Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-20

LlOyds Refusal to Divide Own Wealth Caused Riot
in Secret Session of Communists
About Split in Observation-Disclosures Proposed.

one time that he give up his wealth.
distribute 1t equally for the beneht of
the Communist cause. and thus be-
come q true Communist from the
heart out-but this Mr.. Lloyd could
not see his way clear to do.
Therefore, when in the convention
hall In 1919 Mr.. Lloyd attempted to
present certain resolutions favoring
Socialism, and again attempted to OBJ
tain a vote of approval on certain OF
the Socialist principles. resentment
against him was aroused anew. Mr..
Lloyd was persistent-so persistent
that finally Adolph Germer, secretary
Of the convention, and Alexander
StoklitZky. the Russian organizer, OBJ
jected to these Interruptions and re-
buked Mr.. Lloyd sharply.
This was the same Alexander Stok-
lftzky who but few months before
had been one Of the little band which
met in an Office on West Madison
street to bring about the birth of
Communism in the United States-a
little band Of which Mr. Lloyd had
been a conspicuous member.
Riot and n Secession.
| Thus rebuked for wasting the time
of the convention" Mr.. Lloyd became
! still more persistent. More rebukes
| followed. and these were followed by
heated retorts from both sides. The
argument became q riot. Chairs were
| thrown about, fists flew. bouncing off
! heads OF opposing debaters, and the
| friendly argument developed into a
! grim battle for possession OF Ma
chinists' Hall, in which the meeting
| was being held. Finally. to save the
place from complete destruction, Sec
| rotary Germer slipped out of a side
door and sent in a riot call to the
hx a.
ments. the Communists succeeded in
eJecting Mr.. Lloyd. together with 40
Of his belligerent followers.
Nothing daunted, however, Mr..
Lloyd busted off his coat and imme-
diately set out with his little support
| ing band to seek an empty hall This
was found right around the corner
| from the other meeting, in little j.
w. w. hall I'm Throop street. Here
Mr.. Lloyd proceeded to call the meet
| ing to order and forthwith formed
another party, which he dubbed the
| Communist-Labor party.
Now, this meant the existence Of
two Communist organizations in the
! United States-two organizations
| each separate and distinct from the
| other. 1t meant a movement In their
| own organization corresponding eX-
| actly with that which they were at
| tempting 10 tStdDIlSH III tnt all
cations Of their capitalistic enemies
movement toward dscord And il
was recognized in Russia that with
such a split in its ranks the Commu
| mist movement here never could be
| successful. Therefore, every effor,
was made to bring about a reunion
of interests.
| Russia Negotintes Compromise.
| Meanwhile the two organizations
continued to function independ
| Competition was keen and feeling ran
| high. Matters came to such pass
that the international executive com
| mjttee in Russia decided TO take 4
| hand. After lengthy discussion there
| by that body. and seeing the danger
| of such an unfortunate split and Wha,
| damage such dissension might do &c
| the revolutionary cause here, Specia
! emissary was sent from Russia fol
! the purpose of calling secret con.
| vention at which should be discus &c
the question OF unity-a convention
which should iron out all differences
and present united front against tn.
United States Government. This mes.
! sage was not instructed to the
malls. 1t was sent by way of Am
sterdam by special messenger. Ant
this messenger carried with him au
thorfty to call a secret convention Il
be held according to strict rules laic
down by Moscow in the woods of tn,
forest preserve in River Forest
copyright 1924. by Chicago Daily n