The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1915-04-29
ORGANIZATION NEWS
WHAT ABOUT IT?

The manufacturer. the storokeeper
and the financler complain of hard
times, and are compelled to lay off
some of their employees
Some workers become members of
the ever increasing unemployed army.
Others are partially employed and
have to cut down expenses. In order
to generate the necessary power to
labor these workers must cut out all
those things not necessary for the
generating 81 that labor power.
Some of these workers are socialists
and being without the necessary funds,
and having to sustain life in their
bodies, they naturally fail to renew
their subscription to the paper that is
published In the interests OF the work
ing class alone.
Now the question arises, who is It
that must keep the paper in the field
so that 1t can deliver its message of
freedom to the toiling masses?
The merchants who realize the
value of the Socialists trade has an
ad put In the paper. But somehow
when times are bad-the time when
they should advertise they fail to
come through with their ads, and, in
some cases, after having advertised,
are slow In paying for their ad.
Now II the Socialist cannot support
his paper, and the merchant doesn't
see tit to advertise, who Is 1t that
will have to bear the burden of get.
ting the paper out?
AT present the greatest burden falls
on the Editor and Business Manager.
Although the wages paid them Is in
significant compared to the amount
of work done, still they are at present
compelled to donate about 80 per cent
OF their wages weekly to the support
of the paper
This kind of thing cannot 70 on
for ever and the limit has about been
reached, SO If the readers of this paper
wish to continue receiving It, they will
have to send In the necessary funds.
A Maintenance Fund
We are going to start maintenance
fund, and those of you that can afford
1t can put into that fund what ever
small change you can spare.
We don't ask you to put In weeks
wages, nor two or three weeks wages,
as the editor and business manager
have been doing. All we ask you to
do is to make small contribution, so
that the whole burden of the unavoid-
able deficit need not fall on the
shoulders of the two men who are
giving the best that is in them to
make the Washington Socialist worthy
of the cause.
At the first of the year the paper
was completely out Of debt, but owing
to strikes and unusually hard times
in Everett, the business men and the
workers have been unable to give the
necessary support to the paper.
The cost of getting out the paper
udo pcCH IcuuCcu 10 ABOUT 300 week,
covering all expenses, which is the
smallest cost for production of paper
of this size and quality which we know
of In this country.
The deficit of the paper to date is
$4,000; and is due on wages to the
Editor and Business Manager cover
ing the last three months.
Now the question is, do our readers
want us to do the work and carry the
entire burden of this deficit? Would
it not be better, all around, for each
one who reads this statement to volun-
tarily bear portion Of the weekly
deficit, amounting at present to about
SIS, rather than allow two men to
bear it all? Assistance may be given
either by certain sum donated each
week, or month, or by a flat contribu-
ton to the maintenance fund.