The Socialist Party’s anti-war stance was popular, the Party growing dramatically, and to the left, from 1914 to 1919. In Ohio, despite the repression that would see many of its leading officers and organizers in prison for opposition to the draft, membership almost doubled growing from 4626 dues-paying members in 1914 to 8187 in 1919. Here are the minutes of the state leadership meeting, minus those in jail, from early 1918 dealing with the organizational issues, large and small of a vibrant party under increasing pressure from within and out. Of the many details of note is the confrontation the state was having with the ‘yellow’ national leadership which presaged the split 18 months later. Missouri-born Hortense Allison’s life was in the movement. Her older brother was Elmer T. Allison, editor of the Ohio Socialist and founder of the Communist Labor Party. In 1905 she married Alfred Wagenknecht in Seattle where he would become State Organizer of the Washington Socialist Party and she would be Women’s Correspondent, for which she reported below. Moving back to Ohio, Hortense was State Secretary of the Ohio Socialist while Alfred was in prison. She would be a founder of the C.L.P. and later Communist Party, remaining in the Party after her divorce in the 1930s, running for various offices. She died in 1975.

‘Meeting of the State Executive’ by Hortense Wagenknecht from The Ohio Socialist. No. 16. March 10, 1918.

Minutes of the State Executive Committee meeting held at headquarters March 2 and 3, 1918.

Meeting called to order by State Chairman Clifford. Comrade Clifford elected chairman for the 1st session. Upon roll call the following committemen reported present. Patterson Baker, Sharts, Clifford and Wilkins. Bundy arriving later. Telegram received from Beery stating his inability to attend on account of sickness.

Report of State Secretary Pro Tem

In order that the State Executive Committee may more thoroughly understand the nature of the work of the state office during the past three months we wish to make the following report:

The Debs letter, of which about 8000 were mailed to the Locals to send to their delinquent members, proved a great help in getting these members to again become active in the party work, nearly all locals afterward reporting an increase in their paid up membership.

However, the letters sent out to old charter members and paper readers did not bring such good results, there being very few members at large secured by these.

The “New Years Resolution” letter, sent to all locals to assist them in becoming 100% paid up locals brought good results. Locals are still reporting renewed activities as a result of this letter.

7 Locals were circularized with the view of securing local directors for the seven departments authorized at the last meeting of the Sate Executive Committee. Those who complied with this request are now voting upon the state director for the various departments. Just as soon as these are chosen we intend pushing the work along each of these particular lines as outlined at the former meeting.

District organizers have not been especially busy owing to the severe weather but promise to again take up the work in their respective localities in the immediate future. Comrade W.A. Jenkins of Salem just sent in a charter application of ten members from Leetonia. Cold weather hasn’t cooled their desire for Socialism.

Locals Jefferson township and St. Bernards report no meetings during the past year and members in arrears. Some few of these members have transferred as members at large.

Organizer Hedden

Comrade Hedden has been in the field since the first week in December, with the exception of nearly four weeks which time was taken off for personal reasons. In this time he has taken in some 310 members and $156.31 in dues collections and donations. He has made about 45 different towns and organized 10 locals.

The deficit on his organization trip thus far has been $109.56, making the cost per member secured about 35c. Hedden is at present working for $21.00 per week and expenses and will continue for a few weeks. It is the desire of the state office to put him to work in the immediate future down in the southeastern coal mining section of the state, which was at one time very well organized, at least there were a great many locals there, which are now and have been for some time past, inactive. We expect Comrade Hedden to break all previous records while in this district.

W.E. Reynolds

The meetings held by Comrade Reynolds have been a great success from an educational point of view. With the exception of Local Toledo, the reports have been very favorable, nearly all locals asking for a return date. Many study classes have been formed. as a result of his pointing out to all members the necessity for self education in the fundamental principles of Socialism. Comrade Reynolds seems to have the ability to create in the minds of those who hear him a desire for a wider and deeper knowledge. This with his capability in selling readable instructive literature, makes him more valuable than the average lecturer, and we feel that those locals who have cancelled dates made by the state office for him, have missed a great opportunity for enlightening their membership.

The number of meetings held has been 46.

People present at the last 35 of these was about 3125.

Receipts from these meetings were $268.54 and expenses have been $404.91. Literature settled for to date by Reynolds is $101.25. This makes a deficit of $1.90 per meeting. Here we wish to call attention to the fact that Comrade Reynolds was routed during the worst weather we have known for many years, which certainly had much to do with small attendance. In many instances roads were almost impassable for weeks and people could not get to the meetings. And, again he was out during the heatless Monday reign. However, he charged the state only for his expenses on these days.

In January we secured the 12 dates asked for by W.T. Brown and have about 15 more for him. beginning March 5. His first dates also were not so well attended, on account of the severe weather, but locals who have engaged him for lectures during March are making preparations for larger and more enthusiastic meetings.

FINANCES

The report the financial status of the party in Ohio has become a great pleasure to those of us who watch the daily growth and activities of our movement.

Our book keeper, comrade A.E. Bertram, reports on Jan. 31, 1918:

General Fund $112.47
Organization $996.98
Defense $547.62
Mileage $202.70

Total $1859.77

Note: Total in all funds Jan. 31, 1917, $413.96.

The books have not been balanced as yet for Feb., owing to comrade Bertram being to busy with examinations this week. However we have kept a record of the receipts and find them very gratifying.

Receipt Regular Stamps $453.45
Receipt Initiation Stamp $125.50

Total receipt for this month will be near $1500.00.

MEMBERSHIP

We regret not being able to make a complete report for the past three months, but wish to assure the committee that the membership is still on the increase. Nearly all locals report increased attendance and activities, and a desire to get into the campaigns early in an effort to do more effective educational work.

SUSTAINING FUND STAMPS

Immediately after several of our members were sent to prison, and in accordance with the motion made and carried by the S.E.C. the state office mailed out to locals, branches and M. A. L. 12,000 Sustaining Fund Stamps, to be sold at 25c each

A committee for disbursing this fund. as occasions arise will have to be selected at this meeting. We have on file a list of names of imprisoned Ohio Socialists for use of this Committee.

Ohio Socialist

To the end that every party member may become a subscriber to the state paper and therefore become a better educated force in our fight against capitalism, we have in January circularized locals, branches and M.A.L., supplying them with subscription blanks, and using them to secure subscriptions among their members and fellow workers.

A follow up letter was again sent out the 10th of February with bundles of the last issue to all locals, branches and M.A.L. pointing out the necessity for supporting our party owned press, and again urging the membership to use every effort to build up the party press.

Subscription cards have been printed and it is our intention to later mail a large number of these to the locals. We believe that the propaganda value of the paper would be greatly increased by making it a 7 instead of 5 column paper. The additional expense would be but very little and would give us 8 more columns of space: which could be used for propaganda articles of a philosophical, educational and literary value. In fact, additional space will be required in the near future as the various organization departments now under way of development will take practically all of our present pace.

Upon motion the report was accepted.

Charters and Members at Large

The granting of the following charters was approved, also the admission of the members at large.

Charters: Napoleon, Bowling Green, Deshler. North Balticore, Fremont, Ashland, Chicago Junction, Troy, Middletown, Leetonia, Grover Hill, Circleville

Members at large: J.W. Walker, Bryan; C.A. Crites, Gillespiville; G.W. Bostater, Bryan; W.A. Armstrong, Elkton; Henry Eberle, Hartville; Mack Moore, Carrollton; D.W. Connor, Doanville; Ed Richards, Carrollton; W.E. Pramer, Beloit; M. Misere, Burton City; D.A. Richardson, Jefferson; H.C. Coppock. West Milton; W.C. Gingrich, West Milton; Chas. Message, Amsterdam; W.E. Hagerman, Forest; D.F. Decker. Hoytville; A. Dormaier, Kent; J.N. Barber, Kent; E.N. Barber, Kent; O.R. White, Kent; W.A. Yaeger, Norwalk; J.G. Montrose, Utica; Mont McNeely, Hanging Rock; Mrs. Frank Tolliver, Nelsonville; F.J. Cahill, Toledo; E.B. Floding, Lisbon; F.G. Roof, Ellsworth Sta.; H.H. Loomis, Deerfield; H.L. Overhulse. Malinta; M.L. Springer, Jeromesville; Clyde S. Stuart, Dola; W.H. Murphy, Greenville; Ross Roof, Ellsworth Sta.; S.E. Bennett, Ellsworth Sta.; C. Martin, Greenville; C.F. Wilson, Greenville; C.D. Kester, Greenville; S.J.H. Trine, Union City; Ind.; W.H. Swartz, Ludlow Falls; J. M. Mock, Bradford; W. W. Daunret, Bradford; Jnd. Musk, Bradford; C. Smith, Bradford; S. Fine, Fletcher; W. Miller, Tippecanoe City; Archie Smith, Tippecanoe City; H.C. Jensen, Tippecanoe City; H. Keyton, Tippecanoe City; J. H. Sanders, Jamestown; F. M. Sodders, Jamestown. D Jay, West Milton; R.V. Jones, R.R. No. 8, Hamilton; Joe Davis, West Chester; H. Shiverdecker, Alpha; W.J. Jones, Oxford; H. Haines. Alpha; C.C. Coy, Alpha; Lester C. Coy. Alpha; W. Gentry, Oxford: W.H. Cyphers, Alpha; M. Melzer, R.R. No. 8. Dayton; F.G. Richard, Oxford; L.B. Myers, Xenia; J.L. Robertson. Oxford; W.C. McSherry. Oxford; C.L. Ditman. Oxford; J. Weaver, Oxford; M.P. Concannon, Oxford; J.C. Campbell. Troy; D.C. McAllister, Washington C.H. M.A.L. transferred to Local Clyde: Dr. W. Van Nette, Albert Press, Wm. Fredrich.

Organization and Propaganda

Comrade Sharts submitted a draft of a plan for a post card in the form of an address to the President. Motion that the state office be instructed to print 10,000 of these–and that the sale of same be urged upon all locals at such price as to divide profits between the locals and state. Cards to retail at 2 for 5c. Carried. Motion that state speakers be preceded by state organizer as advance man who assists in preparing meetings by ticket selling, and other advertising methods in Congressional campaigns.

Amendment.

“That all speakers toured by state office during the 1918 campaign spend two days, if necessary in city. The first day and first half of second day to be spent in getting the crowd, especially by distributing advertising at factories winding up with a lecture.” Amendment lost. Motion lost.

Million Dollar Campaign Fund

Toledo, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1918. Report of William Patterson, member of the sub-committee of the Stats Executive Committee elected to confer with National Secretary Adolph Germer regarding the proposed one million dollar campaign fund.

Comrades of the Committee: Your sub-committee met with Comrade Germer on February 10th in the headquarters of Local Cleveland as previously arranged. The conference lasted three hours and Comrade Germer was given every opportunity to explain the proposed campaign thoroughly. Local Cleveland also had a committee present who were given the privilege of obtaining any information possible, but were denied the privilege of a vote in the sub-committee.

Secretary Germer invited questions and all present took part in the questioning. The answer was generally “I don’t know.” However the questions brought out much information, as we either got an answer or found out the National Office had not given the question consideration.

Secretary Germer stated the National Office considered the coming campaign a National campaign and therefore intended to conduct the campaign on national lines–that is to conduct the campaign of the S.P Locals in every state in the country. The plan is: All money collected, contributed or raised in any manner, shape or form (excepting when specifically stated for other purposes by the donor) shall go to National Campaign fund. The National Office to Furnish organizers to organize the Socialists into effective collecting agencies, and introduce new methods of raising money and perfecting the arrangements for the campaign–take up collections, sell literature and take all money in the name of National of Office, raised by collection or literature, sales made by himself or anyone else, from this date until the campaign is opened for political offices. The National Office to open campaign about six weeks before election, furnish the speakers, direct the campaign, determine the favorable congressional districts that should be given special attention, pay all the campaign expenses, furnish all the literature.

The National Executive Committee has created a new office or officer known as the National Finance Director and surrounded him with an advisory board consisting of the National Secretary, and other Chicago comrades mostly National Executive Committee employes, who will manage and direct the work of raising the one million dollars and spending it. Secretary Germer stated there would be an of four speakers per state employed, but some would receive more than four and some less, according to the conditions. When Germer was asked what would be the basis on which allotment of speakers or of money to the different states would be made, he said he did not know.

He was asked if the amount raised by a state would determine the amount allowed or if the number of party members in state would determine the amount, or if prospects of winning a congressman’s election would determine the mount allotted.

In reply he said no method of distribution had even been thought of, out the Finance Director and the Advisory Board were all honest comrades and they would handle the money honestly so there was nothing to fear. Secretary Germer’s strong point in his plea was the sensational feature of the Socialist party in an off year election with a one million dollar campaign fund. He told us this was the tactics that made P.T. Barnum successful, “that the thing that wins is bombast and sensation” and Barnum said so and proved it by the use of it.

Secretary Germer claimed Ohio was the only state in the Union which had not taken this proposition up with enthusiasm, which reminded me that Barnum also said “There is a sucker born every minute.” Secretary Germer admitted the state Organization was more competent to handle the campaign in the different states than a Finance Director in Chicago, but he wanted the advertising that the million dollar campaign fund would give the party.

Germer was asked if the amounts raised were reported to him instead of being sent in, would not have the same effect. He said no, it would cause other states to do the same thing.

Secretary Germer admitted the proposition of the National Executive Committee to handle local, county, district and state elections and campaign funds was new, and that there was no authority for it and the National Executive Committee had not consulted anyone on the matter.

Therefore, comrades of the State Executive Committee, as Comrade Bundy and I took extreme opposite views on this matter and while Comrade Clifford may not agree with all my views, I am making this my individual report and wish to recommend to the State Executive Committee that we reaffirm our position as outlined in the State Executive Committee motion of January 5, made by Comrade Wilkins, namely: “That the state office cooperate with National Office in the campaign fund on the following basis: The locals that gather the fund to retain one-third; the state office to retain one third, and the national office to have the remainder.” That all funds be collected and distributed through the state office and all locals of Ohio be requested to co-operate.

WILLIAM PATTERSON, Member S.E.C. of Ohio By motion the report was adopted. Comrade Bundy asked to be recorded as voting “no.”

Upon request of Comrade Patterson a report of the Reynolds meeting held at Toledo. Feb. 21, was read and discussed, resulting in the following motion: That the state secretary be instructed to terminate the services of Comrade W.E. Reynolds at the end of the tour thus far arranged, to March Carried.

State Convention

Motion that the state convention be held June 14, 15, 16.

After having read a communication from Local Canton it was decided by unanimous yote that the convention and state picnic be held at Canton and that the state secretary notify them that all arrangements for same will be left in their hands, the local to receive 25% of the proceeds.

Motion to take up recommendation in secretary’s report relative to selecting a committee to have charge of the money collected thru the sale of Sustaining Fund Stamps. Carried.

Motion that the state secretary correspond with locals whose members have been jailed as a result of their activities in the Socialist party, to ascertain the financial condition of the families of these imprisoned comrades. Secretary to report to the State Executive Committee upon those needing assistance, allowing four days for a reply. Carried.

Motion that the funds be disbursed as follows: $5.00 per week for the wife or mother and $1.00 per week additional for each dependent child, after report of the state secretary and approval by State Executive Committee. Carried,

Motion that Mrs. Callie sent $5.00 per week so long as necessity demands. Carried.

Comrades Bundy, Baker and Wilkins elected to audit the books.

Adjourned to meet Sunday, 10 a.m.

March 3. Meeting called to order by Comrade Clifford, chairman of previous session. Comrade Bundy elected chairman for the day.

Communication from Frank B. Hamilton, Socialist mayor of Piqua, requesting State Executive Committee to lend financial aid that they may secure legal assistance necessary in carrying on the affairs of the city under the Socialist administration.

Motion that state secretary communicate with Local Piqua, offering the services of a good speaker free of charge, for a monster outdoor meeting to be held for the purpose of raising funds and acquainting the citizens with the local situation. Carried.

Motion carried to take up discussion of organizers,

Letter from C. Oliver Power of Columbus asking for speaking dates read. Motion that secretary arrange routing of a few weeks for Comrade Power. Carried.

Request for speaking dates from Abraham Wiener of New York read. No action taken.

Communication from Earl Parker of Toledo, stating his terms, and reasons why he could not accept work on the commission basis read. No action taken.

Letters from W.F. Barnard relative to speaking dates read. Motion that state office arrange a routing for Comrade Barnard, if he so desires. But that the matter of Sunday dates be optional with state secretary. Carried.

Upon request of Comrade Clifford the name of Comrade A.L. Hitchcock of Cleveland will be placed upon the list of available speakers, as a lecturer upon school affairs.

State secretary reported inability to secure bonds as required by constitution.

Motion that property bonds be secured. Carried.

State constitution of the Y.P.S.L. read and approved.

Motion that two blanks be issued, one to be used by speakers for a detailed report of each meeting, to receive the O.K. of chairman and be mailed daily to state office. Other blank to be filled out at next regular meeting of the local and sent to state secretary. Carried.

Motion that settlement with all speakers routed in the state be left to state secretary. Carried.

Auditing committee reports an error in entry by book keeper. Report accepted with correction.

Ohio Socialist

Recommendation of secretary relative to enlarging the Ohio Socialist approved. Proposed Harris tour in connection with the paper read.

Motion that the services of Comrade Ellis B. Harris be secured for a tour in the interest of the Ohio Socialist to push subscriptions and arrange a lecture course on the subscription basis, as outlined by Comrade Sharts. Carried.

Motion to pay Comrade Harris, regular state rate. Carried. Motion that state office issue a form letter to all M.A.L. and to the members of old locals not now functioning, stating that upon their pledge to distribute same, we will mail them free of charge five copies of each issue of the Ohio Socialist.

Amendment to include “and other Socialist literature,” Amendment lost. Motion carried.

Motion to accept 18 applications for membership at large just received from Comrade Hedden. Carried.

Motion that state secretary take up proposition of the state’s Ford, with speaker desiring to use same. Carried.

Motion to publish with minutes of this meeting the report by Comrade Patterson of conference on Million Dollar Campaign Fund. Carried.

Motion that any comforts that can be given the comrades in jail shall be paid for by the secretary from the funds collected through the sale of the Sustaining Fund Stamps. Carried.

Motion that next regular meeting be held in Canton June 13, at 3 p.m. central time. Secretary to notify members of meeting place. Carried. Motion to adjourn. Carried.

HORTENSE WAGENKNECHT, State Secretary, Pro Tem.

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/016-mar-10-1918-ohio-soc.pdf