The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-05-13
YOU'RE A LIAR, MRDOAK"

mems League, who told Mr. Doak that his or
ganiZatior, containing men who had fought for
capitalist profits in the last war, were no longer
willing to submit to such politicians as he. The
fourth was George Primoff, OF the International
Workers Order, representing $4,000 workers, all
OF whom, Pr1moff said, demand Edith Berkman'S
release
Then Marie LeGrand, little factory girl, re-
presenting the National Textile Workers Union
in Lawrence, Massachusetts, who had gone on
strike there under Edith Berkman's leadership
informed Mr.. Doak that the union then built up
would never let up in their demand for Berk-
mans release. eff necessary" she said, well
march here to Washington, thousands OF us, and
demand at your very doors that the persecution
of our leader be ended" Carl Hacker spoke for
the International Labor Defense, presenting
clearly and convincingly the role OF the De-
partnent OF Labor in strikes, In every effort Of
workers at protest against increasing starvation.
Jack Conroy, National Textile Workers Union
delegate from Providence, r. l., read in full from
the Congressional Record tissue OF March q
1882 a letter from Mrs. Anna Tillinghast, one
Of Mr.. Doak's most active agents in the Bureau
Of immigration, which stated explicitly that the
aim of the Department OF Labor in their de-
portation campaign was to get rid of Communist
problem Mr.. Doak and his advisers were much
distributed at the presentation of the letter.
Conroy declared to Mr.. Doak, MY ancestors
fought in 1776 under a red flag, and I can tell
you that I am ready in 1882 to fight under the
red flag"
Saul Horwatt, secretary Of the Council for
the Protection OF the Foreign Born and organizer
OF the delegation, pointed out to Mr.. Doak that
he, as Secretary of Labor, was originally in
tended, supposedly, to act as protector Of labor
but instead Of that his whole time had been
giyen-to what? To prosecuting poor workers,
dividing families, ruthlessly putting down every
effort of these workers to better themselves
workers who had been working for years in
our hardest industries, and had contributed their
quota to American industry, had helped in fact
to build up the very buildings in which Mr..
Doak's luxurious offices were located These
workers it was whom Mr.. Doak exerted all the
power of his department to terrorize and deport
When Joseph North. editor Of the Labor De-.
fender, challenged Mr.. Doak at the end of the
interview with the fact of the class actuality of
his departments entire activities pointing out
that the deportation program was nothing other
than part Of the capitalist warfare against and
oppression of the working-class, Mr.. Doak who
had become increasingly angry at his exposure
before the press, denied that he was opposed to
the working class. He was union member
himself, he said-in tAe railroad brotherhoods
a reactionary organization though he did not
explain this-and, he declared, Il never deport
anyone just because he's Red, or because he
has revolutionary IDEAS"
At this point Ann Burlak broke in again.
you said / lied when I stated that you had
sold out your union," she said, "but now I must
say this, when you make the claim that you are
not opposed to Reds because OF their revolu-
tionary IDEAS you're liar"
Mr.. Doak Ieaped to his feet, shaking with rage
A policeman rushed across the room to seize
Burlak. The delegates closed in around Burlak
to protect her. An uproar threatened.
But Mr.. Doak's legal advisers restrained him.
He hestated, waved the policeman back, sat
down weakly.
"ThiS is our last speaker" Ann Burlak now
said, "but before we CO. we want categorical
answer from you, yes or no, will you do anything
to help Edith Berknan'S release? You admit that
you have the power to withdraw the warrant of
her arrest, even though she is technically in the
courts hands. Will you do anything for her? Yes
or Mol" And she banged her fist on Mr.. Doak's
polished glass-topped desk.
Mr.. Doak shouted back in uncontrolled rage,
moi"
That's all, Mr.. Doak" said Ann, and the
delegates walked out
But the workers will not accept this answer
Deportation Doak's strike breaking and labor
hating role is thus by his latest action, further
glar1ngly exposed. Throughout the country, in
creasing masses Of workers and working class
organizations will demand the immediate release
Of Edith Berkman, now in tSe sixth day of her
hunger strike.