The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-28
The Socialist Labor
Party Is Not Amer
lean in Work.
MRS. MARY CUMMINGS VIEWS.
The Need is For Socialism
Born In This
Country.

CHARTERED at the Y. w. C. A. is Mrs.
Mary Cunning of Boston, student of the
principles of socialism and a former
prominent speaker in the interests of
the socialist labor party. Mrs. Cunning
has denounced the party and it's tyran-
meal leadership by De Leon, and, in
conversation with The Spy man yester-
day, threw hot shot into the political
workings of the socialist labor party
Mrs. Cunning is one of the leaders in
the new socialist cooperative move
ment and is a conversationalist of brill
liant thought. Yesterday she called at
Labor headquarters with the purpose
of talking with officers of the Central
Labor union to interest them in the
movement. To The Spy man she said:
AS an opponent of trusts, the socialist
labor party is unable to cope with the
problem confronting American citizens.
Continuing as a political organization
the socialist labor party can accomplish
nothing. What does the election of one
or two contemplate aldermen in 20
years of work amount to? At that rate,
how many years will it take to muster
sufficient strength to be an important
factor in the nations history?
'Tbs, socialist labor party is not
American in its work. The party leaders
are for the most part foreigners who
bring old world ideas Of socialism to
this country, and plant the seeds with
the expectation of reaping a big har-
vest Of popularity. What is needed is
socialism born in this country. Ben
jamIn Franklin and Wendell Phillips
were thoroughly socialistic in belief but
It did not extend to politics.
Look at De Leon, the little tyrant,
little car, who tries to sway the social
list labor party with his unprecedented
methods of leadership If Americans do
not cove under the bond of his finger,
De Leon declares that good citizens are
un-American. listened until it became
unbearable, to the speeches on the COM
mon by socialistlabor party leaders, The
idea of capturing this government is
| fanatical. What use has the socialist
labor party for a capitalistic govern
ment?
Il have burned the midnight oil for
years, and have failed to convince my
self much, though / might have tried,
that political socialism can ever ac-
| complish any great good. Socialists do
nothing towards educating the laboring
man, The cooperative movement is
| founded upon the early principles of
socialism. 1t aims to benefit society by
accumulation Of property for use by the
| people. Ownership of land dwellings
stores and factories is the cooperative
plans highest endeavor. The co-opera-
| tive farmers society of Rockwell Ia,
recently closed a year of life. The bust
ness transacted by the society for the
benefit of its members represents $780,
| 900.
THE method by which the working
man can be benefited according to the
ideas of the cooperative movement is
| by raising funds for carrying on the
business of the general store owned by
the society, by share capital A small
entrance fee is paid and a deposit Is
made, After managing expenses and q
reasonable allowance for depreciation
of stock, 10 per cent to the reserve fund
i az per cent to educational fund, the
balance of the proceeds of the bushes;
rs credited to purchasers as dividends
according to the amount of their pur.
ehases.
Equitable cooperation Is not polit-
ical movement The socialist labor
party will continue in weakness unless
political efforts are ceased. Cleanliness
and intelligence are needed. Look at the
squabblng in the socialist labor party
The work against the rank and file Of
the organization dates back 10 year.
ago when outside parties tried to thrust
a wedge IN the workings of the partS
to stop progress. De Leon rule is draw.
ing the sap of popularity among work.
ingmen from the socialist labor party
and the opponents of De Leon rule are
mastering their forces. Tommy Morgan
of Chicago is at the head Of the CLIQUE
! working to down De Leon.
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