The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-06-26
The Wisconsin Hunger March

THE Hunger March of Wisconsin afforded vol
umes of experience for the working class. Due
TO the mass pressure, the socialist mayor of Ia
cine was compelled to feed the marchers at
noon, June 13. A section of the rank and file
members Of the Racine S, P. quit the socialist
party and joined the unemployed branch on ac-
count of the hunger march.
A permit to march and hold street meetings.
not only in Racine but in every town or city on
the Milwaukee and Racine line, was granted by
the city officials. And in Elktown GAINESVILLE and
Watertown, the city officials were compelled to
feed the marchers.
Thousands Greet Marchers!
Thousands of workers and farmers came out
to greet the hunger marchers and hear the de-
mands to the state legislature. The capitalist
papers were obliged to print big head lines with
our demands due to this mass pressure mani
tested by the working class. The whole country
side was aroused and hundreds of Daily Work
ers, Labor Unities and pamphlets were sold and
given away to the workers
Many unforeseen obstacles arose, such as lack
of food and housing in Madison, etc. The men
Immediately set up food and housing commit
tees, which functioned very quickly. Real work
ing class discipline prevailed at all times both
when marching through various towns and dur
ing the time the marchers stayed in Madison.
They marched in a military fashion, carrying
signs shouting slogans for social insurance and
ex-servicemen playing the leading role.
Shortcomings.
There are many shortcomings and mistakes to
be noted, chief among which are: insufficient
time for preparation, which was mainly due to
the Milwaukee Section Committee which was
discussing the hunger march for many weeks
with only two weeks of real preparation. The
sc. failed to call broad united front confer
ence in order to involve as many workers
CARNATIONS possible and to set up commit
tee which was to carry on activities for the
march Not one mass organization was in,
volved. An emergency conference was called,
but it did not materialize. Not enough press re-
leases to the workers press, and not sufficient
numbers of Negro and women workers involved
in the march We failed to send out scouts weeks
in advance to mobilize the workers behind the
hunger march. Only few open air meetings were
held and no local struggles created. We failed to
visit the ALL. locals and to get them to en-
dorse the hunger march Not one unemployed
branch organized.
The return of the marchers was disorderly.
Meetings were not held to report to the work.
ers as TO the results of the hunger march, in va
rious towns. Due to the failure of the delegation
of Is, which was elected to present the demands
W tilc lcSloldbulc, W IepOIG 10 JHe munger
rrarchers as to the results of the delegation in
the state capitol the marchers did not know the
answer of LaFollette to their demands.
The Superior Section Committee failed 100
per cent to cooperate with the Milwaukee COM
rades. They were notified a month in advance,
sbout the march, yet it took them two weeks to
a~ewer our first letter. Under the excuse that
there was not sufficient time to prepare, they
sent five unemployed workers hitch-hiking to