Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-01-25
YONKERS.
Socialists and X. of l.. Hold Joint Meet
ing-M. Zametkin makes Converts

| SOCIALISTS ana X. OF l.. Hold Joint Meet
| ing-M. Zametkin makes Converts.
The Riverside Association knights of
Labor with the assistance of the Yonkers
Section, s. l.. p. has arranged to hold
series of lectures on the various prob
lens evolved by the enormous develop.
ment of the competitive system of pro-
duction and distribution.
Last Thursday, Jan. Is, Comrade NJ.
Zametkin was the lecturer and delighted
his hearers with remarkably clear
and logical presentation of Socialism
as adapted to American soil"
The adience, which was composed of
men of all shades of opinion, thoroughly
appreciated his efforts to elucidate the
points of fundamental importance. He
showed at length and most plainly how
the wage-worker has from an mdepen-
dent producer become SO thoroughly
dependent on the vast army of his CO.
workers that it is now impossible for
HIM to attempt to produce anything
alone, as was formerly done. The in
Independence of the industrial army
has been established and by it has been
created feeling of fraternity which is
becoming stronger every day and is
most conclusivly shown by the rapid
organization of labor in various unions.
The lecturer said that whether the
eight hour movement was a success or
not, the continued advance of the
educational movement would still
90 on and spread from one branch
of industry to another. The time
IS surely coming when the people
will rightly claim that they alone are
capable and worthy of taking full charge
Of this produce and will consent no
longer to be robbed by non-producers
and useless drones."
He made reference to Bellamy's
Looking Backward" and the mention
of the book evoked considerable ap-
plause. The futility of indivual effort
was shown and the lecturer proceeded
to demonstrate that the larger the
number OF men organized for produc-
ton the greater in proportion would he
produced, and of course with less indy
ldual energy.
lie then proceeded to show the enorm-
Gus profits made in some branches of
industry, notably in the making and
selling Of sewing machines.
The sewing machine in itself costs
about $3.50 for the labor expended in
producing it; the balance is nearly all
tor useless agents, managers, store rents.
gas and other incidental expenses. Its
cost to the purchaser is thus raised to
the large sum of $50, which is the aver,
age price paid for a sewing machine.
Comrade Zametkin said that if he
could exchange one week of his labor
for one week of the labor Of the makers
OF the machines, he could have bought
the machine cash Zone weeks work.;
but instead it costs 6 or weeks labor
with no equivalent.
After the speaker had concluded, the
chairman, Alex. Sutherland, of the |
RlversldeAssociation made few pointed |
remarks regarding the establishment of |
a Municipal Coal Service in YOnkers, to |
supply coal at cost to all the inhabitants, |
and the suggestion seemed to meet with |
general approval.
Comrade Zametkin answered several
questions put to him by men that did
not as yet thoroughly understand So
principles. He was also asked
which book he would recommend as the
most ineligible to the average reader
who wished to become acquainted with
the aims and object of Socialism. "Re.
porter and Socialist" by Alexander
Jonas, was recommended as suitable for
such IA purpose, A prominent profess
3ional man present agreed to distribute
from his office copies of that pamphlet
and other sOcialistIc literature. Several
copies of Looking Backward" THE
Cooperative Commonwealth and other
were sold, in addition to
which subscription for Karl Marx
Capital was received.
The audience unanimously agreed with
he Chairman when he stated in conclu-
sion that the lecture was the best ever
in Yonkers on the subject.