GENERAL INTRODUCTION In the report here presented the Committee seeks to give a clear, unbiased statement and history of the purposes and objects, tactics and methods, of the various forces now at work in the United States, and particularly within the State of New York, which are seeking to undermine and destroy, not only the government under which we live, but also the very structure of American society; it also seeks to analyze the various constructive forces which are at work throughout the country counteracting these evil influences and to present the many industrial and social problems that these constructive forces must meet and are meeting. The Great War has shaken the foundation of European civilization. The same forces which promote civil strife in many of the countries of Europe are at work on this side of the ocean seeking to create a division in our population, stimulating class hatred and a contempt for government, which, if continued, must necessarily result in serious consequences to the peace and prosperity of this country. In doing this they are taking advantage of the real grievances and natural demands of the working classes for a larger share in the management and use of the common wealth. The problems which were submitted by the Legislature to this Committee for investigation, are vital to the country's life. Upon the steps taken toward their solution, the Committee feels depends the perpetuation of our institutions. We therefore urge members of the Legislature and those into whose hands this report may come, to consider thoughtfully the facts here presented, in order to become acquainted with the subversive forces at work within our boundaries, and to give them careful and devoted study, so as to determine what steps shall and must be taken towards the solution of the problems they create. In the section of this report dealing with American conditions, the Committee has attempted to describe in detail the various organizations masquerading as political parties, giving the principles and objects for which they stand, as well as the methods and tactics they employ or advocate in order to bring about the social revolution. In every instance the Committee has relied upon the so-called party or organization's own statements with respect to these matters. They are permitted to speak for themselves. These organizations fall into two principal classes. The first group composes the Socialist movement; the second consists of the American adherents of the Anarchist philosophy. Those representing the Socialist point of view are, the Socialist Party of America, the Communist Party of America, the Communist Labor Party, and the Socialist Labor Party. Each of these groups claims to be the most modern and aggressive body representing the Marxian doctrines. A study of their platforms and official pronouncements shows that they do not differ fundamentally in their objectives. These objectives are: the establishment of the co-operative commonwealth in place of the present form of government in the United States; the overthrow of what they are pleased to call the capitalist system, namely, the present system under which we live, and the substitution in its place of collective ownership, and the management of means of production and distribution by the working class. These organizations differ but slightly in the means advocated to bring about the social revolution. All are agreed that success can be obtained only through the destruction of the present trade union organizations of the working class, and by creating in their stead revolutionary industrial unions having the power (through industrial action involving the general strike and sabotage) to so cripple the government as to render it powerless to prevent the establishment of the co-operative commonwealth and the workingclass rule. A study of the chapters dealing with these organizations reveals the fact that they differ slightly in the matter of emphasis. The Socialist Party, the Socialist Labor Party and the American Labor Party believe that parliamentary action, participation in elections, offering candidates for public office, and taking part in legislative activities, afford an added weapon for the carrying on of revolutionary propaganda. On the other hand, the Communist Party and the Communist Labor Party feel that the time is ripe for immediate action, and in large measure deny the value of parliamentary action, laying the entire stress upon industrial organization, and the mass action of revolutionary organizations. The anarchist movement repudiates parliamentary or political action altogether. It seeks the overthrow of present organized society and the substitution for it of an ill-defined co-operative commonwealth. It is at one with the Socialist group, however, in advocating revolutionary industrial unionism as the means for accomplishing the destruction of the present form of government and the present system of society. General strikes and sabotage are the direct means advocated. Anyone who studies the propaganda of the various groups which we have named, will learn that the arguments employed are the same; that the methods and tactics advocated cannot be distinguished from one another, and that articles or speeches made on the question of tactics or methods by anarchists could, with propriety, be published in Socialist or Communist newspapers without offending the membership of these organizations. The result of the propaganda of the quasi-political organizations which has been spread throughout the country broadcast to the working class organizations, and particularly among the foreign groups, has been to undermine the confidence of these workers in the conservative trade union organizations and lead to the forma tion of a large number of powerful and independent revolutionary industrial unions. These organizations are treated in this report in the sub-section dealing with revolutionary Industrial Unionism. The most successful of these organizations is the Industrial Workers of the World. Its propaganda is world-wide. Its members have invaded the membership of conservative organizations of labor, with the view of agitating within trade unions so as to weaken control of conservative labor leaders over a considerable number of their workmen. This method of "boring from within " has been extremely effective and has in large measure permeated the Central Federated Union of New York City as well as many union groups in other parts of the State, engendering radical and revolutionary spirit in their rank and file. It is this phase of the movement which presents the most serious aspect. These tactics are the ones which offer at least a promise of success in their undermining of society and of our present form of government. The effect of this propaganda is particularly pernicious because it undermines and destroys the moral responsibility of the workers. |