The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-09-05
Innoeent. But HeId Sc Weeks.

Innocent, But Held SIX weeks.
Editor, DAILY WORKER:
A recent case brings to light an old
problem. A laborer was arrested on
a charge of assault. Unable to OBJ
tain bail, he was held in' the Tombs
for six weeks awaiting trial. After
reviewing all the facts of the case
as his lawyer, was convinced Of his
innocence. The jury promptly ac-
quilted him and he walked out OF
court a free man-but without en-
ployment, without funds and having
acquired an unacceptable stigma. 1t
will be no easy task for him to re-
instate himself in his small circle.
Is it not possible that this man,
distressed and embittered, may now
turn to the dishonest practices which
he may we'll have learned in prison
and then really become menace to
society? Would it not be a good
public policy for the State to give
such man a small sum of money? Of
course, this suggestion is not intended
for every acquitted defendant. But
in the exceptional case where the trial
Judge is convinced that the accused
has undoubtedly suffered grave in
justice, is he not entitled to some
consideration?-Allan Taub.
=
ED. NOTE-The case cited is but
one example of the whole scheme of
legal procedure under the capitalist
system The machinery of Justice
is not concerned with the welfare of
human beings but in grinding out tina
details of the court routine.
Of course, it would be "a good
policy for the state to give small
amount of money" to the victim of
its brutality, but it would be contrary
to the whole spirit of vengeance which
dominates the courts.
1t might be of interest to our CORE
spondent to know that in the Soviet
Union even those convicted of a crime
are paid regular wages, the major
portion of which goes to their de-
pendents on the outside. And when
they are released from prison are
given sum of money to enable them
to reestablish themselves as workers.
Traction Worker Tells How Men Feel
Editor, DAILY WORKER:
am traction worker employed
by the Interboro Rapid Transit Co.
and a member of the Amalgamated
Association. When it became clear
to me that we were going on strike
l was more glad than l have ever
been for | knew that by striking we
would gain our demands.
Then on Tuesday l noticed in the
afternoon papers that the strike was
called off. When I read the report of
the so-called settlement" l was very
disappointed for l knew that our
leaders had not acted in our in
terest.
Hears Jazz Mayor Lauded.
In the evening l went to the mass
meeting at the Brooklyn Labor Ly-
ceum. As soon as the meeting started
I saw that it was all a camouflage
with the plain purpose of throwing
sand in the eyes of the honest rank
and file to hide the betrayal. One
after the other the leaders" got up
and told us what good boy our
mayor, jim Walker, is and that he
never touched a fly on the wall, and
that he is friend of labor etc.
For the first time saw the fat
belHed lad, Mr.. Hugh i'rayne, He
mazda a @7od speech full of acrobatic
tricks. All Of them spoEe lot and
said nothing BY the appearance Of
the menI saw that they were all dis
gusted with the talk Of nothing and
the meeting seemed to drown in
silence for a monAnt until lin Walsh
got on the platform and moved that
we should strike till we had written
agreement with the traction barons.
Walsh Squelched.
The leaders on tho stage i'm
medietely passed word to one Of the
Strong guys" to 20 after jim. They
knew that the men wero oil in favor
Of Walsh's motion SO they wouldn't
recognize him. Then some one else