The first time in history

The United States Department of Justice is trying to shut down the Jefferson School of Social Science—the first time in history our Government has moved to close a school on the basis of what it teaches. Why?

Unfortunately, such thought-control measures are not new in this period of the "Cold War." Many Americans have fallen victim to the growing menace of McCarthyism. They include teachers and students, trade union leaders, writers and publishers, artists and entertainers, leaders of the Negro people, and foreign-born persons who have lived here for decades.

Many thousands have been "investigated" by Congressional committees, hounded by the F.B.I., pilloried in the press, fired from their jobs, deported, barred from travel abroad, or sent to prison—on the basis of what they think and advocate, or what they are suspected of thinking. This drive to intimidate the non-conformists of our time has become so severe that what Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas calls "The Black Silence of Fear" has begun to settle over the people of our country.

Much of this drive against so-called "subversives" has been directed against our democratic right to teach and learn. The "investigating" committees and the F.B.I. have been especially active on college campuses and in the schools.

But our Government's most direct and far-reaching attack upon freedom in education came on April 20, 1953, when the U.S. Attorney General petitioned the Subversive Activities Control Board to order the Jefferson School of Social Science to "register" under provisions of the Internal Security (McCarran) Act of 1950.

Neither the Jefferson School nor any other public organization could continue to operate under the onerous and slanderous conditions imposed by such registration. The School would have to affirm the lie that it is a "front" for the Communist Party and in the service of "a Communist foreign government." It would have to label its catalogs and other publications to this effect. And it would have to expose financial contributors to prosecution and jeopardy of their livelihood. The McCarran Act is not a "registration" act; it is a suppression act.

*Just why does our government want to close this school?*

A school of Marxism

The Jefferson School was founded in 1944, and occupies a nine-story building in down-town Manhattan. It is an adult evening school for the study of social science and the arts. Its distinctive feature is that it teaches Marxism, the philosophy and social science of the working class. It analyzes the nature of capitalist and socialist society, and the general laws of social change, with special emphasis on the United States.

A visitor to classes on a typical evening would find animated discussions under way on many questions. A seminar group under the distinguished scholar, Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, is discussing the background of Kenya liberation struggles in East Africa. Another class is analyzing the rise of the C.I.O., under the guidance of our country's foremost labor historian, Dr. Philip S. Foner. An industrial worker and trade union leader, Myer Weise, is interpreting Karl Marx's theory of surplus value to a class in *Capital*, Vol. I.

Elsewhere, a class under Miss Dollie Mason, Registrar, is discussing the leading role of the U.S. working class as the main democratic force in our nation. Dr. Herbert Aptheker, author of many books on the history of the Negro people, is lecturing to a large class on the defeat of Reconstruction Democracy with the rise of American imperialism. The world renowned Negro artist, Charles White, is directing a workshop group in painting from a live model. Dr. Howard Selsam, Director, author of *What Is Philosophy?* and other works, is explaining to a large class in "Ethics, Morality and Youth" why the full equality of all people—men and women, Negro and white—is a basic principle of Marxist morality.

There are 75 such ten-week classes under way in the 1953 spring term of the Jefferson School—33 in economics, politics and social problems; 13 in history; 10 in philosophy and science; 6 in language and writing workshops; and 13 in literature, music and art. In addition, there are 20 classes in the Institute of Marxist Studies for those who want a comprehensive nine-month course.

Some of the students enter as Marxists, others as sympathetic non-Marxists, and still others as frank sceptics. All are taught to think for themselves and to arrive at their own reasoned conclusions.

In teaching Marxism, the Jefferson School continues a tradition extending over more than a century—begun during the 1850's when Karl Marx was European correspondent of the *New York Tribune*. There is not a standard library, college or university in the country that does not make extensive use of works by Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin and other Marxist scholars.

The aim of the Jefferson School is to interpret the challenge which Marxist theory poses for "accepted" ideas in all fields of knowledge, a challenge which is given serious study by informed people throughout the world.

*Why does our government want to close this school?*

# A People's school

THE JEFFERSON SCHOOL, as its catalogs announce, is "a school for all working people, Negro and white. It is dedicated to meeting their needs and advancing their interests. It is open to everyone, regardless of color or nationality, creed or political belief—no matter how much or how little their previous schooling. Since its founding . . . it has had more than 100,000 enrollments."

This School offers no academic credits or degrees, or training for specific occupations. Students come to the Jefferson School solely because they believe the School will help them understand the world we live in.

Several thousand people enroll at the School each term. They are industrial workers, office workers, college students, housewives and professionals—men and women, Negro and white—mostly young people, but with ages from 18 to 65. In addition to class attendance, students take part in such activities as Student Council, weekly newspaper, forums, conferences, informal social gatherings in the Club Jefferson lounge, and in evaluating and planning the program of studies.

The low enrollment fees ($7.50 per course per term) provide only about two-thirds of the $100,000 annual budget. Deficits are covered through special fund-raising activities—bazaars, dances, annual dinners, room rentals, extension lectures and, most important of all, regular fund drives each term. During last term's fund drive, for example, students raised over $8,000. They are now engaged in a special "Fighting Fund Drive" to help meet the added expense involved in defending the School's right to exist.

The Jefferson School is an independent self-governing institution. Its Board of Trustees, administrative staff and faculty include men and women from the trade unions, the professions and the cultural and scientific world. Board members and teachers (except those on the small full-time staff) serve without pay. All are devoted to peace and democratic progress, and many are actively engaged in promoting these ends through their trade union, professional and other organizations.

It is this people's character of the Jefferson School that most disturbs the enemies of freedom. They know that the School enables many thousands of working people to understand just why our country is plagued with poverty, illness, crime, Jim Crow oppression, war, and thought-control McCarthyism—and also what the people can do to build genuine democracy and peace in America.

> This is the real reason the McCarthyites in our Government now want the Jefferson School closed.

# Stop McCarthyism NOW!

McCarthyism tries to convince the American people that attacks on the constitutional rights of Marxists do not endanger the democratic rights of others. But the experiences of thousands of trade unionists, educators, students, writers and artists are rapidly exposing this falsehood.

The McCarthys, McCarrans, Jenners and Veldes—and the pro-fascist forces for whom they front—are not afraid that the Marxists in our country are going to "overthrow the Government by force and violence." They are afraid of the growing sentiment among the great masses of the American people that the time has come to stop McCarthyism and all its works.

The McCarran Act, under which the Jefferson School is being prosecuted, is nothing but McCarthyism dressed up in legal form. It even authorizes concentration camps for the internment of all persons "who probably will engage in, or who probably will conspire with others to engage in" acts deemed "subversive" in case the President declares an "Internal Security Emergency."

No wonder national conventions of the A.F.L., C.I.O., Railroad Brotherhoods and independent unions have sharply condemned the McCarran Act! No wonder thousands of leading Americans have set up a national organization to demand repeal of this legalized expression of McCarthyism!

It is the democratic right of the American people to teach and learn Marxism if they want to; and defense of this right is not a task for Marxists alone. If those in power are allowed to close a Marxist school because they do not like what is taught, they have a precedent for destroying all freedom to teach and learn. Moreover, our country needs Marxist education. In the words of Louise Pettibone Smith, Professor of Biblical History at Wellesley College: "The compelling reason for insisting on the right to teach and learn Marxism in America today is our own need for the criticism of our ways which Marxism can give."

McCarthyism can be halted by the protests of an aroused people. The case of the Jefferson School of Social Science should command the active support of all true friends of democracy and peace.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Attorney General Herbert Brownell, Jr., and Chairman Thomas J. Herbert of the Subversive Activities Control Board (the address of them all is simply Washington, D.C.) should begin to receive thousands of letters, telegrams and resolutions protesting this unconstitutional attack on the Jefferson School of Social Science. They should be told that McCarthyism in all its forms is dangerous and repugnant to the American people.

## We can stop McCarthyism! And NOW is the time to do it!

(CHECK ONE OR MORE BLANKS; SIGN, TEAR OFF AND MAIL PROMPTLY)

THE JEFFERSON SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

575 Avenue of the Americas, New York 11, N. Y.

1. You may list me as endorsing the following: "Our constitutional right of free speech necessarily includes the right of Americans to conduct schools in which to teach and learn the truth as they see it. I believe, therefore, that any attempt to suppress the teaching of Marxism in such an institution as the Jefferson School of Social Science represents a serious threat to all free inquiry."

2. I enclose $................... to help pay legal and other expense to defend the School.

NAME (PRINT).................................................... Date....................................................

ADDRESS ....................................

Title, organization or institution (for identification only) ....................................................

412

The Jefferson School of Social Science

575 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK 11, N. Y.

RESPONSE SHEET

INSTRUCTIONS:

Record your response to one or more of the items listed below:

I - Expressing your *anonymous* opinion on two contradictory propositions;

II - contributing *anonymously* to the Jefferson School's Defense Fund; and/or

III - authorizing the *public* use of your name along with others who endorse the right of such a Marxist institution as the Jefferson School to continue its educational program.

Return this response sheet promptly, using the enclosed reply envelope.

I. ANONYMOUS OPINION POLL

(Check the proposition below which you consider to be valid. Responses will be used in statistical tabulation only, with no indication of the individual involved.)

☐ 1. Private educational institutions should be allowed to conduct their educational programs without interference from the Federal administration currently in office. Therefore, *it is not* sound policy for the current Administration to require a private Marxist institution like the Jefferson School of Social Science to register under provisions of the [McCarran] Internal Security Act of 1950.

☐ 2. Private educational institutions *should not* be allowed to conduct their educational programs without approval of the Federal administration currently in office. Therefore, *it is* sound policy for the current Administration to require a private Marxist institution like the Jefferson School of Social Science to register under provisions of the [McCarran] Internal Security Act of 1950.

II. ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTION

I enclose $........ for the Defense Fund to help pay legal and other expenses required to defend the Jefferson School's right to continue its educational program. (Make checks payable to Joseph B. Furst, Treasurer.)

III. SIGNED ENDORSEMENT

You may list me along with other professional and civic leaders as endorsing the following: "*Our constitutional right of free speech necessarily includes the right of Americans to conduct schools in which to teach and learn the truth as they see it.* I believe, *therefore, that any attempt to suppress the teaching of Marxism in such an institution as the Jefferson School of Social Science represents a serious threat to all free inquiry."

NAME (print)

DATE

ADDRESS

TITLE, INSTITUTION, ORGANIZATION, ETC.

*(for identification purposes only)*

412

A VACATION THAT'S DIFFERENT...

* With fun, entertainment, lectures, sports ... and people it's fun being with — Jefferson School people at one of the Jefferson School camps. No better way to spend your one or two week vacation — you'll remember it for the fifty other weeks of the year. It's the people that make the place — and our idea is that people with live minds are more fun to play and relax with.

AT CRYSTAL LAKE LODGE

* In the Adirondacks—need we say more — a lovely private lake in majestic surroundings — with the camp merging into the background of green lawns and century-old trees. And everything that goes with it in the way of canoeing, swimming, fishing, tennis, riding, etc. The accommodations will meet your tastes — and a cuisine second to none.

AT ARROWHEAD LODGE

* Winding trails cutting thru the historic Shawangunk mountains — tennis, swimming, boating, handball, baseball, arts and crafts, folk dancing. And accommodations include rooms with comfortable places for lounging and games, a music room, the Foner Band, a library and the kind of dining room that encourages your appetite.

A VACATION TO STIMULATE... WITH STIMULATING PEOPLE

All this plus lectures and entertainment equals the best vacation you've ever had.

One complete course will be given each week. Classes will be held in the morning after breakfast. In addition — folk and social dancing, theatricals, music, camp fires and lots more.

LECTURES BY:

Dr. Howard Selsam, Francis Franklin, Doxey Wilkerson, David Goldway, Harold Collins, Albert Prago, George Squier, Benjamin Pascoff, Gwendolyn Bennett, Benjamin Levine, Dr. Philip Foner and others.

LECTURES ON:

Arts and Society; Economics of Crisis; Ethics; The New Europe; Germany — Past, Present, Future; World Politics; Psychology and Society; and others.

ARROWHEAD LODGE

**THE PLACE:** Arrowhead Lodge at Ellenville, New York, is 90 miles from New York City.

**THE TIME:** Vacation periods of one week or longer during June, July, August, and September. A different program of lectures will be given each week.

**TRANSPORTATION:** Bus from Dixie Terminal at 241 West 42nd Street or Mountain Transit Lines at 13 West 43rd Street to Ellenville, N. Y. ... Train from New York, Ontario and Western Railway at West 42nd Street Ferry. Camp car meets all buses. **Fare:** round trip about $4.50.

**RESERVATIONS:** A deposit of $5.00 is required with each reservation. Avoid disappointment — make your reservations early.

**RATES:** $47.50 in cottage and top floor of Main building ... $50. 1st and 2nd floor of Main building ... running water in all rooms ... bathrooms on floor nearby ... three in a room ... limited accommodations for couples.

CRYSTAL LAKE LODGE

**THE PLACE:** Crystal Lake at Chestertown, New York is about 220 miles from the city.

**TRANSPORTATION:** New York Central from Grand Central to Riverside, cab to Crystal Lake... or New York Central to Albany, change to Trailways Bus to Chestertown... or Trailways or Greyhound bus to Chestertown. Camp car from Chestertown. **Fare:** round trip $9.50 to $10.

**RATES:** $55 for de luxe cabins, private shower, 4 in a room ... $65 for 3 in a room ... lodge. $55 and $65 ... limited accommodations for couples at $55 and $65.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Prof. Lyman R. Bradley, Chairman

Frederick V. Field, Secretary

Alexander Trachtenberg, Treasurer

Robert W. Dunn

Dr. Philip S. Foner

Dashiell Hammett

Dr. William A. Hunton

Rubin Saltzman

Harry Sacher

Dr. Howard Selsam

Doxey A. Wilkerson

Nathan Witt

Ruth Young

Faculty Representative: Dr. Annette T. Rubinstein

FACULTY and LECTURERS

Charles Alexander

James Allen

Theodore Allen

Herbert Aptheker

Ronne Aul

Elizabeth Bacon

Ingram Bander

Philip Bard

Elizabeth Barker

Theodore Bassett

Gwendolyn Bennett

Abner W. Berry

Rosalie Berry

Henry Black

Milton Blau

Helaine Blok

Philip Bonosky

Francine Bradley

Ethel Brook

Lloyd L. Brown

Lucy Brown

Bernard Burton

Joseph Clark

Samuel Coe

Evelyn Cohen

Samuel Coleman

Robert DeCormier

Eva Desca

Louis Diskin

Carl Dorfman

Israel Epstein

Philip Evergood

Frederic Ewen

Howard Fast

Jenn Feirtag

Sidney Finkelstein

Henry Foner

Jack Foner

Philip Foner

Bernard Freidman

Joseph B. Furst

Sidney Gluck

David Goldway

Jose Louis Gonzalez

Aaron Goodelman

David Gordon

Max Gordon

Leotha Hackshaw

Dashiell Hammett

Herbert Haufrecht

Harry Haywood

Roslyn Held

Milton Howard

Charles Humboldt

Helen Hyde

Edward Israel

Howard E. Johnson

Leon Josephson

Estelle Kalish

Billie Kirpich

Harold Kirshner

Henry Klein

William Korff

Aaron Kramer

Herbert Kruckman

Vickie Lawrence

Elizabeth Lawson

Leonard Leader

Valerie Leavin

Louis Lerman

Donald Lester

Benjamin Levine

Norman Lewis

Saul Lishinsky

Harry Martel

Dollie L. Mason

Alan Max

Sidney Meyers

Alberto Moreau

George Morris

Mark Neider

Ruth Neuer

George Orban

Clara Ostrowsky

Myra Page

Benjamin Paskoff

William Patterson

Victor Perlo

John Pittman

Lillian Port

Albert Prago

Adele Raab

Anton Refregier

Marvin Reiss

Armando Roman

Annette T. Rubinstein

Joseph Samachson

Betty Sanders

Murray Savage

Margaret Schlauch

Elizabeth Searle

Bernard Segal

Edith Segal

Howard Selsam

Irwin Silber

Samuel Sillen

Michael Singer

Beatrice Siskind

Mary Southard

George Squier

Selma Stern

Mark Tarail

Gregor Taksa

Ruth Vinitsky

Theodore Ward

Susan Warren

Marx Wartofsky

Louis Weinstock

Myer Wiese

Harry K. Wells

Herbert Wheeldin

Edward Wiener

Doxey Wilkerson

Ann Williams

Beatrice Wiseman

Joseph Wolin

Beatrice Zimmet

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