The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-11
EVEN ANGELS WOULD BE
CHALLENGED AS "FAKRS''
Daniel Kennedy Defends Labor
Leaders in Debate on Socialism
with William Bowen.
FULL OF BOLD CHARGES
Claims that Unions, with Gompers
and Mitchell, Are Hands in
Gloves with Capitalists.

''If an angel were 10 descend from heaven
and occupy the executive position of either
John Mitchell or Samuel Gompers, you So
cialists would cry: 'Fakir, humbug. graft.
Before you can show that Mitchell and
Gompers are receiving money from capt.
talists, can prove that the Socialist party
is getting money from d. NJ Parry" Thus
vociferated Daniel Kennedy, champion Of
the union cause. in the labor debate last
night in Persons Hall between himself and
William Bowler, a representative of the
Socialist party of this city. The debate.
though orderly and well-conducted, was
replete with startling statements, colored
with out and out charges, uttered in good
faith. Persons Hall was filled when the
debate began, over two-thirds of the au-
dience being Socialists, who made the hall
ring time and again with the applause
given their speaker.
The question at issue was, Resolved,
That the Socialist party antagonizes and
undermines the work of the trade union
movement" Mr.. Kennedy spoke first, de-
claring that the trade union movement was
the most democratic movement in the world,
while the SOCIALIST party is an lrOnclad ty-
ranny which says TO it's followers that they
dare not think outside of Carl Marx. He
charged that the Socialists are endeavoring
union movement. THE Socialist" he said,
comes along and pats the trade unionists
on the back and tells them they are good
fellows and their movement is all right,
but their leaders are all grafters. The So
cialists first tried TO capture our union ma
chimes and failing in that, they are now
bOmbarding our leaders. Mr.. Kennedy de-
clared that the paramount issue with So
cialistS is socialism and that they join unions
for the purpose of furthering their cause.
They seem TO think" he said, that II
10 q
the way, all will be socialism. To this end
they ever seek TO elect Socialist delegates
TO the union conventions" In closing his
first speech, Mr.. Kennedy charged the So
cialists with dividing classes rather than
doing away with them.
In his opening arguments, William Bow
len declared that no man could be a social
list unless he stood for the trade union
movement. THE Socialists" he said,
have always stood by the trade union
movement" He admitted that there was
antagonism between the Socialists and
some of the leaders of the trade union move
ment, because in the majority of cases
'short-skate politicians get at the head of
the unions" The rank and file Of the unions.
he said, are all right but they are being
taken advantage of by politicians. He said
that Parry and the Employers Association
are putting the unions on political basis.
basis.
Rather than stick closely to the ques-
ton of debate, Mr.. Bowler was inclined 10
inject the basic socialistc theories into his
| arguments. According to him. every work
ing man is selling his labor like so many
bushels of potatoes. He declared that the
unions are disregardng their most useful
weapOns-the ballot. In his closing speech
he said that the unions are so at the mercy
of the capitalist that the latter could
break UP every trade union in America If
they desired. He charged Samuel Comp
ers and John Mitchell with being hands in
gloves with the capitalist
In closing his arguments, Mr. Kennedy
/ insisted that In attacking the leaders of
/ the trade union movement, the Socialists
/ are antagonizing their members, for they
/ elected their own officers and are represent
/ ed by them
There was decision rendered in the de-
/ bate, ii being left with the audience TO de-
/ eide which speaker had carried his points
/ more forcbly. The discussion was vitality
/ interesting to those present ana after al
! journment there was talk of arranging an
/ other debate along the same line. w. II.
| Tice, of the Machinists' Union, presided.