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The China Daily News image

The China Daily News
Story

The China Daily News was the newspaper of the Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance. Never shy of voicing their leftist beliefs, both the paper and its subscribers were monitored by the FBI at the height of the Red Scare. It became so controversial that its editor would be imprisoned and multiple staffers deported. Like many of New York's radical societies, the paper had an unlikely beginning: the passing of a local ordinance that concerned laundromats.
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street
Post

China Daily News was founded at 105 Mott Street by the Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance, a rival of the Chinese Hand Laundry Association and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Labeled a communist paper by its rivals, The Daily News was certainly leftist and was attacked for celebrating the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Some rumors even suggested that the Alliance was quietly aided by the Communist Party in China in the early years of its formation. A congressional record from 1942 wrote that the paper was suspicious, though it was helped by the fact that it was printed in Chinese and "a considerable amount of translating would be required to ascertain whether or not the paper adhered to the Communist Party line." However, by 1952, the paper was charged with violating the law by the United States Department of Justice. Two years into the Korean War, the China Daily News had been advertising ways for subscribers to skirt the Trading with the Enemy Act. The paper was caught publishing instructions on how to send remittances to families in China. Manager of the Daily News Eugene Moy was found guilty and sent to jail, where he died a few years later. Some staff members of the newspaper were deported, some fled the country voluntarily. To make matters worse, newspaper vendors were fearful to even carry the paper. Reportedly, even subscribers were hounded by the FBI. The paper survived the Cold War, but just barely. It was funded by leftists across the country who donated to its cause. The small circulation finally ceased to exist in 1989, as did the Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance.

Photos(9)

107 Mott Street image

107 Mott Street

Manhattan: Mott Street - Canal Street 107 Mott Street, west side, between Canal and Hester Streets. Building referred to is a 3-story frame house with a brick front. J. Clarence Davies Collection, Museum of the City of New York. Negative No. 528.
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 9. Newspapers: China Daily News Series--No. 9 The composing room of the China Daily News. 1940 Alexander Alland
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 16. Newspapers: China Daily News Series---No. 16 Rolling out a proof. 1940 Alexander Alland
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 3. Newspapers: China Daily News Series--No. 3 Constance Hong, a Columbia graduate, sometimes pinch-hits as secretary to her husband, publisher of the China Daily News. 1940 Alexander Alland
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 1. Newspapers: China Daily News Series--No. 1 Dr. Kung-Chuan Chi, editor-in-chief of the Chins Daily News, a Chinese language paper published in New York City. China Daily News is located at 105 Mott Street. 1940 Alexander Alland /4y9 Pee;R9: 7M. Dr, : cwwre-7k) G(Y) Awb-awwec ,E-e. Ce.S., (Ne;.~: Jw;
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 18. Newspapers: China Daily News Series--No. 18 Keeping the press in good running order is essential to news. paper business anywhere. 1940 Alexander Alland
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 20. Newspapers: China Daily News Series--No. 20 Excited newsboys receiving their papers hot off the press. 1940 Alexander Alland
105 Mott Street image

105 Mott Street

Newspapers - China Daily News Series No. 19. Newspapers: China Daily News Series--No. 19 Excited newsboys receiving their papers hot off the press. 1940 Alexander Alland
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