Democracy Only For Those Who Respect It
Democracy Only For Those Who Respect It ^MflTTT ttw> amazing audacity typical of the international have-nots, the fascist nations have told the world that they resent President Roosevelt's attack...
...individual unions got busy on long-dreamed-of schemes of centers for sport and, culture...
...Unless it is alert to new daatata, unless it can learn by what has h»pp*"«d t« «*bfr aatJtsH unless it can interpret current trends and fences and esttctpew earning events, it risks ruin and aids its enemy by its blindness and inaction...
...Drives—-I Massl Anti-Union Decision in Madison...
...In New Jersey, the American Federation of Labor has joined with business, civic, fraternal, religious, industrial and military organisations in the light against the C.I.O...
...The Labor Movement is divided into waning factions which makes unity of action against any impending denser impossible...
...This is a double-edged sword...
...a back-door entrance to the incorporation of unions, they claim, since it encourages rival union organizers to bid against each other in trying to sell their union to the employer...
...News Columns Aid From coast to coast, in every important daily paper, full-page advertisements, known to the trade as institutional advertising to build up good will, have been spread...
...They are similar to what happened in Germany and Italy on the eve of the destruction of the Labor Movement and democracy ia those countries...
...Both invite defeat by fighting each ether rather than getting together to ward off defeat...
...Nor can either federation hope to cope with the ruling bourgeois kings in their openly declared campaign to ifr-Hfitfrt the whole of our economic life...
...Are we closer to those who exploit than to those who are expfohsji, closer to tfie bosses than we are to each other...
...What happened...
...Similar conditions, we repeat, brought *-"**lr is Europe...
...The Kenosha Labor, official newspaper of the central labor "body in that section, attacks the decision in an eight-column editorial which says in part: ^ "So far as the workers are concerned, it won't matter whether the union of the boss' preference is A. F. of L. or C.I.O...
...The Government will also help in the purchase of equipment, so that each center may have a first-class gymnasium, proper hygienic arrangements, with ihaesi baths, and so on...
...Both sides, strangely enough, warn their respective unions to avoid strikes and to maintain harmonious contractual relations with the employing groups...
...why give nazis what they mnr to others...
...Justice Levy was sworn in by Mayor LaCuar-dia on January 1stFrance Learns to Use Its Leisure By jose shercliff SEVERAL million French workers who have never had spare thee before suddenly found themselves, thanks to the Blum Government's forty-hour week Act, with precious leisure to spend...
...Sports fields, swimming baths, a children's colony, a hospital and convalescent home are being prepared by Paris unions, while it is hoped that by the organization of huge popular festivals, factory workers from the ctiies and land workers from the country round may meet on common ground...
...The kept Nazi press can ill afford to sneer at the democracy of a nation which permits fascist propaganda and Nazi groups to agitate in every state...
...O. leaders point out that its possible consequences go far beyond a temporary rivalry between two labor organizations...
...These centers, like that opened recently in the Champigny Garden City near Paris, form centers of recreation and culture of every kind...
...Progress of the theatre is so steady that the founders' dream of a huge people's theatre in Paris, to be followed by others in every important town of France, is neaxing realisation...
...Fascists in Addis Ababa Harassed By Native Troops LONDON.—News received from some Englishmen who arrived in Djibouti (from Addis Ababa last week reveals that the Italians fear the danger everywhere of Abyssinian attacks...
...They know what they want...
...We do not mean that fascism is on the road to power in this country...
...As The New Leader goes to press, the labor delegates (A...
...Fifty to sixty executions of Abyssinians by banging were taking place daily when these Englishmen left...
...a divided movement means our defeat *T*HE first depression washed away all of the pretensions of the * ruling cliques...
...The Workers' Sports Federation, which has 5,000 members in the Paris district alone, was not behindhand in.realizing the importance of extending the field of leisure, and immediately set to work...
...Tomorrow's events have their origin in today...
...Once submissive, they are now arrogant and they intend to rule the republic...
...F. of L.), headed by Joseph G. Quinn, president of the Central Labor Union of Hudson County, on the committee to aid Hague fight the C.I.O., completed arrangements to speak at a mass demonstration in a Jersey City armory which will launch a new anti-C.I.O...
...Now there win e*a beta Wrevt,veteafto read, think, maybe even to dream...
...Lecture nails, a theatre and cinema, library and gymnasium fern the nucleus, while in many cases welfare clinics for women and children, special clubrooms for the old and playrooms for the young will be included...
...They are fighting to repeal the Federal Wagner Act and the Little Wagner arts of several states that have protected workers in their right to organize...
...drive...
...For the third consecutive year public utilities companies led all other industries in the retirement of bonds before mataiftj...
...If conditions were normal, the members of both federations might be able to afford the luxury of a factional struggle, but in the abnormal conditions that have arisen its continuance meant to risk the very existence of both federations...
...With the collaboration of the trade unions, they now organise "popu|ar evenings" in the State theatres, where in turn each union fills the house with its members, many of whom have never had the opportunity to see great artists in world-famous roles...
...Now, as some one has said, they throw the crutches at the doctor...
...Cheap visits to museums and all national monuments have been organised, end a scheme for the instalation of clubs where musk and literature may be developed, of a company of strolling players to visit every town and village of France, and of traveling libraries and lecturers is under discussion...
...c Labor war, expected sines the break-down of peace negotiations between the A. F. of L. and the GJ.O...
...The troops of Dejaz Fikri Mariam captured a trainload of 1,500 Italian soldiers at a place called Chelallka, between Bishoptu and Modjo stations, and killed most of the occupants...
...CINCE they sneer at democracy and those who fight for " it, since they destroy its precepts by persecuting religions, intellectual and political groups, why then should the Nazis, or their blood brothers the fascists of all hues, be allowed the prerogatives of democracy...
...subtly underlying these excursions is the effort to teach the public the protection of beauty spots, and to encourage the intelligent visiting of famous buildings without too much dry technical instruction...
...What are these events...
...The fascists' coolness to Roosevelt's speech, the principles implied and the actions intimated by it, abrogate the privileges enjoyed by liberty-loving people...
...and then turning on the Federation...
...The court's interpretation is...
...The upper sections of ruling capital with billions of dollars at stake in this struggle are determined to rule the nation...
...muons being slowly undermined by the new depression, with union «aMu-zation campaigns seriously curtailed, and the ruling cliques united on a reactionary program, the army of Labor continues divided into two hostile camps fighting each other as though they were deadly enemies...
...Spare ttme* may be filled with work—hut it is individual work...
...Labor and Democracy Periled by Union War npHERE are times when the Labor Movement faces s grevt re- § * sponsibility for the course it takes...
...A deadlock in the parliaments of both countries psjittaj *»e national legislative holies helpless and sterile...
...close up ranks or face disaster...
...Should this sentiment sweep the country, the National Association of Manufacturers will find a handy weapon in playing off the A. F. of L. against the C.I.O...
...They resent Roosevelt's going out of his backyard and picking on those who are trying "to save Europe—-and ASjja—from a fate worse than Bolshevism...
...v Fifty or Sixty Executions Daily All trade is at a standstill, and if more than two or three men are found talking anywhere they are at once arrested and imprisoned...
...Even in the capital Addis Ababa, where strong measures for defense had been taken, warfare has broken out...
...The Girdlers and Fords are marching forward while we stand still...
...Tftf nazis want JO SAVE us...
...upper class reaction is oh the march BUT do not draw a hasty conclusion...
...Chambers of Commerce, the American Congress of Industry, and big-wigs of great corporations and banks are getting over the idea that "government interference With business" is responsible for the new depression...
...Carried to its logical outcome, this new mode in labor relations will have a tendency to corrupt leaders in both the A. F. of L. and the C.I.O...
...Industry is sinking into a new depression...
...There have been some C.I.O...
...JLfONSIEUR LEO LAGRANGE has already put this scheme *T* hsto operation, and everywhere town councils are responding to bis nation-wide broadcast appeal for their help...
...The Italians now strictly prohibit anyone, even foreign subjects, from leaving Addis Ababa...
...Here was the heaven-sent opportunity not only to encourage sport and to develop the "come to the country" campaign, but also to give the workers increased opportunities for cultural and educational pursuits...
...0Hi<y must the workers be encouraged to spend their week-*^ ends in the fresh air and their evenings in intelligent re-leaetion, hat they must be taught to love and appreciate beauty, to enj oy good reading and good plays, to study and fit themselves for their increasingly important place in the life of the country...
...Serious Results Expected All American Federation of Labor officials there, including Henry Ohl, Jr., formerly an active member of the Socialist Party, are pleased with the decision in this instance, since it means a victory for the Federation...
...He will naturally prefer the one that is the cheapest to him...
...a comprehensive plan for the organisation, not only of national sport, but of leisure as well...
...Many Democrats and Republicans in Congress "hear their master's voice" and in that body there is an increasing coalition of the two which corresponds with the reaction in the holy temples of American capitalism...
...On still another front labor warfare struck a blow at the organized labor movement which may also have national repercussions...
...M.Levy, prominent Social Democrat and formerly vice-president of The New Leader Publishing Association, was appointed to the Municipal Court Bench in the First Judicial District in the Bronx...
...Nothing is said either in the copy prepared or that already released about the huge profits netted during the past depression years...
...They have been so successful in using a monkey wrench that, aside from amendments to the Housing Act, the only other achievement of the special session worth noting was to vote the twenty cents mileage of the members...
...A compulsory State "Sports Certificate" has been created, so that eventually every French child, girls and boys alike, must be able to pass rudimentary sports tests just as they have to pass other school and college examinations...
...unions in Wisconsin preferred by the employees to rival A. F. of L. unions—because they signed for less than the A. F. of L. was asking...
...PmWroei Precedent Set Whether the action of the New Jersey Federation's men will set a precedent for other states is not yet known, bat the danger is there...
...Mfr...
...But if it is important to maintain these peaceful relations with the employing class, why is it not just as important to restore peaceful relations between the two armies of organised workers...
...The Supreme Court's unanimous decision besw sky-high the eases of the Alabama and...
...The T.U.C itself centralizes in a Leisures Committee the activities in all branches of organisation of the workers' newfound "spare tune...
...The Workers' Sports Federation, the main left Wing sports club in the country, has submitted to the T.U.C...
...DUT perhaps the most important innovation in the field of art ** is the foundation of the "People's Theatre" by the French T.U.C...
...Press attacks, sneering at the defense of the rights of every human being, regardless of race, creed or wealth, have' been raging ra Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Anstrra and other countries controlled by self-convinced egotists...
...The problem confronting the authorities was a double one...
...Nazi-American editors lash out at the New Deal and ask the destruction of the nation's democracy to "save the American people...
...The New Leader has no axes to ' grind...
...Move fast, C.I.O...
...It merely raises a warning signal...
...Left-Wing organisations of every kind drew up their pis— Fiance suddenly became busily "leisure-minded...
...There is a campaign to make swimming a compulsory part of the school curriculum...
...She French T.U.C...
...Reaction in both countries took advantage of these conditions and while workers fought each other ieaetfinj swept late fmsJ...
...Another attack is recently reported to have been made on Modjo Station, in which the whole Italian garrison, besides townspeople and even foreign traders, are said to have been killed...
...Utilities' Publicity Floods Press After Court Decisions Special to The New Leader WASHINGTON, D. C—Worried by the decision of the Supreme Court enabling the President to extend the government's public power projects indefinitely, public utilities throughout the country are continuing a propaganda drive launched just prior to the convening of the High Court...
...A hospital ship is awaiting at Djibouti the arrival of Italian wounded...
...Tpn have tmly to live opposite one of those huge tenement huildtap in Paris where hundreds of workers dwell to see what the J^.-hojp week means to them...
...In 1937 the utilities made enough mosey to retire in advance 12,441...
...Wt ha Ye no mission, can assume no duty to oppose it (the saving of the American people) in the name of a Hbgrei democracy, which in theory now carried to its implied sinister consequences in the New Deal is foreign to the legacy handed down to us from the founders of this republic," shy the editors of the Nazi "Weckruf und Beobachter," one of five newspapers printed in America which axe subsidized by Berlin...
...fire this Mew Year pea— into history these eueations will Ike answered not only by John L. Lewis aad Bill Green, hat by the union members in both camps...
...shall we drift and permit them to aid a huge doll sues tss|-to establish its plutocratic reign...
...A Socialist Minister for Sport and Leisure was appointed— jBdpg, epsfgetic Leo Lagrange, himself an athlete and football flayer, Who remains head of the Sports, Leisure, and Tourism Ministry in the new French Government...
...created a central Leisures Committee, wes-kjM in does cooperation with the Government...
...Federation leaders admitted last week that the crushing;, of the industrial unions was more important to them than any other activity, and that they are willing to "unite with Hague's open shop Chamber of Commerce to drive out John L. Lewis' organisers...
...What is rising is an old-fashioned black raaetioa which, if it obtains the power it wants, will redoes the trade and industrial unions to impotence and wipe sat all legislative states the working class has won duriag the first depression It is not yet too late for the organised wuihsus to act, hot a few months of inaction may mean the difference between victory and defeat...
...But they don't hesitate to smash from behind those people, those religious mrompH, who, decimated by poverty and sadistic persecution, can't strike back...
...Fascism triumphed...
...The first thing the new Minister did was to demand $6,000,000 shsdiip for the development of sports centers all over France...
...to rush into construction 01 power plants which have blocked by three years of litigation...
...trade unions extend organization OF leisure THE individual efforts of the trade unions were naturally not * behindhand in their aim to extend the organisation of the workers' leisure...
...Why should they be tolerated here under a system which they would destroy...
...The fasjeinsmiiil will buy the land as a permanent site, hot the municipalities must plan and exploit their centers...
...Powerful daily papers art becoming the mouthpieces of this program...
...All the advertisements read alike, since they emphasise the "enormous" taxes paid by the so-and-so Gas and Electric Company...
...However, we de mean that conditions similar to those that prevailed in Italy and Germany before the rise of Mussolini aad Hitler now prevail in the United States...
...However, C.I...
...They resent Roosevelt's speech to a free nation, while, gripped by fanatical dreams of world empire, Rome's Sawdust Caesar and Berlin's ludicrous house painter spread fascism's tenacles over Africa, China, South America, Mexico and, of course, the United States...
...There nay be clothes to mend mad furniture to repair, meals to cook and children to care for—bat those few added hours each week mean much to the working family...
...Leisure to play, leisure to read, leisure to learn...
...Shall we mark time in futile fighting until we are dispersed by a determined enemy...
...Special copy has been prepared for the labor and "opposition" press, although few authentic official labor newspapers will accept such copy...
...Fine...
...Germany and Italy were afflicted With a post-war dsprmteu...
...With this new depression facing us, with the ruling clienes ~ already having brought a deadlock in Congress, with the number of the unemployed increasing, with A. F. of L and CLO...
...Inch a crisis has come to the organised workers of this country...
...And one thing is sure: neither federation can hope to make headway against the gigantic economic disaster threatened by the second depression...
...Regardless of all this the Abyssinians are busy fighting everywhere...
...Labor War Breaks Out In Jersey and Wisconsin A. F of L. Joins Chamber of Commerce to Smash CLO...
...Special pains arg taken to show how the money paid in taxes by the corporations has supported the court houses and city halls, which are the pride of the small communities, and the police departments, health services and the like in large industrial centers...
...The regular and the special sessions of Congress produced deadlocks vyth little worth-while accomplished...
...In Madison, Wis., Circuit Judge Alvin C. Reis decided that under the State Labor Relations Act, written by an A. F. of L. attorney, an employer may favor one bona fide labor union over another, even sign up with the union of his choice, whether it has a majority or not, and compel all his employees to join...
...Leo Lagrange has formed in the Ministry a "Leisures Committee," to which were appointed not only Government officials, but representatives of the trade unions, travel associations, well-known writers, dramatists and artists...
...They were humble and accepted the crutches handed to them by the doctor...
...Encouragement of leisure centers all over the- country, especially wherever under the new housing scheme workers are being grouped together in modern, labor-saving homes, is one of the important items of the ministerial program...
...This was voted...
...The Labor Movement was divided into warring groups which made unity of action against impending danger impossible...
...Openend at the end of 1936 with the help of a subsidy, the theatre had refunded every penny of the subsidy by February hut year, and was paying its way...
...ere the greatest disaster we have ever faced overtakes us all...
...They are united...
...It knew* that sacrifices mast be made by both sides to close up the drrieee ranks, bet tt is better to make those sacrifices than to sacrifice toe whole Leber • Movement and democracy as well...
...According to labor journalists in Wisconsin, the decision flouts the will of the workers themselves and opens the way to racketeering and corruption...
...During the past year they have "earned" enough profits to tarn ever 1100,000,000 more than ha into rte^w p4ents, Tnedai&ef^* and increased production facilities...
...Upper class reaction has recovered from its fright of 1983 and it is becoming bolder every day in its demands that its class interests shall have primary consideration in any hurijjletion passed by Congress and the Stotes...
...Not only do the companies buy the newspapers' advertising space, but the news columns suddenly are filled with interesting material telling the good citizens of each city from here to Frisco how benevolent the power utilities are...
...pORTUNATELY, there is no sadist Hitler or Mussolini in sight and we do not expect one to appear, but the prospeet we fees is almost as bad...
...The consuls have protested, but in vain...
...Reaction settled the conflicts in the Labor Movement by destroying the movement...
...Democracy Only For Those Who Respect It ^MflTTT ttw> amazing audacity typical of the international have-nots, the fascist nations have told the world that they resent President Roosevelt's attack on non-democratic . governments...
...Alive to the proverb that "Satan finds work for idle hands to do," M. Blum naturally cast round for a way in which to help the workers enjoy and profit by their new-found leisure hours...
...The money is being used largely in aiding municipalities all over France to create permanent sports centers for workers...
...While the problem of fascism in America is not a serious one yet, it can loom large on the political horizon Very quickly unless those who would deprive others.of the right to speak and live freely are themselves deprived of ihose liberties...
...Duke Power Company, enabling the P.W.A...
...884,000 worth of bonds and save millions in interest payment...
...leisure to travel when they bare the means, to stay at home when they have not...
...On ao matter how small a scale the workers themselves have enthusiastically collaborated in the plans to exploit profitably their leisure...
...and A. F. of L...
...Matthew...
...Even as the sneers were ordered by the brown-shirted press chiefs, the German Nazi newspaper published in New York ran long and, of course, vicious anti-democratic and anti-Jewish hlaeu...
...committees in Washington, has broken out in virulent form in some sections and threatens to haws serious repercussions in the ranks of the national unions...
...THE "press" »in Germany sneers at F.D.R.'s warning * and calls it Eighteenth Century sword rattling and an 4 arrogant affront to Nazi "prestige...
...If we were marching forward in unity their march would be halted...
...Exploiting the week-end, such an innovation to the French worker, it planned organised walking and cycling tours...
...Bat all indications here point to the end of the heyday for the utilities...
Vol. 21 • February 1938 • No. 2
