Socialists to Do Battle on Stores Not Backing Boycott of Reich Goods

Norman Thomas, traditional Socialist candidate for the presidency of the United States, yesterday declared that he intends giving no quarter to department stores handling German goods.

“I hope that the Socialist Party and others entertaining the purpose of restoring liberty and human rights to the German people will continue their demonstrations against Macy’s and other department stores handling German goods”, he said in an interview with the Jewish Daily Bulletin.

“Personally, I am leaving New York shortly, but the fight must go on. Through enforcing the boycott of German merchandise we hope to attain fairness for the German working classes and an end to the persecution of Jews.”

Mr. Thomas led a parade of hundreds of protestants against Macy’s dealings in German goods outside the big department store on Saturday. For approximately one hour, Socialists, Communists, and representatives of various other groups paced the sidewalks on the 34th Street, Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue sides of the concern. Dozens of placards announcing “Macy’s Buys German Goods;” “We Want No Fascism Here”, and other pronouncements uncomplimentary to the Hitler government were borne before all entrances to Macy’s and according to those who took part in the demon stration ana ponce on tnc Dear, me display appeared to be effective in turning back a number of customers. The demonstrators received the plaudits of throngs who lined the sidewalks and curb.

Of particular interest in the affair was the number of Gennans whe took part in. protesting the Hitler regime. They were principally drawn from the German Socialist party. Among the more celebrated figures in the demonstration was Jasper MacLevy, Bridgeport’s Socialist Mayor, who, like Mr. Thomas, carried an anti-Hitler banner.

TO DEMONSTRATE FURTHER

Leaving a meeting of the national executive committee of the Socialisi Party yesterday to comment on the demonstration, Mr. Thomas declared, “With all my heart I am recommending similar demonstrations not only for Macy’s but for other flagrant dealers in German goods. Macy’s is by no means the only department store in this city now dealing in German goods, but Macy’s is regarded as a leader of the others. Before we finish, I hope that our followers will see fit to resume their protests before the Macy’s, Stem’s, Wanamak-er’s, Abraham and Straus’ Department Stores and a number of others”, Mr. Thomas said.

“Our ultimate objective is to end the persecution of the Jews and better the conditions of the laboring classes in Germany. We would fight on the Jewish issue alone; we would fight on the labor issue alone; and with both of them compromise is doubly improbable- Before we finish we hope to create an influence that will aid in bringing Germany out of her mcdcival conception of human rights.”

BAR FIXTURES

When asked what German goods Macy’s were handling to invite Socialist attacks, Mr. Thomas said, “They handle many German items, but one in particular stands out in my memory as being a flagrant abuse of public sentiment toward the anti-German boycott That is the quantities of bar glass and other bar materials, which the store has recently imported from Germany, It should be easier for us to use American bar fixtures than American liquor.”

Mr. Thomas paid a parting blast at the “capitalist press.”

“Even the Jewish owned New York dailies,” he said, “failed to pay any considerable attention to our demonstration against Macy’s Hitlerite policies. The space given us in the morning papers I could put in my eye.”