THe Hersbkowitz Is Named for Jan. 21 Election
THe Hersbkowitz Is Named for Jan. 21 Election ABRAM HERSHKOVVITZ, MJWetcran Socialist and trade Bjttaeist, has been named to fjake the fight for the Assembly gpt in the Bronx made vacant by the...
...Our Federation is receiving numerous communications from our comrades everywhere which say in essence: "What is the matter with the American comrades and the American workers in general...
...deny this, but the facts are known to all who care to inform themselves...
...The Communists reserved nine places on the executive for themselves out of 30...
...Jimmy" Simpson, popular Socialist, was defeated largely by toe "kiss of death" of the Communists...
...We witness in this time of great discontent among the masses, demagogues and quacks getting followers in hundreds of thousands, while the Party is losing members...
...A full program of activities has been decided upon...
...The chairman of the Forum Committee k Henry Fruch-ter...
...PHILADELPHIA.—The National Labor Relations Board strongly urged the United States Court of Appeals here to advance for argument in January the Board's case against the Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines, Inc...
...Obstructive Injunctions In stressing the importance of advancing the case to ah early hearing the Board said that so long as uncertainty exists as to the constitutionality of the Labor Relations Act "there will be a Continuation of the existing practice of bringing premature and obstructive injunction proceedings in the District Courts of the United States for the purpose of preventing the administration of the Act, labor problems wHl not be determined, and the obstructions upon commerce among the several States which Congress intended to mitigate and eliminate win continue to exist...
...Meanwhile, the young Bronx statesman was conducting classes in what he called "Socialism" in his home, training Yipsels in his ideas, and the young people marched straight from his "Socialist" classes into one or another of the Communist sects...
...It was completely dominated by the Young Communist League, all key offices being held by that Communist organization, its members operating under fake names given them by the Y.C.L...
...We are not trying to be judges in this declaration...
...State Chairman Waidman reported a comprehensive program of public activities for the forthcoming year, a program which was heartily endorsed...
...It is demoralized and incapable of leading the masses and functioning in its real historical mission...
...At the same "militant" meeting the young Communist calling himself Harold Draper picketed the hall demanding the expulsion of members he did not like...
...Leon Gilbson and Abraham Presser are his assistants, and Meyer Gillis is treasurer...
...Still others were turned •osy because they could not get William M. Feigenbaum as chair-**n struck a resolute note of build-hlg for democratic Socialism, and yaries Solomon was greeted with...
...In Michigan the National Secretary's report shows that the Party has 658 members —65 of these are members of our Federation...
...Ben Lichtenberg, organizer of i§j» real branch, sent letters inching party members and enrolled fcrtili J11 to attend a genuine Petty meeting, and the result was a packed meeting with nearly a ¦gljlred more standing in the cor-' nBors...
...W. Aho...
...Kruger had openly avowed Communist principles in a letter oyer his own signature about nine months ago, and baaing its action on his own admissions the Grevmnce Committee had recommended his expulsion from the party...
...Total, 2,893...
...The parent L.I.D., organized in 1905 and now presided over by Norman Thomas and Harry W. Laidler, found itself last summer unable to cope with the movement among its student proteges for organic fusion with the Communists...
...Under the conditions that now prevail in tire Party, many of our comrades are of the opinion that our Federation could do much more for Socialist education and political propaganda by cooperating with a feheral American labor movement, instead of being attached to any faction in the present strife now going on in the American Socialist Party...
...We were, of course, affected by the action of the N.E.C...
...Originally composed of student groups foT the study of Socialism, it has in recent years been drawn into campus strikes and other forms of activity that have emerged since Communists began challenging the Socialists for leadership of the radical youth...
...21 Election ABRAM HERSHKOVVITZ, MJWetcran Socialist and trade Bjttaeist, has been named to fjake the fight for the Assembly gpt in the Bronx made vacant by the recent death of Assemblyman Benjamin Gladstone, elected jjfcKpresent the 5th A. D. in the jftsytniber elections...
...Madden presented to the Appeals Court a fiat of ten of recent injunction proceedings...
...and that is that the old guaed,-T*e New Leader and those represented by The New Leader have has* right all the t;me, and I am etjB sticking with you...
...7. To haee delegations at Albany hearings to urge passage of measures in the program of the State Federation of Labor...
...Wherever the attention of the membership has been drawn into factions 1 disputes, the Party in that particular locality degenerated itself into a "debating society...
...The N.S.L...
...As soon as we had learned that Thomas was to debate with Can munists in defiance of the decision of the party, we were of the ovists* that it was the biggest mistake he ever made...
...The crisis in the party came to a head over the Kruger case, the Central Committee adopting its motion threatening reorganization of branches if no other means could be found to get rid of the avowed insurrectionists...
...4. Legislation to place the milk business in the hands of the public...
...A number of applications for membership were received, as well as subs for The New Leader, and a substantial sum was contributed to the branch funds...
...In these localities the Party was able under matured leadership to concentrate its forces for practical Socialist work...
...These Cemase-r.ists, semi-Communists and boaV baked left wingers, who have sheet succeeded in wrecking the inus* men:, are either stupid or malicious, and in either ease they are Hot fit material on which to hirilsJ ** - L. C. D'Asevedo, New Yerifc— Y „ may count on me is anyway that I may be of service to Shi party...
...and for this purpose the Branch is concentrating its efforts on the newly organized West Side Socialist Forum...
...6. A program of increasing appropriations for municipal home building...
...It was one of the most important meetings the committee had held in many years, and all members felt that much good had been accomplished...
...Others, under tills pressure are disgusted and stay away disappointed...
...The third is Mol-lie Yard of Swarthmore...
...5. To stimulate the activity of consumers' organizations...
...I am with you, heart and soul, in this fight for democracy...
...The Board held that because of these broadside attacks there is definite uncertainty among both employes and employers as to then-rights and duties under the Act, and declared these subversive activities emphasize the necessity fur prompt determination by the United States courts of its constitutionality...
...In Ohio—another great industrial state—the total membership is 710, among these 147 belong to our Federation...
...Judge Jacob Pan ken was unable to attend but sent a stirring letter and a spirited telegram was read from State Chairman Louis Waidman...
...The Communists and the Y.C.L...
...2. Enactment of a State Labor Relations act along the lines of the Wagner-Connery act...
...We are convinced that a powerful Socialist alignment is bound to appear in this country—in much more impressive proportions than the revered movement, headed in the past by Eugene V. Debs, victor L. Berger, Morris Hillquit James H. Msurer and others...
...It was agreed by all members that when the splitters stage a meeting in the name of a branch it provides a good opportunity for the party branch to arrange a meeting with the assurance that our meeting will strengthen the party...
...1 Parallel to these activities the Branch will meet regularly every first and third Monday...
...Details of the campaign will be printed in later With a strong campaign for a popular candidate it is expected that a record vote for a winter by-1 station will be polled on January BL Socialists from every part of Air^^ars rallying to aid,the State Committee Plans for Party Work in 1936 AT a long and exhaustive two-day session, presided, over by State Chairman Louis Waidman, the State Committee of the Socialist Party, meeting in the People's House, 7 East 15th St., New York City, last Saturday and Sunday, laid plans for increased Socialist work and for defense of the organization against the splitters and disrup-tionists who are seeking to destroy it...
...Residents of the 5th A. D. who are in doubt of their status can get information by calling the office of the Socialist Party at 7 Seat 15th St (Algonquin 4-2620...
...10, James Oneal...
...Meanwhile, at the first meeting of the "militant" Central Committee, Kruger was brought up on charges for distributing mimeographed sheets demanding that the split be made more far reaching, that Charles B. Garfinkel be removed as City Chairman, and that the split be carried into Wisconsin to get rid of Mayor Dan Hoan...
...In this year's issue of The May Herald, published by our organization there was among others, the following sentence: The Labor Movement ". . .Let it be stated that we always worked for Unity of the Labor Movement...
...He said that the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia had refused- to assume iarisdirtioa, but that in two cases the Federal District Cotrrts have temporarily enjoined the Labor Relations Board "even from inquiring into toe facts of an alleged controversy until such time as past might be tried out more fuRy the constitutional issues raised by the com-t plaints in those proceedings...
...The Forum will be the public meeting ground for the discussion of public events...
...The main task is the winning of new adherents...
...The Communists will deny they swallowed the S.L.I.D., and the innocents of the latter organization will point to the fact that the N.S.L...
...N. L. R. B. Pushing Case Against Greyhound Bus line Found Guilty of Viobikm of Labor Relations Act — Philadelphia Hearing to Be Pushed...
...A number of other Socialist candidates, running on the ticket of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, was also elected...
...The membership of these states for the first eight months in 1935 was as follows...
...Upper West Side Starts Party Work Anew I JNDAUNTED by the deplorable ^ events of the last few weeks the reorganized Upper West Side branch of New York is carrying on...
...But weherever such types are dominating the branches, local or state organisations, the Party is impotent and useless for real Socialist work among the masses...
...Edwards is the son of George Clifton Edwards, pioneer Dallas Socialist...
...One of its high officials admitted that the merger sentiment was ill-advised but that 't was impossible to do anything about it...
...H. H. Daaeke, Indiana__"In the pasit year the national office, with seemingly unlimited funds, has sent a number of organizers and speakers in order to crush the opposition, with the result that the party is reduced to a very small gToup...
...Ohio...
...In the same election, however, Dr...
...With a wave of the hand he sweeps aside the official records of the party...
...The statement has been tent to the National Executive Committee and it follows herewith: "THE Executive Committee of the * Yugoslav Socialist Federation is painfully following * the tragic trends of factionalism now prevailing in the Socialist Party...
...For the information of the Appeals Court the Labor Board outlined the wholesale charges of unconstitutionality made against the Labor Relations Act by anti-union manufacturers and corporation attorneys, which have been supplemented by numerous injunction proceedings evidently designed to hinder adequate administration of the law...
...money has been raised...
...and Third five., any day (from 9 to 4) up to fctnrday, January 11th, at noon...
...The meeting ended with a splendid speech by Nathan Char-in of the Jewish Socialist Verband...
...Forum meetings will be held each Friday evening and addressed by prominent lecturers...
...The dis-npters had called a meeting in Ac name of the branch, with Norman Thomas as the main speaker, in the same section...
...Several branch members attended the meeting addressed by "The Leader," who was much chagrined to find many members of his audience reading The New Leader...
...The points upon which the party will cooperate with Labor and with other friendly elements during the forthcoming legislative session are the following : 1. Ratification of the Child Labor Amendment...
...The sane and lisaltljj comrades of the country are witii you...
...The same is true of newly naturalized citizens...
...the three main offices, Joseph P. Lash of the S.L.I.D...
...8. To rally party members in all branches to throw themselves publicly in all battles 'in which the welfare of the masses is concerned...
...Jugoslavs Urge End of Infernal Party Strife The Jugoslav Federation of the SociaOst Parly has adopted a fine statement on the situation within the part)!, the-failure '•of its leadership, the decline of membership especially in the "militant" states, and the opportunities loot while demagogues recruit members in tens of thousand* in support of Utopian program...
...Contending that the Labor Relations Act is unconstitutional, the Greyhound Lines refused to obey the ruling of the Labor Board, which thereupon asked the Circuit Court of Appeals for an enforcement order, in accordance with the Act...
...This support has been assured...
...Arthur Williams, Socialist, was elected" Reeve of East York, a suburb of Toronto, by an overwhelming majority...
...Full cooperation is of course necessary...
...Proportiately there should be thousands of members to our 187, because we are one of the smallest language groups in this state and also in the country as a whole...
...Although I have not bees very long in the movement, I am with you, comrades...
...The ¦Bghborhood had been flooded soft circulars announcing the Thorn as "Midwood Branch" Sheeting, and a sandwich man feraded in front of the hall aa-aouncing "The Leader...
...24, -August -ClaessensJan_ 31, Abraham Cahan...
...The unm1tant8,', however, niade a caucus issue of the case and by easting A little over one-third of the votes of the Central Committee blocked expulsion...
...Of course, 187 belong to our Federation...
...here the steadily widening circle of friends will be .acquainted with the political, economic and social problems of our times...
...Midwood Rallies to Party In Stirring Loyalty Meeting AN emphatic answer to the .'.attempt of "militant" bolters io disrupt the Midwood Branch of '&e Socialist Party in Brooklyn was given by party members and enrolled Socialist voters Monday night at a hastily called sssrtin^ of the branch...
...The steps taken after the bolt of a minority make it clear that our membership is unwilling to indulge further in hairsplrtting and empty equab-bles...
...As it is we are sorry to state the opposite is true...
...has been the Communist student organization, and one of the most successful of "innocents" for several years...
...Our energies are directed toward making the district, once a Socialist stronghold, again Socialist-conscious and bringing new recruits into our ranks...
...immediately began an intensive drive of friendliness and fraternity with those they had previously savagely denounced...
...America...
...Michigan, 582...
...When "The Leader" concluded his speech, nearly all of the audience left the hall, leaving his lieutenants but a handful to talk to...
...To this endeavor we will give all possible support...
...In the most critical time, the Party finds itself disrupted in the state of New York and more or less nationally...
...It was for demanding his expulsion for those offenses that the "militants" split away from Local New York...
...This small group, recog-nized by the 'leaders,' has brought chaos and impotency to our move merit...
...These locale ef the Party are forceful enough to keep hair-splitters, self-appointed "architects" who could solve anything anywhere on the globe (on paper), talkative theorists, dreamers and nests far away in the background...
...No comment upon these facte is needed to make it plain that the "militants" are either lunatics or are working deliberately in the interest of forces seeking the destruction of the Socialist Party...
...Why don't they organize and build strong Americas branches so we would have a little inspiration in their work instead of discouragement...
...The Leader" wants the same kind of incompetents who •Nought decline in five states to be boosted into power in New State by a coup d'etat in the National Executive Gom-¦ «sMtee...
...All but three members of the full committee were present, together with Charles W. Noonan of Schenectady and G. A. Gerber of New York, members of the State Executive Committee, Robert A. Hoffman of Buffalo, and members of the New York City Central Committee...
...Another important step forward was the election of a committee, consisting of Louis Waidman, U. Solomon and G. A. Gerber,"^o meet with similar committees from the Rand School, The New Leader, the Forward, Station WEVD and other institutions controlled by the Socialist Party to create a program of harmonious action among them all...
...This is the purpose of Proletaree (our official organ) and the Federation art serving.'' That and nothin^eUe is still our wbUitiee, They refuse to w«ss»jr-staad thOt tt is moeh easier Soft" U dfcmpt and talk stoat ««x*#-tag"tk*a it i« to ret new usmalilli and make them fit U function as if the qua reltag groups in 'she TiOiier-TBun tnou attlluoe, carry on their hairsplitting tactics and strife and divide the Party into ineffective groups Tot its battles against capitalism, it will hamper our work as ma educational three among the Yogislavs...
...They came into a movement in which they expected sincerity and comradely spirit—not secret censuses, plotting*, slate-making and sneering at the meeting against each other...
...In New York a group of Socialists are fighting an opposing group of Socialists...
...Jppulbious enthusiasm...
...The Socialists are planning an aggressive campaign with many meetings and the distribution of much literature...
...Our task is to 'buM a'' Socialist Party, not quarreling factions...
...Later lectures will be by B. C. Vladeck, Jacob Panken, Tony Sender, David Du-hinsky, Joseph Schlossberg and John Haynee Holmes...
...Simpson Loses Reelection in Toronto Special to Urn New Leader •ftJkO^fTO, Ontario.—Mayor James S •: mp sc n . hfelong Socialist and veteran trades unionist, vice-president of the Canadian Trades Council, was defeated for reelection here on New Year's Day after a biW campaign of vrilification and misrepresentation...
...21 will be 10 days in the district, are like-ajee entitled to register and vote...
...Keep up the good work...
...It was Draper who admitted Communist principles when he sought admission in the party, and H was upon his behalf that party work was paralyzed for months in 1934...
...full support of the membership has been assured to carry these plans into effect...
...After a thorough investigation the Board found the Greyhound Lines guilty of violating the unfair labor practices section of the Wagner-Corifcery Labor Disputes Act and ordered it to cease its discrimination against members of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway and Motor Coach Bnajtayea of America, end Its domination of an organization known, as the Employees' Organization of the Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines, Inc., reinstate employes discharged for union membership and bargain collectively with its employes through their chosen representatives...
...has functioned for sometime as the student organization of the League for Industrial Democracy...
...The S.L.I.D...
...The differences in our movement Should be for clarifying purposes...
...Loyal Socialists in the colleges are planning to take up the work abandoned by the S.L.I.D...
...The agitation for merger began when a new "line" came out of Moscow, and the N.S.L...
...We are stating only facts as we see them...
...9. To push the passage of the party's proposed constitutional amendment...
...To adventurists who are playing with the fortunes of the Socialist Party, none...
...psTures Show New York State Has More rirty Members Than Five "Militant" States | HjORMAN THOMAS, "The Leader," tries to justify his - . disruptive activities by declaring that the split he has led W New York State was necessary because the hellish old guard does not build...
...It teas on that issue that the "militants" aloT'^al'thlT'eaUel ihe'vHct conference to gvoosui a dial State organisation...
...and organize student groups for the study and propaganda of democratic Socialism Jas...
...We would like a Party which would be an encouragement to the Language Federations, such as ours...
...But not differences as those between the two diametrically opposed forces...
...New headquarters on Broadway near 84th Street have been opened to serve as the home of the Branch and the Forum...
...Rjaje Governor has called a spe-sM election for January 1. AH •iters registered for the November .election who have not disqualified themseTbes by moving ¦ay vote without additional registration, but 'citizens who have {Ratified since then may register St the Bronx Board of Elections in ho rough Hall, 177th St...
...We have read and re read Comrade Lee's answer to Thomas...
...Massachusetts.—''At ear meeting last Sunday our branch discussed the party situation "n New York, and we are of the opinion that the best way to buttd the party is to work for The New Leader...
...He clearly outlined the situation in the party and analyzed the forces seeking to destroy it August Claessens told the story of the rump Utica "conference" and made a fine plea for party membership and subscriptions to The New Leader...
...Here organized labor and Socialism will have their say...
...Illinois, 91fi...
...NEW LEADER READERS AGAINST DISRUPTION CIN'CE The New Leader began openly to fight for decency and principle in the Soriahet Party it has received hundreds of letters from party members all over the country supporting its position...
...The national office of the Y.P.S.L., under the leadership of Ben Fischer, issued orders to all Yipsels elected as delegates to the Columbus convention that they must vote for the merger with the Communists upon pain of discipline by the YJP.S.L.1 The Communists graciously allowed the new A.S.U...
...They are not robots to be ordered around by a "Leader.** A few excerpts from the many letters on file are printed below: K. H. Snell, Michigan.—"I do not know how ignorant I would become without The New Leader...
...New Jersey, «6...
...We are not involved in this strife on either side, but it may be stated that our sympathies are only with those locals and individual comrades who are capable of showing results in achievements, not only talk...
...Peer Showing, of States ffi the state of Illinois there are approximately 920 members in the Party...
...1 Climax of Farce Is Reached When 'Militants' Expel Kruger fHR final climax to the rucB-- erotxs tra^i-farce <hat resulted in the splitting of the Socialist Party "rivaled to afi astonished world when the "militant" bolters expelled from their ranks Abraham N. Kruger, the very man to whom they had rallied and in defense ef whom they hoi bolted the New York organisation...
...as national secretary and George Edwards of Texas as chairman...
...The major portion of the meeting, however, was in executive session in which every phase of the party crisis was examined and plans made to defend and safeguard the' interests of genuine democratic Socialists...
...S. L. N.S.L Swallows Up S.L.I.D...
...In this same period New York Slate had a member-«hipof 2,908...
...in New A. S. U. ANOTHER "united front" was effected over the Christmas holidays when the Communist-led National Student League swallowed the Student League for Industrial Democracy and emerged in a new disguise as tht American Student Union after r. three-day convention in Columbus, Ohio...
...Formerly his bitter opponents, they ostentatiously supported him for re-election this year—following their tactics in the Parliamentary election a few months ago when they did everything in their power to defeat the Socialists—and thus they gave the reactionaries a talking point against Simpson...
...The present state of Party affairs and its leadership—in our opinion is a disappointment in spite of the best intentions the responsible functionaries may have...
...They understand the issue...
...Leo Krzycki, national chairman of the Socialist Party, was present and gave his blessing to the merger...
...It certainly was to the point...
...The American locals are constantly bombarding our branches for money to help cover the expenses of their meetings and campaigns, while besides these we must entirely finance all campaign expenses among our workers, finance tours of our speakers and support our publications and that is the main purpose of the Federation...
...W. Plampin, Texaal—"My opia-ions are the same as they hssw always been through the rtrnareU...
...Again and again the "militants" marched into Central Committee meetings direct from their caucus and paralyzed all party activities in defense of Kruger...
...The fact is that New York State has more members than • five of the "militant" states that follow "The Leader...
...Members Disgusted The members in such groups consume a lot of time arguing mostly among themselves and looking for the enemies within...
...3. Legislation to overcome the fiasco of the collapse of the power plant referendum...
...G. T. Cram ton...
...in moeh the same way as you were In cose batting this minority of political opportunists, drunk with a lust for power and control, cleverly used OS dupes by the Communist-inctlaaa national leaders of our party...
...Jar- 17, Algernon Lee...
...Missouri, 301...
...It was on those charges that he had been expelled...
...In neither case would the "militants" join the sane elements in the party in inviting the young man to join an organization in line with his avowed principles...
...The following is the schedule announced to date: Jan...
...Possibly a little of both...
...Only in isolated places such as Reading, Bridgeport, and Milwaukee, is the Party able to shew progress...
...Any citizen who has reached the age of 21 since the last election, as weU as citizens who have moved into the district since the last jhytion, nad by Jan...
...Democracy...
...Colorado.—"Let no one divert the Socialist Party from its duty to stick with and cling to the main body of the workers...
...is officially dissolved and that three Socialist youths have been placed at the head of the new A.S.U., but no one familiar with the facts is fooled by these maneuvers...
...A law committee, headed by Louis P. Goldberg, who will be assisted by Socialist lawyers throughout the state, was appointed to examine the election laws and safeguard the legal interests of the party...
...Rose Henderson, Socialist member of the Board of Education, was re-elected by a heavily increased majority...
...The new executive committee, harmoniously working together, has taken up its work in earnest...
...The petition for a hearing in January was accompanied wish an affidavit by J. Warren Madden, chairman of the Labor Board, detailing the fundamental reasons which demand speedy action by the Circuit Court ef Appeals...
Vol. 19 • January 1936 • No. 1
