The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1935-01-31
Continued from Page y


in other words. not unemployed vet
Grams, not rank and file leaders.
And so the leadership Of the V. Y.
L. Is of some substance" En-
met J. Lsrkin, New York state COM
mander, owns a large upstate mail
order house and several stores. The
national officers include Louis T.
Grant. A gentleman by the name
Of Louis T. Grant, presumably the
same, was appointed director Of the
Federal Veterans Bureau in 1925.
Others are J. st. Claire Favrot Of
Louisiana, lawyer-cog in the Demo-
cratic machine; and several bearing
military titles.
The very physical pattern and
program of this organization pre-
pare it for the Fascist mold. IN
doubtedly great number Of the
membership, sincerely opposed to
the anti-labor program Of the bank
ers, do not realize that its leader
ship, while supposedly opposed to
the bankers, in reality Is working
for them.
Pre- Hitler Program
The very fact that business and
influential militsry-minded men are
inducing working class veterans to
organize in such a group, devoted
ostensibly to "the oppressed" and
flinging out phrases about reform.
but not even promising specific an
swers to their immediate or ultimate
needs. Is evidence Of the advance of
the Fascist offensive. It is typical
Of the pre-Hitler and pre- ussolini
days. So is the present effort to
bring in farmer and worker mem
bership-on program even more
typically Fascist.
The platform, reproduced with
this article, calls for the immediate
redemption of United States bonds
following the issuance of currency
notes backed by scientifically and
correctly valued" gold. It calls for
Central Bank and the elimination
of the Federal Reserve System,
along with "fadS, theories. Dictator
ships, Brain Trusts" etc. While all
this may seem to be contradiction
and confusion. it is clear on one
point. 1t would mean imitation and
plenty Of it. 1t would amount to
printing press initiation. The plat
form calls for heavy taxation-for
public safety and welfare-on all
concentrated wealth to reduce swol-
len fortunes" something which
sounds like radical" taxation Of
the rich, but which might be merely
q restriction of such taxation to
the needs of whatever public safety
and welfare" needs the big bankers
who control Congress decide.
While the whole program is full
OF muddled language which might
be interpreted as a reflection of the
confusion of its writer, this much
is strikingly clear; it evades unem-
ployment insurance, the right to
strike and every other hard-won
and oft-defended right of the work
ing class.
But-WhO Pays?
Knowing that the Veterans Vot-
ers' League membership is non-dues
paying, I asked DR.. Curran who
finances the national organization
expenses.
Each Congressional district at
tends to its own wants." he said.
But you have a national organ
ization. Who pays for sending out
your literature and correspond
ence?"
We'll" he hedged again, I'VE de-
liberately belittled the national idea
to make our organization local"
Just what do you want to get
through your third party?'" I in
quired.
Currency reform! A Central
bank! Eliminate the private banker
out of control Of the American peo-
pies living standards" he said.
Long in Politics
DR.. Curran's emphasis shook his
fleShy figure. He is a former presi-
dent of the Kings County Lawyers
Association, Brooklyn. He has been
honorary member of several District
Democratic Clubs, and acted like
Tammany ward heller.
why eliminate just the bank
erS?" I asked. Don't the indus
trialists actively hold down the
workers living standards?"
THE banker is the one that's re-
sponsible for all the trouble in
America. He controls credit and
won't give us any"
How much new money and
credit do you want?"
We'll, savings deposits call for
$40, 000, 100000 he replied casually.
I'VE could issue new money on half
that amount and have an adequate
currency, and people could start
getting one leg out of the grave"
Would Cut Wages
The issuance of such an amount
of paper money would mean rock
citing prices, leaving the worker in
the hole with wage which, his
torically, never keeps up with
ascending prices. 1t would mean
much greater misery to the work
ing and salaried people.
What will your organization do
to defend the rights of the people
from the immediate threats?" 1
asked. What will you do to de-
fend the right to striker"
Why" he hedged, Il understood