New-York tribune., 1919-06-22
Young Democracy
Attacks America


high schools was scored at the confer
ence of the Young Democracy at the
Seaside House, Rockaway, yesterday. In
the course of the afternoon debate
August Claessens, Socialist Assembly,
man, compared the American govern
ment unfavorably with the soviets of
Russia and advocated an industrial
democracy for the United States.
Emil Schlesi inger. student at the
Mount Morris High School and son of
Benjamin Schlesinger, the labor lead
er, urged the high school students to
organize and prepare for a strike to
force the Board of Education to- grant
certain school reforms. Both students
and instructors of the New York pub
lie and high schools participated In
the discussion.
L. S. Friedland an Instructor at the
College of the City of New York, advo-
Gated the unionization Of teachers as
the sole means of forcing democratic
reforms in the administration of the
school system and the extension of the
rights and freedom of faculties.
Henrietta RoGman Speaks
Henrietta Rodman charged that the
recent QUESTIONABLE on Bolshevism,
conceived by Dr. John L. Tildsley, AS
sistant superintendent of Public
means
spying out rebellious and recalcitrant
teachers and pupils.
Professor Henry Dana, formerly Of
Columbia University, urged a closer
unity between the teaching profession
and labor "as the only means of fore
ing the educational system of the
United States from the hands Of the
present authorities into control of
more democratic channels"
of teachers and pupils, and it's aim
IS to propagate the extension of edu-
catlonal, industrial, political, and inter
national democracy. The conference
opened Friday evening and will con-
tinue until tomorrow night. Delegates
from other cities are present
Schlesinger charged that under the
present system truth is kept from stu
dents: He attacked the Bolsheviks
! questlonniare as "infamous."
He Wants to Strike
"1f we high schools students strike
we can bring DR.. Tildsley and those
who cooperate with him to their
senses" he said. "The test on Bolshe
vism was the most infamous thing in
the history of the United States next
to the espionage act. There is only
one thing to do-organize and strike.
We must show the people of New York
that we want democratic educational
system
Assemblyman Claessens spoke at the
afternoon session. He attacked the
political structure and methods of the
state and national governments as
unwle IDLY, inefficient, and inadequate.
Reviewing his own career in the
| Legislature, he said that soviet form
n arrt0 T..
tended that the political system of this
country disfranchised millions of peo-
pie, and that at best only minority
actually vote on public questions, while
the interests of the propertied classes
always are held paramount by the
Legislative assembly. He urged the
substitution of an industrial de-
mocracy.
Not Desirable at This Time
els it desirable at this time to ad-
vocate the substitution in the United
States of soviet form of government
conclusion. at may be desirable, but
! warn you from my personal expert
ence that such advocacy at this time
is highly dangerous.
IT Is an open question as to
whether we will ever adopt in this
country a soviet system. At least it
IS Tar off as yet. We must also re-
member that by the time we get ready
to apply them, the soviet systems of
Europe and Hungary may be SO
changed as not to resemble the present
institutions Of that name"
The speaker attacked Samuel Com
pers, but urged the radicals to COON
crate with the A. r. Of T.. since he
thought the future depended on the
trade unions. lie said the unions
must prepare to take over industries
IN the United States.
Friedland said professors Of COLLEGES
should unite with labor for political
action, and added that "the greatest
problem Of instructors at colleges and
nigh schools is unqucstionably the |
problem OF. unionization."
Power in Hands of Minority
He assailed the system Of grades
and ranks In faculties as undcmocratic.
since n placed the power in the hands
OF minority Of the faculty.
only small number Of the Older
professors actually enjoy academic
freedom, when NIL instructors should"
he said. Most of them have neither
voice, vote nor presence at faculty
meetings"
:. Professor Dana sounded an optirnis-
NC note by saying that with tho con-
,lusion Of the war democratic tendcn-
;ics we're beginning again To show