The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-02-21
(5y Publicity Comm. Los Angeles
Unemployment Leauue.)


LOS ANGELES, CAL, Feb. 19.-The
unemployment situation here is daily
growing worse. Even the figures Of
the chamber of commerce show
$4,000 unemployed, but the real situa-
ton is that nearly $4,000 men and
5000 women are in the ranks of the
iobess. In spite Of this the bosses are
continuing to advertise the "opportu-
mites of Los Angeles" to fool more
thousands Of workers into coming
here for work.
The organization of these unem-
ployed workers is being carried on
vigorously by the Los Angeles I'M
employment league. The league is
striving to organize the unemployed
and link them up with the labor I'M
ions and other workers organizations
At the first meeting OF the league
thirty-one working class organizations
sent delegates. In this way the unity
of the organized workers and the un-
employed workers is established.
Police Attack Secretary.
As usual the bosses are using the
local police to intimidate the leaders
Of the unemployment movement. The
following account of an attack on the
secretary of the league is given by
an eyewitness:
"On Friday, Feb 5th, the red squad
of the Los Angeles police department
got on the rampage again. 1t was dur
ing the noon hour. With a great hur-
rah and rattle-de-bang of shotguns and
clubs, they descended upon peaceful
assemblage of the unemployed, met
on vacant lot in the rear of a store
between Towne avenue and Stamford
avenue and arrested Herbert Harris,
who was addressing the men from a
soap box. Harris is the secretary of
the Los Angeles county unemploy-
ment league.
He was speaking on a private lot,
the owner having given his consent
and the gathering being quiet and or
derby in every way. He had often
spoken there before in recent weeks,
as had also other speakers. In fact, it
was sort of outdoor open forum.
and being in the vicinity of the I'M
employment agencies there were usu-
ally quite number of listeners ready
to hear any one who cared to address
them. At present it is conservatively
estimated that there are $4,000 unem-
ployed men here in the city and some
5000 women without work. So it is
never difficult to gather an audience
in that section of the city.
crlIIed by Cops.
"All Unexpectedly the cops made
their appearance and broke up the
meeting, crowding the audience back
into the alley and nabbing Harris. He
was taken to police headquarters and
for an hour subjected to a grilling at
the hands of a half dozen Of the
dicks" who are you-an |. w. w?
A Communist? What are you trying
to start? Who's back of you? Such
were the questions hurled at him. But
little satisfaction did they get. He
disavowed membership in any of the
so-called ''red" organizations, claim
ing that he was simply secretary of
the county unemployment league, and
that he had perfect right to address
the 1oblesss who were there listening
to him. Finally they let him go with
out placing any charge against him"
Unemployment Demonstration.
Los ANGELES, Calf, Feb. 19.-
The Los Angeles county unemploy-
ment league will hold a mass demon
stration at Music Art Hall, 233 So.
Broadway, Sunday. Feb. 2Sth, at $3.50
p. m.
Speakers from central labor bodies.
labor unions and other workers organ
izations will be there-the colored
workers included, of course. A special
invitation is hereby extended to
Spanish speaking toilers.
State Senator Charles H. v. Lewis.
thirty-eight district California legis-
lature, has also been invited to ad.
dress the unemployed. He has ex-
pressed willingness to do his best for
the unemployed at Sacramento as well
as locally.
Parts Of letter that has been sent
to a number Of labor organizations
follows:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Owing to the unprecedented propa-
ganda which the Los Angeles chamber
OF commerce and allied organizations
have spread all over the United States
advertising the Los Angeles climate
opportunities for work, and favorable
means OF BODYBUILDING here--many
France Seeks Arrest
ETT