Update 13-04: Sunday, June 16, 2013.
The Western Comrade, v. 2, no. 9/10 [Jan. 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 20th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Current Comment." A.F. Gannon: "Dugan." C.E. Russell: "The Madness of Capitalism." George D. Herron: "The Outlook in Europe." Mila Tupper Maynard; "Who Are the Ignorant Laborers?" Clarence Darrow: "Strangling by the State." Morris Hillquit: "Socialism and War." Homer Constantine: "Who's Fighting and Why!" Carl D. Thompson: "The Purpose of Socialism." Charlotte Perkins Gilman: "The Sentence." "Seven Months' Progress at Llano del Rio: Cooperative Colony Shows Remarkable Growth in Numbers and Prosperity." W.J. Ghent: "Hypocrisy and War." Samuel C. Meyerson: "War Brides." W.E.B.: "Reichstag Rebelliion." Joshua Wanhope: "Need of the Hour." William E. Bohn: "Last Line of Defense." Thomas C. Hall: "Fear of Russian Invasion." Max Eastman: "The Great Socialist" (on Karl Liebknecht, from The Masses). Jessie Wallace Hughan: "What is Socialism?" A.M. Simons: "Crisis of the Hour." Upton Sinclair: "Worship Up to Date" (from New York World).
"Socialism and War," by Morris Hillquit [Jan. 1915] Text of a short article by Socialist Party leader Morris Hillquit outlining the socialist position on war to a mass audience through the pages of the Metropolitan magazine. Hillquit notes the instinctive urge of socialists to support the oppressed class and the forces of progress in every armed conflict, citing the example of Karl Marx during the American civil war. However, he notes, in the current interval while just conflict in the name of liberty, progress, and civilization are generally supported, "the modern Socialist doctrine is that the people of each country must conquer their own political and economic emancipation, and that while the workers of all countries can and should help one another in their respective struggles, no nation can depend for its salvation entirely on another nation."
The Western Comrade, v. 2, no. 11 [March 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 21th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Comment on World Events." John M. Work: New Worlds to Conquer." Frank Harris: "Sees Progress in Defeat." A.F. Gannon: "Out to Sea" (fiction). "Colonists Clear and Plant Community Lands: Great Activity Shown in All Departments of Cooperative Enterprise." "Map of the City of Llano." Frank H. Ware: "Open Under New Management" (fiction). W.A. Jacobs: "Patriotism." Job Harriman: "Socialism Inevitable."
The Western Comrade, v. 2, no. 12 [April 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 22nd issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Current Events." Homer Constantine: "Hostages of War." Henri LaFountaine: "Fighting to a Finish?" Edward P.E. Troy: "California Ground Hogs" (on giant farms). G.E. Moray: "How to Preach." "Colonists Celebrate May Day." "Merry Masqueraders at the Colony Ball." "Disemployment, Crime, Slaughter!" Franklin E. Wentworth: "Truth About Mexico." Kate Richards O'Hare: "Booze and Revolution." Eugene V. Debs: "The Silent Souls in the Ranks." Chester M. Wright: "An Appeal for Peace." Irvin Ray: "Overloads of Charity" (on inefficient charity administration). "Colonists and Rabbits."
"Booze and Revolution," by Kate Richards O’Hare [April 1915] This short piece by Missouri rabble rouser Kate Richards O'Hare asserts a connection between sobriety and advancement of the revolutionary movement. "Sobriety means efficiency, and 'efficiency' movements have in all ages been the incubators in which revolutions were hatched," O'Hare declares. She adds that the ruling class's interest in "more efficient slaves" has also "produced a desire on the part of the slave to enjoy more," bringing about a spirit of revolt. So, too, with the revolutionary movement, in O'Hare's view: "A man whose brain is pickled in whiskey is of little value to the ruling class, and he is of inestimably less value to the working class. Efficiency oils the wheels of revolution.... We guarantee that if you can keep men sober, we will organize them for revolution."
"Silent Souls in the Ranks," by Eugene V. Debs [April 1915] Short salute to the rank and file by the Socialist Party's four time Presidential candidate, Gene Debs. The quiet, selfless activity of these unnamed "Jimmy Higgenses" of the movement were the source of hope and confidence, Debs indicates. "These silent comrades never dispute about anything, but their hand can be seen in everything. They make no noise, although they are constantly at work doing the things that others argue about and split hairs over." Debs cites examples of extreme effort made by rank-and-file members in Idaho to attend a Socialist meeting and contrasts their behavior with that of party leaders. "Leaders may and often do disrupt a movement, but never make one," Debs declares. "The rank and file create always, but never destroy."
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 1 [May 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 23rd issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Editorial Comment." William Thurston Brown: "Business -- Legal Stealing." James P. Warbasse: "War and the Red Cross." Eugene V. Debs: "The People are Soft." "Colony Celebrates Anniversary." "Scenes at Llano del Rio Annual May Day Celebration." Harvey Armstrong: "Fellowship in Work." William J. Robinson: "Prevention of Conception." A. Neil Lyons: "The Soldier Who Wouldn't" (reprint from The Clarion). Carl Sandburg: "Murmurings in a Field Hospital" (poem). Job Harriman: "One Year's Achievement" (review of first year of ownership of publication).
"The People are Soft," by Eugene V. Debs [May 1915] Short article by Socialist Party spiritual leader Gene Debs lambasting Congressional inability to solve the economic crisis then gripping the nation. Debs charges that with 20% of productive workers unemployed, Congress found itself able only to waste time filibuster legislation and to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on pork barrel projects before adjourning itself. Debs declares: "The fact is that capitalism has collapsed and that the political state of capitalism is paralyzed except in the function of creating bogus issues over which to humbug the people and keep them divided and fighting sham battles while they are being bled by the vampires that have seized upon the nation’s industries and control the government with no other object in view than to perpetuate their own plutocratic piracy and keep the people in poverty and subjection." Debs proposes the socialization of industry as the prescription for resolution of the crisis.
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 2 [June 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 24th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Current Review." Thomas W. Williams: "Child Labor in the Mines." Edward N. Clopper: "Need of Cooperation." Wiley H. Swift: "Need Children for Profits." Owen R. Lovejoy: "The Laws Are Ignored" (child labor). Adelaide Maydwell: "Children and Community Life" (children at Llano del Rio). G.E. Bolton: "Our Unctious Hookworm." A.W. Ricker: "Filling the Dinner Pail." Edmund B. Brumbaugh: "Lawson -- Labor -- Liberty." Carl D. Thompson: "Is It Practical?" J. Stitt Wilson: "Impeachment of Capitalism." Mila Tupper Maynard: "Is Your Conscience Clear?" "Llano del Rio Cooperative Colony" (text-heavy, detailed ad).
"Is It Practical?" by Carl D. Thompson [June 1915] Short article by Carl D. Thompson, one of the national leaders of the center-right "Constructive Socialist" tendency in the Socialist Party of America. Thompson addresses the critique of the socialist movement that while its analysis of capitalism is generally accurate, its program for change is impractical. Thompson declares it "of vital importance to make it clear...that the Socialist movement does have a constructive program" which is consistently followed by the party's elected officials. The party's ultimate objective does not prevent it from stubbornly engaging in "the struggle for immediate and temporary gains," Thompson notes, and fighting "for every measure that would improve the immediate conditions of the common people." Thompson concludes with what seems to have been even in 1915 an old Socialist adage: "it is better to vote for what you really want and not get it just yet than to vote for what you don't want and get it immediately."
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 3 [July 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 25th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Review of Events." Morgan Smith: "The Deeper Crime" (war propaganda). Homer Constantine: "Abolish Assassination." Oscar Ameringer: "A Discontented Dog." G.E. Bolton: "Our Devil's Delight" (Panama-Pacific Exposition). "Cooperatives and Education." "Community Life at Llano del Rio: Industrial and Social Activity" (photos). Edmund R. Brumbaugh: "1776 -- Revolutionists -- 1915." John M. Work: "Original Sin." Carl D. Thompson: "Rent, Interest and Profit." Frank H. Ware: "Garbage-Fed Babies." A.J. Stevens: "Point Out the Error." "War and Alcohol."
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 4 [Aug. 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 26th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Current Topics." Frank E. Wolfe: "That Heavenly Mississippi" (public execution of blacks). "Llano Colony's Progress Rapid." Frank H. Ware: "Aid to Our KIngs." "Robert Minor: Cartoonist of the Revolt." Homer Constantine: "The Muddling Worker." John M. Work: "Do You Really Want Socialism?" Albert A. James: "Truth Will Conquer" (Christian socialism). "Recall This Judge!" (F.R. Willis). "Christian Balzac Hoffman" (obituary). Edmund R. Burmbaugh: "Let Men Live!" "Llano Dramatic Club."
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 5 [Sept. 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 27th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Facts and Comment." Morgan Smith: "Third Circle of Might." Frank H. Ware: "Hell for Its Makers" (fiction). George E. Cantrell: "Busting the Iron Law." Irwin [St. John] Tucker: "Where Is the Home?" R.K. Williams: "Community Grows in Power" (Llano del Rio). "Industrial Activity at Llano del Reio Community" (photos). "Our Wonderful School" (Llano del Rio Montessori school). Leo Tolstoy: "A Remarkable Prediction." A.E. Briggs: "Peace or War?" Albert A. James: "Should Sanity Strike."
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 6 [Oct. 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 28th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Current Topics." Job Harriman: "Fanaticism Means Failure" (on Socialist Party). Frank H. Ware: "War's Pentecost." Rose Sharland: "Daughters of Joy" (from The Clarion). R.K. Williams: "Industrial Activity Inspiring" (Llano del Rio). "Glipse of the Diverse Activities at the Llano Community" (photos). "How We Live at Llano." Prudence Stokes Brown: "Learn Living and Loving" (Llano Montessori School). "Capitalism's Justice -- 1915" (extract of M.A. Schmidt/LA Times trial). John M. Work: "The Goal in Sight."
"Fanaticism Means Failure," by Job Harriman [Oct. 1915] With war raging in Europe, food prices skyrocketing, and unemployment sweeping the nation, Western Comrade editor Job Harriman wonders the cause of the Socialist Party's membership malaise, with tens of thousands of dues-payers vanished. Harriman asserts that the problem was the party's tendency to make a "religion of our theories." He states that "abstract principles must be tested and sustained by practical, concrete experience," otherwise doctrine would devolve into fanaticism and the Socialist Party would continue down the path previously traversed by the ultra-orthodox, sectarian Socialist Labor Party. Harriman predicts a change of course would come through increased participation in the labor movement and in "cooperative enterprises," otherwise the party would inevitably dissolve. "Capitalism will be overthrown by an organization that can deliver more comforts to the people than Capitalism can deliver, or it will not be overthrown at all -- talk, teach, preach, and argue as we may," Harriman declares.
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 7 [Nov. 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 29th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Editorial Review." G.E. Bolton: "Murderers -- You and I!" Clara R. Cushman: "Sophy" (fiction). Frank H. Ware: "The Job" (fiction). J.E. Beum: "Socialism and Farmers." Edmund R. Brumbugh: "Sunday and Socialism." Frank E. Wolfe: "Age Limit a Tragedy" (Llano del Rio). R.K. Williams: "Snow Caps Greet Colonists" (Llano del Rio). "Llano del Rio Cooperative Community As It Is Today" (photos). R.K. Williams: "Life on the Llano." Albert A. James: "The Church and Llano." William E. Bohn: "Ballots Will Educate."
The Western Comrade, v. 3, no. 8 [Dec. 1915] Large file. Graphic pdf of the 30th issue of The Western Comrade, edited by Job Harriman and Frank E. Wolfe. Key Contents: Frank E. Wolfe: "Trend of the Hour." Clara R. Cushman: "Socialism Strikes Millville." Frank H. Ware: "In the Name of Christ -- Amen!" (fiction). A.F. Gannon: "Solid Ivory." G.E. Bolton: "Rescue the Desorientes." Edmund R. Brumbaugh: "Among the Immortals" (Joe Hill). J. Louis Engdahl: "One Big Unon" (Miners amalgamation). John Dequer: "Llano del Rio." R.K. Williams: "Llano Colonists Are Undauted by Storm." Joseph D. Cannon: "The Wonders of Llano." "Cartoonist Joins Colony" (Matthew A. Kempf).
"The Communist Election Platform, 1936." [Aug. 1936] Large file.Graphic pdf of a penny campaign pamphlet by the Communist Party USA promoting the national campaign of Earl Browder for President and James W. Ford for Vice-President. Gone are intimations that the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt was "social fascist" and hence the greatest threat to American workers. Rather it is "extreme reaction" which is held to be driving the nation "toward fascism and a new world war," while the Roosevelt administration is criticized only for its willingness to temporize with these "reactionary forces." The Republican Party is held up to be "the head of the camp of reaction" in this document. An explicit appeal is made for the "comrades" of the Socialist Party to change course and "unite with us and the mass of the toilers against reaction." The program of the CPUSA is outlined in detail, with the detailed agenda to be funded by a vague income-based "taxation of the rich." The slogan "Communism is Twentieth Century Americanism" is used and the party's continuance of the revolutionary tradition, including that of "the revolutionary Lincoln" is emphasized. This pamphlet exists with multiple variants of pages 15 and 16 -- the Milwaukee and California versions are both included here.
