davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
SUBSIDIES BECOME TAX INCREASES

This week we came across a article headed by the words, IF
Butter Goes Up"
The story is to the effect that subsidies r to be withdrawn from
butter and other dairy products And that, as a result, prices on those
commodities are due for a rise.
We appreciate that article because it provides us with a means of
explaining why it was that, at the very beginning and while workers
generally were endorsing the subsidy system, we refused to be en-
Unused.
The fact is that subsidies were a hidden price increase. Anybody
who pOnders about the big deductions from bis pay check ought to
understand that, We pay it to the government instead of to the cap
italist. Then the government pays it to the subsidized industries. And
then the newspapers try to fool us by saying that, anyway prices didn't
go up in this war like they did in the last one"
Well, prices did go up, of course. The fooler was that w paid part
of the price directly over the counter and part indirectly through the
government.
And what now that subsidies are to be discontinued? will taxes go
down? Not 81 that the little man who lives from wages can notice it.
What will happen is that prices will go up. So we must prepare to pay
to the grocer and butcher AND to the tax collector.
So it is that subsidies, which were a foxy way of increasing prices
at the beginning, are about to become an equally snide way of increas-
ing taxes at the end. Well pay more without getting more.
To the harassed householder who feels like shouting protests
against prices now, w re al merely repeat that what is about to happen
TO him is exactly what must happen under the capitalist private profit
system. And SO, before we arr too free with Jul sympathy, we want
to know hov he has been voting.
Because most workers voted for a system under which owners are
permitted to take much from the general public in time of peace and
much more in time of war, w have a national debt whose manage
ment requires a lot of money.
If, before the war started, we had established a Socialist economy
CT production for use, probably the war itself could have been averted.
But if we'd have had to fight we could have paid as we went and now
we'd be ready to enjoy all the benefits of peace instead of pay the
debts of war.
We have told this story, with variations, many times. But the
workers who are now complaining wouldn't accept the Socialist way.
They were afraid they'd lose their freedom of enterprise if they'd
inaugurate a planned economy based upon production for use. They
preferred to substitute private business. And now, IS always, they're
about to get what they voted for-Reading Labor Advocate.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
NO. 1889.
THE COLONIAL PEOPLES OF ASIA

A specter is haunting the imperial nations, the specter OF vlrne
Asiatic nationalsm. Under the Earring impact of war deep assures have
appeared in the onerous colonial system, fssures which the resurgent
nationalist movements may broaden into a complete crack-up. 1t is 10
flight of rhetoric to say that one-fourth of mankind the colonial
peoples of Asia-are on the march under mature and effective leader
snip ~These peoples have suffered deeply and learned much during the
last five years. They learned first that their European masters were not
only hOpelessIy incapable of defending them but also obdurately I'M
willing to let them defend themselves. Under japanese occupation left
list ant-Japanese guerrnlas emerged in all the colonies and acquired
political and military skils and arms they do not hesitate to us against
non japanese imperaists. During the same period, many of that fringe
of nationalist who tried to use the japanese a a bloW-torch to cut
through their colonial shackles had their hands badly burned. But they
have not lost their hatred for the shackles. The growth and develop
mCnt Of these movements in Burma, Indo-China, Indonesa, Malaga, and
other colonial areas during the recent past ire an exciting and import
ant but little known part of contemporary history. 1t is of the greatest
import that virtually all of these submerged countries have made sub
stanial progress toward uniting disparate political, religious, and ma
ional groups O a common antiimperialist and ani-feudal platform
These new liberation coalitions are not to be dissuaded by pontfical
Dutch promises, high blown French phrases, OF involved British con-
sttutonal trickery. They will accept only substantial and constructive
reform looking to early independence-The Nation.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
REFORM, ALABAMA,
AGAINST REFORM

New York (LPA). - Attorney
General Tom Clark was asked to
investigate death threats made to
a union organizer by an Alabama
mayor. The Workers Defense
League reported to Clark that the
mayor of Reform, Ala, made the
threat at a hearing following the
arrest of Hayes McCreary, local
president of Southern Tenant Far
merS Union.
According to an affidavit signed
by j. F. Hynds, executive council
member of the STU who attend
ed the hearing: "The mayor replied
Ito the union attorney that they
were not going to permit a union
to operate in or near Reform ano
that some one would be found deac
if it was not broken up at once.
The chief of police, John Taylor
stated that the union was going tc
be disbanded if he had to take the
law into his own hands and do the
job himself"
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
ROTTEN FRUIT
O. CAPITALISM
Children of Depression
Unfit for War

Unemployment during the de-
preston is a reason why 800, 200
men were discharged from the
army for mental and nervous
troubles, and thousands more were
found unfit for army service.
That shocking statement was
made to a senate committee by Col.
w. c. Menninger, chief of the army
psychiatric division.
He said mental and nervous
weaknesses accounted for 43 per
cent of the soldiers discharged and
80 per cent of those found unfit
for the army.
"These are children of depres-
siOn," Menninger declared. "The
effect of unemployment in their
families in their youth is beyond
calculation"
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
Senator Robertson Tells q "Whopper"

Organized labor has been lied about 81 much by the newspapers
and propagandists for sweatshoppers that it no longer expects o hopes
for the truth from those quarters.
But it is shocking when a member of Congress, who is presumed
to approach questions with an open mind, resorsts to falsehood and half
truths in a effort to bring dicredit upon the labor movement.
The other day Senator Edward V. Robertson of Wyoming, while
regalng his colleagues with IN anh-labor TRADE, declared that "the
labor unions today command the largest single block of uncontrolled
money in the world"
He supported that silly statement with a list of IL labor arganiza-
tons which, he said, had accumulated funds aggregatng $16O1762 600.
Among the unions cited was the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and Enginemen, with $32 900 600 in it's treasury.
That was a half-truth. Had Robertson sought to be fair, he would
have explained that 80 per cent of these funds are insurance reserves,
backing protection which the Brotherhood provides its members be-
cause they ire unable to obtain it from private insurance companies
except at prohibitve rates.
Robertson told a "whopper' when he declared the use of these
funds is "unhampered by any restraint of law applicable to other
persons"
The truth is that the Brotherhoods insurance funds are surrounded
by rigid safeguards by the laws of 48 states, in the same manner Is the
reserves of private insurance companies.
In his zeal to smear" labor, Senator Robertson convinientv dis
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
IT WON'T WORK.!

That an overwhelming majority of the American people and their
Representatives in Congress are opposed to a tax on the right to vote
is granted.
Dissension as to the proper method of aboishing the poll tax r
mains the only real point of conflict, and successfully plays the game
of the small clique still rabidly opposed to restoring free suffrage in
the South.
1t seems obvious that the simplest, fastest way to abolish the poll
tax a a condition of voting is to pass H. R. 7; conversely, it seems I'M
fortunate that Senator OMahoney, a sincere believer in full free Suf-
1rage, should confuse the issue by introduction of a constitutional
amendment.
The arguments "a be disposed of swiftly by facing the facts:
CD Constitutional powers of the Congress ar more than ample
to deal with the poll tax without m amendment.
() 1t is just as easy for the Senate to flibuHer against a proposed
amendment, and the tWothirds vote requirement is an invitation to a
battle in the House.
90 Analysis of action by State Legislatures on the child labor
amendment shows that, even if an amendment could be voted out Of
the Senate by cIoture, a filbuster by State Legislatures, against which
no cIoture can be invoked would effectively prevent ratification by the
required 36 States. - The Brewery Worker.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
GOOD WAGES MEANS
PROSPEROUS

Secretary of Agriculture Clinton
P. Anderson recently reminded
farmers of some common-sense
facts on wages.
THE farmer knows from past
experience" Anderson said, that
low farm wages come with hard
times. They mean there are not
enough city jobs, and that the
farmer will not have a good market
in which to sell his produce.
'The farmer ought to pray for
the kind of situation that demands
good wages, because that means
industry is thriving and the city
worker has lots of food money in
his pocket"
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
YEARBOOK SHOWS
CHURCHES GROWTH

Church membership in the Unit
ed States has reached an all-time
high of 72,492,669 persons, more
than 81 percent of the population,
according to the 1945 edition of the
Yearbook of American Churches,
compiled by the Federal Council.
DR.. Benson Y. Lands, editor of
the Yearbook, points out that the
total membership figure, as offici-
ally reported by 256 religious bo-
dies in the continental United
States represents an increase of
3,991,483 over that compiled for
the previous issue two years ago
Total church membership, as we'll
as the proportion of church mem
bers in the population, has been
increasing steadily for many years.
Among the Protestant groups
the Methodist Church reports the
largest membership - 8,O46, 1923
persons, followed by the Southern
Baptist Convention with 1867, 926.
The figures r mainly for years
ending in 1943 and 1914.
Thirteen religious bodies each re-
ported owe one million members.
o total of 50, 1877, 348 persons, equal
to 81 percent of the total church
membership, as follows:
The Roman Catholic Church
23,419,7O1.
The Methodist Church 8,O46,1 29.
Southern Baptist Convention S.
667,926.
Jewish Congregations 4,641,184.
National Baptist Convention. U.
S. A, Inc. 4,021,618.
National Baptist Convention of
America 2,352,339.
The Protestant Episcopal Church
2,227,524.
Presbyterian Church of the U. S.
A. 2,O40,399.
The United Lutheran Church in
America 100000.
Disciples of Christ 1872, 354.
Northern Baptist Convention L.
555,914.
Evangelical Lutheran Synod of
Missouri, Ohio and Other States
1,356,655.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
SOME ODDS AND ENDS

Every day an average of 5 $4,000
Canadian workers in industry are
unable to work on account of ILL
nes-but no Canadian Government
is allowed to introduce health in
surance.-The Trades and Labor
Congress Journal, Canada.
No mans opinion is entirely
worthless. Even a watch that won't
run is right twice a day.
Sinister possibilities are seen in
the great fuel shortage now taking
shape. Darker even than the cellar
speakeasy would be a black mar
ket in coal.-H. v. Wade in De-
troit News.
Those who are fond of setting
things to rights have no great OBJ
lection to seeing them wrong. -
Hazlitt.
The Japanese have announced
they will punish their war cri-
minals themselves. Punishment
will probably consist of making
them repeat the word "hara-kiri''
100 times.-John Paine.
Men fight for freedom: then
they begin to accumulate laws to
take it away from themselves.
The Senate Finance Committee
has killed the bill to pay jobless
vets $25 weekly. The solons evil
IDENTIFY do not want to make idle
ness so attractive that the unem-
ployed might think of running for
Congress.-Walter Winchell in The
N. Y. Daily Mirror.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
CO-OPS MUST ADVERTISE

One thing is certain. If III large
corporations were organized along
cooperative lines and were able to
return their surplus funds to those
who patrOniZe them, as the co-ops
do, they would advertise the idea
over the radio, and with full page
newspaper advertisements, so that
the whole country would know
about it in a couple of weeks.
But the consumer co-OpS, the re-
glonal WHOLESALERS and other CO.
operatively organized farm organi-
cations, tho they now have the
necessary financial resources, still
go along contentedly in the belief
that somehow or other, the public
will find out what they are doing,
learn about the democratic manner
in which they conduct their organi-
cations, about their ability to put
more buying power into the hands
of their members.
typical of the narrow, restricted
thought going on among coopera-
tors is an article in a recent issue
of the Rochdale Cooperator, an. ar
tlcle which timidly suggests that
the present might be a good time
to discuss the possibility of estab-
fishing a quarterly publication that
would serve as a cooperative forum.
But we say away with forums!
we've had enough of this kind of
intellectual indigestion for the few.
Let's have some full page news
paper advertisements telling the
public about consumer coopera-
tlves, and maybe a small army of
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
Election Theft Common il, virqisriu

From time to time, as the situation seemed to warrant, LABOR has
commented o the high-handed manner in which the Byrd machine
uns politics in Virginia.
Recently it was reported in these columns that a Virginia judge had
thrown out all the ballots cast in one county in last springs primary
election, contending that frauds were 81 fragrant and numerous that
1t was impossible to cleanse the ballot boxes.
A Byrd henchnan who had been the beneficiary was disqualified
and deprived of the Democratic lieutenant governorship nomination.
The judge ordered a grand jury investigation and its report makes
II clear why the machine is able to operate with little O no effective
opposition.
The jury declared that there had been all sorts of skunduggery
IN the county, with the amazing qualification that nobody was really
responsible. The acts complained of, the jury said, were "ilHgal, but not
fraudulent" because, they have been the result of precedent and prac-
ue over a number of years, possibly as many as 20 or Is"
There you have it. Stealing elections is SO common in Virginia
that it no longer comes under the heading of crime-Labor.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
Why Not Try friendship?

To employers everywhere, the words Of William Penn uttered some
few centuries ago ought to be an all-important factor in their labor
relations.
Penn, founder'of Pennsylvania, believed in friendship as the most
powerful influence among men. His religion was that of friendship, and
in his day.
There can be n friendship when there is n freedom" Penn
said. Friendship loves a free air, and will not be fenced up in straight
and narrow enclosures"
Is it not high time that an attitude of friendship be indicated by
industry toward labor? Is it not high time to recognize that unless
friendship exists between management and labor there can be no free
dom for either side?
Fenn's words ought to be emblazoned over the desk of every exc
cutiVe who deals with labor, and over the desk of every union executive
who deals with management.
Force has failed-let friendship be the guiding spirit in the future
and this nation will regain its rightful place in the world as the ma
ton of freedom of speech and of action. - The Progressive Miner.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

Congregational Christian Church
es 1,075, 401.
Total 53,767, 348.
The number 10 years of age and
over is estimated to be 59,717, 107,
also the highest figure ever re
ported.
TWenty-three Baptist denomina-
tons have a total of 14,208, 1913
members, twenty Methodist demo
limitations have 1924, 842 members;
twenty Lutheran denominations
have 5,129, lat members. The 256
religious bodies report 253,762 local
churches.
The Yearbook of American
Churches is published by the Sow
r Printing Company, Lebanon,
Penna., at $500.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
The Future of Coal

Recent research carried o to shorten the tragic world war has
led to discoveries which many fear will destroy coal.
Such concIusinos r. ridiculous.
Goals future is as safe a. the future of air and water.
Coal is cheap, and even with decent wages paid to coal miners of
the future, no other fuel can compare with coal either as to cost or
abundance.
No other product offers such diversity of uses as coal-for from
this gift Of God comes medicines and fuels for motor vehicles, plastics,
and substitutes for countless items now being made from basic products
which may eventually disappear.
There IS an abundance of coal throughout the world which chal-
lenges the imagination of scientists to find still further uses
But the future of coal lies not in it's byproducts entirely, % much
as its utility IS fuel for the production of electric power, and the use
of electric power is still in it's infancy
Don't be concerned about the future of coal-ts future is safe. -
The Progressive Miner.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
DISCOUNTS FEARS
OIL WILL I OUT

Fears that this country's supply
Of petroleum will peter out in a
few years were decried as baseless
before the Special Senate Petrol
cum Committee.
DR.. Robert E. Wilson, chairman
of Standard Oil of Indiana, said we
can supply all our needs FOR many,
many years"
Besides 20, 900, 600, 900 barrels of
known crude reserves, he said,
technical progress gives promise
that good gasoline and Diesel oil
can be produced from low-grade
bituminous Goals at no more than
5 or s cents a gallon above present
costs.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

If l should want to establish
fasci5m the way of life in these
United States of America l would
not come right out and say so.
There would be too much oppo-
sition to such a proposal if it were
made with barefaced honesty.
What l would do would be ex-
actly what editor Edward J. Nee
man, of the Memphis Glenn
"PreSS-Scimitar" did the other day
l would wait until there were
many workers striking and threat
ening to strike. l would bide my
time until millions of people are
threatened with shortages of many
things vital to their welfare. ]
would act when many people -
little, people, big people and the
people who are charged with the
job Of making the laws of the
land-are frightened by economic
contradictions and resentful about
group demands which can not be
solved without making fundament-
al changes in existing group rela-
t~ionships &C..
And then l would write an edit
Orial with the heading: "The Strik,
Is a Weapon of ViOlence-Outlav
it."
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

self to the principles and practices
of the tOtalitarian Super State.
If Editor Meeman believes like
that, l merely submit that he is as
naive as l would be inconsistent
if l, a small I'd" democrat with a
program for a new, and what
consider a better social order,
would hail the strike weapon as
a cure-all for every i'll against
which workers weekly complain
and vainly struggle.
l am not enthused by strikes
because | believe l know of a real
ly effective way of removing the
necessity and the logic of striking
What l want to do is to outlaw
the system that breeds strikes.
l, being a Socialist, propose that
the industries and functions that
are basic to our national life and
to the needs of all individuals shall
be made the common property OF
all the people, and operated for the
purpose of producing abundance
for everybody's use instead OF
scarcity for owners profits.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

painters splashing broad brushes
across mighty billboards.
Cooperators generally are shy,
bashful, almost helpless in their
public relations. They could do bet
ter. They could spend about one
fourth of what is spent annually to
keep the nation informed about the
merits of Coca-Cola. THE CO.
OPERATIVE CONSUMER.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

Montgomery Ward & Co., the
big anti-union mailorder concern,
has been swindling the public on
radio receiving sets, the Federal
Trade Commission charges.
According to an F. T. c. com
plant" Montgomery Ward has
been falsely advertising that its
radio sets have up to II fully
tunctioning tubes, and are equip
ped for television."
Some of the tubes are dummies
winch perform no function, and
the sets cannot receive television
programs, the commission said.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
WARTIME PROFITS
WILL BE CONTINUED

Secretary of the Treasury Fred
M. Vinson was conservative when
he estimated corporate profits next
year at $4,000, 600, 900, even if the
excess-profits tax is repealed.
Business Week." speaking for
business, insists that if the tax is
retained, profits next year will be
more than So, 200, OOO, 900, and will
top $1O,O 600, 900 900 if the tax is
repealed.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
MY CREED
BY HOWARD ARNOLD WALTER

I would be true, for there are those
who trust me.
I would be pure, for there are
those who care;
I would be strong, for there is
much to suffer.
I would be brave, for there Is
much to dare.
I would be friend of all-the Door
the friendless;
] would be giving and forget the
gift;
I would be humble, for 7 know my
weakness;
I would look up-and laugh-and
love-and lift.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

1t is not my intention to pass
judgement upon Editor Meeman's
intentions. Neither am l going to
go off the deep end in an about
defense of strikes. For all l know,
Editor Meeman may sincerely be-
lieve that a nation with an econ
omy based upon private owner
ship and production for the profit
OF owners can compel conflicting
economic groups to arbitrate their
differences without committing it.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31

Under a new point system, 1000
medical officers of the naval re-
serve will be turned back to civil
ian practice on January I, the navy
reveals.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
QUIZ KID

Hubert" saIS the fifth grade
teacher, in ar arithmetic review.
how many make a million?"
And the experienced and real
istic Hubert promptly replied:
Very few"
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
PAY BOOST FOR JUDGES

Legislation reported by the
House Judiciary Committee would
boost the salary of all Federal
judges by $1,000 annually. Salaries
now range from $40, 900 for dis
trict judges to $40, 900 for the chief
justice of the Supreme Court.
Proletarec. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1906-19??, 1945-10-31
There ARE MANY EASY WAYS
TO PR0PACANDIzE FAscISM

BY RAYMOND HOFSES, Editor, Reading Labor Advocate