The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-28
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES


labor in the last century But this progress has
been spotted, and many of the inroads upon Ia
Dor rights which were common 100 years ago
still crop up from time to time In his inter-
esting book on The Workers and Their World"
| CThe A. L. P Committee, ST so. Joseph SchlosS-
berg calls to our aid the similarity between the
crusade for deporting laborers in England in
1884 and in the United States a century later.
In 1884, six English land workers, in the
village of Tolpuddle, in Dorset, were transported
to penal colonies in Australia for the crime OF
organizing trade union of agricultural work.
ers When prOnouncing sentence the judge
said that the exile for seven years-the highest
penalty under the law-was intended not only
as a punishment for the prisoners, but also as
a warning for others.
The workers had the legal right to organ
ize. But woe to those who attempted to use
that right. There were judges ready to trans
port them to a penal colony in Australia, not
only as punishment for themselves, but as a
warning to Others In England of those days,
the technical excuse was the harmless initiation
ceremony for new members. Excuses are easy
to find.
In this country, years back, Socialism of
L w w. international Workers of the World
was the convenient charge against trade union
lists. Now it is Communism. That is the charge
against discontinued workers who assert them
selves. They may be Republicans or Democrats.
but If they are dissatisfied and demand their
rights, they are Communists. If modern va
riety of penal colony is brought into being.
or whatever else it may be, it will be for Com
munistS and non Communists, aliens and Amer
lean citizens. The six martyrs of Tolpuddle
were not aliens in England. They We're British
subjects. and sent to jail regardless of their
citizenship
II ME talk OF depOrting aliens as trouble max
l. erS is hypocrisy. The threat is intended to
trghten all workers into submission That is
the meaning Of the turbulent events in San
FRANCISCO Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis Mil
Waukee, Toledo and other industrial centers.
even as 1t was OF the events in the life of George
LoVeleSs and his heroic comrades 100 years ago 3"
MI Schlossberg is a veteran of the labor
movement and leader in the very important
ana up-to-date Analgamated Clothing Workers
OF America. His book is an authoritative and
entertaining survey of the PRINCIPLES of labor Or
ganlzatlon, leading figures in The contemporary
labor movement in Europe and America and the
status of the labor movement especially il. The
United States England. Germany Italy and
Russia. While recognizing the uncertainty of
our age, he has complete faith in the ultimate
triumph of the labor movement.
In our swiftly moving age no one can saw
what the next day may bring Some people
| think that Hitlerism will force new world war.
which Will destroy civilization. That is possible
But it is also possible that Hitlerism will bring
about its downfall much sooner. That will mean
I44S AS-C46dllOIl u the IaDOr movement. The new
German labor movement will be different from
4 the old one. 1t is impossible that the tragic
lessons Of the past should be lost in the future
/ TUST what the new labor movement will be
! - ike will depend upon the forces within the
movement. The future of all labor movements
including the American. lies in their own laps
1t will be just what they will make it. In view
of the events in recent times, the organized
workers OF the world should realize that the SUI
preme mission of the labor movement is to end
all class rule and inaugurate a free economic
society. The labor movements, which will emerge
from the ruins OF NaziSm, FasciSm and general
reaction will be, as they must be, militant move
ments."
IN his ~Intelligentsia of Great Britain" Co
vici Friede, $3.50 Dmitri Mirsky includes among
other biographical studies estimates of such
important leaders of British labor and radicalism
as G. D. H Cole, Harold Laski, Bertrand Russell,
Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells. The Interna-
tional Protection Of Labor" by Boutelle Ellsworth
Low (The Macmillan Company. $3.50 is an ex-
tremely useful compilation Of the history and
present status Of international labor legislation
In his Rubber Iruncheon' (Dutton $3.50 Wolf
gang Langhcf gives us a picture of what hap
pens to German labor leaders and other German
radicals who presume to defy the Nazi regime.
1t is a phic account of life for more than
year IN Nazi concentration camp.