The daily worker., 1933-12-23
BY CARL REEVE

Jasper McLevy, the Socialist mayor
OF Bridgeport, by failing to present
program for the Bridgeport work
ers, and on the other hand by traf-
ticking from the start with manufac-
turers and Republican and Demo-
cratic politicians, has SO dissatisfied
the rank and file Socialists that they
are already opposing him inside the
party.
This came to light in an interview
with McLevy, and with rank and file
Socialist party members in Bridge
port. This opposition has reached
the point Of severe criticism in the
party membership meeting of Nc
Levy's policies.
McLeYy's outlook is best summed
up in his own words: "The philosophy
o. Socialism is founded on the theory
and laws of evolution" McLevy
claims to believe in the class struggle,
but this struggle does not include
revolutionary action. AS McLevy told
the Daily Worker, the struggle does
not even include mass workers dem
onStrations. The central point of
the interview with McLevy was the
mobilization of the workers of Bridge
port for fight for their demands,
and in every case, on every demand,
RcLevy opposed any such fight and
even opposed putting forth clear cut
demands and clear cut program.
At one point McLevy became angry
and criticized the Communists. IT
know you Communists" he said.
you can't get anywhere with that
stuff. l don't believe in demonstra-
tons
No Action for Negroes
AlcLsyy claims to favor the inter-
eatS OF the Negro workers, against
lynching and jim Grow, etc. But it
Is lGc5 thct a resolution Of the
International Labor Defense against
lynohing and fc1 the freedom OF the
S2cstsbcro bays is languishing in the
city council EtJnout any action. When
asked about this resolution when in
terviewed McLevy simply stated:
The resolution has been referred to
the miscellaneous committee of the
council. bu5 tilis burying OF the
ansi-lynching resolution was done by
McLevy hinsSlf. who at the council,
allowed tbs resolution to be read,
and then slllated it to the commit
tee without saying single word in
its favor. In practice, McLevy will
moi 1gn5 in the interests of the Negro
Tog....oo;-,,,
10 Pu3uc Attack ON N.R.A.
AIcLevy was asked, in the inter
v4e--, regarding his attitude toward
the national government and toward
the Recovery program OF Roose-
welt. lie replied, Il am opposed to
tie NR.h. 1 have spoken of the
C.WA, waich IS a part of the N.R.A.,
as Q step il the right direction be-
cause it gives money to the workers
instead OF to the rich. But / realize
that the Recovery program as whole
IS an attempt to perpetuate capital
ism. II it breaks down they will try
something else" But the proof that
this criticism Of the national govern
mcnt is sheer demagogy is seen in
the fact that whereas McLevy in all
public speeches praises the C.W.A.,
he does not attack the Recovery
Program of Roosevelt. A Socialist
party member, worker, told me
later 'McLevy told me the same
thing, he told me he is opposed to
the N.R.A." Have you ever heard
McLevy make public speech at
tacking the N.R.A. or the Recovery
program Of Roosevelt" this worker
was asked. His reply was mo" On
this question also, in practice, Nc
Levy supports the Roosevelt govern
nent He refuses to put ND fight
agefnst the capitalist state.
No Fight On War
McLevy claims to be opposed to
capitalist war and war preparations.
But what has been the practice? Nc
Levy has watched American Legion
leaders prepare Bridgeport's Defense
Day program, inviting militarists
into the town as speakers, without
making a single public statement
against these war preparations, which
are going on with his knowledge and
Without any opposition ca his part.
In fact, he stood on the of1icisl re-
viewing platform.
Supports Present System
McLevy was elected because the
workers expected a fight, and leader
ship for all Of the demands of the
workers. But McLevy's every action,
his stand on every question, has
shown that McLevy Is attempting
through his demagogy, to chain the
workers to the capitalist system. Nc
Levy. under cover of his demagogy,
is trying to prevent the workers from
carrying out a fighting, revolutionary
policy. He does not want a fight on
these isSues-on the issue OF unem-
ployment, Of the fight against war.
Of the fight for the Negroes, Of the
fight against the capitalist state. He
does not want fight for revolu-
1ionary change, for the achievement
Of a workers government. He is silent
On the Soviet Union. A true rep
'esentative Of the National Executive
Committee Of the Socialist Party. he
carries out the policies of the ma
tional leadership of that party of
alking demagogically against cap
talism, but of preventing any sort
# a fight against it.
1t is on the question Of Mcrevys
'clations to the two openly employ
20 parties, the Republican and
parties, that McLevy has
'ome out in the open and has
the rank and file Of his own
,arty most. He has not even carried .
'ut the program of his own party Of .
appointing socialists. McI,evy has
ried to quiet the rank and file Of I
nc Socialist Party by saying that tho (
ity charter gives him no power to ,
ct.
But with regard to annnintments I