The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-06
Where Is LaFoHette?

Senator LaFollette symbolizes the hopeless
ness and helplessness of the middle class. The
senator from Wisconsin personifes the mac
ton, hesitancy, indecision and lack of political
initiative which are so characteristic Of the
petty capitalist owners whose champion he is.
Never in his long career has LaFollette had
such splendid chance to strike telling blows
against all the powerful interests he has for
many years denounced in the bitterest words
Yet, how has LaFollette availed himself of his
opportunities to do what he has been saying
he wants to do? He has thrown away pract-
ically every chance that came begging at his
political door.
1t was LaFollette who really started the
whole Tea Pot Dome Oil affair. It was La
Follette's resolution in the last Congress that
set fire to the oil edifice of Fall and DENLY
But today LaFollette has lost the initiative and
is no longer the leading character in this most
important political drama. Except for his de-
mand to probe the stock profits of the oil COM
panies involved in the scandal, LaFollette has
not fired q single barTage into the camp of
Coolidge, Lodge and Smoot.
In the debate on the question of Soviet Rus
STA, Senator LaFollette again threw over the
brink an opportunity to hit his enemies very
hard. Even in the all-important tax issue La
Toilette has not measured up to the situation.
His lieutenant Frear, in the house, has done
whole flock of radical Senators has done
to date.
Fighting Bob" has made a cardinal mis-
take in the present fight. LaFolIette has put
all his eggs in one basket. He has staked his
all on the railroad question. Under the pres
ent circumstances with Teapot oil scattering
every corner of the United States and with the
tax question begging for action, there is very
little likelihood of getting any decision on the
railroad problem, important as it may be.
All LaFollette has done to date on this hob
by OF his is to give more power to the Demo-
Gratis. Even if the strenuously Objectionable
Section 15-a of the Esch- Cummins Act should
be repealed that will not automatically bring
about a reduction in freight rates. But no one
would seriously consider for a moment that
Coolidge will permit the repeal of this section.
Senator Robinson, the democratic whip, has
publicly announced his opposition to LaFol-
lette's railroad program and railway evalua-
ton scheme. Senator Smith, the Chairman of
the Commerce Committee, whom LaFollette
has put on the map of politics, has declared
privately that tho he is opposed to certain
features of the Transportation Act of 1920, he
Is not prepared to go along with LaFollette
and is not ready to make vigorous attack on
the Esch-Cummins law.
The outstanding weakness of LaFollette's
failure to date was well summed up by one of
the leading spirits of the insurgents when he
said: 1.-THE whole trouble is that we haven't
yet been able to map out definite program"
These are significant words. They tell the
reason for LaFoHettes not measuring up to
the numerous opportunities that have present
ed themselves to him in recent months If
there are any workers and farmers who are
anxious to put their faith in LaFollette leader
ship in the coming election struggles against
the big bankers and industrialsts, they would
do we'll first to examine LaFollette's repeated
throwing away of chances to strike their en-
emies; LaFollette's complete inability to take
the initiative and wage an offensive struggle
against the reactionaries.