Main FI Index | Main Newspaper Index
Encyclopedia of Trotskyism | Marxists’ Internet Archive
From Fourth International, Vol.10 No.10, November 1949, p.290.
Transcription & mark-up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
Last month we reported the success of the Los Angeles branch of the Socialist Workers Party in selling copies of Fourth International on the college campus. This work is now beginning to pay off in the form of new recruits to the party, Literature Agent Bert Deck writes us. “Every time we sell the FI our student periphery group is augmented.”
* * *
The experience of the Los Angeles comrades confirms what we have said many times about the importance of Fourth International as a means of winning influence on the campus ana converting young, energetic people to the banner of Marxism.
* * *
Los Angeles has found it best to detail one comrade to sell the magazine while others carry on the discussions that are inevitably aroused even by the titles of the articles. Such discussions lead in the most natural way to the sale of additional literature such as The Militant and to pamphlets presenting the viewpoint of Trotskyism on timely subjects.
* * *
A good share of the credit for the Los Angeles success goes to “Vivian and Rita who have handled this work recently.” Comrades Deck adds that V. Grey’s article in the October issue, Steel: Achilles of US Industry is a “real gem” and that “everyone here is enthusiastic about it.”
* * *
Literature Agent Natalie Smolen of New Haven writes that a visit to the campus at Yale proved most encouraging. “We sold all the current Militants we had on hand, three copies of Fourth International and four copies of the pamphlet Socialism on Trial.”
* * *
The Seattle branch sold 15 copies of Fourth International at various meetings for Anna Louise Strong, according to Literature Agent Marianne Stanley.
* * *
How about reports from other branches on your experiences with Fourth International in organizing work on the campus? Let’s hear about your successes, your problems, the reaction of students to various articles and suggestions for improvement of the FI in meeting the educational needs of students.
* * *
“I want to congratulate you for publishing a splendid magazine,” writes D.P. of Minnesota. “Each issue is full of information that the so-called news magazines do not print.
“The American Empire issue was especially good. I just finished reading the latest issue and thought the statement of the Socialist Workers Party on the Stalin-Tito conflict and the article on Tan Malakka were very good. Also the articles on Israel were good.
“The Fourth International is very well written and although some of the articles are pretty deep for the average person at first glance, after studying the article and reading it a few times, it becomes clear.”
Main FI Index | Main Newspaper Index
Encyclopedia of Trotskyism | Marxists’ Internet Archive
Last updated on: 17 March 2009