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Books

by PERCY

CROSBY

CARTOON
That

BOOKS
Rookie
of

the

Thirteenth

Squad

(1917)

Between Skippy

Shots

(1918)
Humor
"

(1925)
and

Skippy
Always

Other

(1929)

Belittlin'

(Cartoonsand Prose) (1933)

ART

BOOKS
Sport Drawings

(1933)

PROSE

BOOKS

Skippy: A Novel Dear Sooky

(1929)
Philosophy

(1930)
(1931)

A Cartoonist's Patriotism

(1932)
(1932)
for
the

Skippy
Three

Rambles

Cheers

Red,

Red

and

RedI

(1936) (1938)

Would

Communism

Work

Out

In America?

PAMPHLETS
Vets
and

Wets,
of

Let's Gol

(1932)
Against
the

Defense
THE

the

Administration Ambassador

Charges

of

Russian
on

(1935)
Inaugural Address

Essay

Roosevelt's

Second

(1937)

Would
Out

Communism
in America?

Work

Percy

Crosby

Freedom
McLean,

Press
Virginia

COPYRIGHT,

1938

BY

PERCY

CROSBY

FIRST

EDITION

For

Len

Bowden
I

THOUGH bit
with every
My New

you

are

British
one

subject, am

an

American

of

grandparents, on bone, chanted the rosary York

generation of native heritage. father's side, papists to the my

every
wave

until the boat Sure, the grand lady's name had been Miss Cooney, but 'twould be well ifyou never breathed the name of Irish
country!" mother's flag" my
My

dock

to a of the way ''Amen!" bumped

Catholics for "this is a Protestant

Miss Thomas, on my grandmother. born at sea "under the American side, was

bit of class a mother always screeched. This was distinction that my father could never dodge. It was a
too definite. Had he answered, and priority that was if there had been radio cars in those early days, headquarters would have chanted: "Family trouble." And

yet,

as

I look back

on

those, my

recallany

incident where a with biographical data coaxed out of swollen lips. I have rambled on, my only reader, and though a

early days, itis hard to desk sergeant indulged himself

Britisher

("beggars musn't

be
on

choosers")

be long before you're getting shall have plenty of opportunity

page

with to lense it out, for each

it will not the book: you

laden with every tidbit which I could gather for your delight. But tarry a while.
a

is

festive board

VI

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA:

have gained the idea that I am a full-blooded oneHere I No, Lensey, I am not. generation American.
You

have described the whole background of ocean age parentgully, my grandmother, and, while it sounds a trifle born at sea, never the idea of all the could get over
American named she missed, so she married an Save for this Irish Catholic, Protestant fluid Greene.
ocean

which crackles in every Certainly no country.

vein, I
one,

am

free man

in

free

say arithmetic can I.O.U's glare defiance

nourished with a tinge of is not free for that this country from
every

window

of the

Treasury

"

Congress, set up like bowling pins. Awaits each legislativebill.

From ''Master"

swish the ball doth spin

Down

the alley with crashing spill.

Good

old cracks at the U. S. A. Messiah] God! From cheering stalls two on Treasury pay: Forty-six
"
"

Democracy?

It's all the balls!

"Master"

nation 1776 drum

distributing the golden fluid until the The Democracy.'' is saturated with "More head
sags,

beats: muffled with splashing fife toot a suck of coining honey: the flag, the every fan to preserve sacred liberty from infection by Semitic and Hibernian pests.
I am flight, a lost gnat creed to bolster my Protestant until rallying around the flag. Raised as a Without
a

DEDICATION

FOR

LEN

BOWDEN

VU

the age of thirteen, such faith held Httle interest for me The Catholic faith I after trying all denominations.
never

festival days; the Jewishfaith on embraced save had been denied because I had not the benefit of a local Without a synagogue. of the creed and a member

New York Call" before it staff on socialism's "The became the Congressional Record via Fireside Chat, I
was
soon

chased
was

from

the

excommunicated in the is lost somewhere title "Comrade" and my fringe of Roosevelt's epaulettes. And yet, as I look back through the years, it is difficultto choose altar aglow
a

Spinoza, I

atheistic shrine. Like from socialism's ranks

creed.

When

see

the Catholic

with candlelight, that is the only real at one church; when I hear the Christmas carols (since the cotta and cassock of a choir boy),my time I wore
This seems to with Protestantism. whole being thrills satisfy my religious craving until the mournful chant ears undone. and then I am of "Eli Eli" reaches my York Call"? Not if the old "New Dante's circle of hell is offered first where the flakes it be hell, down endlessly. Would of fire stream since I may end in that chamber, if the opportunity is

Jointhe parade of

"

given

to

say:

"Brother,

what's

the

fireside chat

today?"
is nothing to do, but wing it around the flag, brought low by governmental swat, and unless I am

There

vill
yet
a

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

to him might send me skidding to whoopypoops No Irish Catholic Isle. Then the Emerald what? with the last rites and tarnish the would entrust me No Irish Protestant would have Pope for all time.
any

of one who has the sheer brazenness to admit that he is a lost sheep and loves it. No Protestant
part
you

sweepings, as holy ground.

a

know,
man

will be tolerated without a religion is a

on man

papist,

ball of earth under rant and carp as we will in times of stress, one cannot be buried from a barber shop nor a bird store. One,
fate such as I, unless my should be a voyage American seamen, eventually will be peddled God forbid that I fume church to synagogue.
with from
away

without his feet in Ireland. But

in public thoroughfares. futilitythat It is with a dizziness of merry-go-round I rally round the flag, for in a copy of Life, May 9,
1938, in defense of the baby in I beheld a picture of
a

womb
woman

series of photographs, holding up a

forefinger in heading, "Mrs.

"Mrs.

"mustn't

mustn't"

pose.

Under

the

Feehan

Charles
Women,

scolds Mrs. Roosevelt" I read: Feehan, of president of the League

for her Roosevelt scolded Mrs. and her attitude commendation of the Birth of a Baby divorce Thompson Next day Dorothy on

Catholic

informed
country.'

Mrs.
"

Feehan

bluntly; 'This is

Protestant

DEDICATION

FOR

LEN

BOWDEN

IX

the visionary scope which meditates over Dorothy Thompson's fail to Kne contains, no one can concede that the great writer, recipient of a gold medal for humanitarian the logical choice of an work, was
one

When

American

society of social science. Certainly no line, despite its brevity, contains such a complete summary It is pregnant of the nation's plight today. with warning,

slip of the pen can bring down an avalanche of medals, diplomas, college degrees and the rest of the bric-a-brac consistent with one hundred and fifty has faith in the if one years of pioneer culture. Still,
a

for

all merciful Divinity one eventually can be spared. But aside from the Republican Party's epitaph, this
is
a

nation ruled by
a on

is the symbol of spread its rays

and the Statue of Liberty has The light never mother-in-law.

women

the right mate and the book, if may opened with dynamite reveal: "It should have been done this wayl" After a thorough blasting of succeeding pages
was

it will be discovered that the message

was

the title and there

not time for further analysis.

generally is Vassared wisdom braided offspring and is as unyielding

stone.

Such

down
as

through

the pages

of

Aside from
points and
my

for my enthusiasm paintings, dry lithographs you have expressed praise for
your

writing; various books, pamphlets

a

chapters flaunted before

and double-page superior audience has stirred

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA:

you

to

written

comment,

stamped in approval the book) and that after a second reading, surely you have been aware that, in this nation of superior must do such a thing. Why women, never you cannot you asked
a some one

you positively when of ''Three Cheers" (evenbuying

but

for an

American

label ever

shall remain
work
you

mystery.

At

least, when

praising such

should have tip-toed through the mail. It is not my aim to prick you with the slighest voltage but after all you are a total stranger to of censure,
these shores and a Britisher at that. If Democracy, enriched by the aristocracy of revolutionary tradition, completing a cycle of a century and a half, has finally

been
a

welded

in

Washington

crown,

who

are

you,

of subject

dom? to question such riveted freemonarchy, Surely you could not have known Three that
*'

Cheers"

never

should have

have

been

written, much

less

published. But since you

been the only person

on

these

a shores, though never recipient of a single favor, who has expressed approval of allmy writing, despite college lamps reflecting the guidance of thirteen American

publishers, there is nothing for me between the covers permanently

such time
as

to do but hide you

you

aromatize

of this book in deadi cation.

until

A A bee carries
a

MESSAGE

sting, but differing from the wasp,

he also gives the honey

CONTENTS
CHAPTER

PAGE

I. Communism's

Background Differing
from
with

1
a

II. The

Frog,

Nightingale,
...

Shares

His

One

Note

Millions Transport.
and

13

III. ''Headlines": IV.

''The
ill-clad,

Communism's
the

...

17
the
.

ill-nourished

ill-housed'';

or.
the

Rise, Workers,
Moscow Room
of

Rise!
the

20

V. Talking

from

Spite
23

House VI. Oh,

VII. VIII. IX.
for

Another
Income Marx

Crisis!
Tax
"

27

Roosevelt's Paging Karl

Where's

Got

ItI.

31

34

Sounding Congress

Mental

Depths

of

Member

of

39

X.

Freedom:
The

"Say

It With

Flowers!"

...

...

42 45

XI. XII.
XIII.

Supreme

Court
....'..

Is It Logical? All
The

46

Aboard!
Boomerang
"

Ding!

Ding!

Russia

Next

Stop!

49

XIV.
XV. XVI.

56 Russian Island Administration

...

N. R. A. The What "Paying

New

64
88
132

Roanoke Treasury?
the

Speech

XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI.

Price"

139
of for

Columbia,
Machine

The

Gem

Moscow

156
158
the

Gunning
Steeples Game

Peace

Church
Moscow's

Are

Now

Pawns

in

182
i
.

XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV.

XXVI.

Our

Dictator:

A Dialogue

203

Gainesville
Who

Speech Humanity?
for

226
235

Discovered
is the

What

Reason Rule!"

Such

Hatred?

270
285

"Majority How Will

XXVII. XXVIII.

Could
the

Communism
People Follow
xiii

Apply
the

to

America?
....

290 297

Light?
'

Communism^s
embracing

Background
part

RUSSIA,
.

the greater

stretching into Asia, is unKke for that matter, any other race, or

of Europe European any

and
people,

for the territory

tion. dominaalone suggests the extent of the government's its history, great changes took place, Throughout and, in the past, the only power which the monarchy held over the people when conditions became able unbearseries of beatings with a knout, and putting down by the use sporadic insurrections of soldiers, secret police, incarceration and exile. And yet, conditions
was

such through the greater part of Russia's history, perhaps from the fifteenth century on, that
were

the government

never
on, a

had

full control

of the empire

and

as

time

went

seething undercurrent

gained

momentum.

It is hard

to compare

Russia

due to its various channels idea which seemed to have

the desire of the vast throw
may
over

with any other nation of belief,but the only one national significance was to mostly illiterate,

majority,

the yoke

wonder why delves into history, and when one The Russian Revolution,'' covers
1

of suppression or slavery. Many this was not done before 1917, but

certainly the book.

that adequately,
a

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

deeper understanding of Russia's problems will become To touch upon the situation regarding the apparent.
methods

of gaining there
were

national

freedom

for the

oppressed

various

those who nihilists, socialists,

various
some

societies: the anarchists, favored a democracy, and aping

no

sorts of schools,

some

western

tion, civiliza-

had

aping another form, and enough followers to carry on

scope

particular society
revolution of national ideas concerning

where

all shared the

same

the overthrow of the empire. picture: it could be, with no

give the idea in a offense intended, compared

To

perhaps to a zoo merely to analyze the situation. For instance, if there were eagles, ostriches, parrots and birds of various plumage, no one particular food would
satisfy all,but each had their regular habits and nothing This was the case of would level all birds at one time. Russia, and secret societies worked under cover and no brought to how many matter patriotic victims were trial and executed, the struggle broke out afresh through
aim in mind, all classes with one rulers. At all times, the Czars

the overthrow of the in danger, and were

the only
tyranny,

recourse

the rulers adopted were methods of but again and again insurrection broke out,

tainly and that, in a picture, is the history of Russia, and cerit cannot England, be compared to Germany, Italy, France
up
or

America,

or

to the time when

Lenin

Even other nation. became the dictator, there

any

COMMUNISM

BACKGROUND

were

various

nuances

within the government

I beheve, who

replacing

the monarchy. Kaiser Wilhelm, It was

a

predicted that

revolution
was sooner
no

there

that

the grounds that substantial middle class in Russia, and later, that great or the gulf between

would

take

place,

on

no aristocrats and the peasants, where there was ground for understanding, would terminate

mon com-

in

nation-wide When one

music, such as TschaiSLai^e, kovsky's, and especially the Marche one senses And yet, there is something of the sadness of Russia. the Orient in the Caucasian Sketches, and in Rimsky-

revolution. listens to Russian

Korsakov's
in the music Dostoievski,

music, but underlying

or

it all,whether

it be

the writing, there is the note of sadness. Turgenev, Chekhov, Tolstoy, Pushkin,

reveal this tendency,

and

Russia,

judged
a

from

these

angles alone, presents an enigma Russia ever if not all Europe.

to the American
was

mind, loose fabric, and

in the series of revolutions, famines, enough to sear any or other held together. somehow nation, this country
In
an

essay,

''Need It Be So?" Tolstoy in his incisive

style pleads for better conditions for the workingman. Touching the terrificconditions of the miners, upon foundry, he rethe plowmen, veals and those toiling in the the unfairness of the times, where all worked

twelve to sixteen hours

day.

These

illiterate toilers

WOULD

COMMUNISiM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
at
some

had but Sunday

house

to relax in drunkenness

public

sorely needed for bread, went where money, over the bar. He compares such conditions, as did horse and Zola, with the idle class, stressing that one
an

than many sagging, equipage would be worth more decrepit horses behind the plows; stressing that the buying finery earned the obsequious bows from women

attendants

the shops because of the wealth, and hands were ing stressing that many with toil,labornumb But with it all,it was over the fineriesfor Milady. ing a condition of the times which was unfair to the laborat
masses,

previous

such a condition, as to the French Revolution,

and

in the conditions did, in the end,

terminate Turgot,

in

revolution. too, fought for humanity French The

when

he

was

in

charge of a Revolution.
Humanity
to
a was

province, antedating

the French

the same. conditions were much driven like slaves, and all were tenants
them

class who existence. No where humanity

gave
one

littleor
approve
serve

nothing

but

bare

would

porcine-; owled
were

is used to landowners.

But

of such conditions the gratifications of I said, these conas ditions

applicable to an era of the past, and while France gained independence through revolution, Russia in the yoke and is no better off than it was is still during
Families in Russia are the enslaved era. under the in Soviet Russia today state, and the herd of humanity

communism's

background

of the Marc he Slai^eas they did generations ago. Deal is aping And yei, the New for America that program and had laid the plans for

trudges

on

to the rhythm

the exact
regime

duplication.

Will

America

accept

such

in place of democracy? Somewhere in Lord Morley's

Works,
he

and

I believe
upon

it is the biography

of Burke,
two great

touches

the

difference between Burke,

and with

view

and to the differentiation between

thinkers, Turgot

the characters, points out that Burke, the impassioned Irishman, one of the greatest writers and statesmen England ever produced, fought for humanity with that that is Ireland's pride. gusto and strength of purpose
Turgot,

French
on

I said, had been the economic genius in province and had struggled to place humanity
as

self-sustaining basis. premier to the King, he was

a

Later

when

he
as

became
the most

looked upon

unpopular

figure,for he knew

from firsthand knowledge dug from

a

the struggles that the peasants their hands gnarled, earning

knew
a

from firsthand knowledge

soil, bare pittance; and he dissent, that there was the peasantry and but

the very

portentous

rumble

growing

from

to province, from province swelling as it grew he had great Turgot was cool and calculating and, while brought out, that he realized, as Morley sympathy,

humanity

never

wants

to

hear

Burke, regardless of whether

truth, whereas they wanted to hear it or

the

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA:

not, did at various times inflame his hearers with

his

coruscating oratory. Humanity does never

care

to hear the truth and

if

anything is uttered or written which has a disturbing bringing such a note into their connote, the person sciousne In America, is labelled a radical or a nut.
especially, we have this condition where the people are not interested in any ideas which conform to truth : the Treasury deficit situation is dismissed when the facts

become

to share the seem appalling. The rank and file in regard to this colossal deficit : viewpoint of Roosevelt by methods of spending it will work itself somehow
out.

It is the soilof apathy in a nation where the seeds o f is comdissension flourish. Then again, this country posed to of all nationalities and with immigration America dating from a few yesterdays, the troubles of
centuries
citizens.
are

stillembedded It does not take

in the racial blood of the great deal to touch upon

irritation. old wounds; prick them and start to the mind of a detached The thought might occur interested in the history of Russia, terminating reader little in the decisive revolution, although precipitated

by many

why it is understood
to
a

'05, others, and certainly the revolution of When from the church. Russia has drawn away

that the church with the pomp

of Russia

was

merged

great

extent

and circumstance

of

COxMMUNISM

BACKGROUND

regal ceremonies had been watched by I beheve, understand one can, the surging masses, The masses swing to atheism. of Russia, and the
autocracy,

and

greater
as

part

ilKterate, eked

out

bare existence, and

of toil overbalanced
altars and

Tolstoy brought endurance.

out, the hours

human

Perhaps

great

robes of

the priests suggested opulence of the autocracy when famine clutched the land. It was therefore natural that the church should be a part of the autocracy which fell. Dostoievski

in ''The

Brothers

Karamazov"

has

character, the second of three brothers, who reveals the The searching of the intellectuals atheistic trend of Russia. and the sorrow of the lowest classes are revealed

in the literature of Russia. ''The Insulted and the Injured" and the "Poor People" of Dostoievski covered Russia, and certainly Dostoievski paid for his writing.*
*Froin
my

book

"Patriotism":

to offer an example a great allow me of a man, less for the poor, the sick and the helporiginal writer, who did more I mean Dostoievski. This of Russia than any other man. man's novels cried out for the relief of the suffering peasantry. Merely for the reading of a radical letter to a circle of friends, he

"Patriot: Then

Together with other suspects, this author under arrest. lined up before a firing squad, and shivering with the intense was cold, the culprits listened to the reading of their death sentence.
was

put

When

the soldiers were

a

with Dostoievski four years,

Czar

a messenger arrived from the about to fire, to long imprisonment. commutation of sentence

then exiled to Siberia where he during which time he endured severe

was

was

confined for He hardships.

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

All Russian
of the
race,

aside from from that

stories and

literature, I said, reveals the brooding as and it is perhaps the clearest analysis, historical documents, can that one gain
short Sons,"

portion

Turgenev's of humanity. certainly his novel, ''Fathers and

of the character, reveal the atheistic tendencies Bazarov, the nihilist. I can think of no greater portrayal line of Turgenev. of characterization than one It is
so

sweeping

that it is Shakespearean when

in its scope.

Bazarov

reveals atheism

he

sneers:

"The
sneeze.''

only

time I look to Heaven

is when
masses

I want

to

The

suffering of the

naturally reflected itself

certainly cruelty and the
swing
to

in the literature of Russia, and

famine
was

and

Siberian exile encouraged

finally pardoned,

genius worked In debt for the greater part of his downtrodden poor of Russia. faltered in taking up the burden for his life,Dostoievski never
great

but instead of renouncing his country, this unceasingly to alleviate the suffering of the

his eyes closed in eternal sleep, all The lowest peasants, as well as princes, gathered at his bier to pay tribute to the genius of Dostoievski, There is something because, above all art, he was a patriot. exalted about the kind of socialism that aspires to solace the unfortunate fellowmen. Russia paid him homage. When
suffering of the poor, the sick and the helpless within Metallic brilliancewas not its aim as it is in the
one's case
country.

of this

buttered socialism of Shaw's, which tosses aside the sacred standards for home, God, power of and gold. of country, and of in days evski have Times those ^'Pacifist: changed since which Dostoilived.
*'

Patriot: Wisdom

knows

no

time."

communism's

background

understanding and feeling for all Russia cannot help but sympathize with that which its suffering humanity then understands endured; one

unbelief

"

atheism.

One

the pity of it. the swing to atheism, and more On the other hand, America to inherit attempting of Russia and glibly adopting the whole all the sorrows
program
never

for this nation has is laughable presumption, had one iota of that suffering which has befallen They do not know

what it is about. Assistant Secretary of the When Roosevelt was Navy, I had data concerning child labor and attacked

humanity.

is, a deplorable conit,for this condition was, and still dition But the matter rests with calling for reform. the states and the plan of the Administration, while it
to be oifers a remedy, is not unaware of an advantage is not aiming to cure the gained: the Administration but rather to stretch out its tentacles and control ill,

all the youth.

Regimentation

in any

form

is detrimental

weakest for a spot and the Russians, using the Administration know have gotten it. They their doctrines pawn,

to the liberty of all.

It is America's

schools and, if all children can be controlled, it falls. a matter will be just of time before the democracy It took centuries of suffering, exile, incarceration
through and countless deaths humanity finally threw
government.

before
over

an

illiterate mass

of

From

1917

the fetters and seized the on, riots broke out and a

10

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

leaderless mob

surged through the streets of Moscow and Petrograd, invading homes, palaces and shops, Soldiers and sailors mingled with seizing everything.
as

fired without thought the mobs and guns were the destination of the bullets. The cities were
state of hopeless confusion from

to
a

in

Lenin

tion. revolution after revolufinally took the reins and the most ruthless

before the of discipline were employed to the fact that, differingfrom France, people awakened no they were just where they started. There was
methods

freedom

for the workers, but all had ''or dictatorial power else.''
"

to conform

to

It is from

this that Roosevelt

has taken his pattern.

Perhaps

he does not realize his similarity to Kerensky, he does not the enthusiast, the dreamer: perhaps brief and disorder realize that Kerensky' s reign was Does

followed. through power? exile and

which Does he know

Roosevelt really know the vicissitudes into Russia passed before Lenin came
that Lenin they had and Stalin suffered
together

for many

years

planned,

with others, the overthrow Lenin and Stalin, were men, and

These of the monarchy? by parents not pampered

the benefit of falling into political soft They had to move spots. with secrecy; they suffered They had a and knew that their road was rough one.

had

not

their bitter taste of reverses Roosevelt has had nothing

in youth but success

and middle age. and he has yet

communism's

background

11
is

revealing himself What to the amazement now of the masses. gives Roosevelt the idea that, with impunity, he can carry
to prove
out

himself under

fire. He

the orders of Russia, namely, inflaming the working the soldiers and sailors of Russia classes? When threw discipline to the winds, dismissed all officers,

officers rose non-commissioned Roosevelt know that he is the

more

into
one
man

power.

Does
is doing

who
man

to start

Does

he know

revolution than any that, if the workers,

in power? believing in his

against the wealthy and the educated, ever rise and start the looting which took place in leaders, or rather those Russia, they will pick their own

incessant taunts

naturally endowed Look at Lewis who

vainglorious man, that he is the stepping

ability will seize power? gave Roosevelt orders. Does this Roosevelt, ever realize the truth,
with
stone

When more? Kerensky, stating that

spoke

nothing of Communism, brain trusters referred to Roosevelt as a

a

truth, for
man

our

good

follow, they Stalin would leader is a double for that

into the vortex of a mob swept who was lost sight of, and the hardened leaders was will work out in seized Kerensky' s place. The same if America Roosevelt's case wants riots instead of

gushing until he

democracy.

Continued brought

hate of hate, hate and more Spain to ruin. Is it brilliance on the part of
messages

12

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
of mind? imagined

Roosevelt
What
can

to incite people

to

such

state

follow such stressing of the masses' Roosevelt is getting Russia's ills,but revolution? like a very chestnuts out of the fire,and while it seems he bright job he is doing, let us face a truth. Was
placed in the White House to carry out Moscow Would or the American people? work
out

the orders of Communism

in America

even

if Roosevelt

does succeed in

carrying out Moscow's

orders?

II

The

Frog, Differing from

Nightingale,

Shares His One

MilKons
Second

Note

With
''Essay
was

THE
space

on

Roosevelt's

Inaugural

dress'' Ad-

published in two pages of advertising in the New York Sun, July 13, 1937. In a box,
the Essay, I wrote: have

introducing

''Since I, Percy

Crosby,

been Ksted

as

'tax-

dodger,' I believe I made myself very clear on the issue regarding taxes in a letter to Senator Wheeler, dated March
11, 1937, praising him

the Supreme
to
"

Court.
follows:

The

for his stand in ing upholdconclusion of that letter

the Senator

'In writing this letter,please know that it is from a citizen proud of his vote, proud of his nation, and from a citizen who is a creator and shall never be anything

but that. freedom

It is from

It is from

citizen who

believes that

for the individual is the most

a

sacred heritage.

citizen who is willing to pay any amount of taxes under the Constitutional form of government, and that willingly, but it is from a citizen who shall
never

pay

toll to

one-man

rule government

at any

price.'
13

14

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
me

''The following Essay 15th, and

10,000 copies

was were

published by
sent through

February

the channels
to
every

was sent of selected mailing lists. A copy of the House member and the Senate, and the United States." newspaper editors over

to

2,000

While New
in two

the

New

York
were

Journal- American anxious

to carry

York
pages

Tribune

and the the Essay

be interesting of advertising space, it may to learn that the Essay was York offered to the New Times, They refused to publish it. Why?
The
Essay
was

published in six pages of ''Editor and Publisher'' for the week of July 17, 1937. In that
same

issue

an

editorial discussed the Essay:

or

in

flare

add prescience, Presidential the writer of the editorial said: "The address to which Mr. Crosby devotes his criticalattention had, in addition to its high sponsorship, its
strongest

of visionary conception,

should

one

attraction in the phrases and the thinking with which Mr. Crosby finds the most fault. It is undeniable that Mr. Crosby's excellent prose

popular

lacks the kind of thinking that turns votes, however it may much appeal to one who feels similarly. Its length is an almost insuperable obstacle to a type
dress in newspaper
arguments newspaper

and

which drive at least some

space

could

point up its of them home to a

at

gallop.
content

to reading clientele accustomed And so long as the editors and Mr.

the

Crosby

themselves

with

essays

and

editorials, Mr.

THE

FROG

DIFFERS

FROM

NIGHTINGALE

15

Roosevelt will be delighted to take the headlines. for him in 1936/' won

They

burst of brilliancy did not come as a surprise for, on the day the Essay was published in the New York Sun, a Washington correspondent of ''Editor and Such
a

Publisher" wired, asking what was the purpose of the Such flashes from the lighthouse of the nation's Essay. Has Democracy our are momentous. press passed has it nothing left to recommend it to even away
"

is the purpose What of the Essay? memory? Where have I been all this time? Am I walking around in an If the last century has 1812 sailor's top hat?

the

not

been

turned

inside out

and
a

I have

the necessary

to credentials entitling me is it any century, wonder

place in the nineteenth Russians that converted

rushed to the polls to hurry along their slavery? Since the writer of the ''Editor and Publisher" that they editorial stresses "headlines," suggesting
won

for Roosevelt

in 1936, it would
to

seem

that if the
at

"newspaper

clientele accustomed

reading

the

gallop" took time to analyze the situation and resisted "headlines" they might not be faced with slavery for their children. But perhaps that would be placing mental strain on a galloping generation; a generation which likes to "gallop" along with literary labels supplied by critics and, by the acceptance of of
a

too much

such labels, like toads in

nearer

the goal which

our

they are reptile museum, good leader has selected.

16

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Still,once
''gallop'' or Does
not

the 'Voad

ahead'' has been taken with a hops, their souls will be digested at leisure.

this ''gallop" minded population of America find reflection in the line in Tugwell's "The Battle for Democracy"
:

"We

write against time?"

If the paper news-

the Essay, instead of taking reader passed over everything at a "gallop," they would discover that I

quoted line we
What
a

the "Communist

Manifesto"
win

find:

".
.

to

and in a closing the battle of democracy."

"The
exact

that coincidence Battle for Democracy"

Professor
for
a

Tugwell

title. What

chose is the

writing: "We write "Now!" "Now I" against time" and Roosevelt's "Now!" Perhaps I could make myself clear if the reader is
not
on

difference between

Tugwell's

the "gallop"

by

saying

that in

book

which

so sure and published in 1936 when all were of their "gallop" that I quoted Tugwell's "The Battle for

I wrote

Democracy"
speech. There

and quoted parts of Roosevelt's Baltimore Did Tugwell write Roosevelt's speeches? is that much difference in Roosevelt's prepared

thinking and that of genius as there is between between the chanting frog and a star. Somewhere

noisy frog and

the gleaming star there are blind bats who, unable to see the light,focus their entire attention on the frog. Since the press of the nation accepts such editorials as
that of the "Editor

and

Publisher"

serious mien, small wonder bats. a little

that the American

with press is

Ill

"Headlines'": Communism's Transport

the writer of the
"...

SINCE editorial said:

press.
an

''Editor and
to

PubKsher''
the headlines/'

content

take

it calls for a littleanalysis of the American These headlines given to Roosevelt, followed by

attitude of the entire press of the nation to fawn before potential dictatorial powers, does not speak the press well for the freedom of the press. Moreover, during Roosevelt's reign, helped Communism to a great extent, for it gave it one of its strongest footholds. Perhaps the writer of the editorialis taking
of America,
too

torials much credit for the press when he speaks of edifor I know of none that analyzed the inaugural

address. When, as I brought out in the Essay on his headline which did not inaugural address, he had one position, he demurred place him in an advantageous times when and in flashing pique said, ''There are headlines
them
not
are

not

in order."
was

Since

he

had

gotten

for years, like it, and

it

telling the press

that he did

failed to pick up and attack him on this very point and it was a rare opportunity. However, the "headlines" served Communism's end,
the press and the
masses,

reading

over

headlines, gained

the

17

18

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

idea that they had some god. The press is responsible for this. Then again, the press, with rare exceptions, and that in editorial,helped the "headlines," so one wonders where the majority of editorialsin this nation did anything but fawn. When Roosevelt was mildly taken to task for some outrageous violation of the
got the reading such editorial soon picture of the editor in thumb-biting reverie. Such followed the same editorial, and a countless number
one

Constitution,

pattern,
a

started off with

mild rebuke

and

ended

in

no

panegyric of the man's politicalwizardry. Aside from spending billionsof dollars, or with little record of the expenditure, calling people by their

firstnames,
over

and spreading dissension in the press and

the radio, stirring up smouldering embers of class hatred, what has Roosevelt in conaccomplished structio Communism's one consistent note is that
note

of hatred which Roosevelt spreads at every The Dhammapada, Oriental religion, an opportunity. Testament, antedating the New reveals: "For hatred
same

does not

cease

by
an

hatred at any

time: hatred

ceases

by love
Can

"

this is

old rule."

of the nation's press recalljustone single speech of Roosevelt's in the last three years hate? Just one? which did not spread the Communist What has the American press gained by its "headlines" other than to further the factious aims of Communism?
any

member

"headlines

COMMUNISM

TRANSPORT

19

cow's bursts of oratorical hate brought Lewis, MosDay after pet, from obscurity to ''headKnes/' day, the front pages flared with what Lewis did, with
These

what

he said; photographs

of the

man

in dictatorial

attitudes confronted the people of the nation, and sitdown strikes were played up for circulation, and all the time Communism, thanks to Roosevelt, surged
to
were

the front with banners waving; the Red banners exemplified in headlines, and yet, as time moves

on,

how

brief

are

headlines, for

as

soon

as

Lewis

met

the stone
to

wall of resistance of a few men with the Roosevelt-Lewis comply

agitator
was

who

refused

this Communist
pages.

swept

combination, from the front

combination had whipped the steel industry, whether America have fallen, for Roosevelt at all times had would
wonders
never

One

if the Roosevelt-Lewis

uttered

is not spouting

word of opposition. can considered brilliant, how

If Karl
a

Marx

"comrade"

Hne of soapbox theories, spilling the same slops together with millions of others be construed as "There are times when 'headlines'are out of a wizard? order" and that is when they further the Communistic
state

instead of Democracy.

IV

"The

ill-clad, the ill-nourished

; and the ill-housed'' OR,

Rise, Workers,

Rise!

fighting for according to is the Communist arguments, and the answer liberation of the working classes. How can there be few self-appointed liberation of the masses a when

WHAT
''experts"

are

the

masses

rule millions; rule them levy taxes and make the people pay
the proceedings?
working

by

force of

arms;

How

can

without a voice in there be liberation for the

under a Communistic classes in America have no say in the matter, but regime when the masses rather comply with the rules forced on them? fetters; Here are people seething under imaginary
eyes

staring and brows contracted, they brood over from them the imagined conditions which prevent dream They of the day of asserting themselves. into their awakening: that day when the workers come Utopia. With full freedom of the right to assemble; to express their grievances and with full freedom of a
press,

agitators strain at of Communist the chains of slavery and hope for the day when they

these pawns

20

RISE,

WORKERS,

RISe!

21

and read the censored news, the censored editorials;hope for the day when soldiers and secret police will disperse any gathering
Will open
expressive of voicing the people's grievances: these of the people, hoping for the day when the tyranny factory, mines, foundry and shop will be expanded

their daily papers

into government

And
masses

this, "my
are

be combined. friends," is the liberation for which the

so

that the two

can

fist on a struggling. Mr. Smith hammers the table, after hearing a soapbox orator: ''The working classes have suffered long enough, but I say,
'Throw

The chains!' children become frightened as the livid faced head of the family bangs tener lisEvery on the table: "Free the working man!"

down

the

"

agitator is saying of the Communist thing and the only difference is that more
are

the

same

succeed in winning freedom from a government of freedom. A butterfly, convincing himself that he carries the look very pretty, or brilliant, sun on the wing, may
hovering

frightened and more dogs end, these liberation neophytes

are

children barking. In the

colony of ants, plodding along with the hind quarter of a spider's leg, building or repairing the colony, but if ant colonies tolerate Platos or

above

Aristotles, allowing time out for meditation, such ants to might pause watch the flight of the butterfly and

wonder:

"Does

he know

where

he's going?"

22

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

when the blacks

But

the red ants invade the colony, neither nor the reds have time to consider the
will be forgotten for leaders of ants
cocoons. are

butterfly. He
not

found

in

Talking

from

the Moscow

Room

of the Spite House

turning newspaper who sneezes into a furore until extras are rushed to city rooms When anxious throngs with headHnes: ''GazooniteT'

WHO

is this

man

economic spoiHst, he sweeps programs off the air, and, in ''firesidechat'' gives the under his domination the inside facts of subjects We are treated to a picture of ''John'' government.

the mood

comes

over

our

sitting

him

teases the edge of a chair as the great man into a beKef that there is danger of dictatorship,
on

then, at the right moment, John'sfears are banished by one of those great strokes and we all chuckle at the plight of "John." The people are assured when
his desk Roosevelt states that he is going to turn over in 1941. to his successor He makes the decision. Then the "chat" goes into the serious side of government,

subjects
soon

talk stressing the deplorable condition of the country office. The when he took over hear of all the progress until they purr in
a

detached

contentment.

Then
a

reaches

there is a flickerof warmth fireside blaze until it spreads

which
to

the

curtains

and

are subjects

breathless is aflame. The everything at the threshold, petrified! Progress was

23

24

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
"

the people become astounded with the facts Court has usurped the government the Supreme and a stunned audience hears the truth for the first time but
since last Tuesday
are these nine men crushing the be done for must souls of the people. Something breathless leader time for delay and our there is no
"

expounds

the

deplorable

The Dust Bowl nation. is lost in the Adirondachs.

conditions which is in the Gulf and

We
must

face the the Gulf

and The

gasp

of

our

leader, a

do something ''Now!" ghostly gasp warns:

time that the these
nine

realize subjects

for the thousandth

Supreme

Court
have

is not

above
up to

reproach,

Methuselahs saying goes economic

been

''Murder

something, but as will out.'' In ghostly gasps

the
our

spoilistcries out; cries out in curdling shrieks that the Supreme Court has meddled with the machinery "Do something'' or "all shall be of government.

lost" stirs the listeners to a realization of impending In a state of crazed excitement, confused voters doom.
rearrange
are windows raised as sympathetic listenersshout "Scat!" We are faced with disaster not next cruel disaster ifsomething is not done
"

the

rooms

or

"

month,

not

next

Whitsuntide

but

"

"Now!"

tracted, Dis-

the Tammanyized for

*'

carry

something'* must out an immediate program,

selves millions are beside thembe done and in the haste to children
a

are

cuffed and before they scurry

away

warning

soundly rings in

TALKING

FROM

THE

MOSCOW

ROOM

25

their

ears

that, under taking

no

be

seen

candy
are

circumstances should they from Court. the Supreme

These

Hsteners when

formed about to consider their duty peranother ''Nowowwow" sends them rethree branches
to

coiHng. The great

government

leader explains the them

as

of of

plod their weary for one horse of this three but not "rejoicing," way, team refuses to move; refuses to budge and yoked Our leader finally explains this pulls at the traces.
them

and compares "toiling, sorrowing''

horses

"

two

they

parable when Horse? Six months

he

announces,

'T

am

one

of the horses."

have

passed

and

the

are subjects

still

reminded that to wait another minute, nay, a second, be the undoing of the government. Another may horse is beginning to balk in the traces and, due to the
refractory Court, the Gulf has turned to Something must be done 1 "Now!" Where
the Marines, Mr.
a

sand dune. is Congress,

Farley, the Boy the

Scouts, the Chamber

of Commerce,
something,"

Treasury?
poor

Oh,
are

somebody

"do

for the

workers

silence and

nourished the land insupportable.

these without complaint and ill-housed" have found the factories in In utter

suffering; in "ill-clad,ill-

despair, these poor

way.

workers
somebody

have

slugged

their homeward "Nowowwow"?

Can't

do something

26

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
see

Must

we,

the people, stand by

"economic

and

royalists" oppress the people, placing railroad tracks in their way until the ''ill-nourished"are compelled to
Have they no friends, but path to home? Are these "ill-housed" in the postmasters? such utter distress that they must live in factories with ventilation
a

dynamite

bad, that to receive a breath of air, their "illforced to open the windows with are nourished" women blizzard of bricks? a
so

VI

Oh, for Another

Crisis!
been

the recipient of mail, giving the people's impressions of the ing Essay, and perhaps five people gave me credit for know-

SINCE

writing the Essay,

I have

Every something about it five ordinary men. than thirty, connot more other letter,and there were tained
"

Some the advertising thought suggestions. should have been played up in six to eight pages with this goes right into the very large print, and of course "headline'' category, unless things
are

proving that people do not read in large type. It never occurred to

these people that advertising space costs thousands of dollars, but aside from that, all these people were criticaland knew justhow it should have been done.

One

lady construed the Essay as This newspaper the heat of anger.

me

something written in reader informed me

that if the mood came over President, although she was I should count ten, and

again to attack our good doing, against what he was

angry,

if very

count

one

hundred.
If people, content tactics, did a with manuropean Httle counting themselves, instead of advising others to do it, they would get a better idea of the national treasury deficit, merrily hoopling into another century.
27

28

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

know, election, Roosevelt, as we never intimated that he intended to usurp the Supreme Court, making it subservient to the Executive branch.

Before

the 1936

covered in the Democratic platform, and any change affecting the Supreme Court to be taken up by Amendment. When Roosevelt was
was

In brief,the whole issue

secured the election,he rode into the White House caravan of press "headlines." At no time did he consider the

on

ever

the wishes of the people but sprang he had controlled. Every scheme on Congress whom wish of the President's had been obeyed and he figured that Congress would carry out his aims in regard to expunging
most

the Supreme

Court.

In

word, it

was

the
to
a

daring attempt, the most destroy the government. Up

treasonable gesture
to

the time

he met

refractory Senate, the President did not stoop

a

to such

thing

as or

change It was
Upper

asking the people whether whether they did not.

not

they wanted

the

until he met a stiffened opposition in the House, that Roosevelt, as a last resource, decided
Having

to lay the facts before the people.

the radio in a series of addresses where was preme utter hopelessness for the nation unless the Su-

used the keynote

Court
informed

was

purged

the people of a that the Court was stillthere the day after his last address, Roosevelt found, to his unutterable disgust.
"

of old men; and having disaster,and finding panic

OH,

FOR

ANOTHER

CRISIS

I Here
was

29

that he would
most

have to wait for Congress.

the

awful panic in the world about to break and the After months, time. world's saviour had to mark more the first bill aimed at the Court failed. Then
worse

delay and the second met a affect Roosevelt one iota. He

fate. This did not

of the minority It would seem

1938

"

construed it as the deceit the Liberty League.

an

that the President, with

eye

to the

of the absence elections, will take advantage of Congress to carry the issue before the people again. gress Court, the ConWhen the Constitution, the Supreme and
every

phase

stood the test of wars spoilist, the time has Why

is it that every

of the government gets in the way of

come

which
our

has

economic

part

the situation. ment of Constitutional govern-

to analyze

tends to retard the whims or the will of this man? If this President disdains popular opinion in regard to the packing of the Court, it is an indication of how
people would fare under such a ruler if they opposed him. No longer the parade soldier pince-nezzing with a glitterof brass buttons and indulging his vanity with the strains of martial music, ''Hail to the Chief." This
a
man

has

temporary

altorial tendencies in revealed his dlctr defeat. He intends to lash out at the

Congress and
can

who

more still

has opposed him, to have other men

his
measure

using

more

trickery

put

over

once

returned so that he tricks again. So many

30

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

have been put

the people that one loses count. Somehow or other, the "Here it is, here it isn't''goes for a time, but America may wake up when they realize
over
on

that the dollar is the "isn't." It

seems

deplorable that "road

contumacious

should clutter the Democracy will be parcel out It looked like such
the

ahead"

enshrined; the freedom necessary

a

where where Roosevelt

for the

minority Economic

will

"majority."

inaugural

wide, whizzing thoroughfare from now throne, and these insufferable

was

detours of "horse and buggy" dimensions. Here a rose perfectly lovely panic, where an indigo sun

fell, blending with the bottomless abyss, so destructive to the frightened gaze and then
delay. but will it be lovely picture Do
as
"

and beautifully

this unforesee
panic, That

Now

we

have the

to have
one

another

terrible as
must

portrayed? it be dismissed? That treasure?

the people realize that it is no mean performance to paint such a picture in every living-room of the land
then
one

and
can

see

it disappear up
a

get

world, or no, harps dripping them!

the sniff tubes? Where better panic? Perhaps the end of the in Heaven a war angels fighting and
" "

That's it that'll now with blood. in Heaven? Paradise Lost? War God? Milton?

Lucifer?

Oh, damn

Milton!

VII

Roosevelt's Income
we are on

Tax

"

Where's

Got

It!

SINCE
seem

the

It of ''headlines/' would subject

Fish, representing that when Congressman Roosevelt's district, stated that he intended to go into

Roosevelt's

income

became

aware

away
men

good leader "headof such a possibilityand stole the lines" from Representative Fish by taking newspaper
tax statements,
our

around

his estate to prove

a

that he

was

no

farmer, This

but

merely
such
a

man

made

great

trees. raising Christmas impression upon sional Congresa

committee that they immediately stopped further inquiries and claimed that Roosevelt's income tax return
met

Still, the thought persists with allrequirements. Fish gave the readers of that Representative
to understand

papers

regarding an President's income

that he could divulge evasive tinge in connection

return.

some

news

with

the
was

After

the

matter

silenced by a Congressional committee, did not offer to show his report

of the nation, but rather
tax reports
was

ecutive the Chief Exto the citizens to show

content

come the in-

Previous

of other people. to the Congressional committee's

of

President

Roosevelt's

income

tax

approval cating indireport,

with full

that Roosevelt's income

31

return

met

32

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

approval,
many

the Honorable
that he had

Hamilton
some

words

Fish stated in so angles of Roosevelt's

income However,

tax that he wished

now

to bring before the people.

that the statements

of Representative

suggestive that the with subdued ''headlines'' ruptions, President's income was not evasive interwithout have been where a cornucopia or two might verdict of the Congressional missed, the sweeping committee stopped any further ''headlines" involving

Fish met

Mr.
a

Fish's statements.

Such

verdict
now a

Congressional

has committee York in from New

the part of resentati placed the Repon

he accepts such a verdict from he admits that facts in his possession are questionable. Has he been silenced due to a lack of facts? ilton If this be the case, then it places the Honorable HamFish in the most
statesman
government.
aware can

position, where, if the Congressional committee,

unfortunate light to which a history of in be subjected the entire is But then, on the other hand, one

that Mr.

Roosevelt

offices demanding
income
tax

has not rushed into newspaper his "headlines" exposing

to public scrutiny.

Certainly if there is

leader, nothing evasive in the income tax of our good then it will be the only thing upon which he has not been evasive in his five years in the White House.
is what it should be, especially since the Administration had the brilliant

If the President's income

tax

Roosevelt's

income

tax

33

for public perusal, idea of opening up such matters the President, of all people, should be willing to place his cards on the table.

calls everybody, and after card game seeing the cards of the other players, finds that the highest hand against him is a pair of kings, he cannot
take the pot, purring: ''Well, Tve got aces,'' without Those who have tried it are nursing showing them. headstones. If the supposed winner refuses to show his cards, but takes one two players out of seven or

If

man

in

stand aside and in whispering confidence gives them to underthat he has the winning pasteboards, should the five players accept such a verdict without seeing the Surely the President would be in a far stronger cards? the table. I am position if he placed his cards on
not

sion satisfied with the Congressional committee's deciconcerning Roosevelt's income tax return at any
The Administration

time.
reports

''exposed"

the income

tax

their of citizens to the public gaze, "exposed" there was private business: on the other hand, when posed" Roosevelt's private affairs "exdanger of having to mittee public scrutiny, the Congressional comhurriedly "President"
a so

closed

the

issue.

Why
a

was

the

jittery?Roosevelt

is not

king, he is

Court, citizen up to the time he kills the Supreme but then, perhaps we are playing Hyde Park and seek.

VIII

Paging

Karl Marx

MILLIONS
or

of people under the domination of one to be grateful man rulers have either had cause resentful for the influence exercised upon the rulers

by their wives. has indulged However, no ruler'swife, I beheve, ever in such peregrinations as those of Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt.
MounA veritable gushing hither and thither to Bear tain, the Rockies, ferry over the Smokies, and over

boating
energy.

or

of aeroplaning, onward she goes, a dynamo A skip, hop and jump to a Camp Fire Girls'
in time just
to don miner's

conference, and getting away overalls and a lamp to meet in the bowels

somethe photographers where of the earth. One imagines a

flashing glance at a wristwatch and then a speed elevator taking the First Lady to the ground level where is hurdled A whirr as a mountain an aeroplane awaits.

and

we

next

find Mrs. Eleanor halfway through

These

program.

radio niture brushed aside, there's furtrivialities

salesmanship, perusal of school papers, gossip with children, egg frying, and sofa sewing is the grist ''My Day." for a daily syndicated column
"

I will quote 1937:

from

her column

published August

14,

34

PAGING

KARL

MARX

35

"In the evening

tryman's read aloud, finishing 'The CounYear/ by David Grayson.

we

''I know
pages

it is all wrong
But

to turn

down

the

corners

of
want

in books.

what

should you

do if you

to find those pages

again, to re-read certain parts? ''This book has many One page pages turned down. I often wanted to say, but I I tried to clothe it in when ril give it to you here from the book: idea, one one great and beautiful curative
seen

expressed so well what always felt inadequate

words, "'But

idea, I think I have

I heard it expressed T. Washington.

growing through the years. long ago by the Negro leader, "You
cannot

Booker

keep the Negro

without staying there with him.'' I have it clear in Henry Ford's admonition that the seen the exploitation prosperity of industry rests not upon in the gutter

labor itself prosperous making of labor, but upon to buy the products thus enabling the workman of industry. '"Science, above all, is shot through with it: For
"

"

hookworm
our own

in any

of the world without endangering are children. If this idea, that men
part

inextricably bound

together, that the welfare of each is the welfare of all if only this idea can continue to human to become grow, greater and stronger, many
"

illswill disappear.' "Bravo, Mr. Grayson!

I wish

you

could preach

36

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
us

Many that doctrine the world over! of as you, but not enough yet/* Perhaps in the writing, one gains some of Mrs. Roosevelt's gushing personality,

agree

with

conception and I believe

her praise of Mr.

Grayson's

unrestrained enthusiasm brand new. Everything old

as

is suggestive of that for something looked upon as Mr.

book

Grayson

God.

I imagine

the sentence

has said is as worm regarding hook-

is misquoted, that all men idea by any

great
are

for it makes

little sense.

The idea Grayson's

in

bound
of

together is not Mr.

means,

amount

for it

can

be found

philosophies and great religions. Lenin, too, was taken by a book, which he enthused to such extent departed from its over that he never
teachings and he believed in it so much that millions of Russians are now sharing the results of that enthusiasm, else. and they share little

The

''exploitation" is word ''literature" as fleas on

men are

as a

munistic plentiful in Comdog. mangy

"If this idea, that

inextricably bound
"

together

that the welfare of each is the welfare of all ^if only this idea can continue to grow, to become greater human is ills will disappear." many and stronger,
"

embodied

in the Constitution, which protects the individu rights of man and, by so doing, protects "the

welfare of all."
a

working

the Constitution does not specify it means class alone all classes and that is
But
"

PAGING

KARL

MARX

37

where

Mr.

Roosevelt

parts

company

with

stitutio the Con-

Since Hyde

Park

has

of books, why not turn ''On Liberty/'where essay

came

habit of turning down pages down a page of John Mill's

ever, he writes: ''A time howaffairs,when men of human that their
in

in the progress think

it
a
an

ceased
governors

to

should be

necessity of nature independent power, It appeared

to

opposed
them

interest to

themselves.

much

better that the various magistrates of the state should be their tenants or delegates, revocable at their pleasure. In that way
complete alone, it seemed, could they have

would never If the time lags around this extract from the same ''What
was
now

security that the powers of government be abused to their disadvantage."

the Christmas
essay
was,

tree nursery,

wanted

has food for reflection: that the rulers should be

identified with the people; that their interest and will The should be the interest and will of the nation. nation did not need to be protected against its own fear of its tyrannizing over itself. no will. There was Let the rulers be effectually responsible to it, promptly removable by it,and it could afford to trust them with
power

to be of which it could itself dictate the use but the nation's own Their power was power, made. concentrated, and in a form convenient for exercise."

The

author

means

that its

own

will should be

con-

38

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

centra ted

Every

in the executive, not act of the Administration

the

will of Russia. is aimed to destroy

"the welfare of each'' and ''the welfare of all/' Since such books are read openly at Hyde Park, it is Deal. If, instead of no wonder that we have the New
turning down

the pages,

turned

down

nation would

all the be in a better situation than it is today.

the President and his family Communist rule books, the

IX

Sounding
Member
RECEIVED
a

Mental

Depths

of

of Congress
by the
on

I Honorable
cover

enlightening speech made Charles Eckert of Pennsylvania,

very

the

of which it said ''(Not printed at Government no time, since there was expense)." But at the same
stamp
on

the envelope,

of the mail. since the Administration advantage

took the good Congressman Still,that is not so strange has taken

advantage

of the

mail, perhaps without the knowledge of some citizens. This speech is all about poor labor and the workers and how they have no rights, and that God owns all it would be merely a repetithe land, and to go over tion of the Communist rule books. It is Karl Marx, Lenin, Roosevelt, Tugwell. But since Roosevelt has if this was his own wonders speeches prepared, one
not

prepared

for the Congressman.

The

reader must

judge.
I quote

from

the Congressman's

speech: "President effective of worlds is

Roosevelt

has publicly declared that the most

guide for the safety of this most worldly moral principle. This is ancient wisdom, at all times and under all circumstances.
activities of government

applicable Unless the of ethics

have
39

the sanction

40

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA? Good

and good morals, evil fruits will be the harvest. Thou shalt not steal. morals decree
"

''This applies to nations

as

well

as

individuals. The
is the taking

vice of the violation of this moral precept

of the rightfulproperty of another without his consent." find: ''The importanc Then at the close of his speech we of the land question and its relation to the labor problem are well illustrated in the anthracite There thousands of men coal region of Pennsylvania.
The principal occupation of these unemployed. is coal mining. When the depression unemployed The miners, of the operators closed the mines. came,
were

happened. something large quantities of virgin coal in the bowels Here were of the earth. True, these coal beds, under the present
course,

lost their

jobs.

But

But some of things, are private property. of the miners, faced with their own and their families' wants, flouted the law, took possession of the private property and, without the aid of employers, are busily

scheme

engaged
their
own

in the production

of coal and thus

are

solving

problem
go
no

One

need

of unemployment." further than this, and

that is the

from Karl trouble with all Communist arguments in the down, somewhere Marx down, and of course along the path, we find President Roosevelt. Whoever
wrote

nists the speech has the same tendency as all Commuhave, and that is, to trip themselves up. There

SOUNDING

MENTAL

DEPTHS

OF

AN

M.

C.

41

are

two

points

here: First, "Do

not

and then steal/'

''Go ahead and steal." If this is representative of a it comline of reasoning, Congressman's no pares wonder favorably with Roosevelt's, for both are merely
the pawns of Moscow.

Freedom:

''Say It With

Flowers!"
Court
got

WE
which

know

that the Supreme

way,

in Roosevelt's

and

he has interpreted

that body,

has been able to survive one hundred and fifty have years, as toadies of ''economic royalists/' You to have "royalists'' because Russia had them and it makes broke using
a

better

"revolution."

These

nine

plotters

the windows of the under-privileged classes, to hide their factious their black gowns grimage pilIt has been known

undone after engineers had erected a great power plant, the Supreme Court, fully robed, and under cover of night, It away. pulled the plug and let all the water run
was

work

has been

Deal's that all the New in the Tennessee regions, for

but the people should know these things. difficult Roosevelt has stressed the idea that the "majority
rules," and by there is justone

"majority"we
this poor,

that of course, class of people in the United States to alienized portion of forty-nine hours a day, have
no our no

know,

be

considered;

citizenry, working time for leisure,and, having

bricks,
can

forced to find what by hurling missilesin the plants of private industry.

are

golf clubs, but merely little enjoyment they

42

FREEDOM:

"say

IT

WITH

FLOWERS

1"

43

speech, points out where in the history of the nation. allpeople have been wrong The people never had the power of the vote. They were ruled by the few. Are cemeteries going to be raked that ''the ill-nourished''of a bygone day will get It is acknowledged that we are going another chance?
so

Roosevelt, In his Roanoke

backward,
prove

but

why

resurrect

the past

that "the minute men'' were Roosevelt's word, is that not enough? If we accept Those glorious dead, passed away with the delectable tyrant. thought that George the Third was a Like the Supreme caretaker.
power,

in order to really "Lewis men"?

Court, history gets

Since
are
"

in the way

of God's

the

Administration
see

has is

assumed
given
to

they

going to

that freedom

all the people

complete

freedom.

Roosevelt

personally will supervise every vestige of freedom for those above the earth: ifhis "ill-nourished" clientele finds that their freedom
is insufficient, the

Rajah

of

Rajahs, King
pass out.

to of Kings, will have plenty more For with freedom taken from 130,000,000

people and

his commissars, the supply should be limitless. In truth, the Roosevelts already have so much that they, with a Crown Prince
one man

hoarded

by

and

label, are
What
a

sending it out in Cannes. glorious thing it is to have

the whole

stitutio Con-

and the whole program

of this nation vested

44

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
How
com-

in

one

man

who

has

begun ''just

it is to know

forting ber that the Constitution, the Cham-

to fight/'

of Commerce,

the Senate,

the Supreme

Court,

be fitted very and miUions of people can into the dimensions of Roosevelt's mirror.

pleasantly

XI

The
After

Supreme
Court

Court
rendered the

the

Supreme

decision

regarding the unconstitutionahty of the N. R. A. and the A. A. A., the press of the nation gave them great praise; one editorialin a New York paper stressed

J^J^

Court. It was not of the Supreme but rather the Supreme Court did its duty and courage Courts had functioned. functioned as other Supreme
the great
courage

This is not aimed

great

to detract from

the Supreme

Courtis

for such decisions saved service to humanity, America, but rather to analyze the deplorable situation America, due to the Administration in the country.
activities, had sunk looked tremendously truth is, the
so

low

that the Supreme

Court

courageous

and

exalted, but the

the
same.

tribunal remained judicial

can

The leaves

situation
a

mark

be pictured as a tide. High which does not change, but when

tide
the

low tide comes,

and all the squirting clams are apparent, level, the high tide and everything has sunk to mud water mark seems exalted, taken from that perspective.
When,
at
a

later date, humanity

its proper

level, the Supreme

as a

rises like the tide to Court decisions will be

accepted

matter

of routine.
45

XII

Is It Logical?
acquainted with the doctrines of Karl Marx reaKzes that, differing from the democratic form

ONE
his

of government, the Holland

course

flexible than such doctrines are no more Roosevelt, having started on Tunnel. from 1933, is compelled to speed ahead

the subterranean channel, and as in the case turn from one side of the Holland Tunnel, he cannot to the other for the "road ahead" takes a direction

through

opposite to the road of democracy. In the past, there has been much talk of brain know, these adtrusters in Washington, visors and as we

Deal, while the legislation of the New Congress looked on like the featured stars in Madame
wrote

Tussaud's Roosevelt

waxworks.
were

conference, one and the conferences would be so identical to everything ''economic freedom," Roosevelt ever said in regard to

plotters surrounding given the radio, or if they gave a press would discover that the radio talks

If the

that there scarcely would be the variation of a word. After two severe beatings regarding a change in the Supreme Court, where Senators thought the justices
serving
on

the bench
not

citizens and

like other should be treated by the buzz button on the operate

46

IS

IT

LOGICAL?
has

47

informed us in his latest message that a great mistake has been made into the tunand all the people should be rammed for the few stragglers nelized plan of Communism,
executive's

desk, the President

embracing the minority no longer count. When Roosevelt said in his message, referring to the abbreviated bill regarding courts, which he signed,
''It does
not

touch

the problem
seems

of aged

and

infirm

judges,"the thought
or

somehow

we

have

heard

that somewhere haps, those words before. Peroccur

to

are not as calisthenically physically the justices inclined and as much on their toes as the President, but then, was the building which houses them designed

for

Why not drop this consistent note gymnasium? Court until stressing the infirmities of the Supreme and Navy officers to such time as they utilize Army
a

prop

them the

into place.

Mentally,

they

have

not

serted de-

training table, and

though

sticking to the rules as they see ment, physical incapacity is brought in repeatedly as an arguthe suspicion lurks in well-grounded channels to the executive. that this is the only course open they
are

old-fashioned When them.

have a young culprit venerable judge should before him, and with evidence before the justice consistent If
a

and the with proof that the culprit stole money, dignitary pointed out these truths to the culprit, it be a good would rendering a delayed sentence,

48

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

if the culprit, in turn, finding such sentence for the benefit of unacceptable, replied to the justice an old, infirm man and all in the court, that he was
argument

his eyes

were

dimmed?
Even

That though

he

was

an

such terms titter from the court, would it alter the facts which that, does the assailin guided the justice? But beyond
or of the infirmities of the justice, detract from the guilt of the culprit? How?

Methuselah?

old fossil,a brought a

justices,

XIII

All Aboard]

Ding]

Ding]

Russia Next
Administration
they have

Stop]

THE
men

when
who

is obviously grasping at straws of half a dozen publicize the names

taken advantage of the large apertures tax fabric, like fish swimming in the government's in The Administration, nets. and out of unmended

sending such

names

to the press

that such an issue would few thousand dollars less to the AdministraHow tion, a giving no account whatsoever as to the squandering of billionsof dollars,can be played up by the press is a mystery.

of the nation, knew be headlined. It was.

Does

something the press

hke
ever

what $40,000,000,000? They

anyone

know

was

done with do not! Has of those

considered publishing the

names

receiving reliefas a guidance to those, such as myself, easier to who have had people quit jobsbecause it was dole instead of working? take the ''government" is it that, with all the income tax experts in Washington has allowed and elsewhere, this country How

scheming
some

women

to

use

marriage

as

racket, where

thousands of of these parasites receive many dollars yearly without having to give one cent of such hold-up money to the government; without having to
49

50

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

make

any

accounting

yesterday's for the miasma to soar. Since some of my mail, both outgoing and incoming, never reached its destination, and if that could happen
to
one

of their loot? Placing lace over ''loopholes" political vomit leaves too many

citizen,it could happen wholly without blame?

sums

is the Administration to all,

Does

one

have

to pay

large

for taxes and take the seizure of mail without Does one have to pay taxes and suba murmur? mit to the Administration tyranny where a Senator,
out

carrying

Klansman

tactics, seizes personal telegrams?

The

Administration

is following every

formula

of

Communism,

taking the rights from the people, ing spendto hasten the destruction of the their money democracy; one man, usurping the Executive Office,

spending vast

sums

in emperor

giving any account, his wild expendiruler; daring to do this and, to cover tures, making an issue of a few thousands of dollars

fashion, and that out withto intrench his position as a

legally saved. It is the same plan as his repeated, though laughable, thrusts at the minority where he warns that this minority is intent upon the

majority

for the purposes seizing the government dictatorship. Roosevelt warns the people

oj

of autocratic this danger.

If
one

no

ever minority nor seized the nation in majority hundred and fiftyyears, how is it that this particu-

ALL

aboard!

ding!

ding! such
a

51

lar President
How
IS

has

suddenly

discovered

plot?

it that the entire world acknowledged that our Constitution gave freedom to all the people, and very were great Presidents and fine statesmen under such

Roosevelt suddenly has discovered their that the people have had the ''wool pulled over The whole world has been fooled until Roosevelt eyes?" Our economic spoilist entered the White House.
an

but illusion,

now

of freedom given us a fair idea of his methods Since such freedom with the United States Treasury. is confined to one man, what kind of freedom will has
''citizens"

enjoy

if their souls

are

sent to

government

distribution? vault for one man's Where does the Administration

citizens must
government

the alone, when Administration by every act and utterance has thrown to the trash heap? the United States government The

conform in payment

gain the idea that to the Constitutional form of

of taxes

people, conforming
government

stitutio to the last vestige of the Conin payment of taxes,

while

Roosevelt
account
money

takes such taxes and, without giving any him the power, since Congress gave spends
a

tossed sailor. The citizens, now are victims of Roosevelt's tantrums, supposed to surrender "or their free will and their money else." Recently, I saw film of the United States a news
grog

like

Treasury

at work,

where

whizzing machine

chopped

52

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

But Roosevelt has a genius for into pulp. old currency destroying money quicker than that. If people, once flung into a bottomless citizens,want to see their money pit by
one

who

lingers in all actions for the brief duration

are

of the cheers, then they

If the people
government

the Russian willing to pay supplant the Constitutional government

are

welcome to have

to the right.

by giving Roosevelt the power

any

to sign blank checks for

accounting, then I have one consoling memory, and that is that my contribution to Russia's puppet Far state was reduced to a minimum.
amount

without

an

more

than that amount

has been spent

by

me

trying to

awaken the people to the impending danger, but like all decadent generations, they turn from the light and are
content to tremble in darkness: content

in slime awaiting ''reorganization plan.'' The cry of ''Wolf! Wolf!" in regard to tax dodgers is Since Roosevelt made the rinsed out balloon soup. a newspaper that, if I were outcry, I know publisher, I

toads

cuddle like the slithering result of the

to

press ence should send a reporter to the Washington conferand direct him to ask the executive one question, one, just and that is: "Mr. President, you have raised a

about ill-clad.' What Hyde

Park

great

cry

'the ill-housed, the ill-nourished, the

pay
your
men

did you before and

during
open

1936?"

at working Since other

people's private affairs were

to public scrutiny.

ALL

aboard!

ding!

ding!
something
misses an

53

perhaps

the public would the private life of a man

like to know
never

about
opportunity

who to cry: ''Wolf! Wolf!"

see

If the people
reorganization

the point, they will shy clear of the plan. Once a fish gets the hook in the

the taste of the worm goes mouth, with the hook. This line can be followed with nibbling contemplation, for the echo can be found in the housewife's market
"my clear of ''reorganization" worms, friends," while the bay glides around the fins,for fins they are hauled on the New and tails are useless once

basket.

Swim

Deal

dock. has
money

Where handle shown

the Administration
as
a

that it can shown big industry? Where have they

no

have they shown anyefficiency? Where thing but the debit side of the ledger? There has been gain, and it'sbeen spending, spending, and a negative
any

necessary step to destroy capitalism. sign is the first "goes If a man in the hole" playing cards and then

getting spreads the word around that his losses are better, the general opinion of such card brilliancewould be that such a person should give up the game. But

when and

man

with
out
a

46

"

2 plurality plays such

game

loss of $10,000,000,000instead of $20,000,000,000,the press of the nation becomes

gives

hysterical.

Perhaps

they

reason, are

if the

President's

losses for the succeeding year

the $15,000,000,000,

54

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

country's

sitting pretty If this wizard keeps on

can't
see

Hne: "You
changed
preserve

gain of $5,000,000,000. his favorite with such a game, the forest for the trees," will be

with

to ''You

can't
on our

see

the trees for the pulp," to

the

Where
as

nation's scoreboard. has the Administration shown any accounting

zeros

to where

get it?

Do

Do the people the billionsof dollars go? aliens get it? Do politiciansgot it? Since usurping

the Administration, intent upon

the

name

government,

is

tax reform to stop loopholes, how

about the

people getting together with a view to plugging the leakage? I say leakage, for the has whole bottom dropped out. Has not the time come for some organized
movement

people's money? checks Every

to any
once
a

in regard to the paying out of the Can the Administration write out until
we

citizens
on

exhaust all the zeros? in a while, the Administration shows the bridge and everybody's happy. They turn
amount

the radio dial and hear the voice of the chief: ''You can't see the forest for the trees!" Everybody goes to

bed happy,
see

chuckling, "What for the the people's money

spender."

You

can't

zeros.

It'slike the

threw

old story of the trolleycar conductor who the nickels up in the air inside the trolley. A
was:

asked the reason and the reply hit the bell rope belong to the company."
passenger

"All that

conductor

found

If such a that the nickel he brought in to the

ALL

aboard!

ding

ding

55

plugged, he could make a stir, expressive of for an oration on fare his indignation. What a
owners was

subject

dodgers, and as the conductor turned his over, subject imagine the possibilities for creating a furore. can one have stolen a ride on Six men the Administration and the plugged nickel has been exposed by The Senate, the House, the press, and the conductor. the public, reflect the trolley custodian's righteous
trolley car, warmth. dodgers, with all this indignation regarding fare has advanced the suggestion of turning no one the trolley conductor upside down. But

XIV

The
a

Boomerang

DURING
he had had
a

conference with Senators, according to a press dispatch, Roosevelt had informed them that

Hughes talk with Chief Justice at the beginning of his Administration. The President then Governor explained to the Senators that when he was York, he called in the Supreme Court justices of New

formed The President then inof the state for cooperation. Hughes and the the Senators that Chief Justice in a like manner. other justices refused to cooperate After this conference, heard right.
It is hard
to
one

Senator wondered

if he had

believe that

man,
a

office of President should have such How the United States government.

elected to the idea of vague President could

interpret the Supreme

coming
to the hub

Court

is beyond

spoke belief. In fine, because

as

just another

the Supreme

Court

idea of a Supreme his jokes, thrillto sulked. There

was

did not conform to the President's laugh at Court and talk things over,
a

"Charlie'' or

the ''Joe,"

President

the rest of the gown "crack down" the extent on these rebels. We know know that every of that bitter campaign; wheel of
66

and nothing to do, since Hughes ''boys" did not yes it out, but to

THE

BOOMERANG

57

government

was

stopped,

and

the radio
nine
men

as

well, to
upholding

of spite on spread Roosevelt's sense the interests of the people.

We

know

that America

was

treated to the

reasons

for expunging Court; know the Supreme President explained about horses. First it and buggy'' then ''horses!horses! horses!" thing
we

that
was

the

''horse
The

know,

and
we

perhaps
were

that's the

reason

only for the

horses, is that

propaganda. horses, we are

sense.

with manuropean And yet, with all the horses, horses, stillwaiting for some element of horse showered

The
came

firstbill to "pack

the Court"

failed; and

then

the same thing. Six men another billwhich was have gotten on the Court if the "revised" would bill had been passed, in truth, the same rapidity billadvocated the matter of a few which the first
"

^just

years.

Roosevelt's long awaited choice of what he considered a justice Senator Black. This decision met with the shouts of the people,
Then
came
"

for

John
and

Lewis

the man!

Just expressed thunderous approval. Black had seized private telegrams of citizens, Lewis had seized their factories. What a
from
as

the selection came choice! And hoped that he would be viewed

"

the

man

who their

"they had met

master

"

58

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Roll And

on a

"

on

to centuries hence

name
suns

coruscates

the sky.

Paling

and erasing planets In the lambent glow.

name

sucking in endless space. in radiance: Bathing Heaven Sparing a ray for Almighty God

Lest he lose the way. Inspired And Every With

name:

had been foretold.

the prophetic words

atom,
sun

emblazon

and planet

reflected gleam.
throughout

Flaming

the firmament
streets of Hell,

Scorching the very

Giving Heaven
The

little more

light:

thing it needed.

Ne'er known
To

God,

before to angel. to Lucifer nor man:

For this different light, after Black

Somehow
The
can

failsto shine.

dictator, with the slightest finger buzz, either or erase them as the prolong the lifeof his

subjects

whim

moves

him.

And
can

yo^i, the faintest pressure

from

the Finger Divine

go up

and

down

make the most important ruler like a button on his desk. Strange

THE

BOOMERANG

59
he
was

that Senator Robinson,

most,

and

that when gaining

passed

away

without

needed Roosevelt's permission.

When advisers Supreme

our nor

White

House

Congressmen

ruler did not consult any regarding his choice for the

Court, allowing months to pass before filling drawing near on the bench, the time was the vacancy

for
was

adjournmentof
oppressive
now, now,"

Congress.

and

"Now,

all were Roosevelt

The heat of Washington tired. Then, with

suddenly
which

appointed
the government

Black

to the highest
can

judicial post

to one pauses offer. When consider that Roosevelt had plenty of time to weigh the qualifications of the man selected for the tribunal, and since

he had made such Court, one would the

man

great

think

issue assailing the Supreme one that in naming justice,

nothing
present
assume

selected would be of such high character that in the way of criticism of the past or the One would could be brought against him.

that the selection of the one justice would be in every particular, something far above a model man One naturally would think that, due the ordinary.
to the delay, this was
one

morning,

President's aim, and yet, into ''headlines" the press rolled its merry way

justthe

to the fact that a and a drowsy nation awoke lawyer, with hardly any bar experience, was country have a the supreme thrill it must selection. What

60

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

been to linger

over

morning

result of such a sweeping move him, relishing every to face those around surprised All the world would know that Roosevelt utterance. had struck! The ink was
reporter
was

coffee, contemplating the headlined over a nation;

hardly dry

on

the "headlines"

had

of a Pittsburgh paper revealed life member Congress, as usual, a of the Klan. it in the inkling given to them, but pooh-poohed

when a that Black

their customary

style. Now

Black

is

life member

tribunal; out of reach of Roosevelt and of the august Congress unless some constitutional process removes him.
firstpoint is bad enough, namely, appointing a legal experience, and it proved beyond man with little but aside doubt that Roosevelt wanted a yes man, a

The

from

that Black carried that, it must be remembered the K. K. K. principles into the actions of a committee

of citizens. when he seized telegrams, private property He really was wearing the hood in his position as Senator. If the appointment ing of Black has done nothelse, it has punctured the philosophy of swiftness Despite opposed to the ''horse and buggy'' era. of swiftness headlined regarding Americans Roosevelt warns affiliation,
that
are

as

this brilliant move

Black's Klan "there
are some

too
an

much

in

hurry"

and

does it without the flickerof

eyelash.

THE

BOOMERANG

61
on

In order to get
it would
seem
a

yes
no

man one

(Communist)

the bench,

that

and Black and

a

reporter

gation, exercised the proper investibreaks the story regarding

speech is printed. If Roosevelt had the selection of any character in the history of literature, the speech of Black before the Klan is consistent with Uriah Heep,
"I'm
so

'umble/'

The

"Tm

so

weak,''

a syruped over and ''I love you," crowd of men, and ''I love everybody, I love everything, God, the trees" With all some causes element of nauseating wonder.

this gushing

love. Black

was

the first snooper

to seize

in the scent. was private property and the fiery cross One can picture the President before the microphone delivering his plea for more justices while the elusive Black further. any refuses to discuss the matter

Maybe

the brillianceof Roosevelt is equal to the occasion He may do him an injustice. may and we ask for twelve to make up for Black. Then is not that
again, it may the kind of a
upstart

have
man

dare and Roosevelt It may be to take a dare.

a was

been

some

advisor

put

in his place by the

have topped the again. Black may list of all those Roosevelt had in mind: he may have been the only citizen. How know do we the who Let's have some other five or six justices are? element
appointment.

And

of cricket about the matter, since we're Perhaps Roosevelt has asked the Pope

all going bats. to fill another

62

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

and if the Pope has agreed, we are in a fine fettle. There are five more scheduled and Mahatma He have accepted. Gandhi things may may make
vacancy

the first sitdown striker, but, I imagine, the tossing of a few goats would mollify the

hum

because

he

was

milker, especially if we kept him supplied sincere little bathing disciples. Then again, for with Hollywood have selected Mae West. change, Roosevelt might

Could
me

Gandhi

some

come resist "Xo, Handsome, "You be had." or can time

''
"

up

and see Certainly

knows is dressed for such a part. One never The whether he just got up or he's going to bed. places might be retained for Roosevelt's remaining in for the family has not been photographed sons,

Gandhi

black robes and it'sa news know At any rate, we

his way, he is determined

slant. Roosevelt wants that when to gQ,i it. He is out to beat if he has to
use

the Supreme
to flog them.

Court
When

even

the K. K. K. that Black let

New

Dealers say
think
once

Roosevelt
Klan
never course,

down,

I hardly

that's fair, for the

they strung them
story,
up.

let anyone there

are

down
two

Of

sides to every

and

it may

be that there is aW element of truth to the have carried on a rumor that these eight Methuselahs If that be whispering campaign right on the bench. the choice of Black, due to his Nothing a wise one. experience in such matters, was
true, then, of
course,

THE

BOOMERANG

63
a

like having

to carry on trusted monitor knuckle cracking during the teacher's absence.

a

little

Perhaps
one

the ideal type

can

of

Supreme

Court

is justice

long as so cheek squirt to the tenth row If Black cannot he can sing the "Internationale." how to seize private property and sing it, he knows has no kick there, for certainly the K. K. K. Moscow who is,with its doctrine of hatred, for Communism.
an

excellent springboard

fireside If the nation is to be treated to any more Court, why not lead a horse spats with the Supreme Horses 1 drop with to the mike and let the matter
''

Horses!

Horses!" there is
an

in the old but they saying: ''The mills of the gods grind slow, look smaller anyone grind exceeding small." Does Perhaps

element

of wisdom

this time, regardless of his interpretation from a White House mirror? than

Roosevelt

at

own

XV

N. R. A.

"

New

Russian
I

Administration

THE

world today, to a large extent, is governed by groups who set themselves up as experts to guide the lives of millions. At the head of each group there
The dazed

is the leader.

multitudes have the great into their conqualities of these leaders tom-tommed sciousne Photographs Mountain proporof Rocky tions to prove that the confront the herded masses
are

leaders

big

men.

if a Still,

man

is not

big

man

by the laws of nature, one make up such deficiency.

Where
never or

wonders

how

camera

can

how

these dictators
on

are

discovered,
concern

one

knows.

People

these shores do not

ships themselves with the sweeping program of all dictatoris enslaved, and the freedom of where humanity the press, as well as the freedom of speech has been
taken
time

from

mankind:

and argument, between these three dictatorships, forgetting

but rather they, with waste of data to differentiate go into minute

that all deprive the people of their sacred rights. Or I wrote in ''Three Cheers for the Red, Red, and as "People Red": ask what is the difference between
64

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

65

Nazism,

to and the answer and Communism, the head with a pipe and that is, if you are hit over injuredpermanently, what does it matter if the pipe

Fascism

were

brass, iron

or

lead?'' has become

as

Since Communism
country

more

popular

in this

than Democracy,

the 46

"

2 plurality testifies,
on

it is essential to form of slavery. The

concentrate

this particular

line quoted above was taken from a chapter titled: ''Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto,'' where, in the same chapter. Communism,
I believe, was "The
warring
to subjected

similar, penetrating focus: geoisie factions in Communism are the Boura

(therich) and the Proletariat (the workers) or

they say, the 'exploiting'and the 'exploited.' They feel that the workers should control and take from the rich, but if the workers become rich and the rich poor,
as

it solve the problem? The poor become reversed?

does

Aren't

the

conditions the

'the exploiting' and

and rich 'the exploited.' If the poor steal the money position from the rich, isn't it fair that the rich should Communists become the overnight and steal from

Capitalists?"

II

IF

THE

Communist
government,

state

does

supplant

our

cratic Demo-

justhow a Japanesebombardment
has been

the ordinary citizen will know in Tokio feelsduring the Chinese Ambassador

declared, such

an

of Shanghai. Ambassador

Since
must

no

war

stay
move

in

the territory assigned to him; must and balance sterilized fish hooks
some

guard every his tongue, on

means

lest

mousey

littleword

be

the

of spraying

another

city's atmosphere
no

Though

with half of its population. bassador superfluous syllables escape from the Amlips, a miniature bombardment is seething

of militaristic nations wishing to seize territory without the formalities of a declaration dictators have adopted the same tactics; by of war, degrees they seize power, and after each encroachment for a succeeding move : there ever is a reason something interferes with the government's always plan of
progress.

within his breast. As in the case

Each
as

move

on

been
they

studied
are

well
on

as

the part of the dictators has before all succeeding moves

Before astonished people. people realize the effect,for the dictator takes them by
sprung

the

66

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

67

surprise, another

follows which has a tendency Or, on the other hand, to obscure the previous gesture. to cover be the feeler or the smoke screen the first may
move

the second. At any rate, if the one man rulers succeed in the case in putting over as a of surprise manoeuvre, invading armies, they are on the ground and it is then too late for a counter offensive; again, as in the case of invading armies, the ground gained is merely the start. These sudden moves on the part of dictators are preceded by manufactured grievances and the move,
is supposed aimed for control, the imagined grievance. This
was

to be the retaliation for

"A program is covered in ''Three Cheers" : intimidated by easy people are carried out where
more with success, and as each stage meets is given and the people do not realize how pressure far they have been carried until it is too late to turn back. I have brought out in 'The Individual Mind'

stages,

that

the ordinary under

man
a

and

woman,

of expression
cause,

government

given freedom dedicated to this

reveal that they possess elements of wisdom and taste, but on the other hand, and this is where we
is of the professors, humanity is carried out naturally gregarious, and if a program is susceptible to herding. slowly but surely, humanity
a

acknowledge

premise

In the

case

of the American

people, the

century

and half
to
save

of freedom

will not

contain

resources

68

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

humanity
to be swept

against

making
to

if they allow themselves Deal withalong in the vortex of the New out At this day, humanity is beginning an outcry. the pressure, the signs of the poisoning
.

show

and

are

lulledby explanations. ''When humanity accepts

.

little shocking,

and

then

condition which at firstis following cona accepts dition,

be likened to pain. which is stronger, it can The firstshock of pain is bad, but the sufferer,after the pain continues, learns to accept it, but if the increased instantaneously, they pain had been given to them
could not bear it. It would the case of what is taking

be too much, and that is place in the government

where I said they are naturally gregarious, people become confused if a program of intimidation is brought against them. They turn from one to the other, but no one takes the

today.

In the

case

of

mass

humanity

lead, and this is where the great mass is ruled, for the firstman is given an example who dares to raise objection of terrorism, and all his neighbors learn that
it is not well to speak one's That is the plan of mind. This is dictatorship and is consistent with all tyrants.
every

terrorism." element of Roman That, ''my friend," is how a one man

ruler gains his

power.

explanation, let us focus our attention nation for the sake of a clearer point of view.

For

on

this

Some-

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

69

times

writer

can

the navigator,
concentration.

in the case reach the reader if,as he can the glass for purposes

of of

adjust

In

''The

Russian

Revolution/' the

points out that, before the Bolsheviks seized Trotsky made the suggestion that if the masses power, they, by such a show of paraded in vast numbers, frighten the bourgeoisie and send strength, would author them work: when in hiding.
we

Now

the telescope is beginning

to

will turn

it onto

the streets teemed

point.

of New
as

the N. R. A. parade of 1933 York teemed with all the

upon

workers:
a

thousands
a

thousands

passed

given

Such day.

tremendous Other
the

better part

of a followed
over

parade took the ington, cities, including Washmanoeuvre

suit and

was

lined head-

all

the nation.

That

was

Roosei^elt' s first

show ofstrength and the press nei^er recoveredjrom It. The blue eagle, plastered all over the land, took the the people by storm, and by showing it everywhere
American tance. eagle became a fixture of secondary imporWhat did that blue eagle symbolize? The claws held lightning and a cogwheel. The lightning signified

swiftness and the cog, the workers. departed from this Has ever symbol? been made for the temporary move
Has not every workers? Has Roosevelt ever

Has
not

Roosevelt
every

swift

benefit of the

speech

stressed their conditions?

thought

The

''Communist

Manifesto''

of any other class? instills hatred of the

70

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
Has

capitalist and Roosevelt ever

the seizing of the

government.

made a speech, a remark, that did not How stir class hatred? about his repeated references to "economic toward the slow royalists?" His sneers
moving

form

the symbol in the cards that Roosevelt would get the It was is it that delegate after deleHow gate 1932 nomination. cried out: the choice made American "Franklin Delano Roosevelt?''
Was ican by keener minds than those of AmerRoosevelt launched on the was politicians? Why
scene as a

of Democracy? of the lightning.

That

was

bringing in

assassin fireat his office? How him before he had taken over does any citizen know that this had not been planned to clothe

hero?

Why

did

an

the

man

with the

aura a

of

god?

Is there anything

like a miracle to raise We know that from

ruler above mortal man? the time Roosevelt took office if he did not he acted the part of the superman even have the brains to go with it. He was TugwelFs parrot

and

I defy anyone

to question

that statement,

for it

cannot

be refuted any more that than my statement Maybe, Tugwell is Karl Marx's parrot. after all, when the blade of genius strikes it shows the lightning
claw
as
a

in the Russian

pair of static steps

over

which

America's The control

superman

tripped.

Administration's
was

preconceived
manoeuvre.

not

an

obvious

plan of gaining While the

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

71

N. R. A.
in

duplicate of that which took place Russia, the Administration had the democratic form
move was

to fallback on any time they needed it. of government In a word, it was manoeuvres the mask to screen of dictatorship. The time had not come to do away with to creep the democratic form entirely : it was necessary
up
on

the people by degrees; creep

upon

them

with the

tentacles of propaganda. had a rare Communism

America

had

never

I will explain: opportunity. recovered from the war, when

Prohibition schemers

program

coerced the representatives seized power; of the people, and, by such method, put over know, since of restriction. Later, as we

for freedom, the nation antonym restriction is an Soon gangdom, slumped into apathy. realizing the listlessness of the people and their static Congress, nefarious of the most control. Lawlessness nature, scope, finally trespassed and in its minatory into city and state governments; gangdom, aided by

gained

bought

politicians,usurped the laws and, as The their victims. citizens became

consequence,

Federal

government,

dominated
was

restrictive law, and in turn helpless. This helplessness by bigoted groups, was

holding to

apathy
years

the nation reflected throughout Democracy, due to of the people. of

in the

twelve

with

everything restriction, opposing consistent liberty, sank to its lowest level. It was

72

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
all

and, morally, America description.

deadening

suffered beyond

It

was

then that Roosevelt, Governor

of New

York,

did absolutely nothing to correct the wave of crime; did nothing to assail those responsible for such a condition. I quote from ''Three Cheers'' : ''Let us assume,
for the sake of the stark, naked thought alone, that of Congress is a spigot at the end of a each member long pipe. Every pipe reaches back to the people like
In the past, before the spokes leading from the hub. the fanatics controlled these spigots, the channels

kept clear. The of the pipes were spigots flowed freely. At the present day, the pipes are corroded until only drops trickle from the spigots. This corrosion and filth is due
are

to the selfish lobbying.

cleaned. Congress cannot people going to do about it? "The

government
was

Until these pipes function. What are the

originally planned

so

that

these spigots would be left open would

do

the work, and the channels from Prohibition the people.

fanatics started the corrosion by their tactics of lobbying, and since the repeal of Prohibition, the pipes have
never

been

cleaned.
de

Before

repairs

were

undertaken

and

the government
the
nom

under

administration, cleared, this new party, plume of the Democratic

repeated, and in all truth, employed all the evils of the fanatics. In a word, coercion was brought to bear on

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

73

Congress.
is employed.
as ''Just

Every

element

of the 'do it or else' was

and

New

when York, deserted Al Smith the President of

the

Roosevelt,

he

became
no

governor

of

after he
existing

him,

longer needed Administration

of the people, by the people he gained the and for the people, when, by their votes, Presidency of the United States." deserted the government
And:
governor

"If

we

look back

on

the time

Roosevelt

was

fail to recall that, York, we cannot of New known in Albany, he never to have was while he was taken a decided stand on any issue. He was considered
a

straddler he However,

legislation. all issues touching upon known as an was astute politician. Long before the Chicago convention took place, Roosevelt
on

As we planned for the presidential nomination. know, a deadlock took place at the Democratic convention, using and then, Hearst with one of his swift moves, for a loudspeaker, gave McAdoo the needed power

had

which

secured

for Franklin

D.

Roosevelt

cratic the Demo-

nomination which sent him to the White House. his office, the "When the President entered upon in the man. He people were amazed with the change longer the straddler of Albany, but a man no was who
was

direct, dynamic.
a

Streets

were

carrying

and

an

The symbol. iron wheel. Perhaps the iron wheel

new

filled with marchers eagle clutching lightning

was

to be

74

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
the Aeschylus

dropped legend.

on

the heads

of the rich, Kke the

Still, when

bird

was

brought

down,

something dropped on the head of the rich right after the fall. 'But the lightning?' asks the reader, 'What does that signify?' Perhaps the swift moves of the professors using the President and Congress. "Since the Administration has taken the reins of have been authority, there have been bills which

whipped
To
empty
was reason,

through

ning. with the rapidity of lightthe Administration, Congress supplied two

Congress

which foreign ammunition For some the nation. unaccountable shot over tion's both Houses have adhered to the Administra-

chambers

through

whipped into will. If they demurred, they were line in short order. But on the other hand. Congress had little seldom consulted on complaint, for they were
A distinct body of 'experts' of government. Men, who, were gathered for that particular purpose. instead of pencils behind their ears, carried bolts of

problems

Russian

lightning."
case

for their of Prohibitionists, using war dom scheme, and as in the follow up of that scheme, gangdid Communism so used the apathy of the masses, use the unmoral, deplorable, deadened state of the
As in the

Democracy,

to

serve

as

background

to shoot

their

The people had fireworks which had been prepared. suffered from lethargy and such a display of Com-

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

75

munistic

fireworks dazzled them.

I say

nists that Commumy

had "Three

been

prepared,

and

I will quote

book,

Cheers'' again: "Perhaps my greatest surprise, received from another literature and cards showing the red flag was source, Flag. These pamphlets crossed with the American
were

launched

by

George

Christians

from

nooga, Chatta-

under the guise of economic liberty. Communistic doctrines suggestive of revolution and the I will quote some overthrow of capitalism. of this
Tennessee,

liperature:
"'A
to change the estabrevolution is a movement lished order in which those desiring a change must

be secret to avoid violate established laws. It must It is a positive, practical movement prosecution. involving a definite accumulation of power which,
however,
is known

only to its leaders.

Its psychology

is also definiteand effective,utilizingthe most It usually fliesa red flag. emotions. "'Because

powerful

ment. of the paradoxical nature of the moveEconomic Liberty must remain absolutely out of is public discussion until the psychological change

almost complete, then tremendous cumulative psychological builds up until it breaks out with pressure explosive force and the
so

job is done.

simple that actual enactment formality. mere

economics are of legislationwill be a

The

76

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

'"The

originator of the movement been entirely in the open,

has from

ginning the be-

of the law and in this respect other hand, he is also the President of the Crusaders for Economic Liberty, a red, revolutionary organization operating in secret for protection from the Tyranny of Gold. "'People

under the protection is a reformer. On the

with the practical type of mind naturally The dreamer type takes take the revolutionary route.
the

reform

route.
you
over

It

makes

very you

little difference

which method The argument

adopt

just so

do something.

methods because

the relative advantages of the two will probably last a long while. The writer, his experience has been along practical lines,

prefers the revolutionary route which, with its forceful demands be it may attention although psychology somewhat revolting to a few timid people who do not have the initiative to do anything anyway. '"This break from cover in one occur may of three The logical place is in Congress. Next in order ways.
are

the newspapers,

and

if these fail, by

an

movement

by the people in the form of a mass All three of these are close to the breaking to be due very soon.'" point and seem This, "my friends, was Franklin the man with whom
''

actual stration. demon-

Delano
Tennessee

he visited talk when the simiat the time he took office. Note Roosevelt

had

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

17

lari ty of Christians' ''just do something'' with so you Roosevelt's philosophy where, in a recent speech, he told his followers, in effect,justso long as we do something. And
who since Roosevelt had a had launched Communism

talk with

under flag,so did Roosevelt red banner crossed with the American flag as a go under two flags, using the American The Democratic screen. government, moded with its outAt
move

this advisor, flags, the two

eagle, had been replaced by too early to that time it was

to

the blue buzzard.

smash
moves

the

United

definite any make States government. It dared

to
come

took many

before Roosevelt

out

and strike at one of the three branches he did, it will be When remembered
surprise attack. Before the reader loses

of government. that it was

an

ear

or

head take
there
was

of the author
up
came an

on

the page,

finds the severed it would be well to

the

telescope again.

the march
army
"

the blue eagle, of the alphabet and the A. A. A. After

tents
one

domains told by

crop

regimented control. For

of

on
a

thing

agricultural farmer was

potatoes

the Administration
a

capitalists were buttonholing attacked and Administration spies were Congress. Communistic legislationpassed both Houses

he could raise. There was On the corner. another

just how jail sentence

front the

many

lurking around

78

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

one a voice of seemed to raise of Congress and no dissent. The representatives of the people lost all

contact

with

the public and

the

newsreels seldom

showed That

them.

particular time can quoting ''Three Cheers" : ''People over the country
newsreel
positions;

be best brought

out

by

were

getting high tension

government

talks from
men

men never

in prominent
were

President people,
no

elected to office. The seemed to pince-nez between them and the doubt, took it for granted that these strange who
names were

faces with strange

all right. The President

always popped into a group at the right time and smiled friends." their fears with his cheery "My away "Half
screens men,

fifty times enlarged, loomed

on

the picture speech People

which

Shaw

and talked to the people, the same over the newsreels in 1931. gave
and then, when they
were

applauded

out

terical of the hys-

atmosphere, if they had sent men of them. Some

They wondered why. wondered to Congress and what had become something asked each other if voting was

which Congressman

had
was

been

used as family. Perhaps

Occasionally, a out-coded. to the Administration's a bodyguard egg-rolling contest, glimpse of a Congressman. on the family the screen,
at
was
an

the public caught another To alternate the half men

and

social life of Washington

revealed

to

the

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

79

American
an

public.
or

Mrs.

Roosevelt
one

was

aeroplane
on

speech

the
on

entering Pink new

and freedom.

shown dropping

leaving
a

little
she
a

Sometimes
or

would

be

the Empire

State building

in

coal

of a new world mine, but always the energetic rhythm Congress could in the atmosphere was of the movies. Institution have been locked up in the Smithsonian

Dealers never that time and the New would have to do. Everything There was known. really so much was justso devastatingly fast in the Capital. The best
at

account

of that time

touching

upon

tion the Administra-

be gathered from the can policies of government N. R. A. Chief, Donald Richberg, speech made by the
who, on February 10, 1934, made in a speech before the Economic the following remark York: Club of New

'*

The
WAY

long-discussed REVOLUTION
in the United IT

is ACTUALLY

UNDER

States. IS IN

''

TT

IS HERE.

PROCESS.

Revolution

of the

Revolution by pen and and bayonet is nothing new. and voice is different. The violent overthrow of parliament OF ALL but the peaceful TRANSITION rulers is nothing new,

sword

DEPARTMENTS FUNDAMENTAL SYSTEM

OF

GOVERNMENT
OF
A

FROM POLITICAL
"

ONE NOMIC ECO-

CONCEPT TO ANOTHER

is different.'

Such but

idea might there is not one

an

have been different to Richberg,

particle of difference between

80

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Russia's revolution with its phase of ''peaceful transition'' Roosevelt and the N. R. A. ''revolution/' When

dismissed Democracy

in place of the supplanting of Coramunism lution" by referring to the "transition" as "evo-

with
with

a
an

instead of "revolution" the public settled back sigh of relief:Roosevelt had saved the nation
r
.

There

was

not

and

the country,

cloud having
with

on

the Communistic

horizon of
were

accepted good

the first moves for they

the Administration

grace,

from their drawn patriotism, were constitutional base and herded into Roosevelt's corral, saken like cattle awaiting the slaughter. Congress had for-

told that it

was

the people and would have allowed the strangers, influencing Roosevelt, to complete the Communistic Court saved this nation and Only the Supreme coup. preserved
ran

the freedom

after Roosevelt, "Three Cheers" : "In the recent

of the people for all Congress I quote in heat. like mutts

surreptitious attempts
states'

to

cripple the Constitution, overriding supplanting

an

rights

and

by means of autocratic power stopped swift, confusing legislation,the schemers were It was Court. by the Supreme this tribunal that
saved the nation. "It is imperative,

I feel, for the reader to consider has served the that function of government which where deliberate acts people so well in its recent crisis,

N.

R.

A.

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

81
over on

were

launched The

to

force

dictatorship

the

people.
every memory

Supreme

vestige

Court's action, conforming to shall live in the of its authority, ever

of posterity."

Ill

THE

Supreme

Court had to fall, before the dictatorial

could
come

government
reason

out In the open.

I will be

explicit:The

why

Congress

why rubber stamp, and the reason beyond that the whole dictatorial scheme was was did not know They their conception. what it was

referred to as a they could do nothing

was

about, and
peacetime their
own

after giving unprecedented executive, Congress, by such

powers.

powers act,

to

crippled

the executive gained this the radical Brain Trusters surrounding great power, the President absolutely ignored the representatives of legislationthemthe people and wrote the Communistic selves. for Congress merely passed it. The reason

When

this was

that the aim of the Administration

was

not

to

at any time, conform to the constitutional government for the dictatorship had been planned from the very

first, in the United two governments and there were States. First, the N. R. A., active, radical,and second, inactive and used as a shield. the Democracy,

Our problem

of the eagle, followed by the blue eagle,

masses,

representative of the anything

symbolized

more

than

As I else the two forces which are at work. brought out, the blue eagle, plastered everywhere, was
82

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

83

aimed to supplant the blue eagle was

the old eagle emblem. the whole basis of the

Moreover,
new

government

and
Its very

was

representative

of the dictatorial regime.

restrictive codes,

inauguration

started with

merely the emblem. whereas the antedated eagle was like the eagle, was The democratic form of government, tolerated by the Administration,
use

and
as

it

as

screen

until such

time

the plan was Roosevelt,

to

the

pense surrounding him, could disIt firsthad to be cheapened in the eyes of the public by many one manoeuvres, following another, before it would have been safe to dispense with the eagle representative of Democracy. to show up their representatives as an outWhat ismore, worn
pawn

of radical schemers with it altogether.

tribunal, the Brain Trusters people, and Congress was Congress was merely used Senators and that is why
standing,

presented to the relegated to the background.

were
as

means

to

an

Representatives

end, and of long

American scene, acquainted with the for for a European no were power saturated match Borah, Even centuries in the channels of intrigue. known to be a Constitutional authority, fellin with the

and

of which there are many, legislation;I quote could not analyze such swift, radical Senator Borah to show that he, like the others, did not legislation was know all what the swift ''lightning''
of mind,

plan, for that type

about.

84

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
was
a

In ''Three Cheers'' I wrote:

"
"

there

column

headed:

'Rainey

today

The firstparagraph and House yesterday

selects group said : 'Stormy scenes

for Wirt

Quiz/

in both Senate

marked

of a special House committee Dr. William A. Wirt that

Trust"

of appointment to investigate charges by

"Brain
a mere

the

eve

told him
who

members of the President Roosevelt was

"Kerensky'' In the
same

would be replaced by a "Stalin/" article: 'Senator Connally (D.)of Texas,

as

referred to Wirt's assertions

"moonshine/'

'

Closing

the article: 'Senator Borah (R.) of Idaho, took occasion during a speech to ridicule the Wirt charges of being plotted by members Red Revolution of the
"Brain

gress thing for Consaid: "It is a new to investigate the 'Brain Trust', and yet Congress
Trust/'
He
as

has passed every law, so far Trust' has suggested/"" As we know, that Kerensky

I know,

that the 'Brain

and

settled back government, officeboys for the Administration's Communistic instead of standing on their feet as representatives sent to of the people, for which they were

Congress

whitewashed, to their task of becoming

episode

was

Washington.

This inactivity

on

the part of Congress the and

them appear what stupid, and that was made foil. Since, before Administration a needed
"

used as a set-up, or as a after that time. Congress was it will be interesting to analyze the situation. screen,

N.

R.

A.

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

85
any

Congress
by made Roosevelt

thinks
them

in

terms

of votes,
with
a

and

decision

is made

view

the control of the masses beyond that, he had the control of the people's money. Congress had, by giving the President such powers,

had

of re-election. by votes, but

worked

themselves

into the most

of any Congress As I said, moves

the most

which
were

had made

ever

subservient position to Washington. come

important

move

by dictators, and this was pleted, which Roosevelt had com-

namely,
as a

mask

ment using the democratic form of governto supplant a Communist regime in its

had been place. The constitutional form of government tration swept aside when Congress submitted to the Administhe surrendered to radicals who wrote laws. Cohen doing, running into both a was Houses of Congress and giving orders? Why, as in the case the utilities situation of thq Dr. Wirt charges, was an given ''headlines?" It was attack on capitalism,
whip; What

just another
aim,

move

to

bring about

Roosevelt's
masses

con-

sistent
so

gaining the sympathy of the man that he could be the one ruler. It is covered in ''Three Cheers": "When

Dr. Wirt

appeared

before the Congressional

ridiculed, and the warning which American people was pooh-poohed

an

committee, he was he tried to give the

as

opportunist.

Dr. Wirt
was

was

the vaporings of in disgrace sent home

to
an

and the Administration

white-washed

angelic

86

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

lustre. Later, the utilityprogram President's 'must' satellites,and

was

attacked by the
with

all connected

corporations touching upon utilitieswere summoned before the tribunal at Washington. It had never been

touched upon Administration

were

as

to why

Mr.

Cohen

buzzed

from

the

throughout
up

the Congress, but the utilities

as

played

in the press It did not

occur

monopolists

of

very

serious type.

to the people that

the greatest

monopoly

where government

dictatorship of all time was ownership had fullpower of expenditure

and command. ''The President, at every

Each

attacks lionair miland, by such methods, plays to the masses." gress manoeuvre was aimed for this, and while Con-

opportunity,

was and the people were confused, every move designed for the complete overthrow of the United States government. But before this plan was workable, out in the and before Communism could come

open,

the Supreme
moves,

Court,
Roosevelt

as

In all the

I said, had had not met

came

to crumble.
one

setback,

the N. R. A. and then finally, of nine men representing one States government, and they, outlawed the N.
R. A.

before the tribunal

of the United sion, deciunanimous
was

branch

stopped he revealed his temporarily, and from that moment on, hand. We know came that when Guffey, his pawn,

with a Roosevelt

before him

with

bill which

was

written for him,

no

N.

R.

A.

"

NEW

RUSSIAN

ADMINISTRATION

87

doubt, for such Senators were used as ventriloquist dummies, Roosevelt said, in effect, to Pennsylvania's Court to stop beneficiary, not to allow the Supreme
said for the benefit of Congress; in a he would attend to the word, Roosevelt intimated that Court. Supreme Lord Bacon said that if the people him. This
was

know their ruler, they could form an opinion wanted to by those little quick remarks released in an unguarded Roosevelt's remark, ''the horse and buggy moment: directed at the Supreme Court, for the justices era," was

had stopped the march of Communism the N. R. A. From that time on, Roosevelt interpreted the action of Court in terms of ''economic royalists," the Supreme
"

"selfish interests,"

"Liberty

League,"

and

every

grinding the poor; phrase indicative that the rich were every act and word aimed to increase class hatred, and Manifesto the Communist advocated all because
revolution
masses

between

these two

factions

so

that

the

could control the nation.

XVI

The

Roanoke

Island Speech

SINCE Island speech, Stevenson,

literaryfigure in EngHsh
in the steerage, and,
as

Roosevelt brought

in

Macaulay
a

in

his Roanoke

creator, is a far higher

letters;he traveled to America in the

case

of Macaulay, touches for having upon conditions regarding the workingman, been in the steerage and mixing with men, something
which Roosevelt
has not

done except

from

political

platform,
poor
are

reactions of the rich and the In America, ing durfrom firsthand knowledge.
we

Stevenson's

recent years,

have had great sympathy

for those charged with murder,

sympathies
got out

and groups

expressed munist with Com-

meetings, making Stevenson was sympathetic having been treated as one the steerage
passage,

petitions and held mass heroes of bomb Though throwers.

to the working

by the upper he could talk freely from

the ''Emigrant,"
Roosevelt

classes,and, classes during

both

angles. In the Preface introducing

by Mrs. Stevenson,

we

find, as

would

written say in if the when

that it seems almost as referring to Macaulay, following was written of America: "I remember
88

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

89
a

we

were

living

in

Hyeres,
a

his receiving

letter from

England

that enclosed

of a noted anarchist French prison. This

everything
away

petition asking for the release said to be dying in a who was

said the letter,had thrown for the 'cause,' his entire fortune, his
man,
"

title, and his birthright as a subject of Russia, to which he could never in return; young while comparatively years, he presented the appearance of an old man, with hair prematurely white and his health broken by confinement
unsanitary prison. My husband's to head the list. 'Poor devil,'he said, as he name was dipped his pen in the ink. But he laid it down again
a

in

damp,

thoughtfully, and, instead of signing the petition, wrote a letter stating that he had read the trial, and asking why the Russian gentleman had refused to say whether

he had had

hand

in the blowing up of

workingman's

cafe in Lyons,

persons, catastrophe many mostly peasants with their families, had been killed or shockingly injured.He could not, he said, withhold

in which

his admiration could and

satisfied on forthcoming, the petition was returned with the remark 'I think Monsieur had better complete his sacrifice by dying in prison.'
.

who had given so much, but he would withold his signature until he was being this point. No such assurance
man

for a

"

This

blowing
cares

Roosevelt

quarters, since of workingmen's to bring in literary men, could almost

up

90

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
a

be written of America
when the

today, and that of

to

recent extent

date,
that

''majority" ruled
were

such

an

railroad tracks

smashed, windows beaten because they, disregarding smashed, and citizens C. I. O. authority, went to work.
will go on, Preface: Stevenson's
we

blown

up,

cars

But

people, and him an almost

and I quote again from Mrs. ''His acquaintance with such his knowledge of the lives they led, gave

morbid

sense was

modern
and
common

civilization. It
sense

of the pitilesscruelty of only his strong intelligence

anarchists.

He

that kept him from the ranks of the to America came with exaggerated

believing that there views of the meaning of democracy, he would find the ideal social as well as politicallife. In the beginning he encountered many rude shocks, but his point of view, though he never he soon

readjusted

ceased regretting that this great The name been lost to England.

hardly to be spoken been for that idiot,'he would

was
"

should have of George the Third 'Had it not in his presence.

country
'we

cry.

should

now

be

one

nation.' Since history is being uncovered to show how similar the past is with conditions today, I will quote from

Horace

of the Reign of George HI": "On May the 18th, Grenville went to receive the King's orders for the speech at the close of the session,

Walpole's

"Memoirs

which

was

to

end

the next

week.

The

King

said.

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

91

coldly, there

ment hurry; he would have the ParliaGrenville, thunderstruck, not prorogued. adjourned, in that speech, so said, 'There was much mystery
was
no

beg leave to ask if his Majesty had any thoughts of making a change in his administration?' 'Certainly,'replied the King; 'I cannot bear it as it is/" itself,one And how history repeats to prove could that he must
"

''almost"
White

imagine

House:

that the following referred to the "Lord Holland dropped to me these

. . .
"

remarkable

words

'What

an

artful

man

might

do

with these mobs!'" Roosevelt has stressed the conditions of "the illeaten with continually, but has he ever nourished" have I found it to I have, and never workingmen? fail that there are grumblers; no matter how the food is prepared, there is, according to habitual grumblers, always something the matter with it. In the past, I engaged one of this type for general had him visit help, due to my various activities,and
my

home.

Though
a

this

man

had

not

been

used

to

luxury, and

the meal, the scrutiny food with which the grumbler surveyed the plate of the too obvious for dismissal. After glowering over was his mood: plate of food before him, I interrupted he answered: "Well, "What's the matter with it?" and ing You see, I used to do laborI'm used to heavy meals. I went to the icebox and heaped his plate. work."
servant

prepared

92

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
some

Then

again, since he
was

was

down

to do

his stay

extended

couple of days,

errands, I happened to

be talking generally and saw the man almost in tears. Ice cream had been served. Something was the matter,
I knew.
same

I glanced at my I wondered to me,

own,

and
saw

as a

they looked the fly instead of

a

if he

raisin. Again voice choked

I asked, "Anything

with emotion looking this up, but I was

you

the matter?" and a answered, ''I hate to bring

over

your

ice

cream

and

see

got

more

than I have."
was

Following this,there the time the

where food in a club car
was man came

train trip,and previous to he had never eaten with me,

a

supposed to be well served. We were and then I was surprised to hear him say, formed is sour." I inafter I sipped my coffee, ''The cream it's the epicure: ''If it's good enough for me, good enough
for you."
Previous
to this, he had
com-

about the food on the trip down; told me they charged for beans and coffee in the diner, much of saying that it was passable, but he could buy a can I said, "Yes, but the beans in beans for fifteencents.
the Sanitary
are

plained how

not surrounded

by

Pullman

car,

and
hotel

that's something." and while talking, I found this man's eyes staring into the plate with brows knitted in a scrutiny, his thumb and forefinger in his mouth,
Later, this party was famous for its cuisine, in my

hotel

room,

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

93

his face. In order to prevent over a pallor of nausea heave right on the table, I asked, ''What happened?" He And then, before sputtered: ''It's the food."

and myself, he held up a tooth, where through the food-covered obstacle, I perceived a large fragment of a gold filling. Then this "ill-nourished"
another
man

worker,

went

into

tirade
do

on

food: "Hotels
get
"

charging such prices, and what teeth in the food, as if anybody's

that/** His emotions steamed "They don't give you

we

people's

could stand ing: under suppressed breathYou na^er get enough!

After momentous
mouth, his over

stomach

enough!

Who

gets it all?
your

Who?"
tongue

silence, I asked, "Put it'syour own maybe

"

tooth."

around your A flush passed

face, like a cloud over a wheat field,when he answered, As he tooth." Jees, what do you think, it'smy own
anyway started, "But "Horse patooties!"
"

,"

I chopped

the sentence:

In his specimen

own

home,
over

I imagine,
a

this "ill-nourished"

crowded

vilely cooked

with rinsed out

cofl'ee, and

meal, crowned pansive purred with belches of ex-

satisfaction. Another time I was in the mountains who, before he had concentrated on had
mountain

chauffeur that line of endeavour

with

done

hard
a

labor.

We

and

shack called the coffee, I must

restaurant

admit,

was

at a stopped and had breakfast, bad. The pretty

94

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

chauffeur opposite
up

me

took

sip and

be of interest to know that I am a connoisseur of good cofPee, and in home, all cooks carry out the formula I gave them, my but I have been in situations, where, at one time, I had
to drink black coffee with mud

with a repugnant expression. drink it, it's too terrible/' It may

his face screwed He said, ''I can't

in it,and I

was

thankful

for it. This chauffeur, polite to the extreme, asked if he could be excused after he nibbled at the food. Unsuspect
I told him
we

had

long drive through

his on something He then explained that he was not hungry, stomach. for the food nauseated him. I ate the bacon and eggs

wilderness

and

he

should

have

and drank
a

the cup

young

man,

the waiter, of coffee, but somehow, seemed to be such an agreeable fellow,

he asked me if Yd have a second cup, I could not find it in my heart to refuse it. Again I have been in a situation where I have heard that when those who
to such
an

form the lower classes complain extent that they had their own.
I found

about food
I took that

food and

York, I have tasted stories in New the food and it has been my experience that grumblers are either saying that they do not get enough, or that
on

the china was had to go out

it wholesome, despite the fact that days, where I tin. In my newspaper

the food is bad. the people, they

While
are

these few do not represent

all

continually stressing complaints

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

95

to such
to hear

an

extent

that others
one

soon

follow the lead, and

would think that these people "ill-nourished/' Perhaps Roosevelt is the victim were Then again, there is this side of it. of this grumbling.
them talk,
When
among

Roosevelt

the

masses,

terrible conditions ''the ill-nourished''etc., he seems to

stresses

the

lose sight of the fact that the government

a

is conducting

program

to

supof reliefwhere those without work are posed If the Administration. receive aid from

conditions, such as Roosevelt pictures, actually exist, for then where is the money going, supposed to care unfortunate citizens? Do the people deserving relief from the government
receive it

It would seem so, according Farley and Roosevelt were the recipients of pretty substantial if the Administration Maybe nourishment

election time? to the 1936 returns, for

justat

kept track of the money,

politician to admit
giving

there would be no need for a was that his Administration not the
sources

the

money

to

for which

it

was

intended.
emigrant, Stevenson has something Emigrant" to say about food. I quote ''The Amateur "Throughout us men the Friday, intimacy among

Travelling

as

an

We discussed the probable made but a few advances. tion, duration of the voyage, we exchanged pieces of informaour trades, what we hoped to find in the naming
new

world,

or

what

we

were

fleeing from

in the old;

96

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

and, above all,we condoled together One or the vileness of the steerage.
near

over

the food and two had been so

run

famine

that you

may

say

they had

into the

devil at their heels; and to these all ship with the best in the best of possible steamers. seemed for the Coming hugely discontented. were But the

majority
a

as

they did from

country

in

so

low

state

as

Great

cially having as good as dead, and many speaking was long been out of work, I was surprised to find them so I myself lived almost excludainty in their notions. sively which
on

Britain, many

of them

from

Glasgow,

commer-

supplied

bread, porridge, and soup, precisely as it was to them, and found it,if not luxurious, at least

loud in their were sufficient. But these working men beings,' it was not 'food for human outcries. It was 'only fitfor pigs,' it was lived almost entirely upon
'a

disgrace.' Many

of them
their
own

biscuit,others

on

paid extra for better rations private supplies, and some from the ship. This marvellously changed my notion luxury habitual to the artisan. I was of the degree of prepared is the grumble, for grumbling traveller's pastime; but I was not prepared to find from a diet which was him turn away palatable to
to hear

him

myself." Then again, Stevenson's time

was

not

from

Macaulay's, brought
up,

and

since working

far removed conditions have

been

where

the

are ''majority"

being

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

97

heel, let us hear Stevenson, and that ground under the from firsthand knowledge, discuss the working conditions
on

the
:

British Isles. I quote

''The

Amateur

''Labouring mankind had in the last years, and throughout Great Britain, sustained a prolonged and crushing series of defeats. I had heard vaguely of these reverses; of whole streets of houses standing
Emigrant''

the cellar-doors broken and loitering at the removed for firewood; of homeless men street-corners of Glasgow with their chests beside them; deserted by
the Tyne,

of closed factories, useless strikes, and But I had never taken them home to me
these distresseslivingly to my

starving girls.
or

represented imagination. A turn of

be a calamity as disastrous as the the market may but it hardly lends itself French retreat from Moscow;
to lively treatment,

and
We

makes

triflingfigure in the

morning
are

papers.

may

economists. It is by the scenic accidents, affecting than the mass. and the appeal to the carnal eye, that for the most part
we now,

not

born

struggle as we please, we individual is more The

grasp

the significance of tragedies. Thus it was only when I found myself involved in the rout, that I
to appreciate
a

began
We
were

how

sharp

had

been

the battle. the

company

of the

the rejected;

drunken,

imcompetent,

unable to land, were

the weak, the prodigal, all who had been in the one prevail against circumstances
fleeing pitifullyto another; and though

now

98
one or

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

might still succeed, allhad already failed. We a were shipful of failures,the broken men of England/' Since Stevenson takes precedence over Macaulay in
two

literature, the above quoted extract should have significan I will again quote ''The Amateur grant": Emi"As
we

drew

near

to New

York

was

at first

staggered by the cautious and then somewhat You would and the grisly tales that went the round. have thought we were to land upon a cannibal island.

amused,

You
not must

must

speak to

no

one
were

in the streets,

as

leave you
enter
a

till you

rooked

and

they would beaten. You

hotel with military precautions; for the

to awake next

least you

or necessary without raiment, a lone forked radish in a bed; and if the worst befell, you would instantly and mysteriously disappear from the

had to apprehend was baggage, or money

morning

ranks of mankind.'' Since Stevenson has gone

stories of America, is it any he did in a letter? as wrote

on

record regarding the that Macaulay wonder

thing which our great following from The

Is it such a surprising leader has uncovered?

Stevenson's

''The

Amateur

Emigrant"
mechanic has even,

"But the average should be of moment: recognises his idleness with effrontery; he I am as told, organized it.

me

"I give the story as for a fact. A man

it was

told
a

fellfrom

told and it was housetop in the city

me,

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

99

of Aberdeen, He bones. that he

a
was

and
was a

brought into hospital with broken his trade, and repHed asked what was heard of such had ever No one tapper.
was

filledwith curiosity; were thing before; the officials It appeared that when they besought an explanation.
party

engaged upon a roof, they would of slaters were now and then be taken with a fancy for the publicfor example, Now house. a seamstress, might slip
a

away

of the mallets be advertised and thus the neighbourhood would cease, the career of the tapper. of their defection. Hence
He

her work and no these fellows adjourned,the from

one

be the wiser; but if

tapping

has to do the tapping

on

bustle

the

slaters. When is child's-play, but when troop, it is then that he of his brow. reduplicate, and produce
swear
a

and keep up an industrious housetop during the absence of the he taps for only one two, the thing or

he has to represent a whole his money in the sweat earns he bound from spot to spot, Then must triplicate, sexduplicate his single personality

swell and hasten his blows, until he would perfect illusion for the ear, and you
a

were continuing of emulous masons merrily to roof the house.'' son, "Almost, methinks, I am not reading" from Steven-

that

crowd

and

"\ find in it no

reference to the improvement

...

of the living conditions or of better homes

...

to

the

encouragement

steadier work."

One

can

100

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

apply such tactics to America, for Roosevelt Is our prize ''tapper/' He has not only tapped the Treasury, but he taps for a "majority" and when

"almost"

Roosevelt

keeps up
we can

an

incessant tapping

on

one

side

of the house

other side.
tap
tap

"My

tapping from the always expect Day" Your day] tap! tap] tap]
"

tap]

"The

ill-nourished"

"

tappety

tappety

tap]
Bravo,

tap] Mr.

"The
Lenin
" "

ill-clothed"" tap]

tap]

tap]

Oh,
more

tap] tap] tap] tap]

If only

tap] tap] tap] tap] We all agree with people could Marx Oh, Bravo, Mr. tap] tap] tap] tap] you.
"

"But

Oh,

Bang] Bang] enough as yet" bravo, Mr. Lewis] tap] tap] tap]
not
" "

Bang] "And
tap]

Boom] the illWhose

"

housed!"
eyes

tappety

tappety to
see

tap]

tap]

have been
tap
men
"

adjusted
tap]
"

tap

tap

tap

things of another day Infirmities tap tap tap tap

"

"

old

tap tap

the

"

tap

"

Now]

Now]

Now]

Nowtappety

owowowow

tap] tap] Tap] And

what is
more

Tappety

tappety

tap]

"My Bravo

friends]" tappety
Mr.
"

tap]

tap] tap] tap] tap]

progress
"

the test of our tappety] tap] tap] tap] those who have too tap] tap] too much

Oh,

littletap] tap] tappety

tap] tap]

And
your

you

young
"

And

problems I say to you

to the elders with people when you go tap] tap] tap] tap] tap] tap] tap]

Now]

Now]

Now]

Now]

Now]

tap]

tap] tap] tap] tap] tap] tap]

skin"
"

"I've got you

the

next

voice you

will hear

under my is that of the

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

101

President
tappety
"
"

"

''We

have

;ust

begun
got

to

fight!"

Oh,

tappety

tap! tap! 'Tve

The next voice you skin President : The test of our progress too much too little tap tap tap
"
"

under my hear will be that of the

"

you

tappety

tap

tap

"

tap

tap!

am

one

of those horses! horses! horses! horses! horses! horses! tap tap! tap! tap! tap! tappety tappety Now! Now! Now! Now! tap! tap! tap! tap!

Roosevelt

is

our

'Xittle boy called taps/' He for hundreds, does not tap

thousands,

but

millions and millions, for he taps for the ''majority''! if this "tapper" keeps on, And the inevitable Bup! of machine guns follow, for his "ill-nourished" phrase Bup! Bup! Bup! Bup!
to will be sure is the call to

bombs.

II

When
IS

one

hopes

to build to

an

enduring

structure,

it

most

necessary

make

sure

that the foundation

is firm enough to take up all the weight resting upon it. Before going into Roosevelt's Roanoke Island
to anchor all speech, it will, I believe, be necessary ture premises very solidly and, by such method, the struccan

swing

with

some

few salient points of that speech, it would be well, for purposes of review, from ''Three Cheers for the Red, Red and to quote
a

on an swing and sway Therefore, before taking up

element of elasticity;can anchored base.

written in 1935-36 and published by the author in August, 1936. The parts quoted are from the next to the closing This chapter chapter, ''The Constitution vs. Tugwell/'

Red,'' and

state

again

that the book

was

was

written in

January,1936.

"In the close of his book, 'The Industrial Discipline,' Professor Tugwell says: "'Any

social theorist of tremendous

now

the

sense

talk and write with forces at work; we talk and

must

write against time and against the opposing pressures of tion stubborn privilegeon one sideand dark destructive inten-

the other, which threaten to obliterate civilization between them. to be calm and anaIt is difficult lytical
on

in these circumstances; a sense of panic must sometimes intrude itself the most detached discussion.' upon
102

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

103

the professor reveals: 'We talk and write 'it is difficultto be calm and analytical against time/ and looms in in these circumstances/justone word
''When the mind of the reader: Why?" Roosevelt, a year And when the dark Now! later, brought

out

"crisis'' in his picture and projectedthe Now! Now! speech, my writing still stands:
continue from "Three
"

"Why?"
But let us

Cheers"

"

it goes

without

question
never
'a

that

an 'we

economist

of any

weight

should

write
sense

that

talk and
must

time,' and itself,' without

of panic

write against intrude sometimes

arousing wonder on the part of readers. If a cashier in a bank told that to depositors through the grating and punctuated his remarks with panicky have glances at the clock, the depositors would want to ever, Howa talk of authority at the bank. with somebody that is justtossing off a philosophical ramble as

is philosophy is a thing of the past, it If the banks were conducted on New of small moment. Deal formula, the depositors would be watched and investigated by the bank employees."
it were,

and,

as

"Majority Rule?"
know that an continue with the quotation: "We economist is in one of the most responsible positions in he talks Washington, and that economist admits that that Roosevelt and writes 'against time.' We know To

104

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

went

to the trouble of having him

for another year. send out

a

istration placed in the AdminShould Professor Tugwell

to make speeches for the mechanical man youth of the land, if he, the one in back of the speaker, finds it difficult to be 'calm and analytical'?" I wrote ''the one in back of the speaker'', the When

reader must
after reading chapter : "I quote

judge whether
the

guided Roosevelt, following extracts from my same

Tugwell

from

Professor

Tugwell's

'Battle for

Democracy':
action is sufficientto make the necessary and the farmers seem satisfied adjustments; to have the Federal Government, which represents all

'"Only

nation-wide

matters.' of them, function in these common "But when state rights are swept aside, there are other people in the nation besides farmers and professors.

The

professor

might

consult
are

the

income

tax

or office to verify such statement, form of government. aliens in this new

the taxpayers

"And
"

again I quote Tugwell: 'But if industry, working as

it now

the cooperation with adopt policies of low prices, high wages, and a ned planuse of its capacity, foregoing speculative profits in some periods as well as speculative deficits
in succeeding
ones,

to

do

in

has the chance Government, will

all the

will objectives

have

been

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

105
a

accomplished.

This would,

in

fact, be

new

kind of

government/ "And that's why to the youth. ear

Roosevelt, at Baltimore, kept his

by year we shall not learn to better ourselves with the full use of energies and instruments which we have at our disposal. If this be Socialism, make the most of it!' '"If this be treason, make the most of itl'
''Then in another of Professor Tugwell's books, 'The Industrial Discipline,' we have:

''Tugwell ends one of his chapters: '"There is no reason to think that year

'"Whether

the Supreme

Court is prepared

to accept

the consequences

and to permit a Its attitudes have

of the reasoning thus attributed to it far-reaching control, no one can say.

hitherto been somewhat

tory contradic-

and uncertain.' "The Court attitude of the Supreme N. R. A. and the A. A. A. did not convey

in regard to impression an

of uncertainty. "And again from 'The Industrial Discipline,' we

hear:

'"Besides this difficulty, there is the other provided by our constitutional form of government. Any people
which

of an
and

be governed according to the written codes instrument which defines the spheres of individual State and Federal, action, must expect to group.
must

suffer from

the constant

maladjustmentsof

progress.

106

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

A lifewhich changes and a Constitution for governance which does not must always raise questions which are for solution. The changing of our tion Constitudifficult
is not easy
'
"

"When

Tugwell is not

writes 'The changing of our he either wrote the New easy/

tution ConstiDeal's

'liberty'; a the note for a new epitaph or sounded liberty' which Lincoln would not permit in 1861. "And again in 'The Battle for Democracy/ we hear Tugwell
:

'"I have tried to make it clear that the and objectives the instruments being used in the reconstruction which is
are
now

that they going on are novel only in the sense devices which have not hitherto been used/

''And Roosevelt s Baltimore speech: history comes, largely, from '"The vigor of our

the have

fact that,
gone

nation comparatively young fearlessly ahead doing things that were

as

we

never

done before.'" And:

"Again

from

'The Battle for Democracy,'

we

hear:

to '"It is perhaps necessary to create a philosophy fit the Rooseveltian method. The time has not y^i
come

when

that

can

be done

with any
"

assurance.

It

has sometimes been used as

been called experimental that too has for a word of opprobrium; but perhaps desirable. Cerdescribe something all that it may

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

107

tainly if we

are

to accommodate

our

flexible requirements

of a world industry and the rapid development not of science, we canin the outlines expect to do it successfully by filling of
new some

institutions to the large-scale economy,

rigid doctrinal system forces appeared/ Professor Tugwell

create
a

invented

before these

"When
to

sary writes: 'Itis perhaps necesphilosophy to fit the Rooseveltian

method/

science/
based
a name on

For with think it should be hard. 'large-scale industry and the rapid development of there is Professor Dewey's plan of technology

I do not

best

name

'create' science, or Karl Marx might help to for 'the Rooseveltian method/ Perhaps the losophy/ would be the Arnoldian school of 'phi"

Again
vs.

from the chapter, "The Constitution Tugwell,'' from "Three Cheers for the Red, Red
I quote

and Red": "Recently

clusive I visited a reptileexhibit where snakes, in-

of rattlers, moccasins and copperheads, were pens with walls about five feet high. confined in cement Visitors could look down on the snakes, for the tops of
all pens
were

open.

In

one

ing of these enclosures, measursome

about eight by twelve,

and

twenty

squirmed.
were

In
some

corner,

huddled,

snakes twisted frightened and

panting,

toads, hardly
as

daring to breathe;

staring and awaiting their fate

snakes slithered near

108

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

A few became petrified with fear and and around. hopped and became separated, and the snakes devoured from in a far corner One Httle toad was them. away the most pathetic situation for he the rest and it was his huddled in such a way that he tried to squeeze back into the very walls. There he waited and waited, and
snake eyed him and the victim. He reminded
a

twisted and moved

me

toward

citizen of the average from him. I quote today as professors close in on 'The Battle for Democracy':

'''Must I believe that Mr.

contrary

Roosevelt's
contrary

measures

are

to the "American

way/'

to the public

to the Constitution, when they are welfare, contrary designed to eliminate the anarchy measures of the

of our competitive system, to ameliorate the recurrence Is his "partnership spirals of inflation and deflation?
to the spirit of with industry" so contrary that it must be forbidden?'
"

our

tions institu-

'Mr. Roosevelt's

measures

are

contrary

to the public

welfare,' for when they are anarchy of the competitive

'designed to eliminate the government system,' it makes

the sole business autocrat wielding a whip over becomes a industry. When such a form of government factor to worry reality, where there is no competitive 'experts' then wages machine, of such government
can

be doled out as is the sole owner

the rulers see fit. Since government humanity of industry, what can

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

109

do?
knows

They
"

can

do but

one

thing

as

Professor Tugwell

When men submit to the enslaved imposition. have been paid a dollar a week with board, is not this
a

sample Germany,

of government Italy and

'Roosevelt's
accurate
measures

But then, are not control? Russia a glaring example of it not be more Or would measures'?

to say gave

that Russia's, Italy's and Germany's the impetus to the professor's thought,

'Mr. Roosevelt's measures'? "Perhaps the reader would

Karl Marx
on

the

subject.

be interested to read I quote from his book,

'Capital':
In spite of allthe talltalk and literature, for the last sixty years, all the immense do the workof labor, no sooner about emancipation 'It is a strange
ingmen
"

fact.

anywhere will, than

take the

subject
once

into their own

hands

with

uprises at

all the apologetic

society with (thelandlord

of present phraseology of the mouthpieces its two poles of Capital and Wage-slavery is but the sleeping partner of the now

as capitalist),

if

in its purest state of virgin still capitalist society was innocence, with its antagonisms still undeveloped, with
its delusions

with its prostitute Commune, they exclaim, realities not intends to abolish property, the basis of all intends to cii^ilization!Yes, gentlemen, the Commune the labor of abolish that class-property which makes still unexploded, The yet laid bare.

110

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

the many

the wealth of the few. of the

It aimed at the expropriation

It wanted to make expropriators. a truth by transforming the means individual property of production, land and capital,now chiefly the means of
instruments enslaving and exploiting labor, into mere of free and associated labor. But this is Communism,

"impossible'' Communism!

Why,

those members

of

the ruling classes who are intelligentenough to perceive the impossibility of continuing the present system have become the obtrusive and and they are many
"
"

full-mouthed

cooperative if it is to supersede snare;

If apostles of cooperative production. production is not to remain a sham and a the capitalist system;
are

if

united

cooperative
upon

societies

production their
own

common

regulate national plan, thus taking it under

an

to

control, and putting

end to the constant

which
are

anarchy and periodical convulsions fatality of capitalist production what

"

the

would it be but Communism, But let us get down to fine points, and in that way, feel, the reader can be in a better position to act
''

else,gentlemen, ''possible" Communism?'

I
as

referee.
extract
'''.
.

I quote

particular part of Tugwell

from his

quoted above:
.

when

they

are

measures

designed
system,

to eliminate
to ameliorate

the anarchy the

recurrence

of the competitive of
our

spirals of inflation and

deflation?'

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

111

"I

quote

few lines from

the Karl

Marx

extracts

quoted
'".
.

above: If it is to supersede the capitalist system;

.

if

united

cooperative
upon
a

societies
common

production
their
own

regulate national plan, thus taking it under

an

are

to

control, and

putting

end to the constant which

are

and anarchy periodical convulsions fatality of capitalist production Touche, Professor?"

'
"

the

*'

ignored by the press and literary critics,though copies had been sent for review, it may from the more not do any harm to quote some
was

Since ''Three Cheers"

same

chapter: ''And this from

'"I have
never

'The Industrial Discipline': found

myself

greatly in sympathy

the revolutionary tactic. "Force never settles a anything" has always seemed to me sufficientaxiom. It is my reading of history that reconstruction is about

with

difficultafter a revolutionary debacle as it would have been in a process of gradual substitution. Yet I have been unconsciously creating a can see that we
as

the revolutionary tactic might be do not resorted to successfully. Conditions make agitators; that is a matter of temperament, personality, situation in which

adjustment
we

like to call it;but conditions give agitators a chance for plausibility. Unless liberty, unless, that new techniques more give our
"

whatever

one

may

112

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Is,we

devise ways

to free their potentialities, the contrast

we

between

what

are
more

lodge itself more mind.

We
possess

and

and what we might be will firmly in every worker's

needful material for Utopia, knows it: it is a quite simple conclusion and nearly everyone in most minds that control ought to be taken
every

out of the hands

produce it from the excellent materials at their disposal/ ''Tugwell's minus signs turn into potential sticks of
of people who
cannot

quite simple conclusion in be taken out of the most minds that control ought to to be the keynote of the hands of the people' seems like good economics to Deal, but it doesn't seem New

dynamite.

That

'it is

put

the taxpayers'

money

in the hands

of farmers

to

keep The

them farmer

from

gripping

the handles

of the plows.

will forget everything about We will try to analyze the agriculture save grafting. We had a superabundance result of Tug well's economic program: of wheat and cotton, so to bring about a eventually
scarcity of all products, cattle and farmers got Moreover, destroyed.

agriculture their palms

were

with

from i\iQ,JruLt

the government

protected economic famine. little dashes and it would maps should be divided with New In Deal. give the true economic problem of the short, they're all minus
something.

mint. In fact, all state lines on

calloused This

'

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

113

sign turned to a blade in the professor's minus activities; a minus early years of the Administration looks like a sickle when the President sign blade that

"The

smiles.
success
as

This

economic
a

program

that
as

elusive

piece of beef in a But eagle meat.

proved such a housewife's basket is

we

has

cloud has a taken all in all,has done

that 'every
put
many
men

always remember silver lining' and the program,

a

advantage.
country.

deal of good; it has to work and has reacted to the farmers' But the men and Jarmers are not in this
great

Still, the

Communist

Manifesto

does

not

take cognizance of any particular country, and, since have scrapped the Constitution to supplant this we

document,
The

we

fited. admit that Europe has been beneme that, if we had not thought hovers over
must

done

Europe of a drastic nature, would something have been in a sorry plight. Thanks to the New Deal, instead of country, Europe has been serving mankind

able to increase her exports

creating
a

of all foodstuffs due

one

to
a

reader must look it should be viewed on a as at this economic program grand scale. To view it from the attitude of taking into consideration the naked scales of domestic butchers
The
"

shortage of what, at of in America. superabundance

time, there

was

and

of appreciation other merchants, suggests a want The program of economics. of the New Deal has sue-

114

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

ceeded
workers

beyond
and

the wildest expectations of European farmers, and themselves they found

swamped

trade which their surpassed with export Due to this program of the New Deal wildest dreams. has benefited by the expenditure where Europe of

billions of dollars, we
mounting.
:

Our

figures stillfind unemployment flag has taken on international significan minus signs and the stars will, Hail Tugwelll

the stripes are in time, be subtracted.

''However,

losing billions of dollars, killing cattle, plowing under agriculture has done one thing, and that is that it's turned Tugwell a littlehysterical with the
success

he is

so

In fact, of the minus sign. He finds it works. strong for this economical discovery that he
as

thinks nothing of writing revolutionary paragraphs the above quotation from his book indicates, and

is

willing to put agitators to work to take the country it is good from the people. But then, of course, away kind of work to know that the agitators will have some
on

their hands in return for accepting the people's tax We know that it is not very hard to prove money.
that Communist agitators have been put on the Federal pay without work. citizens are roll while American Is this what the American people are giving tax money What

for?

He has has Tugwell proved in his theory? been given billions of dollars and he, as well as other professors, have succeeded in converting the Jangatlcal

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

115

his winning to the people that it is a occur smile, but did it ever is winsickled laugh in their faces and Communism

'President' to their

cause.

People

praise

nmg

And:
of sincerity in Tugwell's writing, it is the same element as the dancing intricate uses master when the class carries out some two I Whirl! Workers! two! one, two! one, step: a one,
I say

''When

that there is an

element

Workers!

Workers!

is an and since crying factor of that school, the professor cries out and does it very well. He is a good scholar." And Roosevelt, as his Roanoke Island speech, as

Cry out! Tugwell out for humanity

is one

of a school important

well as The

others testify,is an apt pupil. following from the same chapter

seems

to

Court. It also anticipate the attack on the Supreme velt's gives the reader an idea of what is in back of RooseChild Labor: pet scheme
"

oddest note, to my mind, steaming through the Roosevelt's reference to radio from Baltimore, was older people: '"Many older people seem in the mere fact that they
comes

"The

to take unmerited
are

pride

adults.

When

crashing in
on

on

them

with enthusiasm

youth and ideals,

they put
young
man

their most
or

patronizing
woman on

smiles and pat the the shoukler and

the young

116

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

in

worldly-wise sort of way send them out with what as they call their blessing. But every young person
a
"

knows

that is not a blessing; it is a cold shower/ "When to the point where he a President has to stoop
at mothers

and fathers to gain the vote of the he stoops low. But then, the Communist youth, Manifesto advocates the breaking up of the home to
sneers

place the children under control of the state. Manifesto: the Communist

I quote

'"The
course,

bourgeois family will vanish as a matter of vanishes, and both will when its complement

vanish with the vanishing of capital. 'Do you charge us with wanting to stop the exploitation To this crime we of children by their parents?
"

plead guilty.' ''When, in his Baltimore speech, Roosevelt said: 'For the next few months are you going to be thoroughly that when the blade is in the hands of behind the talker can genius, the dummy and the man be bored most effectively. Personally, I feel that, since Communism advocates atheism, there is something to

bored,' it seems

the old Bible: 'Honor thy father and thy mother.' "To intimate that he, Franklin the First (orBenedict

the
no

Second),is symbolic
doubt,
cause

of the second coming offense

on

would, clear

unpardonable

the very

And then grounds that he will play second to no one. four hundred discihad over again, what prophet ever

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

117

pies cringing whip/' As we

in

awe

at

every

crack of the Master's

draw

near

to the Roanoke

the following, for, as might quote Now! Now! Now! speech and others, it seems

Island speech, we in the case of the

pertinent

: somehow ''The problem which the New Deal is bringing to the front, where humanity is breaking under the old system,

is Russian

Communism.

The

people

are

being told

be done or all will be lost. It that something must is the old bourgeois-proletariat argument containing The argument grievances of humanity. manufactured
is all about the 'exploited' and the 'exploiting.' The former represent earners the wage and the latter, the ing', the 'exploitthe 'exploited' become capitalist. When Deal." then you have the New

"Majority Rule?"
same

And

again

I quote

from

the

chapter: "It is known

launched, aimed formulas used where designed

to
arouse

is insidious propaganda when to control humanity, there are definite that

a

few

are

made

the butts.

It is

hatred

directed at something. For instance, here is the keynote

the Communist '"The and
aims.

be must and this venom That something is capitalism.

of hate which

closes

Manifesto:

Communists
They

disdain to conceal their views openly declare that their ends can

118

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

be

attained

only

by

the

existing social conditions. have nothing to lose but their chains.

forcible overthrow of all The proletarians (workers) They

have
a

world to win.' "Since the 'President' had

hate for his keynote

in

the speech made before both members of Congress, it be well to look into his Baltimore speech when he may As the addressed the youth. reader knows, Roosevelt laid great
speech
to
stress
on

the American

Revolution

in his

the young

Democrats.

that part of the speech: 'Between built a government for which, in the extent of its democracy, there was no a government precedent
"

I will quote from 1776 and 1789 we

getting and we were done. It is part of things worthwhile things in our day, the spirit of America to believe that now, do equally well in getting things done.' What can we
young
"
" "

Royalists declared which followed by: 'We were was

could

not

endure.'

This

the 'President'
Americans

means

by

that, 'my

friends,' is that
over

got 'things done' when

they threw

the

he does not conceal the fact that 'we do equally well in getting things done.' 'Getting can things done' refers to overthrow or of government 'Royalists' and

launching
to this:

revolutions.

The

Baltimore

speech led up

make no mistake about it the same qualities of heroism and faith and vision that were required to
"

'"And

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

119

bring

the
"

required
proper

forces of nature in even greater

into
measure

will subjection
"

be

to

bring

control the forces of modern society. for importance a task which and for magnitude have to oifer/ calls for the best that you and I "I think itis unfair to call Roosevelt a Socialist. He
"

under There is
"

Compare the quoted agitator oj the worst type. festo Manipart of Roosevelt's speech with the Communist where it says: 'They openly declare that their
is
an

ends

the forcible overthrow 'to of all existing social conditions.' Roosevelt says: bring under proper control the forces of modern
can

be attained only by

is that the society.' The difference between the two have not won Communists their revolution, but our It good 'President' speaks with complete assurance.
is as in his mind. good as won ''And yet, upon second thought, I think Tug well is I of overthrowing the government. clearer on the

subject

quote

lutions from his book, 'The Industrial Discipline': 'Revoare

not

Now,

"my

undertaken friends," let

target.

in despair but in hope.'

us

"

the New

Deal
we

real fine sight at Industrial In Tugwell's, "The draw

a

Discipline,"

find, "Control ought to be taken out of the hands of people who cannot produce it from the velt's excellent materials at their disposal." And in RooseBaltimore speech,
"
"

to bring under

control the

forces of modern

society."

120

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Roosevelt's speeches in the past? Give Who Corcoran and Cohen* writes them up? now? are the President's closest advisors since Tugwell left.
wrote

Who

Give up? now? Who writes the laws for a sawdust Congress to pass? But then ''as they say on the East Side": ''Dunt esk!"
writes speeches
*

Who

Roosevelt's

From

"Three

Cheers

for the Red,

to why a Mr. Cohen as upon but the utiHties were Congress, the played up in the press as monopohsts It did not occur to the people that the greatest of a very serious type. dictatorship where government monopoly of all time was ownership had full

touched

"It had never been and Red": buzzed from the Administration throughout

Red

power

of expenditure

and command.

Ill
In his Roanoke
was

Island speech, Roosevelt says: "It into the open in the stitution Conthis policy which came Convention of 1787; for in that convention
were some

there

who wanted like Alexander

wanted a king, there were to create titles,and there were

who

some

many,

who sincerely believed that suffrage and the right to hold office should be confined to persons of property and persons of education. We Hamilton,
know, however, that although this school persisted, newspapers of the day,

with the assistance of the during the firstthree national Administrations, it was years at least under the leadership eliminated for many of President Thomas His was the first great

Jefferson and

his

successors.

battle for the preservation

"

of

democracy.'' ^'The Communist Manifesto"

says:
"

to win

the

battle of democracy," and "The Battle for Democracy."

Tugwell's
"Now,"

book

is called:

"firstgreat" eliminate "His was," from Roosevelt's last quoted

is left?

if the reader will vation" and "for the presersentence,

what

Hamilton

contained I quote the volumes:

the essays in 1789 wrote and Madison Constituin The Federalist supporting the tion.

from
"
"

Edward

Bourne's

introduction to of political in the eight-

the highest achievement

thinking and

constructive statesmanship
121

122

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

tale of and the unending century/' also: editions taken up by successive generations of the American fulfill Washington's than people, more

"

eenth

"

forecast that 'The Federalist' would 'merit the its admission to notice of posterity/ and amply justify the select company of the world's classics/'
modest
There isa very
to Hamilton
reason definite

"The "He
as

with a sneer. Constitution vs.

why Roosei^eit should refer Again I quote from the chapter,

Tugwell,"

in "Three

Cheers":

has been given billionsof dollars and he, as well other professors, have succeeded in converting the
cause.

'President' to their fangatical

People praise his

to the people that occur winning smile, but did it ever is it is a sickled laugh in their faces and Communism

winning? "The Constitution protects those under its mantle, stitutio but professors have no official status under the ConThey
are

not

looked

upon

as

President,

They have no official Cabinet officersor Congressmen. 'government status in the of the people, by the people the framers of the and for the people.' However, Constitution covered statesmen who align themselves with those whose sole aim is to usurp authority of the people. But speaking of Tugwell and his looting band does not enter of professors: If the intangible essence

their consciousness, perhaps substance consistent with tangibility will, or as Hamilton said:

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

123

'"If the representatives of the people betray their left but In the constituents, there Is then no resource
exertion of that original right of self-defense which Is paramount to all positive forms of government,

and

which

rulers, may
of
success

against the usurpations of the national be exerted with Infinitelybetter prospect

vidual than against those of the rulers of an IndiIntrusted state. In a single state. If the persons
power

with

supreme

become

usurpers,

the different

parcels, subdivisions, or districts of which It consists, In each, can having no distinct government take no regular
measures

for defense.
to
arms,

The

citizens must

rush

without concert, without system, except In their courage and despair. without resource; The usurpers, clothed with the forms of legal authority,
can

tumultuously

too

often

crush

the

opposition

If the reader will substitute "minority" for bourgeoisie or or workers and he or she will have the key to the Roanoke capitalists, Island speech. In the Roanoke When,

embryo.'" ''majority letarian rule" for pro-

in

Island speech, Roosevelt, 'T am of the firm referring to a select minority, said: belief that the nation, by an overwhelming

majority,

supported my opposition to the vesting of supreme but select." In the hands of any class,numerous power Roosevelt, for he No one will argue this point with
must

have had "the firm belief" that

"an

overwhelming

124

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

supported" when, without even bringing the majority he surreptitiously sprang matter before this ''majority/'
a

him

billon

Congress to render the Supreme Court useless. Again we look over Moscow's can chestnuts which
scatters:

Roosevelt

"They

love to intone

praise for
our ma-

liberty, to mouth phrases about the sanctity of Constitution but in their hearts they distrust
"

jority
not

rule because

an

enlightened

majoritywill

tolerate the abuses which a privileged minority would the people as a whole." seek to foist upon have learned that Lewis, Roosevelt's boss, We tolerate the abuses" from the "privileged minority" for, having seized industrial plants with the full approval of our he said: "General economic spoilist,
Motors
street,"
may
as

"will not

well settle now

an

as

further up

the

idea of "majority the pet put rule" tactics, especially after Moscow's President in his place with: "This is no time for neutrality and no time for pussyfooting."
gives the country Again

he

the Roanoke

speech

"They

their own
serve

They
greater

reject

will for that of the majority, interest above the general welfare. their own the principle of the greater good for the

seek to substitute for they would

number,

which is the cornerstone

of democratic

government."

I quote

the "cornerstone

the Preamble

ment," of the democratic governof the Constitution, and I see

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

125

"We, ''the greater number": nothing which refers to the People of the United States, in Order to form a insure domestic perfect Union, estabKsh Justice, defence, promote TranquilUty, provide for the common the Blessings of Liberty the general welfare, and secure Posterity, do ordain and establish to ourselves and our
more

States of America." Roosevelt again: "I seek no change in the form of American Majority rule must be pregovernment. served
this Constitution for the United the safeguard of both liberty and civilization." "the safeguard of both "Majority rule" was not Roosevelt liberty and civilization" when sponsored
as

and

use

the word

advisedly, the steel strikes where

smashed; plants were of privately-owned tyrannized to such where workers, willing to toil,were an extent that, in fear of the threats of the "majority"
windows

they

were

forced to Kve in the plants. The mail addressed to these citizens was censored by the C. I. O.,
the post

office officials. Since this uprising resulted in dynamiting railroads, the blowing up of the water supply, the destruction of be intimidated, automobiles of those who would not rule must and bloodshed, one wonders why "majority
or

the

"majority"and

be preserved" instead of Democracy? Quoting Macaulay's letter without

reveals the man's is neither "fish desperation
nor

any
a

justificatio

to find

fowl"

as

far

as

precedent. It America is con-

126

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
will

cerned, but it reveals to what his ends. However, go to serve

on

lengths Roosevelt
we

his

own

class, numerous There class.'

"

argument

and since he has and aliens have been supported played to the masses, by the Federal Treasury, it is known that an illiterate
something

when to do

He grounds. indeed, but select; of an educated is something wrong with a man's he fears an educated class having

ment will take the argu'in the hands of says,

*'

with government,

class, having

as

in the

case

of Russia,
of government

are

susceptible to

the problems

that's just what prepared, and He is endeavoring to stir the masses to the belief that an aristocracy exists as it did in Russia, and by using
the word ''educated," he knows that such a word deep into the minds of those who are workers. Roosevelt says: "They strikes

given to them Roosevelt wants.

do not believe in democracy I do." First of all, he has deliberately brought Macolored with English politics, caulay's statements, into the greater part of his speech to serve his end's,
"

for a precedent or an authority and taking Macaulay America, on and that he is not, Roosevelt calmly places When
a

election minority in Macaulay' s letter. he says, "My and more anchor is democracy
1936
"

democracy,"

Roosevelt,

by

that

line, has

admitted

that he intends to change this form of government. In a shot, freedom is freedom, and democracy is democ-

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

127

racy,

and

as

we

have

the finest form

which embraces majorities and by his scheme is interpreting in language majority the of the 46-2, and he is interpreting the "majority'' with Lewis's window-smashing Roosevelt has put his head
gang,

of government, minorities, Roosevelt

but here is where

"

into the

noose,

"

more

democracy."
The

democracy

and they as of democracy political. They that, or that is to say, they have
masses

racy, of Soviet Russia is economic demochave interpreted the American form

have
given
gone

beyond

the illiterate

freedom that they're getting more in the world, in fine, they're giving than anybody "more democracy" them than that which America
to understand

In doing this, Russia, and of course looking out for the interests of the great

enjoys.

they

were

"majority"
the

had (proletariat),

to

do

away

with

the church,

family relations, in order to give the people more dom. freeThe Russian ruler, surrounded by commissars, There seized control of agriculture and industry.
are
no

have the expressio and the masses of their freedom through the mouth of the ruler. It is highly concentrated freedom and charged to such extent that the recipients of this freedom do
private
owners,

not

with it. This ruler of the people, surrounded by his commissars, leges. parcels out all priviSince Lenin adopted the writings of Karl Marx,

dare tamper

128

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
were was

putting

them

into practise,

and the

Lewis-like, all property

capitalists in Russia

attacked seized by

During "majority" (proletariat).

earthquakes,

the time came, there were they call it looting. When but Lenin and his commissars owned the no capitalists, It may be interesting to say that there was nation.
no

longer any
property.

church property Everything was

and
common

that became
property,

mon com-

inclusiv

regime

of palaces, churches and homes. finally followed up their program,

army

When

the
was

there

tremendous

of

over

regulars and reserves. of Russia found themselves

inclusive of six million men, The "majority'' (proletariat)

taking orders, and no one, due to the censorship, knows whether they like it or form his own deductions. the reader can not, and

There

are

no

longer

but there
"

are

the few
speak

"

select minority (bourgeoisie), the ruler, Stalin, and his commissars

who
we

for the proletariat

("majority").

Now
"more

to the meaning of Roosevelt's will come democracy," thetic and I will quote a writer sympato Russia, Charles Edward Russell. In a book

published by D. called "Unchained

to

Apple ton

and Company Russia," we find another

in

1918,

"If the shade of Thomas Macaulay haunting these confines in the summer was in spiritof 1906, it must have returned hence to cause land the echoes of an inextinguishable laughter. While

Macaulay:

reference Babington

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

129 the opinion

still

he

wore

these fleshly cerements

it was

of this eminent authority that the most comical thing the spectacle of the British public in one on earth was
of aggressive virtue/' of its periodical spasms to get little Macaulay seems rest from those sympathetic
with Russia. quote ''Unchained
to
secure

now

Russia'' again: "To

masses

abolish

poverty;

for the comfort;

every

possible chance

for culture and

the modern world's too much and too little." sottish conditions of I will now quote from Roosevelt's inaugural address: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; itis whether have too little." we provide enough for those who Roosevelt's line and the The reader can over pause

to

end

last lines quoted from his own deductions.

over

Russia," and form linger Or, better still,he can

"Unchained

the lines from

"Capital"

by

Karl

Marx:

"Yes,

gentlemen,
property

the Commune

which makes I will go of the few." "Unchained Russia": seemed

to
us

intends to abolish that class the wealth the labor of the many
on
"
"

with these

the quotation
were

from that

objects

This is anarchistic or insane." the concluding clause from "too much and too little." longer "anarchistic or insane," Evidently they seem no

dreamy,

for Roosevelt's

"Those

who

have accepted

much"
as

who

have

too

little" was

and "Those I democracy.

130

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
or

think it would insane'' a few

plotters aiming
wrote

have
years

been
ago

considered if anyone

''anarchistic

to overthrow

suggested that the United States government

velt's the laws, and yet, ithas been done in RooseAdministration.

with the quotation

will go on Russia:" "With

we

We

from

''Unchained

grasped rejoicingly Czar was gone, the old hateful tyranny

the startling news of the Revolution the first series of the

objects;
no more,

was

blessed be the day I But when

of the second word came we chilledrapidly, then looked askance, series of objects then began to turn upon the whole manifestation a face

of frowning "This was

reproof.

nothing to be wondered at. The United dead States had, for the time being, stopped on a It had ceased, or center in its democratic evolution. ceased, to go ahead democratically, and thought it was some persons of limited vision even A lapse of this kind takes place in floating backward. won the story of every political republic. Having to think there for the time content freedom we were

apparently

was

we

to be done and to roll about where nothing more generat inert socially and threatened with fatty dewere,

But the Russian Revolutionists morally. had shot far beyond political democracy; they aimed less. All the years when no at industrial democracy bravely in the darkness struggling for so they were

THE

ROANOKE

ISLAND

SPEECH

131

freedom
making

walking

and light, carrying on their secret propaganda, infinite sacrifices for the sake ideal, of an always under the shadow of a horrible fate,
heroes
to

those

unsung

of Russia
were

that

have

gone

by
this
very

the thousands two-fold aim. well; but it was

graves,

working
was

toward

Politicalfreedom

well, it was well chiefly because it offered a

means

by which the masses that toil could secure a of men larger share of the wealth their toil created. Freedom a meant world freed from the blight of kings and freed
no

less from

condemned with If
no we

more

the blight of an industrial system that in every ten to poverty; a nine men world despots and no more slums."

"But will justpluck out from that quotation, the Russian Revolutionists had shot far beyond political democracy; they aimed at industrial democracy
no

less.'' Now

compare

line taken
anchor

from

that line with Roosevelt's Island speech: "My his Roanoke

"

is democracy

there, "my
*

democracy."* and more friends," you have it Communism.

"

And

See last line of Communist

Appendix editorial.

H.

XVII

What

Treasury?
Roosevelt's talk
in

''This morning I smiled all the way through breakfast because I happened to see an editorial,not in a paper here but in a Great Falls paper, that talked about

WILL

quote

from

Montana:

'balancing the budget of our resources/ That is something that is well worth thinking about. It said that because we have made money in wasting and eroding
large human

and piled up nominal wealth in securities and bank balances, we have lost sight of land the fact that the natural resources our of our
"

resources

into those converted nominal evidences of wealth at a faster rate than our real wealth is being replaced/'
permanent

capital

"

are

being

Strange that Roosevelt breakfast, and

came one

admits he smiled all through that he wonders how it happened

across

because
our

that exact editorialin a Great Falls paper, line of reasoning "balancing that very same
resources" use
raw

natural about how we

we
use

magazine article, all lumber faster than it grows, and how

is in

other

the six whom Harper's lead articleout on was read the editorial. It was
132

materials. It was written by one Dr. Wirt referred to in his charges.

of It

Roosethe stands when velt called: "Balance What

WHAT

TREASURY?

133

If the reader is interested in forestry, I covered such topic in ''Three Cheers/' in the chapter, "Defense of the Supreme Court."

Budget?''

To
years

prove ago,

that this is not

new

idea,

some

twelve

companies
trees.

I made Skippy strip attacking lumber a for cutting down forests without replacing

in their right senses would think of making an issue of the forests when the whole country was drained In the article in Harper's, there was some of money. No
one

mention
cotton,

of cotton,

and

but it misses the whole point about budget of that is, that this balancing our

is not taking place in that particular natural resources field, for the government is pegging the cotton, and since America is not a leader in the field,and due to have slipped behind, the writer of we regimentation

article should get down to the real facts instead of his dreamings, since Harper's played up the Coyle.* He, like other theowriter David Cushman
"

the Harper's

From

the Washington

Merry-Go-Round,

October 28, 1937:

''While White President and

pages

House

policy

on

the issue is

state

secret,

definite information

is available on the line of reasoning the his advisers are following. It can be found on
108 to 111 of

87 to 89 and

by David ''The volume Federal taxes.

Cushman
is
a

lished pocket-sized book justpubCoyle entitled. Why Pay Taxes.

a

penetrating and readable study Furthermore, it is genuine 'inside stuff.'

most

of

in Washington "Scholarly and self-effacing, Coyle even is little known outside of a small circle. Officiallyhe is an economist

134

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

and is laying out a by any amount plan of resources of which is not new means, and I would say offhand, it is a clear example of that ambiguous writing which should be avoided by
rists, is confused
in

his

own

mind

all students of literature,for while on the surface it less easily, the man is confused in his or reads more In plain own mind regarding what it is all about. language, the editorial of the Great Falls paper and the article featured by Harper's are both painted with brush. the Moscow
Perhaps

Roosevelt

smiled, since

we

are

talking in

because the agricultural sense, regarding our resources, the article might have been planted in the Great Falls less subtle It would be a good idea and more or paper.
do in the Far West, and we discover something know that Roosevelt does love what he thinks is subtle.
to

It is swill such as this, belittlingmoney and playing sewer up nature, following the Moscow pipe of manureois smothering the healthy pean economics which
Harper's writer of the is merely to undermine money, article, attempting following Moscow formula, for any balance of weight

thought

of the nation.

The

is in Roosevelt's worth
on

favor.

Roosevelt's
is lovely when

''That
one

is well

thinking about,"

considers

Actually, he is the staff of the National Resources Board. Deal's most brilliantand articulate economic theorist. the New by Roosevelt His views are listened to with the greatest respect and other Administration chiefs."

WHAT

TREASURY?

135

of nothing else for five It's part of his Communistic program. years. It has been thought out before, and the program of be planned without throwing over conservation can
thought the whole

that Roosevelt

has

United
I wrote

States government

to do

it.

If I

remember, littleessay

something about writers in the of the Administration." called, "Defense I will quote it: ''One must not lose sight of the fact is vitally Interestedin putting that the Administration

something

like 10,000 writers to work, thereby decreasing is no There doubt that these unemployment. helped them;
magazines

10,000 writers will sing the praises of the Administration

who
newspapers,

sing the praises through

and

moving

radio, pictures. The

tion's people then will get the true picture of the AdministraPerhaps the good President wonderful work. little realized, when he had no idea other than putting

dous people to work, that 10,000 writers would be a tremenhelp to the Administration. Charitable deeds, unconscio have a habit of performed, sometimes
returning to the advantage of the giver a thousandfold." Are these writers working for the Administration?

Strange

that the propaganda Deal plan. People the New

fits so

adequately into reading this article in

in Harper's, regard to balancing our natural resources, left with a feeling of are as well as in newspapers, But futility, a helplessness. That Is Just the aim.

136

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
does Roosevelt
are

since

we

are

speaking where is not

know
The

of natural such Moscow

resources

weeds

to an end, and coming world covered this technology stuff with perhaps the chief I flip the writer of Harper's from the pen, exponent,

planted? I have as

for after all, this Moscow theoretical gloom slush has books and has been spread in been spread in American Beware of the importance given to natural magazines. like the smallpox, Communism, resources at this time. is breaking out
even

in Great

because

the United States, rash all over Falls. Roosevelt smiled with complacency planted, flourished in an propaganda
in
a

editorial. The publishing house of Harper's was the only house to which I offered ''Three Cheers,'' and I have quoted like a six In something it at length in this book. letter, I outlined the plan of the whole book. Harper's returned that they would not be interested in the manuscript, but since this magazine, together
page

New Republic, Forum, with countless others, are going let us look over because it brings in the money, the
It has a hand passing literary symbol of Harper's. I imagine, the torch to another hand, and that means,

that

dollar is jeopardized, the the almighty when But then, torch of literature, or truth, is checked. this would
go for every

Every

one

of them

publisher in the country today. is afraid to attack, and that's the

WHAT

TREASURY?

137

very

reason
a

such been

why foothold.

has been able to gain propaganda That is why the whole nation has
The

poisoned.
carry

people

run

for the
Russia

magazines
wants

which

out

the very

program

them

to carry

out.
one

articles,blown of the Communistic left of the Democratic donkey, from the extreme issue of Harper's, writes: Stanley High, in the same
In another "It
come

seems
as
a

to be his conviction

that revolutions do not

rights; result of carelessness about property as a that they are far more apt to come lessness result of carethe propertyrights. When about human is expounded I to the President rights philosophy think his
answer

is something

like this:

it up with the best of the conservativ rights if they will agree to about property rights about child about human whoop it up with me labor and share-croppers and decent wages and hours

'"All right, I'llwhoop

"

and

trouble with the people who get rights is that those are usually excited about property the only rights they get excited about.'"
It does not rights are Roosevelt
property
seem

housing.

The

to

occur

to the writer that property

does rights. But where get the authority to do as he pleases with rights, aside from the authorization of the
likewise human

"Communist

Manifesto"?

saviour protected human

again, has this great rights when he had telegrams

Then

138

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
on

seized?

Is this not
as

clear infringement
"

property

rights as well Economists

cotton
except
we

human
have

rights discovered

one

and the same? the soil. All about

economy,
our

that, due to the

our

new

have lost

export

trade; lost

regimentation, lead in

Our losses are explained and we the world market. find that metal, such as gold, is old-fashioned economy. There is a new cry and Roosevelt, following Moscow
formula has
The taken it up.

Balance

our

natural

resources.

deficitcould not be explained in terrific it's the hell with posterity Now, any other way. We are we pioneers. Roosevelt has a philosophy.
"

have

been

Treasury

over the worrying worrying about gold the spending of littlemetal and, bemoaning
"

discs,the country
that has not

has awakened to the dreadful realization it has been neglected the horse manure
"

Still, balance our manure. conserved littleof it has been wasted. does not go over What the dial goes in the magazines and the whole nation

been

"

stinks with the conservation.

XVIII

''Paying the Price'^

cartoon,
as

THE
then
my
was

the Saturday

before being lished the Price/' pubfirstoffered to a part of the Essay, was Evening Post and was It turned down.
with the Essay, and underneath was Hne. This cartoon was made when doing everything within his power to

"Paying

sent out

copyright Roosevelt was

killthe Supreme
Herald

Court.
did not

During
come

ington that time, the Washto

the defense

people's government,
cartoon

force.
ago,

but made a great and editorial about increasing the aeroplane few years This had been firstdone by me some
I had
to
pay

of the how-de-do in

but

advertising space

to

get

the

cartoons

published.

together with the Essay, was sent to Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, publisher of the Washington Times, just when Herald and Washington cartoons were the people in regard to the needed to awaken This cartoon,

danger facing the Supreme dated

May
20, 1937,

Court.

I received

letter

the editor-in-chief of the if the Washington Washington Herald, asking me in an Herald could use that cartoon eight column

from

spread.
message,

February
and it was

5th, Roosevelt

during May
139

with his of 1937 that the fight

came

out

140

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

to preserve

the Supreme
was

Court

furious. whether
cartoon

then when the Supreme Court would fallor not, that this Herald. was requested by the Washington

It

waxing hot and the people did not know

was

editor said in effect: My cartoon, applied to Hitler in his ruthless campaign against Jews and Catholics, had stirred it before. would stir America as nothing The
He
went

booted Embassy

that if I would label that spur figure ''Hitler,''I would have the German
on

to

say

scurrying

up

to the State Department

manding de-

me

apologies. Then that the Washington

Here
was our

there

was was

Herald

ing postscript tellleased by Mrs.

fight, and

Patterson.

Supreme

Court

the Washington

for

an

cartoon changed wanted my ington attack on Hitler. As I explained, the WashHerald had done nothing in the Supreme Court cartoon
was

Herald

fight and my Democracy.

In I
a

aimed

for defense of

our

'phone message

to the editor, I explained that

my

would not think of changing I became quite upset.

I sent
a

ingly, and, seemAfter that 'phone conversatio

cartoon

letter to Mrs.

Patterson

which

quote

in part:
disappointed, but when
I tellyou

that you that 'Paying the Price'

am

"I

sorry

were
was

to awaken

believeyou

conceived with no other idea than the people to Roosevelt's potential dictatorship, I from my attack I would not swerve will understand.

"paying

the

price"

141
ship attacks all dictator-

against that
as

man,

and of

course

the cartoon
of money/'

well, for any

amount

In

telegram, Mrs. Patterson

epoch-making

enclosure of my

said that she found the cartoon and that it was

in that field, and the work master of the greatest She then said that her only thought blah-blah-blah. in the paper and she had no desire to to see it run was

change

its caption.

original so I brought

if I would send the that they could reproduce it in the paper. in to the editor-in-chief the cartoon and asked

She

to drop outs and as talked to the head of the engravers few technical engraver's a points, and the plate was made, but I had a letter written and I gave it to the to be editor-in-chief regarding that cartoon which was My letterfollows : published in an eight column width.

May Dear
Mike: I
was
'^

24, 1937

Naturally

most

happy

to

learn that Mrs.

Patterson she is the

liked the cartoon, first publisher who

Even
so,

Paying

the Price."

Moreover,

had

the courage

the cartoon mentions no potential dictator. If Roosevelt admits that the shoe fits him. This
cartoon

such a cartoon. any special dictator, nor names takes exception to it, then he

to print

has been
as

and
yet,

the House,
to date,
none

of the Senate member the country, well as 2,000 editors over and from it. Aside has it been this, published
sent to every
a

sent through

the channels of well selected mailing lists, and many understand why such
powerful
cartoon
was

people

could not

142

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
and Mrs.

And published. Patterson, as usual,

not

yet, that is justwhat

was

happened,

the firston

the line.

Since the cartoon is aimed at all dictators, and Roosevelt in him), I am willing particular, (yetit is subtle enough not to name
the condition that no editorial accompanies it dealing with Hitler or any special dictator. In a word, feature. Please do not run as a the cartoon must separate
on

to release such cartoon

misconstrue

my
as

interpretation to
to what

mean

that I

am

making

any

should be written, except to say that I for that special cartoon tied up with any campaign it speaks for itself. As you know, I do not want any remuneration happy for this cartoon and I am to most release it under
suggestions do not want

the conditions stated above. Thanking you, I beg to remain. Sincerely,

Mr.

Mike

Flynn

*"

Percy L. Crosby

The

Washington

Herald

Washington,

D. C.

For

some

unaccountable

reason,

though

son's Mrs. Patter-

in the Washington to see it run only thought was Herald, with no desire to change its caption, it never At any rate, reached the point of publication. Why? Mrs. Patterson in a telegram dated May 25th said that she The
was

very

disappointed

but her hands

were

tied.

following letter sent to the editor-in-chiefclosed the issue:

May
26, 1937

Dear
I
am

Mike

enclosing a carbon of a letter written to Mrs. Patterson, to having you feeling sure that she would not read it, for object I justwant to show that there's nothing but good will on my

PAYING

THE

PRICE

143
be impossible
attack
on

part.

At the same time, for me to change my

The
man

as

I brought
course

out, it would
swerve

and

from

is out to rule at any price, and of course, know, he's becoming a little as you ridiculous. But then, most fanatics are that. It is just for Roosevelt to do away a step more

Roosevelt.

with all religions because he has followed the doctrines of Karl Marx Manifesto religiously, and the Communist advocates the has Roosevelt followed the Communist abolition of religion.
one rule books so religiously (if could use religiously in that he has earned the right to have a snake tattooed on sense)that his whole body, round and round, symbolizing his unquenchable thirst for power.

who caught that inaugural speech, and as I had written on Roosevelt and covered all professors, Tugwell Dewey, I move every especially and anticipated
was

After

all, I

the only

man

he made. Appendix

letter written to the New York Tribune, in the to say, was of the Essay, strange written the night before his message broke. I said has worked Everything out, I has believe for Essay, been done, as that job my and well as Some of the leading Senators the cartoon, went to all Congress.

My

thanked me. opposing his program do any more, for due to that cartoon
are

There

is no

awakened. the Essay who

my

out, and

people receivreceived some ing have been startled by the facts which I brought bitter against Roosevelt, arguments, and they are now

I have

and my letters from

to need for me writings, the people

whereas previous to reading the Essay, they did not know Now they do. As in the case of all creative what it was about. writing, it takes a long time for such writing to materialize, but

in the end it never

writing was in this crisis as
my

I wrote attacking Prohibition, I shall win not popular, but in the end, I won. have to change a word after the well. I never

fails. When

work

has been published, and

out

my

attacks

on

Prohibition still

stand. I have brought

these salient facts so that you will understand is my position and realize that there nothing personal The truth is,I would not change regarding my adamant stand.

144

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

that cartoon for a million dollars, and I know you will respect feelings in the matter, and I am Mrs. Patterson sure my will do likewise. Please give the original to my
man,

as

well

as

the rough sketch

of another cartoon. With warmest personal regards, I beg to remain.

Sincerely,
Mr. The

Mike

Flynn

Percy

L. Crosby

Washington

Herald

Washington,

D. C.

letter,the cartoon was never published in Herald, but if I had walked into the the Washington Due
to my trap,

the cartoon,

"Paying

appeared in the Herald This, as the reader can see at a glance, would have swerved my firefrom Roosevelt and the cartoon would have been killed definitely as an historical record.
However,

the Price,'' would have definitely tied up with Hitler.

I anticipated justwhat was in the mind of the great publisher. But I leave Eleanor to muse over

blade. the handle of her Moscow Time passed, and while I was at work on this book during the summer of '37, the New York Times ran an
article in the Sunday and The
to my

Magazine

amazement,

section on I saw my

foreign dictators,
cartoon
re-

duced

tremendously,
caption

under had been deleted, and it carried a caption which I shared with the British cartoon, called "Civilization's

together with a British cartoon. ''Paying the Price," my cartoon,

"paying

the

price"

145
that the

Nightmare."
British cartoon

It may

be interesting to know
a
man

from sleep, awakened and the nightmare would have hit that picture, but my tion, was cartoon completely killed by using it as an illustra-

portrayed

I sent the following and that with another caption. letter to the editor of the New York Times :
August
Mr. The Lester Markel
12, 1937

New

York

Times

Times

Building York City

New

Dear Mr.
My

Markel: reproduced August 8th, had in the New York Times Magazine, no place in your pages as used, for it mention of the copyright does not give
to
use

cartoon

Sunday,

is copyrighted, and your York Times permission the New

an

it

as

an

illustration for

I wish to go on article,leaving off the caption. record that I to its use without its caption and using the caption of a object British cartoon, or any other caption, to carry my creation. My cartoon, ''Paying the Price,''was ''Essay the connected with
on

Roosevelt's

Second

Inaugural

Address."

This gesture on the part of the New York Times has swerved the attack from Roosevelt, and all my time, work and expense in the Essay has been obviously of publishing the cartoon diminished as well as sidetracked by the unauthorized, flagrant The damage use to me of my creation. caused by the Times' mutilating it to fit in as an illustration and the effect of the creation, perhaps beyond weakening repair, demands defensive action on my part. I will be explicit: The Herald publisher of the Washington
use

of my

cartoon,

asked permission, and all records testify to such a fact, to use that cartoon with a change, and I refused and went on record, though the publisher was willing to use the cartoon with such change in

146

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

I informed the pubKsher When eight-column width. of the Washington Herald that I would not consent to any change in the creation, and I said that the cartoon could not be used if it

tators, reference to foreign dicand stated my position, saying that I would not swerve I went that attack from Roosevelt, ''not for a million dollars,'' The cartoon, due to my rights in the on record unequivocally. was matter, not published in connection with reference to
were

tied up

with

an

editorial

or

any

foreign dictators. If the New

cartoon

York

Times
of
an

in the form

had asked my permission to tie up my illustration for an article on foreign

that with its caption, I would not have allowed to have been used for such purpose. my cartoon Since I was not consulted in regard to the use of my cartoon York Times edited to suit the whims of the New and it was
dictators, and

editors, where

the caption

was

regardless of my called for the use

two

The

well as the drawing, for the inseparable, I wish to make are this very definite record. longer the cartoon no publication of the picture which was
as was was

rights, and of the caption

ofF to suit their needs especially the copyright which

chopped

I made
cartoon

the cartoon Due to the facts outlined in this letter,where I went on record Herald as to the use unequivocally in regard to the Washington
to tie it up with of the cartoon, forbidding them in any way foreign dictators, the Times, without asking my permission, has done that very thing. Beyond York Times by that, the New cartoon using my swerved Administration, for which
my
was

of readers, where the misrepresented, for the caption is as much a part of line and brush stroke. as every

presented

to

vast

amount

the attack from Roosevelt and the Moreover, it had been conceived.

cartoon,

used as Since I have written a 220,000 word book, warning the people of the dangers of dictatorship, and since I am a creator, taking to having that any precedence over writer of articles, I

broken up to suit the needs of the New York Times, illustration for a very weak article on dictators. an

object

cartoon,

aside from

the cutting off of the caption, connected

in

PAYING

THE

PRICE

147

shape or form with an article which does not take The article is weak, for after the writer discusses the any stand. dangers of dictatorships in Europe, he says: "1 am not saying is desirable a form or not, or whether whether such of government
any
manner,

Americans,

when

they

come

to

feel the full impact

on

their

private life would enjoy it/' Since the prescience of genius, as is beyond the mentality of the generation in all history testifies, an example of a line in which a creator fives, I will give you It is at the close which has the prescience of genius. of the book where I said: ''A vote for Roosevelt in 1936 is a vote for bloodshed in 1937.'' This is now history and that book was
my

book

in August, But beyond 1936. that, I have published by me in my taken a definite stand attacking this Administration writing, and I never would have allowed the Times to use it as

they did, tying it up with any it.

article,to say

ing nothing of mutilat-

I wish to make a very clear statement, and that is, since I am have I ever a stories, nor writer, I do not illustrate anyone's not an allowed my work to be construed as illustrations. I am

the creator and the illustrator. Since I am a painter and have done dry points and lithographs, and the painting includes oil and watercolor, I have
to illustrate articles. Aside from that, careful never own my allow pictures are tied up with my writings and I never never them to appear in other writings, but as I said, I was given the chance to make myself clear on the point.

illustrator and

there is a difference between

been most

There is only of the New York

was

of that copyright by any paper, inclusive Times, if they cared to use the cartoon, and that reproducing the picture with the title as I wrote it neath, underfor I brought as out, the caption and the without change,
one use
are

cartoon

If the Times cared to use it, equally as important. Roosethey should have run a line underneath, ''From 'Essay on velt's Second Inaugural Address,' by Percy Crosby." This was

own out with that went used for my writing, and this cartoon Essay. There have been any other use could never of the

cartoon.

148

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
Address"

While
was

the ''Essay

on

Roosevelt's Second

Inaugural

agreeable in every particular as I wrote it, without change, for the advertising pages Sun, that same York of the New Essay was flatly refused by the New York Times in a two-page York Times spread. As a creator, I wish to state that the New had no right to play fast and loose with my cartoon without Since Times to the carry the adverasking permission. refused tising Essay, one the was of wonders whether such presumption deliberate, but whether deliberate or otherwise, my reputation has been affected by the Times' use of the cartoon. Since, as I said, another paper tried to swerve velt off the attack from Roosenot going to allow the and I would not allow it, I am
Times
to killwhat

the cartoon has been crippled, misrepresented, hurt other editors could the creation by reprinting it from the Times, but the cartoon, used as an illustration in the Sunday Times Magazine section is
goes

legal redress. Since the New

I believe is my There cannot be

most
a

powerful
on

cartoon

compromise

without this point.

York

Times

to various cities and

detrimental to my In my contract Skippy,

no

one

for which has the power

reputation through its misrepresentation. cartoons calling for daily and Sunday of I receive many thousands of dollars a year,
to change

captions

nor

to edit any

of my

material, and the act of using my cartoon and editing it to suit the needs of the New York Times as an illustration is unexampled Therefore, I have no other alternative than to presumption.
as a creator, seek protection which is due me and I have placed the matter in the hands of my attorney, who will represent me from now on. Yours very truly,

Percy L. Crosby

I received a letter from that the Sunday editor was

case as

an

assistant

away,

and

editor stating then, as in the

of all publishers and editors, I received instruction to how to Later, the Sunday editor make cartoons.

'paying

the

price

149

answered my correspondence whereupon point in the following letter:

I took up each

Bolton, New

York
15, 1937

September Dear
It

Mr.
was

Markel:
not
my

intention to take advantage of your vacation desk, but after reading your to place a flaming torch on your letter where you adopt a reasoning attitude, I hope in turn to that you, with your sense of present my side in such a manner
fairness, will weigh

the matter
letter,

with your
as

full sympathetic

standing. under-

I to which own, well as your am replying, I think there is definite proof that editing took Mr. Hayward said in effect that place in regard to my cartoon. no without caption said needed, for the cartoon caption was letter, in say, "I hold that both your everything, whereas you, In Mr.

Hayward's

cartoons

entirely clear without captions.'' First of all, there is, I believe, an admission that the whole situation regarding is brought is involved my another cartoon creation when
were

into the discussion and has to be linked with mine, it naturally In a word, my detriment. cartoon, without works out to my from Aside for illustration the article. justanother caption, was

that, I believe the New ward's letter and your You had no right to use
that,
use

York
own,

Times

the

reveals through Mr. Haytoward propensity editing. than

own

it

as

an

it without the caption, and worse illustration which you admit in your

writing, strengthening the issue which I have raised. In regard to the use lished of captions with cartoons, I have pubI did not ask anyone cartoons without a caption but
I should or should not do it. In the book, ''Always whether BeKttlin'", containing cartoons, I have one cartoon without a Since I have made cartoons caption. with captions and highest England the gave praise before without captions, and America discovered me, cannot and that twenty years ago, one
.

150

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
me

help but smile at publishers and editors, attempting to give lessons on how to do cartoons; especially when it is a screen
cover

to

Deal. their fear of the New But to take you on your own caption grounds regarding my Are you telling for the cartoon crippled by the New York Times.
me

anything when the picture reveals the situation in a flash I aimed to do. A woman without a title? That is precisely what (Democracy) was dying under a crushing representing Justice Rule." A dictatorial power boot labeled ''One Man the was
cause were

and, since it applied to America, as the scales and sword helpless in the picture, the woman was apparent most

It was my aim, in putting the title under such oppression. on the picture, to bring out one thought so none could miss it man the of one rule. I aimed to have no and that was effect from the effect of Roosei^elt ''Paying the Price" one get away Cause was justwhat I wanted nothing less, nothing more.
"

and effect rule the universe. in the caption the Now

In the cartoon

I showed

the

cause,

effect.

There was no regarding that cartoon: but when, as I brought out in my particular dictator named, newsthe part of a Washington on paper previous letter,an attempt

hear

truth

to tie up that cartoon with Hitler, publisher was made of subterfuge which I unearthed, and and that by a method distinct aim to draw the fire from New my records stand, it was

Dealers.

In

word,

if any

were they, since no names implication. cartoon's

resented the cartoon, mentioned, would have admitted the As I told the publisher who, after I
or

New

Dealer

unearthed
up

the trick by saying that the cartoon

column
swerve

with editorial,news dictator, "I would not

million

any

could not be tied reference to any foreign

dollars."

The

that attack from Roosevelt for a At least that was not run. cartoon York
Times,

publisher asked my
giving titleand as
me
an

permission, but the New

to refuse, ran
an on

out with-

an

opportunity illustration to

article

my cartoon without foreign dictatorships.

By

such acts they swerved the attack (or thought from Roosevelt. Your letter, as did that of Mr.

they

did)

Hay ward.

''paying

the

price"

151
I do not need
a

gave

judicial, senatorial, cluttered with editorial, barnacles on a militaristic,scientific mentalities, like river pile,
they understand, but surrounded with the minds posterity cherishes the creative mind, for there is nothing higher The creator can, produced by mankind. when the occasion requires it,perform feats of editing consistent with criticalanalysis, have

this angle of my to bring home such Humanity, though

letter a wide berth.

a

rapier

point.

been

and that when

one

book

publishers' lamps
not

of wisdom

steam

from

be amiss, since editing is in order, to example of that editing or criticism which creators give an undertake for the benefit of those who are scheduled for another
day.
A

eared pot. Perhaps it would

few years ago, a ponderous volume, stressing the limitations of literary geniuses of the past, rumbled into the offices York Times, and, overawed by the erudite thunder, of the New the editors flaunted the announcement of the book's arrival on

Review. York Times Book The the front pages of the New had his photograph blazoned on writer of the rumbling volume the cover of the Times Book Review; with brows contracted, he, like Hercules, balanced a world instead of a brain. The book

heralded and accepted by 820,000 of the New York Times necessary at the time, for a critic, readers. No editing was 'twas he, had This scholar tiptoed into the writer's spoken. intent field and began to stamp away at literature, like a man
was

grinding every ant from the earth. Stamping and twirling with grinding heel delight, the critic finished Dante and Milton. Hugo and Shakespeare, to name a few, were pokered around at
upon

will. The

monumental

genius missed out. This mental giant, and missed out but the author (critic). there are so many covers that any sweep of the arm all,claimed Inferno Dante's in that there was than more no there was poetry

all,knows all" volume showed where It turned out in the last chapter that everyone

''see

in

'phone

directory.
anyone

He

enough

to turn

then claimed that the Inferno in disgust because it was so away

was re-

my

best bring out the point if I quote book, ''Three Cheers for the Red, Red and Red" :
I
can

Perhaps

volting from

152

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

threw Dante's Inferno aside with 'incredulous to recur that he perhaps acted disgust/ the thought seems in haste. The 'critic' as the poem something which condemned ''When
Rascoe

horrors. At such time, and that to should be avoided due to its impress the reader with his superior taste in poetry, he would Aeschylus very knowingly as if he could reel or refer to Homer
off the poems horror ifyou

verbatim.
care

However,

Homer

is not

Rascoe's point of view. 'The Odyssey,' where Homer speaks of a gigantic brute in his cave: who has sailors imprisoned
to adopt
"

without his I quote from

(Cyclops)

'He nought replied, but of my comrades twain Seized, and like dog-whelps on the cavern-floor Dashed them: the wet ground streamed with blood and brain.

Straight in his ravin limb from limb he tore Fierce as a lion, and left nothing o'er; bones of men Flesh, entrails, marrowy justkilled. Gorging.
We
To Zeus,
our

hands, bemoaning

sore.

he filled. his maw raised in horror, while And human meat devoured, and milk in rivers swilled.'

"And:

'"Therewith

his head felland he lay supine. by the stroke of all-subduing sleep; Tamed And the vast neck heaved, while wine

rejected

And

morsels of Forth from his throat/

men's

flesh in spasms

did leap

comment of ecstatic Dante, the to in but from to me, regard make myself clear praise that the poet would have missed out if he ever reader knows dealt with the Inferno in Keats' best nightingale style. Homer's did leap' is beautiful beyond 'morsels of men's flesh in spasms nor He is not describing Parson Weems, words for its purpose. passage

"This

from

Homer

needs

no

the Reverend

Claudius Tinklebottom
a

ski-ed three fourths of

nose

length.

with beribboned spectacles describes a fiendish Homer

"

Paying

Copyright,1937, Percy Crosby

Price

rf_.

tf

PAYING

THE

PRICE

153
and the

giant who
twenty

could horrified bulk If Rascoe was along/ mighty with Dante and him for horror, one wonders at his praise of Homer; condemned he ever safe. read him or justknew the label was wonders if
'

could lifta boulder with ease; four wheeled, strong. waggons,

boulder 'Not two

Ever
move

is entitled to toss Dante's 'Divine Comedy' aside with 'incredible disgust'; he is entitled to jump on it after he tosses it aside; entitled to rip the pages with gnashing rage,
'Rascoe

but when

such attic swill is advanced

as

thought,

through

the

channels of criticalanalysis, and published as such by supposedly reputable publishers, the situation has passed from Rascoe's hand and becomes the cussion, of public discussion; public dis-

subject
reason

for the very dollars and

swill." Then

clear

that many
to get
a

seventy-five

cents

paid three pailful of this critical

people

again, the great critic,telling America justwhat books Dante, on a tour of hell with Virgil, fails to read, wonders why to list poets in their proper to order. Dante failed to conform

rather, like all crazy creators, meddled Dante failed to digress from a chant around with imagination. the result "The Divine Comedy." and imagery and what was
a

telephone

book

but

"

Yes, "The

but at the expense of a directory. It was that, in the critic'szeal to punish unfortunate, of course, Dante, he placed him three hundred years out of the way, as I brought out in the pages of my book. Does one need a "rapier"
the New
a

Divine

Comedy,"

when

York

Times

Book

Review

plays up

the writing
of 820,000

of such

critic on

the front page York

Times

for the enlightenment

readers? While the New

in

to this critic's embellished

a

failed to exercise editing in regard slop bucket and sent the writer off

chariot of Hterary crescendos, I, in my book, called the writer "Moscow's literary clerk," straightening him out on spurious labels. Since my book contained something like 220,000 words which
own

must

be entrusted change to date, I think the creator can of three words for a title for his with the manipulation Oh, come, York Times the editors of the New cartoon. help themselves to another bubble from the "howitzer."
need
no

154
The
came

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

out

claims in defense that the cartoon a separate as creation from the Essay, but I wish to point a that the cartoon had a copyright and there was caption

New

York

Times

York Times had no right to depart underneath it, and the New definite point, and the publicafrom that caption. That is one tion detrimental to my was of the cartoon without the caption interests in the extreme. left off, the Aside from that point where the caption was Times
illustration and your letter testifies an as cartoon used my ''You make doubt when you a the to that beyond say: do not illustrate anyone's further point that you stories, and 'illustration That be is to that yours not work.' construed as sure that at is understood perfectly in this office, and I am 820,000 Sunday that least 819,999 of our readers understand is reprinted, it is printed as an original and separate production and not as an illustration for an article." I believe such an assertion on your part, though I regret the

when

cartoon

loss of a reader, cannot York Times did use my

be taken at its face value, for the New cartoon, first, without its caption, which

hurt it,and secondly, as an illustration, and that very definitely, it to a great and with no other intention in mind, presented aside from the detrimental of readers as an illustration, letter you in your own effect of leaving off the caption. I think when we did not supply one of admit this when you say: 'civilizationsnightmare And then you own." our add:

number

".

"...

the article," How can you argue that the purpose of publishing the cartoon to illustrate the article, was not a without caption, as a means definite one when a line from the article served as a caption for The evidence is right there and the intent is apparent my cartoon?
was

from

inseparable when, clipping off the caption which was done when such cartoon from the cartoon, a greater injustice was was used to illustrate the article with a line from that article used as its caption.

tators, Regardless of whether the article was a severe attack on dicno or a whether it was mild attack, or whether it was had no place illustrating the article. cartoon attack at all, my

'paying

the

price

155

broken up by leaving creation was aside from the fact that my If the article did conceal a ''rapier/' it must off the caption. have been covered by a scabbard with handle as a decoy to
supply the absence of a blade. As I brought out in my can previous letter, no one change in in by my contract. cartoons anything of mine stipulations If one of the foremost powers in the press has not such authority,

where does the New York Times arrive at such dictatorialattitude? It is not without a feeling of deep regret, due to all facts previous letter as well as this letter, that I am covered in my
compelled
Mr.
to hold to my

original position. Sincerely,

Lester Markel

Percy L. Crosby

The New

New

York

Times

York

City

editor of the New York Times closed his eyes to the "howitzer" or perhaps the body is searching for In the latter case, I should imagine a ''y^^ the head.
The

would help the editor to bring himself together. heard any more But I never and, after allowing sufficient time to elapse, I brought suit
the head

hoo'' from

York Times which, at this writing, is against the New York court. pending in a New A point which is most important, regarding the use of York Times, is, that cartoons reprinted in the New
previous to and after the misuse of my cartoon in that the editors always kept the original captions on paper

all cartoons
to
a

reprinted.
program

Why

was

my

cartoon

subjected

which

departed

from

their usual

practise? But then, why did they refuse to publish the Essay in double page advertising space?

XIX

Columbia,

the Gem

of Moscow

SINCE

Nicholas Murray
was

University,

Butler, president of Columbia lines,'' played up in the press in ''head-

delivered on the occasion where an address was University's 184th anniversary, I quote of Columbia York Times, dated September 23, 1937: from the New Butler, president of Columbia University, opened the institution's 184th academic year yesterday with a bitter denunciation of 'the three military dictatorships of Japan, Italy and Germany.'
Murray

''Dr. Nicholas

He

urged free people to oppose acts of aggression with 'the policies which they compel."' And, of course, since the "free people" speak through
man,

one

Roosevelt

did that in Chicago.

Tugwell

When

our

good leader does not do that which

seems

directs, it
professor.

that

others easily

can

replace the good

I quote from the New York Times article: "Minimizing the threat of Russia to democratic countries. Dr. Butler pointed to fascism as a greater menace, Again since the totalitarianStates seek to expand by military force," he said. 'It is customary for many citizens of the democratic countries to look upon the people and the Government
"

166

COLUMBIA,

THE

GEM

OF

MOSCOW

157

of Russia 'They are that

are

their chief enemy/ Dr. Butler declared. There are other forms of despotism wrong.
as even more

than communism. '''The chief enemy of the democratic institutions which these peoples have built through the centuries happiness rest, and upon which their prosperity and many are the three military dictatorships of Japan,of Germenacing

and of Italy.'" York When the New

Nicholas
Murray

Times,

in

Butler's talk
"But
menaces

subtitle,published under: "Minimizes

Soviet Threat'' and Germany as grave

is not

he

names

Japan, Italy and

Democratic

to

ideals,"

the college president fighting Soviet Russia's battle? Strange how Roosevelt did exactly the same

thing.

XX

Machine
"Three
507

Gunning

for Peace*
and Red/' in August,
a

by me 1936, pubUshed under the chapter, ''National Defense,'' I discussed the international situation as follows:
pages,
into office,he displayed the most after Roosevelt came colossal vanity when he thought some superficial peace message

IN of
Soon

Cheers for the Red, Red

book

to throw away their the world would cause everyone In '^A Cartoonist's Philosophy/' I closed with a chapter, arms. ''A Plea for Universal Brotherhood/' That message of peace, know it, though American will endure: publishers would not

sent around

day uniplea for the ideal state. Some versal brotherhood may dawn on humanity, but selfishnessmust firstdisappear from the world of men. Or, as Skippy's father endure
it is
a

because

advised in the closing dialogue of ''Always Belittlin": ''All right, one man we'll say that I am who believed in bird calls when I
gave

ten

dollars away.

Now,

multiply

me

by

hundred

twenty-two

States. world When

as

million people, and you Take all nations that are it is just multiplying peace
"

have
sweet

the whole to America by

and United

about

people pay individuals, then

back
we

millions. don't lie to each other, each other and in believe can world peace and we can do

John Jones

away

ceiving deand navies; but while individuals are each other, these individuals, taken collectively as nations, will also deceive each other." Later when Roosevelt had both Houses of Congress meet, and with
armies

he broke
was

it would seem with a peace message, inconsistency when the so-called peace message
out

that there ended

on
a

November

This chapter published in double page 23, 1937.

advertising spread in New

York Sun,

168

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

159

If of class hatred. he be the one to promote

note

man

stands for class hatred, how can As the reader will remember, world peace?

that speech, aiming to consolidate North and South did not agree America, terminated in taunts, asking all who like out and fight. It was with the so-called President to come Mrs. McCaffery the web of clothes lines at the yelling over

closed shutters of Mrs. ''have it out.''

What

O'Toole, daring her to

come

down

and

where
was

better example both Houses were

over

of subterfuge

carried
sense
a

assembled as the land through the radio?

"

that performance the ''President's''voice

than

Could

any

citizen
"

fail to

when

the showmanship torchlight propensities forgotten as Roosevelt proclaimed of world peace was subject his sovereignty on the grounds that he was right and the
him wrong? The justlike a fang. speech started
was
on

those who opposed but ended in two When

one

point,

received with he changed ground. coolness, like a he had cut Army to At the time of the peace message, and Navy such an extent that the armed forces became crippled. It was to publish cartoons then that I spent money and writings in
newspaper
program. assailing Roosevelt's advertising space Perhaps realizing the control Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini held the people by powerful miUtary machines, Roosevelt began over terical Similar to the rest of the hysto build up the Navy and Army.

Roosevelt's

original peace message hot iron dropped into the sea,

legislation passed by a trembling Congress, tremendous were time amount, sums, peace poured into greater than any the coffers of the armed forces. Of what use are naval and military forces, if a power-crazed man, seizing the Presidency of the United States and usurping in Chief of the armed forces, turns such the role of Commander forces against the people? If the people are to be whipped, what difference is there in being beaten by a foreign power and forces
only difference is that the people supply the from within. ammunition and guns when invasion comes Does this imply that I am against an adequate armed force for from

within?

The

the United

States?

It does not.

My

words

and cartoons

stand.

160
and

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

aimed for the defense of a government such crusade was is returned to such a government owned by the people. When the people, it is imperative that the armed forces be maintained as the greatest Roman and kept to a high fighting strength, even soldiers wore be prepared
twice the
armor

The for combat. keep the country out of war. nation is that leadership which will be withdrawals when a fine fighting machine, whose There can The time is in back of such withdrawals. only aim is defense,
may
come

in peace times so that they would this great leadership dawning over

that time when we must If such time comes homes. fight for our very and leadership longer withdraw, due to continued aggression, then it no can that the best philosophy, under such a condition, would seem but kill It* should be: Never wound a snake the When my exhibition of serious art openjed in London, when
to write to the owner thought occurred to me in the catalogue. and have such letter printed The letter, dated April 30, 1935, follows:

defense is imminent;

of the Gallery done. This was

read the works of England's great essayists, and through Morley, of Burke aside from his gaining knowledge to expand with what I believe to be some literary genius, I seem
"'Having While it must be confessed of London. sympathetic understanding in distant faint tinkles that the my mind of chimes vibrate I London it is from the realms of literature, the cherish. And
yet,

such a delightful London if I had not been there.

"MingKng
me

never

would

have

existed for

me

with to dissect my
Buckingham
some

the London
emotions Palace,

from

throngs, it never occurred to I watched the band marching as Anthem. National playing your

for circumstance, I had been called upon instantaneous analysis, it would have been an expression of faith in the eternal preservation of English ideals. On the other hand, straining at supposition, ifa faint suspicion crossed my mind that, If, by
strange

due to world conditions, any other form of government would British its head, I have only to awaken the memories rear of
*

See Appendix

I and II.

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

161
echo: 'God Save

throngs and their fervent chant which the KingT

"As

will ever

in 1929, an I wandered through the streets of London to suggest intangible omen that a great light might seemed to reflect that one pauses radiate from Great Britain. When is responsible for the existing peace in Europe, such England faith in the supremacy a reflection dilates with inner

rejoicing,

If a Central Power tramples headlong of Britain's diplomacy. into barbarian traditions by flaunting their Nazi blinders, and if elongated features persist in creeping into the vision, there is no need to resist the picture.

vested with any other authority than the to me that apparent mantle of a free will, it seems sweeping in Asia, detrimental to the America must realize that any move has As navigation best interests of India, affects America.
am

''While I

not

been enhanced by working in two directions, and in view of the to lean fact that the collective minds of the continent seem toward subtraction, it would problems, consistent with race that Hawaiian interests might have a tendency naturally appear
to engage

"While
range

the attention of Great Britain. independently, the Anglo fleetsmove

of friendly salutes, I believe they will move

but always within if fundamental as one,

come beciviUzation is founded principles upon which our I have no confidence in the sustained note endangered. than I have a belief that the prolonged of fanatical hysteria any more toot of a piccolo player can sary perform the functions necesis If full harmony to the the note prolonged of a symphony. is always to grow to a shrill, shrieking crescendo, there and seems later the piccolo player must eat. or the consolation that sooner "Harmony, to be the treasure chest in it would seem, appears length of added which the world will be encased, and a bayonet's detached circumference will be absorbed by the contraction of a
posterity."

I thesis of Rollopelt's Chicago speech* is, imagine, to bring about v^orld peace by painting angel faces on cannon balls. Moscow's megaphone, repeating The

162

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

that which he has been told to say, reminds me of school in front of me days. There was a boy peat who would reanything given to him when he stood up to recite. As it was
in
an

early grade, I could not resist the opportuni the teacher asked: "Joseph, offered. When

what
was answer.

is the largest river in the United States?" there bewildered, searched for an a silence as Joseph,

I whispered and the pupil repeated: "A penknife has four blades and sometimes a corkscrew." I never thought that such practise would be used as a
nor

basis for government;

practise would that I thought
upon
as

did I think

be considered as that Pullman snoring would treatise on God.

that such brilliance any more

be looked

the question is,why did Roosevelt go out to the has a blizzard Since this prophet ever extreme west? of cards up his sleeve, and he waited until his return Now
*

Immediately

dated October

after Roosevelt made his Chicago speech, the following letter, York Herald-Tribune to the New 6, 1937, was written by me

and published October 8, 1937.

"The
New New

I quote:

Editor,
York

Herald- Tribune City

York

Dear
If

Sir:

Japan should blow

the word

would

warship in Chinese waters, the incident? 'quarantine' suffice to cover

up
an

American

Sincerely, Percy L. Crosby." (Signed)

And, of

course,

as

we

know,

the Panay

was

sunk.

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

163

such a speech, the thought persists, did he go out to see if the people would stand for a war? Like a mirror, Roosevelt reflects his surroundings:
to make

if a fireplace crackles with burning logs, a mirror will, if facing it, reproduce every part of it, but if we need hands, we do not go to the looking glass, to warm our

but rather we go to the fireplace. If the licking flames flash out of the fireplace,darting toward the curtains, do not squirt a hose at sending them in a blaze, we
the mirror. of this chapter, as Roosevelt the whole book, is to hit at those whom Therefore, the purpose

well

as

reflects. There is nothing

war

so

dependable

as

to keep

"president" in the White

rousing, good House. If this

embroiled in another foreign should become it is customary war, not to change presidents during ''never or such crisis, change horses in the middle of for brief analysis, If the reader pauses a stream."*
country

almost breathless with excitement when he warned of an impending crisisafter he shot his surreptitio Court message over the land. In trembling Roosevelt
was

anticipation everybody waited Nothing happened. Again came sputtering that something
*

for impending
our

doom.

would

leader gasping, break unless he had

New York

This chapter, as indicated by the footnote, was published in the Sun, November 23, 1937, it to contain a prophecy, and would seem Washington Merry-Go-Round published July22, 1938, we find; "If breaks out, it is entirely possible that he may seek a third term on " 'Don't change horses in the middle of the stream/

for,in the

world war the slogan

164

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

full control, and then Lewis broke out, but the crisis one was of Roosevelt's pets, baiting the capitalists.
However,

all that

was

on

the home

grounds, but having

of a crisis,our used everything else in the way good leader had to draw on the world powder magazine for fresh material. Without a word of warning, the entire nation has been plunged into the international situation.

Just another
But opening up be no there may
a

Now! crisis another Now I Now! foreign crisisis something from which withdrawing unless the people decide
"

to petition Congress
a

to send Moscow's

megaphone

on

prolonged Of course,

vacation it must

"Now!"

militarists would crisis. How soothing to the

unctuous

understood that ambitious be in favor of developing a foreign

ears

be

of

dictator

are

the

stress the ruler's morsels where military men What a strategy. choice tidbit ''military genius" is to have turning over and around in a receptive mind.

How

nourishing! We know that

third term
Roosevelt

is a difficult obstacle to

surmount,

and

yet,

throughout

the west.

War

tested his popularity would be a very pleasant

no

solution to the problem the glorification of Mr.

and would, Roosevelt.

doubt, increase
on

But

the other
man

hand,

is the

comparable widows?

glorification of one Star to Gold more

ambitious
mothers,

more

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

165

I said in the chapter Individual Mind": As

of "Three

Cheers/' "The

"There
most

people, I imagine, who would be to buy surprised to learn that I spent money
are

many

advertising aimed

space

to

publish

cartoons

and

writings

the people to the need of adequate tion national defense. This, at a time when the Administrahad been cutting into appropriations to such an
extent

to awaken

that the armed

forces

were

proportions which would have No one, in the case as of Prohibition,

being reduced to rendered them useless.

was

behind

me

in

this work, and at all times, as in the case of Prohibition, I met Later I published a book, with opposition. 'Always Belittlin',' toons. containing these writings and carA few

of the cartoons

were

after my advertising campaign. been published. General MacArthur, thanked

crisisI
me

used editorially After the book had

the Chief of Staff, that in the Army's

in

informing letter,
potent

me

single factor. I bring this to the very clear point reader's attention with but one in mind, and that is, that when I drew these cartoons
was

the most

attacked military and over was naval cuts, Swanson said that 'the Navy over, Moreit is: 'A Navy second to none.' officered.' Now and
wrote
prose

the

which

is faced with taxation because military ened machines and naval machines are being strengthto an I wish to say that I fought alarming extent.
the country

166

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

for

increased naval force and military force under a government of the people, by the people and for the
an

people, but not for a military or naval machine a man such as Roosevelt, crazed with power,
use a

which could force,

for his

own

advantage.

With

such

an

armed
use

dictator could control the people

and

soldiers,

marines to police the people and subdue them and, in that way, facilitatethe machine of the professors which aims to destroy the rights of the citizens. I bring out this point to warn the people before

sailors and

it is too late! There

element of irony in having the taxpayers' money used (asit is)to support and keep a police force which would be turned against the Marine band walked them. If the citizen willrecall,
would
an

be

out

on

Colby

citizens'patriotic meeting because Bainbridge stitutio attacked the President and upheld the Conwill obey their though such title,I feel, passes he does not carry out his duties as
men

It proved Commander-in-Chief,

that these

by default, when President.

''It is, I believe, imperative such

a

that the citizens give

situation that customary contemplation which gain is a served the nation so well in the past. What powerful military establishment if it can be turned on

the people by a group who have proved themselves traitors to the Constitutional form of government?
...

am

for

strong

military and naval force under

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

167

but I never the constitutional form of government, would have put pen to paper for a military machine which would be an instrument to destroy the rights of fellow citizens. There is one that Roosevelt, way egged on by his manipulators, can compel the people to follow his a strong commands military force which
my
"

will carry out every Do the people, once

government

where

will of this power-crazed robot. free citizens, want Hitlerized a terror is the sceptre? Do they want

Roosevelt's showmanship and reign of terrorism copied from Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini? Once it takes place

Once a man going back to Democracy. jumps overboard in a fog in the middle of the Atlantic, it is too late to change his mind. And it will be too late
no

there will be

he when Roosevelt gains that power is aiming to gain by every of aggression. method The Black program method as of snooping is the same
to change

the mind

that employed by Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini." It little becomes Roosevelt to accuse others of tyranny every human soul when he has tyrannized over
in this nation.
to smash
any

When,

by every

the United

he is attempting is Roosevelt States government,

method,

different from

he has The

justjumped

the other dictators, now into the fray? providing

that

real leader of America,

to cooperate

it should be

necessary

should

work

with other nations at this time, The last thing that quietly, effectively.

168

WOULD

COxMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

should have been done, regarding preparedness, was firecracker oratory. The (which is becoming aim deal of noise to the minds of the people from internal problems. swerve One note performances, whether they be in painting, literature, music, the dance, the drama, inclusive of

monotonous)

was

to

make

great

again, and over comedy and tragedy, if stressed over have a tendency to pall after the second performance. Still, Roosevelt has succeeded with carrying on a one

performance for five years and the applause ever is on the increase. The one note is the ring ojthe almighty dollar.
note

The
now

situation in regard to Japan is this: They are embroiled in the China situation, and due to the

pressure

involved, they have

though of
course,
as

no

time

to become

aggressors

strong writings, they are And yet, the true leader would have worked quietly, efficiently, and the last thing he should have done is
to
on

I brought out in previous in Mexico and California.

the world, for the situation may not end yell all over It may the note of "quarantine." end on the continual phrases published daily, ''seriously wounded"

and "killed in action," due to Roosevelt's speech. At any rate, he is preparing the people and they can make
have just the most of it. Roosevelt's repeated, "We begun to fight" may have its true significance in the Chicago oratory.

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

169

When
"If such

I said in the chapter, ''National Defense'': longer no time comes and leadership can

withdraw,
seem

due

to continued

aggression, then it would

that the best philosophy, under such a condition, should be: Never wound a snake but kill It!'
previous writing of mine referred to leadership, I did not have a professor's, nor a college president's

When

in mind: megaphone in every tacky seam

veritable cornucopia blistering does with popping firecrackers, torpea

velt proudly Rooseand occasional star bursts. How filled with ashes, to brought the megaphone, Washington. Let us hope it does not become urn an
enshrined with the remains of Uncle Sam. I spoke of leadership, I did not have in mind a When terraced ivory or china piece circling up to a ball for finger and thumb
piece to be moved I will on a over the states, like a pawn chess board. quote from my chapter: '"While the Anglo fleetsmove independently, but always within range of friendly
pressure
: a

Moscow

salutes, I believe they will move

our which principles upon I have become endangered.

as

one,

iffundamental

note
a

civilization is founded no tained confidence in the susthan I have of fanatical hysteria any more

belief that the prolonged toot of a piccolo player can to the harmony of perform the functions necessary
full symphony.
grow

If the note

is prolonged

and

seems

to

to

shrill,shrieking crescendo, there is always

170

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

later the piccolo player or the consolation that sooner I believe the reader ence must eat/" will gather the inferbroadcast international of the line. Since we
secrets

''now/' there

can

be

no means

harm

in stating the
"must

meaning.
eat"
means

"Piccolo player"

Japan,and
within.

economic collapse from yell it out the front windows.

Let's

would rise who would be smart enough to allow Congress to function; to function and stand back allow the country waiting; stand back and take everything rather than rush into
the international situation.
no

It had

been

my

hope

that

man

To

my

need

an this time to make affair. If the reader pauses

at

mind, there was issue of the international

to consider, England's

ships had been fired on and they did not go to They were war. right in a situation and they have one move not made which would bring any complication. If they could refrain from in
one

firecracker oratory

of the worst

have expericrises which they ever enced, pending where they are right in the midst of an imif they can move storm; with the utmost

caution, where does Roosevelt arrive at the idea that his personal touch is needed? Making target of the a American people to get over his cotton control, as well
as

the rest of "his" reorganization plan, is a should icicledown in history.

move

that

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

171

When
world

Roosevelt

accused

aggressive
a

nations

In the

of ''anarchy" and took to these nations, did it occur

stand in regard to the President as he

strong

had been going on in Chicago talked that anarchy Where Communists where tracks had been dynamited?
men controlled the post office? Where Communists that they could not work? were

told by

Did Roosevelt

as

he steamed

away

about

the wrongs

done to China,

realize that he mankind

a

to allowed every conceivable wrong to take place in that very city without making

move?

were

Lewis, and the rest of his Communists velt then, and only then, that Roosewhipped, it was uttered one word of consideration for capitalists,
on

When

it meets for the special when take a lesson from Shakespeare in regard session, can to Roosevelt's immediate future: ''To be or not to be,

**K plague Perhaps

both your

houses."

Congress,

that is the question." Roosevelt's reorganization program

was

all ready to

launch, and that program

and especially cotton.
He

was

the control of agriculture kept it hidden behind his

sudden spring to pack the Supreme Court. If he could have controlled the Congress, which he thought he was going to do when he ignored the people entirely,

dictatorship would have usurped the Democracy in a definite defeats reRoosevelt had met two stroke. gardin Court, but he must the Supreme go through

172

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
"

some way somehow with his reorganization plan Roosevelt, and the plotters surrounding him, any way. have one thing in mind, and that is to control the
"

"

farmers.

Cotton is the Issue. How

the cotton
scare,

with the consent painting a black picture

oj
was

control could Roosei^elt A war Congress?

the theme

of the

being prepared was speech, and the country And The fireside chat. for what? then came the The meetfiresidechat, and that prepared for what? ing To the people and to Congress, it of Congress.

Chicago

Black to draw the fireover seemed like a strange move down on him, and yet, the President seemed to be so sure of himself. Perhaps the Administration will g^i the leaders of Congress in a huddle and paint a darker it his "strategy", picture: since Roosevelt boasts of be well to go behind the smoke screen may of Black and look for the real issue the control of cotton by means I mean scare. gun cotton. of a war
"

In this great that which

era,

the forty-six state herd is given

through the secret should be conducted hand, the thing channels of diplomacy; on the other that they have a right to know, whether namely, America

has

committed

herself to

join in

warfare

against aggressive nations is kept from the people. know whether How does anyone, much less Congress, America to some has been committed secret treaty consistent with armed

conflict? Has

the nation

ever

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

173

before? The people know floating ambassador has been nothing and they have forgotten that there

had

running
no

are

back and forth of foreign ambassadors. longer ambassadors, they are commuters.

They Following

this exchange of tiptoeing back and forth from England, where two ambassadors had Roosevelt's ear, he could not retain it all. Therefore, previous to the trip and the Chicago climax, dispatches appeared in the press of the country, where Roosevelt stressed the seriousness of the international situation.
western

Why?

clear, salient truth which stands out convinced analysis: Roosevelt was and it is worthy of some popularity with the people, of his overwhelming
one

There

is

he wanted to destroy one important branch of he accepted such popular vote as an the government, himself dictator. for a sudden strike to make excuse
so

when

after attempting to carry through the seditious measure with defeat after defeat, our where he met tested his popularity again. orator slither tongued The
first test of his election popularity without
a was

Then

to seize

the government justdid it in

consulting

was terribly swift move withattracting public attention. If he would do that out consulting the nation, what makes the people think

the people. while Lewis

He

that he would not hurl the youth overnight by the same method?

of the nation in

war

174

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

And

why

not

plunge

America

going to stop him, the people? is that lost their spirit and the proof of such statement taking it they repeat the Administration propaganda

is into war? Who Ridiculous! They have

for their own

any

thoughts.
save

As ifhumanity

were

that supplied to them. again have I received notes from a pamphlet sent out through a mailing listand the same rubber stamp note

thought

capable of Time and

is repeated again and again. 'T do not like Roosevelt, And: ''There is no one who but he will have his way."
can

beat him."

The

'T do not like Roosevelt"

is the

subterfuge oil,for the Administration allows that to get for itis outweighed by ''but he will have his way." over,
The
Moscow
agents

know

their cattle and

"now"

the propaganda

has done

its deadly
a

believe it. Could

into Do
war

one

man

and people ruler drive such humanity

work

opposition? the spasmodic bleats of sheep

without

save

them from the

slaughter when they are driven through a walled corridor? If Roosevelt needs greater glory a war will supply it and he perhaps expects a few bleats of protest, but
New

Deal

manipulators and
they

know
are

that the people have

lost something touch.

malleable

to

the right

best argument against a has been the fact that America already without
fighting. But

The

war

is, to my

mind,

shamefully whipped if Roosevelt wants to

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

175

like an unseeing, send robots abroad, abroad they'll go blinded herd. Have the people any spirit? Look at Black on the Supreme Court bench. Yes, a few cries,

but

the people accept If Roosevelt decided on

now

the situation.
war,

important

the people have fact: deliver victories because a future

statues part in

one race

prefers victorieswhen making The people have an important

of
a

great leader.

war
"

liststestify,there is
to

no

do

or

die."
even

For

gainsaying that Thirst for power, what?

casualty "Theirs but

more

as

power,
more

and
power!

plurality when wave, which the

yea
"

more, power 1 power! more, again more Perhaps Tennyson precipitated the 46-2 is like the sea "Ambition he wrote:

more

you

drink the

more

you

thirst
"

have done on rafts of drink too much, as men it drives you mad." wreck When Roosevelt can flout the decisions of Congress
"

"

lash them;
a

can

threaten the Supreme

as

Court;

can

appoint

sympathizer, well as a Communist it; can hurl the crippled government and make the people take in their cheering faces, seizing their rights

Klansman,

"

can

do this, then
one wave. war

to

ruler has not He has gulped the ocean.

our means
:

confined himself

Maybe

budget

If a

will he a few cry out

of

balancing the human

the

'Ts Wall Street to become

may

Stock Exchange

flesh?" the answer of human that red figures on a foreign battle field may

be

balance

176

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

the red figures on the government of the few cry out, Roosevelt
to such

can

ledger. If the voices silence them by referrin

"the enemies of the Democracy." Those resting in Arlington and France died for Democracy. There is a far greater Democracy the wrong

people

as

looming did not

greater

on

the horizon, and

woman

since the other

new,
a

war

take, every

a moving sacrifice. I pause: picture of a dictator caressing the shoulders of widows and Gold Star mothers as the cameras click.

a make the eyes hold

must

far

The Call to Bombs

America
The

has

crown

prince

"

James the

first;

other royalists are working for Mr. Hearst. The whole family's always on the wing Carrying out orders for our pince-nez King.

teaches whole nation follows what Moscow Copied by professors for RoUo's speeches: Each one sprinkled a-plenty with hate and spite. begun to fight." And the old ploop soup: ''We've just The
Aggressive nations are all in a tremble As RoUo orders Congress to assemble. Hark
No

you!

Mark
armies
a

you!
are

RoUo's awful bitter. all a-twitter.

wonder
and

sailing To smoke screen a truth that Wall Street's failing. Could a regimented nation be so dumb As to answer drum? the call of the Moscow
"

Ray!

K.K.K.,

the Yanks

are

MACHINE

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FOR

PEACE

177

from Professor previous chapter, I have quoted Tugwell's books and Roosevelt's speeches and there is hardly the change of a word. In
a

in hand hand with Moscow working literary clerks are like fungi draining the lifeout of the

Professors

tree of Democracy.

You

can't

see

the forest for the

fungus

It is stench of conservation bunkus. flaring,this writing of the professor's allvery bright and clerks, but paper in a fireplace and the other Moscow ble but it is incapaand the blaze is brilliant, makes a roar by the speed and its speed is measured of warmth

dungus

with which Now! Now!

it turns
oratory
as

to ashes.

That

is why

the Now!

of the professor's reflector will go

down

as

the nowziest oratory ever uttered. from the Essence is The light of wisdom, emanating intangible as the rainbow, but in decadent eras,
to posterity
as

humanity,

of Socrates and Christ, snips it out with scissors, but the light stillendures as one. humanity, drunk with class hatred oratory, American
in the
case ever

has the privilege of snipping it out again, but such futile as slitting the ocean. as are performances to is aimed When all this hurried oratory project
crisis,justa tremendous, colossal, stupendous for Congress and crisis, supported by a third alarm call followed by fire bell oratory, it would seem that the Essence flowing through the steady pen, writes: Wait!

another

Wait!

Wait!

178

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

the daily struggle for existence would citizens desirous rush to dip a pen in the ink because the one breathless with excitement, of obtaining the contract was
In

gasping:

''Sign it Now!
such methods
on

Now!

Now!''

Would
one

they construe

the part

of the

profiting by the signing as consistent with wisdom? When the lives of citizens depend in greater part on what they sign are they influenced by ''hurry! hurry! humanity hurry"? If American can pause at such
into giving their blood? consent sign with human when they must international one There is another crisis, an and our have He must economic spoilist is rushed for time.

times, why

are

they prone

to

rush

the control of agriculture, the control the lives of those making of the youth, the control over But hold! Has he ever up the Democracy. performed
more

power

"

word that would "form a more uttered one insure domestic quillity, Tranperfect Union, establish Justice, defence, promote the provide for the common
one

act

or

General
to

Welfare, and
our

ourselves and

the blessings of Liberty posterity?'' Has he not played one

secure

class against

talists repeatedly, taunting the capifor the benefit of the masses (thebourgeoisie) another seized the plants factory windows, beat workers,

When (theproletariat)?

the

masses

of capitalists,smashed blew up railroad tracks, seized the mails where rioting culminated in bloodshed, did Roosevelt

such who

MACHINE

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PEACE

179

inspired such hatred on the part of the "ill-clothed, the ill-nourished and the ill-housed''toward the capitalists as well as fellow workers utter one word or perform
one

"promote action to "insure domestic Tranquillity" or the General Welfare''? He did not! Roosevelt's is merely the springboard for Communism. tongue

in the chapter, "National Defense," contained in "Three "Later when Cheers," I wrote: Roosevelt

When,

had

both Houses

with a peace inconsistency when

of Congress meet, and he broke out it would seem that there was message,

the so-called peace message ended If a man on a note of class hatred. stands for class hatred, how can he be the one to promote world peace?" they stand out with deeper significance in 1937. This
Press,

book, published by me, for I am the Freedom ignored by the press and the public when was published in August, 1936.
My might
secret

it

was

dread

was

that, upon

its publication, it

be received by literary critics and the public something the and then I would know that there was matter with the writing, but luck was with me all the
way

and

the book

drifted away

unnoticed

save

by the

printer.

In the chapter next to the closing one, titled "The Constitution vs. Tugwell," I discussed the professor's

books, alternating the discussion with quotations from "The Communist Manifesto" and "Capital" by Karl

180

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Marx.

his hurry] where did Roosevelt get ''Now!" hurry! ideas, his "NowT' I will ''Now!"? quote from the concluding paragraphs of that chapter

And

again,

"Now":

"Differing from why

one

Professor Tug well, I see no reason science should 'talk and write against time' if the conis clear. I cannot, under such pressure of thinking, why
some

see

'itis difficult to be calm' unless, of

a

course,

there is
must

cause unknown where intrude itself.' sometimes

'sense

of panic

can

"In fact, I feel that nothing of an enduring nature be accomplished by undue haste. Perhaps in a

mood

of play, I will take the pen and tickle the fangs on ington the lunging specimen from the reptile house at Washhere and a parry there, then we seize a parry
"

it by the neck and the pen serves as a gag while venom drips on the page, and as it drips, one wonders whether this represents the brain power of the Washington

reptile house? "But to get back

to Professor Tugwell:

I conceded
wrote

that he, differing from

Professor Dewey,

with

clearness
"

I wonder if he would velt Jor Rooseconcede clearness to the writer's pen: A i^ote in 1936 Is a "^ote jor bloodshed in 1937 T

Marxian

clearness.

No
my

other nation, can question last line of the chapter, printed in italicsfor emphasis, for such prophecy, as the events of the C. I. O.
or

one

in this,

any

MACHINE

GUNNING

FOR

PEACE

181
to the

Due has reached fulfillment. riots willtestify,

Chicago speech, is America faced with another problem of ''bloodshed''? look upon Roosevelt's Moscow oratory as brilliant, but a spark in a powder factory also is Some
for brilliant
a

brief spell.

XXI

Church

Steeples Are in Moscow's

from

Now

the Pawns

Game
Herald
of October

I quote
10, 1937:

the Washington

"CHURCHES

UPHOLD ON

ROOSEVELT

STAND

TREATIES

"President Roosevelt's Chicago declaration concerning 'the sanctity of international treaties and the maintenance of international morality' was ported strongly suptoday in a letter made public by the Federal

Council of the Churches of Christ in America. '"The churches have long stood for the principle of consultation by the United States with other nations
of securing the peaceful settlement of international disputes/ says a letter sent the President.
"It expressed particular gratitude for the indication 'that America's foreign policy is not one of selfish isolationism.'
"

for the purpose

The
one,

pacifists,aligned with the churches, working as have been carrying out Russian propaganda systematica

and while they might have been innocent at this time to thrillto victims in the past, they seem
182

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

183

In the old days it used to be a ''call" from from Moscow. it is a ''call'' above, but nowadays I will give the reader a first-hand experience of this Sometime ago, in January 1934, propaganda at work.

their work.

to be exact,
were a some

in Florida, and hearing that there paintings by George Inness on exhibition in

I
was

Springs, I decided to make the church in Tarpon I arrived at the church, crowds of cars trip. When were parked for a block around it. I stood in the
vestry
as

terior voice lecturing. The indim that I could not carve so of the church was in the subdued light. out the images of the spectators Yet, of course, I knew they were in there. A very faint I heard
a woman's over a

light glimmered

painting and

I wondered

how

anybody could view paintings under such conditions. Then I became conscious of the woman's voice and listened.
People had been drawn
to the exhibition and I heard

in effect: "The whole world is faced with bloodshed. What it was are we going to do about it?" And "cannons to right to leftof them," of them and cannons

and the whole lecture seemed that it was weird. Since I have
since 1930, and dialogue between a

so

out of place in

church

in my covered Communism "A Cartoonist's Philosophy"

writings

with

Russia,

contains ing the Atheist and Philosopher, dealand I had been called the "mad

184

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

I have not patriot" by the New Republic (incidentally, the heart to thrust the blade into the undernourished

breast of that

magazine),

I had

keen

nose

for Communistic

propaganda. I was aware of the odor of Communism and I listened to the tirade regarding the bloodshed, but since writing ''A Cartoonist's Philosophy/' I had written ism/' ''Patriotwhere I dealt with Gandhi, in that book, as well

munism and I attacked Comas pacifists. Since I

had written and attacked pacifists, I had the experience listening to it. I did not enter first-hand, and I was

but stood in the doorway,

no some
one

could see fifteenminutes, and at

there any
were
our

and in the half light in which paintings, I listened to the tirade for
no

time during that fifteen

minutes was The people

know
at

that

reference made to the paintings. drawn by means of subterfuge, and we is based on that note whole government day.

Still,the churches practised it before 1932 in connection with Prohibition.

the present

the lecture had been completed, instead of a reference to the paintings, the voice of the speaker said : "As you go out, you will find cards, and I wish all of lecture would fillout you who are interested in this I then these cards with your names and addresses." When looked at the cards and it was on the formula basis. list, In a word, it was a nothing more. potential mailing I stood in the vestry and watched the people to see what

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOW*

GAME

185

They crowded around effect the lecture had on them. This was the prepared desk and filled out cards.

just one
Sunday

time, and

as

this had

been

schools throughout the land, one the lists the church organizations had Communism. As I brought
out in

carried out in imagine can

to carry

out

"Patriotism/' published in 1932,

fanatical aggression is in the ranks of the in the ranks of the Prohibition pacifists as that which was the
same

They
''The American

are

one

and

the

same.

I quote:

citizens are the victims of hypocrisy, fanaticism and pacifism. fangs, religious which has for its These fangs entered the body of American humanity in doing its deadly 1917, but it is the poison which is now has collected The proof of this is that gangdom work. billions of dollars from defenseless citizens. Helpless
to combat

faced such organized force, the people, ever had to submit to with the nightmare of unemployment, and accept their fate.'' religious tyranny It is this fanaticism on the part of the churches that
has brought about the situation of the present In I have covered that in ''Three Cheers."

day, and word, it

for the New is the church groups who are responsible I quote "Patriotism" Deal. again: is that prohope of success Patriot: Russia's one hibition break the morale of will last long enough to America; while this puritanical code of morals keeps the
**

186

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

people out of work, Russia, through her agents, promises the unhappy zens citiworkers a better future, until many look forward to the ideal state of communism. now
arrive at the conclusion that nations will be embroiled in another war? Patriot: While Russia figures that this nation is
*'

**

How Pacifist:

do you

practically beaten as the result of her propaganda, she cause does not seem to be worried by Japan'sactivities behas not The declared war. that power

officially
day, who
now

German

youth of the present War, to fight in the World

were some

too young

number

million

They, claiming that they had nothing and a half men. to do disclaim all responsibility,and on with the war, debt. This new, that basis refuse to pay the war ous vigorgeneration has one desire,and that is to get back at France. Russia, simply dreading a surprise attack from the Swiss yodelers, will join hands with any European

Perhaps overnight, all Europe will be engaged in conflict,compelling England, Italy and France to forget the United States. Japan
power

for protection.

will suddenly discover that she had and realizing the opportunity Even swift call on America.
her troops from

of

with China, lifetime,will make a

no war

though

Japan withdraws
remains in the to have the habit

China, her government

conquered

territory.

Japan

seems

of entering divided."

neighboring

countries

when

they

are

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

187

This nation

was

never

so

divided by hatred since the

overwhelming popularity, has been consistent in one

civilwar
greater

as

it is today.

With

powers,

Roosevelt

thing; dividing the classes,capitalistsand workers, until the bitterness between these factions is so great that it
to develop would take very little rioting in every city. And why? Because Moscow orders such a plan. Before organizations of church people carry out Moscow's program,

from

gangdom. Washington
Washington

shed they should remove the stains of bloodtheir doors, and I speak of Prohibition and Once, when I published an article in the
Post

in

page,

Herald of the same Pulpits out of Congress and Get Back

in the pages and two date, called, ''Take the

to Honest

ernment, Gov-

furious. The Post the church people were was the recipient of 'phone calls asking the price of the On the day the page so some nie. people could answer articleappeared, the editor was confronted by a group that the paper apologize of indignant people demanding in
an

article for my

stand.

They

demanded

space

to

the editor said that if I were for full sincere enough to spend the amount of money advertising space, their sincerity could be matched
express

their views, and

likewise, and the paper issue was dropped.

Money,
as

would

print their views.

The

to be a of all America, seems very precious thing, and I am wondering at this writing.
case

in the

188

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

since Russian

propaganda,
of
some

in a bKzzard of gold has been showered whether the churches have been recipients

of this shower, and I say again that if the churches of America, carrying out Russia's program, "Ye to pause consider the wisdom of Christ's remark,
cannot
serve

God

and Mammon,''
on

Communism
as

would

not have

the hold
it would

Perhaps
groups
a

the churches have been more

it has today.

beneficialfor these

officeto have gotten who stormed the newspaper little It would have been cheaper than the adrope. vertisi these groups, or for that space, but if I know

matter,

it on

allAmericans, itwould be their inclination to put but ifthey have the desire to carry out such my bill, done

practise, it has been

over

before.

Perhaps

placard

oak would vehicle dangling from an have significance in this day: "The King of the Muse." the used written and published by me in the is hope of success spring of 1932, I said; "Russia's one to break the that prohibition will last long enough morale of America; while this puritanical code of morals In "Patriotism," keeps
agents,

the people
promises

out

of work,

Russia,

through

her

until many

future, the unhappy workers a better look forward to the ideal state citizens now

of communism." Before I go into the

poisonous

regarding subject

the particular

flowing through the churches, propaganda be interested to know the reader may that I have

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

189

written

on

the

of religion,and subject

with

many
no are

adhere to to Christ
in order

rehgions aside from particular faith. My

in the nature

acquainted the Christian, and I

writings in regard

am

to

touch

the

subject
are

of philosophical scope, and briefly, Christ never

man

any creeds. They advocated Christianity has its roots in many

made.

Since

pagan,

las, mystic formu-

he cares to delve and the reader can analyze this if into Gibbon's ''Decline and Fall of Rome/' there is one truth, and that is, that the Catholic church apparent later, as we know, picked up the seed of Christ and Luther broke away, and the Protestant church is really discussing the tree of Christianity. I am a limb from for, as I said, I have no with detachment, Mohammedans, Buddhists, creed, and Christians, Jews, faith are equal in my as viewpoint. well as any other As I brought out in writings, they appeal to the same the matter

God. Such
for

Christ's message
doctrine needs
as
no

was

Universal

Brotherhood.

Jews

well

as
are

was churches, and his message Churches, mosques all mankind.

and

synagogues,

adays the sculpture of religion. Now-

than the the sculpture reveals the chisellingmore In a shot, any house of beauty of the original form. function as an umbrella. worship performs the same breast. Christ's mesThe true altar is in the human sage
in its original form^ is like a living, beautiful model to the duplicate in marble. compared

190

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA? where

I win

destroy

the propaganda
as

of Moscow

Christ is presented

the original member of the proletariat in a stroke. Communism advocates hate and Christ advocates love without hate. Christ's terrific satire aimed to awaken mankind, was

by such method clearing the path to the light of of the obstacles which shut off the way His utterances God. or were parables ever aimed for
not hate, for he
was,

love. His plan was goal at all times was similar to a man rubbing the lens of a telescope so that the exalted others would obtain a clearer focus on
this. His changers in the temple, he was clearing the channel of the dirt. Always, I said, there was tion as the pointing of the way : The direcscene.

When

he assailed the money

to God.

There has been

mistaken

and it has been used as a is wrong a priest applied pantheism to atheism and once disbelief. Christ was a as pantheist, God working Two throughout of the and returning. all nature
greatest
were men

conception of Pantheism for atheism. This synonym

both

earth, both pantheists. In

on

Jews Christ and Spinoza,

"

''Three

Cheers,'' I have

is Pantheism?" in Book H, "What covered this subject Christ." of Jesus and "The Pantheism When a bandit philosophy advocating the stealing of
one's

property.

Communism,

is advanced

as

doctrine,

supplanting the true teachings of God, in the churches

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

191

the reader know that, in this of the land, then may chapter, my pen becomes a relentless whip. The definition of atheism is: "Disbelief in, or denial of, the being."
existence

of

God,

or

supreme

intelligent

This is negative and adheres to the negativity and that negativity is, in relation to of Communism, the Eternal One, subtracting belief in a Supreme

Since all creeds are man made and atheism is likewise man made, it is a faith of belief. Since there is no vacuity in all Nature, from plants to planets, "Nature negativity cannot exist by abhors a vacuum"
Being.

itself. The

of negativity and positivity or cause and effect. Atheism be carried out by practise under Communism, cannot for the doctrine advocates hate and hate is a force.
But Marx I have

universe

is ruled by

the interchange

and Cheers:"
In Marx:
an

dealt with atheism in the chapter, "Karl from "Three Manifesto," the Communist

essay

by Lenin, I quote

Russia's leader touching

upon

is materialism. Marx ''The philosophy of Marxism and mination, deterEngels defended philosophic materialism with the utmost times explained the profound error and many of any
.

views are expounded detail in in the greatest the works of Engels, most clearly and Feuerbach, and Antl-Dlihrlng, works which, like the Ludwlg Manifesto, are everyday books on the table of the Communist
class-conscious worker.''

departure

from

this foundation.

Their

192

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

and Diihring were atheists, although Feuerbach, in to tear down attempting orthodox Christianity, as well as all religion,said: ''nothing else than the consciousness of the infinity of the consciousness; or, in the consciousness of the infinite,the has for his the infinity of his own nature," conscious Feuerbach

subject

object

straight into Christianity. The Holy Bible says: ''Know the temple of God and that the spirit of God ye not that ye are dwelleth in you?'' The only difference is that Feuerbach is
walks

frightfully ambiguous

whereas

said it better than anyone in miniature. human being is Heaven As I pointed out in a thing, word for previous chapter. Da Vinci said almost the same did, and differing from the Rascoes of this word, as Swedenborg
I do not accuse life, Swedenborg, though he lived at a later date, for this is a universal truth, and the universal mind is known. Plato, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, to name few, expounded a this idea, as did the Buddhists and the Chinese before them, but talks understandingly philosopher, Emerson, of what Feuerbach thinks he's discovered by looking through greasethumbed lenses. If one were given to mockery, this would be a

the Bible is clear. Swedenborg when he claimed in substance, the

the American

laugh at the Marxian doctrines, but we do not laugh or the old man, at the bewildered cripple, confused by the traffic, a or the blind, or the deaf; and if we went to an asylum and saw

tremendous

against the wall, shouting, "There's to laugh, and the same us nothing there," it would hardly cause holds true for the atheists trying to see through the blurred greasy
man

battering his head

lenses of

Feuerbach,

who,

thinking

he

has

discovered

the

the religious and atheistic doctrine, expresses thought of the ages, but in the most ambiguous Yet it is the same. been given to the world. ever
Then
from the Encyclopaedia

manner

philosophical it has

Britannica in regard to Diihring : "Diihring's philosophy claims to be emphatically the philosophy of reality. He is passionate in his denunciation of everything His 'substitute for which, like mysticism, tries to veil reality.
. . .

bach." points akin to Comte religion' is a doctrine in many and FeuerDiihring's "philosophy of reality" is the same Karl as

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

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193

Marx's

Neither Feuerbach Diihnor materialistic philosophy. held to much the ring rated in the fields of philosophy, and they is material"The philosophy of Marxism same ism/' views as Marx. The
a

Diihring preached the capital and labor document. by his own fact that an atheist close to Marx was, sion, admisbeliever in the true Divinity consistent with the highest

the vacuum teachings of philosophers and religions, should cause Professor Harry Elmer Barnes carries behind his writing ear an two : but since it may or sag in the heat of controversy, unsteady waver into Professor Harry Elmer there is no need to go what

believes, other than to say that he is an atheist. If the to know more about his beliefs,they should read reader cares If one describes a daisy, it applies to Dewey and then return.
Barnes all daisies. Since positivity and negativity rule the universe and there is a drawing to planetary constant motivity, it and pulling even that the same process applies to minds, and the minds would seem A musical concert of atheists are representative of negativity. the beauties of the Grand born without sight. be told by a man Canyon who was will never has no conception of red, blue, violet,yellow, green, If such a man If you say red, are you etc., how going to put color in words. justlike a rose, he might ask: ''What's a rose?" On the other
means

nothing

to

deaf

man,

and

hand, if he becomes
such a thing as he must admit

difficultand the Grand Canyon in his

own

refuses to admit that there is justbecause he cannot see it, that he has no sight. consciousness

informed the other hand, his feet felt ground and his senses he admits the him that he went Regardless of whether up. Grand Canyon, he must admit that it is due to his limitations see. that he cannot

On

holds true of atheists. They cannot see the air but In the case they know that there are moon, stars and sun. of into dodge their science, cannot professors, they, trapezing off own negativity in such short order, for in science they know that They, substance is in the air, electrons, atoms and molecules.
The
same

drawn

into such

an

admission, and admit

it they must,

even

as

194

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

admit that his feet are not resting on air,must agree that substance, though unseen and made up of tiny particles If the professors of matter, forms between them and the sun. dare to move, I'll bring in Einstein's motivi ty of light, where,
man

the blind

must

these particles, color rises from vibrations. Therefore, a the particles from the atheist to the sun prove connection light in his If even though no there are particles, registers mind. through from the atheist to the sun, then it must be that substance moves in the space between the sun If and the moon and to the stars. substance is between all these planetary constellations, the space
the atheist to each planet must contain substance, therefore, he, regardless of his negative drawing power contained in If,according what he believes to be mind, is a part of the whole. to draw the atheist into science, the to astronomers, whole has not

between

been charted, then it would seem that it is known by science that for measurement the realm of space is unknown other than that it is conceded that it exists in terms of an unknown quantity. Since astronomers see through that they cannot admit which
instruments

hide behind science. If, exists, the atheist cannot the Chinese, as well as philosophers, taking the same argument, admit the invisible power, and the latter through science as well
occurs
a

philosophy, the thought under Karl Marx is merely

as

that trying to cloak negativity

covering. he is a as part of the whole as an much atheist must admit insect, an elephant, a kangaroo, a Scotch terrier and a shark.

temporary

The

The

shark cannot

hide under

the

ocean

for that, too, is

stance. sub-

Since the force,according to philosophy, is an abstract quantity himself out of the abstract? called God, how can the atheist pull If the atheist has any channel of spiritual exhilaration, whether it

be through

science, literature or music, then that is a channel where worship finds an outlet. That is the atheist'scontact with God, the Whole, the Nameless, the Essence or the Invisible Father

referred to as the Logos, or Absolute, has served generations of mankind thousands of years The
sometimes

of all things. Divine Essence,

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

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MOSCOw's

GAME

195

intangible radiance which enlighten Dewey, has the world ; but Karl Marx, as in the case of harnessed this flowing intangibility for the benefit of the regimented
was

before Christ.

It

the

warm

in which the cellophane wrapper the world crinkles in the throes of new thought. have said, the "Communist Since, as we Manifesto,'' now world of
men.

It is now

launched
removing

by

seeks to destroy individuality and, by individual incentive, progress has been retarded, without
Roosevelt,

is sharing the the highest element, it would seem, fruits of labor; this, of course, after the firstexcitement of change has passed invites negativity, for the principles of the Marxian
progress,

philosophy

are

to take away

by droves. all become cattleized and move Industrial progress removed, the leaders of regimented humanity find that, in time, the addition sign has been destroyed and they are
heart. minus sign, both in industry and in the human But let us take an example of negativity. We will assume that have a mathematical mind before us we which can subtract at all We will say he takes one from times and never make a mistake. left with
a

which taken from humanity,

areas,

and confine all freedom within restricte killsthe sense freedom freedom. With of

two

and it leaves leaves eight, and

will say he takes two from ten and it we will say that he goes up into millions and subtracts is correct. does it gain What thousands and the answer
one,

and

we

humanity
Let
us

always takes away take the question in a common that

we,
as a

if this man

and
sense

adds? In method.

never

ture, pic-

suppose

other people in the world houses better and faster than any Let other people in the world. but we have no neers us assume that we excel in housewrecking engidoes it matter What us. we our among prove whether The result would be the cleverness in a day or a hundred years? it would be subtraction To tear same: without construction. down, one has to replace. That seems to be the law which

nation, or as a people, surpass any in house wrecking. We can pull down

guides the advancement of humanity. Therefore, the philosophy of Karl Marx nothing

taking cognizance

beyond

tangible reaUties in

world

of of materialism is

196

WOULD

COMxMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

hopelessly

tween restricted. His philosophy deals with relations bemen and the world of knowledge, which is consistent with Hume's philosophy where he closed the world for everybody, like a cocoon, until Kant, with his ''Critique of Pure Reason'' opened it again by his reasoning along lines of a priori intelligence. The reasoning of Marx in such a material world of realitiesdoes
not

philosophy other than cloak and suit philosophy, for the philosophy of Plato, Spinoza and Kant begins where velt, RooseWhen the highest smokestack mass of production ends.
in
a

rate the word

speech before both houses of Congress, said that he sat at the feet of a philosopher, his speech containing the hate of the ''Communist Manifesto" pher" revealed that the "philosoKarl Marx. was
recent

be Hkened to a lot of can churches of America anthills. The ants have struggled to build these edifices, but having completed the task, some red ants Influenced by the invaders, the them. mingled among
The

black ants are long to build.

to put
to
over.

tearing down

that which

they took

so

That That

plan the red ants aimed is Russia's strategy. They want

is the very

destroy
as

the churches,
case

them

in the

quietly and without church people do the

money

instead of bombarding of armies, they tear them down In brief, the any labor involved.

but

job themselves
procedure

and

there's little

and

no

labor involved.
such
a

goer

watched

If the ordinary church on the part of ants, he

see would pity such shortsightedness, because he can Yet, from a proper the whole scheme perspective. he is a willing case, without any perspective in his own

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

197

party

to the destruction of American

churches.

Smart,

these Russians.
is negative philosophy of control for humanity symbolized by the minus sign, and unless it is broken, it can become the plus sign, never and that i^ery soon, for Communism alms to do away with the cross. A I rented a home where a library contained various books dealing with Christ. Running fingers over the backs, like one the my rippling over

This past

summer,

keys truly

of
a

It was at random. piano, I selected one discovery, for the title gave me lead, but no
a

after reading Communism.

few pages,
The
owners

I caught

the scent.
are

It

was

of this home

very

fine,

religious people and, as I read, the notations and by the reader, revealed that a devout checks made Christian was led astray. The notations and markings, struck me with a deep pity. In this work, written by a London professor, the slithering pen him as the of the writer analyzed Christ and somehow

projected

first disciple of Karl Marx the first member of the proletariat. A review, written by a London critic, the work another Communist, ravished praise over
"

without

restraint.

As

in the

case

of America,

the

opinion of this critic was accepted as a safe, abiding label. It was saved and the contents of the book, written by a Communist professor and praised by a Communist It would criticwould do its deadly work.

198

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
as are
a

be discussed and passed from mouth to mouth is how Christians of authority. That
poisoned.
Unless they

work being

rise, together with all, and they will succumb chase the snakes out of Washington, to the poison sinking into them from the fangs of Moscow.

The

following headline York

Times,

over

full column
11, 1937:

appeared

in the New

October

URGES

CHURCH

AID

SOCIAL

ADVANCES

Dr. Z. T. Phillips Stresses to Episcopalians

Spiritual

Side of 'More

Abundant

Life'

'Radicals' Scored

Anew

Laymen

Link

of Industrial Democracy Spofford Retorts to Reds Heads

"

League

The

following is

an

extract

from

the column

under

the above

quoted headline:
Layman
s

Association Attack
Association

The

Church

Layman's

of New

York

City, of which Merwin

an

K. Hart

is president, addressed

open

letter to the Bishops and

the convention,

deputies attending protesting against the Church League

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

199

for Industrial Democracy

as

leading force in "the

within the Episcopal Church." radical movement Many of members of the officers of the league were the "interlocking directorate" of radical organizations in this country, the letter said. It noted that Bishop

Edward

L.
a

Parsons

league, is

vice Liberties Union, and

of California, president of the Civil of the American chairman

that the Rev.
W.
B. Spofford,

its executive secretary,

is a director of the Civil Liberties Union, a member of the national bureau of the League Against War and Fascism and of the North American for Spanish Democracy. Committee

inspired organizations in "Socialist and Communist found boring into practically the United States are into our schools every phase of our national existence
"

and colleges into labor activities into other churches letter as warned. well as the Episcopal Church," the
" "

"There
it all
"

seems

to be

to

foment

all-prevailingmotive behind institutions discontent with American

one

"

to overthrow

America."

The

letter urged

the church

to deal with

"eternal
economic is against

"shifting rather than spiritual virtues" It said that, "since Communism problems."

all religion, especially the Christian religion, for the Episcopal Church to embrace the views of the Church League for Industrial Democracy would be to invite disaster to the church itself."

200

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Reply

jor the League

In reply, the Rev. Mr. Spofford issued a statement in contained in which he recalled various statements pastoral letters of the House of Bishops calling for the of the condition of the under-privileged, the abolition of child labor and the replacement of the profit motive by that of service. ''These 'radical'pronouncements,
Mr.
Hart,
are

improvement

not

cow,'' the direct work of the Third International in Mos"They Mr. Spofford continued. from emanate the first international, established not twenty years
ago,

but 2,000 years

Reverend

ago."

Hart Spofford' s reply to Mr. Merwin Christ has been reaffirms that which I wrote above. He has been resurrected for brought into the scene.

The

has the atheistic altar. He crucifixion on renewed been stuck with the Karl Marx tattooed as pen, disciple the first member a of the proletariat. Spofford brought in "2,000 But, since the Reverend
"

years
rose

I remind the good cleric that Christ to the Eternal Father on cross a not a minus
ago,"
may
"

sign. Since Nicholas Murray

University, proclaimed

Butler, president of Columbia to that Hull would go down

posterity as a prophet, why not take a philosopher who Francis Bacon, over already has proved a prophecy? three hundred years ago, closed his essay, "Of Truth,"

CHURCH

STEEPLES

PAWNS

IN

MOSCOw's

GAME

201

with: ''Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed as in that it shall be the last peal to call the judgments of

God

upon

that when

it being foretold the generations of men, Christ cometh, 'he shall not find faith upon

the earth/'' Certainly that prophecy churches of America rush

has

come

true

when

the

into hysterical, rhapsodic

phrases praising Roosevelt's speech advocating peace by aggression. The people of the nation ramble to churches searching for a faint ray of hope in the world of strife:look to the altar for guidance and, following the Chicago outburst, suddenly see altars revolve like the pulpits bristle with bayonets of approval: hopelessly stare at great navy on the altars : stare in bewilderment into guns mounted Moscow tremendous negativity in muzzles of zeros. huge

battleship turrets;

see

in the daily struggle, negativity in the schools, negativity in the magazines, the radio, negativity negativity in books, negativity over hearts, and negativity proclaimed in the human

the Treasury,

negativity

by the president potential negativity for the future. In a last desperate ray of hope, with negativity sinking into human hearts like channels of vipers' teeth,
"

humanity

turns

to the house of God, but, alas, the altar

of Christ has fallen before Moscow defending Russia's coup.

with

the clergy

202

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
in

Once, when I bought two Washington papers

"Take Honest

full page
to

advertising space
an

publish the Pulpits Out of Congress itemist Government/' "an

article entitled: to and Get Down

the Washington

on

Post, with all the vision that an itemist possesses, said, in effect, 'Have we sunk so low that a comic strip to that artist has to tellus what to do?' The answer
is in Schopenhauer:
some

'Great minds thus owe littleones indulgence; for it is only in virtue of these little

minds that they themselves are great/" have When the churches of America
reptile houses

become

the

millions, then a strip artist" hurls

poisoning the hearts of of Moscow, nation has "sunk so low" that a "comic
an

shattered by cannon know not what they dol"

echo that shall rise above a world din: "Forgive them. Father, they

XXII

Our
Worker:

Dictator: A

Dialogue

''The President has done great things for the country/' ''What do you

Philosopher:
Worker:

mean,

"Well,

look

around

'for the country'?" hand on every

"

building

and projects,

everything's moving.

man

It's the only time the workinghas gotten a break in this country. of the

President is the champion downtrodden."

The Philosopher: "No
one

will deny that, but aren't there other people in this country besides the downtrodden, as you call them?"
'Economic

Worker:

"Certainly there

other sorts of people. royalists,' for instance, and

are

if things

were

left to them, the workers

Philosopher:

get a chance." would never "Now wait. Before your President came into existence, is it not a fact that this country

world through

reached its of industry

leadership in the and

agriculture their
out

their pioneer

spirit and
carry

vision and their ability to their ideals?"

203

204

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
out

Worker:

"Well, yes, but they

every

were

for themselves the the

time, and it was

dollar that
President Philosopher:

making interested them, but

blasted that."

"How?"
"He

Worker:

showed

them

up

every

time

"

went

right after them monopolies." "Well, monopolies,

when

he attacked

the

Philosopher:

Worker: Philosopher:

understand it, control great industries. Do you agree?" "Yes."

as

we

"And

these industries

are

responsible for

employing the greater number of people in the nation. Is that right?"

Worker:
Philosopher:

that's right." "Then what is your President trying to

"Yes,

do which makes such on the workers?" Worker:

"He's
pay

great impression

trying to g^i less hours and for the workers."

more

Philosopher:

"And

that's why

he's attacking monopolies?"

Worker: Philosopher:

"That's right." "But isn't it true that your

President in
the
same

these attacks is, at making time, putting the government and taking
over

in business

great

projects?"

OUR

DICTATOR:

DIALOGUE

205

Worker:
Philosopher:

"That's

the idea/' isn't government

more
or

"And

powerful

than any

Worker:
Philosopher:

"I'll say "And

single trust it is."

monopoly?"

government

forcing the hand

of all

dictating wages and monopolies and hours for unionized workers, dictating terms to private industries, is a form of
monopoly?" "That's just what

Worker:

the
up

country

needs,

somebody
Philosopher:

to

take

problem and see "Has the President

workers' that they g^i a break."

the

done

this to your in office?"

Worker: Philosopher:

'

satisfaction since he's been 'Every time 1

"

"And

you

agree

that

he's consistently

Worker:
Philosopher:

fought for the workers end all the time?" "Yes, he's been for us all the time."
"But

there

are

workers

trial other people beside indusin this nation, are there

Worker:
Philosopher:

not?" "Yes."
"There's
white collar class, people who belong to no union, and their livelihood
a

depends

business, such bookkeepers and numerous

upon

as

secre-

taries,

other

people?"

206

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Worker: Philosopher:

''Yes."

''And

then

there is
are

great

number

of

people who employers

professional people and

are

that

not

particularly

Worker: Philosopher:

wealthy?" "Yes, too many." "And

then of
course,

there is the wealthy

Worker:

class, or monopolists, as you call them." "You mean the 'economic royalists,' or the 'selfishfew.'" "As you

Philosopher:

will. But the white collar class,

number of smaller employers,
"

the vast

the professional men, and the wealthy has your President considered them he's fought for the workers, or when the Worker:
"They
masses,

consistently?" didn't need it. The masses

so

needed

the encouragement
represent

because the workers the poorest in the land."

Philosopher:

"Isn't it true their

when have been raised considerably,

case

that the workers through strikes unions, bringing about the country could ill afford it,
as

in the

of the automobile
we're

Worker:

"Well

thankful

strike?" to the President

for that."

OUR

DICTATOR:

DIALOGUE

207

Philosopher:

"And
money

yet,

these workers working

and

receiving more less hours, are

we and as interfered

they want, getting what know, the President never

with sit-down strikes or riots and proved by his various speeches that he was in

favor of the workingman could. Is that right? he interfered say and leaders have
to

getting all he Or would you

told all union

strikes would

that
stop,
was

sit-down

property

especially when private seized? Did he do that?''

Worker: Philosopher:

''Why

should he?"
private

''When

capital is seized, why

Worker:

shouldn't he?" "Because that's not place. It is between

"It is the government's

the

government's

Philosopher:

capital and labor." place to interfere

hordes of workers invade, and

when from

railroads and
one

state

to another

of rioting take place. By such procedure, it calls for the interference

methods

a of Federal troops, especially when is faced with inner invasion, country state to another, for the and from one

records prove
one

state

from that workers moved to another to bring force of

208

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

threatening other workers If numbers, they did not leave the plants. It should President's place to have been your

but instead of interfere and command, that, he took the side of the workers
and
gave

commands

to

the
no

owners

of

But the seized property. he has, by every utterance

matter,
over

the
in

radio and

through

the press,
one

and

various speeches, attacked

one
"

class and

the employer class alone class, little,your President whether big or has

busiinterfered deliberately with ness. he was When to the voted

was

officeof President,

this the understanding?'

Worker: Philosopher:

''What do you ''I mean

was

mean,

the understanding?" that

it the understanding

he
Worker:

was

to support

the workers?"

"Certainly it was

Philosopher:

the understanding, and he's the only President who did do it." it ''When he took the oath of office,was
to uphold

the Constitution?"

Worker:

es.

Philosopher:

'Does the Constitution specify in any

particular

place that the unionized workers

or

the

masses

are

to be

considered at all

OUR

DICTATOR:

DIALOGUE

209

times, when there are other people which have mentioned to be considered?" we

Worker:

"Well, the President has

of doing things himself, nothing 'horse and buggy' He believes in doing something about him.
a

way

Philosopher:

all the time." ''But he was elected to office with the that he would support understanding the Constitution.
Is that right?"

Worker: Philosopher:

"Yes."

"Then

when
one

he champions
class
or

justone
the
"

class

and

alone,
masses

organized
attacks
out

workers,

the

and

another class, he is not the Constitution, is he?"

carrying

Worker:
Philosopher:

"Why

not?" "Doesn't the Constitution

amble and the Presay, 'We, the People,' and doesn't

'We, the People' include all these classes have enumerated?" we

Worker:

"Yes,

but
"

when

things

are

not

going

Philosopher:

right "Things

"

have

not

gone

right before, but

other Presidents have carried out their oath of office. Did he not swear, under his oath, that he would carry out the

Constitution?

"

210

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Worker:
Philosopher:

"Yes/' ''And
he gained his office, when not only the first time but the second time, he went against that oath of

then

Worker:

office. Is that true?'' "How could it be true. He

Philosopher:

had to be something for they were masses, unemployed." "Yes, and but that is commendable,

realized that done for the

didn't he go against his oath of officeand he consistently the Constitution when class of people, for the attacked one Worker:

benefit of another class,stirringhatred?" "I do not get that at all. It is ridiculous.

The
are rich people of this country to destroy Roosevelt because

trying

he's

come

out

for the downtrodden."

Philosopher:

"If I was recall, everybody with him so than when he took over office,more

with

any

other President, due

to

the

hatred no and there was toward him, but shortly after he took by office and was given great powers
emergency,

Congress, with tremendous amounts of he saw fit, your to spend as money President immediately paign started a camattacking

industry

and

capital-

OUR

dictator:

dialogue

211
since

ists, not

once

but continually, ever

Worker:

he's been in office." ''I suppose If he attacked the poor and the workers. It would have been all

right. Is that the Idea?" Philosopher: ''Under the Constitutionalform of government, when a President takes the
It still oath of office. stands as 'We, the People,' and It would be just as wrong

for and Worker:

President to attack the masses I made praise the rich. Have

myself clear on that?" "There's a lot of people talking about the President being a dictator,but If
the people dislikehim so much, they can all go to the polls and vote for else, because he's only In somebody the White House for two and half more That's their privilege." years.

Philosopher: "Let

look Into that. The people went to the pollslast election, though he had
us

they carried out his oath of office, him a more gave overwhelming vote time, so are the than they did the first
not

people exactly responsible,when

run

they

aftera not?"

man

scatteringcoins?"

Worker:

"Why

I.

212

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA? Congress

Philosopher:

''Well, for voted

every

one

thing, hasn't

for ''must'' bills and carried out order of your President, in return

It is a weak argument, for patronage? holding no for two men public office laws, under the Constitution, wrote the

which

are

Communistic.

Your

President, him
to

after Congress control the Federal

power

allowed
purse,

had

full

to regulate and distribute projects

wherever
emergency

he

thought

the

prolonged

plan

soon

needed turned
machine.

it. This emergency into

a

But

tributi political disin regard to

years.

this two

and

one-half

Hitler

gained tremendous ground serves me, and if memory

in less time,

stag the Reichmysterious

burned
means.

down

by
a

some

half years, with for a Congress carrying out laws written them by men authority who have no from the people, a one man ruler can
In two

and

Two and easily seize power. years is a lot of time for any

one

half
man

one

he's ruler to gain power, especially since had five years to lay the groundwork, few more moves. and it needs just a

OUR

DICTATOR:

DIALOGUE

213

for he has the crop control, which that the farmers have to play
the Administration, with President bought their very
a

means

along
your

since
vote.

Just

moves couple of more could take place in a year and it would not need two and half years, a and the people would be under domination of the government,

and they would have to vote for your President, and such vote would be one ballots of those 99% popular votes
"

the ends extended to the citizens on of bayonets, for he would have everything his way. Capital would be destroyed
I said before, would be the only business.'' 'That's just a lot of talk. It couldn't happen in two for and a half years

and

the government,

as

Worker:

one

thing, and

besides, this is

democ-

racy.

Philosopher:

''Itever masks
not
a

for in name, shall be a democracy have been used before, but it is democracy
as

the founders

gave

it to the people write the when two men laws for Congress to pass, and a regimented has taken the place of system

the people's government."

214

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
not

Worker:

"What

do you

mean

it
oar

is

the

same

democracy.

President asked Hasn't people to help the democracy. 'enemies of the he said that there are
Democracy'?" Philosopher:
''Your is the

Hasn't

President's
so

idea
"more

of

democracy

called

democracy"

of

Russia

everything More demonocracy

term."

the state controls where including church property.

would

be

better

Worker:

"The

Constitution gives the workers the had. We rights which they've never

Philosopher:

'more democracy'." need "All Communist rule books stress that 'more democracy/ for it is the catch

Worker:

line of Communism." "Why people shouldn't democracy'?"

"If
arms

have

'more

Philosopher:

man

is

on

mountain
out

top

spread inhaling the pure

say,

are

wide air, is it sensible to

and his and he is

Worker: Philosopher:

air'?" from the "You're getting away subject." "The truth is, I'm getting into the sub-

'I want

more

ject,

for if we
as

expresof sion, how the Constitution testifies,

have

freedom

OUR

dictator:

dialogue

215

can

we

have

more

freedom,

Worker:

there's something "Why shouldn't

tricky about have more we

unless it?"
freedom?"

Philosopher:

"It is think according to what you freedom, for 'more democracy' means

is

that

the government

Worker: Philosopher:

and the ruler and the few surrounding him, and distributed accordingly." "Well, what's the matter with that?"

the freedom

control of it is concentrated in

takes

"All people do not care to be ruled and have the power dom, of expression, or freeIs any man. concentrated in one man under God infallibleso that
never

one

he

makes

mistake?

Do

you

Worker: Philosopher:

such man?" "What about JesusChrist, the Lord?" "JesusChrist, the Lord, was one of the
most

know

of any

humble

men

who

ever

lived
"

the

noblest man and in none

who ever walked the earth, mate of His parables did He intiwas a

that He
every
one

miracle

man.

In

He always of His utterances. For instance, referred to God. when He said, 'Why callestthou me good, only

God

is good' He

expressed His humble-

216

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
for the

ness

and that He Divine Father/' about

the

was

working He

Worker:

''What

time

used

the

Philosopher:

whip?" ''That was

when

Christ proved

that He

broke the rules of mankind, and differing from Gandhi, who wouldn't break a
and returned to rule of his country India without seeing the Pope, millions of Hindus suffered for that man-made

rule, because

Gandhi

suit of clothes. that position. He

would not don a If Christ had been in

would have thought of the millions of Hindus rather than

the
suit of clothes, and that's what makes a great leader. But to g^i on,

since you

mentioned Christ. He broke every when He rule set up by mankind being shamesaw that the people were fully used and the house of God was used as a den of thieves. He stood up for what He thought was right in the

Worker:

of God." Didn't "There's I have you. where Roosevelt do the same thing and break
eyes every
man:

rule and

protect

the

working-

OUR

dictator:

dialogue

217

Philosopher:

''Christ never
'Master',
a

referred to Himself as never claimed that He

the
was

wonder, Father,

but
was

rather

that

God,
Like

the all

wonderful.
men

prophets and all belong to

the

of genius, though brotherhood, great

Christ

referring to when Your President, like all dictators, Himself. exerts his own will over humanity
was

humble

and God

refers to himself as the 'Master'. is left out entirely when one man In fact, rulers think for humanity.
allowed in churches, for the Did Christ ever dictators control them.

God

is not

Worker: Philosopher:

that He word would not use a whip and break into temples?" "I don't know."
give

his sacred

"Then

if Christ had
a

was

not

bound

by

any

oath. He thought,
He Now
was

right to do what He in the face of consequences.

not

tied down

by

take your

President.

anything. He, on the

by the bound down other hand, was Constitution, by rules which covered all the people in the nation, embracing the
rich, the poor,
every

creed,

the black and white, and in fact, every individual

218

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

who Is a citizen on these shores. Did he have the right to break every rule to abide by these after he swore rules?"
Worker: "He right for he did what he best for the worklngman/' thought was ''How know do you he did what he

had

every

Philosopher:

Did he write his own Are his utterances his own?" thought?

speeches?

Worker:
Philosopher:

certainly are." "Then how Is It that others have to write his speeches, and how Is It that Roosevelt's
speeches
same

"They

In the past
as

utterances

contain the books, so TugwelFs

that placed side by side, they say the same on thing. And the other hand,
Is It that Tugwell's books when say the alongside of Karl Marx,

how

put
same
"

Worker:

the originator of Communism? Is getthe worklngman "Just the same, ting a better break than he's ever gotten

thing

as

before." Philosopher:
"At the expense

of the white-collar class,

the wealthy class, and everybody else. In a word, those who are not unionized workers with the President's continual the radio and note of hatred over The through the press. workers are
meet

OUR

dictator:

dialogue

219
is

profiting by Do

this hatred
you

which think hatred

porary. tem-

brings

Worker:

construction?" "Yes, it has brought

construction

and

Philosopher:

help to the workingman." ''At the expense of other classes, where the]/are the ones that are downtrodden

by

man

who

went

against his oath of

or the workers, the office, arousing to a hatred of this minority masses, do you call that lasting progress? Do
"

you

think such bitterness, which has its roots in class hatred, brings progress of lasting nature?" a

Worker:

Philosopher:

''Ithas for the workingman." "Since you brought in Jesus Christ, let
us

go beyond

came

Christ the time when Jesus to this earth. In fact, we can go

the history of all religion and find all philosophies and you'll never bit of progress where hatred is the any through
keynote,

for it eventually brings destructi To say that hatred brings would be

progress
cancer

like saying that has its good points, but we know

eventually spreads and brings the destruction of the body, even

that

cancer

220

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

the cancer class hatred today of humanity is bringing eventabout the ual
as
"

"

Worker:

collapse of civilization/' President has the right our the same, ^*)\xsi to use to any method within his power
bring progress
to the downtrodden,

for

he has to attack big interests and the Great industries would monopolies. seize everything from the workingman if they
were

Philosopher:

"And

what

allowed to have their way/' is your President's aim in

attacking these great monopolies, these industries, these selfish interests, and these economic royalists?" ''To help the workingman, the masses/' ''By killing all industry, all monopolies, all farmers, he is working
to the
over rescue so

Worker: Philosopher:

to bring government

that it takes

all of them

Worker:

the workingman, "Precisely/'

"Then
no

for the protection of is that your idea?"

Philosopher:

you

have

one

other. The boss. Whatever

'or

monopoly and is the big government the government

says,

great

goes,

makes you think else!' What he was President, once the that your

head

of this great

monopoly,

would

OUR

DICTATOR:

DIALOGUE

221

allow workers to have anything to say if they did not like the way his one,

Worker:

big monopoly ran things?" "Our President has always

been

on

the

Philosopher:

side of the workers/' "He's been on the side of all the people his oath of officeand when he took over
said that he would stand by all the to do that but he did people. He swore
not
once

do

it.

What

makes

you

think,

he gets the government that he'll allow the

trol, under conworkers

to

have

On the other anything to say? hand, did he not use the oath of officeto
gain then,
power,

promising

anything,
power,

and
turn

after gaining

such

If right around and violate his oath? he gets control of industry, the farms; succeeds
in crippling every

what

makes

you

inprivate terest think that he's

Worker:

thing suddenly going to turn and do everyfor the workers?" "He's done so all along and he's proved by every act and every utterance that

Philosopher:

he's for the people." "By hatred and ness, bittermethods of class to the he has brought progress

222

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

And again, where has hatred workers. Has brought construction? one osophy philreKgion in the history and one
of the world
ever

advocated

such

Worker:

method?" *'\don't see

how

idea.

fetched arrive at such a farThere's no reason to it."

you

Philosopher:

''All right, we'll take it from another is very Suppose a man angle. who suave and has a very unctuous voice, a with a succeeds in winning widow

deal of money, and after marriage to his way of doing things wins her over
great

that she signs over extent such an After he gets power, all her property.
to

such let ways,

and

an us

one

generally has winning

that the
man

suppose

gets

rid of her. We
another

widow
same

will assume who has

man

that there is
some

money,

and the

the

succeeds in winning and

to such

full approval

enthusiasm
an

of
that

the second widow

the
woman

extent

of this man We'll say that another

guilelessly follows the word in everything he does.

wedding

takes

place and the

same

procedure
sign
over

of having

the second widow

all property

OUR

DICTATOR:

DIALOGUE

223

and money
you

to him

ensues.

What

makes

think, since the first widow was double-crossed, that he would not ble-cros douthe second?"
in the in the

Worker: Philosopher:

"I don't g^i the idea at all." ''Naturally, for the workers
state state

are

of being charmed, of making the point I

should
any
am

and
sort

not

but

of analysis, is trying to make before it is

that they
too late."

awaken

Worker: Philosopher:

*'ldon't get you." ''Your

President

succeeded

in

getting

Congress to surrender power and money, like the trusting widow. He's now going
after a^second widow, telling jher that the bankers and holding companies are sents ruining her. That second widow repreYour President all the workers. is doing everything in his power to go^i

control of industry for he wants all He is making a big play for the power. he succeeds workers, but let us suppose
in crippling industry and and the government the jis

controls agriculture,
one

is it not possible that it monopoly, How would be like the second widow?

224

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

could under

unions a

have

one-man

the right to strike creasin ruler who has an in-

powerful military force at his disposal? Eventually, after gaining control of the nation, he'll tell the will be ten dollars workers their wages is labor five dollars a week. What or
going to do about it? Strike?'' "We have the right to strike and

Worker:

we've

Philosopher:

always struck." "Don't be ridiculous! There are three countries under dictators, and strikes in those nations because no more are
the people
are

and

the

same

ruled with an iron hand, to America will happen

If President is stopped. unless your he aims President gains the power your
to
g^i,

and

we

know

by

his

own

mission ad-

that he is 'determined,' he will it affects his group consider no when own selfishinterest. His word is of no
value
as

we

know.
as

He

has been tricky

and cunning and be in opposition

government,
your

labor unions would

to
a

one-man

rule

would
when
a

eventually have to killlabor unions. Again,

man

President

gains control of

widow's

OUR

dictator:

dialogue

225

money

where everything has been signed to him, him over on she is dependent from that time on. It will be the same

'the ill-nourished, with the workers, the ill-clad, the ill-housed."' Worker:
"You
are

justpainting
havenH

gloomy

picture,

but you
President
'more

that our convinced me is not right in fighting for

democracy'."
an

Philosopher:

"When

eagle's claw is chained

use

to

an

iron ball,of what

are

the wings?"

XXIII

Gainesville Speech
appeared in the Gainesville speech, and attending the news reel and hearing Roosevelt that he was the statement against Fascism as Communism, as and this particular part was
note
news

ANEW
make

much

played up in the
news

reels,I went

home

concerning the speech, where Times dated March 24th, it was headlined

and read the in the New York

:

Few "Selfish

in Georgia* ; and the subhead: ''He Assails Feudalism Like Fascism, and as Also." Hits Communism In

Block Nation, Roosei^elt says

the

news

story

following,

we

find: ''Scattered

hand-clapping
when 'I am

and whistling greeted the President he departed from his prepared speech to declare:

opposed
''

to fascism

as

am

opposed

to communism/

I looked
text very

that prepared carefully: There is no

over

speech and studied the reference to Fascism or

Communism.
the press
yet, there
as a

was

given out to word, that speech was record which is supposed to stand, and in the record. no attack on Communism
a

In

Why?

interest the reader to know that this is in the firsttime that Roosevelt attacked Communism
It may

period of five years.

Why?
226

How

is it that

the

GAINESVILLE

SPEECH

227

printed in the press of the land with this part, played up in news reels,deleted? When a of a West Virginia organization, member American ideals asked for my to represent supposed speech
was

for Peace," published in the Sun, I sent it to him, tellingthe writer that this in the hands of book was publishers for consideration. double page,
"Machine

Gunning

In that letter,I informed

that it was In
answer

important

the member of the tion organizafor citizens to read the book.

stressed how much organizations had been doing, but I realized that tremendous praise the party
given to an anti-Semitic magazine. record, in part, as follows:
was
''.
. .

I went

on

your

This situation of Communism got its springboard from smug organizations who believe, as perhaps organization believes, that the Constitution was for the purpose
your

made

of Christians and
are on

no

one

else.

gather from and I know

Jews merely fan There are others besides Jews the flames of hatred. and just attacking Jews is bigotry who are Communists,
and
I have

work that you that Pelley's attacks

attacking

Jews,

I gather from attacked that in the past. your whole letter that while you think you are doing a I said, merely fanning the as are, great work, you flames of hatred.
.

."

"I think this anti-Semitic hatred drive which seems to consume organizations, should be stopped and

228

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA? but

stopped in its tracks.

What

has it done in Europe

slaughter Jews, and I beHeve they have some rights God. Organization under staff members wouldn't However, if orthis higher conception. understand ganiza
over

the land

are

attempting

to fight Communism

of hatred, you come with methods right into Germany's policy and you have another blood purge and every vehicle brought about by hatred. This
never

has been progress,

as

I brought
.

out, for

one

only

has to look to Germany. ''I merely

gave
you

."

did not expect a sermon, hatred especially since organizations intent upon of Jews and Catholics, or K. K. K. principles, brought about this situation today, and again I say, since
when has a group of bigoted Christians copyrighted the Constitution? But in this then, the real problem
country

facts and

is to get that

over

to the American

only thing which America can for it is the greatest document of government but if it is crushed by the ever given to mankind, forces of Communism and the opposing force of equal

The

people. boast of is its Constitutio

.

hatred, it gets nowhere.'' I had supposed received various pamphlets which were to but it really was a Jewattack Communism baiting program have been opposed. to which I ever My writing is for humanity and that includes the
Negro, the

Catholic, the

Jew,

the

Protestant,

the

GAINESVILLE

SPEECH

229

Mohammedan,

for the Kght

shines within the breasts

can

In a picture, no one of all mankind. by the color of the cover a book and say, red books or read all the blue books,

pick out

read all the or the white

within

books.
counts.

It is that which

is contained

which

man

in New

York,

some

time

back, opposed

to

Communism

and believing the

Jews wholly responsible,

spoke of their participation and, while I agreed that hot bed of Communism, I did not C. C. N. Y. was a to Jews as much to as sympathetic specify that I was Gentiles. Therefore, to clarify my writing, in view of Virginia organization's sympathy with antiSemitic pamphlets, I wrote to this person in New York. After I wrote the letter, I decided to hold it for something like two weeks, after which time, I sent it to the the West

party.*

In all my
any any

been aligned with attacks, I have never from accepted money organization nor have I ever
to the White

organization. Before Roosevelt

came

House,

was

of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but when member they became political, together with the American the resigned from that organization on I belonged to no grounds that I had written that imperative, to my it was political organization and
Legion,
I
*

See Appendix

III.

230

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

mind,

resign, since that organization had gone poKtical in the bonus crusade. "Machine Gunning for Peace," I When I pubHshed
to

received a note from the present of the commander local chapter that the veterans were sympathetic, and thinking they were pressed about to change, I might have exinterest in if they decided to an

re-joining,

tion. That was the intimastand against Roosevelt. Time passed, and as I received no adequate I wrote and cleared the records. Some time answer, later, I received a postcard stating that I was reelected

take

There was unanimously and with enthusiasm. initialled, but the last initialwas the that

a same

postscript
as

This postscript stated, of the commander. ''Grand work," referring to my attacks. zation The thought occurred to me that since the Reorgani-

before Congress, and I interpreted the Veterans of Foreign Wars postcard as approval and that they were going to ride into the attack, I thought Bill was
if they wanted me I would be willing to be to join, Therefore, I wrote a long letter telling them. among

and asking them if they would have a of their post read it and report to the member This letter deserved every veterans. consideration,
them

about

this book

due

the fact that, first,I outlined the plan, and second, because I said that in time the veterans would democracy come demanded up, and the endangered
to

GAINESVILLE

SPEECH

231

united action. As I said, since the Reorganization in the offing, I had hoped that the veterans Bill was would take a stand. This letter was dated March
I had gone into the matter

18th, and as explained portanc at length, stressing the im-

take a stand for the of having the veterans democracy, believing that the postcard announcement
was

official. In a letter dated March

of the V. F. W.
everything they had
an

24th, the local commander this letter and ignored post answered

wanted me devastating
Here"

which I brought out and suggested that idea for a show called ''Over Here," and to do a poster. I can think of no more
irony than

''Over

There"

and

"Over

in view of the existing situation of the country. The only reference to my letter was a criticism of my told by this commander writing. I was where I missed
on

out
as

the Chapter,

"Machine

Gunning

for Peace,"

that since well as other writing. He informed me I was known as an artist,I should cut my writing eighty percent and if I had to write, reduce it to a twenty

basis and play up V. F. W. commander was

percent

This all ads in large type. not original in his criticism

it this way" You
see one

for the "you

mentality all Americans.

should have done in America. swarms

type
you

of
see

Since the letter of the commander

was

dated March

232

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
March

24th, and Roosevelt's speech was 24th, I was greatly surprised and

pubKshed

realized that that

an put on the postcard was expression of an which was individual sending out the cards and had nothing to I had read Roosevelt's line that do with the V. F. W.

in favor of Fascism any more than he was in favor of Communism, and the immediate thought of two letters came to me the Veteran's letter and my

he

was

not

"

letter to the Virginia letter. I studied my veteran since and his answer, and then wondered, they have a very strong lobby, if that letter of mine
the West
went up to Administration

circles.

letter, dated I will now a quote paragraph of my March 18, 1938, addressed to the local commander of the post of V. F. W., where I said:
point which I think the veterans should know, and that is that there is a great danger looming on the horizon, namely, that the attack on Communism

"There

is one

is taking

channel of

an

tiJewishpropaganda.

I have

pamphlets received many for the Communistic

where

whole responsibility proposition is laid to the

as

the

Jewish faith, and Christians,

denomination,
are

well

as

given

free sweep.

other Judging from

every

is these pamphlets which are coming to me, and one Comthe Pelley Press, the opposition brought against munism is a Nazi-Fascist front which aims to make the Jews the victims of hate. This channel is increas-

GAINESVILLE

SPEECH

233

ing, and

are using any attack since the Communists against them in a Fascist category, I want the veterans to reaUze that it is imperative, I feel,for the people to

take
say
on

over

their government

this advisedly, for if we one side, opposed to a Communist

fast. I and take it over have a Fascist-Nazi front front the other, between these
on

the government
opposing is as one

be crushed will soon forces. Both have their credo in hate, and bad as the other. Both deprive humanity of

right of free speech, the right to for individual expression, or as assemble, and the right tion I said in 'Three Cheers,' in regard to the differentiaNazi-ism Communism: Fascism, between or

their rights, the

'People
Fascism
you
are

Nazism, ask what is the difference between to that is, if and the answer and Communism, hit over the head with a pipe and injured

permanently, what iron or lead?'

**

does it matter

if the pipe

were

brass,

While

at firstI did accept

the unanimous

vote

giving my "As my I testifies,

I cancelled the acceptance reasons, where, in part, I said:

in

instat of reletter

letter to Mr.
was

WilHams,

dated

March

18th,

interested, or should I say amused, at Roosevelt's belated announcement, contained in 24th, speech, that he was his Gainesville, March much
most

Fascism as Communism." opposed to Roosevelt's remark, "I am opposed

to Fascism

as

234
am

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

was opposed to Communisin" made and played up to divert suspicion from the Reorganization plan pending // was in the House. reason that said Jor the same

he did not want he made a point ojtellingthe nation that to be a dictator. It reminded me of that which I had 'Essay on Roosevelt's Second Inaugural written in the

Address' published in February, 1937: followed the speech, and the same "If one note has in speeches before election, the reader or appeared listener of the inaugural address might have become
aware

that the President appears

to protest

too much/'*

Roosevelt
*

thinks with

megaphone.
"

"The

lady protesteth too much"

Shakespeare.

XXIV

Who

Discovered

Humanity?

he gazed about firsttime, discovered humanity. Forgetting that there White

House,
was

WHEN
such

Franklin Roosevelt became

enthroned in the him, and, for the

thing

as

Constitution, his
a

ears

ever

for applause, he became

unctuous

political evangelist.

alert With

phrases uttered at press conferences in those early days, the press fell under his spell. They, too, became evangelists. The ''downtrodden" the cry was
issue. It
was

by

an

all so brand new and Roosevelt, encourage hysterical press, chanted from ''headlines" "the
forgotten the

continually. There was the first cry,

the surest way

man,"
masses

and
can

its effect on to illustrate

be best realized by the following incident. Sometime during Prohibition, a veteran called on me with a view I filled out many of having me subscribe to magazines. blanks
arrive, but as time passed and no periodicals, I finally tracked down the Great was a large my surprise, since it was salesman. lips that he spent own order, to learn from the man's

and

waited

for them

to

the money

on

necessary

things.

He

gave

me

hard-

luck story, involving his wife and her people and their
235

236

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

people and the people connected softened and instead of making very severely that, if issue were
He was could be sent up. forgot the kindness. never
so

I became with them. issue, warned him an

made
''very

by

someone,

he

'umble'' that he

In fact, when
man never

Roosevelt

first came

into power,

this

that he had called unexpectedly and informed me kindness: ''Many's the time my forgotten my
to

how good you were wife and I talked over FU just never up. you could have sent me

when forget it
"

me,

"

I chopped this oration and asked his business, whereupon faced with another hardship I learned that he was
the listof all his friends, and that and after going over help, they decided that no one, and with his wife's them for many some years, had people who had known
come

through from
a

as

handsomely

as

fate which he knew had come through in that crisisand another crisishad if I could advance him him, he wondered come upon ''until he got his feet on the ground.'' I something listened, and taking my sentisilence for awakening mentality him
my

I had done by saving he deserved. Since I

caller rambled

on

with self-sympathy: woman and me went to the movies gulped, "The little 'forgotten and I heard the President speak about the Something throat and I had man.' comes up in my

warmed

until he became quite ''Only last night," he

all I could do from

bus tin' out.

I give my

wife

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

237

I jerked my thumb when she looks at me at my necktie: 'The Forgotten Man/ I says to her and We packed our ears full of that speech and she nods.

nudge

and

when

we

got

home,

I says,
ton of bricks?'

'Rethat's all we talked about. member/ 'when the thought hit me like a
to her, 'When

I says

I pointed to myself.'

Even

then, her eyes

fills up

of all we'd been through. hard, but her and I agree that I'm the forgotten man." he had finished after a few telling When ments, embellishI informed he had
magazines
pregnant

when she thought I tellher not to take it so

him

that,

as

far

as

I had
man

not to

been

the forgotten

been concerned, for the

a

had

be

purchased.

With

glance,

with rebuke, I realized that such reference bordered on bad taste. He up grovelled, bellied,filled insect that walked the earth not an and there was

that he, in his low

not
as

spirits, friendless
"

have walked under and construed the Arch of Triumph.

forlorn, could such insect belly

Finally, I inquired, that if I gave

him

five dollar

bill, The to contact me again. would he promise never Bible, the Talmud, the Koran and every other religious book was the sucked from the ether as he called on
He crumpled the witness his oath. billand backed away in a trail of gratefulness. Something like a year, or was it six months, passed
to

Heavenly

Host

and

the phone

rang.

voice

on

the other end:

"I

238

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
you've

know

I haven't

any

right to do this because

"
"

always been so good to me ''Who is this?" I asked. ''You know, the man who didn't send in the magazine so square about it and when I came sKps and you were out you gave me such a break
"
"

"Five

dollars!"

"Yes,

and what

trouble I'm in

now.

I wonder

if I

out and explain." could come "Why d g you panhandler,

" "

where

are

you

call"" CUckl

occurred to the narrator that one wondered enough why, in his pecuniary distress,he had money And certainly, it never for movies. occurred to him
never

It

that Roosevelt's "forgotten

man"

reacted
it reacted

on on

has well as the subsequent relief, been popular from the first day the words honeyed over the land. Small wonder, Roosevelt's voice has There's a ring to it. taken the nation by storm.
as

precisely the same "forgotten man,"

manner

as

millions in him. The

The Rockies

reliefis as permanent
as
no

to the

"majority"as
The

the

doubt, already are laying plans for the reception of "Great Grandsons of the Forgotten Man." himself into the belief that Roosevelt has pump-primed

and family,

permanent

to the donor.

velt Roose-

he is the "forgotten

man"

and

in bed

tossing dread.

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?
Enough

239

summons

the press in

birdcall stampede.

of

Or is there a this before the reader slips away. reader? When for the Harvard orchid discovered humanity ''underprivithe first time and saw that people were leged/'
he became
so

stirred with acrobatic oratory

for

portion of our "Democracy/' that Congress, the Cabinet and every government office day people a third-alarm basis. Any operated on dential expected a law to go through the desks of the Presi-

the ''downtrodden"

advisors, proclaiming that Congress would have each House so that the people's another floor put over representatives would be on hand all hours of the day and night; cots at the side of brass poles leading to

desks below.
the firstrelief was money under consideration, hesitated about offering it, for fear it many statesmen offense. But Roosevelt, a daring crusader, would cause pooh-poohed their fears and launched the drive almost

When

The conservative Postmaster General singlehanded. James Farley, mothballed to conservative methods of statesmanship, but swept into the vortex of his leader's enthused and found This was // could be done! that it worked. tried out on veteran organizations and became such a success

infectious presence,

finally became

that lobbies overflowed on Pennsylvania Avenue. What was this note in regard to humanity that Roosevelt discovered which had
never

before been known

to

240

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

House in 1933 and He came to the White mankind? has carried on that Kfe work without allowing anyone He has consistently acknowledged but him. to swerve
one

class

"

Buddha,
can

''the underprivileged'' masses. in the stone-wheeled past, antedating Christ,

in
one

be likened to Roosevelt

respect.

He

had

been reared in unlimited luxury. He was a prince by by his servant, he rode birth. One day, accompanied horseback and, for the out of the palace grounds on
first time in his life saw back that

with a servant, he would not return.

in the forest
as a

cripple. Sending his horse informed the messenger Buddha

a

This

prince

decided

to

remain
as we

hermit seeking truth.

Later,

the prince, used to every luxury, the world his teachings gave nearly starved, Buddha These teachings were which are followed to this day. him. first given to the disciples which surrounded

know,

though

When
wore

Buddha

returned

to

his father's kingdom

he

reared in luxury; both discovered the distress of humanity, but how do by addiffer? Roosevelt, surrounded their courses visors
were as

the cheapest of garments with a bowl. Both Buddha and Roosevelt

and

begged

his way

in the

case

of Buddha

their teachings, careful to put in fairness to Buddha, Of course,

followed with disciples, them into all speeches.

it must

be remembered that he belonged to the stone-wheeled age and did not

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

241

have
Then

the advantages Buddha again,

opportunity

sympathy keener mentality,

and never for the "downtrodden."

''complex civihzation/' of our failed to take advantage of his any money out of his made Roosevelt,
a

far

could express a realized that one great cry for the downtrodden and could make it pay have always had a sympathy as with the well. We stone," and our phrase: "Killing two birds with one
In fact, the whole family leader carried it out. became enthused with the idea and the stone has never
great

flocks have been brought down been at rest. Whole or other, the eagle got in the way with it. Somehow and has been stunned to an unconscious state ever
since. If any

that which Roosevelt has undertaken and with which he has been successful, he would have been soundly hooted out of countenance. Roosevelt assailed the rich, called them "economic
man

had

attempted

royalists," "enemies

of the democracy," and stressed the note continually while he pointed out that many in want. All the while, the Roosevelt family were

seemed paid.

to be totally unaware

that the executive office

a pens, with fountain and scabbard of ink to boot, laid down the policies of the Administration the machineuntil people fell on

Jimmie, porcupined

gunned

line.

With

this lice-insurance "in the bag"

242

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

CJimmie's

on

his

own''),

his pen

Constitution with ehminating Deal platform, in contorFrom every New tions remained. ''we" of twisting oratory, this czarevitch has been
"we"

skidded through the strokes until just''We"

ing

over

the land.

It is impossible to record the commercial pere^rmations of the Missus, for one cannot write on lightning.

Even

son's

the President's mother, oblivious of the pecuniary but merely proud of her advantages of the office, to help the achievement, purred in magazines

better cakes by recommending "ill-nourished" make justthe right baking powder. America, ever appreciative, greeted this crusade with purple veined cheers. If all the frogs in the largest pond, raised one of their number to a position on the top of a pole and his chant listened to by all,what greater power would the that he could the others save exalted frog have over They raised him to such chant when they could not.
was

position, but a frog is not a nightingale and frogs have not the power to make it so. The people have the into the highest executive office, to vote a man power
a

but they have

head.

not

the power

to vote
as

wisdom

into his

Only God

has done that

throughout

the ages

the writings of genius testify. And if it be genius, the

never

vehicle used by the Essence

rather the
source source

and

that "my

exalts the vehicle but friends" is the same

that all genius has tapped.

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

243

While

behef
or

has been carried away with the firm that Roosevelt discovered the ''downtrodden''
America
are

"underprivileged''; has discovered that the rich selfish,let us test this discovery.
Since I have brought
out

the situation in Russia, different from that in stressing that their situation was America, I believe humanity, taking it on general the principles, is much "What Do We Do Then?"
same.

In

Tolstoy's

book,

the Russian They

other

of the beggars of his country. alms, but affected limps and

attention
out apart

writer speaks did not ask for

to

means

attract

from

ragged apparel.
was

Tolstoy

brings

the

case,

stating that it

explaining how he followed an He was asking for alms, to the station house. but here in America such practice had lawful. which
Even
so,

unlawful to beg and arrested beggar, caught

sen-

tenced, been

with

Russia

suffered and
that
time,
any

the differences of restriction the liberty which Americans humanity, taken

in the

enjoyed at
broadest

was

sense,

different?

Tolstoy

he stopped one had The man

of these beggars and

spent

claimed that learned his story. he possessed and

an axe,

the small earnings

a

and claimed that if he could procure there would be an opportunity to secure

an

saw

work.

Tolstoy,

aristocrat, gave

the beggar
man

the necessary
an

roubles

and told the unfortunate be given. work would

to go to

address where
the
man

Tolstoy,

thinking

244

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
the address
out,
a

would

make triflelater to that

an

appearance,

went
man

to

see

how

the

was

making

learned

the beggar

never answer

Tolstoy, searching for the

met

up. showed to humanity's

and Later,

and, as mendicant Tolstoy got beggars to ask for alms, he stopped him. forgotten him. the same story, for the beggar had
same

the

problem, the law forbids

Has
ever

the reader, though

to offered money delayed in keeping work and found that the hobo was Has the reader ever heard of the the appointment? tramp

the laws of countries differ, beggar with a promise a of

Going

heard of the professional beggars? through history by roads of authentic literature,

jokes?

Ever

has the reader ever heard that there have been human beings who did not care to work and received far from the world than they ever to it if more gave
"

anything? Tolstoy, differing from

Roosevelt,

found

that

one

trip to Russia's slums did not solve humanity's problem. from his book, ''What Shall We Do I quote Then?". ''We
He writes:

walked up to the bunk, on which something half-gray, dishevelled woman, a raised itself. It was as lean as a skeleton, in nothing but a dirty, torn shirt, with a peculiarly beaming and arrested glance. She

looked with an arrested glance past hand caught her sack in order to cover

us,

with her lean her bony breast.

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

245

back of her dirty and torn shirt, could be seen and almost barked out, 'What is it? What is it?' "I asked her how she was getting along. For a long
which time she could not '"I do not know
"I asked her whether

understand
"

her,
"

it

was

myself, I blush to write it down, I asked true that She she had not eaten.
"

finally she said: they are driving me out/

me,

answered in the looking at me:

"'I

same

feverish and

rapid tone,

out with-

have

not

had

anything

to

eat

yesterday,

or

today.'
''The sight of this woman but not as I touched me, had been touched in Lyapinski House: there my pity feel ashamed for the people made me of myself, while here I was glad to have at last found what I had been looking for,
"

a a

hungry

person.

that I was very rouble, and I remember it. When the old woman glad that others saw noticed for some it, she, too, asked me It gave me money. such pleasure to offer money
some,

"I gave

her

that I gave

the old

woman

it was without considering whether right to saw me out at the give her any, or not. The old woman door, and the people who were standing in the corridor heard her thanking Apparently me. the questions which
I had put in respect
to poverty

expectations,

and several persons corridor they began to ask me for

had roused some followed us. In the

some

money.

There

246

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

the supplicants some evidently who were confirmed drunkards, who roused a disagreeable feeling in me; I but, having given some to the old woman,
were

among

had

tribute right to refuse these either, and I began to disWhile I was my money. giving, others came People there was up, and in every quarter excitement. appeared on the staircases and in the galleries, and they
no

followed
''As I

me.
came

out into the yard,

came

through
He

the crowd
see
me,

boy, pushing his way flying down the staircase.

a

and he shouted, hurriedly, 'He gave Agafya a rouble.' Having down-stairs, the boy run I went joinedthe crowd that was following me. out did not
into the street; all kinds of people followed me, begging for money. I distributed all the change I had, and into an open shop to ask the dealer to change a went happened in Lyaas ten-rouble bill. Here the same
.

pinski House,
women,

namely, of

there the

was

terriblecrush.
peasants,

Old

people
at

gentry,

the shop, extending them money, asking a few about their lives,and making The dealer in my note of them memorandum-book.

crowded

children, their hands; I gave

turned and

in the fur
an

corners

of the collar of his fur coat

and then casting a glance at Apparently the crowd and again directing his eyes past me. he felt,like the rest, that it was foolish, but
so.

sat like

idol, now

he could not say

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?
I had

247

"In

Lyapinski

House

been

horrified by

the

of the people, and wretchedness and the humiHation I felt myself guilty: I felt a desire and a possibility of being better. But now, a produced an similar scene in the first place, I me: entirely different effect upon

experienced
those
unrest

a were

who
at

malevolent besieging the

feeling toward
me,

many

of

and, and

in the

second,

what

shopkeepers

were janitors

thinking of me. ''When I returned home on I felt that what ease. at my

that day, I did not I had

feel

done

was

foolish

and

always happens in consequence of an inner confusion, I talked a great deal about my least doubt undertaking, as though I did not in the immoral;

but,

as

its

success."

Tolstoy

found

but
years

Roosevelt

the operation ridiculous in has carried out the program

one

visit, for five

and, whenever
carry
a

front pages

the spirit of the people lag, the idea: ''Roosevelt's new renew covery

plan: 4,500 million for public projects." Roosevelt's repeated programs of squandering, or is given to flattery, if one economic

adjustments
contribute

neglect

mental fundastrengthening In the guide humanity. principles which billions of dollars used billions upon spiritual sense,
to

toward

for pump
humanity.

priming

cut

down

the necessary

resistance of
as

They

give way

under such pressure

rock

248

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

humanity under water rushes. It weakens lowers it to the something for and, destroying initiative, nothing philosophy which has guided beggars the world

will

wear

over.

If initiative is taken
man

away

from
can

humanity

the average
government

knows

that he

depend, upon

and the

The man for food and keep, why work? at work, rising early in the morning and coming home at evening, begins to wonder when his neighbors receive the relief check for idleness. At firsthe thanks his but as time passes and stars that he has employment,

neighbors are is spasmodic

less, the worker Finally, like a disease, sloth takes hold of the community is voted for continuance as another great sum for of relief. People forget to think of employment, in and so long as they 'Vote right'' their check comes
are

placed on and hours

W.

P. A.

and project

work doubts.

there is nothing

more

to it. Let the government

worry

about

The man the work. keep working for his daily upis no longer popular and is looked upon as an eccentric character. People all around him have the
same

things he has
sooner,

to

but

generally standard. Why The

more

later, or toil for and sooner he drops into the community

work?

money

expended
are

humanity
one
man

until they

in such method weakens the wholly dependent upon

than

for no other reason ruler and 'Vote right'' that they depend on his dole for daily bread.

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?
of re-employment

249

The
accept

people

no

longer

think

but

the situation. That is justwhat the one man buy the souls of humanity ruler aims to do outright. When the day of reckoning arrives, they cannot resist installments more than people who any pay cannot
"

can

resist the agent

who

moves

their furniture away.

Only

man of the one ruler take the souls Humanity has nowhere to turn if,by methods away. by of hatred, capitalists are attacked and weakened

the agents

government.
government
soon

Overtaxed,

assailed and

faced

with

competition at every turn, private capital Then ination vanishes. all humanity, under the dombow to of the ruler and his plotters, must for livelihood. Everyone is
ment under govern-

his tyranny

by a powerful miliup rule which is backed tary force. Humanity is helpless. They cannot arise, for soldiers would disperse any before they groups
concentrate.

When

we

take the

oceans,

the bays, the lakes, the

rivers, the brooks, though they differ,there is one element which has to be accepted as the basis of all. Wetness. Therefore, regardless of race, color, creed, there is one various forms of government, underlying element which controls all humanity wisdom. A man utters words of wisdom and hearing them,
"

though

we

do not
If we

see

seek him out.

the speaker, we discover that the

are
man

inspired and is black, does

250

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
same

it detract from

words

are

If the the words of wisdom? uttered by a Jew, does it detract from

is white and a if he uttered words wisdom
man

If the

wisdom? Christian, does it

detract from

of guidance

for his fellow men? One man rulers, attempting

or

to stiflethis force, suppress

killit if necessary, the normal

are

taking

course

to

flow of humanity.

in opposition has Where

Roosevelt
"

uttered any

words

consistent with enduring

thoughts suggestive of original thinking? wisdom He has carried out a prepared design given to him and has revealed a cunningness, a trickery, through misleading
statements.

With

the consistent message citizen. He has used

as a means

such deceit he has pounded of hate into the mind of every the ''under-privileged" merely
"

to

human and hand

no

soul on "economic
know

over power every complete few'' these shores. Assailing the ''selfish

an

end

royalists''is merely "Let not thy right be what the left hand doeth" for there can sells out his office. He who nomic that he himself is the symbol of "ecoa
man

sincerity in

merely

admits

can royalist." By such obvious gestures, one hardly say that Roosevelt is cunning, but he may be be cunning Someone the pawn may of cunningness.

enough At any

to

the megaphone executive office. of an rate, humanity always has had its Machiause

vellis,its Richelieus, its Constan tines, its Augustuses.

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

251

Cunningness
opposition

is

the force which

which wisdom Therefore, it would be well to progress of humanity. for it conceals, uses test cunningness, subterfuge, The to gain power. way misleads, and slithers any press, in the past, has praised the Roosevelt ''brilliance.' What

to

advances selfishnessin for the is necessary

brilliance?

He

has

been

tricky, misleading,

incapable of original expression, and, to He has nothing boot, obstinate determined man. a beyond trickiness to bring him into the that except
"

false, a pawn

cunning he was

category.

He

has had everything his way

and

people.
was

in the eyes of the press and the wonderful However, A great showman. when Roosevelt
a a

looked upon as riding high and handsome, ''headlines'' indicated, I wrote by everyone as dated
March

wizard letter,
a

parade soldier. is shining on his buttons, and smiles when the band is playing, but he has yet to prove himself when the fire gets really hot, and he's beginning to get that fire
now,

6, 1937, wherein I said: "Roosevelt is He smiles delightfully when the sun

and I predict that he'llgo to pieces."

But

of wisdom : Lord Bacon, the great philosopher, author of "The Advancement of Learning" time Lord at one and other works, was Something like three hundred Chancellor of England. Does Roosevelt's years have elapsed since his passing.
then,
we were

speaking

condemnation

of "the horse and

buggy

era"

alter the

252

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

fundamental
in its
are

principles which

ever

from

of progress? Under Bacon's Essays.

course

have guided humanity The following extracts

''Of Ambition''

we

find: "Ambition
is like choler, which is a humour active, earnest, full of alacrity, and

that

ring, stirmaketh men But if it be stopped and if it be not stopped. have its way, it becometh cannot adust, and thereby

malign and And:

"He

venomous."

that seeketh to be eminent amongst able men hath a great task; but that is ever good for the public. But he that plots to be the only figure amongst ciphers
is the decay

And

whole age." in the essay, "Of Empire" of

"For he that is used to go forward and findeth a stop, favour and is not the thing he falleth out of his own
was.

In the essay,
".

"Of Cunning"
you

when dispatch, you

. .

have any

thing to obtain of present

amuse

with deal with some you other discourse, that he be whom I knew a not too much awake to make objections.
entertain

and

the

party

to Queen came counsellor and secretary, that never Elizabeth of England with billsto sign, but he would discourse of estate, that always firstput her into some

she might

the less mind

the bills."

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

253

And:
unpleasing, it is good less weight, to break the ice by some whose words are of in as the more weighty voice to come and to reserve be asked the question upon by chance, so that he may
"In things that
are

tender and

did in relating to other's speech; as Narcissus Claudius the marriage of Messalina and Silius. in himself, "In things that a man would not be seen it is a point of cunning to borrow the name of the world, the
as

to

say,

'The

world

says,'

or

'There

is

speech

abroad/ 'T knew

put

one

that, when
was a

he wrote

letter,he would
as

that which if it had been 'T knew

most

material in the postscript,

bye matter.
he
came

another that, when

to have

speech,

he would pass over that that he intended most, and back again, and speak of it as of a go forth and come thing that he had almost forgot. "Some themselves to be surprised at such procure
times
as

it is like the party

upon suddenly come letter in their hand or

that they work upon will them, and to be found with a

doing somewhat
they may they

not

accustomed,

to

the end

which they be opposed

are

are

of

those things which

utter."

of themselves

desirous to

Or:

254

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
call 'The

''There is
turning

that which is when says to another, he lays it as if another which a man had said it to him; and, to say truth, it is not easy, it passed between two, to make when such a matter
appear

cunning which we of the cat in the pan/

in England

from which of them 'Tt is a way that some

it firstmoved
men

and began.
to

have,

glance and

dart at others by justifying themselves to say, 'This I do not."' as

by negatives;

Somehow
to mind, but
essay
:

or
no

other this brings

matter,
we

recent

utterance

will continue with Bacon's

will lie in wait to they desire to say, and how far about speak somewhat they will fetch, and how many they will other matters beat over it; it is a thing of great patience to come near
some men

"It is strange

how

long

but yet of much use." Then again: "But these small wares
are

infinite, and it were them, for that nothing

and petty points of cunning a good deed to make a listof hurt in a state than doth more

that cunning men pass for wise." The same essay concludes: "Some build rather upon the abusing of others and

(aswe

now

say) putting
of their
own

tricks upon

them,

than upon

soundness

proceedings."

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

255

Can
same

man

time?
am

be obstinate and wise at one and the Roosevelt has held persistently to his
Never

the will of God, the will of the people, their representatives, for it is that Roosevelt is determined. enough mind The
statement

"I

determined!"

made

by

Roosevelt

that he hoped their then

assurance

that it would
master"
can

be said of him that ''they met How determined/' anticipates "I am

his latest contradictory
wings

the citizens accept

coming
on

the

raven

of

sleepless night;

nightmare newspaper the and holding up swished Haunting

over

conference crowding the wires This haunting press. spectre

the land in the early hours of the morning. the bedchamber of the sender, it was given out to reassure and calm 130,000,000 people; given out

before the final stroke which would have made him a one man on was pins and ruler. If the sleepless man how could people be needles to get off such a message, Why anxiety? calmed? such a revelation of nervous
But

the admission contradicts

that he had

no

desire to be
''met

tator dictheir

his hopeful

statement

master"

and

certainly is inconsistent with Determined to be the master? the public mind

with
a

"I

am

termine dethen

How

can

he change

frightened message?

Did Can
a

not
man,

Roosevelt
caught

his hand long ago? give away playing hide and seek with winning

256

WOULD

COMMUNISM

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IN

AMERICA?

cards, suddenly beam with: ''Boys, I have

them the players and reassure desire to stack the cards/' no Methinks the players would exchange glances. Who to play in a game cares who has to make with a man an open admission that he has no intention of cheating? It is something which is understood, but when a player issue of it,there is not one player who makes a startled is not on the lookout. Was it wise?
on

to be a claims that he does not want dictator because he ''isnot the type'' then why the "determined" remark that he hoped it would be said The remarks are their master"? that they had "met

If Roosevelt

too

clearly "Here it is! Here it isn't!" dictator. All freedom he were Suppose

viduals of indi-

would Could
"

be concentrated

in him

"

the "master."
people

jittery person

give calm to 130,000,000

an

If he suffered with console them? being human, could he also take on

everyone

ulcered tooth,
of is

and give out God? Roosevelt

"

comfort?

the problems After all, who

Epictetus, the Stoic philosopher, lived before Christ in that despicable era, the "horse and antedating buggy" age. That horrible of horrible eras when it was
not

civilization" requiring a "brilliant" And yet, in the "Discourses of mind to make it go. Epictetus" is something be there ever which can
a

"complex

applied to humanity

as

whole

as

in the

case

of all

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?
a

257

Wisdom.
age

Humanity,

like

river,

flows through Epictetus

persist
:

any

and there is little change.

those who
they

I quote
obstinately

"concerning
whatever

in

have

determined

be steadfast; that the will is by nature free and unconstrained; and that all else is liable imagine to restraint, compulsion, slavery and tyranny,'
to

''Some, when 'That we ought

they

hear

such

discourses

as

these,

that they must which

fixed to everything remain immutably But it is firstnecessary they have determined.

I agree should be a wise one. that there should be sinews in the body, but such as in a healthy, an athletic body; for if you show me that

that the determination

you

sinews of a lunatic, and exhibit the [convulsed] that, I will say to you. Seek a value yourself upon physician,
man;

this is not

Such really enervation. those who hear these discourses in

like
an

muscular vigor, but is is the distemper of mind in

a

wrong

manner;

had acquaintance of mine, who, for no reason, determined to starve himself to death. I went the third
He answered, day, and inquired what was the matter. 'I am determined.' Well; but what is your motive? For if your determination be right, we will stay, and departure; but, if unreasonable, change it. assist your 'We
ought
to keep
our

determinations.' but such

What
as

do you
right.

mean,

sir?

Not

all of them;

are

258

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Else, if you
your

'We
you

should fancy that it is night, if this be principle, do not change, but persist, and say, determinations/ do What ought to keep to our

Why do you not sir? Not to all of them. begin by firstlaying the foundation, inquiring whether determination be a sound one or your not, and then
mean,

firmness and constancy build your it. For upon if you lay a rotten and crazy foundation, you must not build; since the greater and more structure, weighty the superwill it fall. Without any reason, from us, out of life,a friend, a are you withdrawing fellow-citizen both of the greater and a companion,

the

sooner

lesser city; and while you are committing murder, and destroying an innocent person, you say, 'We must
keep to
it should
our ever

determinations.'
come

Suppose, by any head to killme;

means,

into your

must

you

keep such a determination? "With difficulty this person

was,

however, whom

at

last there

convinced; but there are some is no convincing. So that now

what

at present

I think I understand,

before I did not, the meaning of that common break. May saying, that a fool will neither bend nor it never fall to my lot to have a wise, that is an untractable, fool for my friend. 'It is all to no purpose; I am determined.' too; but the more So are madmen
strongly
more

they

are

need have

absurdities, the they of hellebore. Why will you not

upon

determined

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

259

act like a sick person,

'Sir, I
what I

am
am

to a physician? and apply yourself your assistance; consider sick. Give me tions.' directo do. It is my part to follow your
case:

So say in the present

ought
to
me

to do; and

am

come

what I to learn.' 'No; but talk

'I know
not

mined.' deterfor upon this I am about other things; What other things? What is of greater consequence, than to convince you that it is not sufficient
determined,

persist? This is the vigor in health. 'I will die, if you not of one of a madman; to this.' Why so, man; what is the matter? compel me I have a lucky escape, that it is 'I am determined.'
to be

and

to

not

your

determination

to

kill Why

me.

bribed

[from my
Be

purpose].'

so?

be will not 'I am determined.'

you

now as

have

to say,

assured, that with that very vigor which hereafter employ to refuse the bribe, you may to take it;and again unreasonable a propensity As, in a distempered and 'I am determined.'

rheumatic

to one sometimes to another; thus it is uncertain which part, sometimes if to its inclination a way sickly mind will incline. But likewise added, the evil and bent a spasmodic vigor be

body,

the humor

tends

then becomes

desperate and

incurable."

II

Strip humanity
motors,

palaces, yachts, horses, silks, jewelry, pastries, fowl and rare

of all non

essentials

"

The essentials spices, and they all react the same. food, privies, sleep and the urge to multiply. Their are long as they follow the rules so souls are their own which
govern

under which United States Government. What

deprive

society and humanity can

the

greatest

government

progress

is the outworn

does
them

one

hour

ruler in all history from humanity. has been able to take that privilege away They And, say what you eat. must will, they
privies. No
must

oration scurrying for the nearest

It cannot rule do for humanity? two of the essentials for the greatest the throngs sent of Hitler's merely
man

multiply?

Sleep?

They

must

have

that.

These

essentials cannot
govern

be deprived
a

from
man

humanity, ruler must

as one.

but to deprive
What?

millions of people

one

them

so they will react of something Their individual freedom. They must

not

have

minds

of their

own.

The

ideal state
pots
''more on

is to have

130,000,000

people with bed of heads so that

Into

them.

Therefore

their shoulders instead be plooped democracy" can for pump it is necessary

priming.
260

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?
over

261

Social reform, aimed be noble work

to make

humanity

would

analysis, the element But when selfishness of selfishness were eliminated. is intertwined with social reform as definitely and as closely as threads with a tangled ball of cord, how can
if,after thorough
one

separate

the two

cord?
vanity,

When

disturbing the ball of selfishness, reenforced by unprecedented

without
cunningness vindictiveness and how can normal minded people see, weird conceptions with the hope

obstinacy, stands out for all to irrational, or accept that they

will bring eventual

tranquility?

person

endowed

have been instincts may with contumacious encouraged in youth, but aside from that, the reader has the benefit of Epictetus concerning the mental determined/' fitness of a man harps: ''I am who Roosevelt, regardless of other people's opinions is "determined'' to have his way and, if he succeeds, the under
the

nation,
"master"

domination

of

''determined"

will reflect him in every phase of industrial, agricultural and social life as a bucket of nitric acid can particle of water change a large pond, for every have biting influence a that time on, will, from

had before. It is useless as water. which it never Therefore, Roosevelt, allowed to carry on his reforms, of the people useless. The will render the Democracy in influence strongest would be Roosevelt carried out
every

element

of American

life and

only purging

the

262

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
can

contamination

through

forceful overthrow

bring

it back

to its normal
man

state.

No

one

under

humanity
methods

advancing

the stars is capable of regulating its progress by inhuman save his domination
ever

have brought civilization's and about Certainly no man decay. with an executive office can Circle soap box in the White install a Columbus House

respond destructive

of abuse where those under with fear. Such methods

have

been

and

swish his hands

in dismissal of all obligations

to the government

of the people
an

that the election was

a

overwhelming

the grounds victory. Using

on

tremendous

vote

sneak over interpreting such government,

ends and

of confidence to further his own a plan to kill the United States

vote
as an

indication
can save

that people wanted be best treated by education,

was

one
a

rule, is conceit which had, specialist. All this man

man

bubbling by

enthusiasm

for Karl

Marx

a cheap college professors. Why in the extreme and with no pamphlet, revolutionary it, is used as a literary qualifications to recommend munist The ''Comcourse of study in colleges is a mystery. Manifesto'' shouts and stamps its way into the

relayed to him

be reduced to consciousness and its substance can "Let's bust up ''President," with The society!" Harvard phrasing has carried their standard for five His aim was to allow the workers, or masses. years.

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?
the path
to
men

263

to have
message

of the nation pressio consulted him, and that after he brought on the deby taking labor's side, he calmly stated that radio. all holding companies "I am determined!''
With
a

after preparing of capitalistic hate given Even the business when

full sway

with and

his
over

press

should

go

"

and

the

reason?

let the people down" our good leader sends the Constitution, which he swore to uphold, in the waste basket. Why not, for the people trusted him and he had it up his sleeve all the time.

''I will not

Besides when they did wake "in the bag."

Adorned
in the gown

up

everything

would

be

promised
"

of a messiah, with gold embroider dollar signs indicating the guide to the land, our dictator went to work; unravelled

the scroll a photostat copy heaven ''More Democracy."

"

of Karl One

Marx's
can

idea of imagine the

tenderness with which scroll. Perhaps in reverence

our

leader fondled the sacred for the new form of government

which he decided to carry into execution, our good leader shot a ''Iam determined" nod at the ''horse and buggy" tear sheet and closed the vow with a seal of spit. Evidently the originator of the system, pointing his
camera

at the sky and

was an

finding, after development,

that
as

God
only

there, discovered atheism. inventor be, Karl Marx can

not

Thrilled,
mapped

out

264

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Utopia

and

the promised land. Laying out the streets heaved a Indicating the buildings, the inventor
"

design crowded with smoke College professors, believing stacks and no steeples. to an abrupt stop with the that the universe came world sigh of satisfaction.
A light served as the sun, of knowledge where a red stop hailed the discovery. A map of material philosophy to Roosevelt, be followed with little or no changes. mistaking
up
a

Tugwell

thumb

the press and the New laid out by engineers, was The project over the land and houses, forming the

print for a project, called its way. Deal was on

repeated all
curves

of

groping print, have sent humanity For five years spirals ^lostin the maze. have been going around in these circles. print has not ended there, but is pressed on

thumb

"

around the the people

The finger

the breasts ments: command-

of the made "I am

A
man

over

humanity

in Roosevelt

determined!"
instincts and
a

with dominant
an

deep

sense

of

hatred, possessing

embrace hatred of capitalism

naturoffice of authority, would ally Manifesto, for that has the Communist
as

chats, messages interviews, newspaper that did not

side Recalling all firedelivered before Congress and

its keynote.
can

the reader remember

"

any

vent

incessantly? attack capitalists attack them The Communist Manifesto gives Roosevelt a for his own personality. But beyond that, he sees

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

265

himself

as

the

one

spiteful spurts
given vent How does
oppose
a

as

ruler carrying out hatred in him. Has he not the spirit moves
man

those who opposed him? dictator deal with any who dare to any ''determined" man?
to

spite toward

Reform

for humanity,

with

channels of construction, cannot That out with martial tread.

view to its progress in from law carried come

is the only method

to

which a dictator can resort. On the surface, of course, there is the popular vote and running a gauntlet of troops the citizen is eyed as he tabs his vote for the one ruler. With industries of every
man

Roosevelt

controlling agriculture, description, telephone, telegraph,

railroads, shipping, steel,iron, mining and every conceivable channel leading down into various businesses where all have the government supervision, and all
names are on government of employes the American on citizen place his name to the one man and say "No" ruler?

file,
a

would

voting card Look at the

attempts

made

to seize graph control of the telephone and tele-

companies,

steel where because pay

a

the findings of the N. L. R. B. against agitators are to be reimbursed for all back
they
"

walked

littlerioting stopping loss to the steel company

their work and did The others from working. is not taken into consideration.
out
on

Do it or else,and the N. L. R. B. has the Supreme Court's backing for this comes Act. under the Wagner

266

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

If the Wagner
as

sions constitutional under such provithat billcontains where everything is on the side

Act

is

is Santa Claus to Jewishkiddies. of labor, then Hitler ''tranThink you all these schemes aimed for the quillity" on of the ''general welfare'' when they came

radio wings hammering

hate? A constant of hate, hate and more of hate, backed by slithering schemes to

of all private ownerships publicize the shortcomings Congress whitewashed Administration while on the other hand. Court passed the Supreme officials. When the Wagner How

bill was

our

highest tribunal
to

on

one

knee?

this all come praising Roosevelt day

did

"headlines" The pass? in and day out, hurling his

his words of hate slurs at capitalism; the radio carrying continually, stressing and praising the downtrodden "majority rule" and inciting this mob to action.
Reform

for humanity

must

come

from the
same

humanity.
way
accumuas

work in much sins of humanity humanity in the individual. When

The

lation tion of its sins its carelessness arising from infecunderneath, the whole matter, foreign to its best interests, as in the case body, comes to of the human
"

feels the

head.

The

same

works throughout
are

peculiar to the individual, all humanity when the laws of nature

process,

opposed. To give the

an

suffer from

how reader an example infection where it has an

humanity
opportunity

can

to

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

267

ness Spread, it arises from mental uncleanliness and selfishknow, a treThere are, from all groups. as we mendous from hamlets, villages and amount of women

dinner is next Wednesday's cities whose sole interest These little groups, the throughout party. working class, have their minds middle class and the upper thing who shall sit here and who with one consumed shall sit there? And when they sit here and sit there
"

Yes. A general what do they discuss government? discussion of ''headlines" for all read ''on the gallop" but do they do anything if national issues take a wrong
"

they discuss it and certainly they do and she notes the milady's cheeks become quite warm Therefore, it is right to suggest effect it is becoming. Not too much, a of indignation. certain amount

turn?

Why

"

"

littletouch. mind you, but enough to give milady that Someone should makes the suggestion that something be done and the matter is settled very comfortably
"

"Let
seems

George

do it."

Who

"George"

is

no

one

ever

but when "George" does do it, he is for ridicule. "The clown playing Hamlet," a subject "That's it." The learned legal brow: a ventures
to know,

specialistspeaks: "Well, we've into our office" and he goes

Everyone

had
on

cases

like that

come

into white

rat experiments.

is agape

at the wonders

of science.

"'The shoemaker should white rat. a burst as of brilliance from stick to his last!'" comes

"George"

is

268

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

the broker and, as all agree, the dinner party breaks bridge parties and there is deep silence. up into little Each guest returns the invitation and The Thinkers. then the
same

methodical discussions of gowns, movies of the same,

humanity,

thinking. All day the talk and the same blindness of business, legislature and the
teas, bustle talk, shoulder

talk,

of which

furniture and bridge these littlegroups are

scores. a

All

part, is in

like cattle,are led. The easiitself est gregarious and they, especially of controlling this humanity, method in America, is through the glitterof the almighty dollar.
in the absorbs too much of the poison, as case assert itself and is of the individual, it cannot No unable to resist the poison and suffers collapse. from that ever can amount reform humanity of money

If humanity

into it for control and every needleful is shot by the "selfishfew" the one man ruler and the plotters surrounding him.

time

on

"

auditorium and, in return for such generosity, asked the citizens to fettered, would any submit to allowing wrists to be band concert be worth the price? Worth it community is mingled when the sound of continued hand clapping do you Then allow why with clanking of chains?
a man

If

gave

your

community

an

your

Congressional representative to trade your freedom in return for a Federal

man,

vidual indi-

project?
can

No

discarding statesmanship

to the winds,

WHO

DISCOVERED

HUMANITY?

269

and genius, through the printed word, works alone. Prophets and genius will stand the test like gold when the dross When the sand, pebbles of its generation has gone. edge in the circular method of elimination there remains the fine black sand. In that sand the gold is found. Its greater weight keeps it hidden but in the end it is that weight and
swept
over

by running reform humanity disciples. Prophets work

''fireside" errands for his

just

the

other

way

grit have

been

the pan's

with brilliance. which adorns humanity Prophets and genius have never restrictedhumanity

by laws of tyranny where mankind but rather these rarest elements stream and, like gold, are hidden.
black

is forced to obey, in humanity's are

In time, when

the

takes sand is discovered, the refining process is composed place. This sand of humanity of detached scholars and critics and only in this sifting is genius

found.
is the contents generation of humanity of the pan and as it returns it to the stream and the precious metal saved other pans are sifted and refined. Nothing Every

has given for its guidance, ever precious to humanity, been lost for the Great Sifter works through every
part

of the stream

and

watches

over

all.

XXV

What

is the Reason

for Such

Hatred?

the press of the nation came out In editorial during the inaugural address and timidly stated that they hoped Roosevelt would not abuse his powers,

WHEN

they did not

know

any

more

Congress,

for Roosevelt

about the situation than from the beginning of the

N. R. A. parade

had not planned to carry out a constitutio but merely to use it as the mask. government
to the constitutional precepts, conform he remains as the executive, he will as his ''advisors/' orders of Communists
"

He

could not and as long

carry

out

dictatorship plan from the beginning was and it cannot be tempered with any form of democratic speech of Roosevelt's reenforces interference. Every The Whole this statement, and it shall continue to reenforce it. Unless the people get the ''drift" then a tackful chat belly up the sailsof confidence if the captain has never Still,
port

by the ship's captain may for another money run.

taken

the ship to
are

scheduled

for five years

and

the word
owners

owners

for repairs without a only approached to previous cargoes, the ship of what happened may up" get their "wind and bellow enough
the

so

that

"Constitution"
270

will sail back

to

the

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?
at

271

harbor
wheel. Then
'master'

of Liberty with

the trusted first mate

the

there is justone

is the rightful side"? of this ship'' referred to in the recent ''fire"The Essay on Roosevelt's Second Inaugural
answer:^'

Who

pertinent somehow: "Since Roosevelt, at no time previous to his election, outlined his scheme to the people, giving them an opportunity to vote on such a vital issue as submerging the

Address"

seems

Supreme
power

Court, the people, thus victimized, have

of redress.
Is it not

the

whole

procedure of a ship ignores the wishes of the shipowners and takes the ship to unscheduled ports, looting at will, is he not

the possible to compare with that of a vessel? If a captain

guilty of piracy?
seditious captain,
eyes

If the
are

crew

they

follow the lead of the not equally guilty in the

of the shipowners?" After the Supreme Court

program

had
not,

killed the N.
as

R. A.,
a

Roosevelt's democratic

could

I said, follow

and everything, even of government, destined for crop control, day, was to the present Look at the whole steel strike control of industry. with the sit-down methods, where Roosevelt tried to

form

bring the heads of private industry under

of

the control
moves

"majority rule" (workers). His

swift

utterances,

been

analyzed with icicled contemplation, revealed as lies, deceit and perfidious suavity

and have
"

272

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
is far too
en-

all for

factious program.

Roosevelt

to turn with a seditious program follow through despite the two defeats which he must the other hand, personally suffered, but which, on

meshed back, but

saved the nation. When the Supreme

Court

egotist in the White forgave it because never

rendered the decision, the by plotters, House, surrounded

it stopped

the Communistic
at Flint,
was as

court orders were plan. When I brought out in the Essay,

cheapened
the
manoeuvre

to

it would cheapen courts in the eyes of the people, and to do away have given Roosevelt the opportunity with Court. That was the plan. At that the Supreme time, all Congress ceased to function, for they, with an democratic were on eye government, useless to the President. He had to have full control or nothing.

Therefore, he used the radio to carry out this scheme he tried to tellthe people and by tangents of swiftness, faced with a terrible crisis. He that the nation was
to seize the government the attempt overnight, made but when the plan failed, the trickery was revealed, that is, the trickery where he tried to pack the Court

in his bill first given

to

Congress.

Following

this,

bill was put over, wasted, another supposed to be a modified version, but that second bill was cated, aimed to do the precise thing which the firstadvoon that Court by means of elimination. place men where
months
were

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?
same

273

and in time, the second billwould have the as the first.

Now
we

power

will

come

to

that which

I brought

out,

they had all been regarding moves where Roosevelt had exercised the utmost secrecy planned. in regard to a reorganization plan, and it was kept in namely,
the background

do away

with

to until he launched the manoeuvre How he fought, Court. the Supreme

argued, complained, whined, in every futile attempt the radio, to convince press interviews and over Court was people that the Supreme stopping

in the

the the
were

of the people. last stand of the United

progress

The

Supreme

Court

was

States government;
the

they

holding

the

pass

against

Communistic

to which was supplant and take over In the the N. R. A. radio whining,

regime the democracy

"

and

screams,

begging

this Communist,
vicious

the people Roosevelt, resorted

shrieks, sneers to ''do something,"

to

the

most

tactics, where

everything

to

he, in desperation, misrepresented further his selfish ends. All

was

while the reorganization plan time as Roosevelt could place would launch it on the people. in controlling the Supreme have been no more. FaiKng in the Supreme stillfanged

until such on men the bench who If Roosevelt succeeded

waiting

Court, then America

would

Court
over

Communism

fight, the poison of the land as I brought

274

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

find the chapters and the reader can verification in ''What Treasury?'' as well as other on the hidden strike behind the chapters. Mongoosed
out

in previous

Supreme
our

Court fight, and finding he was popular, still Marxian decided to take the ''bull by megaphone
his agricultural program. and demanded farmers fellwith this stroke government control agriculture. As in the case of the Supreme Court
"

the horns" The

over

strike, Roosevelt's firstreorganization plan, bill, demanded that Congress was such powers

"must"

and Congress refused to pass it,but rather stripped the billof its one man rule verbiage. Again, as in the case of the second industry to control the court, and that when attempt
was

beyond This bill,calling for powers President, was of any unprecedented

stunned. the wildest dream

in need of
a

but rather

word of hope which callfor business men which was

some

never

came,

the amended reorganization billcame With the stock market going down

subterfuge, before the Senate.

and the depression on the verge of a financial panic, Roosevelt's whole to get that reorganization bill passed, and, aim was it would be only a like the second Supreme Court bill,
question of time. Then, as we know, when the forty-nine tit suckers, Roosevelt's drooling, passed the bill,

dripping with majority triggered tongue could not hold in and he taunted the people in hasty victory when he sneered that the

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?

275

''It was Senate could not be purchased. but Roosevelt attempted the

shouting/'
no

but all over one of his well

namely, proved by

known

''here it is, here it isn't" utterances, desire to be

a

dictator and that his whole being was troubled by such statement as the reorganization billwas about such a thought just let us see if It failed as we know. But now to pass. he is not the ''type'' for
one man

that he had

the air in a studied talk, like one He was most money. careful to put

rule. He went on who has to ask for

his best foot
a

forward, but in the tone biting of the tongue Again the man out.
his oiled "do his desk. The

there

was

determination;

to restrain himself from

lashing
a

who
it
or

did not

want
over,

to be

tator, dicto

else" plea

sat down

Senate, aiming to relieve business of the burden out a program which of the profit tax, had mapped would have given a "breathing spell" to private capital. in conference and the House and Senate When this was
were

at variance, the Senate in favor of

than

that

adopted
came

by

the House,

broader plan Roosevelt's spite

a

and

hate

to

measured

his every

the surface, though one who has inflection could detect it throughout

the latest "fireside." When both Senate and House,

saw

were

the conferees, from facing a deadlock, velt Roose-

the opportunity and gave private capital the He wanted them to kick in the face, by his message.

276

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
Why?
cause Be-

have

the tax that the House

advocated.

such a plan would cripple private capital while on the other hand, his ship would be loaded with a four billion cargo. racy He is ''determined'' that Democshall stay under the heel of his one man rule boot. The people are ''paying the price.'' The owner of the boot does not "want racy to be a dictator" but the Democgets in his way.

Roosevelt's

hatred

toward

the

upper

fanatical as the hatred of Hitler for Jews. is far too deep for anything consistent with fairness.
is directed stressed a hatred which "numerous but select" class. What is the against a true basis for that hatred? Is it fanatical, based on

class is as This hatred

Roosevelt

has

This, on the surface, seems religious intolerance? for Catholics, Jews and Protestants

un-

reasona
sur-

him, and yet, there is something in this hatred for the "numerous but
which
a

round too fanatical

sense

select" class be passed over cannot without leaving one with The Constitution protects of analyzing wonder.

all religions, all minorities and all races and vote at certainly a President with an overwhelming the start and an overwhelming vote again, should be above such fanatical hatred toward a class. At any
rate,

the First Amendment

to

all religious faiths and no out in my books attacking Prohibition, should predomi-

the Constitution tects profaith, as I brought one

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?

277

nate.

Nor

American

should humanity

doctrine destroying faith be given for allclasses to follow, for, according

as a

to the Constitution, atheism,

be construed
was

as

advanced

doctrine, could trine religion especially when such docas a means, and that by law, to supersed

all established religions. Roosevelt's hatred of a minority, expressed at every dinner, over every public gathering, at every radio broadcast is as fanatical and as inflaming to a

nourished by such hate, as an attack on Catholics, an attack on Protestants, on

negroes.

majority, Jews,an attack

an
"

It

can

have

but

one

ending

attack on bloodshed.

after attack and sneers after sneers against is the most inflaming ''oratory'' employers of all because when the poor are given to understand that a

Attack

depriving them of the necessities are small group of lifeand the hatred is drilled into them, the uprising is

"just around
by
the
seizure.

the

corner."

Lewis

gang

Look at the hatred revealed owners the against property

"

did it gain such Roosevelt's proportions? He is not continual taunts ignited that hatred.

Why

satisfied,but wants it to break out afresh. Why such intense hatred toward citizens, especially when everybody We have an example gave Roosevelt fullpower.

and it is worthy of analysis. Hoover, never popular and a defeated man out of who went took this terrific office with the boos of the masses,
of two

Presidents

278

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

ordeal without hatred fought for the freedom

toward

"majority rule/' but

Constitution. beginning
was

Now

of all classes protected by the from take Roosevelt, who the the leader and with overwhelming know, took over his duties; from
as

hailed
as

vote,

we

nothing but cheering throngs surrounding him; nothing but Congressmen obeying his every wish; the minorities working with him to

the beginning

there

was

help his program

of some, hatred

and, on top of that, another overwhelming vote of 46-2 plurality and, to the surprise he has turned on a class with such fanatical
to
arouse

If the conditions were wonder. reversed in regard to the ex-President and Roosevelt, one to could understand, but without justification have such hatred revealed Why?
as
"

It would
one

moment

be inconsistent with reason to assume for that this minority referred to by Roosevelt
to picture such

is above

reproach:

their upraised eyes and monks, celestial highlights, is far too fanciful for the softest eye to for absorb without a twinkle. There is every reason incensed with this minority, for, in the case as to be an there seems of the majority, inherent greed ingrained in humanity residing on Roosevelt
to become

minority speckled by

as

nuns

these shores. I will attempt

or

these shores?'' asks the reader. to explain: We, whether it is complimentary From are a race not, of emigrants.

''Why

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?
moves

279

ancestors
one

to the present

day,

an

emigrant

from

country
an

to another, but for what

is

urge

which

prompts

and for

change
an answer,

their whole I would analyze this urge

acts
upon
one

There purpose? people to gather belongings environment, and, if pressed

as

one

where
one's

the person

it

as

the desire to better

condition.

When

and
seems

satisfiedwith native surroundin there is the desire to change, one word

a

is not

to struggle for

ambition.

When

one

place in this parade of words is endowed with a gift of artistic

"

expression, ambition

in that
"

sense

consistent with recognition humanity, having no such outlet, their ambition attainment

of the word, is fame. But the mass

one

of

is the

of position, and in the case of all,a security to against poverty, against famine and the only way The more this state is with money. secure energetic
are

those who

become

emigrants,
a

It takes eagerness,

alertness and

aside from derelicts. desire for something

better to make people move to another land. ''made a go of it" in After countless emigrants America, naturally word spread throughout the world
that this nation where wealth became a fixture. In Ireland, they refer to America a as nation where "the dollar is your God." Nevertheless, lettersreaching
was
one

the native lands written by emigrants contained, I imagine, the most colorful pictures of conditions in the land. It is a human new tendency to stress advantages

280

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

enough to change from one to another, there is, as I said, a clear note country of Would an ambition. ambitious person, after making land was the change, admit that the new overrated;

gamed,

for being energetic

would

they

want

to

have

it passed

around

among
a

neighbors and friends, that the whole farce? Never! Pride forbids such a

journey was
course

and

the

people abroad receive the most colorful pictures of a land where ''money on trees/' What grows effect has this
over
on

the people back home? pickings and

The

avaricious brood

in studied contemplation, ''new land'' where make quiet plans to go to the better. The boats for generations the pickings are have been weighted down with justsuch emigrants

their meagre

"

headed for America. The all ambitious children spring up like daisies,and, born of ambitious parents, trying to better themselves, we have finallylaunched a
"

race
on a

that has the unwritten, but obvious slogan, branded his mind: "So long as I get Americans, as mine." whole, are ambitious and their aim is,in all lines of

endeavour, a desire for personal gain above and beyond for security. getting "enough" Patriotic societies, welfare societies,private corporations,
organizations, religious societies,nationwide clubs concerned with the betterment of understanding, labor unions and clubs of every description for furthering individual aims. The channels
veteran

are

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?

281
one

majority and
every

the minority and

can

time

number

look out for number is the individual. one

one

If

a joining

group

then

is a joining

advance this number We distinct advantage. offspring are

comes ever

equation,
a

are

nation

of emigrants and

our

bound

to be energetic,

especially when it lair. Few dollars this nation

seems

to chasing
escape.
more

the dollar to its

or

Somehow

other,

to be far

nations and the reason, America is one nation where patriotism, and this applies particularly to patriotic societies,can be exchanged for
a

avaricious than other I feel,is due to facts outlined.

price. In the

case

of the
to say,

the majority, this bonus

bonus is an
to have

example,

and

strange

seems

the veterans

in regard to the change from to Communism. clusiv inThe majorityand the minority, of all groups and all individuals in America,

silenced Democracy

look upon

the stars of their flag

as

so

many

keys

on

cash register. When Roosevelt

can

buy

citizens like turnips in

an

for overflooded market and can use the people's money instead of patronage and charge a minority with relief, the responsibility of suppressing the ''ill-nourished,

the ill-clothedand
nation Dante's pouring
are

placed Inferno who

the ill-housed/' the minority in the in the precise position of those in have the flakes of firecontinually

on

their shoulders.

282

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA? and
has

Since Roosevelt
resurrected thought
occurs

has delved into the past

purposes

it for the

of
ever

correction, the

that if the dead

saw

and

advanced as a to convince these spiritsthat they imagine, could serve had not been transported to Hell.
When, with
a

that the philosophy basis for "more democracy/' nothing, I

sciousne regained conof bandits was

whole nation imbued with the spirit of one class cash register patriotism, Roosevelt condemns alone and is guilty of hoarding the nation's wealth, there
is
some
reason

opposing

for such satanic hatred due to votes his firstand second inauguration; facts which

testify that he rode in on both of these on chariots of that Roosevelt holds grudges and cheers. We know

the attitude toward those who would not bend to his is an example. The firstopposition will of recent date on the part of the Supreme Court is an example, and his bitterness toward

Congress is a distinct illustration

can

of his spiteful tactics. Roosevelt in any way anything which serves

never
cross

forget

his path. If these are tangible instances of spite, what has happened in the past to cause Roosevelt to visit such
to

his vitriolic epithets toward snubbed by this minority at one which the people do not know?
a

own

he class? Was time for some reason he

a

Was

bitter man,

nursing
on

grudge, awaiting the opportunity to visit it those who caused him some terrific pain in the past?

WHAT

IS

THE

REASON

FOR

SUCH

HATRED?

283

Was

it ancestral? turned
a a man

have

it monetary? What could class so definitely? against his own

Was

Is it

bitterness

so

deep that his revenge

appeased
every

only by the shedding of blood? effort to use this hatred for the furtherance

could be He is bending

of this end, despite the fact that he has succeeded velt already. What is that something which impells Roosehis own nation to serve Is a man normal who has to be propped in ends? place, and then seemingly unaware of this drawback, blandly assails Supreme Court judges,stressing the fact that their eyes are dimmed by age; stressing the
to sacrificethe peace

of

fact that they

are

very

old; that they such

are

suffering from

infirmities? He

smirks

blandness.

such a man 000,000 people to be guided by such an one, who, by is deceiving, using the other methods people, their money, and even working every minute to destroy the

Can

phrases with complete be normal? Are 130,-

Democracy?

Is he attacking the minority as a last, desperate chance to save his face? The state of the nation's deficitis colossal and all Roosevelt has done is

for Communism spend the people's money Would to save this man, of Democracy.
to

instead
his face,

rather than give an accounting, plunge the people into has he consistently played one Why a civilwar? class
against another? Foreign Powers as

Why

is he

so

anxious

to

assail

the Chicago

speech testifies?

284

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Do gained

the people

that when the Communists cancontrol of Russia, all foreign debts were celled? All private debts were Do they cancelled?
can

know

realize that if Roosevelt of hatred, this deficitcan

succeed with his doctrine be wiped out, that isin bookkeeping

no

parlance?
economy
can

But

make something 000,000 become It shall ever be a loss and if even. Roosevelt and his plotters gain control, they start on

of acrobatic methods like a loss of $40,000,-

$40,000,000,000 in the hole.

that, this
was

Communism, had
can

above and beyond the price to replace a Democracy with because to gain such control, private enterpris
But But

to be whipped.
expect

ever
era:

the wages

mawith that, no jority they had earned in a

with control of the nation, majority and minority, they would have to take what the ruler and his commissars gave them. Can a nation suffer famine, loss of gold, loss of wages, loss of home, loss of freedom
previous

and

feel that

all this is

if justified

Roosevelt

If the soothes them with words of muffled hatred? minority has been reduced to the level of the majority, will such phrases have a target? If people bring more children into a starving regime, an enslaved state.

Is it not possible that all the people will understand the full significance of ''More Democracy"?

XXVI

"MajorityRule!"

Moscow's
out out, and

has done nothing but give megaphone Communist teachings as I have brought

ideas.

he is incapable of dissecting or analyzing such These words of hatred spread by Roosevelt are

like the locusts of the Orient: they destroy. When the firstfaint drone of approaching locusts fill the air, natives become pale with a sense of impending panic.
When the locusts
are

first heard

in the distance,

faint, steady whirr that strikes the ears of natives with terror, all rush to the fieldsin an to halt the attempt

destructive hordes.
drowning
overcast,

rumble, all other sounds of nature, the sky becomes billionsof insects shut as these billionsupon

As

the whirr becomes

sunlight. Feverishly, desperate farmers dig the trenches, flood them, pour the oil and, with torches to stop the plague of the Orient. When the attempt
off the

locusts

swarm are

over

vegetation

the ravaging billionsdevour every vestige of foliage and every blade In their of grass. wake there is utter desolation.
as

land, all trees, leaf swept of every

shrubbery,

and

The

Communistic
over

words

Roosevelt

locusts which

are

radio, and devouring the healthy thought

285

of hate, megaphoned in headlines'' are

'^

by
the of the

286

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

nation

and

even

now

the havoc

these words of hate, may wreak The souls of all living under this flag, to the land. feeling the are a over shell of Democracy, waving ''now'' taking their words are poison, the gnawing

wrought, irreparable desolation

they have

toll.
the natives who fight with horde of every vestige of strength to halt the oncoming destruction, people, here in America, receive the locusts And
yet,

differing from

of hate, and because

are are

the locusts cannot

be

seen,

they

allowed to carry on a devastation where the souls gnawed: Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Constant words

of hate, steadily wreaking the devastation desired, and Roosevelt seizes,seizes, after every horde takes its toll, from within become seizes and, the populace gnawed
more and become weaker and more toads having their entrails apathetic, like listless sucked by the hidden heads of snakes.

weaker,

weaker,

ever

machine, nourished by the political the control of agriculture, the money, people's own porary control of industry, Roosevelt has cast aside the temWith

control of

and setback of Congress, and has launched more hordes of locusts his words of hate, knowing more that every home is suffering. ''A plague on both your
"

in plague in all your houses! A plague human breast and in the breasts of innocent every of children, helpless, but being lashed into the caravan

houses"?

"majority

rule!"
return,

287

slavery from which

own

there is no have

branded

by their

parents
a

who

been

guided

by

'"headhnes";

controlled press, greedy, traitorous magazines, out for the dollar at the expense of souls; the mothers and fathers supporting such publications as the radio, they

have

supported

Roosevelt,

have

branded

their

children and children's children. This cattleized herd rounded up into a corral, cheering as they go,

majority

and minority, the victims of a traitor'stongue; a tongue, fanging the poisonous hate of Moscow, sending locusts
into every home. of hate God, cattleized America,

Turning

from

the plan of

will yet Dante's shall see humanity

calling themselves citizens, the price. They will, like the victims in pay Inferno, see the havoc of their folly. They
the devastation,
surging
as

one

the bleakness of a beaten under what they had believed

These people, who, by would be ''More Democracy." their willingness to follow Moscow's megaphone, will see their children, their minds seared beyond repair; The will see their children's minds reduced to ashes! hate will be visited on this generation for the unfathomable sorrow given to children for the sins of their elders.
to spread the people, allowing Roosevelt locusts of hate, shall see their worldly possessions rule." As in Russia, seized by the inflamed "majority

These

they shall see the bestial,avaricious mobs surge up the in crowded hordes, screaming, howling amid avenues

288

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
human

the

shrieks of sirens; every torrents into the swelHng masses crazed with
frenzy
as

street

vomiting

vard; charging up the bouleshop

after shop window window crashes; the incessant tooting of harbour boats minghng with the confusion of sirens and the begging clang of bells, as the screeching multitudes loom like

tidal

wave,

crushing charge.

murderous

everything before them in their A sea of hands stretching in the

glassless shops as Rushing, property.

"

all merchandise
as

becomes

public

merchants' window glass crashes crash after crash of glass becomes ground to powder

in the trample

invaded of ''majority rule.'' Homes and all private belongings seized as the Communistdrunk multitudes break through the doors the and fill private dwellings; blood spattering walls as clubs rise and fallon the heads of the minority; the clothes torn from the
at will.
women as

brutal, sex-crazed
Navy

men as

ravage

them

Army

and

officers shot

march soldiers join in the maddened because of Roosevelt's locusts of hate which could not be seen. But "majorityrule" reaches fulfillment.

sailors and of looting. All

Then,
turns
on

when

there is nothing

left, the

"majority"

each other and pillaging continues; continues them among until all are reduced to poverty, but none would dare to exert any energy to build again by working, for it would bring down the starving hordes and again it would be sharing.

"majority

rule!"

289
wages
are
no

And
more,

then,

as

in the

case common

of Russia, when
store, where

and there is a and

nature clothes, human again and, instead of capitalists, their jealousies, envies would be directed at the leaders because they In desperation, the had more food, better quarters.

food

all work for break out would

leaders would, as in the case of Russia, by the hundreds, fire on them, execute

the jail them

masses

until a for which Roosevelt could gain that power powerful army Roosevelt, Moscow's Then aims. megaphone, will be pushed

aside

as

Lewis

takes control.

XXVII

How

Could

Communism
for centuries,

Apply
as

to America?

the advantage of societies and know It has been known nesses that busisubversive propaganda. have been conducted during the Czarist regime
secret

THE
on

Russians

I said, have

sponsored

right

the open

boulevards,

while

perhaps

in the

at work turning out propcellar,a printing press was aganda. On the other hand, the Russian autocracy as secret police were sharp, if not sharper, than any force in the world. The best were like Javert in

"Les
were

Miserables."

Many

times

secretive

societies

raided and documents aimed

errors,

the secret

police gained subversive to overthrow Profiting the nation.

by any
and

the subversive forces became sharper, in turn, the secret police became keener. Every

of espionage had been practised for centuries method in Russian history before Lenin installed the Karl
Marx
government.

With

this background, make

is it any

wonder that the Russian Its playground? It

course
was

intelligencecan

America

Karl

Marx,

the German,

which Lenin adopted leading them from "the frying pan

cry

who outlined the for the Russian masses, Into the fire." The
masses

of the Russian

writers
290

was

to release the

HOW

COULD

COMMUNISM

APPLY

TO

AMERICA?

291

from

their imprisonment,

whereas

Lenin,

merely moved is fettered If a man one prison to another. with a ball in one city, does he benefit if and chain in a dungeon to another he is moved to another city and is subjected That is the precise situation in regard ball and chain? to Russia today, perhaps worse : first, the Czar and the

the writings of Marx,

carrying out from the masses

Stalin and the firing squad. Cossacks, and now Deal has not copied from latter thing the New
"

The
cow Mos-

yet.

The for
"

adopting the applicable to Russia, forgetting principles which are that, as I said, they do not apply to a nation founded on the fundamental principles of freedom; it is asinine and
are

people here in America humanity downtrodden

'^

have

taken

up

the cry

humanity to box orators to call to American assert themselves in an effort to gain their freedom, no our other privileges which citizens have when collectively or individually. nation on this earth for soap

enjoys

Russia,

enslaved,

precipitated

their freedom,

and

expedient, the sudden rush sent masses, into another form of slavery. They largely illiterate, is freedom have no action which of expression nor though
contrary

it was

to rules laid down

for them.

Attempting

to

apply

for the American the principles of Communism to repair a brick house citizens is like attempting

with shingles.

292

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

terrific ordeal which Russian peasantry suffered called for a change before God, and a brief transition took place and humanity surged headlong into the
same

The

put

lamentable conditions. How illiterate over on an peasantry

could the doctrines be applied to this

nation, when America has had liberty and education?

How

the benefit of complete

could another form of slavery, which Russia is now undergoing, be applied to a government whose heritage was freedom for the individual? Submerging humanity
of labor, forcing the laboring people to toil twelve to fourteen hours a day, is cruelty, but America has not been to that
the

into

dungeons

subjected

slavery. working conditions in America call for Federation of the eight-hour day, and the American Labor has protected the working classes. Conditions in the factories and in the fieldshave not been the same as those in Russia, and they have not been the same as those in France previous to the French Revolution.
in this nation has not been a bare existence for humanity, but it has been sufficientto give our working humanity the chance to enjoy those things which the Russians never had the opportunity to yond bepay

The

The

enjoy;

children, differing from generations of Russians, have been reared in an atmosphere of complete freedom. The whole program of Communism,
that,
our

equally

as

enslaving

as

the Czarist rule, is the stirring

HOW

COULD

COMMUNISM

APPLY

TO

AMERICA?

293

the working people of America, stressing of hatred among their fancied pHght which does not exist as in the Our citizens forget that already they case of Russia. have their freedom, and the cries for ''freedom"

launched

by

alien agitators

are

irrelevant

on

these

shores. In the last chapter of ''Three Cheers/' under the People Must heading, "The Choose/' I wrote: "In

this so-called new

era

great

stress is emphasized

on

the

from bondage. Oratory, release of the workingman from the throne of dictatorship, predicts megaphoned the dawn respond of
to any
a

poor

man's

paradise.

Unhappy

souls

dissertation where their conditions are By creating a hypnotic painted in the blackest hues. is as a martyr, spell,where the workingman projected orators for a dictatorial regime exalt the laborer. It is
to behold, and pleasant picture for the workingman it takes hold of the dream his will, once picture, is
a

reluctant to happy dream

appears.

allow

it to

evaporate.

He

nurses

the

and the more Especially when

The

it is nursed, the brighter it

existence.

it is compared to his real daily struggle for life appears drab

"

colorless. He has been made to see, through arguments of the box speaker, that he is the victim of money greed. The picture is revolting and in self-defense he
returns
a

of the workingman' s Utopia, like drug addict resorts to the needle for relief. He has
to the dream

294

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

been given a taste of the drug by the agitator and has become the box orator's victim.
he will sound out his theories (he has accepted them as his own) with his neighbor who also has listened to the soapbox orator, and is surprised that
every

''At times

The
the

with thorough understanding. feeling of dissatisfaction spreads and all return to become common picture of relief. The masses
argument meets

restless for the condition to become a reality and are then told that they must fight for the overthrow of the be realized. can old order, otherwise the dream never The minds of the masses identical as the daisies are as it be foul in the field. Whether wind or good, if it moves a few, it moves them all.''
a falsestate Projecting

is a

of opulence which cannot exist for it is leading the masses crime against humanity

astray.

Suppose

government,

vertiginous whirl of zeros, laws which made it dustry almost impossible for private into achieve its ends, what incentive is there for in promotion, when in the end, those who spend money If industry is to have all the they gain nothing?

all while the treasury is in a through legislation,passed

responsibilityof the payroll and the outgoing expenses, no what is the incentive if they see profit ahead? Why do it? On the takes other hand, if government
over

industry

and

so-called experts

are

supposed

to

HOW

COULD

COMMUNISM

APPLY

TO

AMERICA?

295

manage

that industry, it must their money that they

be borne in mind
are

that

it is not

spending, whereas

private industry is careful to keep the economic scales balanced and leakages are prevented at all times. Is Deal government this true in the New when the most

thought of without any Is it not feasible to suggest that when the tomorrow? industry are appointed heads of a government-owned placed in power, that leakages will continue since there is no need of economical measures when such heads are
sums are

fabulous

spent

paid a salary? And how does government monopoly, the only trust, ifpeculation increases as wastebenefit the workingman ful
leakages and spendthrift tactics overbalance production knows Every man sense with common draw fifteen dollars at the bank if he

gains? that he cannot

has but ten dollars invested, and he knows collectively from losses. This come that in time a gain cannot
rules applies to the pennies as well in the street, ifhe dollars,and the man the matter,
knows
as cares

to billions of
to consider

that sometime there will be a day But let us assume that the existing condition of reckoning. exercises the full continues and government
authority in every
can avenue

the workingman under a democratic

of agriculture and industry, cry out for his rights as he would How? Where else government? other than through the

would

he

find employment

296

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

head regulating the one of government, all lot financiallybe improved How industry? would his with continual losses? How could an individual soar channels held all of government individual expression down to a formula, preventing in the fields of art, in the fields of industry, or in the the
masses

from

if

regime

fields of any
But beyond

profession, and this would apply to all? that, with a haphazard system of economics,

losses would take place and the laboring people would have to share those losses. It would be, in time, a sweeping scale of payment, and American free, would be placed in the same for an Taking the same position as Russia. remedy imagined disease which did not exist in America would,
once

humanity,

in time, bring about the disease.

XXVIII

Will the People

Vinci

Follow

the Light?
by Swedenborg
is miniature miniature Hell.
war
a

DA later)
Heaven,

said

(and it was
each
'^

that

advanced human being

but it

seems

On God

small scale, and Lucifer, has

Each
man
same

that it is also a Paradise Lost/' the

a

between
human

battleground

in every

being.

Absolute, the whole.

walking this earth is a replica of the is a miniature of the as every atom

Regardless of race, creed, color, all reflect the Source. guidance from the Supreme it does not falljuston maples, but When rain falls,
flows oaks and weeds alike, covering all. When he does not confine them sends down his blessings,
on one

God

religion,but showers them on and those in prisons as well. While we stillhave the throne room
to any
every

all humanity,

in each

and

breast, for God

Let
us

is within, why
assume

to the light?

close the portals breast that each human

has

little telephone instead of the inner light. If an individual becomes sorrowful and grief is almost beyond
a

Being. endurance, he gets in touch with the Supreme At such time we all take out our inner telephones and Some do it without going to church, and call up God.
some

do it under

the plan of
297

denomination,

but it is

298

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
wire

God all the same. is always open.

The

never

has been busy and the

like other enslaving tatorsh dicaims to seize this inner telephone and cut the wires. Are the American people in favor of that? Personally, I talk with detachment regarding the
plan of Communism, Supreme
Being, for I have
no

If a man allcreeds for mankind. Being through his church, he gets justenough of the light for his needs, and no one has the right to cut that
off from any individual. We have children coming into the world, and every mother and father should weigh the problem and weigh it well. Is it right to tear out the telephone from each
young

creed, but I believe in reaches the Supreme

to

use

breast before they have used them Is it fair to cut off coming them?

or

know

how

from getting in touch with the Supreme would rise up if any plan of government

generations Being? People

advocated

de-sexing little girls and boys, depriving them of their There would be a storm of protest. generative organs. And yet, the mind ever has been the greatest inheritance being possesses, and here in this free country any human of America, a process is taking place to cripple each and
every

crime for the adults of this generation, who, by their apathetic willingness to follow the Communist rule books, drag generations unborn to
no

mind. There can

be

greater

WILL

PEOPLE

FOLLOW

THE

LIGHT?
is yet

299
to

despair and slavery, killing all genius which

come.

A vast

of majority

this nation have voted Roosevelt struggled so hard to gain the approval of the have the Communists Why worked so hard to youth? is, because the And the answer train the children?

the fathers and mothers of has for this very thing. Why

old bromide is applicable, is inclined."

''As the twig is bent, the tree

Mankind,
sea,

today,

seems

to be tossed in

turbulent

and

sweeps angry

the breakers crash on of destruction. Cries

all worldly shores, in in the are smothered

wrongs; millions on all shores of human huddle in bewilderment and cringe at the lashing tide has stationed his sentinels on ever rising, but God
sea

for exalted rocks where signals are flashed continually those lost in this sea of doubt. If we pause to weigh the problems of existence and era an compare of decadent civilizationwith the world
as

whole, that it was

we

cannot

help but

come

to the realization

the sombre, dark periods that following the light,came to a higher understanding civilization, of its destined place. In all dark periods, has been given the light, and in a crisis ever mankind as they follow it, even sailors are guided by the swift through
rays

light of illumination from a lighthouse. The humanity through the ages is the which has guided light that shall guide mankind today. When same

300
we use

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
a

otherwise. It cannot Turbulence of all nature is endure. merely the expression of nature trying to right itself, is placed in that era, it can survive by and if humanity
cannot

of analysis during say that nature is all storm, for

our

powers

tempest,

we

we

know

When the fury allowing the storm to take its course. has subsided and the clouds are breaking, as they are today, then allmankind knows that the work liesbefore them. If the
trees
are

down

and

havoc

has

been

by the raging of the storm, then humanity wrought knows, through experience, that work cannot be done As in the case of a until the debris is cleared away.
severe

storm,

where wires humanity today

are

down

sees

and bulwarks

trees

are

uprooted,

of tradition

uprooted; hurled aside in the onrush of a swift uprising. The debris of this uprising is on every side. We must that havoc has placed obstacles acknowledge
path before It is imperative that
in
our
we

attempt

to look for the light.

those obstacles clear away Go ahead we erected to ensnare shall, for mankind. tion such a thing as a picture of the endless abyss is an invenof those who would defy the law of the Eternal
we

One: replace it with a philosophy of utter hopelessness. One only has to recall the low period of Greece when in this darkened into power, for it was the Skeptics came floundered and there world, when men that a Light burst in the sky of the east;
was a

unbelief, Light which

WILL

PEOPLE

FOLLOW

THE

LIGHT?
Light
was

301
not

symbolized
given
to any

hope

for humanity.

That

particular creed, and yet, it helped all in the case of other Lights creeds. That Light, as before it, was given for the benefit of all mankind, enough regardless of creeds. It was regardless of race, that the Light of the Eternal Source came when

humanity

needed

it most:

When

the time is dark, the

Light shall shine again, for its radiance is such that it all mankind. afford to spread over All philosophies of an enduring nature speak of the All great geniuses, whether they be undying Source. bring this the poets, the painters, or the composers,
can

Light through he

their various channels.

Genius, whether

is be prophet, philosopher, painter or composer, the channel for this Light; only genius knows that he is of no value as an individual, but merely interprets a

In a crisisof civilizaSource. tiny part of the Supreme tion, is dark, the genius given to the the way when world to interpret the Light, as history verifies,is one
to remove the debris; implores who calls to mankind humanity to cast this spurious waste aside in order to its natural heritage; a heritage consistent with enjoy has failed to the enduring Light; the Light which never

shine in the darkest eras of history. The radiance fail if mankind struggles and works which shall never
to
earn

its

enduring
and

rays.

The

storm

which

takes
to

place in each

every

breast has

the tendency

302

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

awaken

understanding. touch upon

human

All great religionsand phies philosothat potential spark which is within

breast: that spark or that hidden portal It is which contains the Light of the great Essence. suffers that these inner when it is dark and mankind human breast begin to portals enshrined in every
every

vibrate.

is a cry in each and every soul walking be lost with all this earth today, a cry which cannot the band music and all the tread of martial feet. The There

Light from the Eternal Source shall not shine until all hidden, begin to vibrate in collective inner lights,now harmony.

be sought by mankind, for it shall is unwilling to receive it. not shine if mankind The are the genii prophets, philosophers, poets
It must
"
"

be teachers and the warriors who never can Mankind, during dark periods of civilization, bought. has been unable to silence them. They are of the
supreme

Brotherhood Mankind
can

and

serve

but One

"

the High

Command.

one thing: their give them nothing save willingness to listen. While debris of hatred is on can use every shall flounder. No man side, mankind

the word

now,

suggestive of the flood of light.

God

alone will utter those sacred words at the right time. The simple word, ''Now,'' will be uttered ever so the Eternal softly in the breasts of mankind when

One

is ready to give the glorious light.

WILL

PEOPLE

FOLLOW

THE

LIGHT?

303

humanity say when walking this earth can will awaken, but one can say that the Hght shall shine is ready to receive it. When feel we when mankind
man

No

the lowest, then

we

are

ready to harmonize

with the

Highest. consider two vital factors by which American humanity faith in the Supreme is guided: One, our
Let
us

Being, whether it be free or aligned with a creed, and. Two, our Constitution. When perfect gems are viewed they are of beauty, but after they have met

objects
and

every

test

have

been

subjectedto

the

severe

scrutiny

such
gems.

of the microscope, the one who has made test has greater, far greater admiration for the
Francis Bacon

much find: ''Undoubtedly

may

In regard to faith, perhaps when, in his ''Advancement

a

said

of Learning," we superficialtincture of Philosophy

incline the mind to atheism, yet a further knowledge brings it back to religion.'' If we go halfway on any road and turn back, we not

destination, but all our only fail to reach our energies If humanity, here in America, are utilized in retreat.
can

be discouraged by the obstacles deliberately blocking

the road to freedom,
then every mother and father down a program of

in this nation failure supine

"

will hand failure to their children and their people surrenchildren's children. Will the American der

today

"

heritage of free speech, freedom

of the press, and

304

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

Will they the right to assemble, without opposition? a program accept of living death for those who will It would be follow in the years to come? unnatural.

If they seek the light,doubt can no more exist in such glow, than night can exist in the flood of noonday sun. "The Constitution, to my tact mind, is the closest conwith God
government.

humanity

ever

There

is no

will have in the form of in the Constitution, tyranny like force divine, allIt should be mercy.
a

but far-reaching embracing

justice and,

and understanding cherished by every citizen: if it is not, then the average fireside is a thing to be cast aside as citizen's own

from the Worship dead and antedated. something heart, or conscience, is like the little mirror held by the

It draws down the light from of a schoolboy. above instantly and reflectsit accordingly."* The various religions and philosophies speak of the hand

God

yet,

within each and every breast, refer to it as correspondi And with the higher realms of harmony. in this world of regimentation, every eifort has

been made to suppress this inner light by shutting out If the true source which gives it the enduring glow. small boys covered their pocket mirrors with tar, they
light much less be unable to receive the sun's have been clouded reflect it. The souls of mankind Let us one with the poison of regimentation. and all would
"

"From

"Three

Cheers."

WILL

PEOPLE

FOLLOW

THE

LIGHT?
our

305

resouls are flecto Open the way to the light and all humanity when the light of shall respond, for the time has come truth must be spread.

remove

this vapor

and

know

that

has for its circumference the universe, and breast. yet it fitsperfectly in each human

Freedom

APPENDIX

The

following

comment

on

"Machine

Gunning

for

Peace,"

York Sun, was printed in the Washington published in the New like 150 to 175 papers Merry which reaches something -Go-Round, over the United States, according to clippings received: ** Presidential Threats: *'Two full page newspaper bitterly attacking advertisements
circulated quietly here and have caused Roosevelt's severe even amazement among critics. "Full of the most indictment, were the advertisements scathing written and paid for by Percy Crosby, author of the comic strip *Skippy.' Twice Crosby urges his readers: 'Never wound a snake,
the President

have

been

but kill it.' "'Of what

and military forces,' Crosby says, *ifa seizing the Presidency of the United States and power -crazed man, of the armed forces, turns usurping the role of commander-in-chief such forces against the people?' "Crosby goes into further details regarding his snake idea as
use are

naval

follows:

mood of play, I will take the pen and tickle the from the reptile house at Washfangs of the lunging specimen ington here by a parry the and a parry there, then we seize it drips as a gag while venom on the page, neck and the pen serves
in
a
"

'"Perhaps

one this represents wonders whether house?' Washington reptile power of the "Crosby lives in McLean, Virginia, frequently is

and

as

it drips,

the brain
to

be
it

seen

lunching
secret

at

Washington's

most

fashionable hotels.
there is not

Although
can

about When

service has investigated him, indirect threats of this kind."

much

the do

in the Merry the Administration clerks wrote -Go-Round fashionable lunching at hotels, it Washington that I could be seen four interest in be of to know, that only once may years have I

had

lunch, and that was in the Mayflower justprevious to the It business handling was a the representative writing. with Ethyl gasoline posters. have social contacts I never with anyone
307

308

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?
the

in Washington.

The

reader

cannot

fail

to

note

royaHst" tinge, which suggests The reader can use their own which
whom

Administration

propaganda.

needs it refers, and they

no

comment

can

my chapter, line to the the enemy and regarding tration also realize to what lengths Adminis-

judgment after reading

It is strange that the Communist will go. propaganda Appendix II, picked out the very same Worker," printed in issue. line and attacked it on the very same literary ability goes, when two men have However, as far as any "Daily
to

combine legged men

to

turn
a

out

a on

column,
a

it reminds rink.

one

of

two

one-

doing

solo

skating

APPENDIX

II

Fascist Call for Civil War

and
A

Assassination
An Editorial

fascist manifesto
newspaper.

has

justbeen

published

in

leading New

York

is an incitement to manifesto States. the President of the United It is a call to terrorism and murder.
treason

This

the

assassination
an

of for

It is

approval

and

civil

war.

is signed by Percy Crosby, creator toon of the carforthcoming from his book, is a chapter and It appeared as a '""Would Communism Work Out in America?" York in Tuesday's New Sun, which is two-page advertisement controlled by the House of Morgan.

The

manifesto "Skippy,"

bloodthirsty, so so saturated with the anything in a prominent spirit of brownshirt gangsterism appeared American publication. The language It democracy.
of all the
is the language of Julius Streicher of Crosby gogues. brownshirt murderers and blackshirt and dema-

Never

has

reeks

with

hatred

of

the

people,

hatred

of

President

ican elected in the greatest landslide in Amerhistory, is described as "seizing the Presidency of the United Roosevelt, of the armed

States and uprising* the role of Commander-in-Chief forces."

He
is branded
a

"Moscow's piece." mouth-crazed robot" and He is repeatedly referred to as "the so-called President" and "President" in quotation marks in order to cast doubt on his legal status.
"power
*

The

excited writer evidently

means

usurping.

309

310

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

This is Skippy

And
"The
time time

can

with a swastika. there be any mistake about

may
we come

the meaning

of this:
that If such due to

time

when
comes

must

is imminent; defense when homes. fight for our very

can
no

and

leadership then

longer

continued

aggression,

it would

seem

under philosophy, A SNAKE, WOUND

a condition, such KILL BUT IT."

withdraw, that the best be: NEVER should

in

[Emphasis

original.]

this be but else can of our and for the overthrow And Crosby repeats the

What

call for the murder

of the President
a

government? above it. murder

incitement

second

time

in order

to

emphasize

dog of fascism singles out for that this mad speech attack Roosevelt's great Chicago particularly venomous by to the peace-loving nations curb the urging concerted action fascist aggressors. It is
no

accident

received with howls of rage and hatred in by It was denounced and Tokio. chancellories of Berlin, Rome But to millions of Hearsts and other American reactionaries. common people in America and throughout the world it showed from the horrible catastrophe of war. humanity way to save
This speech
was

the the the the

dutifully parrots Berlin, Rome and Tokio in attacking this speech, adding the fine fascist frenzy and gangster insults for diplomatic Italian and Japanese governments, which the German,

Crosby

He publicly at the time. refrained from employing try charges that Roosevelt is deliberately seeking to plunge the counAnd he openly defends Japan: into war.
reasons,

is this: they in regard to Japan situation in the China situation, and due to the embroiled involved, to become time they have no aggressors."

"The

are

now

pressure

No
arc

time

to

become

aggressors

at

the very
acts

moment

when

they

the most committing criminal 400,000,000 people of China!

"

of aggression

against the

And
him

what

American
"the

this American contempt The millions who people! forty-six state herd." And

brownshirt
voted he writes:

heaps

on are

the
to

for Roosevelt

APPENDIX

II

311
war? They Who
have
is going lost their

"And
to

stop

why him,

not

plunge

America

into

spirit and

the people? the proof of such

Ridiculous!
statement

the

administration propaganda, As if humanity were thoughts.

save

is that they repeat it for their own taking

capable

of

any

thought

that

supplied

to

them."

This is the language

on

the people and be written in America That this can today and published in a newspaper circulation should sound of thousands with hundreds for whom liberty and democracy are the alarm to every American more than words. something

of fascism, of the poKtical gunmen who spit best torture their representatives. and murder

Crosby's
logical President

article is

no

mere

conclusion Roosevelt merely

are
rooms.

of the
out

crackpot Wall whole publicly

Crosby
Royalists

of

the

Economic the what in the privacy consaying of their clubs and ference for He is not first to the the assassinacall tion President. kind is That of talk rife in Wall

and blurts

his program

It is the curiosity. Street drive against of social legislation.

Street.
article breathes the same spirit as the hooliganism in Congress. The Tory stooges of Big Business are attempting dent, through political terrorism and sabotage to blackmail the Presiblackmail the Congress, blackmail the American people into letting the Wall Street plunderbund have their way. Crosby is merely one of the journalistic storm-troopers Tory on this mob. And his platform
pact
"

The

Crosby

egging

is the
a

platform
of
war

of the

Berlin-Tokio-Rome

anti -Communist and peace.

platform

against world democracy

The Already

Crosby
we

article is have fascism

danger
our

at

signal. back door.

America
Already

is not

safe.

Rome-Tokio In Mexico,

axis has pierced into South

our

America

the Berlinthrough Brazil.

next-door neighbor, a fascist uprising is being prepared help In Nazis. Santo Domingo bloody the with the of the dictator, Trujillo, Haitians, 3,000 has just who recently murdered received four bombing planes staffed with Italian officers,according issue of The Nation. to the current

312
Are

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

toward the same working Is the coming visit of Hitler's adjutant, Capt. Fritz end? Weidemann, Vandenberg to Senator and other reactionary in leaders link the chain of Berlin-Rome-Tokio another
our

Economic

Royalists

intrigue

against

democracy? WAR?
act

IS

WALL

STREET

PREPARING

CIVIL
The

people must safeguard democracy.

We

want
no

no

homes,

murder drenching

defeat these would-be Francos and Let America not be made Spain. a second destruction of of women and children, no
to
our

of

soil with
"

the blood

of

our

best

sons.

THE
The
treason.

PEOPLE
Big

MUST

ACT.
is little less than

Business

It may The immediate task is to end it was to do the job for which

of recovery sabotage be the first step toward

something
get
enact to
a

more.

bill, increase and hours farmers the cost of production, bill, establish seven TVA's regional purchasing people. Write
your

this sabotage and together: called relief, pass legislation

enact
"

Congress
wages

guarantee

power

and

protect

the

anti-lynching in short, increase the liberties of the American

the

Congressmen
you

today

program, what them they must

and millions it. pass

this is your and tell them like you for. Tell voted

the mad deaf ear. Let make

a

When

to

dogs of fascism howl for blood, let us not turn have the courage to muzzle the mad dogs and us fight for democracy democracy. and more
"

Daily

Worker, New

York,

November

25, 1937

APPENDIX Dear
Mr.

III March 17, 1938.

assailed Jews, nor any perhaps know, I have never During Prohibition, I attacked Prohibitionists nor creed. Protestantism because, as you know, the Prohibitionists not In fact, the existing state, the government. undermining

As you

race

and
were
as

brought

out

as

in previous writing, is traced to them, for the munists Comhad been undermined. ever, Howthe country got in when I said, I attacked Prohibition consistently when they

to use to an the church and Christ as a means attempted end. In West Virginia, the fanatical Prohibitionists, to show that they had no Christianity, formed a part of true resolution wherein

they said that Christ "belonged he drank wine." That is enough, that they my writings, to show Christian creed. I
am

to

and have

civilization because I have quoted it before in

lower

nothing
wrote to

to

do

with

the

enclosing recently, which

uses now

Virginia

carbon since I
every

of
am

letter I

man

in West

propaganda
way,

is inflaming

which

acquainted with the anti-Jewish by the this nation, propaganda, This to Jewish name spread hatred.

propaganda Communist know

some

is equally as bad as the through America I happen to propaganda, and is Fascist in its scope. have been working in this country for that the Germans mans. time past, for on two occasions I had guns stolen by GerI caught, and the other is on record, and I One German going

Bullard. Moreover, local General to on passed such record Marines could not understand after and pooh-poohed what I was but it happens General Bullard idea, an that thanked me such and dictatorships. When infiltration consistent with on was was trial, German going around propaganda locally and through the press, this part of the country, and even in regard to Hauptmann were the same statements circulated, he being The ton Washingwas a that namely, editor of railroaded.
was

against Hauptmann

paper it and it

sent
was

me

the

certain letter, asking same thing which I had

a

me

and

as

I had

questioned

the

two

Germans

what I thought of heard on every side, at length, they both

313

314

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

had the
at

same

idea, but then,

to

all.

I said

the editor

at

Germans did others who were not the time that I believed that German
so

at work. officers were The enclosed letter speaks for itself, attacked and as I have never Jews, nor will I attack them, and happen to know that before the Communists, as Jews went on record in regard to any propaganda

which

Christians, fanatical groups were share with many As I attacking them, as the principles of the K. K. K. testify. amount of literature attacking said, I have received a tremendous
they them

responsible for the existing state of affairs, How do they What about the Christians? which is not the case. But these get out from under, for they, too, are Communists. especially Pelley, which I have covered, and he puts pamphlets, "Liberation," is pretty terrible stuff, and they are warning out and Nazi-ism or Fascism people of Jewish invasion and a civil war,

Jews and making

is the

than Communism. and is equally as bad, if not worse, it must If the American people are to survive with a democracy, be by holding onto their fundamental principles, equally ignoring
source

I believe, as a creator, my and Fascism. have attacked me severely, words have weight, for the Communists "blood-thirsty," dog of Fascism," the "mad and saying caUing me I have been that I have called for the assassination of Roosevelt. cartoons my going over under fire pretty consistently, and even

Communism,

Nazi-ism

the nation are receiving attention on the part of the Communists. And yet, with all this fire which I have taken, regardless of how intense it becomes, I shall never write one word against the Jews, as the the Constitution embraces all creeds and all colors among citizens it protects.

I have done, as my as attacked Roosevelt forthcoming book testifies. Even so, when I published the Essay York Sun, I received a pamphlet in two pages of the New going Franklin Roosevelt's name the rounds, which took up and centered No
one

ever

has

attack on Roosevelt

one

point

was

that the name alone, namely, brought Jewish in its origin. Facts were up

and

one

of
to

a as substantiate this point, and the whole issue of Roosevelt was party to Communism centered on that frailest and weakest known bringing in a race or a creed as to mankind, of arguments for dominating a means the issue, whereas, as you know, it has

nothing

to

do with it.

Aside from

that, if the biographical data

APPENDIX

III

315

circulated through
as

other

the pamphlet anti-Jewish data, it

consistent

has the same truthful significance be dismissed can as peremptorily

to

something

nothing else to recommend within themselves other than hatred against those who consider they have not been reared in the faith, or they belong to a different race, then they have missed the universal message of Christ from start to finish.

with invention Christianity have

gain followers.

If organizations

stitution all creeds and all races, and the Concitizenship embraces as conceived by the founders, protects all. The issue regarding Roosevelt is that he allowed himself to be influenced
Our
into Communism,

if he

was

not

Communist

in the beginning.

fact that he is a Communist, to uphold the and has sworn is the issue. When Cohen United States government Corcoran and has President's Corcoran are written the equally guilty, and

The

speeches,

how

can

Corcoran
is
a

be

grounds

that Cohen

Jew?

allowed Both are

to

go

scot

free

on

the that
to

Communists,

and

goes for the entire nation, and do with it, since both Jews and
races are

the Jewish issue has nothing

Christians and members

of other

Communists.
to

I had

want

gotten

clear up this point, since in a brief talk, I said that I I might have data in 1932 from C. C. N. Y. some

I never have given you the idea that I was anti -Jewish, whereas been and never will be, and would not bring my pen to such an issue. form I say this advisedly for the propaganda in pamphlet is unfair, cheap, and equally as now the country going through dangerous as Communism. I wish to go on record unequivocally
firstin defense of country, I absolutely abhor the program Hitler, denouncing Jews of I think it is inhuman, and treating them in such a brutal fashion. hood cruel and uncivilized. Depriving professional men of their livelithat,
as
a

creator

who

was

on

the ground

writers and physicians, lawyers reputable and exiling is God. not the many, consistent with will of In conclusion, I Jewish Talmud the justas much enjoyreading I do the Bible, the Mohammedan Koran, the Buddhist teachas ings, or the Bhagavad-Cita, any religion which has helped mankind.
" "

and

I adhere to no creed and shall never adhere to a creed, munism for all creeds that help mankind. While Comyet, I am has leveled rehgion to the ground and one hears Germans

316

WOULD

COMMUNISM

WORK

OUT

IN

AMERICA?

say that Hitler saved the nation from Communism, where is the for Hitler also has leveled religion to the ground, has argument, stifledthe press, and has exercised every method of cruelty known

All dictatorships are to the concepts mankind. opposed of for God but in America, everybody has the benefit of humanity, followed Communism its principles, and the only and adopted
to

time that they have not done so is when the Jewish issue has been raised, and it smacks of German propaganda and is equally as dangerous, as I said, as jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
in the enclosed letter,it is fanning the flames the ranks of hatred, and in dealing with the issue of Communism, have Communism Christians if as as Jews, not more. just many of In fact, I can for the Jews seizing Communism see a reason to
as

Or,

I brought

out

hatred the hatred of the K. K. K. and other race organizations, for they have been chased through the ages, but I for Christians adopting it and spouting it see cannot the reason I cannot turn. see at every so-called sophisticated women and
get away
turn, at every thinking it is great spreading Communism If America is to survive, it is imperative that the rightthought. furiously as they as citizens fight Fascist propaganda minded
men

from

fight Communist
in between

propaganda,
two.

or

we,

as

nation, will be crushed

the

Thanking

you,

am

Sincerely, Percy L. Crosby