Open forum, vol. 15, no. 1 (January, 1938)

THE OPEN FORUM

Free Speech - Free Press - Free Assemblage

Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.- Milton

Vol. XV

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 1, 1938

BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT-WINGERS

DEFENDED BY THE A. C. L. U.

Walter Lippmann recently made a bad

sip in his "Today and Tomorrow" syndi-

cated column. In speaking of "liberty and

its many champions," he first praised the

American Civil Liberties Union as `"`one of

the truly indispensable private organiza-

tions in America with its long and noble

record of persistent and courageous de-

fense of forgotten individuals and of hated

minorities." Then he turned on the A. C.

L. U. and charged that it ``almost never

goes into action when the liberties of any-

one on the right are attacked."'

Mr. Lippmann was mistaken on this

point, but our National Office set him right.

Ina letter signed by Harry F. Ward, Arthur

Garfield Hays and Roger Baldwin he was

told wherein he was mistaken-what the

A.C. L. U. has actually done for conserva-

tives whose civil rights were attacked.

Lippmann graciously published the letter

in his syndicated article for December 24th

and added this comment: `"`I am glad to

publish this letter, for it seems to me to

make it convincingly clear that the Union

does in fact intend to do what I was criti-

cing it for not doing, and I hope that

others will be as much reassured as I am

by what Messrs. Ward, Hays and Baldwin

have to say."

For fear that some of our readers may

have missed this letter to Mr. Lippmann

from our National Office, we are giving it

toyou here. It reads as follows:

"Dear Mr. Lippmann:

"Your article published on December

llth, headed `Liberty and Its Many Cham-

pions' takes the Civil Liberties Union to

task for partisanship in the defense of the

principle of civil liberty.

"You reflect the common view that the

Union is a partisan of the left and that its

work is largely confined to a defense of

tadicals. This is not the fact. The Union's

Work is created for it by those who violate

euro civil rights of one minority or another.

Wenty years ago it was the I. W. W. whom

the defenders of civil liberties were called

ipon mainly to protect, ten years ago it was

he Communists, today it is the C. I. O. and

the rights of labor around which the cen-

tal issues revolve. Secondary issues are

of course always involved - affecting,

among others, Negroes, farm organizations,

`nd on occasion the liberties of the extreme

Nght, the Ku-Klux Klan, the German-

Merican Nazis and others.

If the Civil Liberties Union seems to

ave weighted its defense of civil liberties

on the side of labor and the left, it is (1)

`Cause they are the chief victims of attack,

eurocause they are accustomed to appeal

*r outside help and (3) because they have

ae disinterested defenders.

whi he rights of conservative groups,

ae are of course rarely attacked, always

hey Influential defenders. They practically

ce appeal to the Civil Liberties Union

ese they either are able to take care of

ees or find more powerful allies.

casi ave gone out of our way on many oc-

of ne to volunteer defense of the rights

nes. Ku-Klux Klan to hold public meet-

here to parade unmasked and for the

semb] of German-American Nazis to as-

(c) and parade. We have publicly de-

fended the Hon. Hamilton Fish against

radio censorship. We have protested the

Kansas censorship of Senator Wheeler's

March of Time speech against the Presi-

dent's court proposals. We offered our

services to the head of the American Legion

when he was cut off the air on a radio sta-

tion in Cincinnati last winter. Contrary to

your comment, we entered a strong public

protest with the Senate Committee headed

by Senator Black when that committee is-

sued blank subpoenaes directed to the tele-

graph companies for all telegrams sent by

numerous persons or organizations whether

on public or private business. Our sharp

criticism of the Senate Committee's pro-

cedure, well publicized, brought many pro-

tests, since it was considered to be a move

in favor of Mr. Hearst. Similarly, our other

interventions on behalf of opponents of civil

liberties have always brought criticisms

from liberals and radicals.

"On the current controversy over the al-

leged invasion of freedom of press by the

N. L. R. B., we have taken this position,

after careful examination by attorneys

of the record, that the Labor Board is quite

within its rights in examining the uses by

employers of publications intended to in-

terfere with the right of collective bargain-

ing. It is not freedom of the press that is

involved but employer coercion disguised

under freedom of the press.

"We do not make out a case for a perfect

record. We make out only a case for apply-

ing with all the non-partisan disinterested-

ness at our command the principles of the

Bill of Rights as the issues arise.

"It is a reflection on the spirit of the

times that what ought to be considered a

patriotic and conservative service is re-

garded as a defense of radicalism, just be-

cause some of the more conspicuous cases

involve the left. But it is the fashion among

conservatives today the world over to char-

acterize as Communist everything progres-

sive, democratic and liberal. On that as-

sumption it is not surprising that the Bill

of Rights should be regarded as somewhat

subversive.

"We are disturbed to see you giving aid

and comfort to such an interpretation by

misrepresenting our attitude and record.

"Sincerely yours,

"Arthur Garfield Hays,

"Harry F. Ward,

"Roger N. Baldwin."'

The Los Angeles Times published Lipp-

mann's apology but was not fair enough to

let it go unchallenged. In a nasty editorial

printed in a nearby column it attacked the

A. C. L. U. as it has done repeatedly

throughout the years. Of course we expect

nothing better from the Times. The owners

of this paper are so bitterly anti-labor that

they can see nothing good in any organiza-

tion that defends the civil rights of workers.

FIARD TIMES OFFER

Because of the continued financial depression

we are going to make you a very special offer-

THE OPEN FORUM eights months to new sub-

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THE OPEN FORUM

524 American Bank Building

Los Angeles

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No. `4

L. A. ANTI-PICKETING ORDINANCE

PASSED OVER VIGOROUS PROTEST

Another big crowd greeted the Los An-

geles City Council on December 24th when

the proposed anti-picketing ordinance was

scheduled to come up for second reading.

But the councilmen were in no mood to dis-

cuss the new ordinance and pass upon it

that day. Christmas was too near, they

declared. So by a vote of 12 to 1 the matter

was put over until December 29th, when,

it was declared, full time would be given to

all interested parties to speak for or against

the ordinance and a vote would be taken

upon its adoption.

The ordinance came up for further con-

sideration on the morning of December

29th. Once more the Council Chamber was

packed. More than a dozen representatives

of labor and liberal organizations pleaded

with the council to kill the drastic measure.

They were told that it was un-American,

unconstitutional, directly opposed to the

present national policy toward labor, that

it would rob the workers of the one weapon

they had to secure justice-peaceful pick-

eting-that it was backed by a small, self-

ish minority and was opposed by an over-

whelming majority, and that if it were

passed the council would become a group of

strike-breakers. Despite all protests, the

council finally passed it by a vote of 9 to 6.

Petitions will immediately be put on the

streets for signatures demanding a refer-

endum. If 33,000 names can be secured, the

matter will come up at the next general .

election for the voters of the city to pass

upon. In the meantime, enforcement of the

measure will be suspended.

LABOR'S AID ASKED FOR FREEDOM

OF THE AIR BILLS IN CONGRESS

Opening its campaign for passage of

bills in Congress which would provide

greater freedom on the radio, the American

Civil Liberties Union is appealing to labor

unions throughout the country to support

the measures in the regular session of Con-

gress convening January 3rd.

"Labor suffers discrimination on the

radio beyond that of any other group," de-

clared the A. C. L. U. in a letter to labor

union heads signed by Henry J. Eckstein,

secretary of the A. C. L. U. Radio Commit-

tee. "No `company will make a contract

with any labor organization for paid time

and rarely do they accord free time."

The radio bills sponsored by the A. C.

L. U. are H.R. 30338, 3038, and 3039 in the

House, introduced by Congressman Byron

N. Scott, and S. 2755, 2756, and 2757 in the

Senate, introduced by Senator Lewis B.

Schwellenbach. In the Senate the bills have

been referred to the Interstate Commerce

Committee of which Senator Burton K.

Wheeler is chairman, and in the House, to

the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Com-

mittee, of which Representative Sam Ray-

burn is chairman.

_ The bills provide (1) that each radio sta-

tion set aside regular periods of time for

uncensored discussion on a non-profit basis

for public programs and for educational

purposes; (2) that when any controversial

subject is on such time, opposing viewpoints

shall be given equal facilities; (3) that all

radio stations shall keep complete records

of all applications for time and all rejec-

tions; (4) that no regulations shall be made

by the federal licensing authority interfer-

ing with free speech on the air.

THE OPEN FORUM

Published every Saturday at 524 American Bank Build-

ing, 129 West Second Street, Los Angeles, California,

by the Southern California Branch of The American

Civil Liberties Union. Phone: TUcker 6836.

MeenaIATIM ATG ee SO in ede Editor

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Upton Sinclair Kate Crane Gartz

Doremus Scudder A. A. Heist Carey McWilliams

Leo Gallagher Ethelwyn Mills Ernest Besig

John Packard Edwin P. Ryland

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Entered as second-class matter Dec. 13, 1924, at the

post office of Los Angeles, California, under the Act

of March 3, 1879.

moe ANCELES, CALIF., JAN. 1, 1938

EE 36

L. A. EVE. NEWS ELIMINATES

HEART OF GALLAGHER'S LETTER

Attorney Leo Gallagher recently sent the

following letter to the Los Angeles Evening

News for publication. It appeared-minus

the three paragraphs in black-faced type.

Here is the letter:

"The Evening News of November 23,

1937, contained an interview with me

which purported to give my reactions to

the general international situation based

upon my recent five-months tour of Europe.

"Due to a misinterpretation of my re-

marks, I am improperly quoted in the final

paragraph of the interview as saying that

`the United States should diligently sup-

port President Roosevelt's neutrality and

non-intervention plans.'

"The point I wished to make was that the

people of the United States should dili-

gently support the President in the position

taken by him in his Chicago speech in

which he stated that outlaw nations which

violate the principles of humanity and in-

ternational law should be quarantined.

"At the same time, I wished to make it

clear that I think that the United States

has not followed a correct policy with ref-

erence to Spain.

"The embargo against Spain violates the

established principle of international law

under which a legitimately constituted gov-

ernment is entitled to outside assistance to

suppress an armed insurrection. This prin-

ciple of international law has been and is

at the present time the established policy

of the United States. The only exception

to this policy has been the unfair discrim-

ination against the legitimately constituted

Spanish republic.

"Even more serious is the fact that the

embargo against Spain is a clear violation

_ of the treaty existing between the United

States and Spain, which provides without

qualification that `there shall be a full, en-

tire and reciprocal liberty of commerce and

navigation between the citizens and sub-

jects of the two high contracting parties...'

ie

A Tale of Two Continents

(This is the Story of a 20,000 Mile Journey Through 25 States of America and

12 Foreign Countries)

By DR. CLINTON J. TAFT

AY

Stockholm

Six and one-half million people make up

the population of Sweden, and nearly one-

tenth of that number (530,000, to be exact)

live in the capital city. The population is

much more homogeneous than in our

country or in England. Maybe that ac-

counts in part for their progress.

Stockholm makes a good impression on

the tourist from the moment he arrives. It

is clean and substantial. The Tivoli Hotel

where we stayed provided good rooms, deli-

cious food and an atmosphere of friendli-

ness. There is a bustle and stir on the city

streets indicating that business is prosper-

ous, although five per cent of the workers

were admittedly unemployed. They say

they have no slums, and so far as we could

see the statement was true.

A few years ago when the depression was

on, the city government bought 20,000

acres of land surrounding Stockholm. This

is now being turned back to people with

small means on a plan that enables them

to acquire a home by making a minimum

down payment. Ready-cut lumber for

houses of varied design is sold to those who

acquire these plots of ground: and they

build their own houses under expert guid-

ance furnished by the city. Some put up

inexpensive cabins on these suburban lots

and spend only the warm summer months

out there, moving back into town for the

winter.

Two Churches

As we drove about the city on a two-and-

one-half hour tour one morning, we passed

numerous parks and stopped at two not-

able churches. The first one was the Rid-

darholms, where kings and statesmen lie

buried-a sort of Swedish Westminster

Abbey. It is no longer used as a place of

worship. The second one, called. Engel-

breckts, is a Lutheran church where people

gather to attend services conducted ac-

cording to the state church ritual.

City Hall

Residents of Stockholm take an especial

delight in showing you their new city hall,

and justifiably so. The building is a large

and well constructed one. Some of the

rooms are embellished with really marvel-

ous paintings and mosaics. A fabulous

sum, I understand, went into the construc-

tion of this hall and there was much con-

troversy over the plans before they were

finally adopted. Eventually all points were

settled, and today visitors view with admir-

"In view of the fact that I am inaccu-

rately-although certainly unintentionally

-quoted, I request that you publish this

correction.

"Sincerely yours,

"LEO GALLAGHER."

UNITED MASS MEETING

Sponsored by the

| American Civil Liberties Union

American League for Peace and Democracy

Methodist Social Service Commission

wert trey es,

PHILHARMONIC AUDITORIUM

TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 18 sy

`Address by

DR. HARRY F. WARD

of New York

(National Chairman of the three sponsoring organizations)

"DEMOCRACY UNDER FIRE"

Chairman: J. FRANK BURKE, KFVD "Editor of the Air" -

(Brief Remarks by Well Known Representatives of Labor and Affiliated Groups)

ADMISSION: @ 6) 3050 = 55c, sol O

Tickets for sale at 524 American Bank Bldg., 129 West 2nd St. -:- TUcker 6836

8:00 O'CLOCK

-__y

ation the results of the combined efforts of

many Swedish artists and architects,

Consumer Co-ops

As we drove about the city we Noticed a

great many stores over which hung the

sign, ""Konsum."' These, we were told, were

run by the Consumers Cooperative Society

There were 400 of them in Stockholm anq

4,000 throughout Sweden. We visited Sey.

eral of them and found them to be uniform,

ly attractive looking stores, well stocked

with groceries, meats and vegetables. The

intelligence and courtesy of the clerks in

these stores was particularly noticeable,

One very large department store known ag

the "P. U. B." right in the heart of town was

run cooperatively. It was formerly owned

by Paul U. Bergstrom, I learned, and had

gotten its name from his initials. We Vis-

ited it and made some purchases. It COM-

pared favorably with any one of our hig

Los Angeles department stores.

When we came to inquire into the Swed-

ish cooperative movement we found that it

had not amounted to much previous to

1915, but that in that year three struggling

cooperative groups had joined forces and

that from then on significant developments

had taken place. In 22 years one-third of the

residents of Stockholm have become afftiliat.

ed with the movement and are boosters for

it. Proportionately the same numberof men.-

bers throughout Sweden are enrolled in this

movement. Gradually more and more

people are coming to see that it is possible

to buy goods together and thus save the

middle-man's profit. The Rochdale system

developed in England has been followed

and a lot of money has been saved the aver-

age family by joining the co-ops. Current

prices are charged for goods and the sav-

ings come back to the members in the form

of dividends declared periodically.

(Continued next week)

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A Story of Ford-America"'

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