Seven Years of the SDF
Seven Years of the SDF Report of AUGUST CLAESSENS Acting National Secretary, to the National Convention in Philadelphia, September It-10, 1044 The Social Democratic Federation was enseniied at a...
...11, 8:30 p. m...
...9, 10 a. m. At i p. m.: Pennsylvania S.D.F...
...Morris L. Polin of Chicago, and' others...
...There must be sn influential Socialist movement in the U.S.A., snd the S.D.F...
...was increased in membership from 9 to 15 members, and an appeal was made for a National Organization Fund of $10,000...
...First convention session Saturday, Sept...
...Thanks to these and to our institutions, tuck as the Rand School, the Jetvts/i Dattfj Forward, The New Leader, our intimate relations with the Workmen's Circle and many trade unions in whick our comrades are among the leadership, the S.D.F., while it has net made any appreciable gains since Itf", kept ita membership fairly intact...
...In five weeks' time, several hundred comrades responded with atiout $600 in donations and subscriptions...
...Wm, J. Van Essen, State Chairman, Pa., S.D.F...
...8, 8 p. m , in the Labor Educational Centre 415 S. 19th St...
...C. Leo Meltzer resigned as National Secretary in March, 1940...
...Mass meetings to open convention, Friday, Sept...
...has fared great difficulties The 1934 split in the ranks of American Socialists did not lienefit either side and many became discouraged...
...Women's Committee Executive meeting, Mondsy, Sept...
...The new N.E.C...
...Ia was decided to Janice the Social Dentorrstie Federa-uea ef the U.S.A...
...All sessions and affairs st ths labor Educstionsl Centre...
...and August Claessens, Executive Secretary of Local New York, became Acting National Secretary...
...The Social Democrat, for radio tune, organizers, etc...
...Comrades Lee, Kai'lln, Syrjala, Neistadt, Gertler and Oneal gave steady service to the S.D.F...
...A. F. ef L...
...The convention will also discuss world peace proposals, what to do with Germany, the support of Social Democrats in Poland, France, Italy and other countries as well as domestic problems...
...members Comrades Van Essen, Stark, Smellow, Eisen-berg, Rosh, Goldberg and Friedman— also rendei-ed valuable aid...
...Reservs-tions for delegstes snd visitors have been made at the Hotel Sylvania, Locut and Juniper Sts...
...They left us In January, 1944...
...The outbreak of the war in 1939 and the rapid invasion of Europe, which re», suited in the disruption of the Labor and Socialist International snd the powerful Social Democratic parties in a number . of countries, produced a general ihs* coufagement among our members...
...8, 9, 10 on the stand of the S.D.F, on the Novemlier 7th elections and the organization of our forces for effective aid in the campaign...
...Asrernon Lee (New York), Louis Weld-saw (New York), I...
...Seven Years of the SDF Report of AUGUST CLAESSENS Acting National Secretary, to the National Convention in Philadelphia, September It-10, 1044 The Social Democratic Federation was enseniied at a convention in Pittsburgh, f., m. May, 1999...
...Prominent speakers...
...Gertler (Illinois), a Heooes (Pennsylvania), Sarah Lim-haeb(Pennsylvania)', LeoMeltzei (Mass* esesetts), S. Neistadt (Maryland), C. Ksodin (Connecticut), E. Thompson (New Jersey...
...Assembly Hall...
...is a firm base for this movement...
...11, 1:30 p. m. Work Shop will open Sept...
...and to invito Into iu matt all democratic Socialists who left the Socialist Party because of serious differences ever fundamental Socialist ehjeciirc* ami tactics,, A national Executive Committee of list *ti elected, consisting of Jasper McCtfvy, Conn., as National Chairman...
...Noted American and European social democrats and labor men and women among the speakers, including Algernon Lee, James A. McDcvitt, Pres., Penna...
...position on the wsr, the New Deal, etc...
...C.I.O.j Frederic!] Stampfer, Vice-President, Labor and Socialist International...
...Conference...
...Benjamin Gebiner, Workmen's Circle...
...If we take advantage of the opportunities just ahead of us, we can in-cresse our membership snd enlarge our activities...
...The only exception was the loss of Local Berks County, Ps., whose membership did not agree with the S.D.F...
...7 p. m.: Convention Hanquet...
...To date the fund has reached about $7,000 and the balance will be undoubtedly obtained by the end of the year...
...NEW YORK CITY: City Executive Committee meeting Wedneadsy, Sept...
...11, 8:30 p. m., st Singer's Studio, 162 Sutter Ave., Brooklyn...
...SDF NEWS NATIONAL CONVENTION: Declarations will be issued by the National Convention of the S.D.F...
...had to close our office in Washington, 1...
...Our activities and income suffered, and as a result of both, the N.E.C...
...had, to begin with, mnst of tke beat-known and responsible Amer-ieaa'Social Democrats among its members* and a few thousand mature and life-long Socialists who had weathered mere than one storm in our movement...
...Pa., Sept...
...13th...
...Sine* 1937 the SDF...
...A few locals sent in bundle orders...
...The second issue (August) has been increased to 10,000 copies...
...to convene in Philadelphia...
...This was but one indication of improved morale in the S.D.F...
...The decimation of principles adopted at the Pittsburgh convention in 19117 will be revised and additional statements added on the war and peace, reconversion, full employment, and disposal of surplus war material and plants...
...Ship-Iseoff Brsnch meeting Mondsy, Sept...
...Branch In the Amalgamated Houaos meeting Monday...
...S.D.F...
...Final sessions of the convention Sunday, Sept...
...Saish Liinbach acted as Na-tkmal Secretary for a short term...
...The' interest in Social Democracy outside of our ranks fell to a low level...
...These contrihu' tions have been acknowledged by letters and i+eeipts, and also by the publication of the Eighth Anniversary Journal, the largest of its kind ever published by American Socialists...
...In January of this year, at an enlarged meeting of the N.E.C'., Algernon I-ee was elected National Chairman, the N.E.C...
...This fund was to be used for the publication of a monthly propaganda paper...
...We also sent out letters asking for subscriptions and donations...
...John A. Phillips, Pres., Penna...
...The S.D.F...
...10, morning and afternoon...
...We printed 5,000 for the first issue of The Social Democrat in July and mailed it to about 4,000 persons in 32 states...
...l#o ateltser was elected National .Secretary is August, 1937, and the National Office was established in Washington, D.C...
...Delegates wilt be present from a number of states and cities from coast to coast and fraternal representatives from affiliates, trade unions ' and fraternal societies...
Vol. 27 • September 1944 • No. 37
