The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-06-20
CONFINED from page u

fident that even if Debs knew the
truth concerning their malodorous
political history even he would not
lend himself to be used by them, as
a cover for their down right political
rottenness. What is that record?
1t is known that Minneapolis few
years ago; was big center of radical
labor. Today, it is the scabbiest town
in America Both the political and
the economic arms of labor, have suf-
fered deep wounds which are still
bleeding badly, as June showed.
The Bastis-Thompson socialist" trea-
son is responsible for this.
AS the result of twenty years Of
constant socialist propaganda, based
upon the waging Of the class strug-
gle, Thomas Van Lear, was elected
socialist mayor in 1916. He was sup
ported by six socialist aldermen in
the city council.
Treachery Of Van Lear.
The very first thing that Van Lear
did as mayor, was to cut loose from
all socialist and labor control. He
became sufficient unto himself. He
struck political alliance with Frank
Mccormick, the democratic leader Of
the underworld elements. In this de-
sertion of the class struggle, Van Lear
commanded the loyal support Of Bas-
lis and Lynn Thompson. When Van
Lear was put under fire, in the party
for his capitalistic alliance, It was
Bastis and Lynn Thompson who raj
lied to his defense. This support Of
Bastis. together with that of Lynn
Thompson, now county commission
er, but at the period in question, So
cialist member of the school board,
strengthened the hand of Van Lear
greatly.
Notorious "Star" Steal.
So that in 1918, Van Lear, as can
didate for reelection, conducted this
campaign in connection with the cor
rupt elements represented by Frank
Mccormick. and abandoned all pollti-
cal relations with both the socialist
and labor movements. He was, of
course, defeated. He has suffered
two crushing defeats since then.
When it was proposed after 1918,
that a campaign OF exposure be In
stituted against Van Lear, before he
wrecked labor's organization, 1t was
the socialist alderman headed by Bas-
tbs, who stopped the party wheels
from rolling in that direction. Thus
Van Lear was left free to consumate
the notorious "Star" steal. That steal
could have been prevented, had the
Thompson leadership been true
to it's trust.
The class conscious workers Of the
city and state, naturally looked TO-
ward these socialists to act as the
watch dogs of their interests in the
Star. They were in an excellent po-
sition to do that, as ward leaders Of
the working class But they failed
the working class miserably, Tor the
simple reason that they favored Van
Lear's policies of class collaboration
and desertion. They were, in fact.
until quite recently, his political
henchmen. And Albert Bastis is even
now in his power, for divers reasons
known to others besides Bastis.
Socialists 90 Over to G. o. p.
In 1923, wholesale betrayal OF
the political interest of the working
class was put over by this socialist
gang. Dick Wiggin and the inimit-
able Bob Cramer were the chief oil
ers. The debacle of June 8, this year,
is rooted in the treachery of 1928.
In that year the entire socialist la
Dor group went over to the republican
candidacy of Leach. The socialist al
dermen constituted the central COM
mittee of the still lingering S. P. They
sabotaged the nomination of united
socialist labor candidate for mayor.
The class conscious workers were as
founded at this action. That was
the next step taken to demoralize the
political strength of labor.
Bastis, who is the intellectual and
practical leader and tactician Of the
socialist group in and out of the city
council. was openly rewarded by the
capitalists for his part in the be-
trayal of 1928, by their refusal to op-
pose his election in the sixth ward.
His seat was not contested. This
brilliant strategy of Bastis, brought
its full fruits to the workers, when
FIVE Of the six, aldermen up for re-
election, were defeated on June 8, this
year. Nevertheless, Bastis possesses
the gall to affix his name to a call for
the grand revival en- masse, of the
dead socialist corpse, which, when it