The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-07
BY A. Bittelnan
Gompers and C. P. P. A. Not
Progressive


To illustrate this point little more
fully, we might take Gompers, for
example, Gompers is one of the bit
terest enemies of independent polite
al action. He is 100 per cent with La
Toilette as far as the June 18th con-
vention is concerned. In fact, they
are both working hand in hand to
hamper the movement for a class
party.
Now, if LaFollette is a progressive,
Gompers too would have to be con-
sidered a progressive, wouldn't he?
Well, we would propose that Senator
LaFollette go down to meeting of
trade-union progressiVes and try to
prove this point there. We can just
imagine the reaction. Or, take the G.
'P. P. A. They, too, call themselves
progressive" for Progress
sive Political Action" But what does
it really mean from the point OF view
of labor and exploited farmers? 1t
means that at best the G. P. p. A. is
progressive" only in the sense in
which LaFollette is. That is, the c.
P. P. A. is working for the promotion
of middle-class liberalism which is
opposed and antagonistic to the pro-
gressive movement among the work
ers and exploited farmers.
1t was, therefore, perfectly natural
for LaFollette, Gompers and the G. P.
P. A. almost simultaneously to begin
an attack against June 18th and
against the idea of a class-party.
That's why, from the point of view
of labor, this whole combination is
totally and thoroughly reactionary.
An interesting, tho not very import
ant, sidelight in this whole affair is
the pitiful role of the Socialist Party.
This remnant Of "bygone greatness
is tolerated in the G. p. P. A. pre-
sumably in order to make the whole
thing look little more progressive"
1t would seem logical, therefore, to
expect from the Socialist Party at
least little "kick" against the dOmi-
mating influence in the G. P. P. A. and
in favor of independent political
action. Because it is only thus that
the Socialist Party could yet main
tain its prestige, and thereby fulfill
its pretended function of Left
Wing" in the c. P. P. A.
But the leaders of the Socialist
Party have so little vitality left in
them that they have ceased even to
pretend. They have completely sur
rendered to the reactionary leadership
of the c. P. P. A. and are merely
doing the bidding of their masters.
Under these conditions, we wonder
how long yet will the masters of the
C. P. P. A. be interested in keeping
with them the Socialist Party ballast?
The Lines Have Been Drawn Clearer
Because of the eleventh hour des-
perate attack on June 18th by La
Toilette, Gompers and the c. P. P. A.,
the lines between middle-class liberal
ism and working class political in
dependence have been drawn clearer
and tighter. The reaction to this
attack by the farmer-labor movement
all over the country was splendid. 1t
convinces us again that the time is
ripe for a powerful class-party Of
workers and poor farmers, and that
the June 18th convention will be able
to fulfill its historic mission.
The old slogans take new flesh and
blood. They assume, in the face of
the recent attacks, new significance
and Importance. Let's remember
them
A class party with class candidates
for the national elections of 1924.