The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-09-19
Delegation Urges
Removal Of Troops
BY CARL REEVE
Continued from, Page y

saultS by the officers upon the
workers gathered at the meeting in
that city.
Urge End of Troop Rule
1--WE urge you to restrain the mill
owners from employing local or i'm
ported guards. We urge you to state
that the National Guard will not be
called out in Massachusetts.
I'VE feel that this matter Is of
such public concern at the moment
that the Governor of Massachusetts,
should issue a statement to the eff
feet that armed guards will not be
tolerated and that the National
Guard will not be used in the
strike"
Ely Evades Issues
Governor Ely tried to evade the
issues raised by the members of the
delegation by switching to a dis
cussion Of Socialism and of the per-
sonal political beliefs of the del
egates regarding the profit system.
But he was not successful in this
maneuver because many of the del
egation had had personal contact
with the textile strike and exposed
his statements that he has no
knowledge of imported armed
guards" with definite proof.
Throughout the two-hour inter-
view Ely attacked picketers, re-
peatedly declaring that "picketing
is not peaceful" Ely claimed in
Limitations" by strikers and his key
note was his duty to protect the
right of workers to work"
In dismissing the delegation Ely
said that he will not call out the
guard unless convinced that ma jor-
lty of workers in mill want to
work, and if so, they should be
protected against intimidation, vio-
lence and disorder" Ely stated re-
that it is unlawful to picket
where the workers are not yet on
strike, and that the strikers should
mind their own business and stay
home. He thus attacked the flying
squadrons. His whole line was op-
posed to pickets even talking to
workers regarding striking or join
ing the union. He also told the del
egation to mind their own business
and stay away from strike.
The members of the delegation
proved conclusively that armed
guards, both local and imported, are
doing the intimidating and caus-
ing the violence and disorder. Pow
ers Hapgood and Mary Donovan
gave personal examples of how
picketS in South Barry and else
where were treated to fire hose and
driven off public highways by num-
bers of police and armed guards.
Allen Taub, on behalf of the
Committee for Defense of Political
stated: I'VE know that
you are aware of the fact that
armed guards have been imported
into the State in violation of the
law. You are converSant with all
phases of the strike and we cannot
accept your profession of ignorance
of imported and armed guards in
North Dighton and elsewhere"
Taub repeatedly brought the Gov
ernor back to the demands of the
strike, for decent wages, against
speedup and better conditions.
When a textile family has to live
on a. salary of seven or eight dollars
a week, and sometimes less" he
said, this is not a peaceful rela-
ton between mill owners and en-
ployeeS!" Taub was answering Ely'S
claim that the strikers are disturb
ing the peaceful relation between
employers and workers who want
to work.
Offers to Eject Taub
1--WE repeat the demands for civil
rights for the strikers, the right to
strike, to picket, to distribute their
own press, to organize into their
own union, to assemble" Taub con-
cluded. 1--WE insist that you with
draw all armed guards and declare
you will not call out the National
Guard. 1t is the armed forces
which provoke violence. You have
shown here that you and your
State machinery are operating in
the interests of the mill owners"
At this point Governor Ely rose
in anger, and for moment it
looked as though he would strike
Taub. He came over and placing
his hand on Taub's shoulder, told
him to moderate his language OF
he would put him out.
Refuses to Hear Reeve
I spoke as the staff correspondent
of the Daily Worker and as mem
Der of the Communist Party. Wher
I declared whom I represented, Ely
slamming his cigarette package or
the desk said, Il refuse to hear you
I will listen to a Socialist but I vii
not have a Communist speak in my
office. Keep quiet, I will not lister
to you" However, I persisted ano
spoke. I insisted on the right o.
the Communist Party and it's mem.
bers to function in the strike anc
elsewhere, declared that the Rec
scare now being raised in Mas
sachusetts as we'll as in Rhode Is
land is a smoke screen to uSt
strikebreaking measures. I spoke o
the broad united front character O
the delegation and declared thi
delegation is united on the ques
ton of the right to strike, and civi
rights for all strikers, and with
drawal of armed forces from tn
strike area, the right to picket ant
to organize. I insisted on tht
right of the Daily Worker to func
ton and operate unmolested ant
demanded freedom of the workers
press.
I'm Lowell yesterday" I said, "
was followed by three carloads o
armed thugs. The papers thi
morning distorted tho facts Tho