COLUMBIA IN PRE-BUTLER DAYS
Columbia in Pre-Butler Days John Caldwell, New Yorker—II By A New Yorker TJE7HEN the time came for Caldwell to take his final examinations for college there was an anxious conference among...
...Then it seemed a tragedy...
...Measured by this standard the politics of capitalism is mediocre ?nd Socialist politics alone has a claim upon men and women who think...
...Moreover, the LaGuardia dictum is not for universal application...
...It has to report a failureu to make appreciable gains in membership, being now below three million, compared with it* five million and more in 1920...
...Ind.- In this the birthplace and throughout his life the home of the late Eugene V. Debs, a memorial meeting in honor of the great Socialist and Labor leader will be held on Sunday, October 20th, at 2:30 p. m. The meeting will be held in the Labor Temple where Debs lay in state and where thousands viewed the remains of their great leader...
...This passage had reference to the hope of a warless world but it equally applies to the inspiring story of the rise of the British Labor Party...
...Herbert Morrison declared of the I-alxjr Party: "We aim 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 aud spiritual regeneration of manland...
...22 —Chester, Cherter**)* QBE Oct 34...
...The fact of the matter is...
...If the Knights of Labor failed politically it tvas due to immature methods and the fact that :he frontier still drained the East of men who would have made fighters for a labor party...
...While the hungry southern mill hands are facing alone the organized employers and hostile authorities, beaten by mobs and shot down by sheriffs, the sleek A. F. of L. officials sit twiddling their thumbs at mahogany desks in Washington or make patriotering speeches to the National Security League or at West Point...
...ig Oct...
...It is no secret among newspaper men that they got a thrill out of their work in reporting his speeches and in personal interviews with him...
...Then the British Labor Party is not only composed of labor and Socialist Organizations but also of Liberals and Conservatives...
...As for the structure of the government, a small minority of slave owners found no difficulty in :ontrolling the government for yeSrs but we are issured that the vast masses of workers in indus:ry are incapable of doing what a small minority lid...
...We shall have more to say of the convention later...
...John was out foi the college paper and the crew and a hundred and one other "activities...
...John went along eagerly...
...George Edward Woodberry found that his shy muse was being smothered under the fresh plaster and mortar...
...14, about fifteen party members includingthe members of the State Executive Committee met at the home of Kafka, near Petersburg...
...LaGuardia was nominated after Thomas was 3ut this makes no difference to this kindergarten Napoleon...
...They lookec on one another with hostile eyes In John's world there were twe classes, fraternity men and "barbarians...
...This was a reptuiiaticm of all state legislation for the workers which was considered the output of "utopian thought...
...With the advent of the suave, go-getting Nicholas Murray Butler its fate as a huge education factory had been definitely sealed...
...By its support of old age pensions the convention has turned against this view...
...Morrison with its inference that the Labor Party is also composed of Liberals and Conservatives...
...Three incidents sr actions indicate a turning point in American trade unionism...
...Then there is the noble passage in the address before the Council on Foreign Relations where MacDonald portrayed the evolution of ideals into concrete facts...
...in Toronto this week, is a somewhat pathetic organization...
...It apparently was an effort h> mobilize an old taboo, but how many-4abor men •re aware of the fact that the old view that has been rejected—opposition to state action in labor legislation and sole reliance on trade union action •—is amoderate type of Anarchist-Syndicalism...
...Socialist candidate for Governor of Virginia has been opened, and the State Socialists are actively cooperating...
...It would seem that there is something seriously wrong either with the country or with the American Federation of Labor...
...It has to report growth of the anti-labor injunction evil handcuffing the unions, and its helplessness to protect the constitutional civil rights of the workers...
...It has to report a labor awakening in the South In which It has little share, and Industrial warfare in the South which it has done little to mitigate...
...A Dreffle Smart Man" m/tajor laguardia, fusion candidate for Mayor of New York, becomes original in his criticism of Socialists...
...IN A NUTSHELL The Australian Labor Party has swept the country and has a clear majority in Parliament over all other parties...
...If it came from an enemy organization we would ignore it, but here is a friendly organization displayin ga marked critical view of the movement which deserves consideration...
...LaGuardia is interested in the ambitions of LaGuardia...
...Andrew Furuseth of the Seamen followed with a remarkable address that captivated the delegates and which brought a decision to give some time this week to the loss of membership of the trade unions, the mergers of corporations, and the general dangers that face trade unuionism...
...Certainly government and Industry are jointly Responsible for the legal and physical terrorism which victimize workers and their unions...
...Now and then in the course of his college career he ran into such odd fish as the flaming Randolph Bourne, cruelly crippled and as brave a spirit as ever trod the earth, though John never guessed it then...
...Tobin is dissatisfied with the drift of American trade unionism...
...Columbia in Pre-Butler Days John Caldwell, New Yorker—II By A New Yorker TJE7HEN the time came for Caldwell to take his final examinations for college there was an anxious conference among the Caldwells...
...3 p. m.—lutoaae...
...Here we call attention to the significant reversal of the so-called "philosophy" which was outlined in several pages of the Executive Councu's report to the convention of 1923...
...if you take any great human cause that has triumphed for the benefit of the world, you will find that originally it comes down from the clear sky of idealism, down...
...Many people have declared that they intend to support the ****/] 1st ticket, and the political **?•*) ors concede a fair vote to Until October 23 Oeorp J**j tour the state, visiting pimp***"j members and arranging nwetjSFj During the last 10 days of th***j paign George and Kafka a swing around the state toga*") The following meetings haft IB announced, which both KsflS1^ George will address...
...editor of the "Illinois Miner," Philip K. Reinbold who, with Debs \& the early nineties, helped to organize many local trade unions, and the Rev...
...John passed his examinations without great difficulty though he was woefully deficient in mathematics and with a hundred or so other excited and tremendously self-conscious youngsters marched into the hopper on the heights...
...John Frey, for example, claiming that this policy would make workers "wards of the state.'" Curiously enough, Matthew Woll made one of the most effective and logical pleas in behalf of old age pensions...
...It is expected that the Labor Temple will be packed by workers and friends at the memorial meeting...
...Every year its weakness is more apparent...
...He warns, yes he warns, that if Norman Thomas remains in the field he and the Socialists will be responsible for i Tammany administration for the next four years if Tammany wins...
...and it is using its victory to destroy labor in Europe and America...
...There were delegates who warned that this meant "Socialism...
...The editorial which led to this important discussion follows: Where Is the A. F. of L...
...Greek, a little German, a deep hatred for all the sciences and some good letters of introduction to a couple of newspaper editors...
...4 P m—Norioa: Oct...
...Our government itructure is different and political circumstances differ with Great Britain...
...LaGuardia reminds us of "Gineral C" in the Biglow Papers which we paraphrase: .Major L. is a dreffle smart man : He's ben on all sides ihet give places for pelf...
...For thirty years the A. F. of L has ignored the field, exeeaS for easv reaomtisaa and a handful of organizers...
...Unions are organized in trades and federated in a national body for the specific purpose of protecting the interests of labor...
...p. m.—sttrick*, sgr Coi'-.tv: *5Bp Oct...
...Recently an editorial appeared in all these dailies which considered the American trade union movement...
...The gentle spirit of Edward McDowell, "the greatest musical genius America has produced" broke under the (In the last installment of this biography of a Seu Yorker we told how, as a boy...
...The truth is that the A. F. of Labor is falling miserably in Its stewardship...
...Wherein have I failed...
...Both represent the old type of politics, the politics that keeps the working masses as voting stock without any party of their own to fight their battles...
...Vo., and outlined plans for an active campaign, which should be closely identified with party organization work., David G. George, Southern prsranizer of the Party, announced that he would be in Virginia during the remaining three weeks before the election, and consented to serve as Campaign Manager for Kafka...
...The job has been left to the Communists...
...It applies for one year but not for another...
...And all this is happening in the most powerful, most prosperous, and allegedly mosit enlightened democracy in the world...
...It was intimated, however, that there were forces at work which were to change the entire attitude of John...
...But, after all, what Is the American Federation of Labor for...
...We have nothing in common with either crowd...
...Nevei once did it occur to him that the shabby East Siders who so easilj outstripped their Nordic fellows it almost every study, who so avidlj bent over their precious book...
...J P. M —Prince OiHSI Wj Court Houm...
...But consistency still wuz a part of his plan.— He's ben true to one party, an' thet is himself...
...While the culture of capitalist statesmanship declines and even di>appears it finds a welcome in the progressive Labor and Socialist movement of the world...
...It publishes many dailies in all sections of the country...
...Labor will win power when it wills to win and It must eventually have that will in this country...
...On Monday night...
...What more crushing proof of human degradation than to sell one's labor of hand or brain...
...Where Is The A.F...
...Oct...
...Among the speakers will be Oscar Ameringer...
...Such utterances are quite beyond the dull wits of the men whom we send to Congress...
...It was so unusual for them to meet a man who gives his time to politics and who exhibits wide culture, personal charm, and genius for apt presentation of ideas...
...2 P. M—Smith...
...His citing of the policy of the employing class in discharging workers at the age of 45 was very effective...
...We suggest that the World endeavor to reconcile this statement of Mr...
...Big business won the war...
...There was no school of journalism then (for which John has been forever grateful i but the writing that he had done for the college daily had given him the idea that the best way to avoid the law school which he instinctively distrusted was to announce his intention to enter the newspaper ' game...
...wage labor is a form of slavery.— Paul Laf argue...
...were anything more than 'greasj grinds...
...The World and Labor Politics TLhTITH an air of pontifical finality the New ww York World settles the matter of a labor party in this country supported by the trade anions...
...James Kelly, a local minister...
...Gloomily it was decided that the boy must live at home and go to Columbia up on Momingside Heights...
...It was fairly well attended, and Kafka was received enthusiastically...
...Terre Haute To Hold Memorial For Debs *P> a New LeM-r CifrMMP-fml TERRE HAUTE...
...t p. m —porfnwmsi _-aw Oct...
...v * * * Many a plutocrat riding around in a Rolls-Royce car is at the same time disporting an intellect which could be matched in every respect by the mental equipment of a cave-dweller in the late Paleolithic period.—Harry Elmer Barnes...
...Its statement that the British Labor Party is also composed of Liberals and Conservatives is also close akin to deceit...
...of L. rpHE only chain newspaper sys-*- tern in the United States that has always maintained a sympathetic news and editorial policy towards the American Federation of Labor, its affiliated unions and their struggles, is the ScrippsHoward organization...
...14, Kafka and George addressed the first campaign rally, in the Workmen's Circle Hall in Richmond...
...To anyone interested in the rights and welfare of the workers, the American Federation of Labor, meeting...
...For John's father had high hopes of seeing his son a member of the sacrosanct Skull and Bones, the rather absurd Senior Society, the goal of all ambitious Yale men and ths organization which the elder Caldwell had "made" because of his editorship of the Yale undergraduate paper...
...President Green in answer to the usual jingo address of the Legion Commander dodared that it is '"contradictory to be making preparations for war when all are seeking ways of peace.'' After years of hesitation the federation by an almost unanimous vote is recorded in favor of old age pensions and the job of organizing southern industry seems to be at last faced in deadly earnest...
...Since arriving in Richmond, George announced he had within a week, secured five new members, including some prominent farmers...
...We Socialists would like to defeat Tammany but we would also strive to defeat LaGuardia and his motley crowd if they were in office...
...Bourne and the few other undergraduates who were trying to find some clue to integrity amid a maz< of specious values were ligh years apart from John and hi...
...To be continued) The A. F. of L. Convention •"¦"•HE A. F. of L. convention at Toronto apj» peats to be the most encouraging union congress that has gathered in years...
...Now the economic ghost which had always hovered on the outskirts of their family life materialized with a vengeance...
...Later on Harry Thurston Peck, who dared to criticize the masterbuilder was to blow out his brilliant brains in a cheap roominghouse whither he had been driven in disgrace...
...gsl Oct...
...If the A. F. of L. cannot get justice for labor in congress, in the courts, and in industry, who can...
...Four crowded years of subtle undergraduate politics which any Tammany heeler might envy and there was John with a degree, a speaking acquaintance with English literature, Latin...
...Kafka Begins Campaign Tour Of Virginia * x*w I -adrr Corr*«i>ondenl> RICHMOND, Va.—The campaign on behalf of John J. Kafka...
...Organized labor does not have too many friends in the field of daily journalism and the fact that this great newspaper enterprise offers this critical editorial should be food for thought...
...John Caldwell was brought up amid comfortable middle-class sursurroundings on the upper West Side of New York some thirty years ago...
...It has to report basic Industries, such as steel, automobiles, rubber, ell, in which labor has neither organization nor collective bargaining...
...Well, it may be so...
...The structure of the American government may make h more difficult than in some countries for a Labor Party to obtain control and the Knights §f Labor may have failed in the attempt, as the World claims, but these are not reasons against | i powerful party of the workers in this country...
...We are facing Babylonian slavery again...
...The little Napoleon may next year accept a Tammany endorsement as he did in 1918 and if he shares in responsibility for a Tammany administration who should complain ? But all this is beside the point despite the fact :hat it makes vivid the inconsistency of LaGuardia...
...In his opening address to the recent Labor Party conference at Brighton Mr...
...We may add that tile Socialist movement has its Mac Donalds in this and other countries...
...In his impassioned speech Furuseth told the delegates: "What you are dealing with are systematic attempts to liquidate all the privileges common man has gained in 150 years...
...strain, a year before John entered the University...
...Everything was to be sacrificed to size...
...A movement worth its salt will ascertain what it believes to be the most effective program for the workers regardless of what label it may bear...
...It has to report other basic industries, such aa coal and textiles, in which chaotic conditions drift from bad to worse, with the federation having no constructive program to prevent Increasing suffering in those trade...
...and Germany escaped it by an ace...
...fraternity pin crowd...
...By the same reasoning the World could prove that independent labor politics is impossible in Germany for government structure and political circumstances differ...
...Of course John was unaware of what was happening to those who dared to fight for the freedom of individual opinion in an academic world dedicated to the mass philosophy or pragmatism...
...In the effort to escape the taboo of Socialism the opposition at Toronto was unconsciously supporting some of the fundamental aspects of Anarchist-Syndicali sm...
...That being the case we are inclined to think that the world will move on in spite of the 'World...
...Perhaps much is wrong both with the country and with the A. F. of L. Certainly government and Industry' are jointly responsible when the secretary of labor must admit that "there are among us from 10 to 20 million people who do not share as they should in the prosperity enjoyed by the rest of us...
...At Columbia University Columbia in those days was in the throes of a new birth...
...Well, you never failed to draw your salary, Jimmie, and that is the only 100 percent record you have in office...
...j^H Oct...
...As a result of the appeal of George, four people signified their desire to join the party, and a nice collection was raised...
...The contrast with the average American politician who oozes bombast was a tonic for the newspaper men and they enjoyed their assignments...
...The World is opposed :o a successful labor party in this country and we lave already shown that it is capable of distorting :he truth regarding the British Labor Party to support its position...
...Socialists and trade unions will participate in the memorial services...
...We cannot get that power through either Tammany or LaGuardia's motley collection of supporters who are as harmonious as a kraut band on the street corner...
...This act, too degrading for any citizen of Sparta or Rome, is the only resource left to the producer in our capitalistic society...
...The trade unions have been defeated in the steel industry since 1892 but this long defeat does not Tiean that the basic industries can never be organzed...
...The change did not occur without some impassioned debate...
...P. M.—New Buiieem win...
...And unceremoniously Joel Elias Spingarn was to be kicked out and Dana and Cat ell and all others who evinced the slightest sign of heterodoxy...
...It was evident that there was not enough money to send John tc Yale, his father's college...
...The A. F. of L. is accurately described as the aristocracy of tabor...
...The Culture of Socialism d*~\XE phase of the American reception to Premier MacDonald is worthy of special mention...
...We are interested in public power won by the masses and used for the masses...
...AU aristocracies are subject to dry rot...
...His contacts with the city were confined to the community life of the West Side which at that time was little more than a small town on the outskirts of a metropolis...
...The newspapers are carrying some publicity for the party every day, and Comrade George announces that releases will be sent out almost daily until the election...
...You have it in Spain, in France, very definitely in Italy...
...It simply isn't possible...
...Put in Convention Record This is the editorial which Daniel J. Tobin, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, read into the record of the A. F. of L. convention at Toronto...
...If it said that many Liberals and Conservatives have abandoned their parties and'accepted ttie Labor Party program it would be correct, but to say that the Labor Party is also "composed'' of Liberals and Conservatives, is to indulge in a falsehood that is discreditable to any publication...
...On Sunday, Oct...
...3 P. M.— D1*P«WS>»» *W" Georye County...
...The Federation has turned a new leaf in its attitude towards lalxir legislation and one that means hope, progress and mora fruitful results...
...down, down through experiment after experiment that has failed, and until it touches the earth, by almost a magical transformation of its creative power, it begins to giow up and up by physical means and by successful action until at la.-t it establishes itself as one of the great achievements of the intelligent human will...
...George County...
...Two weeks after his graduation be was ringing door-bells in distant parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx, a cub reporter on the old New York Sun...
...Oct...
...The southern textile situation is a vivid example of that failure, but it is only one of many examples...
...The latter were mostij Jews or lone wolves like Bourne who had committed the collegiatt sin against the Holy Ghost whicl is, of course, refusal to conform...
...It takes the printer and the miner, the teacher and laborer, and inspires them with a thirst for <nowledge and culture which they acquire...
...Let them make Phi Beta Kappa, the honorary society foi high scholars...
...11 A. M.—Newport Oct...
...It has to report Increasing terhnolofleal unemployment caused by machines doing the . work of men, and Its own inability to obtain governmental unemployment and old age pension systems to protect scrapped labor...
...On the other hand labels are not important in fotmnlating labor policies...
...Including such still, small voices as dared lift up between the roar of the riveting machines on the new buildings and the bellowing of Butler's salesmen...
...Por example, one cannot conceive of any American politician giving utterance to those moving passages in Mac Donald's address to the Foreign Policy Association wherein he referred to the "romance of war...
...shouts our Absentee Mayor through the talkies in the campaign...
Vol. 9 • October 1929 • No. 11
