ELIZABETHTON-A TEST FOR PROGRESSIVE LABOR ACTION
PORTER, PAUL
Elizabethton — A Test For Progressive Labor Action T/YH ^reaf rayo* xfrifce m EHsabetkton has ended, but the spirit for trade unionism marches on. That is the story Paul Porter tells Porter...
...young...
...I succeeded to finding the Workmen's Circle Branch In town, a newly organized branch, and in speaking before their meeting on the Monday evening and meeting with most all of them at their homes...
...Once convinced of the lightness of a labor union, they cling to it like bulldogs...
...In comparison to most other countries of the world, one can truthfully say that America presents more complications and difficulties to cope with than the labor and Socialist movement have to face in other parts of the world...
...This sewns be the eatiiarlua aad I haps *•*]£& soon be to a posHioa to pay •***mV...
...WoU, I should like to point out that if the A. P. of L. had had in action well-organized relief machinery, like the Communist W. I. R., a different story might be told about afflsabethton...
...Boat fifty names and addresses of taliiaaat persons were obtained and turned est to our various organization committal Last bat not least, what I think b aat important is that my trip has dasUS* strated the need for more speakers to tat stltute In the absence of a bed...
...Not one of these projects can succeed singly...
...In doing this, I wish to mphar't the point I have made in previous articles, that I consider Elizabeth ton to be one of the strategic keys in the organization program for the SouthTo begin with, the people to be organised are homogeneous, vigorous and intelligent, with a long tradition of independence and fighting spirit back of them...
...There exists at the present time- a very excellent branch of the Workmen's Circle with several remarkably fine comrades who are experienced, and very active...
...It would be absurd to say that there is a ?ery great interest ta the Socialist message...
...M. B. Han, our Florida State Secreme before my arrival read anything but cheerful...
...Looking Ahead The purpose of this article, however, is not to bold memorial services over "what might have been...
...In North Carolina I had but one meeting...
...To the uncritical eye this rayon k as fine as real silk...
...The next day I met with the comrades in Washington, D. C, and bad a fair meeting...
...Needless tc say I made no attempt to encourage the child to speak before an audience, but Sylvia was rather' peeved that I had no chairman the night before and decided that she would be chairman at this meeting...
...sonality of Anna Wasserstein, a member of the Workmen's Circle, and a very remarkable woman...
...Under the circumstances the powerful trades should have given unstintingly to the Elisabeth ton union...
...One right in the heart of the city—from the band-stand facing the court-house...
...Yet, one of the planks to the "welfare" scheme of the company union will undoubtedly be organised recreation...
...When I ssy growing interest, of course, t mean this to the relative sense...
...and I believe that It is now clear even to the Southern Chambers of Commerce that these vigorous, independent mountaineers will never supinely accept such conditions...
...Very definite, and to a sense, important gains for the textile workers have resulted from the gallant strike...
...To pretend that he can be impartial when he's paid solely by the company is foisting a fiction upon the workers that they are too wise to accept...
...There were two or three Communist questioners In the crowd, including the Reverend Coleman, The audience, some seventy or mora people seemed very responsive and the Workmen's Circle members among them asked far a return date a weak later...
...With a truce declared Porter, sets the possibility^ making Elizabethan a great object lesson and inspiration far American trade unionism...
...And as I was occupied every evening both of these meetings had to go by default...
...By these various tactics I believe a strong labor movement can be built to Northeastern Tennessee...
...This was attended very much better and I believe that from the list of names and subscribers that I obtained at both of these meetings an English-speaking branch will shortly be called together in Atlanta...
...They seem to know how to approach their constituents and are eager for the establishment of a functioning state office and the organisation of locals throughout the state...
...The first meeting on May 8th was to be held at the Workmen's Circle Lyceum and a large crowd was expected...
...This comrade busies himself with tmj branch of the Socialist work aad stap> banded does s remarkably fine job...
...The Socialist Movement in the South Claessens Finds Southern States Promising for Propaganda Work By August Claessens THE last campaign indicated a growing interest in the message of Socialism in parts of the United States...
...They take seriously the slogan "to union there is strength," and don't even want craft division...
...The two days went in Atlanta were fruitful in a modest degree...
...I addressed a meeting of the Young Circle Club earlier ta the evening and all of the youngsters came to the evening meet ^^^a^^ry^o^rePor^t^i^^rry valuable member of the Jaekscen*Bs kcal, wia soon leave the city and ess* north...
...They are hungry for them...
...A number of Jewish speakers go SSSl into this part of the country e**e*T J*§ under the auspices of the Wa«a*BB*f Circle and the Jewish Socialist VarbsSJ but of course these comrades never ****• beyond the Jewish population...
...Yet despite these tremendous odds, a more clear-cut victory might have been gained had the strikers had the militant support they deserved from the American Federation of Labor...
...That is the story Paul Porter tells Porter went to Elisabethton as a representative of the Etnergencey Committee for Strikers Relief...
...To be true, the A. P. of L. leaders Were generous with speeches and good-will, and at least the Barbers''and the Printing Pressmen's internationals contributed $1,000 each...
...It is utterly inconceivable that this comrade can be found in any locality no matter how conservative and unresponsive to the Socialist message and yet not succeed in getting a movement around her...
...My next trip was to Atlanta, Georgia...
...Leon Elkins...
...Picketing might have been more successful if experienced picket directors could have been loaned to the over-worked U. T. W. leaders...
...Par up in the hills could be held successful schoolhouse meetings for elementary lessons in economics and the labor movement...
...Marvelous Is the machinery that produces the rayon, but as yet the prosed has a shoddy, short-lasting quality...
...And here again is a grand opportunity...
...What these people want is a big industrial-agricultural union, or at least, certainly a strong county federation...
...Here I was exceedingly fortunate in finding two Workmen's Circle members, Mr...
...With these few remarks as a preface, I wish to report my experiences and observations during some sixteen days of travel on my vacation trip through the Southern states...
...lacking any systematic recreation, these people have nothing else to do but attend mass meetings...
...The settlement was not a peace, but only a truce...
...Several ha> dred copies were distributed, gauss at subscription blanks were given to prapects, and much literature was sold...
...the strike-breaking national guardsmen are departing, and the bayonets, the tear gas bombs, and the machine guns are being stowed away for future use...
...Although the towuspeuple wars invited to the meeting, a heavy rain may have premuch Impressed by the progressive spirit displayed at this institution and the remarkably sane as well ss radical outlook upon current questions...
...I was the first Boaa** Party speaker to come into this part « the country for many years, with the a* ception of the several visits zzads jj Comrades Thomas and Solomon eadat the last campaign...
...These folk have had the unforgetable experience of standing shoulder to shoulder in a common struggle, and as Sherwood Anderson has said ta a recent article in The Nation, this is more important than any immediate wage increase...
...A few minor changes in the carefullyguarded secret formulae and there wes be produced not rayon, but an expiate powerful enough to blow Into tarawa smithereens the plants that produces' k, Modestly priced because of quanta production, this rayon can be purchsaal by people of nearly all classes...
...The "yellow-dog" union which the company is pushing with every resource it can muster, is also another very real danger...
...Workers from all over Carter County—textile, operatives, barbers, common laborers, farmers—have been bitten by the union bug...
...And the speaker or organizer going into that part of the country has an entirely different task to contend with than in the industrial and agricultural sections of the North, Middle West and extreme West...
...Just at the time of the meeting, a terrific rainstorm made it impossible for many people to .;ome...
...My meeting on Saturday night at tins location was the most successful o' my entire trip and the next day, Sunde...
...Many subscribers to Hi New Leader were obtained...
...The decision of the union to build a labor temple, the first floor of which might be used for a co-operative store is a hopeful step, although the sad demise to recent years of many well-meaning co-operatives demands that the utmost care be used in selecting a manager...
...Comrade Edson had arrange...
...The South has some of these conditions with a vengeance...
...there is nothing in the terms of the settlement that can be construed as a smashing victory -for organized labor, nor as a bright hope for immediate betterment of working conditions in the southern textile industry...
...His toss to local Jacksonvflls al be difficult to replace...
...Otherwise, if and when another strike occurs, the many potential strike-breakers still in the fastness of the hills, may under military convoy again come down from the slopes and fill union men's jobs...
...The major portion of my retkwa expenses were met by contributions aat literature sales...
...Along with the moor chatauqua might be sponsored a recreational program, adapted to the older as well as the younger workers...
...South and that with a proper etpam* Uon campaign and a little flhaodsl a* slstance...
...It is only fair to Willson to pctat out that ten days after the settlement there have been only two complaints of discrimination, according to a .3*al union leader, and both of these are new before him for a decision...
...They were fighting not only their own local battle, but a battle for labor of all trades throughout the United States, and particularly to the South, which the A. P. of L has repeatedly resolved to organize...
...This they did not do...
...A most Interesting eiperinw* was-had la Taarpa...
...Yet back of his appointment is the story of the stockholders' dissatisfaction with Dr...
...In this last strike the workers found the cards stacked against them, and time after time they got a dirty deal...
...for me to speak in this park at th grove where our meeting was held an: a very enjoyable afternoon was spent wit...
...If you wish you may substitute Si words "capitalist cirtlissUqn"at "rayon...
...A wise trade union will get a head start...
...The meeting acted as a sort of reunion and thanks to Comrades Elkins we obtained many names and subscribers to The New Leader and enough for the formation of'a local that will function excellently in Miami, I also visited the Workmen's Circle -ranch which is at present controlled by a Communist element...
...David Lkbnaa and other: struck aw as most promising, material...
...1st on my part, she stepped before the crssi and like a veteran, did the job as etas*msn, to the great pleasure sod apaawS who came considerable distances frosa sw of the audience...
...But if knit together they might produce a fabric of labor organization that would be inspiration not only for the South but for all the United States...
...The Settlement a Truce ' Even if the company should serupuousry live up to its agreement, the workers will probably be on strike again within a year...
...Without any coaching or rehearsal lto, Atlantic Christian College ta Wilson, North Carolma and spoke at the College to an audience of some seventy or more young men and women...
...Last year the American Bemberg Corporation, hardly established, reported net earnings of more than $600,000...
...Furthermore...
...Workmen s Circle Basy My next stop was in Miami, the rapidly growing metropolis of the South...
...Personnel Director-Wlllson is supposedly the final boss to the matter of unemployment...
...and Mrs...
...On the other band, I safely and conservatively that taw) m of the country is not altogether at" spanslve, that there is sn ewataaa*a*j only ta textile and industrial csntass 9 also ta other parts of the SswBs** that if we devoted just a httls mm and funds to an organising *j#JW we win be rewarded with ra*aj»J hsjnad oar expectations...
...To my amazement I found that she Edson to organize a local of the Party to Tampa without much difficulty...
...Perhaps the best inclusive organization for farmers and workers of all trades to this instance wouM be a farm-labor political party...
...In this they are eminently wise...
...OSW other hand these same Workmen» Oa* and Jewish Comrades are mcr»'fjf| willing to arrange meetings for *jM speakers and are very anxious to strefl**" en the movement to the Southern 4H I left my comrades ta the South waul number of promises which I bops • if fill, among which is that arjotbsf ** win be arranged, possibly in the Paf>'g some Socialist speaker who canjM considerably more time then I •* ' this large part of the country...
...He seemed to believe that little could be done in that part of the state and I was wondering as to how I would spend the three days that had been allotted for meetings in that section...
...and our old veteran Liese Van Duffe...
...Indeed, the intricate process by which rayon is made is one of the marvels of modern science...
...My first meeting to Jacksonville was held in a church, the pastor of wtuch I understand Is a sort of Communist...
...It could be invaluable in this program of organization, and I believe would find ready support...
...The arbitrator is the newly-acquired personnel director for the company...
...I would not say that the Sou* *J great field for the Socialist uwissMtiJ would I say that there is a apaagfj interest...
...Comrade Edson had arranged for two open air meetings...
...The entire population needs to be made union-conscious...
...The family clannlahnass of the mountaineers offers a ready solidarity...
...There is the enormous territory with its backwood provinces, complex population, isolated folk and sectional psychologies, prejudices and peculiar economic and' social conditions...
...On the Other bend, the settlement was by no means a surrender...
...By Paul Porter elizabethton, term...
...They take not even a vicarious interest in wort by following baseball scores...
...No longer will petty foremen and foreiadles have the tyrannical power of hiring and firing...
...Twice a day during the strike they would fill the large tabernacle and patiently wait until a speaker would arrive...
...Foolishly or wisely, I took my daughter, age nine, with me on this trip aad she was extremely useful to giving out copies of The New Leader, soliciting subscriptions, selling pamphlets and helping in the collections...
...Even though the strike is over these mass meetings continue...
...the ending of the big struggle in happy valley is by no means a happy one...
...Here is a likely districts, and making them Exhibits A. as would be suicidal But like the nowvictorious Labor Party in England, socialist principles could be sponsored under a name less conducive to hinterland hysteria, and should receive hearty support...
...Civil and military oppression, persecution, and terror was used against the strikers in attempts to break their morale, as have been described in previous New Leader stories...
...A labor chautaqua in which would be pointed out the lessons of the class straggle these workers have so thoroughly experienced should be the logical follow-up of this situation...
...S hat been called the working girl's tear...
...Norman Thomas can testify that if we only had a Kennison in every city and town of the country we only had a Kennison in every city and would have the best s u bWe obtained enough subscriptions and names of prospects to enable Comrade eracy...
...If at all possible a local labor paper, however humble, should be established...
...It would be an economic retaliation against the unsympathetic merchants in which the workers would joyfully participate...
...They are not forgetting the lessons of the struggle...
...A, Mothwurf, president' of the Bemberg and Olansstoff Corporations, and their determination to tame him in his Prussian attitude toward labor...
...I had her with me on my trip...
...Certainly a specialist on labor and the law could have rendered invaluable assistance to the capable but over-worked local attorney...
...This was due to the fact that our comrades in both cities may have accepted the date without informing us of the fact and arranged these meetings on the assumption that I would be there...
...Prospects to Georgia In South Carolina I made but one meeting and that to Charleston...
...interested herself in Civic matters in the old city of Richmond, this citadel of the Confedls credited with the success of the establishment of the public library and she partakes to many other municipal and women's civic activities...
...It Is upon that foundation that lasting unionism is built...
...but to consider the best means of making the most oat of the existing situation...
...However, final judgment must be withheld tor several weeks yet until every striker has either been returned to work or rejected...
...There jere about eighty people present and among them were a number of strayed and lost Socialists who came into Florida within recent years from various northern states...
...These comrades tlso did a splendid job In arranging for ny one meeting to Miami, aad while the :rowd attending the meeting was not as arge as had been expected, nevertheless, he meeting was highly successful...
...In case a worker feels he is being discriminated against he may appeal to an "impartial" chairman There's pie rub...
...the rayon strike is over...
...I am happy to report that the meeting in Richmond was well attended and what la more important I had-the pleasure of meeting an unusually fine group of comrades who are alert to thelr locality and its political complexion...
...Important, too, is the fact that rayon industry that is not to a defansaed condition, and consequently can afford high wages...
...Strangely, these girls who finger it al day long are among the few who east afford it—except possibly ss brats* which they buy on the plan of n.amm down, and 10 cents a week...
...I hardly expected any one but the committee...
...Nevertheless, I found on arriving at the hall about fifty people who had braved the torrents...
...I stayed for over two hours to visit two of the Workmen's Circle members in that city...
...My last meeting before sailing for home was held ta Jacksonville under the auspices of the Workmen's Circle...
...No meeting was arranged In West Palm Beach...
...Therefore, when we speak of a revival of interest to any part of this country, one need not be carried away by too great an enthusiasm, There are hard realities and stubborn resistances for the Socialist to face in this country...
...My vacation was too short to enable me to stop at many places and 1 was compelled to stop over only in Such cities or towns that had asked for a meeting...
...It will not be hnpoatisis * establish a number of functioning saaff of the Socialist Party througboBtSI southern states...
...I found that she was not only aggressively active in her Workmen's Circle work, in Socialist Party activities, but even more miraculous is the fact that she, as an immigrant and a Jewess...
...But procedure along old craft lines will be disastrous if attempted I fear...
...There I met with somewhat different conditions...
...Essential, however, to both industrial and political organizations is a program of Intensive labor education...
...Fighting on all fronts is, of course, an exceedingly difficult task...
...Of course, Washington presents particularly great obstacles to the growth of a Socialist local, principally due to the fact that the citizens of that city are disfranchised...
...They seemed interested and I got a number of names, prospective members and readers of our Socialist press...
...A Great Opportunity In a day of workers' apathy this is a grand opportunity for a dynamic movement...
...It was fairly well attended and I am glad to report that we have an excellent group of comrades in the city who are active, enthusiastic and are looking forward to larger undertakings...
...The Virginia Group In Virginia I spoke at two meetings, one to Richmond aad the other in Norfolk...
...A large sign was nailed to the band-stand attracting the attention of people who passed up and down this part of the town for several days and then there were excellent write-ups as well as ads to the local papers announcing the meetings...
...The local newspapers, which are mamma-dolls for the power trust, are cordially disliked for their unfairness to the workers during the last strike...
...Upon arriving there I found to my dismay that meetings bad been arranged for me in Macon and Savannah, Georgia, that I could not attend...
...He stayed to take an octree part in the leadership of the strike...
...Why not...
...Their experience in industry— less than four years—is so short that they have not become habituated to a rut of industrial serfdom, and it is doubtful if they ever win be...
...In the Boom State The final week of my vacation was spent to Florida...
...I was happy to find a very excellent group of comrades...
...Without presuming upon the National Civic Federation's prerogative of advising Mr...
...Mere Attention Needed AD ta all, my trip was fairly scetesful...
...Coarse cotton waste, wood pulp, and a few foul-smelling chemicals are by a marvelous alchemy transformed into a glistening artificial silk that in appearance can scarcely be distinguished from the product of the silkworm...
...I was granted the floor and to a few minutes talk I presented my greetings to them...
...The strike was costing the stockholders $40,000 a day...
...They have been assured in a gentlemen's agreement (although from past experience they may property doubt that the bosses are gentlemen) that there will be no discrimination against anyone because of union membership or activity...
...In this article he analyzes the problems and possibilities, trade union, political, educational and cooperative...
...We have no local in that city but we have S. V. Kennison...
...A union co-operative store could render real services, first, through reduced prices on staple goods, and second, as a device for maintaining interest and morale...
...The textile local can't succeed without the active support of other labor groups...
...It seems that they have never learned to play, and after they went to work in the mills they bad no time or energy to learn...
...Socialists have long talked of concentrating on a tew likely distrcits, an dmaking them Exhibits A, as well as experimental laboratories of socialism in action...
...A more ideal location for an out-door meeting can hardly be imagined...
...No industrious worn can produce a coccoon of silk wifil t more glistening lustre...
...In bringing these together with our other Tampa comrades, the success of the coming Local Tampa is surely enhanced...
...On my arrival I found again what has been repeated all over the country and that is what one intelligent, active and loyal Socialist can do no matter how obstinate the conditions might be so far as Socialist response is concerned...
...One of the great problems of the strike was how to keep the people from returning to work to escape boredom...
...I left New York City on May 3rd and addressed a meeting in Baltimore...
...I was the guest of C. H. Hamfact that not so large a crowd came to my meeting in Charleston was not due to any negligence an the part of Oom3t SSsfe ¥ g £ *BM2B& warm night and about fifty people responded...
...Looks like with all the science In them plants they ought t' be able to pay good money," said a worker to me...
...these people, many of whom were at th' meeting the night before...
...But more than that was needed...
...afternoon...
...Yet undernattk the lustre is a distinctly inferior gnus...
...Already they are wrathful toward the political ring that has been the willing handmaiden for the rayon corporations...
...That's a real gain, and perhaps the best assurance that unicn workers won't be discriminated asainst...
...Yet, unless intelligently directed and held to A permanent organisation, this brewing political revolt may merely boil over like many municipal reform elections or the La Follette movement to 1924...
...Another meeting for the second night was hastily arranged by notifying people over' the telephone...
...The little park and the streets adjourning were quite crowded on this Saturday evening and a fine audience of some two hundred people occupied the benches and stood along the walks facing the band-stand...
...fjaunt men in denim and wisps of girls in gingham are again sweating ten hours a day to produce a silky sheen they can't afford for themselves...
...There is a branch of the Jewish Socialist Verband and it Is some of its members, particularly Cons* rade Weintraub, upon wham the work of organising an English speaking branch will depend...
...The basic causes of the unrest—miserably low wages, a M-hour week, fatigue, and industrial autocracy—still remain...
...At our meeting there were also some people surrounding towns, thanks to the excellent publicity...
...A number of...
...men, such as David George...
...Still, an important front that should not be neglected is the consuming field...
...The rayon workers bare won a publicly acknowledged right to belong to a textile union—which is a rare right la the South...
...Another interesting experience was had in the sudden appearance of a new addition to tht list of Socialist speakers in the presence of Sylvia Claeaseni...
Vol. 8 • June 1929 • No. 21
