THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
THE PEOPLE'S FORUM The Time Is Now Dear Sirs: After World War I it was said that "if men or boys were conscripted for war, again, wealth would also be conscripted," but nothing was said about it...
...I would rather condemn than be condemned...
...We decided, reluctantly, that we could not afford to continue the magazine...
...As long as he fulfilled the legal requirements his loyalty would be unquestioned...
...But when we returned to Vermont and found the winter's accumulation awaiting us, and when we began looking through and reading back numbers, we decided that we couldn't afford to be without The Progressive...
...His most useful life should be made known to all, everywhere...
...Now is the time for the people to start their fight for freedom from war, not after it is declared...
...However, since you have started your filthy project of smearing McCarthy just to settle an old grudge I have lost all of that respect...
...I hope you will rate this as an important tribute to Mac, a good friend to all, in all walks of life...
...The point is, however, that the Supreme Court appears to take the position that this Un-American Committee, which has flouted every principle of the Constitution in its kangaroo court methods, is well within Its rights to ask such questions, or any question, and to demand answers...
...Brains Dear Sirs: Please cancel my subscription...
...In fact, it is magnificent...
...The Socialists of this state have appointed Niilo Koponen state organizer...
...Rubin's report on Europe in February was one of the most masterful presentations I have ever seen...
...There follows a list of over 50 organizations, some of which are obviously Communist, others apparently innocent (at least, to the uninitiated...
...Robert Z. Wilson, Farm Bureau Insurance agent, Friend and active co-operator, for governor...
...We do not expect, or necessarily desire, victory, in the sense that old party politicians strive for...
...Niilo Koponen Reading, Pa...
...But that was before Joe McCarthy, the man who defeated Bob LaFollette, became a national figure...
...Local protests against this imperialism failed...
...I guess it's because I would prefer to be feared for telling half-truths than hated for proclaiming the Truth...
...E. Lester Stanton Chicago, 111...
...that was the main instigator of Longo's getting his freedom...
...If the old parties cannot deal with these immediate demands, how can they be relied on to answer the questions of war or peace, of human exploitation, of extension of democratic human rights...
...Peter Slizewski Spokane, Wash...
...Bob before he became Governor in 1900...
...One of the Best Dear Sirs: I read every article in the June Progressive, and I find it one of the best liberal organs that I know of in our country today...
...Down to Fundamentals Dear Sirs: Three recent articles in The Progressive are among the best I have read anywhere of late...
...Until then do not send your paper...
...I would rather follow the line of least resistance and be another Joe McCarthy (as most of us uninformed Americans are prone to be) than stand alone and proclaim the basic teachings of Christ, unafraid and unarmed as does one of our few true Christians, Milton Mayer...
...It does something to and for us which none of our other reading matter does...
...The two exceptions are Justices Hugo L. Black, and William O. Douglas...
...Rev...
...He didn't even give a base on balls in July...
...or who would care to contribute in any way, or receive meeting notices, should write to Niilo Koponen or Mark Brown, 628 Walnut St., Reading, Pa., or in Philadelphia, to Joseph Swartz, 513 North 52nd St...
...Choice Dear Sirs: I don't know why, exactly, but 1 would rather be Sen...
...Faith Dear Sirs: I have just finished the June issue of The Progressive and, as always, found the faith I need to defeat my growing fear that no one cares enough any longer to prevent the big boom from being lowered soon...
...The only way you can use your vote as a lever to pry concessions out of these businessmen of politics is to carry out the too often empty threat to take your business elsewhere and organize and vote as Socialists...
...I am sure it was this McAlister Coleman-Progressive message to the humane people of the U.S.A...
...Tribute to Coleman Dear Sirs: I know there 'will be many sincere letters of condolence for our terrible loss, McAlister Coleman...
...In other words this Congressional Un-American Committee, at the expense of the Constitution, can inquire into the thought, affiliations, associations of any citizen, and it can make a mockery of the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, in so doing...
...Joe McCarthy than Milton Mayer...
...I hope so...
...Alexis C. Ferm Fairhope, Ala...
...THE PEOPLE'S FORUM The Time Is Now Dear Sirs: After World War I it was said that "if men or boys were conscripted for war, again, wealth would also be conscripted," but nothing was said about it after World War II was declared...
...Harold E. Fackert Jersey City, N. J. Veteran Dear Sirs: I have been a subscriber since the first issue of La Follette's in 1909, and knew Sen...
...When you stop to think it over, it is really funny...
...The answer to that one is he is serving time for stealing government funds...
...Incidentally, where is Thomas just now...
...Dorice McDaniels Inglewood, Calif...
...Oh Loyalty, thy name is Folly...
...This, while unemployment increases and relief allotments get cut, and while a workmen's compensation law put on the books by a Socialist in 1915 and adequate in its day often prevents workers in certain fields from collecting their due because the old parties have blocked amendments by Socialists...
...Foolish Oaths Dear Sirs: I have plenty of contempt for Communists and fellow travelers, but every time I see a "loyalty" oath lately It arouses a feeling of disloyalty...
...John Longo was thrown into jail by the Emperor of Jersey City (Mayor Hague) some years ago...
...I would rather protect my integrity than try to turn this crazy world upside down...
...Please mark that word ever...
...Imagine The Progressive attacking McCarthy for his methods of ridding our Federal Government of Communists...
...If all politicians could be as honest, we might have some respect for them...
...On the other hand, toe oath could bar an honest and able citizen from Government service or union leadership on a technicality...
...However, "Both Your Houses" in the July Progressive almost makes amends...
...Richard D. Jones Chairman Columbia County Young Republican Club Portage, Wis...
...The Government seems to think that spies are honorable men whose signatures can be trusted...
...I like my Government with all its faults and dislike foreign forms of government...
...We would, however, point out our very real accomplishments in those places we have won office, and point out also to the good liberals of ADA, etc., that in supporting "liberal" old party candidates, they are also binding themselves to support the actions of the political machine that sired them...
...Must a disillusioned victim of Communist demagogy be forever damned...
...Generally I could respect your viewpoint even when I could not agree with it...
...J. W. Walker Johnson City, N. Y. Don't Omit Mayer Dear Sirs: Please don't leave Mayer out, just because he is too deep for a few of your readers...
...The June issue was one of the greatest...
...Lester Pete Ciriacks West Bend, Wis...
...Mrs...
...EDITOR'S NOTE: Reader Jones may be interested in examining the files of The Progressive to learn how we similarly exposed the comparable tactics of characters like Martin Dies, John Rankin, and ]. Parnell Thomas, all of whom also indulged in unprincipled and irresponsible character-assassination, and none of whom, of course, ever ran against Bob LaFollette...
...C. W. Threinen Minocqua, Wis...
...Why don't you tell your readers that because Joe McCarthy defeated the son of your founder you could never give him a break regardless of how right he is...
...Doreen Croft Altadena, Calif...
...As much as I liked The Progressive of bygone days, I dislike your publication now...
...As long as The Progressive is still in print, there will be something of the truth still in America...
...Both the editorial "Slavery Old and New" (July) and the reprint, "Why the Reds Are Beating The Bejabbers Out of Us" (June) explain very clearly what seems to be the reason for our loss of prestige in the world...
...Now, it looks as though World War III may get started...
...But one fine day McAlister Coleman, who always exposed corruption no matter where it was, sent a message to all parts of the United States, through The Progressive, asking for funds, if possible, to support the Committee here in Jersey City that was trying to get Longo out of jail...
...Why not now start a campaign to conscript all wealth, especially profits, if World War III is declared...
...When you get someone with brains above the ears to run a real magazine count me in...
...Mayer's Fast Ball Dear Sirs: Milton Mayer's articles have often been so garbled (or is it just ultra-subtle satire) that the principal feelings they aroused in me have been bewilderment and disgust...
...His fast ball, right over the plate, is much more effective...
...Pennsylvania Socialists Dear Sirs: The Socialist Party of Pennsylvania has nominated a full ticket consisting of W. J. Van Essen, Pittsburgh optometrist, for U. S. Senator, Walter C. Longstreth, Philadelphia attorney and prominent Friend, for Judge of the Supreme Court...
...You are doing a fine job with the magazine...
...He will tour the western portion of the state, speaking and organizing party branches...
...If he ever decides to start smearing innocent people, he should be able to learn quite a bit from the editors and writers of The Progressive...
...Jones may also be interested in the recent conclusion of Time Magazine, whose anti-Communism is also impeccable and whose interest in Wisconsin grudges is nil: "After four months of wild charges and black headlines, Joe McCarthy had yet to document a single card-carrying Communist in the State Department, let alone the 57, 81, or 205 he had promised to prove...
...Katherine True Eden Mills, Vt...
...I wish to emphasize something else in this letter...
...Neuberger's was one of the best in the issue...
...I would rather hide behind my cloak of immunity than be subjected to an unappreciative and insecure public to be crucified...
...Any reader of The Progressive who would care to talk with these organizers, or would care for a copy of the attractively illustrated platform on state issues in this election...
...Surely your critic, L. L. Bernard (People's Forum, July) will be pleased that you are getting down to fundamentals...
...Mockery Dear Sirs: The Supreme Court has refused to review the contempt of Congress convictions of the 10 Hollywood writers who stood on what they thought were their constitutional rights and refused to answer J. Parnell Thomas' $64 question, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party...
...Theresa Healy Newark, N. J. Lauds Neuberger Dear Sirs: Harold Ickes is usually unpredictable, but he is far off the beam in regard to Neuberger's article, "I'd Rather Not Be Governor,"' which appeared in the May Progressive...
...To and For Dear Sirs: Thinking that my "trial subscription" had run out, I did not have the address changed when we went back to Berea, Ky., last October...
...Alas, how many uninformed idealists have at one time been "indirect followers" of some Communist front group...
...Bill Echols Memphis, Tenn...
...Shame Dear Sirs: It is our country's shame that we have failed to receive at least 3,000,000 of the homeless and displaced peoples of Europe and Asia...
...Hans Peters, carpenter of Southampton, for secretary of internal affairs, as well as local candidates...
...It apparently makes no difference how long a fellow traveler has been reformed...
...Even the few people that agree with you are going to find it difficult to respect you when they realize the motive behind the rotten methods you are using...
...Has Mayer quit throwing curves...
...Then your new policy "Smear McCarthy" went into effect...
...Certainly the United States, with its vast resources, productive facilities, and its complete escape from war damage, could well provide employment and opportunities for those who live in countries devastated by the war...
...Ben Scherer Milwaukee, Wis...
...Thomas M. Jones, Lincoln University professor, for lieutenant-governor...
...The wording varies from state to state, but the theme is the same: "Have you ever directly or indirectly supported or followed any one of the organizations listed below...
...C. B. Walker Medford, Ore...
...On almost every previous controversy you had the decency to allow both sides of the story to be printed so that your readers could judge whether or not they agree with you...
...T. Pickett Newllano, La...
...In Pennsylvania it has become "nice" to be "liberal"—even the Republicans now lay claim to the title...
...Only that will stop war...
...Apparently the Supreme Court currently feels, with two exceptions, that this Congressional Un-American Committee can do by methods savoring of the Spanish Inquisition what the Constitution specifically forbids the Congress to do...
...His work will be supplemented by the activities of Mark Brown in Berks County and Joseph Swartz in Philadelphia...
...W. McNeil Lowry's article, "It's Better In The Army," expresses one of the sanest attitudes The Progressive has ever printed on the subject of prejudice...
...A Communist could sign the oath and laugh...
...I hope that the idea of abolishing discrimination because of its inefficiency will be emphasized in your editorial columns...
...Rotten Methods Dear Sirs: I have enjoyed reading The Progressive for a number of years...
Vol. 14 • August 1950 • No. 8
