The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-08-18

about the meaning OF the word politics.
They will be scrappng about lot of other things inn
portant, before this election campaign is over.
HiIquit says that, "A progressive is one who has
definite program of economic and social REFORM
being the positive constructive character of such pro-
gram"
Berger claims that "Ths definition and test would fit
Dawes and Musson even better than Hiqut Foster.
and social REFORM and It is rather positive character
And both Dawes and Mussolni insist that their program
constructive"
Berger up by charging that HIquits definition is
poor one, and then substitutes his foIIows
s The only way to recognize progressive is to learn
faces backward he is no progessveno matter what his
program"
Both Hiqut and Berger trying to define the kind
Of company they keeping in the LaFoette campaign
But much better definition of this outfit given by
Robert NJ LaFolette Jr, of the Wisconsin senator
when the LaFoIIette convention being held in ceve
his father "A meange of middle integentsia petit
bogeose and trade union bureaucracy struggling find
formula for class collaboration"
It effort the part of HiIIqut Berger to blind
their few remaining followers the truth of the analysis of
young LaFoIette that leads them frame their des
criptons OF their political bedfeIloWs
HIquits definition the usual makeshift of lawyer
Berger successfully riddles it.
But Berger indicts himself and his party in his den
ton The Milwaukee socialist editor and congressman still
hypnozes himself into the belief that he is facing "for
ward"
Berger and the whole world socialist movement of the
Second International faced definitely backward when it
gave its support to the capitalist of 1914.
That backward-looking position irretevaby main
tanned in the refusal to support the establishment of Soviet
Rule in Russia.
1t was emphasized in the aid given the counter-revoIu
tionary forces that waged on Soviet Russia.
1t became permanent in the coalition of socialist forces
with those of the capitalists fight the rise Of the Com
munsts to power, in practically every country
Berger truly says that "If faces backward he
no progessve-no matter what his program" No matter
what phrases Berger and his fellow socialists adopt
their programs and in their speeches. they nevertheless
among whom LaFoee stands in the first rank, with
pers the labor reactonay and the mionaes Spreckes
and VANDERBILT
Berger has always been known for his bluff and buster
only superego, in Bergers position, could the nes
The definition of progressive should always include
the idea of working for gradual forward advance of an
economic and social dea And the test-ought be the
to the questions Did the up for pro-
gram when difficult dangerous stand? There is
other test"
Berger's brand of socialism, for instance with it's sup
portes tested in the German reichstag, when Karl
Lebknecht stood alone against kaise Liebknecht
up and fought for his program, when it difficult and
dangerous take his stand Lebkneoht stood facing for
ward, with Bergers whole Second (Socat) international
turning its back upon him.
However" says Berger, ~ don't much for defn
tons. Definitions words at best. We deeds"
But that gets neither Berger HiIqut on safer
grounds.
They betrayed both by their words their deeds
All reaction that seeks maintain the capitalist system
Berger and Hqut today the camp the ardent
supporters of the capitalist social order keeps the
OF the workers and farmers In slavery. They
reactionists facing backward.
n ~