Robins, Lucy 1920-09-21

Description:	Letter to Theodore Debs on Central Labor Bodies Conference for Amnesty for Political Prisoners letterhead, 9/21/1920. Writes that if Theodore Debs had seen the delegation her organization brought before A. Mitchell Palmer he would have been proud. Says that both Theodore Debs and Eugene V. Debs would have been happy to hear what Samuel Gompers and Meyer London had to say about the amnesty issue. Tells Theodore Debs that she thinks that it was the first time in the history of the labor movement that an official Labor Committee worked hand in hand with an outspoken Socialist and allowed him to speak in the name of the American Federation of Labor. Informs Theodore Debs that A. Mitchell Palmer did not refuse to help in the release of political prisoners but promised that he would take the matter up with the President. Writes that A. Mitchell Palmer said that it would be a difficult matter to get political prisoners released because each case would have to be looked over individually by the Department of Justice. Tells Theodore Debs that A. Mitchell Palmer had already released without appeals hundreds of political prisoners and he intends on releasing the rest as time permits. Says that instead of the newspapers printing what A. Mitchell Palmer told this labor delegation they printed his response to the socialist delegation which saw A. Mitchell Palmer six hours later. Remarks that A. Mitchell Palmers response to the socialist delegation could only poison the mind of the average masses of people against the release of political prisoners. Tells Theodore Debs that as she was walking up to A. Mitchell Palmers office the Socialist Partys executive secretary handed her a letter which almost broke her heart. Mentions that the Socialist Party also put out a circular tarnishing her reputation. Tells Theodore Debs that when she got back to New York City, New York she canceled her speaking engagements before the Brewery Workers, the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, the Brick and Clay Workers, and the Michigan State Federation of Labor and went before the executive board of her organization and told them that she could not take the insults hurled at her by the Socialist Party any longer and that she quit. Remarks that the United Hebrew Trades wanted her to take a committee to see Eugene V. Debs and talk the matter over with him. Writes that after some prodding from the United Hebrew Trades that she has taken up her work again. Says that movie theatres are now showing footage of the labor delegations appearance before A. Mitchell Palmer. Explains that if she continues her work that her next task will be to get a delegation in to meet the President. Includes a copy of a letter from Otto Branstetter stating that the manner in which Robins used Eugene V. Debss statement was unforgivable because he felt that it was a gross violation of Eugene V. Debss faith and confidence in Robins. Assures Robins that the Socialist Party can take care of its own interests. Says that Robins may be over relying on Samuel Gompers because he as of yet he has failed to wield any influence in getting amnesty for political prisoners. Includes a copy of a letter from M. Feinstone stating that he disagrees with the NEW YORK TIMES calling the amnesty movement a tragic comedy. Includes a copy of a letter from the United Hebrew Trades to Otto Branstetter saying that the Socialist Party is making an issue just for the sake of making an issue. Writes that he is surprised and hurt to learn that the Socialist Partys national office would stoop down to tactics unbecoming of a socialist organization. Tells Branstetter that the Central Labor Bodies Conference shrugs its shoulders at the Socialist Party. Says that Lucy Robins sent Eugene V. Debs a telegram protesting his attack on Samuel Gompers without reading any other newspaper than the NEW YORK CALL. Writes that the Central Labor Bodies Conference was initially organized by the United Hebrew Trades and that the United Hebrew Trades is a socialist organization. Remarks that the leaders of the United Hebrew Trades asked for the cooperation of Samuel Gompers in its amnesty campaign and he agreed to help. Says that this is not an organization to be treated lightly. Includes a letter from Otto Branstetter to J. P. Coughlin saying that Eugene V. Debs stands by the Tucker interview. Says that since Eugene V. Debs stands by the Tucker interview then Lucy Robins has breeched Eugene V. Debss faith and confidence. Tells Coughlin that Lucy Robins sunk to such depths to be loyal to Samuel Gompers which places a stigma on the work of the Central Labor Bodies Conference.
Origin:	1920-09-21
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/evdc/id/8280
Collection:	Eugene V. Debs Correspondence
Subjects:	Socialism Political prisoners Labor unions Labor unions -- Organizing Amnesty Famous Hoosiers Labor

Further information on this record can be found at its source.