The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-08-28
DEFENSE COUNCIL
TO HANDLE ALL
W.P. COURT CASES
Roger Baldwin Endorses
New Policy


The Labor Defense Council, which
raised over 100000 for the defense
of Foster, Ruthenberg and the other
Communists indicted in Michigan, will
henceforth handle the defense Of all
members of the Workers Party who
are prosecuted for their political acti-
vities involving the rights OF free
speech, free press and assemblage.
This step, which will add enormous
ly to the responsibilities and require
ments of the Labor Defense Council,
was proposed by the local executive
committee; approved by Roger ~
Baldwin, director of the American
Civil Liberties Union, and unanimous
ly decided upon at meeting of ma
tional committee members in Chicago
last week. In addition to the Michi-
gan cases, the L. D. c. will now take
over the Farrell cases, the Pittsburgh
cases, the New York cases and vari-
GUS deportation cases now on, as well
as any new case that comes up. Just
yesterday new deportation arrest
was reported, in Superior, Wis
Need for General Defense.
The Labor Defense Council, will of
course, retain its non-partisan nation
al committee, headed by E. c. Went
worth as chairman, and Eugene V.
Debs and Rev. John A. Ryan as vice.
chairman.
Many supporters of the Labor De-
tense Council have expressed recently
the need for general Workers Party
defense organization and, altho not
party members, have pledged their
support in the interest of free speech.
The National Defense Committee"
formerly existed for this purpose, but
Il practically ceased functioning at
the time the Labor Defense Council
was formed-due to the ABSORPTION of
the defense energies of the party
units into the work of the Labor De-
Tense Council.
5aIdwln's Letter.
Roger Baldwin who has been a
member Of the national committee
since its formation, sent the follow
ing communication to the Labor De-
tense Council office regarding the
change Of policy:
Regarding your proposal to extend
the work to include all the cases of
the Workers Party members prose
cuted in the exercise Of their civil
rights, let me say that l am in entire
accord.
"As the situation stands today thru
out the country, the l. w. w. has its
own defense organization General
Defense Committee), the Negroes have
their defense organization in the Ma
tional Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People and various
other groups have their own organ
ization defense machinery. Cases Of
persons outside of these organizations
are handled by the Civil Liberties I'm
ion in addition to its general propa-
ganda work in behalf of free speech.
But there is no organization at
present handling Workers Party cas-
es on a national scale. Such piece
of machinery is needed. and the La
Dor Defense Council is obviously at
band to do it. There would be an
advantage in having the work handled
by non-partisan agency free from
control by the Workers Party, but
working virtually under contract with
it and in close cooperation. 1t would
be possible, Of course, for the Work
ers Party to organize its own defense
machinery composed of its own mem
bers, but it would not be as effective
a piece of work from the point Of view
of their right to agitate their case as
IL organized under a representative
and non-partisan committee, as is the
Labor Defense Council
Il can see no reason why those
who are committed to the principle
of free speech for every group and
party should not be willing to partici-
pate in getting free speech for a par
ticular party, without committing
themselves in any way whatever to
that party's propaganda.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) Roger N. Baldwin, Director.
American Civil Liberties Union"
Secretary George Maurer, calls at
tention to the fact that the change
in policy brings with 1t greatly in
creased need for funds Sympathizers
are asked to redouble their efforts to
help make effective the demand that
there be free speech for Communists
in America. Send all contributions to
the Labor Defense Council, 1876 w.
Washington St., Chicago.