The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-09-25
By BILL GEBERT.


The progressive" state of Wisconsin and its
Socialist City, of Milwaukee, is in the grip
of the economic crisis with hundreds of thou
sands of unemployed or partially employed
workers. The factory payroll decreased 10 per
cent in July, 1880, compared with July 1929,
and the number of workers employed in the
factories decreased 11.6 per cent at the same
time Wage-cuts and lay-offs is the order of
the day in the factories of Wisconsin. Just
lately the Wisconsin Motor Company cut the
wages of the workers 10 per cent; the Phoenix
and Holeproof companies cut 20 per cent. The
number of farms in the state, according to Of
fetal figures decreased 1900 in the last five
years and many farms can be bought for de-
hnquent taxes alone.
These few facts show very clearly that IN
employment is the main problem confronting
the workers in Wisconsin and that farmers are
facing starvation as well as the workers.
Beer Instead of Relief.
The capitalist politicians recognize that IN
employment is an issue in the election cam
paign and utilize it as such The millionaire
governor of Wisconsin, Kohler, opened his cam
paign speech for reelection with statement
that the opening of the breweries would solve
the unemployed problem and that he is against
the doles for unemployed. But this issue did
not last long, as at the mass meetings IN
Oshkosh and Berlin workers booed and heckled
when he attacked unemployment insurance.
Mr.. Kohler considered booing him an insult to
the state of Wisconsin, but workers do not care.
Kohler was candidate of the old guard re-
publicans and is staunch supporter of HooE
er's prosperity bunk. Seeing the growing dis
content of the workers and farmers he pro-
posed the establishment of state constabuary
in case of strikes, demonstrations, etc. His
opponent in the republican party, the '"pro-
gressive' Phil LaFollette raises the question
of unemployment as the main issue in the cleo
lions and with this he went to speak to work
ers at factory gates, stating that he is in favor
of unemployment insurance. To farmers he
promises decrease in taxes on the farms, rails
ing also the problem of public ownership of
public utilities and fight against the chain
stores system and banks and against the state
constabulary.
These, together with the demand of repeal Of
the prohibition laws, were the issues Of La
Toilette candidate for governor in the repub
lican primaries. He was supported by the A.
F. of l.. and Railroad Brotherhood officialdom.
A number of resolutions adopted by the trade
unions, openly declared their support for La
Toilette and his slate. The resolution of the
Green Bay Federated Labor Council of the A.
F. of L. states that: 1.-THE capitalist class deems
it necessary to have under its control an in
solent maglignant state constabulary to use in
the class war for profits against the workers
for wages" This resolution was adopted by
the way, following the speech delivered at the
meeting of this Labor Council by Senator La
Toilette. This clearly shows that LaFoette
republicans in Wisconsin utilize the discon-
tent of the broad masses of workers against
the proposed state constabulary. Thanks to
all these methods of the campaign, La Toilette
fooled the farmers and workers and petty bour-
geoisie, and won a victory over Kohler in the
primaries of about 100000 votes.
Communist Tasks
We must openly admit that our Party in Wis
consin did not fully realize the danger of the
La Toilette demagogy appeals to the workers
and farmers and did not expose in every day
work the so-called reforms of La Toilette and
the socialist party, although theoretically &C
knowledging that the social fascists are the
main danger. Until recently there was a feel
ing that we already have enough influence over
the masses of workers. The dangerousness of
this concentration was clearly illustrated few
days before the primaries In front of the
Seaman Body factory in Milwaukee, the Com
munist Party and La Toilette speakers held
meetings at the same time, which resulted that
% workers were listening to our speaker while
600 to 700 listened to La Follette's. The So
cialist party speakers, in many cases. spoke to-
gether with the republican La Toilette on the
same PLATFORM, dividing time at noon day fac
tory meetings as was the case in front of the
International Harvester.
The socialist party, recognizing its services
to capitalism, in the period of growing discon-
tent of the workers and their readiness for