An official report full of interesting detail to the Socialist Party’s National Executive on the the conditions of 63-year-old Eugene Debs’ journey to federal prison by his companion, and shortly to be Executive Secretary of the Communist Labor Party, Alfred Wagenknecht.

‘Report of Journey with Debs to Moundsville Penitentiary’ by Alfred Wagenknecht from The Ohio Socialist. No. 68. May 14, 1919.

April 29, 1919. To the National Executive Committee Comrades: I desire to make a short report of my trip with Eugene V. Debs to the Moundsville penitentiary.

Wearied by a night ride from Terre Haute to Cleveland during which Comrade Debs only had an hour’s sleep, he was taken by the federal authorities from the Gilsey Hotel, Cleveland, early Sunday morning, April 13th, and rushed to the Moundsville penitentiary.

It took more than twelve hours to got to Moundsville. No time was allowed by the United States marshal for lunch at noon and very little time was given Comrade Debs to eat dinner when we finally arrived at Wheeling, The trip completely exhausted Comrade Debs, so much so that in the last of seven changes of cars and depots, he could hardly mount and dismount the car steps.

I characterize the methods used by the authorities, their total disregard for Debs’ age and his comfort as particularly brutal and inhuman.

Had either one of the lawyers who defended Debs in court been present when the federal authorities took Comrade Debs in charge, several days of respite might have been gained for him in which he might have rested and attended to his many personal affairs.

I sent many telegrams ahead Just as soon as I learned which route to the penitentiary we were to take. I subsequently learned that the Socialist locals in and near Moundsville had disbanded and because of this we met with no comrades to cheer Debs on his way to his cell.

After investigating conditions of the party in Moundsville and Wheeling I learned that in both places the Socialist locals had succumbed because of the war hysteria. It seems to me that the Socialists, rather the former Socialists of Wheeling, have turned pro-war and are engaged in profitable politics. Most of those who were seen deported themselves as if the incarceration of Debs near Wheeling was more of an affliction than an honor and I dare say that their “good political standing” in their city will not permit them to be of any service to Debs while he is in prison.

Returning to Cleveland I learned upon Wednesday that the automobile in which Comrade Debs was spirited away from the federal building was hired by the Cleveland Plain Dealer from the Waite garage. The Plain Dealer reporter met Debs at the Union depot when Debs arrived in Cleveland and gave Comrade Debs to understand that he was connected with the secret service department. It was the automobile which this reporter used in which Debs was subsequently taken on a flying trip through Cleveland’s main thoroughfares and side streets and, finally landed at the Erie depot.

The question arises why this close affiliation between the Plain Dealer and the federal authorities? By what right did the United States marshal use the automobile of Capitalist daily paper? Why did not the marshal engage an automobile et the expense of the United States It one was necessary? It shows the very close affiliation between the Democratic Plain Dealer and the Democratic federal officialdom. The Plain Dealer hangs the European revolutionists editorially about three times a week, and the United States marshal undoubtedly wanted to do his little part in co-operation with this paper here in this free country of ours.

Photographs of Debs and those who accompanied him were obtained by me in Cleveland. These will be used in a pamphlet which we con- template publishing, showing pictures of the penitentiary as well as pictures of Debs on his way to prison.

I have the following suggestions to make. These suggestions, also hold good in the case of any other imprisoned comrade. I suggest that the national office appoint or that the committee elect an official visiting committee, whose duty it shall be to look after prison comforts of Debs and all the wants for the others. In the case of Debs this is of particular importance for there are no loyal Socialists in close proximity to the penitentiary,

Also, the imprisonment of Comrade Debs and Comrade O’Hare presents an opportunity to call funds to free them. These funds should be used for publicity and organization purposes. One or more pamphlets should be published at once. Leaflets for free distribution should be printed. Posters demanding the freedom of these and all prisoners should be sent all locals to display in headquarters and public places. Organizers should be employed by the national office to tour the country in behalf of better organization and to unify the varying efforts made by locals of the party in behalf of our imprisoned comrades. Unless there is objection, such a campaign will be initiated by the Department of Organization and Propaganda.

Yours in Comradeship. A. WAGENKNECHT

The Ohio Socialist, published by the Left Wing-dominated Socialist Party of Ohio in Cleveland from January, 1917 to November, 1919. It was edited by Alfred Wagenknecht Wagenknecht spent most of 1918 in jail for “violation of the Conscription Act.” The paper grew from a monthly to a semi-monthly and then to a weekly in July, 1918 and eventually a press run of over 20,000. The Ohio Socialist Party’s endorsement of the Left Wing Manifesto led to it suspension at the undemocratic, packed Socialist Party Convention in 1919. As a recognized voice of the Left Wing, the paper carried the odd geographical subheading, “Official Organ of the Socialist Parties of Ohio and Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and New Mexico” by 1919’s start. In November of that year the paper changed to the “labor organ” of the Communist Labor Party and its offices moved to New York City and its name changed to The Toiler, a precursor to the Daily Worker. There the paper was edited by James P. Cannon for a time.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/ohio-socialist/068-may-14-1919-ohio-soc-nypl-mf.pdf