The daily worker., 1931-05-19
Hold City Conventions Against
Unemployment and Starvation

around the wrists Of the head of the family,
twisted the chains and held the starving worker
in this position while they threw his furniture
into the street.
Aloyse Meyer, steel cartel head, demanded
world wage cuts and lower standards of living
for the workers, at the meeting of the Inter-
national Chamber of Commerce at Washing
ton, D. C. Industrial leaders at the meeting
of the United States Chamber of Commerce
decided to launch wage cuts in the basic indus
tries.
Increasing starvation among the unemployed,
hunger. misery. sickness and death. This is
answered by the employers and their govern
ments with brutality, terror, lesSening relief,
fakery and graft Here is field for work, for
mobilization for immense struggles, an oppor-
tunity to win large masses of unemployed and
employed workers for our movement, unparalleled
in the history of our organizations. And yet,
since February 25 excepting in two or three
cities and excepting the May First demonstra-
tions no mass struggles against lessening re-
lief and increased starvation have occurred. This
failure to respond to the needs of the unem-
ployed, to lead counter -offensiVes against les
sening relief, starvation, wage cuts and pros
perity fakery, has already brought about dis
integration in our ranks. In the Boston dis
trict only one branch of unemployed workers
is functioning; in northern New Jersey only one
branch is barely existing; and Investigations may
uncover similar dwindling of our forces in other
parts of the country
We are much too slow in applying the addi-
tional activity indicated in the resolution of the
Trade Union Uniy League that of fighting
for food for starving families. This activity,
investigation of the conditions of families in
the neighborhoodS, ascertaining their demands,
mobilizing them for struggle, was intended to
root our movement deeply in workers neighbor-
hoods and thereby supply a mass base for strug-
giles for immediate relief for all the unem-
ployed and for unemployment insurance
In many cities this activity has not even been
started, and while our leading district COM
rades are discussing and delaying, the big issues
of intense interest to the unemployed, occur
ing in the city and nationally, have been en-
tirely lost sight of, have found no response in
our ranks. When lessening of relief by 40 per
cent in some cities and entire discrimination of
the little relief given in others, does not even
result in resolutions of protest by our branches
of unemployed workers. our TUUL organizations
and other workers organizations, then it be-
comes plain that our movement among the un-
employed remains crippled and wharped to say
the least
To bring about sharp correction of this stu
alton the Trade Union Unity League now calls
upon all workers organizations, together with
our branches of unemployed workers and dele
gates from all agencies and points where un-
employed workers gather, to hold City Conven-
tions to Fight Unemployment and Starvation
These conventions should be held within six
weeks. The call for these conventions, together
with the agenda and its elaboration will be sent
to any comrade interested and active in the un-
employed movement Address the Trade Union
Unity League, West Is Street, New York City