The Militant - February 13, 2006 -- 25, 50 and 75 years ago

Vol. 70/No. 6 February 13, 2006

25, 50 and 75 years ago

February 13, 1981
On January 31, the Polish government again backed down in the face of massive struggles by the workers and farmers. The Polish government and the independent trade union Solidarity signed an agreement that was described by union spokesman Karol Modzelewski as “an initial stage in the fulfillment of the Gdansk agreement.”

As a result of the government’s concessions, the union agreed to call off a one-hour general strike that had been scheduled for February 3.

The government agreed to give workers three Saturdays a month off during 1981 instead of only two. It was agreed that a five-day forty-hour workweek will be established in 1982.

February 13, 1956
FEB. 8—Autherine Lucy spent this week fighting lynch mobs and racist officials of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa for her elementary right to study in a public school. While she was facing the racist mob almost alone, Adlai Stevenson, the leader of the Democratic party, was making a speech in Los Angeles, Feb. 7, expressing the view that desegregation should “proceed gradually” so as “not to upset, overnight, traditions and habits older than the republic.”

Stevenson, banner-bearer of the Democratic party and supported by the Negro leaders, made it absolutely clear that if elected president, he would not use the power of his office to provide protection to the Negro people in the South who are in a life and death struggle with organized terrorists.

February 1, 1931
For the period of the coming three months one of our plans call for an intensive campaign for new subscribers to the Militant. Our goal is the definite return to the Weekly at the end of this period. With the proper response from our branches, our readers and sympathizers the goal will become a reality.

Our branches should make up competing teams and set to work with some inducement for the winning team, that is the one securing the most subs on a yearly basis. We offer for this period a special three months trial subscription of 25c [cents], also a special combination offer of either one of the three books with a yearly subscription. “Criticism of the Draft Program of the Communist International,” or “The Strategy of the World Revolution” (both by L.D. Trotsky), or “Since Lenin Died (paper cover) by Max Eastman, for the price of $2.00, good only for this period. This campaign commences Feb. 1st, continuing up until May 1st. What is your answer?

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