davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04

nected with the Welfare Council Of
New York City, lis not by any
means worse than might be told Of
many other hospitals. But because
Of the struggle now developing
there, the Lebanon situation de-
serves special attention"
The special attention" it got was
from the hospital authorities as well
as from readers of the Monthly
Review. Superintendent Halpern
had, until then, refused to see the
Workers Council, although they had
phoned, written, and petitioned for
an interview. The following demands
were made last March by the Coun-
Gill; as representa- the main griev-
ances in the hospital.
Full restoration of the wage
scale of all workers at Lebanon
Hospital and Dispensary as Of De-
cember, 1881. (Thers has been rise
in the cost living CT % per cent
without any compensatory rise in
salary. When workers received cslts,
the census at Lebanon Hospital was
approximately about so and nav has
risen to approximately 150 which
means that the tempo of work has
increased almost three times with
out any additional remuneration
and without any additional help)
PA full day of per week for
maintenance workers.
3-Revision of contract and aboli-
ton Of the vacation agreement. The
vacation period Is justif1ably a re-
ward for services rendered by the
workers during the past year,.
IN a letter received on November
! 81, hospital worker writes;
Il am enclosing a copy of the
Bulletin which was posted in our
dining rooms today during lunch
hour.
Il think it is decided victory to
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04

flllment and happiness, do not
stand out from the general back
ground even as shadows Of reality.
For this bad play, Donald Oen-
slayer designed imaginative, mag
nificent scenery. built on varied
levels These settings should have
inspired Lee Strassberg, the direc-
tor; there were endless opportunities
on these cleverly contrived levels
for forceful and significant group
ings. But the director makes almost
no use of them, except as decora-
ton. A case in point is the sweep
ing staircase in scene three. 1t
stands before the audience for a
good thirty minutes, dramatic in
way the play never is-and the
only use Mr.. Strassberg can make
of it is to have Guy Button sur
reptitiously walk down once upon
it.
The acting of individuals of the
Group was in general undressing,
composed, like the play, only of
surface minutiae; the groupings
were routine and unexciting. Brom-
berg's show OF robustness and
strength looks more like petulance
in the first scene. He grows in
stature in the second and in the
third, then frequently overacts for
the remainder of the play. Even
in his best moments, we never for
get Bromberg the actor under the
makeup of Guy Button.
I HAVE been harsh with this play.
I might have been kinder if
another, less important theatre or
garization had produced it. But
the Group Theatre has expressed
serious esti1etic and social pur-
poses. When they stray so far
from their expressed standards in
their choice OF play and in its
production, it is time for them to
halt. and to analyze the causes
Of their failure in the basic terms
of their conceptions of the theatre
and of dramaturgy.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
BY MURIEL RUKEYsER

QUICK, decisive action followed the
Y publication of an article de-
manding workers rights this week.
Several days after the appearance of
the December Monthly Review,
which carried a feature story by
Mildred Stock on the situation
among the Lebanon Hospital Work
ers, bulletin was posted in the
hospital dining rooms during lunch
hour. The magazine story had
stated the case of Lebanon's en-
ployees in a summary form, telling
about the apparently illegal contract
that has to be signed by every work
er before his engagement. about
maintenance conditions and the
contrast between Superintendent
Halpern's living problems and those
of the people whom he hires, and
telling Of the year-long struggle for
restoration and enlargement Of hos
pital rights.
"The story of their grievances, -
said Mildred Stock Cherself con
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Quick Action Follows
Exposure of Hospital
Conditions in Article

have two Of our demands met even
before an interview. OF course,
this action came directly after his
CAlr. Halpern's) receiving a copy Of
the Monthly Review which we also
sent to Mr.. Well (the President Of
the Board Of Managers of the Hos
pital-Ed0-and we posted copy
Of it, too, in our doctors staff room.
You can tell Oakley Johnson and
Joseph Koven that they have done
us an inestinable service in pub
fishing this article for us. The mag
azine was very wellreceived.
Results like these are far moro
gratifying than mere thank yous.
Despite this victory, however, we
still did not get our initial request
met-that is, for an audience with
the 'pope-and We are now deter
mined more than ever to continue
agitating until we get our inter-
view.
we are holding a general menu
bership meeting together with the
steering committee Of the A. F. W.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
A ROCKFORD, ILL. WORKERS
SCHOOL.

A very successful conference was
held last Sunday to discuss and out
line a plan of action for the eStab-
lishment of a Rockford Workers
School. The conference decided to
go out and raise funds, committees
we're elected and everyone at the
conference was very enthusiastic.
Glasses in Principle of Commu-
nism, Problems of Trade Union
Work, Organization Principles and
History of the American Labor
Movement are to be taught. Glasses
will be given three nights a week
for ten weeks.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
t U n I N G. IN

II o-WEAF-Kings Guard quartet
WOR-Sports Resume-Ford Friek
WJz--Anos N Andy-sketoh
wABC-Myrt and Maree-sketch
7:15-WEAF-To Be Announced
WOR-Comedy Music
wJz-Tintype Tenor
WABC-Just Plain Bill--Sketeh
o-wEAF--Community Foundations -
Colonel Leonard P. Ayres, Vice Pres
ident Cleveland Trust Company:
Ralph Hayes. Director New York
Community Trust
WoR-Harry Stockwell, Baritone
WJz--Edsar Guest, Poet; Charles
Sears, Tenor; Concert Orchestra
WABC-Jerry Cooper, Baritone
4;45-WEAF'-Vaughn de Leath, Songs
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
SEATTLE WORKERS SCHOOL
OPENS WINTER TERM

The Seattle Workers School, 2O2
Collins Building, started its winter
term on Monday evening, December
3rd. The term will last IL weeks.
For the present, five courses will be
taught. Fundamentals of Commu-
nism, MARKHAM Economics, Party Or
ganization, Trade Union Strategy
Labor Journalism. A good deal of
interest has been shown by workers
organizations and indications are
that the size of the enrolment will
be ENCOURAGING. Registration is now
going on, 25 cents for full twelve
week course in any one subject is
the fee for those who are unem-
ployed and Sl00 for the employed.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
WORKERS SCHOOL IN
MILWAUKEE

Registration is now going on at
the Milwaukee Workers School, 113
East Wells Street. Courses to be CIV
en- are: Communism, Marxism-Len-
inism, Political Economy, Trade
Union Problems, Organization Prin-
ciples, and many Others. A special
course for boys and girls from the
ages Of II to Is will be given in
Science and History.
The terms begins December 10th.
The comrades are confident that
this newly organized Workers School
will be great success.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Unit Assignment
BY WIN LIE

ED WIN ROLF E
Now the beginning: the block divided
choose my tenement
press bells that do not ring, ascend
by feeling stairs where no lamps shed
light to guide a stranger and am led
by banisters toward door,
Again a futile bell knock
hear the scufling through the wood, voice
gruf and questioning explain.
Enter Am home.
This is my block" I say 1t is.
Gust four doors down" And this" he says
"is my wife, and this my son. my daughter
Here is the living room"
He clears the best chair for me,
momentary host curious proletarian;
the family-my son, my daughter-gather
around me, listen to the familiar word
Communist falling from unfamiliar lips
Strange too they must have mused
its sound is good when he says it
and what he says it means is good.
The evening passes quickly: tea is drunk
from glasses, cups, an old cheese jar.
My host John Winter ffty-four
asks questions listens, deep in thought
tell him what know, cite
stories in The Daily, demonstrate
items killed, never to appear
elsewhere. What is this?" he asks
the word unity is in his brain.
My son, my daughter listen too.
They who were most suspicious now
join us, and all I say
enters them in images of food,
Of job, the wanted weekly pay.
They too see what I mean is good.
The skyscraper bells ring out eleven
leave copy Of The Daily Am asked
again to spend evening with them Rise
John Winter walks to the door, holds
my hands in his moment, saving good night
These things you were saying
They're good"
He fumbes for words
II shall return say.
Reprinted from New Rer
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
December Issue
Of NeqV Pioneer
LiVely AS EVer
THE NEW PIONEER. December,
1884. Five cents.
Reviewed by
ELLA REEVE BLOOR

THE current number of this
magazine for children fulflls its
established reputation. as being
"just about the best achievement"
along the lines Of magazine publ
cation we have registered anywhere.
Letters from important critics in
other countries inform me: THE
'grown-ups' like the New Pioneer
so much we read it all, from cover
to cover
Some of our own comrades fail
to realize, however, Just what the
coming of this magazine means to
hundreds Of children, eager, in
teAgent, boys and girls.
First, how jolly and attractive the
cover looks, with Lefty and his pal!
Then the older ones will read every
word Of Jack Psrker's story Of the
Life of Dimitrov. Real history, in
popular style without the fault
so many writer's have of talking
down" to young folks. Jack takes
it for granted he is talking to un-
Outstanding, wide-awake boys and
girls.
Next comes Comrade Amter's
story about Social Insurance. When
I saw the title it seemed almost too
dry for youngsters-but 10 and be-
hold Comrade Amter knows how
to get attention. He starts off like
this Look at Dads face! How can
he smile when he cannot get a
job?", etc. Then Bill Choppers
Mother Goose pictures for Pioneers
are certainly funny and original,
especially with THE N. R. Az,
"Cock-a-doodle-dor, mo dinner.
no dollar, a threat and a holler"
verses by Ned Dom.
THE Order Of the Miraculous
Star" by Tulisha Dorsy reveals the
fact that our young writer's will
soon be sought for by the New
Masses. They certainly can pro-
duce thrills.
Victor Cutler, a boy I used to
know in Los Angeles, went to Mos
COW this Summer. We met him on
the boat coming back from France.
He was just bursting with enthu-
slasm about the youth of the
U.S.S.R. and their cultural achieve
ments. He tells in the December
New Pioneer the interesting story
Of the play MIX" given at the
Moscow Children's Theatre.
The prize Christmas poem by
Vera Esen, 10, ends with plea
for a real United Front of children
Gentle and Jew
Negro and white
All in a mass
We will unite
For free food we will fight
And we won't stop til,
yes you bet
Til the U.S.A. is Soviet"
Then there is a News Story, a
real feature story, Fired" It is
the story of the teacher Sylvia
Ettinger who was fired for feeding
hungry children. Letters tell this
story, chiefly the letters of the
children. Their letters to Mayor
LaGuardia form very vital part
of this vivid sketch.
There is the usual excellent
Science and Nature and letters
OF greeting to Canada and Cuba.
Bright brief stories from our own
Pioneers enliven the DEAR CON-
RADE EDITOR page Then there
is book list for children.
"Laffs' sent in by the children
themselves really funny wise
cracks-and other features, plus an
attractive makeup, make a very
good issue of our New Pioneer. We
older comrades can surely see to
it that every child we know has a
copy for Christmas.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Reviewed by
LEON ALEXANDER

A GREAT many of our readers
n will probably see this play in
the next few weeks when various
labor organizations have planned
benefits at the Morosco Theatre;
they may be impressed with the sur
face excellencies of the play and
disagree with this estimate. I feel
therefore, that I owe both the au-
diences and the Group a careful
critical evaluation, even though it
may involve a statement of ele-
mentery theological and critical con-
cepts.
The author, Melvin Levy, has
chosen to deal with the turbulent,
formative period of American i'm
perialisnl, and to tell his story in
the terms of one mans rise to
power. That man is Gold Eagle"
Guy Button who begins in 1852 as
seaman, decides early in his life
that he will be a rich man. gains
possession Of a small steamship line
in 1864 and through continuous ag-
grandizement builds that small
company into the Gold Eagle
Steamship Company" which by
1905. when the play ends, controls
the commerce of this country with
the Orient.
A truly magnificent theme. The
play is not therefore bad in the
sense that the average Broadway
offering is. It's story at least is
not trivial and shopworn. But hav-
ing chosen a significant theme, the
author and the producers have
turned it into an incompetent,
swashbuckling romantic play. Every
significant and important social
factor has been omitted for the
sake Of far-fetched, violent episodes
which strain probability to the
breaking point.
GUY BUTTON energies as unique
figure, solitary phenomenon,
a freak, a sport of nature. Nowhere
do appear woven into the texture
OF the play dramatically expressed
and not merely talked about, those
social circumstances that made Guy
Button possible. There were other
men in that period, equally grasp
ing, equally ruthless, who were
creating even vaster industrial en-
pires, and with whom Guy Button
must have come into contact, fought
and compromised with. There were
the spectators, the gamblers, the
vultures who during that period
tried to grasp into their hands every
rising industry of the young nation.
There is nothing of them in the
story which Melvin Levy has writ
ten. Guy Button lives and acts
in a historical vacuum composed
of magnificent sets and costumed
puppets.
And what about Guy Buttons
relations to the workers who
manned his ships, his docks, his
warehouses? What was the effect
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
WORLD of the THEATRE

upon them of the crisis of 1879
which almost wrecked the financial
structure of San Francisco. and
from which Guy Button emerged
as a banking power? What were
their dealings with Button In that
time of suffering, of unemployment,
OF starvation? The workers are
never seen, and only vaguely heard
Of, in the third scene.
But the worst of Melvin Levy's
omissions, one that amounts to a
miSconstruction of history and
which carries with it some dan
gerouS implications, occurs in the
fourth scene. This is the badly told
story of Guy Buttons struggle with
the newly-risen competition of jap
anese shipping interests, subsidized
by the japanese government. Seek
ing a short cut to the creation of
a shipping industry, the japanese
offer to purchase Guy Buttons fleet,
or threaten ruinous competition if
he refuses. The harm done in that
scene lies not only in the portrayal
Of the Japanese-the author makes
of him stock, oily Oriental, that
scarecrow created by the yellow
Peril" theorists, while by contrast
Button stands forth as a fortnight
American business man-but. by
omission, we are left to imply that
the U. S. government adopted a
hands-off policy, and remained
strictly neutral in conflict that
involved the control of the Pacific.
Guy Button stands staunchly alone
against the japanese government
and to save his skin, he is COM
PEELED to rob his own government
Of some three million dollars in
gold bullion in transport on one
of his ships, and to sink that ship
and its crew to hide his theft!
MELVIN LEVY disingenuously tries
Ah to disarm historical criticism
with two lines in the program:
For the purposes of drama, the
author has taken liberties with GER
tain historical facts in reference
to people and events"
However, the question is not one
of strict historical veracity; there
is historical truth thai goes deeper
than dates and events. This truth.
in a play, lies in the full aware
ness of those social forces and con-
fiicts that have shaped period
and the people of that period, and
IN the dramatic communication of
that awareness. That is what we
had a right to expect from Gold
Eagle Guy" and that is what is
completely missing from it.
IN A play dealing with such long
and important period, we might
also have expected from the author
whole gallery Of significant fig
ures; Melvin Levy has not drawn
single, full-length portrait to re-
member not even Guy Button him.
self. Even he is depicted only in
terms of one or two traits, one
or two impulses; he does not emerge
out of this two dimensional plane
as flesh and blood human being.
The other characters are only
vague and bare outlines; worst of
all are the women. Jessie Sargent,
whom he marries and then neglects,
and the Divine Jewess," Adah
Menken, with whom he falls in
love at first sight and whom he
pursues almost to the end of the
play as an elusive vision of full
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Romantic Treatment of
ImperidIiSt Buccdneer

GOLD EAGLE GUY--A play in five
scenes by Melvin Levy; presented
by the Group Theatre, Inc, in
association with D. A. Doran, Jr.,
at the Morosco Theatre, directed
by Lee Strassberg.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Workers School
NeUVS from East
To West Coast
OVER THE TOP

ONER lhE IOF
When the students of the New
York Workers School were informed
three weeks ago that they were lag
ging in the Daily Worker National
Training School Drive they pledged
not only to fulfill their quota
($1,500 by December 1st but to go
over the top. No efforts were spared
to achieve this end. The Socialist
competition among ten classes and
students was intensified to such
degree that on November 29th the
drive committee proudly an
nounced that the quota had been
filled. Over $1,000 has been collected
to date. When the collection lists
still outstanding are sent in the
final figure will be found to be much
greater.
The School is overioyed at hav-
ing gone over the top SO creditably.
The students feel proud of their
achievements. They correctly con-
sidered their activity in the drive
as an important phase in their
training
The Shock Brigade Glasses and
Shock Brigaders in the Drive will
receive their prizes on December 9th
when the School will wind up a most
successful Fall Term with a dance
The dance will be held in the
School Auditorium, 35 E. 18th St.,
End floor.
The Chicago Workers School, sos
s. State Street, is conducting a
series of Sunday night Forums on
current topics.
In preparation for the winter
term registration, the Brownsville
Workers School, 1855 Pitkin Avenue,
Brooklyn, is making arrangements
to accommodate greatly increased
enrolment. Registration will begin
December 10th.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Islands of Democracy

Islands or democracy
THE old democratic tradition New England thing
time When the
old stock occasionally furnishes ehetc perfect
does
Dartmouth College like Smith College hereditary
trace of this old New England liberalism
training officers for the capitalist
of political and economic problems still goes
When the depression deepens these islands the democracy
will undoubtedly bloody
the Germany Italy S good to
breathe their bracing air.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
CHANGE
the
WORLD!
By MICHAEL GOLD

SOMEWHERE in Massachusetts: And this old train
is putting and groaning through the state that
dered Sacco and Vanzet only short century after
it had begun a revolution at Bunker Hill!
returning from Dartmouth College, another
speaking stop this night before that Smith
ege and tomorrow night it is the University Syracuse
There is something attractive talking these college
ngs You feel quick the audiences
quick the uptake and like their speakers
Of it minority that seriously interested problem
other than football at these American colleges
doesn't find militant students ardenty with
destiny of the the fight liberty all that life
death struggle for better world that ehetes poll
tcs No, these students the students
America, or Europe, the Orient.
The American college built in the medieval tradition
from the centers of industry and struggle Culture
by its founders most of them thooan something
the aday world like religion Dartmouth College
from reality a medieval monastery.
In the tales of Boacco Radicals and other historians
learn that the monks had mprovsed SUFFICIENT
compensate for their lot These college stuck
in the beautiful New England hills to their
feeling from them if they sitting
world The depression the world looming
unempoymenta these things exist other planet
glorious country club and father all the bills
them moment until remember that
cheerful lads due for the most bitter
disllusionment
For they will graduate into world that will
his comfort be he rich plute hungry
minded peb these rpenng
troops but of them, also waking liberalism
munism.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
CINCINNATI WORKERS SCHOOL
OPENS DECEMBER 10th.

A program Of education for the
class struggle will be offered for the
first time in Cincinnati when the
Workers School opens there on Dec.
10th with a series of courses in the
Principles of Communism, Party Or
ganization, Trade Union Problems,
etc. School quarters are centrally
located at 1879 Opera Place. A drive
for 100 students is now in progress
At the same time, drive for a $500
Sustaining Fund is being conducted
vigorously. Friends of the School are
urged to send in their contributions
now to 1879 Opera Place.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH

Do Il 4NU1 UUUU ENUUUH
An improved record today for
Ramsey. But with the lowest
quota of them all, $3.50, he
should be far above of 709o.
c. Carl -..........................s 50
Vanguard Settle Soc. 500
Previously received =. 1871
Total ........Sl 75.2I Is
NOTE: Yesterdays total was erro-
neously listed. The correct total TO
date is the above.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
sH! -!

SH!!!
Little Lefty and Peanuts have
something UP their sleeve, but
won't divulge their plans. Its
gonna be next Sunday" was all
Del could get out of them.
School Teacher S 100
Pioneers-Mother Mooney
Troop .25
A. K. 400
Previously Received 261.49
Total 264.74
Del will present beautiful colored
portrait Of his cartoon characters
avery day to the highest contributor
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04
Some Mossbacks Are Mortified!

REPRESENTATIVES of every sort political group
~ invited here to League
in stimulating this of course but
purposes
And it the Dartmouth college authority
the Mexican painter orozco paint on the
walls of the cellar Of its library.
few mossback have already protested against
though they happen be about the powerful
of the dynaics of the pictorial art
continent This
he also happens terrific confused hatred of
the capitalist system.
SO wonder conservative old Dartmouth graduates
when they back happend chaste
walls For here Oozco has painted flock
yards with white ecclesiastical collars
section pictures group capitalist coored gowns
Oxford Cambridge Harvard other
scholars it, wearing
skeletons And out dnegrating skeleton capitalist
society," horrible embryo college graduate being
Around the operating table many jars
picked other embyo copacen their decay the
student mcrtarboard of graduate.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-04

The New York Workers School
is making the necessary prepara-
tons for the expected overflow
registration the coming Winter
Term. Registration begins Dec.
10th. In view of the expected rush
students are urged to register
early.