davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-30
BY JOSEPH MANLEY.

NOMRADE GUTENBERG, in the
~ DAILY WORKER of Dec. 8, seeks
to prove to our membership that
am a common liar by his publication
of an alleged audit of farmer-labor
expenses, supposedly, compiled with
the due care and accuracy that BELTS
his Office Of executive secretary Of
our party.
It may come as shock and sur
prise to our membership to find Com
rade Ruthenberg using his high Office
to misrepresent facts and figures with
the end in view Of destroying a politi-
cal adversary. To substantiate this
grave charge | win analyze but few
OF the items Of the alleged audit pub
lished by him as an answer to my
original estimate. In making my anal
ysis am at a distinct disadvantage,
/ am living ION the road" at present
in the anthracite region. can call
no battling bookkeeper or adding ma
chine TO my assistance.
The first fault find with the audit"
Of Comrade Ruthenberg Is that, as
usual with his estimates--as ! will on
another occasion point out--no one
but himself can understand II and II
does not tell the story. My estimate,
on the contrary. took first the cost Of
operating the federated with which
was thoroly familiar. and the other
items with which was most closely
associated and of which had inti-
mate knowledge.
Comrade Ruthenberg accepts my es-
mate on the first item--the federated
He knows my figure OF $1,000 is
conservative one.
Now let me ask Comrade Ruthen-
berg II his figure OF s6,532.41
1.-The alleged total labor party
campaign expense for 1924--includes:
"a The subsidy given the Minnesota
Workers Party to help organize the
farmer-labor federation; CD The sums
advanced to the st. Paul committee
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-30
REALISTIC SHREDS

into warning groups ana the stumbi-
ing block to progress presented by the
reactionary officialdom in the various
craft divisions; weakness which
would be modified or eliminated by
amalgamation. More could have been
accomplished, had more of the minor
ity leaders and their federation fol
lowers been looking for action then.
Our next major problem was that
of defending Communists arrested in
an illegal convention with all the gel
low pack of the kept press In full
cry. That we could organize a sue
cessful united front on this issue, rails
ing money and getting the Michigan
Federation of Labor to condemn the
law, the arrests and the prosecution,
investigate the matter and bring in a
report of much value to the defense
in raising money and molding public
sentiment, is an indication that a
fairly healthy sentiment prevailed as
result of our party's activities. This
united front was a success. We
strengthened our position.
Now comes the farmer-labor phase
Of the united front, which we are told
by the minority is to be the seven
league boots" of Communism While
the federation supporters Of the mi
nority were conducting their singing
societies. dramatic clubs, and real es-
tate ventures, not yet realizing that
the farmer-labor party slogan was a
t-sinnilar prelude to Communism, the
Detroit supporters of the majority
thesis carried on militant campaign
FOR farmer-labor party. The report
Of the July convention to the Detroit
Federation of Labor cost us our first
serious defeat We accepted defeat
with a determination to come back
stronger to the next trial OF strength,
believing that the fault lay with us
instead of the slogan.
When the June II issue came up,
the Detroit Federation Of Labor tacit-
|, refused to consider It. We called
our own conference. Those unions We
controlled and few others sent dele
gates. The action was condemned b.
the Detroit Federation OF Labor, witt
telling effect upon some Of our aiIllie
lions and some of our party members
The convention was held, with what
results we are all familiar. It was
never possible to get the delegates to.
gether again, except our own party
members. The decision Of the party to
run our own candidates pulled us out OF
a hole that had become untenable, 10.
cally as 1t had become nationally. A.
the end Of this united front" action,
and particularly on this farmer-labor
issue. the party stood stripped OF all
It's former supporters. At the end OF
The action, we stood in weakened
position. The result was a united
front Of our opponents.
We need not seriously regret this
isolation. II has clearly shown us
the nature OF our struggle. II has
shown us how scant are the forces
now favoring class party. Our ex.
perieDce has been sufficient TO dispel
the Illusion that class elements are
to be conjured into being by sound.
ing the magic phrase. "eIass farmer.
labor party"
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-30
:&Gzsse e @azS4gaksslAA rs
5y BUD REYNOLDS.

5y BUD REYNOLDS.
THE issue raised in the present
| / party discussion, is the possibility
for good or i'll to the cause of Com
munism, in the party's reviving the
slogan, For a farmer-labor party"
The minority have, by the import
ance they attach to it, practically rails
ed this issue to the status of Com.
munist principle. Reading some OF
their contributions to the discussion,
one would gather that the farmer
labor party was to Communism what
municipal ownership was to the old
S. P, q purgatory in which the metal
Of the workers was to be tempered
to a revolutionary hardness. And as
the minority leadership had its roots
S. p. political action" revised, creep.
ing into the party, is not too remote
to be considered. l understand the
F. L. p. slogan to be but a phase of
the united front tactic. If we define
the meaning and purpose Of the unit
ed front tactic, and examine it in
this light, testing how it meets the re-
quirements as compared to other
phases OF the united front tactic, we
will be getting down to reality. If
we find only realistic shreds," let us
not let Comrade Lovestone scare us
from calm consideration of them by
an inept quotation from Lenin.
The united front tactic has for dts
purpose the attracting of workers who
do not at present follow our leader
ship, but who stand near to us or who
may be brought into action in concert
with us, to achieve common aim ;
with the end in view of Immediately
getting them into action and ultimate.
ly winning them to our party. This
definition is exact enough to serve
he purposes of this discussion. Let
IS examine our experiences in De
sroit.
1t is to be understood that Detroit
is an extremely industrialized city,
that its trade union movement has
been known for years as being very
progressive comparatively and that
Detroit has for years been hot.bed
of radicalism. These factors favored
us.
Our first united front was for Rus
sian relief. In this. we secured the
support OF the Detroit Federation OF
Labor and many local unions. Our
work extending over year was high
Iy successful. We made many con.
facts, gained many members and sup.
porters, and were in greatly
strengthened position at the end O
the action. II was a success.
Our next drive was for amalgama-
ton. In this we acted In the local
unions to get resolutions endorsing
same. We succeeded in getting the
Detroit Federation OF Labor favorably
on record. Thru the Detroit delegation
to the Michigan Federation Conven-
ton, we succeeded in its adoption
there. CAT this point, can hear the
minority shout for action instead OF
resolutions) may say that much
good propaganda was done 10 point
ing out the present organlzat'onal
weakness of the unions, the jurisdic.
tional disputos which divide the crafts
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-30
Discussion Of Our Party's Immediate Tasks

wave of the hand and smiling counte
nance wishes to hang something on
me. The item-Farmer-Labor Voice
deficit, $1,9O5.S9: The Farmer-Labor
voice-of which / was editor and
which by the way taught me more
about the extremes Of opportunism to
which / was being driven than any
other one thing-had no real income
at all. It was financed entirely by the
Workers Party. and its mission was
to peddle farmer-labor damnfoolish-
ness to elements that in reality were
LaFollette bucolics, It's circulation
ran down from 10000 in its first issues
to less than 10000 in its closing
issues. In all, 20 issues were publish
ed Comrade Ruthenberg must prove
| it to me that the cost of printing,
mailing and the circular letters to
boost circulation was as low as he
claims.
Comrade Ruthenberg mas completely
left out Of his audit" a reckoning Of
the expense to our district organiza-
lions Of participating in the farmer
labor party campaign. All this is
done with a purpose, first, to make me
appear damnfool-tho when was a
member Of the Pepper faction he
thought me sensible enough to nomi-
nate me twice to be the secretary of
two of his pet farmer-labor parties
and, second, to minimize the expense
to the Workers Party of that which
he was such devout champion-the
farmer-labor party.
Until Comrade Ruthenberg pub
fishes a complete itemized statement
covering all the items above enumer-
ated and showing that the total to the
Workers Party national and district
for its participation in the farmer.labor
party campaign was actually the sum
he claims, namely: $19.491.6O, l will
continue to stand by my original esti-
mate, which l maintain is conserva-
tive namely: $4,000.
No sleight Of hand audits; no insult
ing remarks from Comrade Ruthen-
berg or some of his dear followers will
BLUM me off. So Comrade Ruthenberg
pray let me advise you to get your
battling bookkeeper and adding ma.
chimes busy. The dead hand Of the
farmer-labor party has lost its grip.
Down with its corpse! Up with the
Workers (Communist) Party!
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-13
The Elephants Platform

One hundred per cent of capitalism against the
workers and farmers; this sums up the Republi-
can party platform adopted in Cleveland.
The capitalist class of the United States is to
be made rulers Of the world. To this end, taxa
ton is to be reduced on big business and shifted
more and more to the broad masses. Foreign
debts are to be liquidated according to the prece
dent established with Great Britain, thus con
solidating the financial hegemony Of Wall Street
over the capitalist world. The consolidation of
the railroads in private hands is to be facilitated
Big business is to be controlled only insofar as it
is necessary to keep order between rival capitalist
groups, so that they shall not cut one anothers
threats. "Selective immigration" which means
finger printing and passport regulations for the
fOreignborn, is to be established The Philippines
are not to be given independence. Imperialist
aggression in South America is tacitly approved
with the understanding that it is to continue I'M
abated. A large army and navy These are few
points in the program of American Imperialism
and world conquest, as laid down by the G. O. p.
With this necessarily, goes the subjugation Of
the working class, and its more intense exploita-
ton. The G. 0. p. platform stresses the necessity
tc increase production and decrease COSTS The
employing class is told to go so far as it likes in
the "open shop" wagereducing, union smashing
CdmPdlSu, Win INC OAuy IcScrFdtl0u lldJ Tic gov
eminent must be able to step in to keep solid
lineup of the master class as whole The strike
breaking record of the government, under both
Republican and Democratic parties, is endorsed.
The farmers are told to work harder and have
faith in the G. 0. p Those who still have anything
to mortgage will be given the chance to borrow
some more money, so that they, too, may be in the
bankruptcy courts in the next crisis. All demands
for actual relief of the agricultural crisis are re
jected as "unsound" in the system of capitalist
exploitation.
The elephants platform is one hundred per cent
for Wall Street, but it has the merit of being so
frankly reactionary that it will fool very few. The
donkey's platform will have more camoufage, but
will mean the same thing. The workers and farm
ers are left to organize themselves at st. Paul
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-13

future Of the German Communist Par
ty owing to the acute controversy go
ing on in its ranks at that time. The
conference OF the German Communist
Party which took place recently lille
gally in Frankfort, showed that the
state of affairs in the party was better
than we had expected.
The Party Tasks.
The important task now confronting
the new Central COMMITTEE is to re-
move the traces of fractionism, and
not merely in words but in deed, to at
tract the best OF all the former fac
tions to the work, in order finally and
completely to restore the line and to
render harmless the ''ultra-left" tend
encies, which the Central Committee
rightly describes as tendencies to-
wards passivity and in order to put
an end to the internal conflict and to
take up broad political work.
There are many reasons for believ-
ing that the Central Committee of the
party will manage to fulfill its task
To take up broad political work
this is the principal task of the party.
The elections have created a most fa-
vorable situation for this. Whatever
government is formed now (either a
large coalition" or bloc under the
heel of the right, 1t is clear that none
will be stable. The mistake made by
those who said that Fascism had been
victorious in Germany, is now evi.
dent to all. The fuctuating situation
will continue, The solution Of interna-
tional difficulties which appeared to be
approaching (the decision Of the Com,
mittee Of Experts) become less prob
able as the result OF the elections in
Germany and as a result OF the events
proceeding in France. Even II this
solution" OF the question be accepted.
the hopelessness Of the situation will
again become evident in very short
time. There is no other way out for
Germany except by a proletarian revo-
luton. This is what the elections have
shown.
A broad illimitable field OF action
now opens up for the German Com
munist party. The confidence Of the
members of the party and OF the revo-
lutionary workers generally is rising
Every such worker will say TO himself.
I'VE are four million adherents OF the
proletarian revolution"
Economic battles are extending. Po-
litical problems are becoming more
acute.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-13
Send in that Subscription TOdayI
Nominating Coolidge

Of all dreary reading the worst is speeches no
minating captaistc candidates for the presidency.
The past has produced terrible specimens of such
literary atrocities but probably never worse one
than that of NJ. L. Burton, in nominating Coolidge
at Cleveland yesterday Stupid, inane and point
less--the speech symbolized the candidate it was
intended to exalt his party, and the capitalist
system of society for which all stand
1t might be urged that we should pardon the
learned DIR. Burton for his inability to say any
thing interesting about dull and gray figure
as the puppet Coolidge. 1t was an impossible
task to set even for genius of oratory, which the
Doctor is not. But what shall we think when the
leaders of a great nation" in the solemn hour
of choosing leadership, cough up and present to
the world such brilliant apothegm this, sup
posed to characterize Cal Coolidge: "He may be
an example, but he would never set one"
Attic Coolidge the human being, may be as
completely devoid Of meaning as that phrase, yet
Coolidge the candidate is not so blank Behind
the senseess nothings of the speeches, the forced
cheers, and reactionary resolutions Of the Cleve-
land convention lie the sinister forces Of American
capitalism, knowing exactly what they want and
how to get it, The public display of idiocy in the
nominating speech is merely part Of the effort,
more clumsy than usual, to keep the eyes Of the
workers away from the great realities behind the
conventionJ. r. Morgan and his check book.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-13
AS WE SEE 1T
By ]. u. o'FLAHERTY.

William Gibbs McAdoo will not
make the mistake his father-in-law
made in 1916 when he failed to com
pensate his Ohio supporters for the
assistance rendered in putting his
candidacy over the top. In a letter
issued from the Columbus headquar-
ters of McAdoo, prospective support
ers are informed that all those who
lend money or influence to the Nc
Adoo campaign will be remembered
when the time comes to reward the
faithful. In the event of McAdoo go
Ing over the tape on the first Tuesday
in November, his machinists will start
a new "Ohio gang" in place Of that
capitalist once led by the notorious
Daugherty. This will inspire other
political scayengers to get busy clean
ing out the new gang.
This is the way capitalist politics
IRE played. There is no ideal to
strive for but the, personal interest
II the particular politicians who are
selected to serve the capitalist class
in the legislatures, national, state or
municipal. From. the White House
down to the lowly ward, this cor
rupt machinery that Darters princi-
Piles for cash, fourishes.
There must be something to man
who inspires, a poet to verse. There
must be something unusual about
man who inspires two poets and there
must be something extraordinary
about a man who inspires political
party to sing about him. But per
haps, the poetry il even more un-
usual. 1t usually is. The Republican
Party is singing to keep up its cour-
age, while it sends it's leader, Cool
idge, forward to- face the paper bull
let's in November. This is the refrain
of the campaign song:
so keep cool and keep Coolidge is
the slogan, Of today, ~. Is
Keep cool and keep Coolidge, for
the good old U. S. A.
"A lot Of politicians cannot do a
thing but knock,
But Calvin Coolidge is man Of
action and not talk.
So just keep cool and keep Cool
In the white House four years
more,
We have a chance to do II in this
year of twenty-four.
He's been tried, he's never want
ing; he is giving of his best;
Keep cool and keep Coolidge, is our
country's mighty test"
A well-wisher of the DAILY WORK
Err challenged us to improve on the
above, SO we sought an idle rhymster
and finding him, offer the following
for the consideration Of our readers:
The Burglars Refrain.
Keep cool and keep Coolidge is
what the grafters say;
Keep cool and keep Coolidge till
we rob the U. S. A.
We already got the Teapot Dome
Cal never opened his block,
When he gets back to Washington,
we'll put Uncle Sam in hook.
So just keep cool and Keep Cool
idge,
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-13
Deeper Into the Masses.

Meanwhile-deeper among the mass
es. Increase the work of the Com
munists in the trade unions tenfold.
Set up, not on paper but actually, an
extensive system of Communist frac-
tions in the trade unions. Capture
the factory councils in fact. Reorgan-
ize the party on the basis of factory
council nuclei.
Only if the party does all this, will
it really commence a new chapter In
its history. Only if it does this, shall
we really commence 10 carry out the
policy of unity from below. in place OF
the method of negotiating for the unit
ed front mainly with the leaders as
has been practiced hitherto.
1t is necessary that the party really
conduct its work on new lines. It is
necessary that the change of course
shall not be limited merely to the pub
licafion of more radical articles in the
newspapers. 1t is necessary to plunged
right into life. 1t is necessary to be-
come the focus of the economic and
political struggle.
The German Communist party is
fighting on the most important posi-
ton of the world revolution. This ex-
plains the enormous interest dis
played by the workers and Commun-
lists Of all countries in all that is TAX
ing place within the German Commun-
list party. The German Communist
party is at heart, so sound that no mis-
takes committed by the leaders, no in
ternal crisis can destroy It, but such
errors nevertheless. may cause the
party considerable damage.
Our desire is that the German com
rades quickly remove the traces OF the
already too-long-drawn-ou internal
controversy. The difficulties are great,
but great also is the spirit OF the Ger
man proletariat. The attention OF the
whole OF the Communist International
is concentrated on the work OF its Ger
man detachment. In spite OF today's
brilliant election Victory land perhaps
because OF ~, the German bourgeoisie
In alliance with the German counter
revolutionary social-Democrats may
strive tomorrow again to drive the
German Communist party under.
ground. But no matter what the enc
mics OF the German proletariat may
do they will only further the prole-
tartan revolution.
And the German Communist party
will be at It's post.
The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-13
The Bankruptcy Of LaFOIIette

LaFollette's idea of "purging" the Republican
party has demonstrated its complete bankruptcy
With the almost unanimous casting aside of the
LaFollette program by the Republican convention
the Wisconsin senator has come another step
nearer his disappearance political force in the
country.
The Wisconsin senator insisted upon maintain
ing his regularity. Timidly he refused to connect
himself with any fighting forces outside the Re
publican organization. He had no program that
reached beyond the old party machinery.
When the Wisconsin platform drowned out
at the Cleveland sessions by tidal wave of nayes
even the ghost Of LaFollette was banished from
the Republican councils. AS guiding force in
the circles of the party rulers Mr.. LaFollette was
long ago thru, despite all the groundless Illusions
he might have entertained to the contrary. The
decisive rebuke accorded his principles by the
hand-picked delegates, the refusal even to graft
some of the Wisconsin progressivism on the party
platform is the most convincing evidence of the
bankruptcy of the LaFollette tactics and maneu-
vers placing hope in the reactionary G. 0. p.
1t has been the essence of the LaFollette plan
to avoid action against the old capitalist parties
to delay if ever, breaking with them and to con
tinue within the fold of the Falls, Daughertys,
Coolidges and Lodges This conventions treat
ment of the Wisconsin delegation should serve to
convince whatever small following that LaFollette
might still have had amongst the industrial work
ers and exploited farmers that there is neither
fight nor hope left in Fighting Bob"
When LaFolette's program was thrown out OF
the window in the Republican convention, the last
nail was driven into the coffin bearing the Wis
consin senator's right and pretense to pose as
spokesman of the working and farming masses
The fnsistence of h1Tollette to keep foot in
the reactionary capitalist Teapot party and an
other in the ranks of the great of discontinued
has only served to sabotage and interfere with
the movement towards an open, sharp break by
the exploited classes with the political organiza
tions of the bosses. Anyone guilty of misleading
the workers and poor farmers, anyone responsible
for holding up the organization of a separate and
distinct party of the city workers and the dispos
sessed rural classes is unworthy of the slightest
confidence of the masses and ought to be COM
pletely discarded.
Now that events have established the utter
failure of LaFollette at the Republican convention,
an empty gesture may be made by the same pOliti-
cal innocents at the Democratic convention. This
puppet show in New York. within a stroll's dis
lance from Wall Street. will be as hopelessy CAPT
talist as the Cleveland farce With LaFOl-
letteism so completely in discard all workingmen
and poor farmers should cast aside all illusions
which will organize the party of the industrial
workers and poor farmers
and line up solidly for the st. Paul convention