Along with the large Buffalo local and its numerous branches Socialist locals at North Tonawanda, Medina, Jamestown, Geneva, Shortsville, Manchester, and Seneca Falls have reports of activity for the week of August 16, 1913.

‘Socialist News of Western New York’ from Buffalo Socialist. Vol. 2 No. 63. August 16, 1913.

In order to improve our Western New York Socialist news service, we invite every Socialist Local in this vicinity to elect a correspondent, who will send news concerning the interests of workers and the Socialist party in their particular locality. Stick to the class struggle when writing and keep as near 150 words as possible. Address all communications to W.N.Y. Editor, Buffalo Socialist, 52 W Eagle Street.

NORTH TONAWANDA.

City Committee of North Tonawanda will meet at Socialist Headquarters, 20 Webster Street, Saturday, August 23d, at 2 p.m., to make nominations for entire city ticket.

Nominations as follows: City attorney, one assessor, one constable for full term, one constable to fill vacancy, five aldermen and five supervisors. All party members are urged to attend.

Niagara County, second Assembly District, and Lockport city committee of the Socialist Party, will meet at Socialist Hall, Prospect Building, in City of Lockport, Sunday, August 17th, at 2 pm to make nominations. All party members are urged to attend.

MEDINA.

Editor Buffalo Socialist:

I must say that in Comrade James J. Kelly we have a man of great benefit to the Socialist cause. At the meeting held here he proved to be an excellent speaker and held a big crowd for more than an hour. A collection of $1.55 was taken up.

Three cheers for Comrade Kelly and the Socialist cause. Yours for the revolution, WIKOLAUS BRUST, Medina, N.Y.

LOCAL JAMESTOWN NEWS.

Socialism is steadily advancing and gaining in Jamestown. The 626 votes cast at the last election gives an idea how the working class are awakening and seeing in the co-operative commonwealth, their industrial salvation. While the old parties have been busy serving their masters, the tireless workers for Socialism have been everlastingly sticking at it. As a result of our open forum meetings conducted throughout the winter, our street meetings, the lecture course, Comrade Kirkpatrick’s address at our picnic and Comrade Berger’s address at Chautauqua, these things, in contrast with the possible antipathy of the old parties towards the working class during the recent car strike when the only assistance given the strikers was by the Socialist Club and our two Socialist Aldermen, we have exposed the political trickery and treachery of Capitalism, and the day is near when we shall capture this city for Socialism. And we shall never rest until we have accomplished this work.

The American and Scandinavian branches are now occupying their finely equipped quarters and are fast adding to their membership. We have a large auditorium, seating about 400, a library and dining room and kitchen. Our headquarters is certainly the liveliest place in town. The Scandinavian Branch meets every Tuesday evening and the American Branch every Thurs day evening. The Central and Executive committees meet every other Friday evening. The comrades are alive and energetic. Comrades Peterson and Larson, the Socialist Aldermen, are a thorn in the side of the Capitalists and are always up and at them: Comrades Squier and Ferguson conduct a street meeting every Saturday evening where we reach at least 800 or 1,000 people at each meeting. Just imagine these forces being hurled against Capitalism day after day and you can readily see how Socialism is gaining in Jamestown. The Scandinavian Branch will hold a moonlight excursion to Midway Park, on Saturday, August 23d. Mark the date, arrange to go and follow the crowd.

Local Jamestown will hold a picnic at Midway Park on Labor Day, September 1st. The Central Committee elected Comrades Axelson, Wenstran and Ohman as the committee on arrangements.

Spend your holiday at this picnic of the working class by the working class and for the working class.

Socialists attack the profit system and not individuals, but once in a while some individual compels us to answer and attack him. Some time ago Ziba L. Squier made an unwarranted and asinine attack upon Socialism. We did not answer him then because we know his trouble. We pity him. We shall not answer him now, but we ask you to read his letter in the Morning Post of August 7th. Ziba felt as proud as a peacock when he was carrying “the big stick” during the car strike to protect property as he thought, but now that these same property owners have used the big stick” on him he feels like thirty cents. Wake up, Ziba! and while you still have the fighting spirit use it to wipe out the profit system which has made a slave of you and is now crushing out your very life. It is not the individual, it is the system. You cannot win so long as the system remains. GEORGE L. FERGUSON, Local Jamestown Correspondent.

GENEVA.

Socialist activities in this town took a spurt this week with the arrival simultaneously of Comrade Mahoney and the Socialist Caravan on Wednesday. Both were billed to speak on the street, but in view of the fact that the Caravan depended upon its collection and literature sales for their maintenance, Comrade Mahoney gave way for them and postponed his meeting till Friday night. A fair-sized crowd was upon the scene when Comrade Lindgren opened the meeting, but he had spoken but a few minutes when the rain scattered the crowd. Meanwhile Comrade Mahoney had sold some literature before the meeting closed and the Caravan went its way to teach the unlightened the next morning.

Comrade Mahoney thoroughly billed the town for a meeting last night. Meanwhile he went to Seneca Falls and made arrangements for a meeting there the following night. Last night we held a street meeting and Comrade Mahoney spoke to a fair- sized crowd for about an hour and a half and pleased them. The local Socialists were well pleased with the impression he made and we hope to have him again this fall. His arguments were logical and well presented and he used one or two victims of bad booze to point a moral and adorn a tale,much to the amusement of the crowd, and then to show his impartiality he used a Prohibitionist, who offered a cure for poverty for the same purpose.

The local Socialists hope that the Buffalo Socialist will use Comrades Mahoney and Kelly for subscription lectures next fall and winter, as we think we could materially boost Socialism in this section in that way and both speakers are popular men. PRESTON WRIGHT.

SHORTSVILLE.

Local Shortsville held its first open-air meeting of the season last Monday evening, August 4th. Stephen J. Mahoney of Buffalo, a State organizer, was the speaker of the evening, Steve surely loses no time after he arrives in town, The first knowledge of his arrival was the appearance of hand bills” advertising the meeting which could be seen on any or every street. He then began to look up the comrades. John McCarthy, secretary of the local, and F.J. Bullock, state committeeman, of Ontario County, are the live wires of our local.

Well, the whole town was out to hear the lecture. Some came with questions already prepared, but after the talk, which lasted a little over an hour and the answering of questions which took about another half hour, Steve had some of these natives down here so riled that over fifty were still on the street at twelve o’clock, trying to digest the irrefutable arguments put forth by Comrade Mahoney. We are in hopes of having Steve with us again in the near future. This is what we need in these small towns. Yours for Socialism, B. F. COLLINS.

MANCHESTER.

Socialism is surely growing in Manchester. Stephen J. Mahoney of Buffalo, a state organizer, held one of the most successful meetings ever held in town on Tuesday evening, August 5th. This is strictly a railroad town. The audience was practically composed of railroad men,

The way in which they listened, as well as conversations that could be heard on every side after the meeting, only proves the rapid growth of working-class solidarity on the political field. When it came time for the collection they responded with $4.53.

What we need is more meetings of this kind, which I am sure will result in the building up of a strong Socialist local in this town. The hours of these men are so different as well as uncertain the holding of business meetings are rather difficult. However, we will continue the fight for working class freedom. E.H. HEALD.

SENECA FALLS.

A large and enthusiastic audience gathered about a soap box on Saturday evening, August 9th, to hear a Socialist talk. Stephen J. Mahoney, an organizer for the Socialist Party of the State- of New York, opened the meeting. When he had a fair crowd he introduced Preston Wright of Geneva, N.Y, who gave a short talk of about fifteen minutes. He drove home the facts in a way that made his audience think. He then reintroduced Mahoney, who talked for over an hour to one of the largest street meetings ever held in town. Mr. Mahoney had been in town for a few days and was bound to organize a local. He did considerable personal work but finally decided it was better to wait until we had a little more of the right kind of material. We sold a few pamphlets and subcards to the Buffalo Socialist. We also took up a collection. We will in the near future be able to organize a local, W. R. ALBAUGH.

BUFFALO.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

To the Branches of Local Buffalo: Your attention is called to the fact that beginning September 1st the price of the Party Builder, the official organ of the national office of the Socialist Party, will be increased. It is of the utmost importance that every party member be a subscriber for the Party Builder. It is published weekly and contains all the news of the national and international movements. In addition each week the Party Builder contains very useful articles on organization.

For $7.50 the national office will place one hundred names upon the mailing list of the Party Builder for three months. I would strongly urge that every branch immediately subscribe for every one of their members and if possible for all the affiliated voters in their territory. This has already been done by Branches 3 and 5 with very good results.

The Party Builder places the members in constant contact with the organization and is a strong inducement for the affiliated voters to join the party.

Another matter which I wish to call to your attention is the Lyceum course. There will be no state lyceum course and I would urge that you take up the matter of contracting with the National Socialist Lyceum Bureau at once. The price is very reasonable and every branch could easily make a success of this proposition. For contracts and information write to L.E. Katterfeld, manager, the Lyceum Bureau, care of Socialist Party, 111 N. Market Street, Chicago, Ill. Kindly bring these matters before your branch at its next meeting.

Fraternally yours, JOSEPH PELON, Organizer.

BRANCH THREE.

August Claessens will speak at the corner of East Ferry and Waverly streets on Thursday evening, August 14th, at eight o’clock.

BRANCH SIX.

At the last regular meeting of Branch Six, held Friday, August 8th, it was decided by the members present that the branch should discontinue the publication of the Lovejoy News. This paper has been conducted at a loss for some time and as the Buffalo Socialist covers the field, this action on the part of Branch Six is justified.

The unexpired paid subs. will be taken up by the Buffalo Socialist on terms made known later.

The following speakers will speak under the auspices of Branch Six. August Claessens, August 15th. Schubert and Battistoni will hold a joint meeting in English and Italian, August 19th. R.C. McCaleb of Wisconsin will speak on August 22nd and also on August 29th. All meetings at the corner of Lovejoy and North Ogden streets. CHARLES DAHLKE, Secretary.

OPEN AIR MEETING OF JEWISH BRANCH

John V. Schubert, A.B., M. Ped., of New York City, will speak in this city during the present month. Mr. Schubert has been a Socialist for many years and is well qualified to deliver the message of Socialism to the people of Buffalo.

He will speak at an open air meeting to be held at the corner of William and Spring streets Thursday evening, August 14th. This meeting will be held under the auspices of the Jewish Branch.

Tuesday evening, August 19th, an open air meeting will be held at the corner of Lovejoy and N. Ogden Ogden streets under the auspices of Branch Six. The speakers will be John V. Schubert, who will speak in English, and James Battistoni, who will speak in Italian. Readers of the Buffalo Socialist are urged to attend these meetings and bring their friends.

SOCIALIST PIONEERS ATTENTION!

Special Invitation to Attend S.S. Outing.

The Sunday School children of Branch One entered a special invitation to the pioneers who attended the first Socialist picnic at Doat and Zelmer streets, to meet and shake hands, congratulate each other and have a rousing celebration at the old picnic grounds next Sunday, August 17th. No event of this year will so forcibly demonstrate the remarkable progress we have made as this outing, arranged and financed by the Socialist Sunday School. The children are going to have the swellest program of music, speaking and sports pulled off in Buffalo this season, and the creditable part of the whole arrangement is the fact that no tickets have been sold, no charge is made for anything, while ample pro- vision has been made for food, drink, sweets and sports. The whole show and side show is free as the pure air surrounding it. While particular attention will be given the children, the comrades who attend will be well taken care of, and ample provision made for the old youngsters who attend.

Among other amusements too numerous to enumerate, we will have:

A Republican race, illustrating the grand principles of the G.O.P.

A Democratic race, that will satisfactorily explain the tactics of the jackass element in politics.

A Progressive test–a special feature–is expected to forecast correctly the fate of the roughrider movement.

The children will surprise you with their knowledge of our movement and its aims, a feature of the entertainment being a test of the knowledge acquired in the Sunday School.

Send donations of prizes, provisions or plunkers to the S.S. Committee, 14 Zelmer Street. Remember the place and date, corner Doat and Zelmer streets, Sunday, August 17th. Take Genesee Street car to Zelmer Street.

SOCIALIST DAY AT CRYSTAL BEACH

On the mark! Ready! Go! Where? Why to Crystal Beach. When? Socialist Day, Saturday, August 30th.

There will be all kinds of doings. For the first time in the history of the Socialist Party of this city athletic games will be held under our auspices. How we have grown! The chief attraction at the games will be Hannes Koblemainen, champion runner of the world. He will run against four men to beat the world’s record and Hannes is the boy to do it.

Kohlemainen a Socialist.

You know Hannes is a Socialist, yes, he is sure as you live. He is a member of the Socialist Party of Finland and he’s a great runner. The way Hannes came to be world’s champion is rather funny. When a young boy he started to learn the trade of a brick- layer. Hannes lived outside of the town and like most boys early rising wasn’t one of his strong points. Tumbling out of bed about fifteen minutes before working time he had to hustle like the devil and run all the way to work.

Wonderful Runner.

Hannes ran to work for about 3 year, and one day timing himself he found that he was some pumpkins as a runner. He entered in some of the athletic meets and cleaned up everything in sight. Along came the world’s Olympic games of 1912 and Kohlemainen was selected as one of Finland’s representatives. There he showed a clean pair of heels to the representatives of all nations and now he’s to run against the world’s record for the Socialists at Crystal Beach, August 30th.

Speaking Also.

There will be speaking at the Beach that day. Stephen J. Mahoney, Socialist candidate for mayor, will open the campaign. It will be hot stuff. Steve will have just returned from his tour of the state all primed to deliver the goods. Verily, Socialist Day at Crystal Beach, August 30th, will be a day long to be remembered. From that day we will date our letters.

GREAT DAY PROMISED AT SOCIALIST PICNIC

Phil Callery of Schenectady and Ella Reeve Bloor to be Orators of the Day – Many Attractions Offered to Those Who Attend.

Have you ever heard Phil Callery the Oklahoma orator, in his exposure of capitalistic conditions and his magnificent picture of the commonwealth to come when the organized working class shall seize the reins of power from organized greed? If you haven’t, you have missed a treat.

Many Treats.

There are a good many treats in prospect for you if you take advantage of the opportunity to attend the big Socialist basket picnic that takes place at Seranton Park, Sunday, August 24th. The speech of Phil Callery is only one of them. Another will be an address by Ella Reeve Bloor of Ohio, whose work in connection with child welfare has endeared her to every parent and member of the Roosevelt Commission to investigate conditions in the Chicago packing houses that stirred the nation almost to the verge of revolt a few years ago. R.C. McCaleb will also speak.

Amusements of All Kinds.

However, while there will be good oratory for those that love oratory, this affair is not going to be merely a talkfest. There will be dancing, athletic games, music, exhibition drills, refreshments of all kinds and everything in the way of picnic pleasures to delight the hearts and satisfy the souls of old and young. Bring the kiddies and have a good time.

To be a Socialist and to be interested in seizure of political power by the working class does not mean wearing a long face. Come out and have some fun at this affair which will be held under or the auspices of Branches 2, 4 and 8, Local Buffalo, Socialist Party. The Fife and Drum Corps of the Young People’s Socialist League will supply the music.

How to Get There.

Take the Hamburg ear of the B. & L.E. Traction Company’s line at Washington and Clinton streets, August 24th, and join us in having the time of the season.

The Buffalo Socialist was a weekly published in Buffalo New York by the Buffalo Socialist Publishing Company from 1911-1915 and aligned with the Socialist Party of America. Edited by Max Sherover, the company also produced a weekly women’s newspaper, New Age, from 1915.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/buffalo-socialist/v2n63-aug-16-1913-Buf-Soc.pdf