The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1929-02-25

so legendary and elusive in the
American labor movement. What
does it mean? Is it a call for new
struggles against the reactionary
bureaucracy which has destroyed all
traces of militant working-class
character in the old unions?
No, this is not a manifesto against
the bureaucracy. 1t is an attack
against the Left wing, against the
Trade Union Educational League
(summed up by them as "the Com
munists" because Communists are
the most active leading elements)
The program is a mask, from behind
which can be continued in the new
period we are now entering, the
treacherous role of the "progres-
sives" played by them uninter-
rupsedly since 1924. The Left
phrases are revived, because the re-
dictionary deeds of "progressivism''
in the last years have destroyed all
its influence among the masses.
Why the Manifesto Comes Now.
The Labor Age" group have not
explained why it is just at this mo-
ment that they call for a revival of
"progressivism." Their socialist
party wing and connections (the
"New Leader" Oneal, Norman
Thomas, etc. fill this gap. Ex-
anime some of their testimony.
In "The New Leader" of Feb. 2,
James Oneal reviews his services to
the A. F. of L. bureaucrats in their
wrecking of the needle trades unions
in New York, in their striker
efforts to destroy the Left wing
which had gained the confidence CT
the masses. But 1--WE were grieved,"
says Mr.. Oneal, when these services
were rewarded by kick in the face
from Woll, Green and Co., who de-
nounced Brookwood College and
Prof. Dewey in the New Orleans
convention. eve talked to trade
unionists who were gloomy. 1t
seemed that reorganization of unions
in New York would be hampered."
In short, Oneal testifies that the
masses of the workers have lost all
confidence in the A. F. of L. bureau
Gratis and their socialist agents, and
that it is necessary to find new
methods of regaining influence. The
masses have "gone Left" and only
Left" mask Will enable this to
be done. Woll and Co., by their open
reaction, stupidity hinder this task.
Even more disturbing to these
progress ives" is the criticism of
the liberal bourgeoisie, who are
sharply critical of such stupidity
which exposes the Bureaucracy, and
which accelerates the movement Of
the masses toward the left wing.
Thus Oneal speaks of Gan editorial
in The Christian Century which
was especially bitter, so bitter that
we do not care to quote it." And
Norman Thomas quotes with an
prehension the words of that able
advocate of trade union philosoohy,"
Professor Selig Perlman, "who
speaks of the zeal of the socialist
party in placating the trade unions
"The socialists ceased altogether to
criticize the union leaders and
eagerly participated in any and
every tentative political grouping
provided their sworn enemies, the
Communists, were not permitted to
take part"
Thomas is worried. "No zeal on
the political field" he says, "can
wipe out of mems minds the imprc1-
sion we shall have made by our ac-
oeptance in the unions of the leader
ship of men who openly flout the
ideals we have professed."
When socialists in those unions
openly or silently supported almost
anyone who would damn Communists
loudly enough they played into the
hands of Communists. Indeed, we
are compelled now to face the sorrv
fact that the nominal support of
some so-called socialist unionists HIS
hurt the party more than helped it
because of the tactics they have en-
ployed in their own organizations. !"
Our desire to cooperate as far as
possible has gone too far. We have
lost, not gained, influence in the A.
F. Of l.. and among the unorganized
workers 4. have found kind of
scorn of us as a result of our sup
posed complacence in accepting
VOLTS leadership"
Is comment necessary upon these
quotations? Is it not clear that we
are dealing here, not with the slight
est change in the policy of these
"progressives" and Socialists" but
merely with the development of new
tactics, forced upon them by the fact
that that the workers refuse any
longer to believe in them and fol.
low them?
The ne1t instollment Of this ar.
ticle to be published tomorrow, will
discuss the background of the "pro.
gressfUes," their attitude and &C.
lions to,Oard the neto Left wine
unions, and In the recent strikes led
by the Left wing and COMMUNISTS
Christian Socialism n but the holy
winter with which the priest conse-
crates the henrtburninEs Of the nris-