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From New International, Vol.5 No.11, November 1939, p.322.
transcribed & marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
VERY quickly the loss of revenue and circulation from abroad for The New International has had its effects. Agents and readers have, no doubt, observed with dismay that this issue is only 16 pages, instead of the regular 32. Unfortunately, financial considerations made this reduction imperative. Our appeal for funds in the October number in order to sustain the magazine, has not met with sufficient response, at least not as yet.
At this time we cannot say whether The New International can return to thirty-two pages, though this is our immediate aim.
More important, it is not yet dear if The New International can continue publication, even on a reduced basis. The answer remains with the American comrades, readers and supporters of The New International.
The positive answer needs to be made yet in two ways:
* * *
Certain weaknesses can surely be overcome by our Party and YPSL units. Nationally the subscription base remains too weak yet in many important centers, such as Minneapolis, Boston, Cleveland, San Francisco and New York. In our opinion considerable improvement is easily achievable by methods previously outlined on several occasions to the branches.
New York easily leads in subscriptions, but here, too, there are needless losses. In the matter of general sales or bundles Boston, Los Angeles and Cleveland are relatively weak.
In New York, the most important base for the maintenance of The New International, the Downtown and Lower East Side branches are inexcusably lax in their efforts. The Brooklyn branches can stand improvement. The Bronx and Upper West Side branches do quite well in their bundle sales, particularly the Bronx.
The YPSL units in various cities are also keys to the maintenance of The New International, even as the magazine is a major instrument in their fundamental education of the Youth. Chief improvement is required in New York.
Another difficulty confronting the magazine, and a solution of which might be significant for the next period, are the outstanding bills. Los Angeles, Chicago, Akron, Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland and Detroit have large debts due to the magazine. It these cities will find ways and means to liquidate their debts, it is quite possible for The New International to look ahead for a considerable period. We offer the suggestion to the Party locals that they arrange for loans to liquidate their debts.
New Orders: New bundle orders were placed by Ithaca, New York, 10 copies; New Brunswick, New Jersey, 14 copies; Streator, Illinois, 3 copies.
Increases: Worcester, Massachusetts, 5 to 7 copies; Havana, Cuba, 5 to 10 copies. Extra orders were also placed for the October issue by Washington, D.C., and Worcester, Mass.
New Agents: Daniel Mack, Philadelphia YPSL; Joe Roberts, Toledo, Ohio; V. Johnson, Berkeley, Cal.; Jack Glover, Los Angeles.
Among the units that have been doing very well in the recent period with The New International are Fresno, Cal., San Diego, Cal., St Louis, Mo., Evansville Indiana, Berkeley, Cal., and San Francisco. Special mention can be made of the efforts of Everett Washburn, St. Louis, Eloise B., San Francisco and Henry Schnautz, of Evansville.
The Berkeley comrades say: “The fact is that The New International sells itself. The New International sells very well around the campus. Once or twice a week we have a table at the main gate with the anti-war petition and literature. This is quite successful, both in selling the literature and talking to contacts. We also sell quite a few The New Internationals at the weekly discussion group.’” That the above is so is evidenced by the Berkeley YPSL’s quota of 50 copies.
It has been pointed out that some units hold left-over copies of the magazine for a considerable period. We suggest that this not be done, but that the old copies be distributed free, if necessary, to potential readers and subscribers.
Likewise with the fall and approaching winter period we suggest that Party units proceed to arrange affairs for the benefit of The New International.
We find it unnecessary to stress again the significance and decisive importance of The New International to the Fourth Internationalist movement. This is established. The future of The New International is in the hands of the Party and readers.
It is with the greatest regret that we are compelled to issue this number of The New International in half its normal size. As we indicated in the appeal printed last month, we have been depending upon the response of our readers in order to be able to maintain regular and full-sized publication. A number of readers did respond, and responded well. But unfortunately, their aid was not sufficient to compensate for the failure to respond on the part of others.
We were forced to omit a number of important, timely and interesting articles. We may be forced to do it again next month. Indeed, we may be forced to omit the issue entirely unless – the readers of the review come to our aid – speedily and generously!
We have no one else we can count on, no other resources but those which YOU can provide. Rush all your contributions to the Manager, 116 University Place, New York, N.Y.
Readers are requested to make efforts to place The New International on news and magazine stands and in book shops. Once the owner agrees to carry our periodical notify us so that we can send the bundle directly to him.
Readers are also asked to send in names and addresses of individuals who they believe would like to receive sample copies of The New International.
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