The then secretary of the Young People’s Socialist League with a weekly roundup of news of its work from around the country.

‘Y.P.S.L. News from Everywhere’ by William F. Kruse from American Socialist. Vol. 2 No. 8. September 4, 1915.

The National Field

The weight of opinion in regard to the Detroit suggestion of providing a special “Merit button” as a prize for all Yipsels bringing in five new members, seems to be overwhelmingly opposed to the idea. Only thirteen leagues have seen fit to send in any sort of reply of these only two, representing at the highest estimate, only 138 members are in favor. The others, representing 427 members were strongly opposed. Among those individuals who opposed the plan were Isadore Tischler, State Sec’y., Y.P.S.L. of N.Y., and Jack Haikin, Educational Director of the New York City Leagues. Unless appealed from by referendum nothing further will be done about the matter. The discussion has been of value to all leagues who have taken it up–and similar matters will be referred to them in other similar cases. A resume of the arguments against the plan will be published in the Young Socialist Magazine for October.

Only one week old, the literature campaign is already arousing some of the live interest it deserves. The first order received is from the Cook County (Chicago), Ill., organization. Although their treasury contains a whole lot less than nothing, they pledge themselves to handle 20,000. That’s a big start–see who will excel that number, don’t forget,–the first PREPAID order gets the head of the column.

One league that is not affiliated with the National organization objects to the system of report blanks. It’s nobody’s business what they do or how they transact their business according to their spokesman. All right, if that’s the way you feel about it, but our leagues believe that in union there is strength.

Another order has just been rushed to the button makers to supply the steadily increasing demand for the Y.P.S.L. buttons. The Cleveland Jewish Y.P.S.L. has broken all records for orders by sending in $16 for eight dozen. They are going to dispose of them at their Jubilee Celebration, and if this is the way they are accustomed to doing business, they have something to celebrate over.

They are publishing a special Jewish paper on this occasion, it is called “The Young Socialist.” Any Jewish Y.P.S.L., or any whose membership is largely Jewish, can get a copy by applying to Maurice A. Shilman, Sec’y, Y.P.S.L., 5610 Scovil Ave., Cleveland, O.

The Leagues throughout the country seem to be following the very good policy of looking ahead far enough to take advantage of everything that comes their way, to take advantage of every opportunity for progress or pleasure. I have already received a request for an appropriate program for a Halloween Party. On this occasion fun rules the day, and there are a multitude of ways in which to serve the master. Many leagues have had such celebrations–let’s hear what they did to make them enjoyable. Special programs of all sorts are always in order. Especially welcome are programs for entertainments on New Years eve and day. March Celebration (Paris Commune), First of May, Election Eve, etc. Send ’em along.

You may think that the Summer slump has hit the Y.P.S.L., but the reports don’t show very much of it. Only a very few Leagues have made the mistake of discontinuing all activities during the hot weather, most of them take advantage of the chance to build up the social spirit in preparation for the winter’s work. Within a period of three weeks five new Charters have been issued to recruits of the National Y.P.S.L. They are Cincinnati, O.; Peoria, Ill.; Lynn, Mass.; Sheboygan, Wisc., and the Central West Side, Chicago. That’s not such a bad record. Welcome to the newcomers, they strengthen themselves: and they strengthen the whole federation. Keep up the good work.

ORGANIZATION.

The Bronx Y.P.S.L. has a number of good “soap-boxers.” It is holding street meetings under the auspices of the Socialist Party. It also had a brilliant success in its monster mass meeting held Aug. 13. Oscar Ameringer, Milwaukee, was the speaker, his subject: Bismarck and Marx. The English Y.P.S.L., Cleveland, O., is preparing for an energetic Winter campaign. All of its departments have awakened from their siesta, and are getting ready for real work. They plan to produce the dramatic sketch ‘The Machine,’ and are organizing a Band and Vocal Chorus. Their annual series of dances will be under way soon.

The Allegheny Co. Com. (Pa.), is preparing to issue an Anti-War manifesto for free distribution. They are also planning a four-page monthly bulletin for their local news. They say that the Y.P.S.L. of Sweden is very active on Anti-War propaganda, and there is no reason why the Americans should be behind. San Francisco (Cal.) puts out a fine program every month. Four Lectures, a debate and a speaking contest are the record of a little over a month’s activity. In the same time there were two big outings and a regular entertainment. They belong in the “livest of the live” class. Circle 1 Manhattan (N.Y.), reports on the value of intensive work at the expense of a rival organization. They recently moved their Headquarters adjacent to those of a supposedly philanthropic organization known as the Educational Alliance, and composed mostly of Boy Scouts. Many of these are now being interested in Socialism and some of them are coming over to the Y.P.S.L. That’s thinning the ranks of the enemy and swelling our own.

Omaha, (Nebr.), reports a new way to organize a Y.P.S.L. They held a “high-five” card party and took in 28 charter members. They report fine prospects, and are enthusiastic over their progress.

EDUCATION.

Paterson reports that the warm weather has not discouraged the splendid interest shown in the Rand School’s Correspondence Course. Something more than tom-foolery here.

Roslindale, (Mass.), reports a very successful public meeting at People’s Park, with Henry Parker as the speaker. Eight new members were taken in as the result.

The Rand School of Social Science has just issued its new Educational Bulletin. The work of the school is of greatest benefit to all young Socialists, the Correspondence Courses being especially valuable to small Circles. Address The Rand School, 140 E. 19th St., New York City.

THE JOY OF LIFE.

Two successful picnics past and three more arranged for is the record of the Philadelphia Yipsels. And they were all half-dollar affairs, too. No pikers here. If it’s too hot to hold a meeting and your crowd shows up anyway, just take them out into the park. You can have your work and pleasure there just as well as inside, and the hot-air is dissipated ever 80 much more quickly. Several Leagues have already tried this–much to their advantage.

A really live entertainment committee will always try to arrange some pleasant surprise for the membership. Our Omaha; (Nebr.), League is fortunate in the possession of such a committee–one that any league might be proud of. Their latest stunt was a watermelon supper to pay up for unavoidably long and hard business meeting. A good suggestion for other leagues.

McKeesport, (Pa.), is arranging for a Lawn Fete in conjunction with the Socialist Party. It’s to be SOME affair.

As an eloquent answer to the argument that Marriage is a disruptive factor in a Y.P.S.L., I can quote the novel way in which a certain officer of a State Y.P.S.L. announced his new partnership. He wrote in one of its business letters: “Please change the address of our Circle’s Secretary to Mrs. Certain Officer, address, same as mine. I followed So-and-So’s advice and made her a League worker.” Were I a prophet or a saint there might be grave temptation to preach a sermon on the matter. However, since marriage is only a highly interesting incidental function of the Y.P.S.L., I shall have to refrain from saying, “Go thou and do likewise.”

If the Co-operative Commonwealth could be brought into being through the Base-Ball route the Harvey, (Ill.), Y.P.S.L. would be selling advance tickets long ago. And they’d deliver the goods, too, according to the reports of the fellows they licked. They promised a walloping to the Logan Square Y.P.S.L. team, and they certainly kept their promise–score, 8-2. It reminds me of the time Jersey City promised to win the N.J. League Championship, they kept their promise too, even though took the cellar championship to do it.

At least one other League realizes the value of good socialist songs. Circle Manhattan reports that they never open, or close a meeting without them. That’s the ticket. All Leagues ought to get busy on this. Large collection of songs can be had from the national office at 50c. They include notes for piano.

Young People’s Dept.

Organization—Education–Solidarity.

WM. F, KRUSE, Director

To reach the nation’s youth with the message of Socialism and to bring them into the organized Socialist movement through Young People’s Socialist Leagues.

Address all communications to: Socialist Party Young People’s Dept. 803 W. Madison St., Chicago.

The American Socialist, edited by J. Louis Engdahl, was the official Party newspaper of the Socialist Party of America in the years before World War One. Published in Chicago starting in 1914, the Appeal continued the semi-internal Socialist Party Official Bulletin founded in 1904 which became Party Builder in1913. The American Socialist closely followed the SP’s electoral challenges, Engdahl was often an SP candidate in Chicago as he edited the paper, and took an early and prominent anti-war position. With a circulation of around 60,000 the paper was one of the leading anti-war voices in the run up to US entry into World War One. The paper was suppressed by Federal authorities, along with much of the anti-war left, in 1917.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/american-socialist/v2n08-sep-04-1915-TAS.pdf