Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1934-11-16

John Reed Club Fiction
By
Joseph Sigmund

%shipowners have skillfully turn.
ed the public sentiment against
the strikers. using your organic
alton as a means to their bastard
ly end. Now Bonnie or none of
the other leaders had anything
to do with the beating of your
pickets." He paused, apparently
in anguish at the thought of the
mess caused by the shipowners.
IF your union issues such a
statement attacking the mems
leaders-ean you not see what
an injustice it will be?"
Lingrel reached into a pigeon
hole as he spoke, took out a pad.
He flourished his fountain pen
over it and scrawled briefly,
tearing off the sheet he had
written on. The strike is not
very old. So far your union has
not attacked the leaders of the
lOngshoremen. The men respect
their leaders and such a step TAX
en- by you fellows would certain
ly arouse bad feeling against
your organization"
That's the trouble in the
past. We didn't tell the long
shoremen, enough about their
leadership. If we don't do it
now, it cans the unity of the
workers is broken and the strike
will be sold out"
"Zari, if matters continue as
at present, the situation will
become, despite the good inten-
tions of you men, a precarious
one for your union, to say the
least. The longshOremen have
elected their leaders and have
confidence in them. An attack
on them would rebound to your
detriment. It's a sad possibility"
The lawyer sighed, gazed at the
piece of paper he had written on.
He famed his face with it and
Intercepted Zari, Have you had
any luck so far today collecting
money!"
Il think about seven dollars"
swell, Zari," Lingrel said, "as l
said a while ago, admire you
men. You've got spunk and L
would gladly contribute" He
held out the piece of paper he
had written on. Zari saw that it
was a check for twenty dollars,
made out to the revolutionary
union. Il would gladly show that
my admiration is not confined
to words as this little check
shows. But if your union is going
to follow the policy you have
outlined, l can't do anything. Not
understand, that my opinion has
been changed as to the high in
tegrity and sincerity of you fell
lows, but because of errors in
tactics you are making. l look
upon it as an example of eager
ness to win provoking an unclear
ly thought out policy. 1t is to be
! hoped that you alter your views"
''Mr. Lingrel, L came here be-
cause l heard you were a friend
of the strikers and would prob
ably be glad to help us out. You
sent some food and cigarettes
down to our kitchen a few days
ago and didn't have any ques-
lions asked about our unions
tactics"
Eyes, Zari, true, very true.
However, at that time you fell
lows had not developed such
ideas as those you now think it
proper to put into practice. Con-
found it," the lawyer rubbed his
clenched fists through his hair,
that's just where We are at vari-
ance. It's a crime!"
Zari was rising, folding his col
lection list, taking his hat. The
lawyer stared disconsolately at
the floor and then rose. He grab
bed Zari's hand. IF l can assist
you personally at any time, will
gladly do So"
Zari went out. Fool" heatedly
calculated LingreL Signing, he
dropped into his chair. "Prosti-
tute," Zari ground out between
gritting teeth, and he resumed
his round.