OLD PARTIES ARE ASSILED DEWEY
Old Parties Are Assailed By Dewey Noted Philosopher Says Democrats and Republicans Make Politics Meaningless "POLITICS ha ceased to mean much of anything to at least half of the potential...
...Very sincerely yours, "JOHN HAYNES HOLMES...
...The Socialist Party has four candidates now in each district- Of the five party states, the Socialists alone have a clear record...
...John Dewey of Columbia University, National Chairman of the League for Independent Political Action in a symposium over WOR at the radio station's Sunday open forum hour...
...Some of the present councilmen have been indicted for corruption in office, others are about to be indicted...
...The Liberals have nothing behind them but high falutin' talk about the glorious and immutable principles of Liberalism...
...Thomas ? "You Are Getting Nowhere" "Norman Thomas was in the field months before you nominated yourself to a candidacy in this election...
...On Care of the Aged "I have said that the condition of the ajed poor on Welfare Island is shocking and that the City has not done what it ought for either the unemployed or the aged The Mayor says that at any rate his administration didn't rob the widows of their pensions...
...He has spoken at Jewish, Finnish and Colored meetings and contributes dally items to the leading dailies...
...Probably the most spectacular accomplishment is the formation of the Progressive Youth Conference, an event lasting through four sessions, representing twenty organizations and resulting in a permanent organisation...
...Everywhere I have beec la tkt outlying districts our speaker!km been met by earnest crowds sko listen carefully to what our spatters have to say and then tat questions...
...Every speech and every public statement is preceded by careful study and painstaking Investigation, Susan Lawrence Is Elected British Labor's Chairman...
...And the Mayor boasts that anyhow they caught and punished some of the minor grafters in the Health Department and the Street Cleaning Department...
...Dorter the past two years we have djtfltststrated that Socialists not ash take their jobs seriously bat tMt they can make good...
...On La Guard la Socialism "But, of course, the big show was the Mayor's own...
...Does not your vision fail you in seeming to see this solution of the problem...
...If such unity could be secured...
...Kohler, Secretary of the Health Department when the frauds took place, whom Justice Kelby denounced in connection with these frauds, by making him Director of the Budget...
...On Walker's Accomplishments "In general the Mayor's speech reminded me of the man who when the doctor told him his son had the measles argued vehemently that anyhow he didn't have the chicken pox...
...I have repeatedly showed how the City's taxation policy plays Into the hands of the landlords and frustrates the fulfillment of the City plan which aa yet this administration has not adopted...
...On the Public Schools "I have said that while many public school buildings have been built there was waste aad graft in the building which was hashed up...
...Come where you belong...
...I have said that our educational system doss not function as it ought...
...Do not the logic of events, the day-by-day developments of the campaign, the accumulating sweep and momentum of public statement, dictate decisively that the time has come for you to withdraw from your association with a broken and discredited political party, and prove your own disinterested devotion to this community by supporting Mr...
...In this campaign you are not happy and you are not effective, because you are not true to yourself...
...Morrison, "at a new society—the Socialist Commonwealth—and we aim at this society not merely that we may secure material betterment in the lot of the people: indeed, we seek this material improvement, not as an end in itself, but as a stepping-stone to the mental and spiritual regeneration of mankind...
...I have cited the push-cart market scandal, the County Clerks office scandal, the habitual sale of favors, legal and illegal, by the police, the unpunished Rothstein murderer, the rule of fixers in many of the Magistrates courts, all this from the records...
...This statement brought the con1 ference delegates to their feet and roused great enthusiasm...
...For Socialism, at once an inspiration, an Ideal, and a plan, has given the Labor Party a systematized outlook...
...He forgot to add that they *puniahed' Mr...
...Confidence...
...Never will you stand so high, and never will New York be so nobly served, as in the day when unselfishly you do this thing...
...The worst demagogue in modern American municipal history...
...ins...
...even so, you are stronger today than you will be tomorrow...
...I have been speaking on the record and from the record...
...Cleveland Socialists Busy In Extensive Campaign QLEVELAND, OHIO.—Cleveland is in the midst of a fiery campaign for the election of city councilman...
...In the few street nte»ttssj|i which I have spoken dmia- «Z present campaign the sang a popular confidence In the 9c<SaSsa are unmistakable," Stump^sZ ed...
...Somebody handed Jimmy a list of things that had been done, most of them when he was on vacation, and he made a speech about them...
...Old Parties Are Assailed By Dewey Noted Philosopher Says Democrats and Republicans Make Politics Meaningless "POLITICS ha ceased to mean much of anything to at least half of the potential voters, who refuse to go to the polls because the parties don't mean anything except equal subservience to the dictates of big industrial and financial interests," said Dr...
...Mayor Walker could be easily defeated on Election Day...
...Morrison described as the "miracle" that the mere handful of 30 years ago has grown into the mighty party of today...
...Some of those things have been done but don't answer the charges I have been making or the questions I have been asking...
...On the Subways '1 have called attention to the grossly improper financing of the subways which if continued will make it wholly impossible to preserve the five-cent fare...
...Devere Allen, chairman of the executive committee of this League that is seeking to lay the foundations for a new party, spoke of hpw more than a third of the world's territory is under the guidance of radical and liberal labor governments...
...Theyjka that they are getting real servea" A number of speakers who hta been conducting their apeakkf campaigns in the rural sections«» Berks gave enthusiastic reportl tl the meetings held threvghst Berks...
...Herbert Morrison, Minister of Transport and chairman of the conference of the Labor Party when be referred to the growth and achievements of the party as the "modern miracle of history...
...And the Mayor's answer is silence...
...The fact that it is s Socialset Party," declared the Herald, "that its founders and its propagandists have kept Socialism to the fora, is one of the great factors responsible for what Mr...
...We believe that the mass of the people are still fundamentally progressive in sentiment...
...It will be Berks For the Fs> pie' in a very* short time," Orgstiier Ralph O, Bigony dedartt "and the old party politi'iaoa n going to know it after the vets are counted in the rural sectass next month...
...But speaking on and off the record his colleague, Judge McKee admitted that there where was no comprehensive school plan and that certain improvements might be made in control...
...Support Norman Thomas...
...Presae*** sweeping- Socialist vietegy^L5 month, Mayor Stump told a i...
...Among those prominent in the campaign, no one is more active or receives more publicity than Frank J. Manning who, though not a candidate, is the energetic manager of the campaign of the four Socialist candidates...
...His campaign, organised from the beginning along independent, inclusive, non-partisan lines, was well under way before yours was started...
...Our social life has been almost completely changed in the last generation...
...I have noted with satisfaction that you are aware of this fact, and in public utterances have stated it With your usual clear vision and alert spirit, and with most unusual candor, you ¦ have pointed out this fatal weakness in your position...
...He says that he is improving the hospitals of New York...
...was the subject, and addresses were also made by Devere Allen, editor o< the World Tomorrow, and Howard y. Williams, executive secretary of the League for Independent Political Action...
...The work of the organizer in this city is not limited to the party activities...
...Recently they have tried to re-hash their program, but they have only succeeded in making it look palatable by stealing Socialist milk and watering it down...
...When Will Walker Talk...
...But why have you suggested that Norman Thomas should withdraw in your favor...
...Howard Y. Williams, executive secretary of the newly organized League for Independent Political Action with offices at 52 Vanderbilt avenue, described the practical operation whereby this association through the formation of local groups, the development oflecture, research, pamphlet, information, clearing house and other services, the holding of conferences and the encouragement in every other legitimate manner of movements tem'lng toward the new political alignment will carry on its program...
...Opposition newspapers, especially the more shallow Liberal journals, are tireless in arguing that the connection between the Trade Unions and the Labor Party is, the latter's weakness...
...Morrison rightly stressed was its alliance with the Trade Unions...
...When will he begin to talk not only on the record but ou the whole record...
...I have spoken of the complete subservience of the' City to the New York Edison Company which grossly overcharges it and its citizens...
...242 East 14th street...
...I have honored you, my dear Mr...
...In the fight against an administration deeply discredited by inefficiency, corruption, and the absence of all serious and honest purpose, it is a tragedy that good citixens, eager to save New York from further dishonesty, should not be united in support of a single opposition ticket...
...Karlin have all agreed to speak...
...I have said that it was not economical because nothing has been done to cut out political offices or consolidate departments...
...of the exposures of municipal graft and can tell to the dollar the profits of the municipal light plant and the money illegally diverted from it...
...Are you not sacrificing the public good which you would serve to selfish personal and partisan advantage in seeking this remedy...
...The reason for the friendly ft**, ing of the people is the fact tksj Socialists have stuck to their Jtli at city hall and on the Sckgf, Board, according to the mijun opinion...
...In 1921 Miss Lawrence with other members of the Poplar Borough Council want to prison in the famous struggle^ with the Ministry of Health in whose administration she now takes a prominent part...
...Governor Smith under pressure of party loyalty managed to defend an administration which in its lack of plan and administrative procedure j is in direct contradltion to those qualities which gave his own state administration distinction...
...In pursuit of an ambition which is unworthy of you, you are doing what you feel, in spite of yourself, you should not be doing...
...Thomas Replies To Walker "From The Record...
...Doei America Need a New Political Alignment...
...Nothing in your campaign thus far has commended you to our electorate, or given any evidence to any disinterested person that you have the slightest chance of being elected...
...Maybe there's a reason...
...No wonder people have become indifferent and :areless about political issues...
...Tuesday, Oct 22nd, at the Women's University Club, 106 Fifty-second street...
...Mayor Walker in reply says that he spent $135,000,000 on new school construction...
...He follows hjh detail the report...
...The Mayor says the bookkeeping system is good...
...Explains New League "Leaders of the League for Independent Political Action believe that American life is badly in need of re-organization based upon a sense of the realities of our social life, and that this reconstruction, looking to a forward movement, can be achieved only by political policies which take account, of existing industrial and financial conditions...
...It ia one of its great sources of strength...
...To see public officials actotfij making: a full time job out of psb lie office is a revelation to thesfV era of most cities and Readbgrh no exception to the rule...
...In every case I have stated specifically what my party would try to do...
...La Guardia, you are getting nowhere...
...His leadership of the Negro Labor Conference, together with his contact with the colored section of the Y.W.C.A...
...In contrast, my dear Mr...
...Frederick R. Coudert, Jr., and Mr...
...The public is invited...
...Holmes wrote: "Dear Mr...
...Justice T. C. Crain, Democrat...
...La Guardia, for many years...
...Under the present charter, elections are run by districts, under what is known as "proportional representation" but is really a form of preferential voting...
...He had a room with us about five years ago at a day rate but since then he has moved to the Republican hotel where I understand he now lives somewhere between General Harbord and Nicholas Murray Butler with Sam Koenig across the hall...
...Never in the history of this city has an independent candidate in an unexciting campaign attained to such a position of general public confidence as Norman Thomas occupies today...
...On the Many Scandals -I have cited the Equitable Coach Company scandal and the utter failure of the administration to put any bus system in operation...
...Our League counts on the cooperation and sympathy of all men and women of social good-will who want to see fundamental American ideas carried out in present American life...
...I have called attention to the fact that to this day there is no plan approved by the administration either for the unification of the subways or the independent operation of the new lines...
...the change is a transformation of the conditions under which we live, symbolized by the radio, the railway, telephone, telegraph, the flying machine and mass production, changing the United States from an agrarian and rural population to a city and industrial one," continued Dr...
...William Karlin, Socialist candidate for District Attorney in New York County, will meet his Tammany and Republican opponents in a public symposium...
...Holmes Tells LaGuardia to Quit the Race Head of Thomas Campaign Says Such a Step Would Best Serve The City of New York AN emphatic request that F. H. La GuartHa retire from the mayoralty race and units all antiTammany forces behind Norman Thomas, Socialist, was made Wednesday y John Maynes Holmes chairman of the Norman Thomas Non-Partismn Committee...
...I want to reassure him on one point...
...Stump Seen Big Victory In Reading Mayor Warni]»^| Against Campaign yl Down Through fee...
...La Guardia: "In the present municipal campaign there is nothing quite so unfortunate' as the division that exists between the antiTammany forces of this city...
...H, READING...
...Withdraw your candidacy...
...Your machine makes ugly noises, a vast disturbance, but does not move...
...Your one chance to regain the confidence of yourfellow-citizens, and to serve in honor and truth the high interests of this unhappy city, is to withdraw from your ill-fated campaign before it is too late, and stand where, in the light of your reputatiton and your record, you belong—in the ranks of Norman Thomas...
...Morrison States Aim "We aim," declared Mr...
...Major LaGuardia-is not even a transient Socialist...
...You were stronger in public regard before you began your campaign than you are today...
...Karlin Will Meet Crain and Coudert in Symposium Oct...
...Thomas' conspicuous abilities, his stalwart integrity, his commanding knowledge of municipal affairs, his unfailing dignity and power of public leadership, have brought to his side an impressive and rapidly growing body of support...
...She has had long experience in municipal affairs, being first elected member of the London School Board in 1900 and has been a member of the London County Council since 1910...
...That is ska the people like to see...
...Party Re-Affirms Socialism New Leading Officer Served Jail Term in *21 in Poplar Incident (By s Mmr IVmear Oiri—jistisO T ONDON.—Ths new executive Of the Labor Party has elected Miss Susan Lawrence chairman of the Labor Party, the first woman to hold that high office...
...The Herald, Labor's daily organ, gave special attention to this passage in the speech of the chairman...
...On the Budget "I have said, speaking from the record, that the City Budget Is not honest because it does not eliminate a constant stream of special appropriations...
...A high note of Idealism was struck by Mr...
...On Housing "I have said, speaking on the record, that the Mayor has done nothing or next to nothing about housing...
...that they want social justice, that they are troubled by the injustices of the present situation, that they don't believe in special privilege for the few, that they realise ttnt large numbers of men, women and children in our present situation suffer from unfair burdens, and are oppressed by conditions that need to be changed...
...Another factor in the success of the Labor Party which Mr...
...He keeps in constant touch with local developments and issues...
...They show their good sense in not getting frantically excited...
...Mayor Thompson of Chicago, was able to prove that he was Big Bill, the builder...
...makes him and the party known throughout the large Negro sections of the city...
...It was the first time that this world's greatest philosopher has consented to speak over the radio...
...Except the defense of vested interests and resistance to social and political change, until it is forced upon them the Tories have no coherent philosophy, no conception of a goal towards which Society shall move...
...What wonder that he has been endorsed by the Citiaens' Union, is regarded with increasing favor by our great newspapers, and is now backed tjy a Non-Partisan Committee which is gathering strength beyond all expectation and early hope...
...Pioneer Youth Movies Moving pictures of Pioneer Youth camp activities and a one act play, "The Exchange," presented by the Graduate Group, will be features at a meeting of Pioneer Youth members and camp parents, Thursday evening...
...On the contrary...
...There are only a few of the countless activities of the organiser...
...While often disagreeing with you, I have always believed in you...
...In spite of this transformation, the mightiest which any people at any time has ever undergone during a like number of years, there has been no corresponding political re-alignment...
...The 'Governor accomplished the extraordinary feat of making a long speech about the city administration, without mentioning the Mayor by name...
...Miss Lawrence is Parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Health and was first elected to Parliament in 1923...
...October 24, at the Labor Temple...
...As Secretary-Treasurer of the Teachers' Union he has secured valuable labor contacts for the party...
...I have spoken of the lack of any marketing program...
...The old parties have continued to mouth the old phrases and Flaunt the old slogans before the public, while behind the scenes, in spite of large dissenting minorities in each party, they have surrendered abjectly to domination by Dig business interests and become :heir errand boys...
...Finds Mayor Still Dodging Issues Says LaGuardia Was Only "Day Rate" Socialist And 1m Now Stopping in Republican Hotel 7%tORMAN THOMAS, Socialist L\ candidate for Mayor, Wednesday issued the following reply to Mayor Walker's opening campaign address delivered Tuesday: "Last night- was a great night at the Tammany Hall...
...The crowds which eoast k hear what the speakers have b say are greeting: me in the ssm| spirit they showed two years est After every meeting- I have ttsj given the assurance of ssaesa' from people who inform tsaS they never voted a Socialist tssM before...
...of the party executive eessHL tee in Labor Lyceum reesa%S' ¦overconfldence it the only tsasa-ta Socialist candidates have tag...
Vol. 9 • October 1929 • No. 11
