Ohio, with 7182 dues-paying members, most of them in the heavily industrial northeast, and dozens of elected state and local officers was one of the Socialist Party’s most important State organizations when it was expelled as whole in August, 1919 for its overwhelming support of the Left Wing. Ground zero for both the Communist and Communist Labor Parties, Ohio was the home to such early Communist leaders as Charles E. Ruthenberg, Alfred Wagenknecht, Alexander Bilan, L.E. Katterfeld, Charles Baker, Marguerite Prevey, Lotta Burke, Tom Clifford, and many others. Meeting during the run-up to the 1919 Emergency Convention, the Ohio State Convention which met in Cincinnati in late June, voted 47 to 7 to affiliate with the Left Wing and the new Third International. Below is a report on the conference, another on the associated state picnic, and finally the full minutes of the historic meeting.

‘Ohio Socialist Party Makes History’ from Ohio Socialist. No. 76. July 9, 1919.

Endorses Left Wing Program and Instructs Delegates To the National Convention To Work for Its Adoption by That Body.

No more instructive convention was ever held by the Socialist Party of Ohio than that which convened June 27 at Socialist hall, Cincinnati. The debates gave evidence of great progress in Socialist thought within the year and the average intelligence of the delegates attending is a credit to the Ohio movement. This does not mean that there is no room for improvement. It means that improvement has taken place “since last we met” and that is a sure sign that we are neither of the “stand pat” variety of Socialists nor yet of the “back up” kind.

The Cincinnati comrades had the arrangements well in hand. Lotta Burke, Otto Rucktaeschel, Otto Hoefer and many others whose names we have for the time forgotten, did duty as Jimmy Higgins’ during all sessions and no demand made upon them was too small or too large to fulfill. For this the convention and the party expresses its appreciation. The Cincinnati comrades have an ideal headquarters and many delegates voiced the wish that their city were as fortunate in this regard.

The convention was opened by State Secretary Alfred Wagenknecht at 10:05 a.m. on June 27th. C.E. Ruthenberg was elected chairman for the first day. Lawrence A. Zitt was elected chairman for the second day. Carl Hacker and John Fromholtz acted as secretaries, these comrades were Cleveland delegates.

All Committees on Program and Municipal Platform, Constitution, Resolutions, Officers’ Reports and Audit and Organization and Propaganda were elected in short order, whereupon the convention adjourned for several hours to give the committees time to do their work.

The greatest dispatch and efficiency marked the actions of the convention. The discussions were to the point and the absence of tactics more or less dilatory, which comrades sometimes have a habit of indulging in saved much time.

Succeeding the report the state secretary, which was published in last week’s Ohio Socialist, came the report of the Committee on Program and Municipal Platform. This committee reported the Left Wing Program as it appeared in last week’s issue of this paper as the program of the party, as a program to govern its actions. It is not meant, nor for that matter is any Left Wing Program so far adopted meant to constitute a Socialist Party platform. The program is a criticism of past party tactics and a statement of changes which are essential if we are ever to function as the party of the working class.

An entire evening was given to debate over the Left Wing Program with the result that when the vote was taken 47 favored it and only 7 opposed it, three or four of those voting in the negative only because so instructed by their locals. Ohio delegates to the National Emergency Convention are, according to a motion passed, instructed to vote for this program and work for its adoption.

This same committee also submitted а resolution severely condemning the actions of the National Executive Committee in expelling and suspending the Socialist Party of Michigan and seven language federations. Subsequently the committee reported a municipal platform, to be used by all locals in Ohio placing municipal tickets in the field. Both the resolution and the municipal platform will be found in the minutes of the convention printed upon another page.

The Committee on Constitution gave the state constitution of the party a more thorough overhauling than it has had for years. Much useless lumber was removed and several radical changes were made. The provision for a state committee was stricken from the constitution as were the provisions for a legal state committee and a legal state executive committee and the state secretary be elected for a term of two years each was voted down by the convention.

Division of funds as provided for in the constitution was abolished. All expenses of the organization will hereafter be met by the general fund. The state executive committee, if the amendment carries, will hereafter designate the state headquarters city. The press stamp feature was abolished and in its place a raise in dues was voted, it being tacitly understood that part of the proceeds from this increase would be used to finance the Ohio Socialist. Locals will, if the amendment carries, hereafter pay 20 cents per stamp or $4 per book of 20 stamps and will accordingly raise their dues to the members to 35 cents per month. The initiation fee will be 50 cents, half of which will be retained by the local which admits the applicant.

Other minor changes were made all of which will appear upon the ballot which will, in a short time, go to the membership. All acts of the state convention must be adopted by membership referendum before they finally become party law.

The Resolutions Committee reported resolutions upon political prisoners, unemployment, mass propaganda, expulsion of language federations, special national convention assessment stamps, intervention in Russia, party owned printing plant, greetings to class war prisoners, greetings to Soviet Russia. All these resolutions will be found in the minutes as printed upon another page in this issue.

The Committee on Officers’ Report and Audit challenged part of the state secretary’s report but otherwise found the financial condition of the party and the conduct of the state office a subject for commendation. The Committee on Organization and Propaganda, the last committee to report, made several recommendations which locals are advised to follow and that part of its report which provided that the convention endorse the movement of the Finnish district agitation committee to better organize the Finnish speaking people into the Socialist Party was adopted.

The convention adjourned in the greatest enthusiasm. Cheers were given for the success of the working classes in Europe and for the imprisoned class war victims upon which the Red Flag was sung. And so passed into history what many delegates said was the best state convention ever held in Ohio. New circumstances, new tricks of the capitalist class have made a restatement of Socialist tactics necessary. This has caused a controversy in the party. The convention places the Socialist Party of Ohio uncompromisingly on the side of the Left Wing and although some of the actious taken may appear drastic to many members in the state, they are absolutely necessary in view of the attempt being made by “stand pat” party officials to disrupt the organization.

We recommend that all locals and branches have thorough discussions upon all acts of this convention so that when the state referendum finally reaches the membership, an intelligent vote will be cast.

‘You Ought to Have Been There!’ from Ohio Socialist. No. 76. July 9, 1920.

Over $1,000 Subscribed at State Picnic; All Records Broken

It was undoubtedly the most welcome surprise the Socialists attending the State picnic of the Socialist Party of Ohio ever had.

Picture to yourself an audience gathered about a platform in the shade of trees at Coney Island, ten miles up the Ohio river from Cincinnati, listening attentively to speeches by Marguerite Prevey, C.E. Ruthenberg and Chas. Baker. Applause tremendous. Enthusiasm boundless.

Chas. Baker in his speech gives most convincing argument for the need of a Socialist party owned printing plant. He tells how the Ohio Socialist was thrown out upon the streets in Cleveland without so much as an hour’s notice to secure a new printer. He continues by telling how a thorough canvass of the city revealed the fact that a conspiracy between capitalist printers existed and how one and all refused to publish the Ohio Socialist.

He goes on to tell that we were compelled to go to Dayton to get our paper printed and that the immediate present need, the greatest need of the party RIGHT NOW is a party owned printing plant.

Then the state secretary, who acted as chairman of the meeting, took off his coat and stepped forward. Fifty dollars had been subscribed toward the printing plant. fund by Scott Wilkins and he told about it and showed the fifty. He asked the audience if there were any present who would match the fifty. Lo and behold, in the twinkling of an eye Geo. Bundy of Warren wrote a check for fifty and handed it to the chairman.

The chairman next called for pledges of twenty dollars. No more than announced but Socialists hailing from all parts of the state stepped forward to give their names and addresses, agreeing to pay twenty dollars towards the fund which will free us from depending upon our enemy for service in getting out the largest party owned weekly Socialist paper in the United States of America.

A total of $337 was pledged.

The chairman then made a call for cash contributions of $10 each and right here is where the surprise made its beginning. From all parts of the audience Socialists and sympathizers came forward, holding ten spots in their hands and depositing them with the chairman. These comrades knew the need of the hour. Knowing the need, like all true Socialists, they backed up their knowledge by action, by money–and money means action. Ten dollar bills rained onto the platform from all directions and all were astonished to find so many ten dollar bills in a working class audience.

Next came the call for $5 contributions. If it rained ten spots, it poured five spots. The fives came until everybody was sure that most of the audience had drained their pockets of every bit of money needed for the following week’s keep. The chairman had to grab the money with both hands and then he had to call for help. Checks of many odd denominations were contributed. And the end was not yet. If it rained ten spots and poured five spots, then how can we describe the avalanche of one dollar bills which were showered onto the platform. Chas. Baker and Marguerite Prevey had to be requisitioned to help take the money. Soon the table was actually covered with the greenbacks, piled a foot and a half high, and still the giving continued. The chairman talked himself clean out of voice, thanking the contributors. Baker had to take his place. The stream of dollars continued to flow platform-ward. Women gave, men gave, even children gave. They gave with a spirit never before apparent. They knew that giving money meant winning the world. They meant to win the world.

When the pile of money was counted it was found that nearly $1,000 in pledges and cash had been contributed. The cash contributions amounted to exactly $501.86. All this happened Sunday, June 29, at the state picnic of the Socialist Party of Ohio.

And now, how about you?

What are you going to do, you comrades who have not yet helped in raising this ten thousand dollars for a printing press and plant for the Ohio Socialist?

If you had seen the smiles upon the faces of the hundreds of generous hearted comrades when they waved their one, two, five, ten and twenty dollar bills in the air and shouted, “buy the press” at the State picnic, we know what you would do. You, too, would find yourself filled with the spirit of co-operation and comradeship. You, too, would be anxious to part with a dollar or two, or five or ten for the best and greatest cause that ever inspired the workers to a fulfillment of our duty to our class.

That’s what you would do, and we believe that is what you are going to do. And we believe you are going to do it right away, too.

Fact is, we know you are, because you are Socialists, because you believe in the working class, because you are looking ahead into the glorious future of labor; that’s why you are going to help us get our own press for our own paper. That’s why. Let the dollars roll in!

Below are the names of comrades who have contributed to the press fund this week:

‘Official Proceedings of the Ohio State Convention’ from Ohio Socialist. No. 76. July 9, 1920.

The annual state convention of the Socialist Party of Ohio was called to order by State Secretary Alfred Wagenknecht in Socialist Hall, 1314 Vine street. Cincinnati, Ohio, at 10:05 a.m., June 27, 1919.

C.E. Ruthenberg was elected temporary chairman and Carl Hacker was elected temporary secretary.

Walter Harris, A.G. Storck, Edwin Blank, Harley Tilton, Harry Wagenknecht and Geo. Markert were elected the credentials committee.

A recess was voted to await the report of this committee.

The credentials committee, through Walter Harris, reported the following delegates entitled to seats: Ephrain Kenutta, Ashtabula; Marguerite. John Prevey, A.C. Holloway, Hansen, Akron; Fred Walchli, Albert Ratajczk, Belmont County; C.E. Ruthenberg, L. A. Zitt, Hortense Wagenknecht, Harry Wagenknecht, Geo. Schleinkofer, Minnie Rivkin, Noah Mandelkorn, Walter Karath, Harry E. Kaden, Carl Hacker, John Fromholtz, Tom Clifford, F.S. Neubauer, Carl Altenbernd, A. Bilan, John Brahtin, Walter Bronstrup, Elmer T. Allison, Cuyahoga County; E.L. Tribbey, Sofie Salkover, Otto Rucktaeschel, Cincinnati; Max Boehm, Conneaut; A.H. Thompson, Cambridge; T.H. Robertson, Canton; Dan P. Farrell, Ferdinand Aker, Jos. W. Sharts, Dayton; Harley Tilton. Derwent; A.E. Willison, E. Liverpool; Clifford King, Arthur Sapp, Hamilton; Laurence Williams, Hubbard; Fred W. Seibert, Kenmore; Albert G. Storck, Lorain; Edwin Blank, Lima; Geo. Markert, Mt. Healthy; Joe Thagescser, Niles; J. F. Wagner, Piqua; Herbert Boring, Portsmouth; Jos. Zubich, Richland County; A.W.F. Steckel, Seneca County; G.P. Maxwell, Sandusky; M.A. Toohey, Walter Harris, Fred Voelker, Toledo; Geo. Bundy, John Miller, Warren; Jos. Coope, John Mazek, Youngstown; C. E. Schilling. Zanesville.

Motion carried that report of credentials committee be received and delegates seated.

Motion carried that the temporary organization be made permanent.

The following rules for the convention, submitted by the chairman, were read, amended and adopted:

1. RULES OF ORDER.

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of this convention.

2. Debate shall be limited to five minutes for each speaker securing the floor on any question.

3. The chairman of the convention shall be elected at the beginning of each day’s session. He shall serve for the day and call to order the session of the following day, presiding until his successor is elected.

4. A secretary and assistant secretary to serve during the convention shall be elected.

5. The committees of the convention, to be elected immediately after the adoption of these rules shall be the following: 1. Committee on Program and Municipal Platform. 2. Committee on Constitution. 3. Committee on Organization and Propaganda. 4. Committee on Officers’ Report and Audit.  5. Each committee shall consist of five delegates.

6. No delegate shall serve on two committees, provided that membership on the credentials and rules committee shall not debar delegates from serving on other committees.

7. The order of business for each day’s session shall be as follows: 1. Call to order by chairman. 2. Receiving of credentials and election of chairman. 3. Reading of minutes of previous session and communications. 4. Officers’ reports. 5. Reports of committees in the following order: Program and Municipal Platform, Constitution, Resolutions, Organization and Propaganda, Officers’ Report and Audit. 6. Unfinished business. 7. New business.

8. The state secretary and members of the state executive committee shall have the right to a voice in the proceedings of the convention under the rules applying to delegates.

9. Chairman of committees shall be granted ten minutes for argument in favor of their report, to be used at such time as the reporter may elect. Reporters for minority reports shall have the same privilege.

10. The question of endorsement of the Left Wing Manifesto and Program shall be referred to the Committee on Program and Municipal Platform.

11. Each comrade securing the floor shall state his name and the local he represents.

Election of committees declared in order. The following delegates were elected upon the committee on Program and Municipal Platform: John Brahtin, M.A. Toohey, C.E. Ruthenberg, George Bundy, Ferdinand Aker.

Motion carried that five receiving the highest vote be declared elected.

John Fromholtz elected assistant secretary. Credentials committee reported O.G. Van Schoyck and J.L. Bachman present and entitled to seats. By motion these two delegates were seated. The following delegates were elected the Committee on Constitution: Walter Bronstrup, G.P. Maxwell, Elmer T. Allison, A.G. Storck, Clifford King.

Delegates elected upon the committee on Organization and Propaganda were: John Miller, Fred Voelker, A.W.F. Steckel, Harley Tilton, Joe Tragesser.

Delegates elected upon the committee on Officers’ Report and Audit were: Fred Seibert, Fred S. Neubauer, T.H. Robertson, Noah Mandelkorn, and Laurence Williams.

Delegates elected upon the Committee on Resolutions were: A. Bilan, Margaret Prevey, L.A. Zitt, Geo. Coope and C.E. Schilling.

Motion carried that the convention give its consent to permit the submission of constitutional amendments by the Committee on Constitution or from the floor of the convention. Motion carried to recess at 1:15.

AFTERNOON SESSION, JUNE 27.

Convention called to order by the chairman at 2:05 p.m.

Report of the state secretary declared in order. (This report was printed in the last issue of the Ohio Socialist.)

Motion that the convention adjourn until 4:30 p.m., June 27th, to give committees time to report. Amended that the convention adjourn until 8:00 a.m., June 28th.

Amendment to amendment to adjourn until 7 p.m. and reconvene at Turn Hall, 1117 Walnut street.

Amendment to the amendment carried.

EVENING SESSION, JUNE 27.

Evening session was called to order by the state secretary at 7:50 o’clock. Margaret Prevey was elected temporary chairman.

Motion that the session be opened by singing the “International” carried.

The Credentials Committee reported the following additional delegates present: H. Hess, Galion; Hugo Ruemmele, Norwood; M. L. Martin, Marion; S. C. Daniels, Dola; G.M. Butler, Clermont Co. Delegates were by motion seated.

C.E. Ruthenberg reported for the committee on Program and Municipal Platform. The following resolution was placed before the body:

Resolved that the Socialist Party of Ohio endorse the program of the Left Wing of the Socialist Party, which follows this resolution and that it instructs all delegates from Ohio to the Emergency National convention to vote in favor of the Socialist Party of the United States adopting this (This program was printed in full in program the last issue of the Ohio Socialist.) Motion carried that Delegate Sharts be granted five minutes additional time.

Motion carried that the convention adjourn at 11 p.m. Motion carried that the name of the state organizer be included in rule 7 of the convention rules.

Motion carried to reconsider action of adjourning at 11 p.m.

The vote upon the main question, the adoption of the program as submitted by the committee was Yes 47, and No 7. Delegates Bachman and Van Schoyck notified the convention that they were, under instructions from the local, voting no. Delegates Tilton and Kenutta in explaining their votes stated that they had been instructed to vote against the resolution. Delegate Miller notified the convention that he would accept its decision until the National convention convenes. Motion to adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. June 28th, at 1314 Vine street. Amended to convene at 8:30 a.m. Amendment carried.

MORNING SESSION, JUNE 28.

L.A. Zitt elected chairman for the day. The credentials committee reported H.M. Hohr, Uhrichsville, entitled to a seat. Delegate seated by motion.

Motion carried that the reading of the minutes of June 27th be dispensed with.

Continued report of Committee on Program and Municipal Platform.

RESOLUTION ON PARTY CONTROVERSY.

The National Executive Committee of the party has expelled from the party the Socialist Party of Michigan and suspended the Russian, Lithuanian, Ukranian, Hungarian, South Slavic and Polish Federations and is threatening with expulsion the Socialist Party of Massachusetts, and the Socialist Party of New York has expelled or “reorganized” many of the branches of the locals of greater New York as well as locals Buffalo, Rochester and other locals. All these expulsions or suspensions have taken place because the party units in question have endorsed the Revolutionary Socialism of the Left Wing. They represent a desperate effort on the part of the repudiated national officers of the party and their satellites in similar positions in state and local organizations, to maintain their control of the party in spite of the will of the rank and file, expressed in party referendum.

In order to excuse their expulsion of nearly half the membership of the party and their effort to sabotage the membership by refusing to tabulate the vote in the national party referendums which expressed the will of the rank and file, these discredited and repudiated leaders are carrying on a campaign of vilification against the Left Wing, even stooping so low as to act as agent provocateurs for the capitalist class by making insinuations that the Left Wing Socialists might be guilty of individual acts of terrorism, and have trumped up charges which have no basis in fact, about irregularities in the conduct of the national referendums.

We look upon these acts of the national officers of the party as a clear violation of the trust placed in them by the party membership and upon the expulsions and suspensions as acts born of desperation on the part of officials and “leaders” who are unable or unwilling to see that in the present world crisis the party must adapt itself to revolutionary conditions of the struggle of the proletariat, and whose leadership the rank and file of the part will no longer follow.

Be it resolved, that, in view of these events, the Socialist Party of Ohio instruct its delegates to the Emergency National Convention, that should the Emergency National convention refuse to seat the delegates from the expelled and suspended sections of the party and the Right Wing party officials, with the possible help of the agents of the police power of the capitalist state, control the Emergency National convention, that the delegates from Ohio shall withdraw from the convention and affiliate with the convention called for September 1, to organize a new party, and should the Emergency National convention be delayed then the Ohio delegates shall participate in the convention called September 1, for the organization of a new party, and be it further

Resolved, that in the event of the organization of a new party under the circumstances stated above, then the State Office shall function in harmony with the new organization and affiliate with it. Should the Socialist Party of Ohio be expelled from the Socialist Party of the United States, then the State Office shall immediately begin purchasing dues stamps from the National Council of the Left Wing.

Delegate Bundy of the committee requested to be reported as not voting upon the resolution.

Motion that the resolution as submitted by the committee be adopted. Carried.

Committee read its report upon MunicipalPlatform for the Socialist Party.

Motion carried that program be separated from platform and considered seriatum.

Motion carried F.J. Catlin be seated as an alternate in place of Jos. Coope. After amendments the following municipal platform was adopted:

MUNICIPAL PLATFORM OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY.

The people of the civilized countries of the world are passing through the darkest period in world history. Following the bloody climax of capitalism in which millions of lives were sacrificed and other millions of human beings crippled and maimed and billions of wealth destroyed, there has come a period of famine and misery in Europe and general disorganization of all the productive powers of mankind.

The world war which has brought so much suffering and misery into the world, was the direct product of the system of production which prevailed in all the capitalist countries.

In each country the workers were exploited by a capitalist class which controlled the machinery of production and distribution. The workers toiled long and hard and the capitalists appropriated as their own the bulk of what the workers produced. This system of exploitation is the basis of the insoluble problems of capitalism. The exploited workers could not purchase the commodities they brought into existence and the capitalists were compelled to enter the world struggle for markets. The huge profits built up great resources of new capital for which they sought investment, thus bringing into existence the struggle of finance capitalism for the control of the undeveloped countries of the world, colonics and spheres of influence.

It was this system of exploitation that was fundamentally the cause of the jealousies and conflicts between the struggling capitalists, which finally precipitated the world war.

The world war has not harmonized the opposing and interests of the exploiters exploited; the world war has not solved any of these problems of capitalism. Out of the war there has emerged a financial imperialism more securely enthroned than ever before. The boasted democracy has not only not been achieved, but instead the blackest reaction rules over the world. In place of democratizing society the bourgeoisie rules undisputed in all sections of the capitalist world. Capitalist society at the present time is but a world wide tyranny in which all opposition to the financial oligarchy is ruthlessly suppressed by the power of the state. The bourgeoise state is nothing more than a form to mislead the working class legislatures have no significance. They receive their orders from the finance oligarchy and it they pass laws contrary to these orders the laws are ignored. They serve merely to give the government of the finance oligarchy the appearance of democracy and to vote the budgets which enable this oligarchy to carry out its schemes of financial imperialism.

Financial imperialism is subjugating peoples and governments to its will and is sacrificing the well-being and happiness of mankind to its greed for greater and greater profits. It seeks more and investments, more and more. The more avenues of spheres of influence and “mandatories.” It is endeavoring to harmonize its conflicting national interests through the League of Nations, but this mockery of the spirit of Internationalism cannot prevent the bitter conflicts engendered in the struggle for profits between the national groups of capitalists, and irrespective of and even contrary to the wishes of the capitalists themselves the stage is being set for another era of capitalist conflict, which cannot end otherwise than in another dance of death and the general massacre of the peoples of the earth.

It is the exploitation of the workers upon which system the capitalist rests. It is because the workers are wage-slaves receive for their labor-power only a small part of what their labor produces that financial imperialism exists in the world.

If the world is to be saved from another cataclysm such as that which almost drowned civilization in the blood of its people, it must be done through the abolition of wage-slavery and exploitation.

This system does not only expose ail of society to the evils and dangers described above, but within each capitalist nation the exploitation of the workers results in wages which hardly enable the workers to secure the necessities for an existence. The result is poverty, misery, child labor, the exploitation of women, prostitution, great industrial conflicts, all of which are characteristics of the present capitalist society.

The abolition of wage-slavery and the exploitation of the workers can only be accomplished through the workers wresting control of the industries from the capitalists and establishing the social ownership and workers control of industry. This is the mission of the working class.

The first step in the achievement of this goal is the conquest by the working class of control of the power of the state and the establishment of the dictatorship of the proletariat.

This dictatorship of the proletariat does not mean the domination of the few, but means that in place of the few capitalists controlling the government and using its powers in the interest of the capitalists, the workers will take control of and dominate the state machinery, changing its form so as to best suit their purpose, and will use the state power to take control of the industries from the capitalists and socialize the industries and establish the workers control–the industrial democracy through which alone the workers can win their emancipation.

The Socialist Party looks upon every political campaign as a phase of the working class struggle for power. It recognizes that the problems of capitalism cannot be solved in one community, but must be solved through the establishment of the dictatorship of the proletariat.

The Socialist Party enters the municipal campaign because this campaign affords the opportunity for the work of organization and propaganda that will eventually win the emancipation of the workers.

Should the Socialist Party candidates be elected to office they will fight for every measure that will strengthen the position of the working class and fight against every measure that threatens the working class.

The Socialists elected to office will use their special position to carry on a propaganda for the establishment of the proletarian dictatorship as the only means through which the emancipation of the workers can be won. They will analyze the laws proposed by the capitalists and their agents and through such analysis and criticism show the impossibility of solving the problems of capitalism short of the abolition of the entire system.

It will be the duty of the Socialists elected to office to agitate for organization of the workers in the industries, particularly those under the control of the municipality, so as to prepare the workers to transform the municipal industries from experiments in municipal capitalism to industrial democracies in which the workers will manage the industries.

The Socialists view the present as the period of the dissolution and collapse of the whole world system of capitalism, which will mean the collapse of world culture if capitalism, with its unsolvable contradictions, is not replaced by Socialism:

It calls upon the workers to unite and through their collective power to establish the dictatorship of the proletariat for the transformation of capitalism to socialism. This is the historic mission of the workers of the world. It is the only road that leads to a better and happier world. C.E. RUTHENBERG. FERD. AKER. M.A. TOOHEY. JOHN BRAHTIN. GEORGE BUNDY.

Motion carried that the platform adopted shall be the platform upon which all municipal campaigns shall be carried on by locals of the Socialist Party of Ohio, and that the State Office shall print same in quantities for sale to the locals.

Motion that the Musicians Union be interviewed in regards to their strike at Coney Island where the state picnic is to be held and that a committee of three be elected for this purpose. Amendment that this matter be left in the hands of Local Cincinnati. Amendment lost. Motion carried. Delegate Traggessor requested that he be recorded as voting against the motion for a committee.

Nominations for the committee: M.A. Toohey. E.L. Tribbey, Walter Harris, Harley Tilton, F.J. Catlin.

Motion that the five nominees stand elected carried.

Upon report of the Credentials Committee and by motion of the convention the delegates who arrived three minutes late were allowed their mileage.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OFFICERS’ REPORT AND AUDIT.

Comrade Delegates:

The undersigned committee has undertaken the audit of the report of our State Secretary and wishes to report on its work as follows:

First scope of the work.

It is understood that the committee did not undertake a detailed audit of the books of the State Secretary, which would be an impossible task to perform during the time the convention in session and would be also superfluous as it is the duty of the executive committee to check all receipts and checks issued against the book entries. We have, however, checked receipts and expenses for the past three months and have found them correct with the exception of a few clerical errors, which do not affect the final result and can be easily adjusted.

Our main effort was directed toward examining the report of the secretary and analyze same in such manner as to present to you in figures a detailed statement of the result of the last year’s work and we present same in our Exhibits A and Exhibit B.

Exhibit A.

This statement, gives the detail of the sources of income and the cost of obtaining same, the surplus remaining and the expenses of conducting the work of the state office and conforms in general with the statements made by the secretary in his report. However we wish to call your attention that the surplus of the Ohio Socialist mentioned by the state secretary can only be taken as such if the cost of editing the paper is not charged against same. The item of salary includes payment to Comrade Allison of a weekly salary of $30. whose time is spent largely in work for the Ohio Socialist and if this item is charged against the cost of getting out the paper, as it should be, the result would be a deficit of approximately eight hundred dollars. This does not take into consideration the cost of filling the unexpired subscriptions which naturally will be considerable, but cannot be estimated in advance.

We also differ with the secretary in reference to the results of the literature sales. He states that the literature sales were gratifying, but were without profits. We find that the literature sales this year were $772.08 less than last year, but showed an income above cost of $319.16. This shows that there was some profit derived from the sale of literature, providing that the stock on hand has not materially decreased but that the sales have dwindled by nearly 50 per cent. This is, of course, the opposite result which we want to achieve. The committee recollects that at the last state convention the secretary was instructed to inaugurate a special literature department and it seems from this result that this instruction was not followed. Some action should be taken by the convention to insure the better and more general circulation of literature even if this department should be conducted at a considerable loss. We also wish to call your attention to the large profits shown from sales of supplies, on the sales of only $248.21, which seems that the secretary is guilty of profiteering by the sale of supplies.

Exhibit B.

Report to Organization Committee. This statement shows the average membership during the past year. You will note that, while we initiated 5,147 members during the year our actual membership has decreased. The sales of due stamps having decreased by $787.99 during the past year. Only the foreign branches have a slight increase of $43.68. All other activities have decreased.

This of course is due mostly to the strenuous times we have gone through during the past year and it seems that the committee can only commend the wonderful work done by state office, which in spite of prosecution and enormous difficulties has succeeded in keeping the organization intact to this degree.

While the general activities have decreased to some extent the income and the financial conditions have greatly improved, which is due to the increased subscription income of the Ohio Socialist (7,520.18) income from sale of industrial certificates and Debs defense fund, which is again proof of the highly efficient work done by the State Office.

In conclusion we wish to point out that we can not agree with Comrade Wagenknecht when he estimates the financial value of the Ohio Socialist at $10,000. The Ohio Socialist is an instrument of propaganda, is not and should not be conducted at a profit and while its value to the movement is immense, it cannot be stated in dollars and cents do and any attempt to do so would be simply erroneous.

We also wish to state that we did not receive a report of the activities of Comrade Baker, his expenses and receipts and think a report of this kind should be submitted.

Fraternally,

T.H. ROBERTSON. MANDELKORN. N. LAURENCE WILLIAMS. FRED W. SEIBERT. FRED S. NEUBAUER.

Motion that the report as submitted be received and filed. Amended that the section of the report pertaining to membership and initiation gain and loss be turned over to the organization committee. Amendment carried. Motion as amended carried. Committee on interviewing Musicians Union reported through Delegate Tribbey that a strike is on at Coney Island sanctioned by the Central Labor Union.

Motion that the delegate from the Musicians Union be given the floor for ten minutes. Carried.

Motion carried that if the labor unions agree to withdraw all the crafts at present still employed at Coney Island, that we would then refrain from holding our picnic at that place.

Motion that the committee which visited the MUsicians Union visit the Central Labor Council, and place before this body the action taken by this convention to the effect that the State picnic will not be held at Coney Island if the Central Labor Council will call out on strike THE other crafts employed there.

AFTERNOON SESSION, JUNE 28.

Meeting called to order by Charman Zitt at 2:10 p.m. Report of Committee on Constitution. Motion carried that the report be considered seriatum and that each section be accepted or rejected as read.

(Note: Amendments to the state constitution which were made appear in capital letters.)

Article I–Name. Section 1. The name of this Organization shall be The Socialist Party of Ohio and it shall be affiliated with THAT SECTION OF THE Socialist Party of the United States of America WHICH ENDORSES THE LEFT WING PROGRAM. Section 2. The object of the Socialist Party of Ohio is to organize the working class POLITICALLY AND TO ASSIST IN ITS INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION for the purpose of overthrowing the present capitalist system and establishing an Industrial Democracy.

Article II.–Management. Section 1. Amended by eliminating the words “Party State Committee.” Section 2. Stricken out. Article III. Stricken out. Article IV. Stricken out.

Article V.–Party State Executive Committee. Section 1, adopted. Section 2. Amendment made by the committee that term of office of the State Executive Committee shall be for two years. Rejected by the convention. Section stands as it reads at present.  Section 3, adopted. Section 4, words “Party State Committee” eliminated. Section 5, adopted. Section 6, adopted. Section 7, amended to read: All speakers ROUTED BY THE STATE OFFICE shall be subject to approval by a majority of the members of the State Executive Committee. Section 8, adopted. Section 9, amended to read: No locals shall be denied the privilege of either employing or securing, such speakers as they may for deem necessary their work. Section 10. adopted.

Article VI–Stricken out.

Article VII.–State Secretary. Section 1. no change. Section 2, adopted. Section 3. adopted. Section 4, amended by crossing out “Issue a weekly news letter to Socialists and friendly newspapers,” and further amended by inserting the words “Party Paper” for “Monthly Bulletin.” Section 5. adopted. Section 6. amended to read that the salary of the State Secretary shall be $45 per week. Section 7, adopted. Section S. adopted.” Section 9, adopted. Section 10, adopted.

Article 1. VIII–Conventions. Section change. Section 2. amended to read: Special conventions may be held at any time if decided upon by a MAJORITY of the vote of the membership. Section 3, no change. Section 4, No change. Section 5, no change. Section 6, no change. Section 7, amended to read: Railroad fare of delegates attending the State Convention shall be paid out of the General Fund. Section 8, abolished. Section 9, no change. Section 10, no change. Section 11, no change. Section 12, no change. Section 13, no change. Section 14, no change.

Article IX.–Referendum. Section 1, no change. Section 2, no ‘change. Section 3, no change. Section 4, no change. Section 5, no change. 6, no change.

Article X.–National Committeemen at previous convention. Section Abolished

Article XI.–State Headquarters. Section 1, amended to read: State headquarters shall be located in the city designated by the state executive committee.

Article XII.–County Organizations. Section 1, abolished. Section 2, no change. Section 3, no change. Section 4, amended by abolishing first two words and making it Section 1. Further amended by crossing out in subdivision (D) the words at the end of the paragraph reading: “of seven, designated by the county membership by party referendum.”

Article XIII.–Congressional Committee. Section 1, no change. Section 2, no change.

Article XIV.–Locals. Section 1, no change. Section 2, amended to read: whenever two or more branches exist in a city they shall either organize a city central committee which shall represent the local, and in which the branches shall be represented, on the basis of proportional representation, or all the members of the various branches shall meet at least once a month as the local for the transaction of its business. Section 3, no change. Section 4, no change. Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, no change. Section 14 amended to read: the right to issue membership cards shall be inherent with the locals. The cards shall be those issued by the State Office and shall be provided by the State Secretary. Sections 15, 16 and 17, no change.

Article XV.–Discipline of Locals. 2, 3, 4, 5, no change.

Article XVI.–Members at large. latest application pledge inserted and the section transferred to Article XXI, Section 1. Section 2, amended to read that applicants for membership at large shall pay 50 cents initiation fee and 35 cents per month dues. Section 2 of Article XXI was transferred to this Article as Section 2.

Article XVII.–Dues. Section 1 amended to read: Members shall pay dues at the rate of 35 cents per month. Locals shall purchase dues stamps from the state office at the rate of 20 cents per stamp. Sections 2, 3, no change. Section 4 amended to read:

Dues payments by members shall be receipted by the insertion of dues stamps into the dues card. Section 5, abolished. Sections 7 and 8, no change. Section 9, abolished.

Article XVIII.–Platforms. No change.

Article XIX.–Right of Recall. Eliminate words. “State Committee.”

Article XX.–Elections and Officers. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, no change. Section 5, strike word “campaign” in last line. New Section 9. “Members of the party who are elected to political office shall not participate in any public demonstration which is controlled or supported by commerce clubs or other capitalist organizations.

Article XI.–Miscellaneous. Section 2 transferred to Article I referring. to members at large. Section 3 amended to read that “locals shall submit on the first day of January, May and September,” etc., and the word four inserted in place of six in second last line. Section 6 amended to read: “No member shall be nominated for office in the Socialist Party unless he has been a member in good standing for two years.” Section 10 stricken out.

Request from state executive committee read to the effect that the printing plans of Local Dayton be Investigated with a view to purchase or use.

Motion carried that the state convention elect a committee to investigate the printing plant of Local Dayton with a view to purchase, or negotiate for its use and control.

Motion carried that the committee consist of three. Tom Clifford, Geo. Bundy and E.T. Allison elected as the committee.

Motion carried to adjourn to meet at 7:30 p.m.

EVENING SESSION, JUNE 28.

Session called to order at 7:50 p. m. Committee on visiting Central Labor Union reports that they had been informed that general strike at Coney Island would be impossible before Monday. Recommends letter be sent to all Cincinnati unions by Local Cincinnati giving party position.

Motion carried that, picnic be held as originally planned.

Further report of committee on constitution. Article XIV, Section 2, was given consideration, as well as that part of Article XVII referring to press stamps and dues stamps. Both these articles were amended as cited above.

Motion carried that the state constitution as amended be approved as a whole.

The following motion passed by the state executive committee was placed before the convention. “That the question of the sale of dues stamps and the full recognition of all the branches of the suspended federations be referred to the state convention. Motion carried that this be laid over until report of Resolutions Committee is heard. Report of Resolutions Committee was next declared in order. Delegate Prevey reported for this committee as follows:

Resolution No. 1. Industrial and Political Prisoners.

While the organs of American capitalists are shouting about making the world safe for democracy in America itself, democracy is being assassinated by methods unheard of under the czaristic regime of Russia, or by Prussian militarism in Germany.

The present American laws against free speech, free press and free assemblage are much worse than the Russian laws a century ago.

Debs, Haywood, Kate O’Hare, Mooney and thou- sands of other members of the working class are languishing in prisons under most barbaric sentences of ten to twenty years, while the government is preparing to imprison thousands of others, who are defending the rights and interests of the working class.

No agent of capitalism is being interfered within his rights of free speech and free press or assemblage.

This proves that the present government and all the state institutions are the organs of capitalism. Therefore, be it resolved by the convention of the State of Ohio that we call upon the workers of America to fight for their economic interests and political rights by means of united proletarian mass action.

Liberate your political and industrial prisoners of your class by political general strikes and demonstrations. Assort your rights of free speech and assemblage by defying the violent forces of the capitalist class through unified class conscious organizations both politically and industrially. Motion carried that this resolution be adopted.

Resolution No. 2. Unemployment.

Whereas, unemployment in the United States of America has reached alarming proportions, millions of men and women discharged from munition works, being thrown upon the streets from all industries, face to face with destitution and starvation, awhile the wages of the rest of the workers are lower and endangered.

Whereas, this condition of misery and suffering is a direct result of the capitalist system of production for profit, but not for human needs, the result of “overwork” and underpay.

Therefore, be it resolved by the convention of the Socialist Party of Ohio, that the overthrow of capitalism is the only way to abolish unemployment.

That we give our unreserved support of the six-hour day and dollar an hour movement which is being carried on by workers in different trades and industries as to a measure that can bring certain relief to the terrible conditions of unemployment–although not abolishing it–and which can serve as a school for the workers to plunge themselves into the class war for the final destruction of capitalism.

By motion adopted.

Resolution No. 3. Proletarian Mass Propaganda.

Whereas, the capitalist class is trying to suppress the spread of the message for the emancipation of the working class by interfering with organized bands of hoodlums at our street meetings and are terrorizing the owners of halls by their economic influence upon them, and,

Whereas, we recognize that the workers can be approached with our propaganda and be more impressed when we are dealing with them on the issue of their daily job.

Therefore, be it resolved, that in addition to the usual methods of propaganda we urge to give more attention to their work places, shops, mills, factories, yards, and mines, where you can reach all and everyone of your brother workers.

All Socialists in a shop or mill should organize, study the conditions of exploitation of the workers and explain the Socialist remedy.

Meetings of workers at the factory gates, distribution of Socialist papers, books and leaflets.

During strikes, Socialists should teach the value of mass political and industrial action, rather than the securing of contracts by union officials with a view to securing complete control of industry by socially useful workers.

By motion adopted.

Resolution No. 4. Branches of Suspended Federations.

Resolved, that whereas Section 5-B of Article 12 of the national constitution specifies that language branches shall remain integral parts of the county and state organizations until such time as exclusion shall have been approved by the county or state organizations, and

Whereas, the national office has ruled that the suspended language federations have been entirely cut off from the party, this in direct violation of the national constitution and the clause above referred to, and

Whereas, we firmly believe that neither national executive committee nor the national office has the power to suspend language branches, therefore we

Resolve, that the state office shall recognize all language branches in the state as integral parts of the state party, and shall show them all privileges allowed by the state constitution.

By motion adopted.

Resolution No. 5. Convention Assessment Stamps.

Be it resolved, that the proceeds from the sale of the special assessment stamp for the national emergency convention be,, for the time, retained in the state treasury, and that part of same be disbursed for the expenses of the Ohio delegates to the national emergency convention. Adopted by motion.

Resolution No. 6. Intervention in Russia.

Whereas, the assaults upon the workers and peasants Republic of Russia continues with increasing bestiality, the capitalist governments instead of withdrawing troops from Russia are recruiting battle and sending new armies. warships and planes and are supplying the monarchist Generals Koltchak, Denikin and Krasnov with money, munitions and food.

Whereas, the capitalist press is deliberately and intentionally spreading false propaganda with the purpose to mold the public opinion in opposition to the Russian workers and peasants republic to get the moral backing of the working class and so to prepare the grounds for the recognition and organization of counter revolutionary plots in order to restore monarchism and capitalism in this country of free working class, and

Whereas, thousands upon thousands of Russian, American and other soldiers are cold-bloodedly murdered in this war of international capitalism against the working class, and

Whereas, only the resolute action of the workers of the invading countries can end the murderous adventure of those capitalists by means of revolutionary pressure,

Be it resolved by the convention, that the wage workers of America join in the protest with the class-conscious workers of Canada, Great Britain, France and Italy and demand the immediate withdrawal of all troops from Russia to end the blockade and to permit them to work out their own forms of self-government.

Adopted by motion.

Resolution No. 7. Party-Owned Printing Plant.

Resolved, that this convention endorses, and that we call upon all state locals and branches to endorse the campaign for party-owned printing plant and that every member in the state do everything possible to secure the $10,000 fund for this purpose.

Adopted by motion.

Resolution No. 8. Greeting to Class War Prisoners.

Resolved, that we send our fraternal greetings to all political and industrial prisoners in America and pledge our moral support to them by working for revolutionary Socialism to expedite the arrival of the day when we will be in power to force our enemy to release them.

Adopted by motion.

Resolution No. 9. Greetings to Russia.

Resolved, that this convention transmit through the representative of the Soviet government of Russia in the United States, L. Martens, our greetings to the Soviet government and our endorsement of the Manifesto of the Third “Communist International.”

Adopted by motion.

Resolution No. 10. Workers, Soldiers and Sailors Councils.

We recommend that this convention goes on record to assist in every way possible the Workers, Soldiers and Sailors Councils that are now being organized, providing they adopt the declaration of Toledo, principles of the Seattle and Portland councils, which are as follows:

(A) Political. The Purposes of Politics. The declaration of principles of the Councils of Portland, Seattle, Toledo, state the necessity of political action in these terms: “That as the machinery of government including the armed forces of the nation exist only to conserve the monopoly of the capitalist class of the wealth taken from the workers, the working class must organize consciously and politically for the conquest of the powers of government, national and local, in order that this machinery, including these forces, may be converted from an instrument of oppression into an agent of emancipation and the overthrow of privilege, aristocratic and plutocratic.

(B) Industrial. That our interests are in common with the workers at all times and opposed to the exploiters, since we, being workers before we donned the uniform, must necessarily find our place in labor’s ranks when we have doffed the uniform.

That, while the present social order continues, we shall be compelled to enter the labor market, selling ourselves at wages, in order to live. That since the cessation of hostilities, vast war manufactories have closed down, throwing, many of men and women out work; this condition, great enough at present, will be accentuated and intensified by the demobilization of our comrades. That during the entire war period, while many of our members were engaged in fighting, the rest of the workers not only produced our munitions, equipment, food, etc., maintained themselves and dependents, but supported in idleness and luxury a master class, and created many additional millionaires and profiteers.

That the greatest and most immediate problem confronting us as workers, is the refitting into idustries of men returned from military service. That, as a temporary solution, we demand the establishment of a six-hour work day and a five day week.

That the elimination of the present social ills and economic distress, is impossible until the system for profit has been replaced by a system for use.

That we co-operate with organized labor in an educational campaign to this end.

And we demand full and sufficient remuneration for the maimed, widows, orphans and all other dependents.

Report of Committee on Organization and Propaganda.

Delegate Miller reported as follows for the committee:

1. We recommend that the State Executive Committee be instructed to provide a revolutionary study course to outline an educational campaign on social production and distribution. (Rejected by motion.)

2. We recommend the State Office be authorized to give financial aid to weak locals to assist them in defraying expenses of perfecting their organization. (Adopted.)

3. We recommend that all local secretaries submit to the state office all members who are three months in arrears We believe the most essential duty of the secretary is to see that the locals are kept active, even to the extent of propaganda campaign on social production and distribution. (Rejected by motion.)

4. We recommend that the propaganda of the Ohio Socialist party be confined to Revolutionary Socialism, as stated in the Communist Manifesto. (Adopted.)

5. We suggest weekly distribution of leaflets by locals.

COMMENT.

Owing to the free speech fight carried on by the master class at present, we deem it necessary to adopt this procedure. (Adopted.)

6. We recommend that the State Office furnish the locals with a list of subscribers to the Ohio Socialist upon application. (Adopted.)

7. Resolution Finnish Socialist Federation.

We call attention to the fact that the same master class which is feeding and dining Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, has sent William D. Haywood, General Secretary of the Industrial Workers of the World, and Eugene V. Debs, besides thousands of others, to jail for no other crime than their outspoken loyalty to the working class. One the one hand you have the host of labor fakirs, headed by Samuel Gompers, who seek to chloroform the workers with meaningless phrases so that they may remain submissive and obedient objects of exploitation, and on the other hand, the class conscious educators of the workers, who are hated and feared by the masters, and sentenced by them to long terms of imprisonment.

The time has come when the workers must chose between international labor fakirs and their fossilized craft-union organizations, and the ONE BIG UNION which leads straight to the goal of working class emancipation.

This convention therefore calls upon all the workers in all craft unions of the A.F. of L. to immediately start a program of agitation along the lines of THE ONE BIG UNION, which is in accord with the revolutionary proletariat. (Adopted.)

9. We recommend that the following resolution be adopted: “Resolved that the Ohio State convention adopt the Finnish Agitation District Committee as an official organ of the State Organization to carry on Socialist propaganda among the Finnish population in the state of Ohio, provided this Finnish Agitation District Committee will work in conjunction with the state secretary and obeys the decisions of the constitution of the State Organization.

COMMENT.

The state of Ohio has a large unorganized Finnish population. Being unable to speak the English language it is impossible to organize them into the Socialist party by means of the English propaganda. Experience: has taught us the fact that the only effective way to spread Socialist propaganda among them is through the language they understand best.

In order to successfully carry on this propaganda there must be an official organ to conduct this work. This organ must act as a medium between the State Organization and the Finnish branches.

Since eleven (11) Finnish Socialist branches, with a membership of about 800, have already organized such an organ, the Finnish Agitation District Committee–we ask that the convention officially recognize it. (Adopted.)

8. We recommend that the Socialist Party of Ohio, in convention assembled, denounces the convention of the American Federation of Labor, recently held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as a body composed in large part of reactionary labor fakirs, whose personal contact with actual work is so remote as to form but a dim reminiscence in all its actions. The convention showed another lack of understanding the interests of the workers as a class as opposed to the interests of their masters, which latter they serve so well that they received the commendation of the entire capitalist press.

We recommend this convention goes on record and authorize the state secretary to notify locals to conduct public meetings in which demands will be made on the government to release all political and industrial prisoners, and that conscientious objectors be freed. That all troops are to be withdrawn from Russia and that the embargo against Soviet Russia and Hungary be lifted. And that the Soviet government of these countries be recognized. These meetings to be continued until the demands are complied with. (Rejected because covered by resolutions committee.)

Motion carried that the committee’s report as amended be accepted.

Motion that before we adjourn we embody a concrete definition of mass action in the proceedings of the convention.

Motion to table, carried.

Motion carried that the extra expenses of delegates to the National Left Wing conference elected by the state executive committee be paid.

Motion that every local place a municipal ticket in the field.

Amendment that this matter be left to the discretion of the local. Amendment carried. Roll call demanded. Chairman ruled roll call out of order, a delegate having the floor. Ruling appealed. Chair not sustained. Upon roll call the amendment was defeated by a vote of 14 to 37. Original motion was amended to read that “we urge all locals to place municipal tickets in the field.” Carried.

Motion that all convention committees be discharged. Carried.

Remarks were ruled in order under the heading of good and welfare. The convention sang the “Red Flag,” and adjourned with cheers for the Third International, Debs and all political prisoners. CARL HACKER, Secretary. John Fromholtz, Assistant.

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/076-jul-09-1919-ohio-soc.pdf