There was not a more active, left wing, and working class Socialist Party organization in the country than the several hundred members of Duluth’s Scandinavian Local. A pillar of the U.S. Left wing, revolutionary socialists and industrial unionists, the Local was a founding constituent of the Left Wing in 1919, the Communist Labor Party later that year, and the Communist Party in 1921. Here is just a sample of the life of this organization from Duluth’s ‘Truth’ newspaper, which the local kept afloat for many years. Included are dozens of event announcements.

‘The Duluth Scandinavian Local’ from Truth. 1918-1920.

Duluth Scandinavian Local. January 18, 1918.

The Scandinavian Local reports a good attendance at its entertainment last Sunday night. The big Woodman Hall was well filled and several who came late had to stand. The program was very good and everybody enjoyed the evening. Little Miss Elizabeth Lichten gave two recitations that were especially well received and the Comrades from the Superior Scandinavian Local did good work in the plan. Comrade Thompson was the speaker for the evening and as usual, he delivered a good lecture.

At its business meeting last Tuesday night election of officers took place. The following comrades were elected: Henry Johnson, chairman: Axel Westholm, Sec.; Arvid Ledin, Fin. Sec.; Victor Nordin treas.; Joe Johnson, book agent; Jno Essen, Axel Johnson .and Martin Landin, trustees. Three new members were admitted and the reports for the year just ended were read and approved. The organization has never before been in such good shape as it is now and the future looks good for us. The local is now one of the strongest in the state, with a membership of 255 in good standing.

Duluth Scandinavian Local. February 22, 1918.

The local held a masquerade ball on the 14th, which was vey largely attended. There was many pleasing sights to meet the eye, and from all appearances, many of the dancers were raised when meat was cheap. Two striking costumes were wore by Comrades Johnson and Forsman, Comrade Johnson wore a dress made out of three copies of Truth and Comrade Forsman wore one similarly made from the copies of the Svenska Socialisten. We had the pleasure of meeting Comrade Mrs. Thompson in a rather amusing costume, but, hush, keep it dark.

On Sunday evening, the local held its usual Sunday gathering, at which Comrade W.E. Towne returned to the folds and spoke on the need of a real class-conscious working class party. He warned the members of the audience of the necessity of keeping strictly to working class propaganda and not allow the middleclass with their false conceptions of economics to destroy the movement.

On Monday they held their usual weekly business meeting, and their delegates to the Convention were instructed to move a resolution, asking for support for the paper.

Every first Thursday afternoon, the women’s section of the local meet in the Woodman Hall will all comrades see that their wives mothers and sisters attend these meetings when possible. The local also desires to draw the attention of the members to the fact, that a children’s study class has been commenced and is held every Sunday morning in room 16 Stack Bldg. from 10 to 11. It is absolutely essential that these meetings should be well attended and comrades should make it a special part of their work to obtain members for this class.

The Verdandi, a radical temperance organization, will hold a mass meting at the Woodman Hall, Friday, Feb. 22nd, commencing at 3 p.m. Comrade Arvid Carlson of Waukegan, Illinois will address the meeting, and Comrade Hakonson also of Waukegan, Illinois, will supply the amusement side of the program. Admission is free and everybody is invited to attend.

Duluth Scandinavian Local. March 14, 1918.

The Scandinavian Local meets every Tuesday in the Woodman Hall, for their usual business meeting. Every Sunday eve. they hold their weekly entertainment. On Thursday and Wednesday they also run a dance in the Woodman Hall.

The Scandinavian Women’s Section of the Local hold their business and get-together meeting, on the first Thursday in every month. All women members of tire local are urged to attend, mental and physical needs attended to.

The Scandinavian Local also runs a Children’s Study Class, every Sunday morning, from ten to eleven, this class has for its teacher the Editor. All children are welcome and comrades themselves are urged to come along with their children. Lessons are given, so that any child can understand them. Note the address, 116 Stack Building.

The Local gave its usual weekly entertainment last Sunday and gave a comedy playlet entitled “Three Policemen in Love.’’ Although we were not able to understand what the players were saying, we enjoyed the acting. We do not blame the policemen for falling in love, Comrade Erickson, with her winsome manners would make anyone fall in love, never mind three policemen. You should have seen Comrade Berg swallowing the soup, God help Simpson if he has to keep those three policemen any length of time. He will have to fire his housekeeper Eugania, or those three policemen will eat him out of house and home. We want to congratulate the Scandinavian comrades on their fine performance, they were a credit to the local. A packed house gave them round after round if applause. Sure, the editor also spoke.

Duluth Scandinavian Local. April 19, 1918.

Tom J. Lewis, the five feet of revolution from Minneapolis, spoke at the usual Sunday evening lecture of the Scandinavian Local. The Swedish speaker that was advertised, fell sick and so the audience had the pleasure of hearing one of the best English speaking speakers in the movement. Lewis is one fine lecturer, delivers the straight goods, no compromise and always has a happy knack of keeping his audience in good humor. His subject was the “Evolution of Life” and it was well presented. But why say it was well presented, when Lewis delivered it,‘nuff sed. A Swedish comedy was also staged, judging from the applause it received, it was appreciated by the audience. The attendance was so great, that the hall could not accommodate all who came to gain admittance.

Scandinavian Local Forges Ahead by O.H.M. September 27, 1918.

At the last meeting of the Scandinavian Local, it was decided to have “comrade” nights on the Third Tuesday in the month, as well as the First. This was rendered possible by the success of the previous comrade nights. Our newspaper “Truth” was given another boost, for the fine report of the trial of Eugene V. Debs. Several members spoke enthusiastically of it. Truth is absolutely essential Where are we going to read the real news, if we lose Truth? On the recommendation of the “Folkels Hus” Committee, it was decided to hire the hall in the Stack building and hold Scandinavian dances every Saturday evening. Next Saturday will be the first opening evening. Splendid music has been arranged. Upon the adjournment of the local meeting being moved, a committee was called to arrange the program for the next comrade evening, October 2nd, 1918. Part of the program is as follows: Hilmer Johnson will speak, John Essen will render a violin solo. Recitations, Music by the Orchestra. Members of the Lakeside and Superior Locals are cordially invited to attend the comrade evening, October 2nd. All those holding tickets for the automobile affair, are urged to attend this meeting also, as th the question of the automobile will be decided at this meeting. October 2nd will be the night of all nights, so just come along and let the rafters ring with your laughter.

What You Missed. March 7, 1919.

The Scandinavian Local for the last five years have held a propaganda meeting every Sunday evening. Every well known lecturer that has appeared upon the radical platform has spoken for the Scandinavian Local. We venture to say that there is no audience in the whole of this country that has listened to the remarkable fine speeches, that the weekly audience that attends the Woodman Hall every Sunday evening. It is to be hoped that our many readers will attend these lectures in the future.

Last Sunday evening, the speaker was Harold L. Varney of St. Louis, a member of the Industrial Workers of the World. We are safe in saying that Varney delivered one of the finest lectures it has been our good fortune to listen to. His masterful description of the Butte situation was one that will live in the minds of his audience. The survey of the working class battles that have taken place, the death of Frank Little, the heroic fight of the men in Leavenworth, and the appearance of Tom Campbell (Butte) before the Government Mediation Committee last year in Butte was magnificent. It was a survey that brought the class struggle vividly before the eyes of the audience. Varney paid his tribute to the I.W.W. and stated that he was proud to belong to that organization and the applause that he received was a living testimony to the courageous work of the Industrial Workers of the World. A few lecturers like Varney and solidarity would be here tomorrow. We trust that Socialist Party locals throughout the country will book Varney for a date. He is the finest lecturer that we have heard.

The singing of the Scandinavian Glee Club is well worth hearing. The language we do not understand, hut the spirit and melody were there and we sure appreciate their singing.

Duluth Scandinavian Local. June 13, 1919.

At the weekly meeting of the Scandinavian Local (Duluth) the report of the Left Wing Convention was unanimously adopted. It was also decided to pay the ten cent assessment at once and a check for $30.00 has been sent to the treasurer. The Editor of Truth will represent the Duluth Scandinavian and English Locals, at the National Left Wing Conference,

Duluth Scandinavian Local. October 10, 1919.

Ragnar Johanson, of the I.W.W. delivered two lectures on the I.W.W. men in prison. His talks, were in English and Swedish and although we were not present at either meetings, the audience clearly proved by their financial assistance that they were in hearty sympathy with the men in prison. At the Sunday evening meeting, a collection of $120.00 was taken. At the meeting held Tuesday evening. a collection of $112.02 was taken.

We trust that every local in the Communist Labor Party will rally to the I.W.W. Their fight is our fight. Today they bear the burden and carry the scars of the industrial conflict. Tomorrow it may be you. Let us unite and stop this damnable tyranny. We may disagree as to tactics, but by constantly coming together and lending each other our assistance, we will live solidarity and that is the main thing.

Ten Years Old. February 7, 1919.

Ten years old. What a life he has led. Coming into the world a young struggling infant, the child was not well received. Except for a few poor struggling workers, nobody would recognize the poor kid. But somehow or other, the more you kicked him the more he grew. In fact, there was a danger of him dying. But still he struggled on and on. His American friends (!) said he was a poor “foreigner,” and so they just turned their noses up and left him to the tender mercies of the world.

Ten years! What a life the kid has led! He has made many a member of the Commercial Club lose a night’s sleep worrying over him. In fact, the more the kid yelled the more everybody wanted to know why he was yelling. When they found that the kid was protesting against there not being enough food, clothes, fine houses, etc., why all the kids commenced to yell. So the kid grew and other kids came with him, and if you can stop this gang from yelling, you have some job on your hands.

Ten years in a Steel Trust City. Ten years of real work. No movement has suffered so much and no movement has done so much as the Scandinavian Local Duluth. Sure it is the Scandinavian Local we are telling you of. Comrades of America–in San Francisco, Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Seattle, Butte–who read this paper, the Scandinavian Local is doing the big things that will make life worth while. Quiet, unassuming, this crowd of comrades is, but they do the work. Never a band plays for them and never a soul shouts from the house top of their work. They are not intellectuals, just the common ordinary workers. Sorry you cannot be with them. To see them in action is inspiring. Can you wonder that we turned down your jobs that you offered us? We are among men and women and we are going to stay here. For when the Great Call comes we want to march with real men and women into the land of Industrial Freedom. March to the strains of the Scandinavian Band March to the sound of the happy voices of the children (some children–bless them all), women and men of the Scandinavian Local Why do we love them?

Let us tell you why?

They have donated over $1,000 to various defense funds. It did not matter who they were that appealed, so long as they were workers. They answered every appeal. They have stood by the State Organization and the National Organization, even though they disagreed with the ideas of many of the party officials. They stood firm like the true comrades they are.

They support a weekly Socialist paper, Scandinavian and English, and such support! They work like Trojans, because they are hoping that you, my American comrades, will see the vision that they see. They want you to feel the glow of the sun of the new day, as they feel it. Oh! comrades of English-speaking races, if you could only appreciate what these “foreign” comrades are doing to make the world brighter. They want a world that will give to all who labor the joys and real happiness of life. They know that they cannot bring about the New Social Order without you, and so they do want you to come in with them. They will help you all they can, same as they have done in the past. Come with them and feel the glow of enthusiasm as they feel it, and in the days to come you will grip their hands and say, by God, you are men and women that count in the struggle for freedom.

Ten years old. The future looks bright and promising. Gaze across the waters of the Atlantic and see the big things that are being done. We know your hearts beat with pride. The men and women over there are possessed of the same vigor and spirit as the Duluth Scandinavian Local over here. May the coming year find thousands of comrades as true and faithful to the cause of International Socialism as the comrades of the Duluth Scandinavian Local.

Comrades of the Duluth Scandinavian Local, we are proud of you. You are real men and women. En Avant.

HUSH! DO NOT TELL ANYBODY. KEEP THIS SECRET. January 16, 1920.

The women of the Scandinavian Local have arranged an affair for next Tuesday evening, at the Woodman Hall. They have made some pies. They are SOME pies. If you long for the pie that mother used to make, then you will attend this social. We do not ask you to endure any sufferings, but you will have to eat your pie, along with the woman who made it. DON’T RUSH! So let us all keep this secret. Do not tell anybody only your dearest friends. The Dept of Justice might think that the women have been making bombs. So we want all the comrades to attend. Bring along your friends. There will dancing, that it if you do not eat too much pie. Let the rest of the world get scared, we will dance and make merry. If you cannot become a pie-card artist you can eat the pie just the same.

Duluth Scandinavian Local. April 23, 1920.

We will be probably called over the coals for writing this short note, but we feel that some mention should be made of the activities of the above local.

We question whether there is a local of any radical organization that can show as favorable a record as the DULUTH SCANDINAVIAN LOCAL. Through the work of the local and its organ, “THE TRUTH”, there has been sold in this community, since the first day of March, 1918, over $7,000.00 worth of literature. The members of the local have contributed something like $4,000.00 to the various defense funds throughout the country. That in itself is a credit to any local.

A few weeks ago they were refused further use of the Woodman Hall, (union men please notice). It was found that there was only one hall that could be obtained. It had not been used for many months and was in a rather bad state. But nevertheless the women comrades set to and cleaned it up. We found our Sunday meetings running smoothly once more. Then the hall was put up for sale. It meant that if some other person, other than a comrade, was to buy the hall, that we would be without a home. So the local decided to buy the hall and make sure of a meeting place. The hall now belong to the local. It is being repaired and altered to suit the convenience of the comrades. IT IS A MONUMENT TO THE SPIRIT AND WORK OF THE COMRADES OF THE SCANDINAVIAN LOCAL.

The members of the Duluth Scandinavian Local are what Debs would term, “The Silent Souls in the Ranks.” The names of most of them are barely known. They carry on their activities and finance the carrying on of “TRUTH”. It is because of this “nameless and fameless host” that the radical movement of Duluth stands to-day the bright star in the sky of reaction that o’ershadows this city of STEEL.

This local never talks of sacrifice, yet its members are living sacrifices. You will always find that is so, because they who make sacrifices never talk about them. Ever ready at all time to do anything for the movement and those that represent it.

The Duluth Scandinavian Local is going to go on with its work and in the great days ahead, men and women will grip the hands of the members of this local and say that they are shaking the hands of real men and women. If there is any reader who is overburdened with finances, and who wishes to show his appreciation of the wonderful work of the Duluth Scandinavian Local, they can best do so by contributing to the building fund of the local.

MAY THE WORKERS OF THE WORLD BE AS TRUE TO THE INTERNATIONAL CAUSE OF LABOR AS THE DULUTH SCANDINAVIAN LOCAL HAS BEEN AND IS YET!!

Truth emerged from the The Duluth Labor Leader, a weekly English language publication of the Scandinavian local of the Socialist Party in Duluth, Minnesota and began on May Day, 1917 as a Left Wing alternative to the Duluth Labor World. The paper was aligned to both the SP and the IWW leading to the paper being closed down in the first big anti-IWW raids in September, 1917. The paper was reborn as Truth, with the Duluth Scandinavian Socialists joining the Communist Labor Party of America in 1919. Shortly after the editor, Jack Carney, was arrested and convicted of espionage in 1920. Truth continued to publish with a new editor J.O. Bentall until 1923 as an unofficial paper of the CP.