The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-01-09
RUTHENDERG IN
JAIL FOR The
WORKING CLASS
No Legal Basis InUOlUed
Says Ferguson

munist) Party, solely because
of his association with the Com
munists, was branded as ridi-
cuIous by Isaac {. Ferguson,
attorney for Ruthenberg, in a
st a tie m e mt to the DAILY
WORKER.
If the decision of the Michigan
court is allowed to stand, Fer
gusOn told the DAILY WORK
Err. it practically takes away
all meaning from the constitu-
tiOnal guarantees of free speech
and the right of assemblage."
"The idea of Ruthenberg being in
prison because of his association with
the Communists is utterly ridiculous,
said Ferguson. THE Communist
Party was condemned in Ruthenberg'ss
trial because it is supposed to have
threatened the United States govern.
ment But the United States govern
ment has done nothing to prevent the
Communists from disseminating their
ideas since the deportations under At
torney General Palmer in 1920.
THE United States government
knows all about the doctrines of the
Communists. It's agents have been
able to read, in the five years since
1920, the principles expressed openly
by the Communists in their literature
and in their press.
And the government has made no
move to show that the expression of
principles by the Communists is
criminal menace" Ferguson continu.
ed "If there were any reality in the
charge against Ruthenberg, it is ridicu.
lous to think that the government
would tolerate the recent presidential
campaign conducted by the Commun.
lists, where they stated the principles,
for which Ruthenberg is in Jail, hun
dreds of times in every city in the
country.
Gesture Against Communism.
"The courts are using the Ruthen-
berg case to make gesture against
doctrines, but there is no real accusa-
ton against him according to the
normal standards of criminal law.
The judges and jury conducting the
case all deem it necessary to show
that they do not like the principles
of Communism.
This particular decision of the
Michigan court, if it stands unrevers-
ed, practically takes away all meaning
from the constitutional guarantees of
free speech and the right of assembl
age,
Attorney General Andrew Dough
erty of Michigan, has filed a motion,
prepared by Assistant Attorney Gen
eral o. L. Smith, with the Michigan
supreme court at Lansing, asking the
court to confirm the previous judg-
ment that all questions have been set
tied. This molten will be acted upon
by the Michigan court on Jan. Is,
finally disposing of the case as far az
the Michigan courts are concerned
The case will then be appealed to the
United States supreme court.
Rally Labor for Defense.
Meanwhile Ruthenberg is held pris
oner in one of the worst hell holes in
the country-Jackson Prison, at Jack.
son, Michigan. The Labor Defense
Council and the militant section of the
working class have rallied to the de-
fenseN Of Ruthenberg and the other
COMMUNISTS who are facing prison
solely because they demand the over.
throw Of the capitalist system Of ex.
ploitation of the workers, and that the
abolition of the profit system be re-
placed by the rule OF the working
class.
Thousands Of dollars are needed
Immediately for the Ruthenberg ap-
peal to the U. s. supreme court, for
the Minor trial and those that will
follow George Maurer, of the Labor
Defense Council, told the DAILY
WORKER. 1.-THE facts must be spread
broadcast, so that all workers and
their organizations will know that
their cause is the cause of these Work
ers (Communist) Party defendants,
and will unite in a mass protest and
demand their freedom"
The Trade Union Educational
League has issued call to all trade
unionists to come to the defense of
these militant leaders Of the working
class-the Michigan Communist de-
PENDANTS.
The local Chicago organization OF
the Workers (Communist) Party
already has well under way the fight
to release the militant champions of
the working class who are faced with
prison terms.
zone Of the big demands OF the aid.
ermanic election campaign OF the
Workers Party in Chicago is the free.
dom OF all class war prisoners"
Martin Abern, Chicago secretary of
the Workers Party told the DAILY
WORKER, especially in view OF the
imprisonment Of Comrade Ruthenberg,
and the impending trial of Comrade