THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
. . . THE PEOPLE'S FORUM . . Brotherhood Of Man Dear Sirs: Under the caption, "Brotherhood or Bust," I found the following in the New York Times Magazine of Nov. 28: "Even Slocum Yocum, our...
...Remember Warsaw...
...There never has been any mystery, any fence-straddling, or any tricky or dirty or smeary journalism on this or any other subject...
...I regret to say that I cannot understand the editorial . policy of The Progressive, which prints the logical and liberal contributions of Harry Barnes, Commander Seely, Fred Rodell, McAlister Coleman, Sen...
...Name-calling is the technique exposed by the unfortunately deceased Institute for Propaganda Analysis...
...For years I took Seldes very seriously and defended him against the charge that he is either a Communist or a very hot fellow-traveller, who jumps every time Moscow sneezes...
...Since it is an act on part of the federal government that soldiers go to war, when and if the federal government so decides, it should not be amiss that they also vote without resorting to state legislation...
...M. Kjellgren Huntington Park, Calif...
...To resort to force would be to break the peace ourselves...
...Comdr...
...Oscar Ameringer Dear Sirs: I like your paper the best for finding out what is going on in Washington as well as other places...
...We had the pleasure of a musical evening, and his music was as fine as his philosophy...
...shame thieves into being decent and law abiding—but my way, not yours...
...Just because the Germans had to go to war under Hitler does not mean that the Germans are all bad nor that they all wanted to go to war...
...Berger On Socialism Dear Sirs: Your ever interesting paper has devoted some columns to articles and letters on whether Russia is a true socialist country or not...
...A. F. Gorden Minneapolis, Minn...
...Paul, Minn...
...Admires Paper Dear Sirs: I admire ybur views and many editorials and everything the Pro*, gressive Party and paper stand for...
...Hanighen says he is "rather confused" by the fact I regard his statements about my newsletter a smear...
...It is good to know there is one paper that we can depend on for some true facts...
...Favors World Cooperation Dear Sirs: I believe The Progressive is the most fair-minded and informative weekly to be had in these United States...
...No Heat Dear Sirs: The Forum would be a more useful institution if some of the contributors, when writing, would keep in mind the admonition of Talleyrand, "Above all, gentlemen, no heat...
...It may well be that you and I are lax in not doing likewise...
...He was a wonderful man to my way of thinking...
...Until The Progressive takes the same stand, I shall consider it only a poor substitute for the American Guardian...
...Alice M. Doren Dayton, 0...
...Delmar A. Ernest Rocky River, O. * * * 'Faithful Championing' Dear Sirs: I greatly value the stimula and morale-building Progressive, its contributors, its staff, and Sen...
...In Fact then pointed out that Britain was in the hands of its fascist Tory class, its Cliveden Set, the people who were then dealing with Hitler himself, and who were as fascist as the fascist 200 ruling families which betrayed France to Hitler...
...He is a clever journalist and propagandist for his own viewpoint and he knows very well what a fair and honest statement is, and what is unfair and dishonest...
...Seldes And His 'Facts' Dear Sirs: I have noted the discussion of George Seldes and his sheet, In Fact, in your correspondence columns...
...Lou Ella Miles St...
...The same question may be put in regard to the poll tax vote...
...While I don't always agree with every thing in it, I don't with other publications either, and I guess that isn't expected of any one...
...E. L. Currier Tacoma, Wash...
...La Follette is still tops...
...Perhaps you recall that at the time of the Russo-Finnish war, the Guardian was nearly swamped by a flood of expired subscriptions because Oscar Ameringer stuck to his guns in defense of Russian realism...
...Also I think you owe Messrs...
...The last I heard of him...
...But since June, 1941, it has become increasingly evident that the charge is all too true...
...Olga K. Robinson Menlo Park, Calif...
...He had a gift and power of expression that very few people have...
...La Follette's continuing faithful championing of the people's interests against would-be exploiters in the U. S. Senate...
...C. S. Seely is always good...
...8, George Seldes had an article denying he is or ever was a communist, etc., and I certainly dislike seeing a paper like The Progressive helping to confuse its readers...
...The late Victor L. Berger, socialist Representative from Milwaukee, was questioned in 1924 by Rep...
...Seldes does not try to carry water on both shoulders...
...Editor, your paper's handling of the passing of Oscar Ameringer was regrettable in that it failed to note in any instance of his past connection with the socialist movement...
...Remember Lidice...
...By this kind of tricky writing I could make out a fine case of proving that Hanighen is a fellow-traveler of Mrs...
...Martha G. Kluck Grand Marais, Minn...
...But he selects and edits his "facts" just as boldly and arbitrarily as does Hearst, Col...
...On the other hand, Seldes' best defense would have been a display of understanding the Declaration of Independence...
...Nelson, the Progressive floor leader, as to "what the Socialist Party really stands for...
...Secretary Harold L. Ickes, in the August American, places the value of the United States and territories at 12 trillion dollars...
...Two Pages Of Rot Dear Sirs: I still think you owe Mr...
...If he completely understands communism, his wrath must surely have been kindled over the comical concepts and interpretations which have resulted from years of lies regarding it...
...It was his belief in that brotherhood that dictated his opposition to American entrance into the war in the pre-Pearl Harbor days...
...Seldes, one of the most courageous and liberal journalists in the coun-t , and I will continue to be a subscriber because Mr...
...Remember scores of life boats shelled by the compassionate Germans, and jeers and demoniacal laughter which greeted the survivors struggling in the sea...
...Archibald A. Hopkinson Schenectady, N. Y. * * * Petty Egotism Dear Sirs: Liberals and progressives are weak because they are guilty of petty egotism and emphasize "isolated" instances of disagreement...
...The big press was all-out for joining Britain...
...A Federal Property Tax Dear Sirs: There are four things our Army and Navy are protecting: Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and property...
...I am for the FoSr Freedoms and the Atlantic Charter all the way down the line, including the British colonies and India, as well as the Axis countries and those overrun by the Axis...
...Let's "grow up" and unite, instead of jumping at one another's throats...
...Interpretation of "Communism" for In Fact is unjust, not to say cockeyed acknowledgement that Hanighen is still suffering from the impact of 25 years of lies about Russia...
...Seely And Seldes Dear Sirs: Arthur B. Anderson of Lake Park, Minn., likes The Progressive because you print anti-Russian articles by Max Eastman, William Henry Chamberlin, and Norman Thomas...
...It is certainly true that there was a change in rulership in Britain, and it is also a fact that the entire nature of the war changed when Hitler attacked Russia...
...As for the few facts which Mr...
...29) that he may have been mistaken, but he wants to apply the word "fellow-traveler" that he is doing a dirty smear job...
...I do not like to read of this one and that asking to have their paper stopped because of articles they do not agree with, but that sort of accusation, it seems, could be proved or disproved...
...Poor Substitute Dear Sirs: Although not a subscriber to }n Fact, I do read it more or less r^J-ularly, and have found it to be consistently and persistently anti-fascist...
...Hanighen's ridiculous reply to Seldes' letter crawls with something of Bertie McCormick...
...I have been a reader of In Fact since it was launched by Mr...
...Seldes the retraction asked for...
...Oscar was one of the best writers we ever had...
...Remember Coventry...
...Destroying Essen, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfort, Wilhelmshaven, Munich, Berlin, is only replying to the hoodlums of Prussia, Bavaria, Austria, Bohemia, Silesia, Baden, Saxony, Hungary, Rumania, and speaking to these educated savages in the only language which they seem to understand...
...Here we have two good liberal upporters at one another's literary throats over something on which neither of them is obviously completely informed...
...Before the Germans attacked Moscow, Seldes was an ardent non-interventionist...
...He doesn't like George Seldes' In Fact because Mr...
...Certainly we property owners could afford so little an amount to pay the war debt, so the property-less soldier can come home and enjoy the fruits of his labor without having to pay for the war as well as fight it...
...He knows very well that when he wrote The Progressive (Nov...
...At a time when a fascist torch bearer is being readied for the final conflagration, such manifestation of petty jealousy and sour knowledge of our own national concepts is more than just too bad...
...Anyway, it will doubtless be larger than ever before...
...But one must not forget that when one is in Rome one must do as the Romans do...
...P. Neumann Brooklyn, N. Y. * * * Balances Diet Dear Sirs: I intended to let The Progressive stop because I have more than I can find to read...
...Seldes and Hanighen apologies for allowing their names to appear on the greatest two pages of rot in contemporary journalism—the Forum...
...S. S. B. Anniston, Ala...
...Unconditional Surrender Dear Sirs: In The Progressive of Nov...
...Morgenthau in his call for new taxes are calling the attention of our Senators and Representatives to the fact that, such is the condition of our tax laws, the soldier will have to pay for as well as fight the war...
...Coleman's tribute to Oscar Ameringer was touching and true...
...Yet a little reflection when choosing such words should have made clear that such impromptu conclusions, born of heat, are not an answer to those born of cool thought and study...
...Doesn't Mr...
...it became a war between Democracy and Fascism...
...Another chance for them to send their viper children into Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, and Belgium and there to be fed, clothed, warmed, and sheltered by the compassionate saints of those countries, only to have these same children return after 20 years, leading the brutal beasts of Berlin into localities they have memorized so well and with heartless, hellish attacks on the very people to whom they owe their lives...
...22, Floyd J. Melvin of Chautauqua, N. Y., has expressed his views splendidly and I agree...
...Norval K. Harris Sullivan, Ind...
...It prints not only its own views on political subjects, but opposing views as well...
...Of course, men cannot adequately represent their wives and mothers, and if they are overseas fighting for our welfare what is more logical than that we should assume some of the tasks here at home that are not as well paid as welding and driving, but are just as important even in wartime ? Perhaps when we get on our aprons and get our hands into the warm sudsy water, we shall find just why wars have to be fought every 20 years...
...Alas...
...This prediction is being played up as a threat, but now come Representatives and Senators saying we must have more women in Congress...
...Dilling: he has in truth repeated the line she used several months ago in one of her broadsides against me...
...You know, that was such a shock to me that it will take a long time for me to get over it...
...The British fascists were replaced by anti-fascists, the war changed...
...Don't you know that Goeb-bels right now is desperately trying to create disunity among the Allies...
...Most soldiers and sailors have little or no property...
...It would take a 50 per cent sales tax to raise as much this year...
...Certainly as long as there are some citizens who may vote and some who may not vote, we have no democracy...
...Florence Reynolds Janesville, Wis...
...If I were a member of the Communist Party, or a Communist, or a fellow traveler or in any way associated or connected with this Party, movement, or philosophy I would so state...
...McCormick, or Roy Howard's papers, which he so vigorously assails...
...The American people are proverbially a people who believe in the Christian tenet of "live and let live...
...Both the article to which I took exception, and the letter of Nov...
...I never fail to read the last page first...
...Anderson says "Lt...
...Of course we won't agree on all issues, but let's build our strength on the basic beliefs we agree on...
...There is nothing democratic in either Russia or Germany in the management of production and distribution...
...On the chance that Slocum Yocum may be some distant cousin of mine, I wish to say a few words in his defense...
...A. G. Linahan Sioux Falls, S. D. * * * Terrific Dear Sirs: Your paper is terrific...
...I am sure no other country wants such a condition for itself either...
...The guilty deserve what's coming to them if justice is meted out...
...It is the only leadership that promises world realization of that brotherhood—the brotherhood of all peoples of the world, not excluding Germans or Japanese, the brotherhood that is the fulfillment of the promise of the Prince of Peace — the promise of peace on earth, good will to men...
...in which the author advocates doing exactly what was done at the end of the Wilson War, viz., make an honorable peace because forsooth the German people are entirely blameless, so let's give the poor, honest, home-loving Germans another chance...
...Seldes' weekly sheet does a good job as a counter-irritant...
...They evidently have not been frustrated too much by the women already there...
...8 Frank C. Hanighen's "slap" at George Seldes and his In Fact, which I have taken almost from the first issue, I resented it very much...
...H. B. Wentz Fort Smith, Ark...
...I refer in this case to Sen...
...After June 22,1941, he turned a quick back flop and began whooping it up for war...
...I sincerely hope the Senator will quickly regain his health and vigilantly protect it for the general good, as well as for his own and his family's...
...Squabble Among Liberals Dear Sirs: The Hanighen-Seldes controversy is just one more example of the squabble going on among all liberals—no unity of action and all seeking the same thing...
...Those who want the real McCoy on Seldes will do well to read Fred Woltman's article on the Communist Front press in the November, 1943, American Mercury...
...Frank P. Zeidler Milwaukee, Wis...
...I can tell you this: from the first, In Fact published factual news items which the big press suppressed or distorted...
...Ever since Hitler came into power it has been the purpose of fascists to make the terms "red," "communist," "fellow-traveler", and the like hate words...
...If they were, they would not indicate such thorough ignorance of the Americanism they both seek to save for humanity...
...L. R. Brown San Diego, Calif...
...Katherine Davis Union Star, Mo...
...But it is not his character but his position on brotherhood that I wish to defend...
...Certainly I cannot accept his letter as anything more than a second dirty trick...
...Berger replied, "The Socialist Party stands for the collective ownership and democratic management of all of the social means of production and distribution...
...I regret Oscar Ameringer's passing...
...While fighting for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness they are also protecting our property, and it would seem only just that we property owners pay for the protection they provide...
...Anderson know that Commander Seely is one of the most enthusiastic champions of Soviet Russia among American writers...
...M. C. Walla Walla, Wash...
...D. F. Stoolfire Muskogee, Okla...
...These illustrations adequately serve to point out the basic weakness and perhaps failure of liberals and progressives as an influential power...
...Telephone Service Dear Sirs: Please give the telephone monopolies hell...
...Most Stimulating Dear Sirs: The Progressive is undoubtedly the most stimulating and ably written liberal weekly in the country today, in the field of public and political issues...
...Hanighen weaves into his letter-smear, and his resting his right to use smear words on a statement by Elmer Davis, I cannot take up columns of your space to answer in detail...
...George Seldes Editor, In Fact New York, N. Y. Defends Seldes Dear Sirs: When I read in The Progressive of Nov...
...Apparently he has forgotten how cordially the AFL hates the so-called "communistic element...
...Ickes in his article in the American and Mr...
...His ire, if ever fully justified, was then within his right...
...Possibly Mr...
...The guiltless in Germany have nothing to fear from an unconditional surrender...
...In'answer Berger said, "It should not, because our aim is a social democracy, not communism," and he added, "I am absolutely opposed to communism, however, which presupposes autocracy and despotism...
...Consistent in fighting fascism ever since 1919, and especially after being in Madrid in 1937, I continued to publish an occasional editorial to this effect, as well as factual news items...
...He has always stood for the brotherhood of man...
...As our tax laws now stand there is not one cent paid for this protection...
...Lieut...
...He saw in the war between Hitler and his accomplices who back him up no war for brotherhood...
...B. H. DeMott Millington, N. J. * * * 'Touching And True' Dear Sirs: I enjoy particularly McMillin, Rodell, Howard, and the book reviews...
...Hanighen cannot be unaware Sf this fact He continues his dirty journalism by trying to involve me still further into a discussion of the Communist Party, the term "fellow-traveler," and by crediting me with certain implications...
...He followed the Dies' line of reasoning which stamps any man "Red" who does not love Anaconda Copper for jeopardizing the lives of honest men on the battle front...
...I am more pleased with it all the time...
...28: "Even Slocum Yocum, our hard-boiled yes-but man and prince of cynics, admits that the prospect seems to be brotherhood or bust for the human race from here in...
...Whether Russia is a socialist country or not depends largely on one's definition of socialism —- for which there are as many, perhaps, as there are definitions of Christianity...
...This enlarged housekeeping may not be as pleasant, and as praiseworthy, from their point of view, as the things they are asking us to do sometimes, I fear, just to keep us occupied and to keep us from thinking too much...
...Another chance for what...
...But I need your viewpoint, much as it frequently irritates me, to balance my diet...
...Pvt...
...Beyond that, so far as is possible without endangering freedom for ourselves, I want my government to cooperate with all other governments in furthering the cause of these freedoms in all countries on the earth...
...a Senate Committee had judged him too "Red" for that I. C. C. job...
...I don't want an international police force...
...Hasn't Russia done a magnificent job of stopping the inhuman Nazis...
...29 there is an editorial captioned, "Shorten the War...
...Notice how violent the remarks by Frank C. Hanighen against George Seldes, and Seldes against Hanighen—note your editorial note against the Nation and the New Republic, because they omitted comments on Oscar Ameringer's death...
...I intended to write you at the time when you announced that Oscar Ameringer has passed away...
...Soldier Vote Issue Dear Sirs: It is satisfying to note that the Senate has at least some members representative of a democracy...
...To write of a journalist of Freda Utley's standing, as one contributor intemperately does, "Freda Utley's lies, born out of and nurtured by her own ignorance," though it may have sounded smart and effective to the writer, reflects of course no discredit upon the lady, but only upon her unbalanced (no, not critic) calumniator...
...Dilling, and other redbaiters to create smear terms...
...I don't want my country under the dominance of a superior force which might easily be under the control of some other country or combination of countries...
...His sympathy for the common people was an exception...
...I want my country to make no alliance with or pledges to any other country or combinations of countries...
...George Seldes Defends His Stand Dear Sirs: Frank Hanighen, who is an experienced journalist, insists on using a dirty journalistic trick...
...It is his belief in that brotherhood that dictates his position today that America should assume leadership in the war...
...The New York Times, because it is a yes with no buts paper, and the prince of idealists, may be too severe in its judgment of his character...
...Remember Rotterdam...
...Comdr...
...They are rendering service which is disgustingly inefficient...
...Women In Public Office Dear Sirs: The percentage of the vote for President which the women of the United States will cast next November has been variously estimated...
...The men may have been sweeping the dust under the rugs, neglecting the corners, the pantry shelves, and the back stoop...
...Mussolini had predicted in his famous We or They speech that the Fascist Axis would line up against the anti-Axis powers...
...I intended sending a few lines in protest but did not get at it and now in The People's Forum in The Progressive of Nov...
...how few papers do...
...There are good and bad in all countries arid, I believe, in about the same proportions, including our own country...
...29 are excellent samples of propaganda-smears, and Mr...
...The words "democratic management" under this definition completely outlaw the "socialism" of Russia and the "socialism" of National Socialist Germany as being the kind of socialism most people want...
...If you wish to know what a property tax would cost you, just multiply the value of your property in thousands by $1.25...
...I do want my government to make pledges to principles rather than to men, countries, or combinations of countries...
...I sincerely hope that you keep up the good work and many efforts in giving the U. S. public the truth which it deserves, Jerome Scaturo Chicago, 111...
...It would seem to the average civilian that no one has a greater right to express by right of ballot, as to who should be in office or how our country's affairs should be conducted, than the man who has been asked to endure th^ hardships of war and risk his life...
...These terms are ©1 course applied by M?- Dies, Mrs...
...But I believe they are far more important...
...I liked Barnes' articles defending both the Russian and the German people...
...We must not forget that not one cent of taxes is paid to the federal government on this property...
...Hanighen knows very well that it was the purpose of the Dies Committee, Mrs...
...Unconditional surrender does not mean necessarily unbearable conditions such as have been meted out by the nauseating Germans in their treatment of the subjugated but not conquered Poles, Norwegians, Danes, Dutch, Flemish, and French...
...Truman and others, and then proceeds to weaken the effect of those articles by publishing the bitterly anti-Russian ravings of William Henry Chamberlin, Max Eastman, Norman Thomas, and others...
...Berger Johnson Joplin, Mont...
...Incidentally, Mr...
...I want my country to uphold such principles by cooperation, diplomacy, argument, and possibly sanctions short of violence...
...A few others offend with such lack of balance and urbanity...
...Unconditional surrender leaves the victors who ardently believe in justice, not vin-dictiveness, the latitude to act unhampered in dealing adequately with the .situation...
...He is not confused...
...Anderson enjoyed reading the articles written by the late and irreplacable Oscar Ameringer who was always a fearless defender of the Russian Soviet government...
...He saw in his own country the finest realization of that brotherhood of all countries in the world— 'a brotherhood of peoples of English, German, Italian, and all other European descents...
...If we put one-eighth of 1 per cent tax upon this much property it would raise 15 billion dollars of new revenue...
...These are hate words and he employs them obviously for hate purposes...
...Seely wrote a piece for In Fact...
...If he points the mote out in the eyes of others, he surely writes with a husky beam in his own...
...Each dead certain that there is a way to...
...Seldes edits a "communistic-inspired publication...
...For the United States government protects big and small property without cost...
...Pvt...
...Mrs...
...Indispensable Dear Sirs: The Progressive is indispensable during these hectic times and here's wishing you a successful year for 1944 with an even better paper...
...8 came, the day after The Progressive of Nov...
...Who is afraid, and of what, that their right to vote is even questioned...
...Joseph F. Guffey of Pennsylvania...
...Many things may come to light when our brooms get to swinging...
...Can we truly call our government a democracy if soldiers are denied the right to vote...
...By the way, what ever became of Tom Amlie, once called "the spiritual leader of the Progressive movement...
...The article on the sanctity of human life by Meyer, to say nothing of others, is the truth...
...At any rate, without Amlie the Progressive movement seems to me to have too much brilliance and too little substance to satisfy the common man...
...Another reason I think The Progressive is a great paper is because of your tolerance in the Forum...
...As well, Hanighen risked distorting the much needed liberal viewpoints in labor unions which have endorsed In Fact...
...Hanighen owes me an apology period...
...Nelson further questioned Berger as to whether he could "answer this objection that is made to the socialist theory—that it really leads to autocracy, where a few will control and prescribe the conditions for the many...
...I had the privilege of meeting that fine liberal and socialist many years ago in Rhine-lander, where he had a Summer place...
...If so, he certainly proved that a fellow-traveler can do a thousand fold more good than any of your brilliant Chamberlins and Hanighens...
...Hanighen knows very well that when he called my newsletter a communist publication he did so for the purpose of smearing it...
...Frank D. Slocum New York, N. Y. * * * Some True Facts Dear Sirs: Isabel La Follette is doing a grand job...
...How much did they have to say about it ? I am for America, first, last, and all the time...
...Dilling, and, I regret to report, a former sterling journalist named Frank Hanighen, to those who have consistently fought fascism...
...Millions in our own country didn't want war...
...I can't think either of the men is proud of that appearance...
...When In Fact of Nov...
...You do live up to your slogan...
...You have some good writers all the time, and Mrs...
...I would advise him to leave that sort of trick writing to the corrupt press and its highly paid corrupt columnists...
...Perhaps Oscar was a "fellow-traveler" too...
...But in the same letter, Mr...
...Is he also a "fellow-traveler...
...My colleague, Norman Thomas, has said it is not" and a considerable number of Stalinists in your letter columns have said it is...
...Owen M. Geer Dearborn, Mich...
...I wonder if Mr...
...According to Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr., we should have 10 Vi billion dollars more taxes...
Vol. 7 • December 1943 • No. 52
