The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-04-05
FARMER-LABOR
SECRETARY HITS
SMALL HACKERS
McCabe Says Ernest Ia
Purchased Faker


state electioneering for Len Small,
for Governor, in the last lap of the
primary campaign, and at the same
time Thomas G. McCabe, secretary
treasurer of the Cook County branch
Of the Farmer-Labor Party of the
United States reiterates his contempt
for the trade unionists who have be-
trayed independent political action.
Downtown politicians stated today
that Small has a much better chance
for nomination and election, and that
If he does not ride in, it will be due
to the increased activity of trade un-
ion officials in his behalf.
Small Advocate Condemned.
William Schoenberg, international
organizer of the machinists, at the
last meeting of Local 800, made an
impassioned speech in an endeavor
to convert the rank and file to vote
for Small in the primaries. ''If were
IN Milwaukee should vote the Social
lst ticket, if | were in Germany or
Denmark should be with the Social
Democrats. But here in Illinois, as
there is no independent political or
anization for labor, it is necessary
for the workers to deal with Small"
The machinists' organizer was re-
minded by Andrew Overgaard, Louis
Look, president Of the district coun-
Gil, Jake Weydert, Philip Kerr, and
several other rank and file machinists
that there is a Farmer-Labor Party in
Illinois as well as Minnesota, but
that trade union officials have been
engaged in merrily knitting the labor
party in the back in favor of the old
parties. They pointed out that Scho-
enberg seemed to be with the party
which he thought had the most pres
tiges or which he could get the most
out Of. They declared there was lit
tie difference between Small and Es-
sington, that whoever wins, the politi-
clans and the policemen's club will be
used against labor, as they are being
used in the garment strike at the pres
ent time. They declared their faith
in workers party which is based on
class lines and which is against both
Of the old parties.
Need Leaders With Backbone.
II don't see how any self-respect-
ing trade unionist can 90 into the
coming primary fight for any candi-
date put up by the old parties" said
Thomas G. McCabe, last night in an
exclusive interview with the DAILY
WORKER. "The old party primaries
are like pest house. No decent man
can enter them without becoming con-
taminated-I don't care who he is.
made my statement advising all
friends of labor, to stay away from
the polls because / wanted to set the
Cook County Farmer-Labor Party
right by declaring against entangle-
ments with old party politicians.
ut is deplorable that more Farmer
Labor Party members did not have
the CUTS to support me in my stand.
was speaking with the backing of
the unanimous decision of the execu-
tive board Of the party and the con-
stitution of the National Farmer-La-
Dor Party. 1t is the duty of every
union man who has any class con-
seriousness or any realization of the
position of the workers in society, to
stay away from the primaries-both
democratic and republication April
l8.
The Cats Let Loose.
at is evident that we need labor
leaders with a good deal sitter back
bone and good deal clearer Trains if
we are going to keep the workers
from being sold out to corrupt poll
ticians in the future"
McCabe launched into an attack on
the Illinois Farmer-Labor Party, a
dual organization headed by Clifford
Ernest, not connected with the Ma
tional Farmer-Labor Party. "The
Farmer-Labor Party of Illinois is a
scab organization, said McCabe
Ernest never carried a union card
He is a non-labor man who has lived
off Of union men and women of Chi
cago for the last three years. I am
tplad that this situation has revealed
lEtnest's organization in its true light
/ believe we have discovered that
Ernest is just a figure head, backed
J by Walker and Olander. believe
we have discovered who is paying
Ernest's salary and expenses tho
very people who are backing Small
l am now convinced that Ernest en-
tered the July 3rd convention at the
instance Of these men for the very
purpose and the definite intention OF
disrupting the Farmer-Labor Party Of
Chicago so that Small and the other
old party politicians would not lose
support"
Ernest would not dare to declare
in favor of staying away from the
primaries because he would endangel
the funds necessary to maintain his
headquarters, which are supplied by
Small men. Walker and Olandei
have in the past received favors from
both the old parties. They have very
! unsavory records"
. Attempt to Swing Federation.
Influence is being exerted or
members Of the Farmer-Labor Party
to keep them lined up for Small. Il
is ridiculous that serious Farmer-La
Dor Party members should repudiat'
their Party and declare that they d.
not owe any allegiance TO it. We ART
having an executive board meetini
tonight FRIDAY mighty which will