Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-05-29
]. =. soe..u.t Nations, ooav.a.4oa.

[ rhe sooaaiist Hationsi 0onvsnsion-
indianapolis, May II.
Il The contrast between the factions Of
the Socialist Party came out with new
listinctness in the national gathering at
Indianapolis. May 1918. &
The revolutionary cleft" standing fat
footed on the MARKHAM platform. has
grown more aggressive and militant. It's
tendency is to make terms with the:
ideals and principles represented by the
Industrial Workers Of the World" an
labor crusade which under
takes the organization OF working peo-.
pie by industries instead Of by crafts
ed action Of the entire wage working
class against the employing class.
! In connection with the II. w. W."
the movement called "Syndical-
ism" In France and England has made
its appearance in the United States, and
has become factor in the councils of
the American Socialist Party. This term
refers to the massing, or "syndicating"
Of labor in response to the consolidating
Of capitalism.
Another phrase now heard frequently
is "direct action" referring to working
class tactics which may or may not in
volve violence. The extreme direct-ac-
zionist has little or no faith in political
activity by or for the working class.
According to this view, political action,
&C.
little promise for the common people.
This tendency is making its influence
felt among the Socialists.
The I. w. w. itself (the Independent
labor organization just referred toy in
cludes a purely militant" wing of di-
rect-actionists, as we'll as those who al
so believe in connecting political activ-
ity with the working-class program.
Through the combination of these two
methods of activity, William D. Hay
wood is leader in the I. w w., and
also a factor in the political Socialist
Party.
Haywood believes in the ideal of So
cialism-i. e., ownership of the means
Of industry by the wage-working peo-
pie themselves; he is a member of the
placed on the National Executive Com
mittee by party votes. Haywood has
been connected with labor troubles in
Colorado, as consequence of which he
was dubbed an undesirable citizen" by
Roosevelt; and he was an active man.
ager of the great strike at Lawrence
Mass.
ttt
One of the largest and most spectac.
ular problems before the convention al
Indianapolis was, What shall the Party
do with it's revolutionary left" wing
and especially with Haywood? The ma.
tional convention this year was looked
forward to with more than usual hope
and fear by the entire party. Adherents
Of both factions had been throwing mud
and calling each other bad names with
great industry and ferocity. The right
wing called the revolutionary faction
anarchists; and there was talk of put
ting LIE militant Socialists out of the
party. On the other hand the extrem,
radicals tainted their more conservative
comrades with being office seekers, Gin
tellectuals," "yellows," etc.
The crisis came to head over tn,
report Of the Labor Committee and ther'
were come extraordinary occurrences il
this connection The committee includ
ed six men from the opportunist faction
and three from the radical faction, tn
latter being under I. w. W., or Hay
| wood, influence. The majority report
| with six names attached, was printe,
and given 10 the convention. A statet
time was set for the final disposition o
7 Inc matter. When the set time arrived
| the convention was told that the minor
| ity report had not been delivered by tn
printer but was expected soon. A mo
| ton accordingly prevailed postponin
action for one hour. Meanwhile Their
was much activity among the leaders
who were still engaged in shaping tn
matter up to an issue. When the sub
ject was at last officially before tn
delegates, the minority report had com
Ipletely evapOrated and the majority re
port was read to the convention over tn
signatures of the entire committee. AT
ter speeches from representatives o
both factions, this report was adopte
by the convention with practical unan
unity amid tremendous enthusiasm.
The report begins in conservative
tone by declaring that the Socialist Pal
ty "reafirms the position it has Away
taken with regard to the movement O
organized labor" 1t sounds no clea
note on the subject of trade-unionisr
versus industrial unionism' (the l. "
w. plan); but the document goes on
Iurge closer utilization in various way
between Socialism and the Labor move
ment, declaring that it is the duty Q
the party to give moral and materis
support to the Labor organizations j
all their defensive or aggressive strus
giles against Capitalist oppression an
Exploitation, for the protection and ez
tension of the rights of the wage work
Iers." At the same time, and with gres
Significance, it is distinctly asserted tina
the Socialist Party has no concern wit
"technical methods of action employe
by organized Labor in the industris
struggle. The meaning of this is this
the Socialist Party undertakes to com
into closer touch with Labor, while q
the same time asserting that the part
is not responsible for the acts of Labo
In accordance with this principle, tn
convention appropriated money to SUI
Iport the fights in Lawrence, Mass
where laboring men are still in Jail, an
in San Diego. CAL, hundreds of peopl
have been imprisoned. The possibili:
of legal complications entailed by thi
lpolicy cannot be overlooked; and it ais
remains to be seen how long the Socia
list Party can maintain this rather vagu
attitude on the Labor question withov
a new fight between the factions. In
word, the problem of the Socialist cleft
wing is not solved; it is merely comprt
missed. Pc. --