New-York tribune., 1920-09-16
Will Never Give Up, Head
of Turin Soviet Group
Tells Tribune Writer ::
wv Ork Before Revolt''
10000 Active i'm
.v Big Fiat Factories
Law Giving Labor Com.
troll of Industry Being
Drafted by the Socialists
By Ralph Courtney
Special Cable to The Tribune

80 i'e''' i'-o' NE" YORK Tribune Inc.
TURIN, Italy, Sept. 15.-The next
few days will show whether Premier
Gloiitti's return from Aix-les- Bains
will be the signal for a revolution in
Italy.
During the recent labor meetings the
workers voted resolutions of a mod
crate nature. This is not, however,
very reliable guide to what eventu-
ally may happen. I am assured by the
president of the Turin Soviet that the
workers will not surrender. "Whatever
happens" he declared, "the workers will
never consent to give up the factories. !"
BY means of a passport from the
general labor headquarters at Milan I
was able to be present at one of the
frst meetings of the Central Soviet for
Turin. Escorted by local Red guards, I
was taken through bewildering passages
to the sixth floor of the Camera La
vero. Here sits the metallurgical
council, which has taken over all So
vletlzed industries of Turin. l was
sYown into large room under the
caves Of the building. A dozen men
sat around q table. l was introduced
to the leading members, and as the re-
suit of my recommendations from
Milan they showed willingness to dis.
cuss the situation with entire frank
ness.
Work Overshadows Revolt Talk
They told me that they had enough
raw material to last another week. but
did not know what would happen at
the end of that time. They said that
they alread dy had started an exchange
or raw materials among the factories
so that all could continue working.
What impressed me most about the
Turin Soviet was the earnestness of
its members. They appeared more in
terested in their work than in revolu-
tion. In this they differed consid-
erably from the Reds in Milan. In
Milan the revolutionary and political
side of Bolshevism takes first place.
Afterward, when the members Of the
Turin Soviet showed me over the great
Fiat works employing 10000 men, they
talked earnestly and lovingly about
forgetting entirely for time that
they were Red revolutionaries.
Equal in Same Cause
The leader of the Turin Soviet ap-
peared to be a man of some capacity.
His hair has grown longer than that
of the usual workman and he was dis
knitted neckerchief tied around the
throat. He had steady, enthusiastic
black eyes and spoke with authority
The others showed him Difference when
they spoke, but he did not try to dom-
nate the conversation. He was emil
nently good looking and appeared to
be about thirty-fve years of age.
asked his name. but he requested me
not to publish it.
There are no names here" he said
1--WE all work equally in the same
cause"
Doubtless this man never was for
mally elected president, but his natural
ability for leadership made others re-
fer to him in time Of crisis. A young
Turin lawyer, an "intellectual" who has
thrown in his lot with the revolution
aries, was anxious to give a complete
explanation of the situation. He paid
Difference only to the president and an
other workman whose position ap-
peared to be that of vice-president.
Market for Products Needed
The president of the Turin Soviet
told me that the Italian sovietized in
dustries not only needed raw materials
but would soon require market for
their products.
eve have large number Of Flats of
the latest type ready for delivery, be-
sides numerous automobiles from the
Lancia and Scat works. We can give
spot delivery against cash of about
five hundred Flats alone. Any pur-
chaser can communicate with the tech
nical and commercial committee at the
CONTINUED on page cIph)