The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-17

AHCTiSds
The latest attempt to rid Italy Of
The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini
has revived working class interest in
tascism and particularly with the re-
suit of the black shirt reign since the
eventful march on Rome in. November
1922. -,a.,
That the great majority Of the Ital-
ian workers and peasants are opposed
to the fascist regime is beyond ques'
ton but they are held down by fascist
bayonets and able to make their
voices felt only with the greatest diff
ficulty.
Bourgeois writer's who visit Italy
are continually, writing glowing ac-
counts Of the fascist regime and elo-
quently lying about the economic con
ditions OF that country and the
'peace" that prevails there.
}i Getting The Facts.
With the object Of getting the facts
Of the situation before its readers
The DAILY WORKER sought an in
terview with L. Candida, an Italian
born worker, secretary of the Chicago
branch Of the Anti-Fascist Alliance
of North America and an authority on
the fascist movement in Italy:
The first question asked Of L. Can
della was: At
"What is the internal composition
of the fascist party?"
ut is heterogeneous body from the
point of view of the social groups that
have formed the party" he replied.
1.-THE workers represent from Is to 20
per cent. There are small merchants
and middle-class elements which form
the greatest percentage. Another
group is composed Of the industrial
and financial lords. Altho this group
is in a minority it is the real dominant
factor in the party today. In the be-
ginning the fascist party was dom
mated by the middle class elements.
After the march on Rome the consery-
alive elements, most of them of the
Giolitti group, Joined the fascist party
and since then the internal policy of
the party was directed to giving full
power to the industrial and financial
group-the owners of heavy industry
and the big agrarians The political
figure of this group is Hon. Federzoni,
member of Mussolini cabinet
Weak In The South.
"In the southern part of Italy the
fascist party is very weak. But it
governs by means of projects. The
members of the fascist party here are
either state employees or aristocrats.
The bourgeoisie in this party of the
country is not united There is no
unity politically or economically.
WHO Who are the real rulers CT the
fascist party?" was the next question.
Ruled BY Government.
Candida declared that the fascist
party was governed thru government
ministers and projects" He said.
"There are rules which prohibit the
members to discuss any political ques-
ton. All the activities of the fascist
members are directed towards organ
izing social affairs and entertainments
for the benefit of the fascist treasury.
Members of the party are never allow
ed to discuss proposed laws, in fact
their first acquaintance with new
law comes from reading about it in
the paper. There is much dissatisfac-
ton among the members because of
the pressure of the big industrial and
finance capitalists who dominate the
organization.
New Fascist DEGREES.
what are the new laws that have
been recently passed or decreed by
the fascist government, and how did
the masses receive them" Candida
was asked. --...---...-
"The principal DEGREES issued lately
were the abolition of parliament, the
substitution of workers trade unions
by fascist corporations in which the
workers and employers are, supposed
to collaborate with the help of the gov
eminent. The nine-hour law which
was forced on the workers without an
increase in wages and the detested
podesta system thru which local gov
eminent officials are appointed from
the center at Rome, and which has
stripped the masses of every vestige
of elective power hitherto held by
them. The latest measures regulate
the production of bread, the closing
Of dance halls in working class dis
tricts, and prohibition of vacations
All those drastic DEGREES give the lie
to the fascist boast that Mussolini
is solving the economic crisis in Italy
ha Workers Are Indignant.
b 1.-THE workers have not received
those laws with pleasure contrary to
fascist publicity" Candida declared.
''On the contrary they we're received
with indignation by the workers, farm
ers. middle class elements and peas
ants. Fascism is exerting every nerve
to keep internal dissension secret but
am in position to give the facts
of the real situation" so ss@s
Candida then produced several type
written, mimeographed and printed
documents issued by peasant and