The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-10-30
By PAT DEVINE.

progressives of the northwest, is the
center OF one of the most important
political campaigns in the country.
Conditions here bear out fully the
Indictment of capitalist society con-
tanned in the National Platform of
the Workers (Communist) Party.
Boosted as the playground of the
northwest with it's 10000 lakes,
wonderful hunting preserves, a veri-
table paradise for the idle rich, we
nevertheless find poverty and unem-
ployment taking toll Of the work
ers and poor farmers.
The speed-up of Ford, sweat shop
conditions in packing plants, long
hours in lumber camps, together
with the exploitation Of the poor
farmers, make up direct contrast
to the ostentatious luxury of the
hunting camps.
Steel Trust Domination.
Dominating governors, judges,
legislatures-verily the whole life of
the state, stands the anti-labor open
shop steel trust. Feudal slavery.
,ong claimed to have passed awav.
will be with US so long as the United
States Steel controls as it does. Men
are not their own masters. Com
munities are bent hither and thither
as the will of all powerful Iron Ore
dictates. Privacy of the home, free
dom of speech and assemblage are
myths with the efficient steel trust
spy system feretting out ones most
inner thoughts. The post offices.
government institutions, cannot be
relied upon, as their most trusted
employees have been shown as spies
Of the steel trust.
To talk organization, go to a radi-
cal meeting, or read radical paper
is sufficient to bring down the
blacklist which means, in effect. to
cut off from the working class fami-
lies the right to live. The rich soil
of the state, by right the property
OF all the people, is handed over to
the trust by their agents in gov
eminent positions. Whilst owning
much land, the trust exploits the
leased land first, being afraid a
move might materialize for taking
1t away from them. They are sup
posed to pay taxes on this land but
always are maneuvering, buying off
politicians like Chauncey Paterson
(famer-labor legislator and steel
trust spy in order to circumvent
such payment.
Towns are moved overnight to
make way for the greedy maws Of
the steel trust shovel searching for
rich ore deposits. When the work
ers attempt organization, the terri
tory is turned into an armed camp.
lnJunctions, police, state troopers
and specials" ruthlessly club and
kill the strikers. The trust sweeps
aside or compels to do its bidding
the straw men who officer the var
lous legislatures. Only a powerful.
well organized working class can
meet and defeat the steel trust
bosses.
Backus, Power Magnate.
Backus, the lumber magnate, is
noted for his efficiency in corrupt
ing legislatures and depressing the
masses of workers. Low wages, long
hours and speed-up are features of
his plants. AS always, farmer-labor
leaders are not beyond reach of this
powerful influence.
Today we hear much talk about
the raising of the water level on the
border. This is just conflict of
interests between Backus and the
steel trust. One wants the water
raised to insure his industries a
of power and the others
a minimum of power, and vice-versa
The corrupt trade union leadership
of International Falls lines up with
whilst that of Duluth lines
up with the steel trust, The work.
ers gain nothing either way.
Whilst the country is supposed to
!