Evening star., 1949-05-10
Exhumes Truth Buried
In Stars Nav Das Editorial
To The Eosior OF T

Brying the truth IS a popular paSitme
these days. But 1t is one which should
come more naturally to 4 demagugue than
10 an important neaspa per like The Eve
ming Star, May correct the sense as we'll
as the facts OF your editorial OF Tuesday
May 3, concerning MAY Day?
Your writer states that MAY Day in the
United States IS observed only IN a few
industrial centers with large foreign born
elements. Lest the reader fail 10 grasp
the Idea that May Day was conceived In
1889 at Paris Congress OF wlld~esed
Socialists and VAS thereafter siaviShy COPIED
here by European and Communist minded
imitators. he is fatty informed that the
holiday is admittedly an alien importation d"
Admitted? BY whom
Before the truth Is buried, ought We not
fre one parting salute 10 the facts?
!, May Day was first celebrated AS a labor
holiday right here in the United States
long before any European ever heard OF H.
The first OF May was set aside for observance
in 1885 by none other than the Federation
OF Organized Trades and Labor Unions OF
the United States and Canada. later known
under the abbreviated name American
Federation of Labor. The occasion WAS 10
be q climax to the long struggle To leealize
an S-hour working day. now a common
American tradition. nationwide strike
OF 500, 600 workers accompanied the observ-
ance OF May Day. 1886. Both at the Fourth
Convention OF the Federation on October
7. 1884 and at its Fifth Convention the fol-
lowing year. strong resolutions were passed
on the walk-out for May First
?. Your editorial is correct In pointing
out that the international Socialist Congress
set May l. 1890, as an international day Of
working class solidarity. But did the writer
l+snS hat h at@ AS.aA - -
peal of the American Federation OF Labor
in order to strengthen It's own call for a
national American work stoppage by max
ing that same day an international holiday
As proof here is the text OF the Paris Con-
gress resolution:
Paris Resolution Quoted.
The Congress decides TO organize a great
International demonstration. 80 that In all
countries and In all cities on one appointed
day the toiling masses shall demand OF the
state authorities the legal reduction OF the
working day to eight hours. as well as the
carrying out of other decisions OF the Paris
Congress. Since q similar demonstration has
already been decided upon for May !. 1890.
by the American Federation OF Labor at its
Convention in st. Louis. December. 1888
this day is accepted for the international
demonstration. The workers OF the various
countries must organize this demonstration
according to conditions prevailing in each
country"
What irony. that May Day. born on Ameri-
can soil. whose very date was initiated In
ternationally on the plea OF a great Ameri-
can trade union. is now pictured Rs red
searecrow. invented by foreign devils!
3. Labor Day has indeed become a more
formal land well deserved, holiday for all
American workers However I dare say
that the days leisure and relaxation are
more enjoyed by our trade unionists than
the fine speeches made by many employers
on how much they love labor. In any case
May Day long antedated Labor Day rs an
ofiicial trade union tribute TO the rights OF
American workers. and. as the record shows.
the latter holiday was introduced much
later. often with the deliberate intention Of
taking the edge of the admittedly more
militant May First
As for May Day being the Communists'
monopoly" ! venture a skeptical smile. II
that Is true. there must be many more mil
lions of Communists and their followers
than the editors of The Star would care 10
admit exist. And ! have too deep q sym
pathy for the disfranchised and hungry
people all over the world and for their
legitimate demonstrations for peace and Sc
security TO brush them of contemptuouSiy
as mere "dupes" and "foreisners"
ALFRED HENLEY