The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-04-16
BY 1. ANITER

THE hunger marches to the state capitols re-
present a higher stage in the development of
the struggle Tor unemployment insurance, and
therefore their results politically and organiza-
tionaIly, must be closely studied.
The marches to Trenton and Albany, starting
ON February % and 25 respectively, and among
the first that were organized in this country,
show that the unemployed workers are ready not
only to demonstrate in the cities, but to undergo
hardships in the fight for unemployment in
surance They show that the unemployed workers
and the employed workers too, are filled with
a sense Of discipline that is extraordinary The
workers on these two marches understood the
political aspects Of the march and the rebuff
in Trenton and Albany did not surprise them.
In organizing the marches, it was clear that
considerable organizational work had to be done
prior to the march. The plan of march had to
be carefully worked out; the route had to be
selected, the stops and lay-overs be measured
and fixed and provision had to be made for food
and shelter This was done by two comrades
one for the Workers International Relief, and
the other for the Trade Union Unity League.
The former went along the route mapping out
and making arrangements for lodging and food,
while the other organized unemployed councils
along the route.
The response for food and lodging for the
marches both on the way to Trenton and AL
bany, was remarkable. In some places Workers
International Relief groups were set up. In
others, where there were no contacts previous to
the march, and where the workers were init
Undated, provision was made secretly for food at
a restaurant, the workers helping to supply the
money; in others, for the marchers to put up
in the homes of the workers. On both marches,
good unemployed councils were formed the
workers not only demonstrating in their respec-
tive cities and towns for unemployment relief,
but also preparing the workers Of the city for
the reception Of the marchers as they passed
through
The march was one succession of enthusiasm
The Albany march starting from New York City,
departed from Union Square, marching up Broad
way to And Street. through the heart of the city
There the men boarded trucks, which were pro-
vided for the long country stretches, and then
proceeded on the way to Albany. Everywhere,
beginning with New York, the marchers were
the recipients of cheers and ovations. Further
along the -Yonkers-where the state cos
sacks began to interfere the workers of the
towns were inundated. The marcherS were not
allowed to get out of the trucks, once they par
ticipated in the mass meeting arranged by the
Workers Ex-SerVicemen'S League in Yonkers. The
state troopers forced them to keep going along
the road despite the fact that they had per-
INIT to hold meetings in several places. But what
does state trooper care about a permit? What
does he care about the fact that he has no
authority in city or town. but only along the
highway? He has gun in his pocket, long
baton in his hand, and that is the LAW!
Nevertheless, along the route, meetings were
held in the cities before factories in the squares
Everywhere the workers greeted the marchers on
their entrance to the city, accompanied them
through the city, to the meeting place. Every
where, they gathered round the marchers, asking
questions, telling them about conditions in the
factories of their towns the unemployment stu
alton, ETC. At night, it was difficult to send
them away, they continued to speak and ask
questions.