The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-02

pLOOMVILLE, Wise, (By Nall
- Inquiry is often made about
the members and active workers of
the socialist party in years gone.
AS If this were a mystery.
There were several of these form
er socialists at our meeting here at
the Town Hall in Schley township.
They were among those most eager
to ask questions. To be sure, they
were those most easily answered.
Invariably they had gone over to
the LaFollette movement, when they
had not been won for the Commun-
list movement. Without exception
they are now to be found in the
right wing Of the LaFollette move
ment, some even elected to Office on
the LaFollette ticket. They are now
supporting the LaFollette conserva-
tives, Blaine for United States sen.
ator, and Ekern for governor.
AS for the socialist party, it has
completely disappeared up here in
Lincoln county, where it once had a
foothold. Victor Berger, socialist
congressman, and Daniel W. Hoan,
socialist mayor of Milwaukee, told
the workers and farmers to support
the LaFollette ticket in 1924. They
did to such an extent that the So
cialist party was completely Quilted
of its own members and sympa-
thizers. 1t must be so over other
great sections Of the state.
OF course, these socialists who
have found a place at the capitalist
fleshpots, even tho they bear the La
Toilette label, try to justify them
selves.
What reason have we to believe
that the Communists will not go the
same way as the socialists?" was
asked, for instance, by one of these
former socialists, who is now La
Toilette county supervisor.
All of which necessitated a care
full explanation of the different roles
played by the Second (Socialist)
International and the Communist
International, the latter the heir of
the First International, of the Inter
national Workingmen's Association
of Karl Marx. This ex-socialist
didn't mind severe criticism Of the
socialists. In fact, he seemed to
feel that it justified his present
renegade position. He tried to but
tress that position by attempting to
drag the Communists into the mire
with the socialists. Thus, for in
stance, after he had been completely
silenced on the question of Com
munist loyalty to the working class,
he came back with the question,
What is going to stop another
ruling class from developing it's rule
over the workers of Russian"
1t was a little difficult to discover
just what he was driving at. But
it seemed that he was under the H.
fusion that those holding official
position in that Union Of Soviet Re-
public would develop into new
ruling class to Cypress the workers.
1t was only hazy and ignorant way
of restating the charge of the social
democracy that the dictatorship in
the Soviet Union is the dictatorship
Of the Communist Party and not a
genuine proletarian dictatorship.
But it did not take long to convince
that audience of farmers and lumber
workers that the workers and farm
ers constitute the class in power in
the Soviet Union today, that they
are building the Communist society
that is abolishing all classes.
All of which showed the ex-soeial-
list into a corner and he resorted to
some of the arguments of the cap
italist politicians. Thus he urged
that supporting the LaFollette pro-
gram and ticket would "get some
thing now" whereas nothing could
be expected Immediately from sup
port given to the Communists. This,
of course was also effectually shat
tered by showing that the LaFollette
movement is but part of the capital
list political game, trying to give
voice to the interests of the small
bankers. the rich farmers and the
little business men. Since none OF
these elements was represented at
the meeting, the ex-socialist did not
get any support for his views.
Another questioner, showing that
the British coal strike is being close
ly followed up here among the farm.
ers, wanted to know why 1t was that
scab coal was being sent TO England
from the United States. II was easy