This issue of The Masses, published in March 1916, centers on labor struggles and social unrest, particularly focusing on events in Youngstown, Ohio. The main theme is the capitalist exploitation of workers and the harsh consequences they face when asserting their rights. The report from Youngstown details a strike by ironworkers against the powerful steel magnates, who were using their influence to suppress labor activism through legal measures such as excessive fines and jail sentences for striking workers. This issue also highlights the precarious condition of soldiers returning from war, particularly military aviators, who, due to the dangerous nature of their work, are facing high mortality rates or psychological trauma. The piece on Paris depicts these former soldiers turned flight instructors living with a reckless disregard for death, embodying an attitude that contrasts sharply with traditional values. Throughout the issue, there is a palpable sense of social tension and injustice, demonstrating The Masses’ commitment to exposing and challenging oppressive systems.