The daily worker., 1927-05-25
ProfessionaI Witnesses Against I.W.W.

Federation has been directed conspcuoualy against the
LW.W. migratory workers in California of whom
have been imprisoned under the criminal syndicasm
law for mere membership in the organization The
Federation employed two professional witnesses to tes
tfy in these trials
At a Washington meeting Of Representatives Of most
of the patriotic societies engaged in upholdng the
stitution and combating radicalsm, Dr. David Jayne
HILL former ambassador to Germany, thus addressed
the late Louis A. Coolidge of Boston the president of
a organization then holding its first convention
the Sentinels of the Republic:
"I a Sentinel of the Republic and am very
happy to Join your great army, Mr. Coolidge
The you have applied to this organization SEN
tnes of the Republic has in it sort Of battle cry
sound that ought to the whole of do not
any why the Sons Of the American Revou-
ton and the Daughters and the rest not all be
Sentinels think they should be- believe, Mr.. Presi-
dent, that this movement that you have started
offers more hope chan anything else have seen of
possible uniting OF strength and efforts of all these
good patriotic people, and if from central point of
view, you and those closely associated with you could
indicate what particular lines Of work and development
could be added to those which these various societies
doing, might greatly increase their efficiency
So I say: good cheer Brother Coolidge, and
thank you much for dreaming out this dream Of the
Sentinels of the Republic We will march with you
We are assigned the watch towers where you direct
and God help to be able to when you ask:
Waterman, tell US Of the night what are doing
and what seeand that the enemy has been overawed
and has retreated.' (Applause.)
Paying Business.
The most persistent and thorough going campaign OF
exposure of the forces of progress has appeared
daily in the "Searchlight' column of the New York
Commercial, edited by Fred R. Marvin who outdoes all
the professional patriots in lurd description He is
the author of several booklets whose contents and
style may be judged by their titles "The Menace of
Boshevsm, Underground with the Reds care These
Yours Friends ?" and My Country 'Ts of Thee" His
column is headed Data Subversve Movements
Against the American Governments Political and Labor
Radicals, Communists and Pinks'
The American Defense Society hasn't bothered dis
crminate at all in its onslaught Note the cathoicty
of Of its circular letters appealing for funds:
do you know that the radicals battle cry To He'll
with the government to He'll with the law to Hell with
the right Of any person to be possessed of any property
Hundreds of thousands of Reds in the United States
all Comrades, matter under which banner they
march--Anarchists Boshevists, IW.W's-all the
The Reds next weapon is the general
strike the first they win spells the beginning of
the end. Professional criminals will cooperate with
them"
The Better America Federation of Los Angeles goes
the Defense Society better in describing "bol
shevistic the public water works and public
ice commissions. Says the Federation in bulletin
headed $685." which it appears, save our
state:
eve believe that the protection of private property
and of private business is vital the progress Of this
state We believe that public ownership and public
control of business through multiplicity of boards and
commissions is socalstc and bolshevistc in tendency
Although the Better America Federation levels its
most openly at reds and pinks, fights at heart
the front of protection for privilege. It's support
comes largely from the power companies and public
utilities of southern California, and it them in
the guise of disnterested patriotism. In the course
of these efforts almost defeated in the legislature
bill to make corporations bear their fair share of the
taxes. It also attacked William Kent, former member
of Congress, a Bolshevik when he in 1920 for
the republican nomination for senator.
This mixture of patriotism anti-radicalism and prvi
legged business through the larger and stronger
organizations. With the exception of the National Sc
curity League only the small fry patriots prin
cipe. The National Civic Federation, for example,
represents conservative business in its opposition to
minimum wage laws child labor laws old age pensions
and welfare legislation.
Source of Their Support.
None of the organizations makes public its con-
tributors None makes any public financial report Of
income and expenditures not to its members.
All financial operations enveoped in secrecy. All
of them have refused to give the facts to interested
inquirers. Some have refused to give them to
members of their committees holding that those
facts the executive committee alone. Only two
Of the organizations endorsed by the National In
formation Bureau agency for advising prospective
contributors about the trusworhiness and management
Of organizations making public appeals for funds They
the National Security League and the National Asso
citation for Constitutional Government The others have
either refused to information hold that they do
not make public appeals for funds Their appeals to
selected lists apparently not regarded public.
This situation makes it difficult to state accurately
where they do get their money. They spend at the
lowest estimate S25OO00 a year that estimate being
salaried employees, and the of printing they do
The personnel Of their committees indicates that most
Of the money comes from very wealthy business
and corporations Some proof has come to light to
show these sources.
The congressional investigation of the National Sc
cury League in 1912 undertaken because the League
had spent large in trying to defeat congressman
whose patriotism not of the Leagues brand showed
among the larger contributors ranging from $700 to
100000"
Nicholas f. Brady, president Of the New York Ed