The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-02-13
MOrticianS, Doctors, Lawyers
and LGfGrgue

which all sections of the exploiting class adjusts
its christian code of ethics to robber SYSTEM and
the continual conflict between morality in private
life and in the world of industry and business.
1t is in the lower strata of the bourgeois that this
conflict is most apparent and it shows itself as a
constant struggle the part of the petty parasites
to Justify their existence and the leechlike role
they play in relation to the working class
The strenuous efforts necessary for rationaliza-
ton force the cockroach capitalists and their more
farticulate professional associates to perform
many strange antics and utter many grotesque
statements.
1t is too bad, therefore, that Paul Lafargue could
not have lived to attend the banquet of 500 under
takers held yesterday in Chicago and have wit
messed what was perhaps the finest living example
of the correctness of his analysis of petty bourgeois
smugness and the manner in which their ethical
code is formulated.
We are indebted to the Chicago Tribune for the
story of the proceedings and we quite certain
that this staunch defender of capitalism in all its
manifestations gave the assembled babbitry none
the worst of it.
! The heights of unconscious humor reached at
this gathering the close connection between those
who prey on the workers in sickness, legal diff
fculty and death and the divided allegiance of pub
lie officials was there disclosed in so devastating
manner that we feel justified in Tightening up our
editorial page with verbatim reprint of the most
important parts of news story that requires but
a few additional words.
/ We begin with the speech of the Chicago health
commissioner, reported by The Tribune under
the head: "Bundesen Lauds Undertakes AS Noble
Artisians-Calls Them Loyal Workers at Annual
BaIE:
AFT was DR.. Herman N. Bundesen, commits
sioner of health, speaker and guest who
3struck the major chord of the festivities.
Instead of knocking or joking about
4 tpS the undertaken, we should be constant
owTly boosting him." he declared. "What
is more beautiful, what more kindly,
than to step into home where there
~ has been DEATH where there are tears
and sorrow, and by taking gentle
charge to bring peace and comfort?"
Assistant States Attorney John Sbarboro,
who is also in the undertaking business with
his partner, Attorney John BrisallerO acted as
POSTMASTER. He introduced DIR. Bundesen as
the man who had made the undertaken depend
| on old age instead of sickness for his lveIi-
hood.
"Yours is noble profession" de-
clared the health commissioner. u
would like to see you call yourselves
morticians instead of undertakers."
Thomas j. Dunlap, "the singing mortician,"
sang "Red Hot Mamma" then former Judge
John F. O'COnnell took up the theme.
There is no reason a lawyer should
not appear before you," he declared.
'You have recognized the close affiIia-
ton between the medical, the legal,
and the undertaking profession. There
is no doubt that pleasant feeling of
companionship exists between the
three professions"
Mr.. O'Connell urged an interest in civic
affairs.
1.-THE personality that dssipates sor-
row and cheers where the blow Of
death has Struck" he said. Twill find
Joy in solving the civic problem"
We have emphasized some of the more tasty ex-
tracts that our readers might not inadvertently
overlook these gems of bourgeois thought.
Please not that the assistant states attorney and
his partner are also in the undertaking business
If by chasing hearse or ambulance they are not