Workers Press no. 160

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLI

What we think

WHAT

LIES

demonstrauon l Grosvenor Square? In fact, grave dangers to th need to be taken in learning In thee Campain leadin, imprisor Paws and conspiracy charges.

Saturday demon 'Th prelimy Telegraph h Followed by the res Saturday he Saturday. Andunda Why the bild-upn by th Thine romain real Thaid not participate in Socialist Labour Leagu Satur estrat with aus polities of mere protest.

We have insisted as our main article alor e on patien to sop the war. Washingtor Von to Prede in atten. Special Branch nen showe involved an else in t ponce The cla provocateurs the campaign initiated by it the danger press behalt urs business and ite panno We will fully all achichs against the war action nly from princip od the miste das take And the bis. capitalists Thaturdays demonstration.

from workers press INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY • NUMBER 160

• TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1970

C.P. makes a partial turn to trade unions Hope of united action against Nixon grows

BY THE EDITOR

HOSIERY

WORKERS

PRESS

and the Socialist Labour League unhesitat-

STRIKERS

ingly support the executive com-

SPEAK OUT

mittee statement of the Commun ist Party adopted at the weekend, REPRESENTATIVES of strik.

their claim for a 20-per-ces It would be a splendid thing if the suggestions being made for the TUC to call a day or protest action were to Di implemented. All means of pressure, should be cluding industrial action, exerted to compel the british govern- ment to end its backing for the US war?

(Morning Star', May I!, 1970.)

Although it is not clear if, by making

US WORKERS

allardsmen this statement, the CP envisages a cam- paign within the trade unions for in- the

MUST JOIN

dustrial action against the Vietnam war, this statement could certainly be the an ele

ANTI-WAR

'apidly start of such action

STRUGGLE

'Nationalize Motors' call as

IRELAND

- predic Lucas stewards A growing and place with very oppose C.I.R.

STEE

danger of it line SHOP STEWARDS have buses hired for civil war a The initiative aecided not to co-operate this nea with Mrs Barbara Castle's commission on industrial nembers of Nixon Relations Into BITTER street fighting erupted in the streets with students and your. labour problems at Lucas- of Belfast at the weekend as more than 1,000 Girling's five Merseyside Met students troops and police battled with crowds of work- plants A meeting of the combine's himself easty sunday mom ers throughout Saturday and Sunday nights.

auby the theol More than 100 canisters Socialist Labour or to gas were usea In the fighting, which came, League and Young Socialists accoraine to one eve-wil- eric meting that ness, 'within a hairbreadth

LENIN

or developing Into a shool- ing match.

CENTENARY

industrtor car and components

MEETING

at a x poe Birmingham Laid off Meanwhile worker: fromucas inday, May basement t y of the barricade allegation

DIGBETH

CIVIC

victory kor time Minister out we a new one

HALL

i nationa New ministers strune CAV steward told the Admission 2s

• PAGE FOUR COL. 4 →

he parliament finally vot issue whit nite Doe More Dunlop lay-offs as question of • Be of rec remain strike continues I-day-old strike o Bip piant at traingtot Dun- engineers for the emperor The 1,50 to work on is eas in the North, but he ais Mass meeting antics Leic ras claimed policil war is now a very real Sermoned to ven tere pie, taken negether with

• PAGE FOUR COL. 4

• PAGE FOUR COL. 8 →

RIKE

MEMBERS

anniversary of the hunger strike broke poet also personally endors period without that. Motors' call as

BY A WORKERS PRESS

ACPUHICH

the daysia ma -leaving inagement 3 hands 'Strings' Girling' from Workerd Beim Taugh a tollare also he number of inspectors.

WEATHER

Central southern and Wind te Near normal. Max.

TSC (59F).

Mostly cloudy, wiSh castond.

Ireland: mainly Glasgow north-c • Near normal. Ma mc (STe), 2. 190 Nebut 10cal. a57t) The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League PRICE 6d. men

DOWN

REPRESSIO

BY DAVID MAUDE

STRIKERS at Pilkington's St Helens, Lancashire, glass factories are to meet again tomorrow against a background of concerted union, management and government attempts to force a return to work. These attempts have noW been knocked back two on fronts. Strike leaders yesterday:

REJECTED

the General and Municipal Workers' Union's offer of £100,000 for a return to work. And Sunday's mass meeting:

DASHED

the company's hopes of re-opening its gates in an attempt to encourage further "blacklegging' Rank - and - file committee treasurer John Potter vester- day contemptuously dismissed the union's offer--amounting to f12 per relieve worker to —as 'a bribe' and hardship' last-ditch bid to retain the strikers' membership.

CONTRACT OUT

Revolutionary Action Sunday's mass meeting voted ad (ISRACA) held a 24-hour hun- unanimously to continue the e the Israeli Embassy in Kensing- and strike overwhelmingly sraeli Independence' Day.

accepted the committee's tors distributed leaflets to people contract nbassy's celebrations of the 22nd recommencation to out of the G&MWU. Workers also firmly rebut- in solidarity with ted the allegations of loyalist prisoners in the Damoun prison, shop stewards that 'sub- whom have been detained without versive elements are keeping the strike that St going and hunger-strike, led by Sabri Jiryis, Helens heing 'held to e poet Fawzi Al-Asmar, has been ransom' by a small group of according to latest reports. nown that Israeli commander in endorsed the renewed de-

DONATED £500

5 which detains Sabri Jiryis od without trial. Shop British- stewards at ther prisoners are held in similar Leyland's bus and truck plants at Leyland and Chorley-who Matzpen socialist youth move- were involved in hard- of solidarity with the fought and successful struggle prison on May 2. against similar odds last year -have donated £500 to the strike fund.

ALL TRADES

Mrs Barbara Castle's court dispute,

UNIONS ALLIANCE

of inquiry into the however, remains a threat.

MEETINGS

Mrs Castle yesterday appoin- ted Sheffield law professor John C. Wood-described as

LEEDS

mace makers morted most trusted *Productivity Bargaining inquiry, which is expected to either at Liverpool or. in sit and the Economic Crisis' St Helens itself and last several weeks. Wednesday, May 13, 8 p.m.

Al spokesman for the strike committee told the Workers Prince of Wales Hotel Press after the Mill Hill (off Boar Lane) announcement that while the strike was Speaker: Jack Gale 'open inquiry' to any there was no of it being question

PETERHEAD

called off. should, however, Strikers (near Aberdeen) take warning from the periences of other sections of The Crosse and Blackwell workers who have co-operated strike - Fight the Tories' with such inquiries only to find them skilfully turned into Monday, May 18, 8 p.m. platform for anti-union Rescue Hall propaganda in the Tory press.

The second of two London lectures to mark the hundredth anniversary of Lenin's birth Monday, May 18, 7.30 p.m.

• Lenin and the coming English Revolution' Lecture given by G. HEALY, national secretary of the Socialist Labour League

BEAVER HALL

Garlick Hill, London, E.C.4 (Near Mansion House tube station) Admission two shillings

workers press INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY • NUMBER 160

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1970

C.P. makes a partial turn to trade unions What we think Hope of united The danger of provo- action against cation S'sh ineld-day Nixon grows vealed n their campaign leading he General bleclo Tores ther order' measures.

BY THE EDITOR

means Than

HOSIERY

taprison

WORKERS

PRESS

and the Socialist Labour League unhesitat- demon

STRIKERS

stratons. ingly support the executive com- Similarly press Whip

SPEAK OUT

preparation tor antunion mittee statement of the Commun- aw and on piracy charge. ist Party adopted at the weekend, REPRESSIVE STrik. cudw brosier yorkshi te meet which states: CommieS It would be a splendid thing if the for a 20-per-cent suggestions being made for the TUC r Ward t to call a day of protest action were to be Told the implemented. All means of pressure, in- Saturday. cluding industrial action, Shomd enterited net By the Sarday exerted to compel the British govern- only paputs were marchers. ment to end its backing for the US war?

(Morning Star, May II, 1970.)

andinda Sunday emanung,

US WORKERS

Although it is not clear if, by making this statement, the CP envisages a cam- within the trade unions for in-

MUST JOIN

Dalen dustrial action against the Vietnam war, Even minishe of the

ANTI-WAR

prisoners ourse tie Damous prison this statement could certainly be the all that could start or suen acuon. protest, * avertion, thi

STRUGGLE

making Why the bid upen then? Th 'Nationalize Motors' call as

IRELAND

inoubtedly Hiding pe either behind the planted ticians pressn Lucas stewards A growing must call tine that overturning strikhilst china t we must such oppose C.I.R. Thine demand the danger of of the barricaded inquiry rile against the The Labour May Sociallst decided not to co-operate civil war many politics of meete protest.

Shi and with Mrs or tes CP leadership was Commission on Industrial upsurge mbers of Nixon's alone. powerful factor in the

BY A WORKERS PRESS

inquiry into ke atons it be way. we proceed

REPORTER

industrial BITTER street fighting erupted in the streets labour problems at Lucas- in the same of Belfast at the weekend as more than 1,000 Gilling s nve Merseyside Work a pres ted the day of A stration anars disn plants. troops and police battled with crowds of work- Met students trade meeting of the combine's Confirmed Kion to ancient Nixon • sunday example ers throughout Saturday and Sunday nights.

himself maria. by the sudata the inquiry an demon- More than 100 canisters Socialist Labour of CS gas were used in managements hands League and the ighting, which came according to one eye-wit- Young Socialists 'Strings' Theorking class by Workers from ness. within a hairsbreadth

LENIN

and Stalinists of developing into a shoot- off following being and middle-class ing match'.

CENTENARY

unite a trike, and a ideal Work o- time since last

MEETING

would industry. Foot workin chase she number of inspectio caltome the talked a50 Birmingham 1 of from es.

WEATHER

Sundo May 17. marathon debate in the Dai ety of the barricaded Hon area That is the ver threaten ast week, ended in a

DICEAL VIC

oat. Max. 1SC (STF behalf of big Ministér Prime

IIC (52F)

its repressive business Gerry Heatyr sounded and Socialist We New ministers will Midlands: Scattered trune CAs steward told the the he te arprove the nomi intervalsht Admission 2s

• PAGE FOUR COL. 4 →

against the repression, Near normal. Max.

T5C (3E).

t is cene. Th communated, t Pator industrial welcome the not contineme al issuerior reason Lord Brockwas More Dunlop lay-offs as Channel Islands, SW England: demonstrat separate from ther The Cr, boring god Ains or dizzle wind caston Тета. 20 . ernment of green mal. 0rx. ic (59l). treat at all to the bout the admitted strike continues British Treland: MAN many War normal: Mak how cloudy, faint ches armined prepare or only do to se • on its teres Near ma. the Loy. • prede de takes credibility Pot its middle-class Mass meeting Outbrell wins Shortage antics caus with sunny, othe civil war is now a very real Prel, aen roger with shortage of tyre fabric from saturday's demonstration.

wise temperatures near normal.

• PAGE FOUR COL. 4 →

• PAGE FOUR COL. 8 →

The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League PRICE 6d. men

IVN

BY DAVID MAUDE

STRIKERS at Pilkington's Lancashire, Helens, St glass factories are to meet again tomorrow against a background of concerted union, management and government attempts to force a return to work. These have now attempts been knocked back two fronts. Strike leaders yesterday:

REJECTED

General and the Municipal Workers' Union's offer of £100,000 for a return to work. And Sunday's mass meeting:

DASHED

company's hopes of re-opening its gates in an attempt to encourage further 'blacklegging Rank - and - file committee Potter Jahn yester- day contemptuously dismissed -amounting the union's offer- to £12 per worker 'to relieve hardship'- as 'a bribe' and a last-ditch bid retain the strikers' membership.

CONTRACT OUT

Revolutionary Action Sunday's mass meeting voted to continue unanimously the the Israeli Embassy in Kensing- and strike overwhelmingly Independence Day. accepted the committee's tors distributed leaflets to people to recommendation celebrations of the 22nd out of the G&MWU. Workers also firmly rebut- in solidarity with a ted the allegations of loyalist prisoners in the Damoun prison, shop stewards that 'sub- whom have been detained without versive elements are keeping the strike going and St led by Sabri Jiryis, that Helens heing 'held to e poet Fawzi Al-Asmar, has been ransom' by a small group of according to latest reports. that Israeli commander men. sonally endorsed the renewed de-

DONATED £500

5 which detains Sabri Jiryis od without trial. Shop stewards at British- ther prisoners are held in similar Leyland's bus and truck plants at Leyland and Chorley -who Matzpen socialist youth move- involved were in hard- of solidarity with the fought and successful struggle prison on May 2. Damoun against similar odds last year -have donated £500 to the strike fund.

ALL TRADES

Mrs Barbara Castle's court

UNIONS ALLIANCE

of inquiry the dispute, into however, remains a threat.

MEETINGS

Mrs Castle yesterday appoin- professor ted Sheffield law John C. Wood- described as

LEEDS

'one her trusted "peacemakers" to chair the •Productivity Bargaining inquiry, which is expected to either at Liverpool and the Economic Crisis' sit or in and St Helens itself last several Wednesday, May 13, 8 p.m.

weeks. A spokesman for the strike Prince of Wales Hotel told the Workers committee Press after the Mill Hill (off Boar Lane) announcement that while the strike was Speaker: Jack Gale 'open to any inquiry' there question of it being was no

PETERHEAD

called Strikers should, however, (near Aberdeen) take warning from the ex- periences of other sections 'The Crosse and Blackwell workers who have co-operated strike - Fight the Tories' with such inquiries only to find them skilfully turned into Monday, May 18, 8 p.m. platform for anti-union Rescue Hall propaganda in the Tory press.

Lenin Centenary The second of two London lectures to mark the hundredth anniversary of Lenin's birth Monday, May 18, 7.30 p.m.

•Lenin and the coming English Revolution' Lecture given by G. HEALY, natlonal secretary of the Soclalist Labour League

BEAVER HALL

Garlick Hill, London, E.C.4 (Near Mansion House tube station) Admission two shillings

PAGE TWO

DURING the Nazi in- vasion of Russia the late David Low drew a car- toon which showed the reactionary White Guard Finnish General Manner- heim with hand on heart and simulated innocence on his face exclaiming, in the presence of his Ger- man allies: 'Mine, as you know, is a separate war'.

The Russians, history re- cords, were not taken in by this argument. We think that this analogy sums up the attitude of the International Socialism (IS) group to the witch-hunt of Rosemary Whippe by the press and TV. We are refer- ring in particular to the scurrilous innuendo con- tained in the statement of Terence Barrett at the May I meeting of IS at the Holborn Assembly rooms: 'We have seen a feature of substitutionism this week with Rose Whippe, the girl who had two days off work and wanted to be victimized. The average worker can't afford to have two days off.' The detestable lack of prin- ciple and the cringing ador- ation of capitalist power which characterizes your movement is crudely but explicitly ex- pressed in Barrett's slander.

Conforms That he should have been supported by Messrs. Hallas, Palmer and Foot is not extra- ordinary. It is in conformity with your political practice.

Your movement is well known for scabbing on the Trotskyist movement in the post-war years. When you weren't scabbing on us you were busy cooking up some provocation against the SLL and the YS. It would not be uncharitable to say that will be вгроо! the • of Tran in conjunction simply tell County will Counch, and hem to he or in the river se waich wil also work out the the land for the future."

Alderman ely cost of the bridge. woman i of the no-strike volors - Rosemary Thip pe (eireled) the A sample of the Rosemary Whippe w the SLL provides the raison d'être for your group. Consider your record in re- lation to us. In the early 1950s you broke with Trotskyism on the nature of the Korean war.

Your refusal to support the defence of a deformed workers' state in N Korea against im- perialist obliteration meant, in effect, your support of witch-hunt of those who op- posed the Korean war in the Labour Party and the League of Youth. In the 1960s, it was your paper, 'Young Guard', renamed 'Rebel', and your supporters in the Young Socialists who lined up consistently with the right-wing in the witch-hunt oI 'Keep Left' and the Trotskyists in the Young Socialists. Shutdowns You were for the lifting of the ban on Woodrow Wyatt- an unregenerate right-winger who advocated the atom bomb- ing of N Korea in 1950—but you did not lift a finger to prevent the right wing from shutting down YS federations all over the country and in expelling leading members of the YS who supported 'Keep Left'. You identified Trotskyism with Nazism and-like now— you blamed the Trotskyists for having 'provoked' the witch- hunt against them. Predictably, your services were rewarded by the right wing who solici- encouraged 'Young tously Guard' and proscribed 'Keep Left'. During the struggle inside National Association of Labour Student Organizations (NALSO) against the right wing and centrists your group openly invited the Stalinists Sefton, ean that the prop. be built any sooner. ented: mer majo years The study tuation could whether we cin Kerryside Area can reserve and Transportation Study Land for the future. hich studied Merseyaide's said he couL! the Sefton recommended e row WORKERS at the dispate-ridden factory at Bromborough yesterday rejected a strike call over a girl trainee's sacking amid accusations that she was a "plant".

The accusations came at a noisy meeting outside the factory. Only about and women went to the out of meeting TOOr working 1,800 old te Whippe, Birkenhead tainly was not a 'plant'. It business went to work ment on questions put to • the Nicholas, Milner ery Thip pe (circled) the girl in the centr Ghing dispute. mary Whippe witch-hunt treatment dished up by ti and the 'Tribune'-ites into an unholy alliance against Trot- skyism on the basis of gossip and slander against our ten- dency. Reminiscent Your attack against Rose- mary Whippe is reminiscent of another incident in 1968 which proved beyond any doubt that you were quite prepared to collaborate with the news media against the Socialist Labour League and its members. We refer, of course, to the provocation organized by your members outside the Reyrolle factory at Hebburn on the Wearside in October 1968, when your members tried to disrupt an SLL-All Trades Unions Alliance meeting for the benefit of a BBC-TV unit.

Your group cannot bring itself to support Rosemary Whippe's fight against the capitalist press and its agencies in the working class, but it has never found difficulty in sup- porting the most reactionary _the imperialist- causes inspired secession of Biafra, the despatch of imperialist occupation forces to N Ireland and Black Power, which tries to split the working class on racial lines. The fact that you have issued a belated statement condemning the witch-hunt one week after the event will not blind the vigilance of those who see the slander of Barrett as representing the real posi- tion of IS. Since you have not dis- sociated yourself from this remark-and it is not likely that you will—we are free to draw what inferences we please. The Otter bridge ukely costing be more to

RUMO

cricker Girling The rejection and men of a shop- of force twenty-two-year. Rotemary of Bacon Hoad, sail: "I cer. why there statement their The rest and greeted

MRS ROSEMARY WHIPPE

"It's my business" Birken. Ennals 15 a plant. J going nensio dished up by the capitalist press.

It is, in fact, typical of your group that you say one thing at the height of a crisis and another when the crisis blows The instructive most example of this sort of skul- duggery is provided by your volte-face on Ulster. You were for the sending of troops when the prospect armed insurrection an against British imperialism was imminent and you are against retaining the troops now that imperial law and order' has been re-established. Said nothing Similarly when the witch- hunt was at its height, on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the last week in April, your paper, which came out on the Saturday, had nothing to say.

Now that the press attack has been stalled by the SLL, you are quick to denounce Fleet Street - while keeping silent on the shabby role of your leadership when the heat was on. Basically, your method is the same as the Stalinists who were more concerned in get- ting out of the line of fire than in defending the victim

WORKERS PRES

BY WORKER

of a vile attack from the capitalist press. You know as well as we do principled differences that should not invalidate the solidarity of disparate political groups in resisting a common threat from the capitalist class.

Notwithstanding our differ- ences with your group, we have never hesitated to defend your members as we did, for example, during the court case against Geoff Mitchell, ex- convenor of ENV. This is a basie principle. of the Marxist movement. If you contravene it you imperil your own existence and you facili- tate the attacks and divisive of the employing class. This is too obvious even to need repetition. Yet your leaders chose to consciously impugn this prin- ciple and, in the course of it you heaped insult upon infamy by grossly misrepresenting the facts about Rosemary Whippe's Lie Firstly, it is a lie to suggest that Rosemary wanted to be victimized Secondly, it is equally men- dacious to say that she took two days off work. Not even the capitalist press was able to surpass this piece of distortion by your spokes- man. We quote the Liverpool Daily Post': 'At the meeting, Mr Frank Shaw, Amalgamated Engineer- ing and Foundryworkers' Union convenor at the factory, said the girl's sacking was a "terrible situation". 'She had been at the com- pany for a week, and in the second week had been off ill tor one day he said. On the Friday she was given her cards' (April 28, 1970.) And lastly, your reference to 'substitutionism' is only a belated echo of the distortion spread by the Stalinists that the Trotskyists are disrupters who try to 'substitute' them- selves for the working class instead of leaving the workers captive to the traditional lead- ership in the trade unions.

Before we deal with this odious middle-class prejudice, we will return to the first allegation. Unlike IS, the SLL, being a serious proletarian revolu- tionary organization, does not suffer from "martyr syndrome' which afflicts every petty-bourgeois organization in Britain and Europe. We do not seek to be victi- mized or martyred, no more than we indulge in symbolic gate-smashing, flag burning and embassy stoning. We do not advocate this form of protest. In fact we oppose it. All that the theatricality

WORKERS PRESS

WORKERS PRESS EDITOR

MICHAEL BANDA

and melodrama of protest - whether by students or work- ers-ever achieves is a cheap and ephemeral publicity in the capitalist news media. All that it expresses is the hysterical impotence and poli- tical despair of the middle class; a 'sound and fury signi- fying nothing' No, Rosemary • Whippe did not seek to be victimized. Her record as a socialist and a trade unionist does credit to the Young Socialists. She fought for her prin- ciples uncompromisingly - • something which your paper and organization • have never yet understood. And she suffered for them.

You think that this is a criti- cism of Rosemary? In fact it is a condemnation of the Geoff Mitchell, ex-convenor of

ENV.

capitalist system and the kind of industrial relations which exist-and which your organ- ization helps to uphold with your support of 'productivity dealing', etc. First battle Rosemary's first battle in Plessey's was precisely against the kind of deal which your movement recommends work- ers to accept - albeit with reservations of 'mutuality'.

After this struggle she was sacked by the Plessey man- agement, who interviewed her presence of hostile in the union officials about her atti- tude to productivity deals before they did so. Her fight at Plessey's did not escape the attention of Merseyside employers who are everywhere trying to force productivity deals through with the support of the union bureaucracy. The bosses have their own intelligence network, which is nationwide. In your paper (May 2, 1970), for example, you refer to the the Economic activities League on Clydeside. You state that a certain Mr Teacher, who runs the Glas- gow Economic League branch, has an extensive card-index file on 4,000 to 5,000 militants in Scotland and that repre- sentatives sinister of this organization were inquiring into the activities of militants in the Upper Clyde Ship- builders. •.. Your refusal to support the defence of a deformed worke's state in N Korea (right), against imperialist obliteration, meant, in affect, you support of the witch hunt of those who oppressed the Korean war in the Labour Party and the League of Youth'. You also state that 60 or 70 firms in Glasgow are affiliated Economic to the League and that they phone Teacher when employing new workers about their previous records. Is it not, therefore, entirely conceivable that same thing goes on in the Mersey- side area, and that when Girl- ing's sacked Rosemary Whippe after four days, ostensibly for day off work, they takıng a had 'other' reasons for doing .

so? Otherwise, how do you explain the fact that she was sacked without her steward being present, a procedure not customary at Girling's. Why is it that neither Bar- rett nor Hallas (who •con- siders himself an authority on the SLL) nor Palmer could explain this simple little fact to their audience? We ask this question because your speakers, in lying about Rosemary's desire to be victimized, omitted to mention another significant 'detail' which cast an entirely different complexion on her case. This was the fact, known even to the capitalist press on the Wednesday before your meeting,, that the recommen- dation for strike action against her sacking came from the local district committee of the Amalgamated Union of Engi- neering and Foundry workers

(AEF)

and the two shop stewards committees and not from Rosemary. Different Therefore, if anyone is to be made guilty of your grotesque charges of 'substitu- tionism' and wanting to be victimized', it must surely be the Wirral and West Cheshire district committee of the AEF. CIR That really is different isn't it? The Marxist truth is always concrete. When the strike motion was put, a group of backward and reactionary workers-in order to prejudice the vote and in their order to embarrass stewards who had voted for a May Day in stoppage on defence of Vietnam-raised a h and cry about a 'red plant and of Rosemary having a degree. It was absolutely clear from reading the press that a witch- hunt was launched against Rosemary at this meeting and that her democratic right to hold a job was being chal- lenged. Read again what the press had to say: 'Set up' 'During the meeting, machine operator James Nicholas, aged 21, of Milner Street, Birken- head, told the workers: "I think this is a plant. I don't mind going on strike, but not for a set up." 'His speech was greeted with with some shouting about a 'He [Nicholas] added, "There is no room for a dainty nose in this factory"! (Liver- pool Daily Post', April 28, 1970) In the ensuing confusion the vote against strike action was carried. Having done his dirty, work, the man who raised the cry of 'red plant' then repudiated it. But it was enough. The entire capitalist press picked up • this filthy slander and tried its damndest to dis- credit and vilify the Socialist Labour League and create a lynch atmosphere to stampede backward workers to vote Tory in the next election.

It was not just a witch-hunt.

It was a gigantic political hoax against the working class and not only against the League.

Thanks to the innate scepti- cism of the British workers towards capitalist press lies plus the discipline of the SLL, she press and ITN came un- For this success we owe you and the Communist Party nothing! Mr Barrett, with his refer- ences to 'substitutionism' is Tuesday, May 12, 1970 It was no accident that she ruboish this reactionary lots 'plants', rubbish [Rosemary] was in the factory.

about This was an attempt to thumb and 'dainty noses'. nose at the probe into the Express', It apparent that industrv.? ('Daily was also 'Red plant' hoax wasn't April 28, 1970.) the merely aimed at getting rid of Whippe from Gir- Therefore what Mr Barrett Rosemary 'substitutionism' is only calls ling's. more sophisticated way of It was an integral part of fighting socialist consciousness the combined government and in the trade unions and defend- employers' offensive Mr against ing opportunism - as Nicholas is doing in Girling's.

the shop steward system in industry. A final word. Since Girling's is the target of a government-sponsored in- May Day is a day of work- quiry led by the Commission ing-class solidarity, against the of Industrial Relations (CIR) and oppression violence and since the 'Red bogey' has capitalism. featured in every government For you, however, it is an inquiry, the right wing in the occasion to dissociate your- factory decided it was better selves from those who to appease the CIR by sacrific- ate under attack from the capital- Rosemary ing than to fight uphold all ist class and to the management and the CIR that is backward and reaction- inquiry all the way. ary in the working class.

Their aim is to please the Until you publicly repudiate

CIR

and Wilson by keeping the allegation Mr lying of the socialist politics out Barrett we shall continue to unions. treat your public statement in Hence the witch-hunt and the 'Socialist Worker' (May 9.

hence the statement by Mr 1970) as an act of political Nicholas: dishonesty and cowardice.

Special 64 page issue A Journal of International Marxism Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International 186a Clapham High Street, London, S.W.4 Editors: Tom Kemp, Cliff Slaughter PRICE 7s. 6d. By Cliff Slaughter

PRICE ONE SHILLING

vailable from New Park Publications Ltd. 1868 Clanhom Hi treet. London. S.W.

Tuesday, May 12, 1970 IN A WEEK of wanton destruction in Cambodia, of the wilful murder of four students in Illinois, of the dive of Wall Street, of the dictatorial assumption of power by Nixon supported by the most rabid and lunatic assembly of generals, of the crisis of American imperialism reaching its sharpest and most barbaric expression, it seemed apt to see a film which dealt with the coming to power of Hitler and the Nazis in Germany, Insights into this period are valuable. Yet on almost every level Visconti's "The Damned', currently showing at the Kensington Odeon, High Street, is unsatisfactory.

The situation he focuses on is promising enough. He selects German rich aristocratic owners of a vast steel family, mill, adapting themselves to fascism. The film with the opens birthday of the old baron. It gathering of the family. Is a The home is magnificent, rich furnishings, tapestries, paint- the finest of bourgeois ings, art and refinement; the ser- •vants respectfully and dutifully prepare the dinner, the silver, the cut glass First there will be a family entertainment, which the children will give, a recitation, then a cello solo Divisions Assembled the are sons, relatives, daughters; the only non-family visitor is the of the steel works, a manager middle-class technocrat who wishes to marry of the daughters. But divisions are apparent in the family. One member is in Hitler's army, another in the SA ('Brownshirts'). Yet the authority of the baron maintains unity, for he is the unquestioned head the family, of the of steel works. The one early jarring note is the grandson's party piece- dressed cabaret song as a woman, much to the disgust of the grandfather. THE DAMNED directed by LUCHIN But the apparent harmony is disrupted by the news that the Reichstag has been set on fire and that a Dutch com- knows that his primary duty munist has been arrested.

is to preserve his property, It period announces a new and regretfully he asks his son of for Germany, the smashing.

to from his resign post as communism and the building managing director of the works of the new order. to make way for someone who The baron has hitherto pre- is more amenable to the Nazi served an aristocratic contempt regime. for the upstart Hitler, but he The son, classic liberal, denounces Hitler and a row breaks out. Flees Gestapo That night the arrive to arrest the son, who is persuaded to flee by the technocrat manager, who in- sists that he leaves his re- volver behind. Later the baron is found shot in his bed by his son's gun. The rest of the film con- cerns itself with the machina- tions in the family to seize control of the works. The workings of the plot family and the changing situations immediately remind Elizabethen world. one of an "The Damned' is, 1n fact, Shakespeare as melo- written drama yet without Shakespeare.

of It's like an amalgam

ITV

BBC 1

2.55 1.00- 11.00 a.m. Schools. p.m. 9.15 a.m.-12 noon Schools.

The Racing from York. 4.17 1.25 p.m. Dyna wall. 1.30 Watch enchanted house. 4.30 Cross- with mother. 1.45-1.53 News and roads. 4.55 The Sooty show. 5.20 weather. 2.05-2.25 Schools. 4.20 Magpie. 5.50 News. Play school. 4.40 Jackanory. 4.55 5.20 Shazzan. Summer search. 5.44 Parsley. 5.50 News and 6.03 Today. weather. 6.30 Nanny and the Professor.

6.00 London-Nationwide. 6.55 Tuesday film. 6.45 Z cars. "Victim Five' with Lex Night Out'. Barker, Ronald Fraser, Ann Smyrner and Howard 7.10 Good old days. Davies. Old-time music hall. Private eye meets his 8.00 Professional heavyweight opposition to murder inquiries in S Africa. boxing. Joe Bugner v. Brian Lon- 8.30 Father, Dear Father.

don. 'This is your wife'. Patrick 8.50 News and weather. Glover returns in new 9.10 On trial. series. Roger Casement: a ques- 9.00 Family at war. tion of allegiance. 'The gate of the year'. 10.30 24 hours. 10.00 News. 10.30 Shows Promise - Should 11.00 Celebrity concert. Go Far. Radu Lupu plays Mozart family where and Wagner. all the 11.55 Weather. children have turned out to be geniuses. 11.15 World of crime.

REGIONAL

Causes, results and assess- ment of violence. 11.45 20th century thinkers.

All regions as BBC 1 except: Midlands and East 6.00-6.45

BBC 2

Nationd de dist News wea weather. Nationwide ngland: weather North North. weather. Nationwide. News, 11.00-11.20 a.m. Play school.

de. 84521e 7.05 p.m. Making out. Wales An artist in Britain today, an examination. 7.30 News and weather. 8.00 Codename. 'Warhead'. todavationwide. 8.50 Hollywood in the sixties.

"Tender is the Night' with weather d by LUCHINO VISCONTI showing at the O Hamlet and Macbeth, yet a Prince, Hamlet without the merely a sensualist substitute in the form of the grandson, who seduces small girls and finally rapes his mother.

And his mother is a cross between Lady Macbeth and Gertrude, urging on technocrat lover to murder and take the crown of the steel works. The technocrat is the ambitious Macbeth - the in- strument through which the Gestapo work to wipe out the survivors of the family-who hinally is usurped by the grand- son, who forces poison on him and his new wife, to emerge as a fully fledged Nazi, the owner of the steel works and the second most powerful man in Germany. Visconti, the Italian, seems unable break from to a Machiavellian view of history.

It is this that predominates his thinking and fits comfort- ably with his melodramatic instincts. The latter gives his work a statuesque, extremely formal quality which I find personally

REGIONAL ITV

CHANNEL: 11.00 London. 4.10 Puffin's birthdayurvival. 4.12 Hatty town. greetings. 4.25 4.55 London. 6.00 6.10 Lookaround. 6.35 News, weather. Crossroads. 7.00 Movie: Hilda Crane' Simmons and Guy Madison. with Jean 11.35 8.30 11.15 Moviemen. London. Gazette. 11.40 Commentaires et previ- sions meteorologiques, weather.

except: 4.10 WESTWARD. As Channel 6.00 Diary. 11.40 Faith for life.

News. 11.46 Weather. SOUTHERN: 11.00-3.45 London.

4.00 Junkin. 4.15 London. 6.00 Day by day.

7.00 Father Castle Father 150 Wilm: wild. Dear Father Richard The Black with Boris Karloff, Greene, McNally and Paula Cordav Stephen 9.00 London. 11.15 News. 11.25 "Feed the Minds'. Weather.

HARLECH:

_11.00-4.15 London. 4.25 Floris. 4.55 London. 6.02 Report. 6.10 Joker's wild. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Bonanza. 8.00 Mr and Mrs.

8.30 Lon- 11.45 Weather. don. 11.15 Adam 12. HTV (Wales) colour channel 41 as above except: 10.30 Welshscene. 11.00 Trip i'r teulu. 11.30 Y dydd. 11.55 Weather.

HTV (Cymru/Wales) black and white service as above except: 6.01 Y dydd. 6.30-6.35 Report Wales. 10.30 Welshscene. 11.00 Trip i'r teulu.

11.30 Arthur to Alfred. 12 midnight Weather.

ANGLIA:

10.58-4.15 London. 4.30 Newsroom. 4.40 Paulus 4.55 London About Anglia. 6.35 Crossroads. Tora Reard reene and reale says. Load Living Word." our yester- Jason Robards Jr., Jennifer Jones, Joan Fontaine and Ewell. Psychiatrist Tom (Robards) marries wealthy, neurotic ex-patient (Jones) without realizing risks involved. Story from Scott Fitzgerald novel. 11.10 News and weather. 11.15 Line-up.

WORKERS PRE:

By Brian Moore •• • ving at the ODEON Kensington lumbering, obvious and for- malistic. He processes grace- fully from one archetype to another. It gives his work a predict- able quality with few surprises or flashes of ingenuity. The former means he is in- capable of grasping the full political significance of fascism.

He can only see the steel- works as a symbol of power or, at the end of the film, the flames that announce the • hell of damnation and national socialism, not as the machinery class conflict and the extraction of surplus value.

adapt His characters to fascism, not primarily to save their tottering enterprises to allow Hitler to do their dirty work in defeating the working class, but to retain their power by humbling themselves to this unwanted intruder. It is again the Machiavel- lian principle of power. The so called Marxist Vis- conti is really nothing more than a moralist. Again we go back to Ham- for his vision is of let, 'something rotten in the state of Denmark'. PlaS. 5.20 London. Origami. Peyton

6.00 ATV

Flaxton boys. today. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Western: "Shoot Out At Medicine Bend' with Dickinson Sand, James Garner. A830 Dickinson James Garner. London. 11.15 Douglas Fairbanks pre- Weather. sents.

UT STER:

11.00-2.55 London. 4.50 455 London. 6.00 UTV reports. News. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Movie: Gideon of Scotland Yard' with lack Hawkins.

west. 9.00 Lon- 8.30 Seven degrees don. 11.15 Parkin's patch.

YORKSHIRE:

11.00 London. 4.30 Matinee. 4.55 London. 6.00 Calendar. 6.30 Beverly Hillbillies. 7.00 Father, Dear Father. 7.30 Sword of Sherwood Forest' with Richard Greene and Peter Cushing. 9.00 London. 11.15 All our yesterdays. 11.45 Weather.

GRANADA:

11.00-3.28 London. 4.25 Short story. 4.55 London.

6.00 News- view. All yesterdays. 6.30 Gilligan's island. 7.00 Film: «Sailor of the King' with Jeffrey Hunter, Michael Rennie and Wendy Hiller. 8.25 Lon- 11.15 Four just men. don. London.

TYNE

TEES:

11.00 4.10 Racing from Newsroom. 4.13 Enchanted 425 Freed on food. 4.55 London. 6.00 Today at six. 6.25 Where the jobs are. 6.30 Wally Whyton style. 7.00 Film: "Simon and Laura' with Kay Kendall. A theatrical that 8.30 London. seems perfect but isn't. 1.15 News, 11.27 Epilogue.

BORDER 145 London Neat teen 4.10 News. living. Floris, 5.20 London 6.00 around. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Western: 'Gun Glory' with Stewart Granger and Rhonda Flemin. 8.30 London. 11.15 Wally Whyton style. 11.45 News, weather. 11.00-4.15 London.

SCOTTISH:

4.20 Scotland early. 4.30 London. 6.00 Scotland now. 6.30 He ha Wress. 7.00 Western: "Law of the with Dale Robertson, Yvonne De Carlo William Bendix. 8.30 London. 11.15 Late call. GRAMPIAN: 10.58-4.12 London.

4.25 4.55 London. 6.00 News, High living. 6.20 farming 6.15 Music of the 6.35 roads. 7.00 Comedy christian now.

8.30 London. 11.30

WORKERS PRESS

'Oh fie 'tis an unweeded garden, That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely? The German state is corrupt, the natural order breaks down, patricide, matricide, incest, perversion. all of Indeed these are expressions of a wider crisis.

himself Trotsky pointed out that the psychology of the Gestapo was that of pederasty.

One of the best sequences SA, in the film is the the 'Brownshirt' street thugs who and hounded killed commun- ists and social democrats alike, drunk, carousing near Munich, women's clothes, the some in of their singing, sentimentality the ubermensch physique. But in this film Visconti's understanding seldom tran- scends moral outrage and she result is really ar ambig- towards the uity aristocracy. For if the moral degenera- of the signifies tion state breakdown in the natural order, what then is the natural order? In this sense 'The Damned' is a lament for the passing of the old aristocratic values. If we contrast the refined formality, the order, the sense THE SHORT documen- of family, place and position of the opening sequence with tary 'Bagnolo' at Acad- the closing moments of the emy One, despite the film, where the same house is strident with jazz music, drink, pious intentions of its girls in state of half dress kissed fondled, being and makers, is of consider- furniture the scattered, two poisoned bodies in able interest. one room, and the new head of the works Bagnolo is a small Italian in jackboots and Nazi uniform, hard this it is to avoid town near Reggio Emilia in conclusion. the Po valley. 'The Damned' is obviously an intensely felt film. Visconti Like almost all the surround- has said that it was made in ing Emilian 'red belt' hate, that it was it is made as stronghold of the Communist warning and reminder to the Party. 70 per cent of the young young. enrolled But at a period when fascism people are Communist youth organization.

becomes real threat once again, youth need clear In this prosperous agricul- political understanding to de- a ral ole on thor Party co-s built feat it once and for all, by a whole network co-opera- defeating the system that and tives political, cultural breeds it, capitalism. and social organizations.

I'm afraid they won't find One after another its com- it in 'The Damned'. functionaries placent appear vailable from New Park Publications Ltd, 186a Clapham High Street ondon, S.W.4 Eve of Publication' and The Cellar and

PAGE THREE

BAGNOLO

a documentary about Italy's • Reviewed by 'red belt'. Showing at

DAVID BARNES

Academy One London. on the screen to recount its with a much smaller labour 'social achievements in force. pro- We see little of the ordinary gress'. people of the town, except to 'While there are problems,' be shown their idiosyncracies, the film-makers are telling us, such life-long Communist as 'everything in the garden is Party members marrying sheep- rosey, and will get gradually ishly in Church. rosier. The amiable villain of the The sor the mainly re- piece is the Church, in the served for notables and person of a grinning and gap- them one contrast is among toothed priest. outstanding. The vicarage, the church (with an illuminated plate-glass spire) and the private shops Lack confidence share one side (naturally, the right) of the high street, while The Party men are serious, the responsible figures who none- on other are the Party offices, the Chamber of Labour theless to lack some and the co-operatives. inner confidence, to feel that peaceful Built-in co-exist- what has been gained in ence, one might say. Bagnolo is in some way too But in scenes the good to be true. of character class relations The priest, despite the fact shows through. The honoured that his congregation is tiny, citizens of the whole town are is abubble with his plans and the old men who survived from achievements. the resistance to fascism, chat- Reflected in him is the un- ting in a bar provided for their old reduced of use and to commemorate those possessing class. who were killed. what ther he Madonna was kind enoug ins miprontemand for palys to encourage me'

BBC 1

MAY 13

Michele Dotrice plays EMMA

•Tuesday, May 12, 1970

PAGE FOUR

WORNEKO PRESS

the the anti- fostered by

US WORKERS

19d6ear plant-in Walter Italian union Februes Nixon Nanonal enemies working of tast weins clad- hurriedly cland inside the say as bee sat Kent Univer student Within movement, this time at Reuther National Ghardthese the, and wal iously in Akron, truck drivers at leaders tied ainst war and for social- Pitched battle 1907-1970 Bel a worker on an Nixon's war drive in to capitalist strikers whole area sm and he deter

BY A WORKERS PRESS REPORTER

attack president of the United Auto-

WAHRRHANRI

mobile Workers, died in a plane crash on saturday night at the age of 62. United action realities' skilled the art mowy ancing and , Reuther the mies unionization Reuther

• FROM PAGE ONE

of Vietnan leaders in support

BY DAVID BARNES

TOMORROW'S meeting between trade union leaders and Prime faction. Minister Rumor to discuss reforms in housing, health, social services clever 'New Deal' and transport, and price curbs, finds the union leaders already on the Retaking one retreat. Having cancelled the re- and assimilate the block any important con- gional strikes planned in support of the demands in cessions. My l the the expectation ot a show of goodwill the trom they have allowed the parties of the centre-left elbow-room to clause in the should con members to Opposition argument

CORRUPTION EXPOSED

study our policies. Photographers jostle Lord Brockway rafalga or pictures or sets ded rave

IN SICILIAN

das massive come the Tu to do may. seal at repres resented be tra untonists as a slang exam ment be in camelt

CENTRE-LEFT

Brought together wWhen the Initiated etna • working-class cleanes did not spare thei periods which with the

THE

ine class to homeet its Sustrial action againstr affairs me se rought against 57 peopl bo, Kermlin diplo- of his act of order chain with Trotskyist policies govern collacold-v press, superting Roose. nate pro yond the rules of the gam betical hards the fo open-minded to.

like Brockway and Ryan MP. over, and the keutne spit all are in do the approxis Class collaborator confidence to resist real mounted talian Liberal mere eh and to mood. all 'Teft wwitch-h thizers were Party and th No curbs gress for Industrial Organiza- ot thi the ground of class en tortures spossible lolittis collaboration campaign to Reactionary oath Vietnam Sicily and nationally. he always noped the ani imperialism invaded Cambodis exploit The I.O.S. Empire mous strikes of recent motos, a is crumbling m from : the big she remain Party and are of December 'Authority' body What example, is the Communist League (YCL) of this $2,300 million company. • Whithe this Allel Ive Unlike the more reformi unContests mutual estabish ment days of deadlock in their 1950s and 1960s. Em wil grown authoriaian.

bombs Korea Worker discernable plan to res- Major threat 31, 1970) cue Ius irom its acute financial crisis has been Magnavox sacks agreed. Cornfeld Smselfortune son to dissociate from Nixon?

possibilities 290-Workers takeover br is finance contenders are still being came under its fear closure Fill subscriptio OR you Rati-millionaire John ree months 'THERE ARE lots of rumours going round that the Dar epical Bary firm is going to close down', commented one worker Connections withaN I would like to subscribe to workers Press To at Barking's American-owned Magnavox Electronics potables. parture from plant in East London, following the sacking of 290 employees last Friday. the busted Cowett. Name road to power. The decision on the redun

BY A WORKERS PRESS

CORRESPONDENT

Share of ruins tom Address kers, mpany A danger of civil ing TeMe Leslie Pearced: in confidence actory will be leaving in if Post 1o: Circulation Organizer, Workere Press, 186a •the per- Unloaded nel manager, Clapham High Street, London, SW4. (Tel: 01-720-2000) "The' war in Ireland anticult ter

• FROM PAGE ONE

Soldiers thi there is will repression

LATE NEWS

and the Counties division of the irish working staggers from Rothschild's

BORDER BATTLE

Magnavox work- Lalibera their big te drop out South Vietnam Foreign Minister Factories leave i cy and out thesite The position in the Bark- banks Rothschild out or the take ares vied a tere mortare mperialism in Treland also e lero fan Community tact hive toed completely Changed. A num camp from

'DEMO' SENTENCES

workers. • so and to l revolu e months imprisonment supported the TUC resolution Strengthen right engrava demande correctly in- Thomas, * the tos balon was in-

'SIX' TALKS DATE

been discon Posed ph sit tesol wish which troops is now very clear.

maintain imperialist rule.

foreign demonstration. countries Commor