The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-12-06

issued against the company.
to have spoken in it's favor. Judge
Morris turned to the applicant and
asked, did you " Mr.. Lichten at
tempted to reply and got as far as
Eyes, but when he was interrupted
by Judge Morris, who said, do not
appear any more in this court while
I am here. You better go back to
Russia. 1t will be better for both you
and the United States''
Denied fair chance in court, Mr..
Lichten takes this opportunity of de-
filming his position in the following
language:
Lichten Defines Position.
II was born under the yoke of OPP
preston. I was exiled from my ma
tive land, where I engaged in the
fight for freedom. I came to the
United States, because it was taught
to me from the cradle that here men
were free. I was not in the country
very long before I discovered that
the working people, although polite
ally free, were dominated by the same
kind Of masters that rule the work
ers OF the old world. I found here
the working men and women organ
lied in trades unions to better their
conditions. I Immediately affiliated
with the trades union of my trade
and have worked always in law
full manner and always law abiding
to make the conditions of my fellows
better than they are.
Since my arrival here have stud
led the American plan of progress.
/ first learned that the tactics of the
American laborer must be different
than those of the laborers in Rus
STA for the reason that laborers here
were politically froee and they had
it within their power to better their
conditions and to improve their gov
eminent by the proper exercise of the
rights enjoyed by them under the
Constitution of the United States. In
| Russia the workers could not use the
tactics Of the American workers, be-
cause they were not politically free,
| and hence. were prohibited by the law
| of the land and by governme ty-
| ranny from making progress, except
by fighting for it in such ways as
appeared to them expedient.
In America it Is Different.
! What would be perfectly proper in
Russia under political tyranny, would
be decidedly improper and unlawful
! in democratic America. have taken
| an active part, although not citi-
zen, in political affairs in the United
States since my arrival here. I have
learned that by economic well-pelnE
depends largely upon the political
aspect, SO have largely centered my
activities as man on the SIZE of
politics. I was a member Of the So
ciolist party when I was new to the
country. When 1 saw that party
I clinging to the old world methods, l
; left it, and became an Independent.
While I could not vote, I used such
influence as I possessed in the cleo
ton of men to public office, whom !
thought were forward-looking and
had some real sympathy for the work.
ers. I was particularly active in the
election of w. l.. Carss, the union
labor candidate for congress, and in
the election Of William F. Murniar
as city commissioner. I have taker
part in school board elections, and
have longed and hoped for. the day
when could be made a full Pledged
citizen Of this country so that I could
enjoy the rights Of franchise therein
Stands For the q. S. A.
II am opposed to the overthrow O.
the United States government, al
! though I favor many changes anl
the passage Of many laws that will
protect men in their rights and tina
will give to workers greater meas.
ure Of industrial freedom
II am opposed to violence, to direc
action, to sabotage. or to the use o
any unlawful method in improving tn,
conditions or securing the rights o
labor. I would be opposed to Soviet
ism in the United States as I woult
favor 1t in Russia. I am opposed Il
the dictatorship in any form and
made my application to be 4 c,,.ze,
Of the United States, because wa
opposed to dictatorship, and in orde
to become a part of a country found
!; ed upon principle of democracy.
HAD I been permitted, I woul
have so informed Judge Morris. bu
he cut me off abruptly and dismrsse.
my case on the mere say SO Of tn
local naturalization official OF the De
, partment Of Labor. I maintain that
am entitled to citizenship and I al
, not guilty Of any thought or offens
against this country of its laws"
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