New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-16

Miss Keller continued. Nothing be
gained by political action. That is why be-
came an /. W. W."
What particular incident led you to become
an /. W. W." I interrupted.
The Lawrence strike. Why Because I
discovered that the true idea OF the l. w. w.
is no. only to better conditions, to get them
for all people, but TO get them at once
Miss Keller explained that she had not done
active work for the movement because by
virtue OF the fact that she was not a lsborer
she was not eligible to membership in the
organizations that her role must be that OF
sympathizer and believer in their cause.
Here, too. the labor publicist objected.
Again we fought the battle of educational op-
portunsm against absolute truth, and Miss
Keller, again the umpire, decided for {. open
battle and 10 favors as far as her IL crview
was concerned.
The revolution is bigger than any party, and
will come when the workers are big and strong
enough I became an l. w. w. Just because
| could not subscribe 10 a policy OF small i'm
mediate advantage you advocate" Miss Keller
answered her hearers and well wishers.
union OF workers. Guns are only last re-
sort. Workmen Ca do much by folding their
arms"-anc she suited the action to the word
land stopping tie world. When that gets
noised about at the headquarters of the bosses
they will send in their designations"
Then you are not for peace"
II am for peace because think workers can
gain their ends by putting their hands in their
pockets The world is theirs then" Miss
Keller reiterated her thought
"And with the world in their possession,
wouldn't the people promptly proceed to build
I'D institutions and situations almost identical
with the ones you deplore"
Mrs. Macy propounded for me that favorte
question of skeptics.
The world can be run no worse than it has
been by its economic masters" combated Miss
Keller, and she added that at least the under
dog would have a chance at the enWed bone.
Again the question Of censorship Of Miss
Kellers speed for publication presented IT.
self
IF Miss Keiel comes cut with these ultra
radical views, the newspapers viii be closed
TO her. She will gradually be deserted oy
ninety-nine Of the hundred people who follow
her." some one in the room spoke up.
And again Miss Keller struck the high note
of courage.
very well, then" she counselled. We must
leave the newspapers and the schools and the
churches behind and come out and hght'
But with the newspapers closed to you, the
news OF your fight cannot be carried TO the
people" another urged. "The Call our big
gest socialist daily has only 5000 circula
ton"
Il don't care" Miss Keller interrupted, Il
don't care for the big newspapers. They mis-
lead the people" ("But only edtorially,' the
labor man muttered in their extenuatiou).
I'VE can make our revolution without them
Still the perturbation OF the hallway meas
IRE advocates persisted They were sure that
Miss Keller did not realize what she was say
ing. They were sure she would choose rather
the method of social education, which lays it,
bricks OF progress one by one, then the
method which would overturn the universe
and make things mighty uncomfortable for
every one. Mrs. Macy presented the point
for US
revolution"
Revolution" She answered decisively.
1--WE can't have education without revolution.
We have tried peace education Tor 900 years
and il has failed. Let us try revolution and see
what it will do now.
II am not for peace at all hazards. I regret
this war, but have never regretted the blood
OF the thousands spilled during the French
Revolution. And the workers are learning
how TO stand alone They are learning les
son they will apply to their own good out in
the trenches. Generals testify 20 the splendid
initiative the workers in the trenches take. II
they can do that for their masters you can be
sure they will do that for themselves when
they have taken matters into their own hands.
And don't forget workers are getting their
discipline in the trenches" Miss Keller con-
tinued They are acquiring the will TO COM
bat.
my cause will emerge from the trenches
stronger than it ever was. Under the obvious
battle waging there there is an invisible battle
for the freedom of man"
Again the sdysability OF printing all this
here set forth. And this finally from the pa
tience exhausted, gentle little woman:
II don't give DAMN about serni-rsdicals!"
Gradually through the talk Helen Kellefs
whole being had taken on glow, and 1t was IN
keeping with the exalted look on her face and
the glory in her sghtless blue eyes that she