The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-07-04
Shoe
Official Ignores
Debate Challenge
By a Worker Correspondent

q AnIA OOHANShsoAAN1N
BOSTON, Mass.-A meeting of
shoe workers was called by the
Communist Party in Boston to dis
cuss steps to be taken to defeat the
wage-cut agreement that Lovestone
officials in the United Shoe and
Leather Union are attempting to
put over the next 1s months.
Marine Brandolini. of HaverhiIl,
welI-known Communist, member
and recently chairman of the Joint
Council of Haverhill, reported on
how Hallett, the representative of
the General Co-ordinating Commit
tee and at present member of the
G. E. B. of the union promised the
bosses that the union would not ask
for any wage increases if only they
would recognize the union; and how
after the strike, the Hallett-Zim-
norman forces elevated some of the
vigilantes to positions OF leadership
in the union He also nailed the
lies spread by the Lovestonites
among the shoe workers OF Boston
and elsewhere that the Communists
in Haverhill are responsible for the
present situation. He further pre-
sented facts to prove that the gem
eral officials and the Hallett-Zim-
norman forces were the ones who
at the suggestion of their Socialist
and A. F. of L. lawyer Bearak put
over the 18-months wage-cutting
agreement.
Following Brandolini spoke Myer
Klarfeld, Communist, of Boston,
known to the shoe workers because
of the numerous struggles led by
him in many shoe shops in Boston
and his courageous fight against the
strikebreaking Boot and Shoe and
at present against the misleader-
ship of United" officials and the
renegades. He pointed out that the
policy of the union officials led by
Zimmerman to submit to the attacks
of the bosses, and the competition
with Nolan and the former "Protec-
tive" as to who will deliver the shoe
workers for less wages, will ruin
the union.
N. Sparks, District Organizer of
the Communist Party, pointed out
that since organizationally we are
in a better position than the work
ers in many industries, we should
consolidate our union forces to de-
feat the attacks of the bosses.
When the chairman announced a
question period, the renegade zim-
norman arose, attempting to take
over the floor. The chairman in
formed him that the first question
would be answered and later any,
one who asks for the floor will get
a chance to speak.
Zimmerman and his supporters,
G. E. B. members. local business
agents, some local officials and
would-be officials started row,
insisting that Zimmerman be given
a chance to defend himself. The
chairman Immediately made a
statement that Zimmerman con-
stantly monopolizes the floor at the
union meetings, that this meeting
was called by the Party, not for the
purpose of listening to an hours
speech by Zimmerman, but to dis
cuss with the rank and file shoe
workers.
Sparks challenged Zimmerman to
debate the question at issue at any
time before the largest possible
gathering of shoe workers. For more
than half an hour Zimmerman and
his supporters insisted on his speak
ing. trying to take ever the meeting
or to provoke fist fight. After
they failed in both objects, they
Withdrew to another hall. The rank
and file shoe workers remained at
the meeting where questions and
discussion followed for more than
an hour.
The challenge of the organizer of
the Communist Party to debate with
Zimmerman stands. 1t remains to be
seen whether Mr. Zimmerman will
accept it. Whether or not he will
accept. the Communist Party will
take further steps to solidify the
ranks of the shoe workers against
the attacks Of the bosses and their
agents within the ranks of the shoe
workers