Socialist Interstate Conference Executive Adopts Programs for cleveland Meet
socialist Interstate Conference Executive Adopts Programs for cleveland Meet M E E T I N G in the People's * * 1 House in an all-day session last Sunday, the Interstate Socialist Conference...
...The views e x p r e s s e d were more or less provisional because many delegates in distant states who subscribe to the conference program were not present...
...The full returns on the j election are as follows: Renfors...
...Point 1 was clearlj directed against Communism ir...
...For nearly thirty years Dr...
...Resolutions of the Interstate Socialist Conference "The Executive Committee of the Interstate Conference records with regret the continued drift by the present leadership of the Socialist Party in a direction calling for energetic and determined action by responsible Socialist organizations and groups if the party is to be saved as a vehicle for Socialism in the United States...
...George E. Roewer, well-known Socialist and labor attorney and a former member of the National Executive Committee, was chosen state chairman of the Massachusetts party at the organization meeting of the new State Executive Committee...
...socialist Interstate Conference Executive Adopts Programs for cleveland Meet M E E T I N G in the People's * * 1 House in an all-day session last Sunday, the Interstate Socialist Conference execu t i v e committee considered rep o r t s regarding conditions in the Socialist Party throughout the country and a program of action t o be submitted to deleg a t e s who...
...Then i< added this significant statement: "The dissolution of branches was clearly within the power of the City Executive Committee, af provided in the Local's constitution...
...For six years a "militant" clique was active in New York City and in the past three years it became a dual organization led by Norman Thomas...
...Program of the Interstate Socialist Conference Adopted March 29, Unanimously Reaffirmed May 10, 1936 1—We stand for the repeal of the Detroit Declaration of Principles because it is unsocialist, undemocratic and commits the Party to political policies injurious to the Socialist and Labor movement...
...2—We stand for the reversal of the action of the National Executive Committee at its Philadelphia meeting of January 6, 1936...
...B—Opposition to the admission into the Party individually, or in groups, of Communists or members of their splinter organizations...
...D—The extension of party activity and propaganda in all civic and public matters essential to the welfare of labor and the social Interest...
...declared a boycott as far back as December lastWhen it became known that the National Recreation Association was officially to represent the United States at the congress, Matthew Woll, vicepresident of the American Federation of Labor, immediately wrote to the association, in view of the U.T.U.'s boycott declaration, pointing out the attitude of the workers and urging it to cancel all preparations for its participation...
...He at once put both his theoretical knowledge and his practical experience at the service of the movement, and although he continued in business for another twelve or fifteen years, he gave a great deal of his time to party work as writer, speaker and administrator...
...This fundamental meeting of' minds, it is figured, will lead to a close agreement at the Cleveland conference on measures of procedure...
...thu rmj a ted Point 1. Then last January, alfcCfl "militant" members of the EH held a secret session with qjjW York "militants," they dscuJl transfer the New York (fijakj from the majority to the "igfljtaW minority...
...5—We favor the immediate enactment of a Constitutional Amendment to enable the national government to embark on a program of serial and economic planning essential to the welfare of the American people...
...The Allen motions just a4sykj completes the burlesque rciga 4 terror...
...The struggle for delegates demonstrates the sharp divergence of views in the party...
...Meantime news of tin mass of falsehoods retailed at Buffalo was carried throughotr the country...
...artd who, unl i ke many such recruits, wholeheartedly and understanding1^ j accepted the working-class viewpoint and adhered to it, through g o o d times and bad, to the very end of a long and busy life...
...Wibaut was also for some years a member of the upper house of the Dutch parliament...
...which suspended the charter of the New York State organization without preferring charges or granting a hearing to the duly constituted New York State organization...
...The Interstate Conference therefore calls upon all state organizations, Socialist Federations and party units, who are in agreement with the program adopted by this conference, to meet in national conference at Cleveland on May 22nd, if they are in agreement with the program adopted by this conference...
...Maki, 74...
...In other cities and states where the so-called Militants are in control, united fronts with the Communists have been staged...
...This became an issue in the City Central Committee, the "militants" voting against excluding Communists and the Socialistsvoting for their exclusion...
...The N.E.C...
...recommended that] Buffalo case be reopened...
...The N.E.C...
...He and other members of the N.E.C...
...More cases may arise before the convention is called to order...
...In New Y o r k a member of the National Executive Committee and twice Presidential candidate of the party, Norman Thomas, acted as Chairman of a United Front May Day organization with the Communists in opposition to the bonafide organized trade union movement, Workmen's Circle and devoted Socialist organizations...
...In order to aid the state secretary, it was decided to set up an office committee consisting of Geo...
...M. Polin of Maryland...
...We demand the seating at the outset of the National Convention, to be held in Cleveland, of the delegates selected by the regular New York State organization, so recognized before the action of the National Executive Committee at Philadelphia...
...They have illegally disfranchised states which they could not dominate...
...The conference itself will meet in the same hotel at 2 o'clock, holding an afternoon session and a second session at 8 o'clock that night...
...The news of his death evoked striking demonstrations of grief, respect, and affection -in Socialist, Labor and cooperative c i r c l e s throughout Holland and in many other parts of Europe...
...Martin F. Plunkett of Connecticut, and Louis Waldman and James Oneal of New York...
...Under the present leadership of the party a policy of complete absorption in the youth organization of the youth organization, identified with the Trotsky group, has been followed throughout the country...
...In July the N.E.C...
...w h o had not registered w i t h the secessionists should be a l l o w e d to be part>' members without " m a k i n g new application.*' The story which culminates with this final outrage is an example of the methods of those who pay lip-service to democracy...
...voted for this action...
...Not jM •*militant" answered...
...The Socialist organizations, having the welfare of the membership of the party in mind, and loyal to the principles of Socialism, cannot accept the present policy and tactics of our national leadership...
...He was a participant in practically every congress and conference of the Labor and Socialist International from 1904 to 1931, and was also a leading spirit in the International Association of Municipal Officials...
...Something had to be done...
...The delegates elected were Olga Renfors, Matti Kokko and Matti Maki...
...New York State refused to respond to such oligarchic proceedings at the Buffalo session ir March...
...Representatives from five states and two federations had no doubt that the issues that are up in the party are fundamental...
...quietly encouraged this dual organization...
...From all indications, j those responsible for these policies are seeking to pack the national convention at Cleveland to perpetI uate their control of the party...
...The conflict in the party over fundamental principles and methods has also brought another struggle which reveals a deep cleavage...
...4—We stand for the adoption of a program calling for the enactment of immediate labor and social measures to raise the standard of life of the workers of America and for the elimination of unemployment, for the preservation of civil liberties and the protection and extension of the rights of organized labor...
...Cleveland Sessions The executive committee conference will meet in the Hotel Hollenden in Cleveland, Friday, May 22, 10 a. m., to prepare the order of business and to pass upon the work of the Resolutions Committee...
...William Reivo of Massachusetts...
...Thomas justified the "militanf'-Communist alliance...
...Its chance of electing even one delegate to the national convention was very slim...
...Agreement at Cleveland A l l evidence indicates that in principle the program adopted by the conference in New York last March is accepted by Socialists throughout the country who oppose the "militanf-Communist alliance...
...to spend two hours blackguarding the majority...
...Roewer, Leo Maltzer and Max Hamlin, who will decide important problems between sessions of the committee...
...Charter to 'Militants' p l f i S y r d W ' ^ a c i » ^ t h 7 National Executive Obmwrrttee of the Socialist Party has voted" to grVe the New York State charter to its "militant" faction in this state...
...adopted a motion by Coolidge that New York State be summoned tc "show cause" why the state charter should not be revoked...
...In spite of public statements to the contrary, following out a policy of colonizing the party with Trotskyites, Lovestonites and other «8a^TTS»n«fSi,t fronts, the party hi vdriwoart...
...This reorganization of certain branches was the big "crime" cited by the "militants...
...and his allies—ignoring this admission— again and again referred to reorganization in Local Nev York as a "purge...
...His death breaks one more link between the days of Betel, Viator Adler and Keir Hardie and our own less joyous times...
...E—The establishment of a closer alliance with the labor union and cooperative movement On the basis of cooperative action, with the view to promoting the all-essential unity of Socialist ideas and American Labor...
...A majority of the N.E.C...
...W i - baut was a member of the Amsterdam city council, and from 1914 until 1931 he was one of the seven "wethouders" — a sort of municipal cabinet, each of whose members is at the head of a department...
...Savele Syrjala was elected as the official state correspondent to Socialist newspapers...
...In 1*19 when avowed Communists constituted a "left wing" there were as many contests before the convention...
...The main discussion was regarding program and action to meet these issues and obtain unity at Cleveland...
...Socialst National Executive Gives N.Y...
...Members of the committee are Sarah Lirabach and William Van Essen of Pennsylvania...
...In a period of normal party growth this does not occur...
...Local New York preparer its answer for the July hearing The hour arrived for the hearing but not one "militant" appeared tc press the accusations...
...Few men in Amsterdam were more highly resjpected or more warmly loved by the masses...
...One thing was evident—that the issue in the party is between Socialism and Communism is the conviction of all who attended...
...No final program could be decided upon as it is recognized that this must be the free choice of all who will m««t in the Cleveland conference...
...These resolutions will be submitted to the greater conference in Cleveland one day before the n a t i o n a l convention meets...
...Eight members of the N.E.C...
...later conceded by telling the "militants' to present their case to Local New York first...
...This was also illegal, which the N.E.C...
...It is in this large conference, with delegates from many states present, that the issues of principles and a program of action will be worked out...
...We favor the adoption of a declaration of principles based upon the political and economic organization of the American workers, having as its aim the transformation of the profit system into a Socialist society through democratic processes...
...i In the western part of Massa. chusetts where the time of voting was extended because of a mixI up, Prof, Ralph S. Harlow and [ Wm...
...These elements in the party and in the youth organization have never disavowed Communism...
...backer down, but it permitted Altman et al...
...He played the leading part in launching and directing the great program of_ municipal housing which got under way in 1915, and through the most critical period of the World War he had also the task of fighting the food profiteers and provisioning the city...
...In States where they nominally control, but were not sure, of winning delegates to the convention, they have disfranchised parts of the state...
...It was like accusing a man of murder and demanding that he "show cause" why he should not be hung...
...will attend the g r e a t e r conference to be held in Cleveland Friday...
...ft—We are pledged to the following Party policies: A—Opposition to the "united front" for any purpose with the Communists and Communist splinter groups...
...On March 18, 1936, the National Recreation Association replied that though the date and place of this congress had been fixed in 1932—thus long before Hitler came into power —they had decided not to take part...
...Socialists Win New Hampshire Delegates D O S T O N . .Mass.— The old guard Socialist delegates to the national c o n v e n t i o n of the Socialist Parry from New H a m p s h i r e were d e c l a r e d [ e l e c t e d by the tellers' comm i t t e e consisting of Albert Spraguc C o o l i d g e . L e o n Arkin and Savele S y r j a l a . elected by ; t h e Massachusetts State Com; m i t t e e . X e w H a m p s h i r e is under the supervision of Massachusetts...
...To increase their numbers in tht party, the "militants" favored admission of splinter Communists a? allies...
...This "militant" machine obtained only a little more than a third of the delegates to the City Central Committee...
...The national machine must give the local machine the power which a big majority of the party members would not give them...
...It illegally transfers §j 44 votes of the New York majngy at the national convention ft^ e» hands of the "militant" ttmeW These actions, illegal from bjfsning to end...
...I—We favor the setting up of National Executive Committee and notional officers representing the sentiment of the membership and committed to a program of building the Socialist Party along democratic lines rather than promoting factions and factional advantages within the Party...
...Aftet this long investigation the N.E.C was compelled to say of the hundreds of accusations that there had been only a few "technical violations" and even these were due tc "unusual circumstances...
...The "militants" then presented their accusations against Loca" New York, and the State Com mittee set a time and place for thr hearing...
...In Rhode Island, which also is • under the supervision of the ' Massachusetts State committee, a new election has been ordered be1 cause in the first election certain ! irregularities were brought to the i attention of the Massachusetts i State Committee...
...In some states and localities they have been allowed to assume the leadership and have become the spokesmen of the party...
...Kokko, 75...
...This committee will be subject to the jurisdiction of the full committee...
...Ir the City Central Committee th* "militant" delegates voted against the exclusion of self-admitted Communists...
...Hill, 35: 1 Campbell, 34, and Bourdon, 33...
...the partyr the advocacy of arrr.ee insurrection and dictatorship, anprovided for the exclusion frorr the party of such advocates...
...T w o motions were made by Devere Allen, one that the charter be given t o the secessionists, the second that member...
...The twe committees also spent hours going over the "militant" accasations not pressed by the "militants...
...Later, Thorna...
...May 22...
...Oneal .voted no, G r a h am and Hoopes recorded as not voting...
...S. S. Nazi Bid Rejected By U. S. National Recreation Group Thanks to the collaboration of the Labor Chest for Liberation of Workers of Europe, in New York, the International Federation of Trade Unions has been able to deal a powerful . blow at the Congress on Leisure Time to be organized by the Nazis in Hamburg in connection with the Olympic Games: the representative American organization, the "National Recreation Association," will not take part in the congress, on which the U.T.U...
...In at least a half dozen states it is known that delegations or parts of delegations elected to the national convention will have their seats challenged...
...m t - t f | h | try has accepted these rtawlintr individually and collectively, into the organisation...
...also met in New York City, and a sub-committee worked out a peace pact with the State Committee...
...WIBAUT'S LIFE DEVOTED TO SOCIALISM p L O R E N T I N U S M. W I E - ! B A U T . w h o died in A m s t e r dam two weeks ago...
...A general discussion of problems that face the Socialist Party concluded the labors of the Executive Committee after the delegates approved the f o l l o w i ng statement and program by a unanimous vote...
...will be a big nam fc...
...Then the "militant" majority of The N.E.C...
...Thus, thanks to the United States trades unions and the Labor Chest, the German Labor Front leaders' hopes of imposing on the Americans have been dashed...
...It was decided to hold another meeting of the Conference Executive in Cleveland and to elect a committee of seven to draft resolutions based upon the March program, which was lonMlrwod by a unanimous vote...
...on the contrary, they openly boast of being true Communists...
...Its case was hopeless...
...At that MepJapB challenged each of then t» 2| single instance when Nov O State had ever been strep} mM charges in writing and ttptaj given for a hearing...
...It was an admission that they had no case...
...then, on a matfal Coolidge, condemned New Y«j for not reinstating the tmeS tionists...
...Early in 1935 the national machine began to use its power for the "militant" minority against the majority...
...When he and his wife, who survives him, joined the Social Democratic Labor Party on the same day, in October, 189", he was already well known, both as a successful business man and as a man of broad culture, especially versed in economic and historical science...
...Breaking the Peace Poet Then came the breaking of th< peace pact...
...Alfred Baker Lewis, for many years the tireless state secretary, was elected state secretary and organizer under the revised constitution making the secretary directly responsible to the committee...
...State Committee consented, mmk a questionnaire to the tapalafl surrectionists asking their S H of each section in Point lTTH answered that they believed fcfS rectum a "historical naajB New York refused to f 2K them because of this iniiainm 1 N.E.C...
...was a ' man whose background and | m a t e r i a l cirrumstances might ! have been expected to commit him against the Labor and Socialist movement, was attracted to it by sheer intellectual and moral cfdrfvietion...
...1935...
...Pineo were declared elected...
...C—Opposition to the advocacy of armed insurrection or violence by any member or group within the Party...
Vol. 19 • May 1936 • No. 20
