The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-12-13

from the cradle that here men were
free. I was not in the country very
long before I discovered that the work
ing people, although politically free,
were dominated by the same kind of
masters that rule the workers of the
old world. I found here the working
men and women organized in trades
unions to better their conditions. l
Immediately affiliated with the trades
union of my trade and have worked
always in a lawful manner and always
law abiding to make the conditions Of
my fellows better than they are.
"Since my arrival here 1 have stud
led the American plan Of progress. I
first learned that the tactics of the
American laborer must be different
than those Of the laborers in Russia for
the reason that laborers here were
politically free and they had it within
their power to better their conditions.
and to improve their government by
the proper exercise of the rights en-
joyed by them under the Constitution
Of the United States. In Russia the
Workers could not use the tactics of
the American workers, because they
were not politically free, and hence,
were prohibited by the law of the land
and by governmental tyranny 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. I have taken an
active part, although not citizen, in
political affairs in the United States
since my arrival here, l have learned
that my economic well-being depends
largely upon the political aspect. so ]
have largely centered my activities as
man on the side Of politics. 1 was
member of the Socialist party when
l was new to the country. When
saw that party clinging to the old
world methods, I left it, and became
an independent. While I could not
vote, I used such influence as I pos
sessed in the election of men to public
office, whom I thought were forward
looking and had some real sympathy for
the workers. 1 was particularly active
in the election of w. L. Cars, the
union labor candidate for congress, and
in the election of William F. Murnian
as city commissioner. I have taken
part in school board elections, and l
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.
81 am opposed to the overthrow of
the United States government, al
though favor many changes and the
passage of many laws that will pro-
tect men in their rights and that will
give to the workers greater measure
of industrial freedom.
"I am opposed to violence, to direct
action, to sabotage, or to the use of
any unlawful method in improving the
conditions or securing the rights Of
labor. I would be opposed to Soviet
ism in the United States as I would
favor it in Russia. I am opposed to
the dictatorship in any form and I
made my application to be citizen of
the United States, because I was op-
posed to dictatorship, and in order to
become part of a country founded
upon principle Of democracy.
"Had I been permitted, I would
have so informed Judge Morris, but he
cut me off abruptly and dismissed nv
case on the mere say so Of the local
naturalization official Of the Depart
ment Of Labor. I maintain that I am
entitled to citizenship and I am not
guilty Of any thought or offense
against this country or its laws"