The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-07-09

Tile LdSh VI itlHlSiIldfi lOr tHe DOCldl-
ist Party Ship. Again, an experienced
hand at the wheel, he has guided the
almost floundering vessel between the
breakers of avowed conservatism or
one side, and the shoals of unmistake-
able redicalism on the other. If Mil
waukee had its way, the party would
go completely into the petty reform
business, it would effect blunt com
promises with anything that might
add to its parliamentary strength, il
would throw up the sponge and dis
avow even its revolutionary phrases
Dissimilarly with those to the left
although certainly not embracing
communism, they would impart dis.
agreeable odor to the usual socialist
election, they would place the party il
a position to sustain the stigma Of
"sovietism', and worst of all, they
would be constantly playing up the
impossible fetish of "the dictator,
ship of the proletariat." Hence, Hill
quit sought to avoid both.
Asks for Fusion.
1t was altogether, | think, unex
pected when Dan Hoan moved the
fusion resolution" 1t was introduced
irrelevently, but nevertheless recog
nized by the chair, under the agends
heading of General and Politica
Strikes. The first paragraph read al
follows, "The present status Of .th,
socialist and labor movements o.
America does not warrant genera
or political strike as the starting poin
for the attainment of our aims" Il
place of this, it insisted, that the tim,
had come for the Socialist Party II
sound the clarion CALI for confer
cdcx that sH1il Illks Tor e1I1|
working alignment Of militant work
ers," and added "for the purpose o.
formulating such cause Of action
that Twill result in the peaceful at,
tainment of our revolutionary aims.
The resolution then asked that the
N. E. C. arrange conference Of
those organizations that stood for (1)
the collective ownership and demo.
cratic management of all means Of
production and distribution monopol.
istically owned, (2) to oppose and
abolish war, (3) to restore our liber-
ties, (4) the attainment of these aims
by the employment of both economic
and political action along working
class lines.
This resolution certainly does not
impart dignity to an organization
that claims to be revolutionary. To
anyone who has even passing acquain-
tance with the principles of MARKHAM
socialism, this proposal is Immediately
recognized as an abominable attempt
at political horse trading. And yet il
was enthusiastically supported by not
a few delegates. Still, for the socialist
party, it is timely stitch. Sooner or
later it will be forced into a charlatan
and compromising alliance with the
progressive" labor movement Of the
country, If for no other reason, to
save its neck.
The source Of the resolution i'm
mediately reveals its purpose. II
emanated from Milwaukee. This is not
the first time that Berger, Hoan, et
al, have made known the pressing
necessity Of fusion with the Non.
Partisan LeaguAand other elements
lest they lose out altogether. Eng.
dahl pointed out that Berger had
printed in the Milwaukee Leader re,
quests, in one instance, for the work.
ers Of Milwaukee to vote for Non.
Partisan Candidate. And Berger didn',
deny It. Yes. the s. P. needs fusion
and eventually, 1t will get II.
Watchful Waiting.
Then came Hillquit-the lawyer
Although he could not disagree witt
the sense Of the resolution, aat thi,
time" he did not think 1t practicable
He did not oppose Il because II wa,
not Commensurate with the revolu
tionary policies that he even, once es
poused but because II was not "practic
able" And why did not he think h
practicable? Because the Farmer La
Dor Party was failure, the Non
Partisan League was taking down
ward slide, and there were no reall,
worth while organizations with whicl
to unite. And then, who could sa,
whether or not any organization care,
to form an alliancei II takes two +
make an agreement.
Thereupon, Hillquit presented 4 re
solution. Always choosing n safe An