New-York tribune., 1919-08-31
Split Likely
At Socialist
Meeting To-day
Rupture Expected When the
Credentials Committee
Reports OH Contests at
Convention in Chicago
Special Corresponasnca


CHICAGO, Aug. 30.-With acrimony
marking every step in its national con-
vention, which began here this morning
with police row, the Socialist party
tonight was on the verge of definite
split that has been forecast for some
time. 1t seems certain, as the result
OF the bitterness engendered in the
initial session, that this split will
come not later than tomorrow night.
The credentials committee, which to-
night began the work of ironing out
thirteen contests in as many states in
volving nearly forty delegates, was ex-
LEFT Wing" revolt, when it reports to
afternoon.
The regulars, or Rights - headed by
Seymour Stedman, Victor Berger, Of
Milwaukee, and National Secretary
Adolph Germer, were in full control Of
the session to-day. having obtained it
by what the Left Wingers," headed
by John Reed, of New York, called
"polce aid" Stedman was elected
chairman Of the convention and Julius
Gerber, Of New York, secretary, after
the police had cleared the hall of ultra
radicals who had pre- e-empted the seats
Of delegates.
Just before adjournment tonight
bitter debate was precipitated between
cleft" and fright wingers' in which
the latter were accused of having de-
liberately called the police in order
to gain control of the convention.
The immediate result Of the row was
the calling Of left wing caccus to-
night to lay plans of action for to-
morrow. bolt from the main con-
vention and the organization of a
separate party much like the lnde-
pendents of Germany is contemplated.
I'VE are the party" said Mr.. Berger
tonight. "The others are just lot
OF anarchists
"The left wing" explained l. B. Fer
guson, of New York, its secretary, rep
resents about 80 per cent of the So
ciaist party. The executive council in
power has managed to keep it's place
by throwing out, under one pretext or
another, such states as voted against
it. At this convention the right wing
probably will elect a new executive
council. This will result in returning
members from the right wing to the
council, because the left wing seems
The fight which ushered in the con-
vention started when Reed, who is a
left wing publicist, endeavored to
punch Gerber, member of the right
wing, in the face.
A squad Of bluecoats hurried to the
scene and, under the direction of the
right wing leaders. cleared the conven-
tion hall of all left wing members. The
left wing delegates, among them Rose
Pastor Stokes, Kate Sader and |. +.
Ferguson. were commanded to secure
white cards for admission. Heretofore
the red card had been the accepted
sesame.
Organization work took up the entire
session. The credentials committee,
headed by Judge Jacob Pankin, of New
York, fright winger,' tonight took
up the contests from California, Iowa
and Illinois. William Bross Lloyd, a
millionaire left winger" is contesting
for seat from Illinois.
During the day the effort of left wing
ers to induce the convention to nomin-
ate Eugene Debs and Kate Richards
O'Hare as the 1920 Presidential and
Vice-Presid dential candidates was de-
feated when the delegates sustained
the point of order of Chairman Sted-
man that the call for the convention
did not not provide for such nomina-
tions at this time.