The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-16
BY DAVID A. coRmAN.

6J 6fNNiG ~ dOnmfNtN~
In discussing the thesis of the c. E.
c. that is the majority thesis and the
reason for my approval Of the MAORI
ty position, it is well that relate the
experience we had in Los Angeles,
Cal, Immediately prior to the forma-
ton of the Los Angeles labor party,
during its existence and after.
Like in all other centers the polit-
ical policy pursued by the local labor
movement was the endorsing of good
candidates. That was done thru a
Joint executive board. Many of the
politicians endorsed by the joint board
were also endorsed by the chamber of
commerce and the Los Angeles Times.
Particularly SO in the local city cleo
tions which the rank and file took
more interest in than in other cam
aigns. The opposition Of the rank and
file against such treachery expressed
itself in the labor council thru their
delegates.
Early in January of 1923 the labor
council passed motion calling upon
the joint board to invite all work
ing class political parties to send
representatives to its meeting for the
purpose Of creating a united front in
the approaching city election. At the
next meeting Of the board the S. p.
had two spokesman. The Workers
Party was represented by the writer.
The socialist position was to form
loose alliance between themselves
and the trade unions for the city elec-
ton. / presented our party position to
Immediately form labor party. Being
a member of the joint board, pro-
posed the calling of convention Of
trade unions to decide the future DO
litical policy of the local labor move
ment. A motion carried to call a con-
vention for March 8, 1923. AS the call
was being sent out to the unions, our
labor party resolution passed the Ma
chinists' Union and that resolution
was sent to every A. F. Of L. union
in the city for endorsement.
On March 8 the convention opened
with about ITS delegates representing
So unions. The labor party was
formed. The writer was elected chair
man. At the next meeting OF the L.
p. many independent unions Joined
along with the s. p, W. r.. Workmen's
Circle and even the proletarian party.
The united front was complete.
We entered the city election cam.
paign and we failed to nominate our
candidates in the primaries. The
unions that remained in the J.. p.
after the election represented 1900
members paying per capita tax on the
basis of one cent per member per
month.
When the call was issued for the
July convention the l.. p. sent two
delegates. We later affiliated with
the Federated. which resulted in the
withdrawal Of the S. p. the probe.
tartan party and many unions. The
L. p. later issued a call for a state
convention TO form a state labor party.
This convention was called OF In
order to first fight within the state
@. p. p. A. Being defeated in the c.
p. p. A.. we formed a provisional
committee for a state +. L. p. Several
months later at state convention
the Q. +. L. p. was formed. The state
+. L. p. and the Los Angeles L. p.
send delegates to st. Paul.
After st. Paul the rank and Ale OF
the unions went over to LaFollette.
The l.. p. ceased to be q mass organ.
lzation. Before the LaFolIette wave
many workers expressed their opposi.