The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1935-01-07
Mass Insurance
Fight Organized
Continued from Pags u

J L J
can they force me to endorse the
infamous Wagner Bill. L will fight
to the bitter end for real unem-
plOyment insurance. have been
glad, at this Congress, to meet many
other Socialists who feel as I do
Glass War Prisoners
Bill ODonnell spoke, a stocky
middle-sged man with a trace of
a brogue. He was a former sergeant
of the regular army and then was
a lieutenant of New Jersey State
Troopers for many years. Recently
he was sentenced to six months for
activity during the Bridgeton, N. j.,
farm strike. He went on a hunger
strike, and was later released.
1T is hard for others to believe
that a former State trooper like
myself could become class conscious
at the age Of A." he said. But
stranger things are happening in
America, and people are waking up,
some sooner, some later. Perhaps
I was a little late, but now I am
doing my best"
ODonnell represented some Co.
600 workers of New Jersey, who
had elected him chairman of their
Convention for Unemployment In
surance a few days after he got out
of Jail.
Dirk De Jonge, representing the
unemployed Of Oregon, is another
worker who is facing the fascists.
His danger is more serious, for he
is under a seven-year sentence for
criminal Syndicalism.
A powerful working man in a blue
windbreaker, De Jonge spoke quietly
and impressively.
Another Indictment
This fight for real unemployment
insurance enrages the wealthy rul-
ers Of America" he said. They
are trying to send me to Jail, and
they will try to send many more Of
us. Just before I left for this Con-
gress, the ruling class of Oregon
were so alarmed at the thought of
my coming here that they indicted
me on another charge of criminal
syndicalism. Our bus was stopped
at Minneapolis, and police with a
warrant for my arrest came through
looking for me.
But I am here. All of us are
here. Persecution cannot stop this
great fight of the oppressed Amer
lean people for economic security.
We refuse to starve. We refuse to
lie down and die quietly. We are
men, not dogs. We will assert our
humanity against all the brutality
Of the capitalist state"
The chairman announced that
Mother Bloor was wanted in the
committee room. 1t was one of many
routine announcements, but imme-
diately the whole great auditorium
was on its feet, cheering for her and
demanding that she speak.
Mother BloOr Speaks
The grand old veteran who Is the
Clara Zetkin and Mother Jones of
our time walked down the hall,
cheered at every step. Her dark
youthful eyes sparkled, her face was
radiant. How she inspires workers
everywhere. I have seen her get UP
at a farmers meeting where she
was unknown. and in five minutes
all present loved her as though she
had been their friend and mother
for life time.
She told the Congress not to for
get their women, and to bring them
into the fight for unemployment in
surance.
when you get back you will be
tired" she said. But when your
wife asks you about what happened
here, don't say you're tired, or that
woman can't understand politics.
"They do understand. They un-
derstand deeply the meaning Of
wage-cutS and the rising price of
food. This is their fight, even more
than yours. Without the women,
this struggle will not grow. Re-
member that, and organize the wo-
men and the youth"
Steel Workers Act
Several steel workers from the
Pittsburgh area preceded her. Big.
chesty, logged men. they told of
the fight Mike Tighe and other
misleaders in the steel industry are
making against unemployment in
surance.
But thousands of steel workers
are coming along with us. Every
day we gain hundreds of recruits.
1t surprises us, the tempo of it. We
can promise you some great events
soon in steel" one of the delegates
said.
A delegate from the United Tex
tile Workers announced that a ma
tional rank and file committee in
that union is being set up right here
at the Congress. Already some 10000
textile workers are in this move
ment.
Without a doubt many of us are
putting ourselves in a precarious
position in our unions by standing
out on this unemployment insur-
ance issue" he said. But 1t Is our
duty to fight for the interests of
the workers, regardless of creed OF
color, against those who mislead
them.
What is the alternative? A
future only of deeper and deeper
suffering for the American workers
We must struggle or go down. and
we have chosen to struggle"
Iron Unity
There is the spirit of the Con-
gress. AS the sessions continue, 6
great flame Of courage rises out Of
this mass OF workers. They came
here as Democrats, Socialists, Re.
publicans. Free Masons, Commu.
nistS, liberals and churchgoers. A
unity is being created that nothins
Will destroy. The delegates wher
Il