The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-29
MicolObers of the c. P.P.A.

Labor" published in Washington, d. o., IS
the official organ of the sixteen standard rail-
way unions" and the mouthpiece of the Con-
ference for Progressive Political Action.
It's issue Of the February 23rd is conclusive
evidence of the pitiable vacillation of the rail-
way union oficialdom in the present crisis
On the first page is a feature story of the
Chicago conference which attempted to re-
novate McAdoo, containing the resolution OF
confidence signed by II railway union officials
and the names of the unions they represent.
From the standpoint of the political forces in
the C. P. P. A. it is an impressive list.
In the editorial column is blackace coxed
editorial reprinted from the Washington
News" eulogizing LaFollettee but deprecating
attempts to make him appear as third party
candidate "IaFollette's state" says this edl-
torial, under his 20 years of leadership, IS
more solidly Republican than Pennsylvania
or Vermont"
In "Lonergan's Column" feature con.
tributed by Edward Heating, manager OF
Labor" is another eulogy of LaFollette ac-
companied by an expression of doubt as to
what he will do-stay with the republican
party or split.
The official organ of the c. P. P. A. as this
analysis shows is merely drifting with the
tide buffetted by the political waves as is the
organization for which it speaks
The spokesman of the So-called progressive
wing of the American labor movement are
torn between their allegiance to McAdoo and
LaFollette They are exercising no initiative
whatever as a labor group but are willing TO
follow either LaFolette or McAdoo as candl-
dates of the capitalist parties rather than
abandon a policy of class collaboration that
is not confined to the political field but runs
straight thru the American labor movement.
In no other great capitalist nation does this
situation exist--ine no other country are the
officials of the labor movement waiting breath
lessly for middle class politicians in capitalist
parties to frame the policies of the unions.
SO reactionary is the otticialdom OF the
American Federation of Labor that the Com
mittee for Progressive Political Action has
been termed its most progressive outpost; this
proQressivism goes no farther than the expires
sion of the discomfort of the middle-classeS
and if LaFolIette does not get the republican
nomination and does not split we will witness
the spectacle of the majority OF the official;
of the unions affiliated with the G. T. r. A
striving with might and main to herd the work
ers into the democrat party provided McAdoc
receives the nomination.
They want LaFollette first as republican
candidate; second as a third party candidate
If neither event should develop they are fol-
McAdoo as the democrat nominee.
We are willing to go no farther than this
with predictions at present but If McAdoo anc
LaFollette do not get nominations and La
Toilette does not bolt we will not be surprised
to see the c. P. P. A. split between the two
capitalist parties but united in hurting anathe
mas at the class Farmer-Labor party that vii
be in the field inevitably under those condi
tions.
Just at present, however, the Conference fol-
Progressive Political Action waits Micawber
like for something to turn up.