davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Z Years on Chain Gang
For Stealing Bag of Flour

for stealth a sack o. flour an
gallon O. wine Said his mother
was hungry and sick: that's why
ne stole it. He was a mighty fine
Niger an I kept him about three
months when ne ran away
They caught him. reckon he
must a-tried to run away again,
cause he got pretty badly cut up
around the head when 7 saw him in
court, cause he had a white rag
around his haid. Well. the judge
give him five years for stealth thai
sack o. flour an gallon O. vine
That niger boy just stood there
an looked at the Judge an the
Judge says, Take off that rag an
the Niger starts explainin' that it's
a bandage. but the Judge cut him
short. Oh. you won't. en-? Well
for that I'll give you Just two years
more.
God damnr the farmer and his
companion roared, that nigger's
face was shore funny the way he
looked when he got them extra
two years."
1T must have been very funny"
I agreed.
Mississippi. too, has It's chain
gangs to keep Negroes and poor
whites from straying out Of hand,
chain gangs with the same instru-
ments Of torture Georgia has, and
one that Georgia legally abolished,
the lash. In Mississippi the broad
leather strap is still used to cut the
shrieking victims skin TO pieces
So most Of the Negroes do not ask
for too much in these days when
even whites are starving They
take what is given them, humbly
and quietly. whatever their inner
mos emotions may be. They dare
not do anything else, unorganized
and helpless as they are.
TO Be Continued
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Peace on Earth to Close on March II
After 16>Week Run Before Workers

Peace on Earth" the anti-wal
play presented by the Theatre
Union at the Civic Repertory The
atre, 14th st. and Sixth Ave, will
close on March II, it has been an
nounced by Charles R. Walker, of
the executive board. Only two weeks
remain for seeing this first produc-
ton of Americas only professional
workers theatre.
Casting has already begun for the
Theatre Unions second play,
"Stevedore," which will open the
middle of April. Dealing with a
group of Negro longshoremen on the
picturesque wharves of the Missis-
sippi River at New Orleans, Steve
dore" shows the use Of lynching and
terror to break up any attempt of
black workers to organize against
low wages and exploitation. The
play is the work Of Paul Peters, who
lived in New Orleans, and George
Sklar youthful co-author of Merry
Go-Round" and Peace on Earth"
Peace on Earth" was opened on
thanksgiving eve and by March II
Will have had run of Is weeks.
This is considered remarkable by
professional producers who for years
nave been scouting the idea that a
workers theatre could exist in
America and have laughed aloud at
the suggestion that a show charging
movie prices, as low as 80 cents a
seat, could sustain itself. Within its
Is weeks, however, Peace on Earth"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Novelist Rejects
Offer of NaziS to
Publish His Books

NEW YORK.-Edward Dahlberg,
American writer, author of Bot
tom Dogs and From Flushing to
Calvary" refused to give permission
to a Berlin publisher to translate
and publish his books in Germany
until the 'Nazis have freed all work
ers, intellectuals, all anti-fascists
who are in Hitherto dungeons and
iails'' and Hitlerism is destroyed, an
article in the current issue of the
New Masses, out yesterday revealed.
The ROwOhlt VerIag of Berlin
asked Dahlberg's publishers, Har-
court, Brace and Co.. for the Ger
man rights to the books.
In answer. Dahlberg. according to
letter in the New Masses, wrote,
in part:
ITO be published today in Ger
many is a dishonor which I do not
want and shall not claim. The
very thought of having my two
novels appear under the imprint
of the swastika murder-sig fills me
with such horror that I say to you
q thousand times and more, that
as long as our fellow writer's, our
brothers, are in your torture con-
centration camps or in exile, that
as long as the workers and the in
tellectuals of Germany are being
manned and killed. no honorable
American writer will consent to the
publication Of his books in Hitler's
Charnel-House
Not until the forces in Germany
and America which are waging a
struggle to the end with the Nazis
have freed all workers, inteIlectuals,
all anti-fascists who are in your
dungeons and jails and not until
the enemies of fascism have torn
down the boards with which you
have sealed the windows of your
Brown House, the Third Reich, let
in the light and destroyed Hitlerism
can any sincere and honest Amer
lean writer allow his books TO be
published in Germany.
Il am, as ever, today, tomorrow,
and the day after, anti-fascist."
Dahlberg at the same time de-
manded the release of Ludwig Rem,
Klaus Neukrantz, land the hun
dreds Of other writers and artists
you have sent to your concentration.
camps" before he would be willing
to have his books appear in Ger
many.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

has won the enthusiastic praise of
almost every leading intellectual in
America.
1t has also been supported by 1853
labor, students, and cultural groups.
some Of which have voted to buy
houses for the next Theatre Union
play, sight unseen. BY the end Of its
run approximately $4,000 people
will have seen this stirring indict-
ment Of the makers Of war for
profit. Twelve thousand of these are
unemployed. Tickets have been dis
trlbuted at the rate of 700 a week
to the settlement houses, the unem-
ployed organizations, clubs for work.
ing men and girls, the seamen's
clubs and unions. Workers cultural
bodies report that the play has
proved basis for spirited discussion
and planning on methods for fight
ing war.
The Theatre Union has made an
important contribution to the
american drama by staging a work.
ing class play and organizing for it
an audience almost wholly working
class IN composition. To sustain the
theatre permanently, a campaign
for 10000 members is now being
conducted. Dollar memberships en-
title holders to tickets at reduced
rates; and likewise to privileges in
all the Theatre Union cultural ac-
tivities, including the Theatre Union
symposiums, dance and music eve
nings by the Theatre Union Dane
ers, etc.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Writers of Britain
Join the I.U.R.W.

A recent conference held in Con-
WY Hall. London, resulted in steps
~ a." d'-'o--'nn IF tho formation
of British Union of Revolution
~ .{.i5era. similar to the John
Reed Clubs Of the United States.
The London Daily Worker, +"
central organ of the Communist
Party of Great Britain in dis
cussing the conference.-the that
there have once or twice been eff
forts in this country to form a Sec
ton but on too narrow basis.
The present conference has been
assured of support from number
of writer's who feel that the present
state of the world makes it i'm
possible for them to remain aloof
from politics, and feel also that
they are also on the side of the
working class in its struggles.
-Four novelists who spring
directly from working class life, and
deal with it almost exclusively in
their work, are among those sup
porting the formation of the British
Union of Revolutionary Writers.
They are James Hanley. who writes
of Liverpool sluns and seamen;
Harold Heslop, from the Tyneslde
minefiel0s; A. P. Roley, railway
man whose Revolt" deals with the
working class movement in 1921.
and Holt, of Todmorden. whose
second novel has recently APP
peared."
Among the writer's who signed
the call for the conference were
Julian Fell, Alec Brown. Allen HUT,
Hugh McDiarmid, Montague Slater
and John Strachey, author of The
Coming Struggle for Power" and
THE Menace of Fascism" and the
of The New Masses
in Great Britain.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

questions about how many c. w. A.
workers were employed who had not
paid their poll tax and how many
Negroes were on government Jobs
paying 40 cents to 81 an hour. ne be-
came busy. The representative of
the law was not keen about discus
Sing these matters.
There WIS an air of resentment
in him thst A No~tN -rrer dared to
probe conditions in the South. On
cir that I found in number Of
places.
you have the same conditions
up North" they say Indignantly.
The Sheriff, representing those
with the vote, takes the view Of
the employing farmer
THE trouble with this county is
that everybody's demoralzed" he
said: THE C.W.A.. P.W.A., C.C.C.-
all the government agencies have
drawn our farmers from the land
and brought them to the city. Here
some can work for 40 cents to 81
an hour. They never made so much
money before. Farmers can't com
pete with the government because
farmer can pay only about 20
cents or IS cents an hour for field
labor" CThis estimate is greatly ex-
sggerated, Day labor in the field
earns from so cents to 81 dav at
the most. Those that pick cotton
get around 30 cents hundred
pounds. Two hundred and fifty to
three hundred pounds is an excel
lent days work. In wages this means
80 cents day for a first rate
picker-J. L. s.
There are some loud mouths
around here and they talk a lot of
doing things that they'd be sorry
for. The trouble with them is that
they've seen the government do it.
Now if the government ever stops
giving relief they might just get TO
feelin' bad and cause some trouble"
THE custom Of buying Negroes by
advancing money to pay their
fine in court he's not disappeared
as a result of the surplus labor
since the depression. This custom
was quite common here before 1890,
as throughout the South. whenever
a white landowner needed workers
in the field Tt is not so generally
resorted to now, but it is still used
by some landowners or Individual
small business men when q par
ticularly fine specimen Of black boy
is available.
The attitude of the white man
toward the Negro is seen in his use
Of the word bought" when he talks
Of paying Negro prisoners fine.
A farmer from Magnolia. Miss, told
me funny story about such a pur-
chase, 1t must have been funny
for there was another white farmer
present when it YVES told and both
LAUGHED uprosriously.
Il bought me a niger boy for $50"
he said He was about to be sent to
the farm (the chain gang-JL.S.)
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
The Ivory Tower No Longer
A JOke--It Is A Tragedy
Noted Novelist and Poet Tells Why American
Writers Should Join the Communist Party
By MAXWELL BODENHEIM

THE world is roaring with prepara-
tions for armed conflict, with
far-fiung riots, fascist murder, and
capitalistic intrigues,
from China to Paris, from Vene-
zuela to the Siberian frontiers Of
the u S. S. r., and the U. S. A.
has entered a period Of open,
strike breaking fascism, of billion
dollar appropriations for war, of
sporadic charities, pittances, and
meager improvements" advanced,
in desperation, to still the growing
anger in the hearts of the working
class Of this country. In the face
of unprecedented chaos, deceit, and
brutality, both in the world at large
and in the United States, can
American writer's continue to jeer
from the sidelines, or snore from
safe vantage point?
Can they remain inactive as they
read of the killing Of workers in
New Mexico and California, the
clubbing and slaughter of workers
in France, the hunger marchers in
England, the attack upon workers
in Cuba? Can they stay in their
Jade towers Of philosophy. romance,
and laughter" while the ruling
minorities, in their country and
others, are planning another
slaughter and bribing them
with fake promises, with lullabies
and blood stained rewards, with
fancies and layer-cake dished ad
nauseum at tea-party and soiree?
If they possess one atom of
conscience, one particle Of genuine
sympathy for the oppressed and
frequently hoodwinked, brothers
and sisters everywhere, the answer
must be NO. The present writer
has no desire to indulge in melo-
dramatics, but he knows that Amer
lean writer's of today must face
realistic situation and make a
realistic decision. The ivory tower
is no longer a joke-it is tragedy.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Stage and Screen
"The Perfumed Lady, TO
night; Larson Play
Coming Friday

Harry wagstah Gribble's new play Tn
Perfuued Lady" will open this evenlns
at the Ambassador Theatre under the aus
pices Of Wee and LeventhaL Brian DON
lew. Marjorie Peterson. Helen BROOKS ana
Ben Lakeland, head the cast.
wrong Number" By Eloise Keller VII
omen on tuesday evening at the Province
town Theatre, sponsored by the Intimate
Theatre. Dorothy south heads the cast
The Leonard siIlman revue. New Faces.
will be presented by c. B. Dillingham; on
Thursday night at the Fulton Theatre
with Nancy Hamilton Imosene Coco.
James Shelton Roger SteHrnS and Mr..
stilman in the principal roles
THE Pure In Heart" a new play By
John Howard Lawson, VIII have its pre-
miers on Friday evening at the Lonssers
Theatre. Dorothy Hail. Tom Powers, Ara
Gerard and James Bell are the principal
players.
Peace on Earth" the anti-wsr play At
the Civic Repertory Theatre, begins its
final week this evening. The Theatre
Union play closes on Saturday night az
ter run Of IS weeks.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

The scarecroW Of propaganda
should not be permitted to divert
the attention Of American writers
from the basic question. The slogan
Of art supreme" and beauty I'M
defiled is now being employed to
keep American writer's passive and
blindfolded.
The successful" ones know full
well that the banquet-tsble changes
to crumbs whenever the smallest,
radical note creeps into their work
The others must also be aware Of
the fact that their failure in
many cases, has been caused by
half-hearted attitude, in which
their conscience refused to allow
them to become panderers to stink
ing, moneyed interests yelled in the
guise of art-patrons and sorrow
stricken publishers. while their
courage and insight remained partly
enslaved.
|, The need for a positive stand can
no longer be ignored, not only in
their writing, but in every other
hour of their activities, as we'll.
With the powers Of reaction and
exploitation mounting, daily, Amer
lean writer's must realize that the
quiet of their study room is not
sufficient. They should and can
enter the lecture hall. take part in
mass-meeting and protest marches,
throw themselves into the picket
lines, and-if they really want to
exert every sinew of their beings
against fslsehood and venom in the
ruling, capitalistic class - join the
only party honestly, persistently;
and militantly battling against
capitalism and all of its sly, or
deluded, artistic and liberal allies
and compromisers - the Commu-
mist Party of America. The middle
road has become mud-ridden and
futile. The left path Of awakened
conscience and resolve alone re-
mains.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
WORKERS BooKsHop LIBRARY

NEW YoRK.-The Workers Book Shop
has now opened new department = a
workers. Circulating Library. Over TOO
books are now on its shelves ready for
use by workers and students for nominal
fee. Books on economics. politics, science,
history, war, fascism and other subjects
OF interest to workers are being added
daily. Workers and students are asked
to support this growing library by joining
today. For further information call Alg.
4-ooss or visit the book shop at so =.
18th St, New York City, between $50 a.
m. and pm.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Fred RedL Describes
Life Of Workers in
USSR Tractor Plant

How do foreign workers and
specialists enjoy building the
new Me in the Workers and
Peasants Republic? Fred Beal,
welI-known GastOnia strike
leader and now political refugee
in the Soviet Union, gives the
answer in Foreign Workers at
the Kharkov Tractor Plant" just
released by International Pub
fishers. s-
Y letters from foreign workers
at he world-f famous plant and
"a Illustrations supplement Bears
narrative, which sells for Is cents
at Workers Bookshops or, in
quantities, from Workers Library
Publishers, Box 14S Station ID,
New York.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Victory Looms in the
N. Y. Dental Strike


NEW YORK. strike of the
Dental Laboratory TechnicianS is
progressing. The eleven hundred
members of this association, COM
posed of dental technicians, walked
out OF the dental laboratory Tues
day night in strike for shorter
hours, higher wages, and recogni-
ton of their union.
In an interview with the Daily
Worker" Posner of the Dental Lab
oratory Technicians Equity said: 81
look for an early settlement of the
strike. For the first time in the
history j. the dental technicians
the workers will be able to work
under humane conditions"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Revealing Paragraphs No. l
Harold Edgar Replies

Dear Sender
always little
with too much Though Arnold
with review of John play
merely violent
posed n
Guild" undertake futile
What wrote that they They
seeing 1t and cheering retaze
generally attend Guild productions
What Decker other plays this season
exactly IN line with reviews of them
students OF the Workers Theatre"
with admiration for his courage his enterprise his
better Though this benefits
the Guild 1t will also benefit Wexey and the
draaturgy Perhaps might have been
had written, They Shall Not Die
Soboro and the best
the Guild should ey
Shall Not Die to to very useful
The second valid To this
only reply that tickets available
s1o and $65 and that possibly these blocks
20 or more the Guild might
these prices But aside point that Arnold
Decker evidently did weey play despite the expense
and that he reader of the mquotes me-
FRANKLY don't believe completely thought out his ideas
Beneath his criticism serious question
than any he brings FORTH Why
Theatre Guid2 And if the Commercial oreanza
ton how does its "connercial
Wexles play aside from seem to me more
vital problems than as men
toned in review to them soon
In the meantime my statement: readers Of the
Daily" should THE carriage trade" will
never make success Of it, only ekkers yours
and my convictions possibly DO so.
HAROLD EDGAR
ToMoRRow-AngeIo is strl in Prison
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
"Ldkme" To Be GiUen At
Metropolitan Opera Tonight

'Iskme" will be presented this evening
at the Metropolitan Opera House with
Lily Pons swarthout. and MartinelH-
other operas Of the week include "Rigo-
letto." Wednesday night, with Miss Pons
and Hackett; die MeiStersinger," Thurs
day afternoon. with lehman and Lorenz,
Nine Butterfly Thursday evening, with
Rethberg and Martinelli Tristan and
Isolde" Friday evening. with Lelder ned
Althouse. and Peter Ibbetson," SATURDAY
afternoon, with Bori and johnson.
The closing concert Of rhe New York
Symphony Orchestra will be given tomor-
row night in Carnegie Han under tbs
direction of Nikolai sokolof, with Ezra
Rschlin, pianist, as soloist The program
Schubert's Unfinished" Symphony: Con-
certo No. g. D minor, By Rachmaninof.
and Wasners Prelude to Act III. 'Lohen-
grim Prelude 10 Act I Tristan and
Isolde" and Wotan's Farewell. and Magic
Fire Scene from Die Wslkure"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
Biographical Series
Of Red Army Chiefs
To Begin Tomorrow

A series on LEADERS of the Red
Army" begins on this feature
page tomorrow.
1t will include the thrilling de-
tails of the lives of Clement Vor-
osl1ilov, the Russian metal worker
and old Bolshevik who is now
he Soviet Commissar Of War;
.he popular Gen. Budenny; Gen.
VASTLY Bluecher, and others.
This significant series, which
will be illustrated with photos of
the Red Army leaders, will also
contain the Oath of the Work
Frs and Peasants Red Army.
The biography Of Voroshilov
will appear tomorrow. Watch for
It.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

ing from invad-
ing their sane
tuaries and TAX
ing food or
money W i t h
W hic h to buy
food.
His thin, lined
face wrsathed in
smiles when l
asked him nor
m a l questions
a b o u I t h e
county. He sat
down beside me
ready for a long
talk, but when
I BEGAN to ask
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
By JOHN L. SPIYAK

BROOKHAVEN, Miss. -
Sheriff Applewhite, a long,
rangy man with at least one
wooden leg judging by the
way he hurls it in front of
him when he walks, represents the
law-and politics. Those in con-
troll Of the county put him in office
so he has to represent them if he
Is to continue in office. He repre-
sents the law because it is by the
threat Of the law which protects
private property that the banker
and storekeeper can keep the stsrv-
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

e:15-Fray and Braggiotti. Piano Duo
9.30-Gertrude Niesen, Songs: Jones
orch. Mady Christians, Actress; Emile
Boreo. Comedian
10.0o--Wayne King Orch.
10:30-Connie- Gates, Songs; Bton Boys.
Songs
ii00-Rich Orch
1l;i5-News; Davis Orch
11:45--Messner Orch.
IL O0-Belasco Orch
1890 A. M.-Psncho Orch.
00-Light orch.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

logue with illustrations and bog
raphy is being prepared. All work
ers, artists, organizations are urged
to come to the opening arrange
to visit tho exhibition
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
CORRECTION

In Harry Raymond's review Of
Sherwood Eddy's book. Russia
Today" which appeared on this
page Saturday, March 10, the words
which made his plans possible
in the third from the last para
graph should read which make his
plans impossible" thus conveying
an entirely different meaning.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12

Send us names Of those you
know who are not readers Of the
Daily Worker but who would be
interested in reading ii. Address:
Daily Worker, so E, 18th ST.. New
York, n. Y.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
ToMoRRow-Angelo Herndon is still in Prison
Memorial Exhibition for Revolutionary SCULPTOR
At New York John Reed Club

NEW YORK.-The John Reed
Club is holding a Jacob Dainoff
Memorial Exhibition to honor the
memory of an active revolutionary
worker artist. A handsome cata-
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
WHAT'S ON

MASS MEETING Protesting Japan's I'M
perialist designs in the Far East Promi-
nent speakers. 1sadore Schneider chair
man. Labor Temple. i4th 81. cor. Second
Ave, pm. Adm free
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-03-12
WJZ76O Kc.

7;30-Amos m Andy
7.15-Baby Rose Marie, Songs
7:3o-George Gershwin, Piano; Concert
Orch.
7;45-Kraueter String Quartet
S;0o-Morin Sisters, Songs; Kings Jes-
tiers; Stokes Orch. Cliff Soubier
S;so-Michael Bartlett, Tenor; Concert
Orch
s:45-Red Davis-Sketch
9:0o-Minstrel Show
9;3o-Pasternack Orch; Helen oelheim
Soprano; willard Amison, Tenor
1o.oo-To Be Announced
io;3o-Henri Deering, Piano
10.45-Ozark Mountsineers
11:00-Ramona. Songs
fl:15-News Reports
1l:30-Denny Orch.
1:20-Anthony Prone, Tenor
12:00-Pollock Orch.
1880 A. P.-Stern Orch
WABC-86O Kc.
700 p. M.-Myrt and Marge
7:l5-Just Plain Bill-Sketch
TSo-Armbruster Orch. Jimmy Kemper,
Songs
7:45-News-Boaks Carter
s:o0-Green Orch; Men About Town
Trio; vivien Ruth, Songs
S;15-News-Edwin @. Kill
S:3o-Bing Crosby Songs; Iofner orch
Mills Brothers, Songs
9;oo-Philadelphia Studio Orch