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Fourth International, August 1943

 

Manager’s Column

 

From Fourth International, vol.4 No.8, August 1943, p.226.
Transcribed, marked up & formatted by Ted Crawford & David Walters in 2008 for ETOL.

 

The picture that has grown out of the correspondence and happenings of the last months is an inspiring one of increased sales in all fields of literature, including Fourth International – bundles, subscriptions, newsstands, miscellaneous.

****

Chicago’s subscription campaign is now under way and the first results have just been sent in:

“Enclosed Please find money order for $6.00 (subs enclosed). Our sub-drive started this week and although we are not starting with a bang I think we will do all right.”

We sincerely hope that Chicago will be able to live up to their promise quoted in the July Manager’s Column “to do as well as Central Branch (New York) or better.” Central Branch’s four week subscription campaign netted 51 subs.

****

San Francisco is getting ready to increase the subscriptions in their area:

“We just have a few subscription blanks on hand and if you have any available we would appreciate getting them. We are going to make a systematic effort to get subs for both the paper and Fourth International and would like to have the blanks.”

Allentown is making an effort to get subscriptions also:

“Can you send me two more copies of the July issue of the FI, also the August issue. They are to be used to get subs ... We need subscription blanks too.”

Seattle’s Fourth International sales have increased considerably:

“Would you please send us 10 additional copies of the June FI just as soon as possible? Our Negro drugstore sold out and has requested additional copies ... We want to increase our bundle order to 50 copies.”

****

We have received several complaints from Fourth International subscribers that they aren’t getting their copies of the magazine until late in the month. We want again to remind our subscribers that each month the Post Office holds the magazine until it is released by Washington. The July issue has just been released for dispatch to the subscribers, although we deposited the magazine in the Post Office three weeks ago.

A welcome letter from a friend in Los Angeles comments:

“I got the general impression from the Manager’s Column that all your literature is going over great. My spirits were raised considerably.

“You know, I had been suffering somewhat under a delusion that the American working class wasn’t as militant as the various European movements. This, even though your analysis pointed out that it hadn’t suffered under any real blows and was all there! Well, recent events showed me the real light. Despite tremendous pressure it hasn’t given ground. Why, nine-tenths of the so-called radicals would retreat if put in the position of the coal miners and it looks like the larger revolutionary movements in Europe won’t get them any faster than the American workers will. And the way the movement for an independent labor party came out just at the time you pushed it to the front would make it look as if you just ordered tens of thousands of party members in the trade union movement to get going.”

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A letter from Chile adds to the picture:

“Regarding Fourth International, we are receiving it regularly though somewhat delayed. As usual, its excellent material provides us with the most rejoicing confidence in the work and prospects of our Yankee partners. Why do you not publish these words in your Manager’s Column? It would be a good demonstration of our organic solidarity.

“The last magazine of which we are able to acknowledge receipt is the March issue. We have especially enjoyed the articles of Morrow and Loris (the answer to Held).”

****

Two letters, one from Scotland, the other from England, laud the American miners for the heroic stand they made in their recent strikes:

“The Fourth International seems to improve each time. The magnificent struggle of the US miners is being watched with great interest and admiration here.”

“We are watching with great interest the militant struggle the American miners are putting up at the present moment and hope soon to get the news direct from Fourth International and The Militant. In this country, too, the miners were the first section of the workers to come out in direct struggle against their conditions.”

 
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Last updated on 12.9.2008