," said Joe as...
...The story I am telling now is of how one woman took hold of a group of American girls who knew nothing of union or of Socialism and welded them into an alert and active group...
...She does all her own housework, cares for her two children, does practically all the party work that is done in her section and is running for office...
...A Nasi ns Mayor of tlx WANS" NEED APPLY Drawn by Davia) Atkint *T!Tt?mfd tannot prove pure "Aryan" .i ZtLr**"1 to weed out all non-"Aryans" " *mhc payroll...
...There you are...
...The result is the "Recovery Act," the codes, embodying all these principles...
...If that isn't putting one over on the government, what is...
...asked Bill...
...We say to the workers: Every immediate reform, every improvement in your standards are important and encouraging, but your general conditions, your existence under capitalism, will not be improved thereby...
...But what I started to say was, and what I want to emphasize, especially in view of the thousands of young girls at present thronging into the dressmakers' union, and to a lesser extent into the other unions, is that somebody will have to do the job of befriending, of teaching, of leading these young people...
...tb N» dismissed 11 ""Vmdesir¦* they sre sr- -i h j ,> i, Ir St.*""* SW laborers 'tJK *¦* TgJjSshrtion of '^•Hy.MiJ "the execution of law calls for a good share of brutality, and there is no lack of it...
...They have increased production before they have even submitted their codes—which means, in plain language, that they produced on the basis of the old system, with low wages and long hours, and later, when the codes go into effect, cash in on high prices without having had to pay higher wages...
...But today the words spoken are different, the slogans are new...
...its plans are developed to lift it from the morass it is in...
...Well, what's the value of voting, anyway...
...tbe hailed a $ direction...
...asked Joe...
...Both of them women of charm, poise, warmth and—good diction...
...That the present administration can take no consistent position on questions of a general economic or political nature few will doubt...
...Valenstein or Mrs...
...To accompish this, production must be curtailed...
...And once we hare considerably strengthened the unions, and forged a mighty political psrty, thek we will be little concerned about codes and regulations...
...This article is the beginning of a series by competent writers interpreting NRA...
...The working masses had to fight bitterly, giving freely of its blood, for "the least reform they won...
...Joe's Against Democracy But Favors a Roll Gall In Discussion With Bill --r------ By AutolyClU ssssssssss "I'm tired of this bourgeois democracy that has become a sham everywhere," said Joe as he and Bill came out of a movie house "It's a capitalist creation and serves the exploiters of labor...
...It is a transition to some new phase of capitalism and it requires the best judgment of Socialists to interpret it at it unfolds in codes, rulings, presidential orders, its administration and further legislation by Congress...
...Who is going to stop aim...
...By Gertrude Weil Klein How One Woman Found Time To Do a Great Labor Job I HAD the great pleasure today of talking with Bertha Valenstein who together with Dorothy Rick did a grand job for Socialism and for the labor movement during a strike against an out-of-town sweatshop last winter...
...It does seem to be a little unbalanced," said Joe with a puzzled look...
...Else what would happen to the sweet picture ? A code must therefore be worked out for him, laws to regulate his wages and his working hours...
...And she finds time to come down to New York on a stormy day like this to talk to me about getting scholarships to Brookwood for "her girls" and to talk to half a dozen other people about party business...
...Joe Accepts the Roll Call "•"PRADE unions were once conspiracies and so were * strikes...
...It is tied hand and foot to the capitalist system...
...History knows of no such willing sacrifices...
...Side by side with the development of capitalist power has come the organization and resistance of the working class , As the workers became stronger and became aware of their existence as a class they asserted claims in conflict with the exclusive rule of society by capitalists and bankers...
...He adds, 'If now some are hit by our action, and hang and shoot themselves, it is only because they have been pigs for ten years...
...ipitali.ro has been made r the worker, in far, no matter it-reaching, must to in the right Lt hold that the Lt, the better...
...And if our President can so easily shift ground on questions of international policy, what is to prevent him from doing the same in domestic questions — particularly with regards to his ofUtouted friendship and sympathy for the workers...
...Dorothy Rick, by the way, is now organizing for the Amalgamated in the Poughkeepsie territory...
...Then he added that there Is to be a vigorous weeding out of school teachers "who hitherto have been dealt with too gently...
...Hochl Hochl Hoch...
...Hut these four young women, just lately landed in this country and not knowing the language, went from house to house —on foot—climbed innumerable dark stairways, peered at innumerable nameless bells and without funds, without any outside leadership, actually organized a union...
...While the Cad Sinks, Bewai salist System ) of NRA Pitfalls Government Is Still Domi§ Kings and Corpoi] Model I rJ by Industrial and Financial Syndicates on Italian Possibility rFHE National Recovery Act em* bodies legislation that it unique in the history of American governing policies...
...Then, too, we must throw the worker a bone...
...What of Strikes...
...These are not the girls of the shirtwaist strike days...
...Valenstein, and from time to time she brings them to New York in mass meetings...
...And it is by no means inconceivable that through the mere issuance of an order he can turn our ¦unions overnight into the corporate syndicates of the Italian model...
...Well, if we would stay away from elections and call the workers to direct action we would make more progress," said Joe...
...You would credit the abolition of them to the ruling classes and deprive the workers of what is their due...
...Isn't that true...
...The only time production, distribution, etc., can really be "regulated" is when we abolish capitalism...
...Those girls understood union in any language and in the sign language...
...In other words, the capitalist class, no matter how "liberal" it is, will give the worker just enough to keep body and soul together...
...The workers cannot rely too heavily on its benevolent disposition...
...What has happened...
...when I begin to get revolutionary you become sarcastic," Joe replied...
...But that is only a part of the Socialist's critical analysis of the history of capitalism," Bill replied...
...If these Socialists ideas are true, then democracy is the creation of this ruling class," said Joe...
...The the textile and irithout a doubt •fkhig class...
...These are not even their younger sisters...
...uatries have alerery improvett the workers...
...WISDOM of the POOR FISH If there is any man who doesn't show the Blue Eagle in his front window, t'ell with him...
...1 ¦ worse coal | Socialist* d | ways fourb i ment in the < That is, aft participate fight...
...Don't Socialists say that the owners of industry and finance have always been the ruling class under this system...
...The ruling classes did not give suffrage to the masses...
...The workers challenged this claim and broke down the property barriers...
...They don't know how to vote for their class, but you assume that they know how to act through some other form of action...
...It is when it Is taken from you that you can best appreciate It...
...Valenstein is no lady of leisure...
...We mnst strengthen our organizations, increase the power of the trade unions, create a powerful political party of workers and farmers— of those people who with the sweat of their brow create the wealth of the land...
...why Socialists i parliamentary ilways believed rhiment alone, strol is usually bwd«, not very I be won for We have looked II tribune from id flin the ea r we are not inert the entire iwindle designed of the masses, the workeii in ire completely ' hand, we can i boundless open Nine "Soil st entire busiI nt-Roosevelted i Ity don't seem • I the character I Wticularly the i tt i hot that what 1 lovernment are i to save the country, but to preserve the foundations of the capitalist system...
...As regards the workers, prices will soar higher and higher, and the increases in wages will in all probability be just enough to make a bare adjustment of the new conditions...
...One of them was Theresa Malkiel, one was Rose Finn and I don't remember who the other two were...
...And It Is ridiculous to think that American capitalism will defy the lessions of history...
...He never thinks of its importance till he is deprived of it., The same thing is true of this democracy, however imperfect it may be...
...We do not yet know how far the government will go to put down strikes...
...Your complete emancipation can only eome through bitter struggle and the overthrow of the profit system...
...In the early days of capitalism here and abroad suffrage and office holding were privileges of the wealthy...
...Don't try to tell Mrs...
...For then we will be In a position to secure our rights through our own power, through our own solidarity and discipline...
...If you think I'm trying to preach, you're right...
...For one thing, it enables you to take a roll call to find out how many have ceased to be sleep-walkers and are ready /of a change," Bill replied...
...Out of this class struggle the ruling class yielded concessions to the workers and it is mainly these conquests of the worker: in capitalist society that we call democracy...
...Queer history, I'll say," Bill concluded...
...Promises made both to MacDonald and Herriot when in America were thrown overboard...
...They were put at the helm of the government by their masters, and they cannot give any more than they are empowered by these gentlemen to give...
...I "It's history that refutes yours," Bill replied...
...It is quite conceivable that it will raise a warning finger and say to the workers: This is a period of enforced peace and you must not strike...
...But that's a story by itself...
...Tell your friends about this service.— Editor...
...Naturally, one must work on all fronts...
...A common base must be found, the self-same interest discovered which can unite the two "partners...
...And if you think the last is not important in organizing American girls in country towns you just don't know their prejudices...
...Its makeup, nevertheless, is essentially a capitalist make-up...
...I guess we had better stick to the roll call," said Jce...
...Everyone still remembers the amazement called forth by Roosevelt's sudden cablegram to the recent Conference called to stabilize the dollar...
...We must not permit the unknowing worker to think that he can bring about a fundamental change in his condition by relying on the beneficence of the employers or the liberalism of the government...
...Mrs...
...Neither do we expect the capitalist class to surrender any of its lofty privileges to the new partner which Roosevelt has so graciously given it...
...What are they...
...The truth is, we expect nothing of the kind...
...In Nationally Re-Awakened Germany JUEWS note from the "new" Ger* ' many indicating the purification of that country at the hands of the "re-awakeners": Over 140 school teachers and municipal employees of Nuremberg (the city of Hans Sachs and the Mastersingers) haVe been suspended from thi outright In I able" elemM of non-"Arj "politically means just 1 moro will sh Scores of have been dl contribution the unemplo...
...Capitalism aggregates to itself as many privileges as the system will permit...
...we must establish universal harmony between the two...
...These injustices were not wiped out without sacrifices and struggles by workers...
...First of all, industry must be regulated, a model of ^'fair" competition must be set up, we must see that the capitalists do not cut their throats too much...
...I was told a story of four young Russian girls who about thirty-five years ago organised the first union In the infants' cloak trade...
...Therefore it is necessary to shorten the too-long hours in the textile industry, in the iron and steel mills, in the mines and factories, where the hours are as long as 60 and more a week, and the wages even more lamentable...
...Not only did they lend invaluable aid to the strike but— and this is most significant—they have kept up the contact with the girls in that shop and are teaching them the lessons of class solidarity...
...That's somewhat unusual for you...
...Pauper schools, »iul few of them, were their only source of getting an education...
...Suffrage and Direct Action ''•"THAT'S another question',' said Bill...
...They 1 Roosevelt his at all able to of passing e» present SecM It should 1 Roosevelt ant trying to do lew patchea will m toother few tot in a number Z reforms were I the organised \ their unions, Lpselvee...
...We must keep a constant lookout, watch carefully every step taken by the bosses...
...That's theory to justify your view," said Joe...
...If this country isn't good enough for him, let him go back to where he came from...
...Our government today is a "liberal" government...
...We Socialists do not believe In such Utopias...
...We accept things as they come, from a critical angle made understandable by the glaring torch-light of Socialism...
...but what have the' workers done with the sunracro...
...For all its liberal intentions, the government has in no way shown a willingness to touch the aanctity of private property and capitalist interests...
...You axHume that what we call democracy it the creation of the capitalist elan and that we should ditch it because it cannot eerve the workers.'' Joe Put* an Important Question "rviDN'T this democracy arise under the capitalist system and develop without workers having any governing power...
...The Recovery Act is to remain in force for two years...
...asked Joe...
...Italy and Germany are examples of the hell it means for the workers when the conquests their fathers made are destroyed...
...From time to time it is even ready to make a few concessions when and if circumstances demand it...
...You feel a revolutionary urge coming on," said Bill...
...Heil...
...And our duty today is to make use of the present situation, to build up an all-around activity, on every front, whether trade union or political...
...Sure, we want to know, not guess, our strength," said Pill as they parted...
...You mean that these tens of millions of voters who still vote capitalist tickets would act more intelligently if they took direct action, as you call it...
...Rick that there's no romance and no adventure in the Socialist movement...
...i "Yes, I read about that," said Joe...
...His good-will, his brotherly cooperation in the partnership is after all necessary...
...People speak of "codes," controlling competition, and the like...
...And the capitalists have found in the Recovery Act new and lucrative privileges...
...Go thou and do likewise" is what I feel like saying to every Socialist woman who has any leisure time...
...We workers are the blood-brothers of Morgan and Rockefeller...
...Let us ttm of induauiS introduced I workers, a could not mk minimum mi iron indutHg • victory fZ A step fX] and every ( f. this capital I how partial...
...How do you reach that conclusion...
...what will happen after that remains to be seen...
...The same thing is true of the suffrage...
...One is anxious, after all, that he preserve enough strength to work, that he doesn't get too gaunt and emaciated...
...For that reason we look upon everything with a critical eye...
...Ever sec a man famished for food...
...Compulsory militia drill was once law in many states...
...A number of them were taken on a visit to Brookwood by Mrs...
...Joe gazed at Bill for a moment and Bill continued...
...History is a record of class struggles between those who rob and those whe are robbed yet your interpretation of history is that the upper classes who exploit gave democracy to those they exploited...
...Deutsehland, trwache...
...Workers have often injured themselves in elections, but that's no reason for abandoning adult suffrage...
...I like your feeling but cannot accept your judgment...
...Let's ditch it...
...Will They Surrender...
...So say the builders...
...Joe nodded...
...The tension is even greater than in the days preceding America's entry into the Great War...
...On precisely this work depends much of the future moral and material strength of the labor as well as the Socialist movement...
...We live, after all, In a society of "equals...
...And what should also be self-evident to Socialists is that no matter how much you attempt to regulate or control capitalist production and capitalist competition, it nevertheless remains capitalist in all essentials...
...It will also profoundly affect the labor movement...
...Actually the powers that he possesses are dictatorial powers...
...It was one of those lucky accidents that unions sometimes get that here were two volunteer workers born for the job...
...You say you are getting revolutionary and I said that you feel revolutionary," Bill replied, "but I do not accept your judgment because it is based on two assumptions, not facts...
...because a man is *¦ clumsy with an axe and cuts his foot does not imply that an axe isn't a useful and valuable tool if properly handled...
...Last winter she kept the fine party headquarters in Peekskill supplied with hot coffee and sandwiches for the unemployed...
...asked Bill...
...By Joseph Baskin General Secretary of the Workmen's Circle I'M ERE is a bustle of activity in the country...
...If it is true that extraordinary measures have to be resorted to to1 meet the crisis, why doesn't the government consider regulating the railroads,, the telephone and telegraph industries, and other public utilities...
...The capitalist system has collapsed, not only in America but over the world, and instead of rebuilding the system on a new foundation, cutting out the old rotten parts, and substituting new durable ones, they started piecing it together...
...During the strike these young women, both of them with children and responsibilities of their own literally spent their days at the, service of the strikers...
...the masses fought for and won it...
...It's right t'»ere in doing the most necessary job that was ever placed in our laps— talking and working with the girls who are coming as new recruits into the labor movement...
...Airplanes are in busy flight, conferences are called, people are running, arguing and debating...
...Why doesn't it think of taking these things, from which the great masses of people could really gain something, under its wing...
...W« that throoj especially i vested in bot many refor the working upon Parliu which to agi of the worke For that i clined to il Recovery Ad to blind tot that the gat some indust devoid of val But on the not undentu timism with cialists" (res ness...
...Workers were imprisoned for debts...
...To take this, the only powerful weapon away from the working class is to deprive it of the only means capable , of staying the grasping hands of its exploiters...
...MoatLe be applit|E years...
Vol. 16 • August 1933 • No. 9
