Trautmann, William E. 1913-07

Description:	Letter to Eugene V. Debs, 07/?/1913. Writes that he has read Eugene V. Debs article in the NEW YORK CALL about the West Virginia coal strike. Says that Eugene V. Debs has committed an grave injustice against the rank and file members of the Industrial Workers of the World in it. Remarks that he is no longer associated with Vincent St. John and the Industrial Workers of the World since their cooperation with some of the biggest capitalist interests of America during the rubber strike in Akron, Ohio. Informs Eugene V. Debs that the present state of the American labor movement is as much the fault of Eugene V. Debs as anyone else. Remarks that with the growth of socialism in America it has become the task of the capitalist class to emasculate it through a strategy of divide and conquer. Writes that the labor movement in the United States is nothing unless it is based upon socialist principles. Assures Eugene V. Debs anything non-socialistic is a fraud. Says that ignorance is the only thing that leads many honest men and women to believe that the Industrial Workers of the World is serving the interests of the proletariat. Tells Eugene V. Debs that every expelled member of the Socialist Party or the Socialist Labor Party who declares themselves against political action is accepted with open arms by Vincent St. John. Informs Eugene V. Debs that several of the Industrial Workers of the Worlds leaders are in the organization to get square with someone who had stepped on their toes. Remarks that every scoundrel, every imposter, every thief and felch can participate in the Industrial Workers of the World as long as they praise Vincent St. John. Writes that the Industrial Workers of the Worlds rank and file know little of this side of the organization. Assures Eugene V. Debs that the Industrial Workers of the Worlds rank and file are not perverts and soreheads and bums. Mentions that he attacked the anti-political element in the Industrial Workers of the World at the organizations 1911 convention. Says that the Industrial Workers of the Worlds press does not publish anything that gives the rank and file a true indication of what is going on in the organization. Informs Eugene V. Debs that he is under indictment, with 3 others, in Boston, by the Massachusetts Supreme Court for embezzling $20,000 from the Industrial Workers of the World funds. Writes that Vincent St. John is setting them up. Says that he should not be held responsible for Vincent St. Johns actions in the Lawrence Strike and the misuse of funds in posting bail for Joe Ettor and Arturo Giovanitti, bailing out the INDUSTRIAL WORKER, among other things. Tells Eugene V. Debs that when he took control of the Joe Ettor-Arturo Giovanitti Defense Fund on May 4th almost all it had been misused. Says that he was glad that Eugene V. Debs came to the rescue by referring to the matter in his writings and speeches. Remarks that because of Eugene V. Debs help that he does not think that Eugene V. Debs has done anything wrong in West Virginia. Tells Eugene V. Debs that he warned the miners of the Monongahela area not to leave the United Mine Workers of America for the Industrial Workers of the World but that they did not listen. Says that it is time for someone to stop the corrupt element in the labor movement. Remarks that there must be a thorough investigation of the Lawrence Strike Fund and the funds of the Joe Ettor-Arturo Giovinitti Defense Committee. Informs Eugene V. Debs that the investigative committee should be composed the various groups that were instrumental in raising funds for the Lawrence Strike, the Socialist Party, the Western Federation of Miners, the Socialist Labor Party, the Workingmens Sick and Death Benefit Society, the Arbeiter Ring, the Lithuanian Socialist Independent Federation, and the Italian Socialist Federation. Says that after this investigative committee should issue a call for the Industrial Workers of the World to return to the principles upon which it was founded in January of 1905. Asks that Eugene V. Debs help stop the thieves, bummeries, the agents provocateurs, the life-destroyers, the sasculottes of America from preying on American workers. Mentions that he is sending this letter to the PEOPLE and the NEW YORK CALL for publication.
Origin:	1913-07-??
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/evdc/id/12253
Collection:	Eugene V. Debs Correspondence
Subjects:	Industrial Workers of the World West Virginia Strikes Socialism Famous Hoosiers Labor

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