Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-24

st. Joseph. Mich, March %. (By
A. P)-The states case against
William z. Foster, charged with
criminal syndicalism. is based partly
on discarded programs and policies
OF the communist party which had
not been INTERPOLATION for months
prior to the convention held in this
coutE last August, Charles E. Ruth
eoerg. defense witness. testified
today.
Ruthenberg. executive secretary
OF the Workers Party and former
member of the Central Executive
committee of the communist marty
OF America. was arrested when the
convention was raided and is await
ing trial.
lie testified that the program and
constitution of the communist party
| or America introduced in evidence
by the state had been dropped at
ieast flve months before the conyen-
ton. Ruthenberg said he wrote the
report OF the adjustment committee
presented to the convention by the
advocates of abandonment of the
communist organization in favor of
the workers party.
He testified that when the conven-
ton voted in question, advocates OF
the workers party were defeated by
one vote. they casting % votes
against % cast by the so-called
goose caucus" composed Of the
radical extreme left wing.
k-9l a government agent, who
attended the convention as a dele
gate and Who testified as the states
star witness. admitted he was in
the goose caucus"
Rumors that an attempt had been
made to tamper with the jury were
current about the court house to-
night when court had adjourned at
ter the second week of the trial.
All the principals refused to talk
however.
Judge Charles White. who held a
hastily called conference with the
attorney for the state and then
cioseted himself with the jurors for
five minutes. said he could answer
no questions.
Attorneys for the state said the
judge had enjoined strictest secrecy
Fosters attorneys were not invited
to the conference and did not know
1t was being held until informed by
newspaper men.
Ruthenberg was still undergoing d.
rect examination when the day closed.
Qualifying. despite the objections of
the state. as an expert on liberal and
radical thought. he was permitted to
give the jury a history OF the reyolu-
tionary movement for the last - years.
He told of the birth OF radicalism in
Germany in 1877: the theories and
teachings of Kari Marx. the rise Of So
cjalism in this country: the chief Rus
sian revolution and the growth of COM
munisrl abroad and at home.
He testified that there is no COM
munist party in America at present.
that il went out OF business after Ia st
falls convention. having been succeed
ed by the workers party.
Ruthenherg said his own connec-
tions with liberal and radical move
ments dated from 1909. WREN he joined
the socialist party at Cleveland.
The communist party Of America he
testified. was trying 10 bring into be-
ing labor party in which farmers and
all other workers could unite and At
the same time to organize craft
unions" composed of all the workers in
similar and illied industries.
The defense read today number of
dispositions taken in Philadelphia and
Camden. y. J.. in an effort TO attack
the credibility of Francis Morrow.
known as "k-e7." The dispositions
made by the secretary Of the socialist
party at Philadelphia and members of
the workers party at Camden stated
that Morrow's reputation for truth and
veracity was bad.
Informed by newspaper correspon-
dents that Attorney General Daugher-
- had been asked to prosecute him,
Foster, Ruthenberg. Ella Reeves.
Bloor. Max Eastman. Paxton. Hibhs n
and several other for alleged "collu-
sion" with Soviet Russia. Frank P.
Walsh. chief defense counsel. tonight
dismissed the charges as being TOO
trivial TO discuss"