Giacomo Matteotti - The fascisti exposed

have even been employed against employers. For instance, the Fascist Federation of the Bolognese re5olved "to proceed Fascistically against the nonfulfilment oI their engagements by the employers'·' (June 30, 1923) ; and in execution of the resolution Count Malvasia-Torelli di Sasso was .beaten. But behind these sanctions for non-fulnlment of engagements, there was something more than usual ; to wit, a refusal to adhere or give contributions to Fascism ! The Fascist paper, "Ora," of Pesaro, published this communication on September 22 : ''Certain owners have offered us sums which, in proportion to the capital which Fascism has safeguarded for them, are no more· than one-millionth per cent. In view, therefore, o'f the fact that the past system of collection of funds has yielded us nothing, I warn all owners in the Province of Pesaro and U rhino that I shall tax them in proportion to their capital, in such a way as definitely to systematise the financial situation o'f Fascism in our province." Co-ope'fatives. The non-Fascist Co-operatives have been destroyed or compelled to accept Fascist intervention. This is admitted in so many words : ''We will repeat once more : The Co-operatives which have been burnt down have been well burnt down, for only in this way was it possible definitely to make sure that elements in the co-operative movement were not serving as blind tools of an anti-national politica~ party.'' (Postiglione, head of the Fascist Co-operatives, September 12, 1923.) And, for example, Mussolini's paper, the "Popolo d 'Italia,'-' reports: "Bollate, December 15. An agreement has been arrived at, in the following terms : The managing body of the Co-operative to be dismissed, and a meeting to be called for the appointment of fresh managers, to be approved by the Fascio" (the local Fascist political organisation) . The Prefects and the authorities have intervened 34 Biblioteca Gino Bianco

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