Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-20
BY JACOB sPOLANsKY.
CHAPTER ~.

How the Government reacted to the
Communist activities every one
knows. Columns were printed at the
time describing the sensational raids
made by Federal, State and city au-
thorities in January, 1920. And what
the Communists were doing until that
time also is more or less of an open
book. Until that time red" activi-
ties were allowed by the Government
to proceed without molestation, al
though under constant watch Of Fed
eral agents.
However, since the raids jim which
more than 5000 members of Commu-
mist organizations were arrested and
later deported, little Is known by the
pubic except In very general way
Nor is IL realized to what a startling
extent the propaganda of the organi-
cation was successful.
1t was time of Industrial up
heaval. There we're strikes on every
hand in almost every line Of industry
and the Government, realizing that
these strikes were largely the result,
of Communists work, decided &c
strike one huge blow at the organiza-
ton in an effort to break it down
This effort. to some extent. was sue
c"sSful-that is, it did deal a grea,
blow to the movement. Where before
great publicity was obtained when.
ever a meeting was held, thereafter
everything had to be done in secret.
Secret Meetings Ordered.
On orders from Moscow. instruc.
tons Were sent out from the Chicago
headquarters that no efforts be made
thereafter to further the cause Of
revolution in the open, and 1T was
ordered that meetings at which poll.
ries were to be discussed must be hello
in secret. All large meetings were
forbidden, and at no time was 1t per.
mitted that more than 10 Commu.
nists meet together at any one place
But the raids did not halt the Com.
muniSt movement. 1t simply placed
d difficulties in the manner of its pro.
cedure.
Many conventions Of Communist.
were held of which the public never
heard There are probably not IL
persons III Chicago outside the Gov
eminent service who even dreamed
that in May, 1920. there was held II
the forest preserve of River Fores'
an underground convention Of Com.
muniSts.
This convention, attended by red
delegates from ali sections OF tn,
United States, Canada, and even
y ~ II oIii iNuSSld, ldSltu lOl
seven consecutive days and nights
the sessions sometimes running unit
; or o'clock In the morning.
1t was at this convention that
threatened split in the Communis
party was mended and unity OF pur.
pose achieved to form what was
thereafter known as the United Com
munfSt Party OF America.
II was William Bross Lloyd VIII,
made II necessary that this conven
ton he called.
Lloyd in Action.
Back in September, 1919, a conven
ton was held in Chicago, attended b,
delegates from all parts of the coun
try TO the American Communist party
Now, Mr.. Lloyd, for some reason. hat
incurred the enmity of a large mum
Der of Communists. In the first place
he had always remained d member o
the Socialist party, and it was hi
avowed aim to win over the Commu
nists to become radical branch o
the Socialist party. In the secon,
place. his membership in the Com
munist party was objected to becaus
/ he was deriving large benefits which
were not shared by others of his com
rades. namely. profits from rents an
! interest on invested capital, whicl
! every loyal Communist will tell yo
! is no way for Communist to act.
| 1t was suggested TO Mr.. Lloyd q