New-York tribune., 1919-10-21
]. Margolis, Reds Attorney,
Tells Senate Committee
Strike Leader Is Mere
sBorer From Within
Voices Non Resistance
Witness, a Tolstoy Disciple,
Asserts He Would Not
Fight Even to Protect Wife
New York Tribune
VUueh,no{on Rnrp0n

Neu York Tribune
Warrington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2o.-Wiliam q.
Foster, secretary Of the committee OF
labor unions that is conducting the
steel strike, was criticized forS being
conservative and reactionary by John
Margolis, of Pittsburgh, counsel for the
l. W. w., before the Senate Committee
on Education and Labor to-day.
Margolis was called before the conf
mittee which had been Investigating
the steel strike to testify concerning
the activities Of anarchists and Bolshe-
visits in connection with the strike.
Radical literature is now being per-
mitted to 60 through the United States
mails, Margolis told the committee. He
said that he is "syndicalist anarch-
ist," and that he breaches doctrine OF
non-resistance.
Foster, Margolis declared, affiliated
with the American Federation Of Labo,
for the purpose Of "boring from within
that organization in the hope Of gain
ing control of it and further spreading
his doctrines.
Foster "T00 Conservative"
Margolls declared that Foster is not
"syndicslist anarchist" like himself
but Is "trade unionist." He said that
he talked with Foster several times in
Pittsburgh, but that Fosters views
were too conservative.
"Foster Is neither an anarchist nor
a syndicalist," said Margolis. "He is
only trade unionist. Foster is a
borer from within. | believe in boring
from within, but believe that any
worker who joins the A. F. OF L. be-
ONES follower and loses his identity.
"But FosterN believes he can work
within the A. f. of L." Margolis was
reminded.
apparently" he replied. because
he is still in it. But do not believe
he can accomplish anything by work
ing within. Out Of seventy strikes called
recently sixty-two have been unau-
thorized by the A. F. of L. This would
indicate q pronounced state of unrest
and dissatisfaction on the part of
workers affiliated with the A. +. of l..
unions"
Took Message to /. w. W.
Chairman Kenyon introduced the rec.
ord of telephone conversation between
friends followed the steel strike com.
mitMe's letter to President Wilson, in
which missive the committee spoke dis.
paragingly of the l. w. W. Foster. re-
ferring to the letter, said to Margolis
Tell the boys not to get sore about
that" He denied having anything tt
do with that particular communication
and added: "You know l have to &c
with the committee most Of the time.
Margolis recalled the telephonic con.
versation. and admitted having passed
the word along to "the boys"
Praises Soviet System
The witness expressed his views free
ly. He liked the Plumb plan for the
operation of the railroads by EMPLOYEES
because it was "the first step to The
new future" AS for the soviet govern
men of Russia, he thought it was tn,
best product of civilization. He wa,
in close touch with Russian Bolshe
vistic organizations in this country
he said, and had induced two Of them
one in Pittsburgh and The other il
Youngstown, Ohio, to indorse the stee
strike.
The support Of the former group o
tanned either at Fosters request or wit
his cognizance.
Would Not Protect Wife
Margolis said he opposed violenc
in any form. He would not defend hi
own wife from attack. he told tn
committee, and said that If the Unite
States we're invaded by foreign fo
he would sit by and not try forcibl
n 6aj, ~ ktn
ernment
even Il an army came and too
tho country and seized the govern
ment, you believe in no resistance
asked Senator Kenyon.
| EYES," replied Margolis. ut Is be
ter to have the government taken owe
than have human lives sacrificed"
III some one resorted to violence
steal the coat off your back, VIII,
would you do?" asked Senator Jone
Of New Mexico.
II would offer no resistance; I wou
try to persuade him not to take it
answered Margolis.
"And if some one invaded your hon
and attempted to assault your wifi
| what would you do?"
II would try to persuade him not
do go"
] "You would offer no resistance
save your wife from ASSAULT"
II II would not"
| Is a "Tolstoyan Anarchist"
"Are you an anarchist" 2"
IL am only an anarchist to the O.
tent that | believe in Tolstoyan a
archism," Margolis replied.
Margolis said that he was oppos,
not only to the American govcrnmer
but to all governments. Senator NJ
Kellar, Tennessee. asked him why
| did not move to Russia. Margol.s T
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