The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-12-14
"Gone Practical -

ZONE PFIACTICAL-this how Norman Thomas
" characterized Paul Blanshard's decision to join
forces with LaGuardas Fusion ticket last September.
And from the practical viewpoint it appears that
Banshard guessed right in the election campaign.
This former Socialist leader close associate OF
Norman Thomas, leader Of Thomass militant" wing
OF the SP, has been appointed member of Mayor
LaGuardia's Cabinet" This is his reward for using
his prestige as a Socialist militant" to line Up work
ers votes for the disguised Republican Party.
Il am supporting Fusion" said Blanshard in his
statement OF resignation from the SP because want
to see something done" Surely something has been
done, Mr.. Blanshardl
Blanshard viii hold down the Commissioner Of
Accounts job at the fat salary Of $4,000 per year
Very practical, we would say, for Mr. BIanshard. A
handsome rewardl Judas Iscariot in his time could
only rake up thirty pieces OF silver
This Socialist leader, gone practical" IS nov SIT
ting openly right out in the center Of bourgeois po-
litics.
NOW what viii Mr.. Elanshard do In this rev job?
The Commissioner Of Accounts, according to the
press, has much power, che examines the books OF
other city departments and at the mayors request
makes special reports the conduct Of other city OFF,
ciaIss
Bianshsrd, in his new position, it would seen has
an opportunity to star real city reforrner He
ferret out graft and corruption, bureaucracy In
the city administration, and what not. Along with
LaGuardia, he will war against Tammany. They will
try to drive the Tammanyites out of ONCE TO make
room for Republicans.
FOR o TINS the Fusion broom win sweep osean
saving money for the big capitalists, cutting down
on their tax rate, reganing the shattered credit of
the city with the bankers - all preparatory to the
replacement Of Democratic racketeers by Republican
racketeers. In this process Paul Blanshard, coming
fresh from the Socialist Party and the Civic Affairs
Committee will make fine window dressing
But what will Blanshard, OF the LaGuardia ad-
ministration do for the workers OF New York City?
For the city employees who have suffered wage cuts?
For the teachers2 For the unenployeda
Absolutely nothingl
Events during the coming months Will show that
when Blanshard joined the Republican camp he openly
Joined the capitalist camp His Socialist demagogy he
will continue to His policies will be dictated by
Of the OBrien administration. Blanshard will merely
be another tool In their hands.
TIE Socialist leaders wall very frequently condemn
Banshard in the weeks to come as they begin to
develop demasogicaly their differences with LaGuar-
da. But there is but little difference between this
Socialist Blanshard and the Republican Banshard or
for that matter between the Republican Blanshard
and the Socialist Thomas.
The only difference is In their field OF operations
Formerly they both worked together from the offices
OF the League for Industrial Democracy as the So
cialst left wing" Henceforth of them will work
from the City Hall.
But they will both continue to support Roosevelt's
N. r. A. They will both support imitation. In short,
each in their own way, and from their workshop
will continue to support the starvation fascism
program Of the Wall Street bankers being carried out
nationally by Roosevelt and In New York City by
La Guardia.
Paul Blanchard has gone practical" In support OF
capitalism. Norman Thomas still prefers to serve
capitalist institutions behind the OF the peace
full road to socialism