The daily worker., 1926-10-31
PROBLEMS OF ILLINOIS LABOR
TATE LABOR MOVEMENT CONTINUE TO RIGHT HIGH SPEED

expressed for these quite worthy, and
quite harmless objects, while speeches
were made every day for the union
label.
One real issue, that of organizing
unorganized workers, came up and
was slightly discussed, but the net re-
suit was merely the adoption Of a
resolution relative to the automobile
industry resolving to look for the
union garage shop card"
In its attitude towards relations
with or the sending of labor delega-
ton to the Soviet Republics, the reac-
tionary leadership became particu-
larly revealed. 1t attempted to place
the Soviet Republic on a parallel with
the fascist dictatorship, which exists
by the foul murder Of thousands OF
workers and destruction of their or
ganizations.
Drift to Right.
OTEP by step, the Illinois State Fed
- Grafton Of Labor has during recent
years gone completely to the right.
II has made a considerable swing
since 1919, when Duncan Mcdonald
became its president for one year.
Subsequently, John Walker stumped
the state as candidate for governor on
the farmer-labor party ticket at the
same time that Len Small was put on
the unfair list by the Central Labor
Council at Kankakee. Now the turn
is completed and the union leadership
has formed a solid alliance with the
stinking, corrupt Len Small machine.
This leadership gave full endorse
ment to Frank L. Smith, so-called
friend of labor, prior to the exposure
of the hundreds of thouands of dollars
contributed for his campaign by the
utilities corporations. The exposure
proved a concrete example Of the out
right buying of political candidates Of
the old parties by the big capitalist
corporations. Incidentally, it also laid
bare one of the greatest combinations
of big business, dirty politics, and
crime all united to perpetuate and
strengthen the capitalist system. The
choice of the Illinois labor leadership
was the alliance with this combina-
ton, through Frank L. Smith and Gov
ernor Small, to the Crowe-Barrett or
ganization, notorious for its labor
union busting activities, for its violent
gunplay and election steals.
Maintain Alliance.
THE exposure, however, has not as
L yet brought the repudiation Of this
or the endorsement made. On
the contrary, several of the leaders
insisted on and actually attempted to
their endorsement, but It met
with such strong opposition from the
Brennan and beer supporters who had
become strengthened and encouraged
by the growing dislike for the once
volstead act and wanted
to promote their own choice. The sit
uation shortly before the recent State
convention held possibili-
ties of conflict within the leadership
between these two forces. But the
lid was clamped on tight. A compro-
mise had been effected based on the
of candidates for the Illi-
nois legislature only.
The Moribund Progressive Party.
The Illinois Progressive Party at
tempted to hold conference simulta-
neously with the convention. 1t re-
ceived little support They are the
remnants Of the LaFollette movement,
which once had labor endorsements
galore. Farley Parker Christensen is
their nominee for U. S. senator. They
are now so few that they have nothing
to lose, and yet they did not have
enough CUTS to make a fight for their
candidate as against the corrupt twins
of "slush fund" fame. There is little
hope of any political lead being given
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