The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-09-22


on Socialist Party betrayers of the
past. The first two dealt with
Thomas Van Lear, Mayor of Min
neapolis shortly before the war, and
Fred Miller, ice-eream factory sup
erintendent in st. Paul. The fol-
lowing article describes an incident
in the life Of John Spargo, one of
the first Socialist Party leaders to
jump on the war band-wagon in
1917.
VERY short in stature, a thick black
ribbon holding his glasses
to the lapel Of his coat, John Spargo
stood on his toes and thundered his
condemnation of the capitalist sys-
tenn.
After much pickering with college
authorities, we had succeeded in get
ting permission for him to deliver
an address under the auspices of the
intercollegiate Socialist Society
branch at the University of Mime
sofa. Some of us were still dressed
in military uniform, for we had
rushed from the drill grounds to hear
him speak.
He pointed his finger at us.
They're drilling you to use you for
shooting workingmen fighting for
bread!" he shouted at us. They're
preparing you for cannon fodder in
capitalist war" The European
war was already on. We were
ashamed for being in uniform, and
at the end of the meeting explained
how this came about. He accepted
our explanation like forgiving
father. We were thrilled. He was
a good speaker, and one of our So
cialist heroes.
wait Till Spargo Comes -"
The United States entered into the
war. Spargo was coming to town.
Wonderful, we thought. We were all
so confused as to what to do. He
will tell us. Workers who came to
the party's headquarters asking what
to do when their number was pulled
in the draft-draw were told, Join
the Socialist Party and wait till
Spargo comes to town. He'll tell us
what to do"
The largest auditorium in st. Paul
was rented for Spargo. A few days
before the meeting the st. Paul press
announced that Spargo favored a re-
lentless war against the Huns" We
would not believe this, but went on
with feverish preparations for the
mass meeting at which he was to be
the main speaker.
Farmers came into the city for the
meeting: workers poured into the
huge auditorium; young men in
white collars came, their faces tense
and white. will he tell US what
to do?" they asked anxiously of the
ushers wearing red arm bands.
you bet he will. Just watt" we
replied in fever.
Van Lear Again
And the Governor came. With him
was group of women in low-bos-
omed evening dresses. They were ush-
cred by policeman into the Gov
ernor's box.
Van Lear was on the platform. In
the confusion and hysteria of war
time we forgot his treachery. Surely
he would rise to the emergency. Mil
Ter, our Miller, was on the platform.
The city convention had not been
held yet.
When Spargo, surrounded by COM
rades, came on the platform, $4,000 |
men and women stood up and roared |
a welcome to this little man. Seated
near the front, could see the Re-
publican Governor shades Of Her |
bert Hoover and his ladies in the /
1ox. They looked cool and exchanged |
smiling remarks amidst the roaring |
applause. The Governors large mouth |
was curved cynically.
Van Lear was introduced. We |
,heered again. At last we were all
united again against capitalism.
Labor Must Be as One"
Clear as bell Van Lear's voice rose |
n the auditorium. Labor in a crisis |
ike this must be as one he said. He
was applauded. I saw the Governor |
applaud SO I stopped and nudged
IN old Socialist worker at my side
% ask him what the hell the Gov
,rnor was applauding for. He didn't
Snow either.
Meanwhile Van Lear continued,
larping on the theme of labor being
Us one. The audience grew FESTIVE.
he began pausing frequently as If
for words. He had never
lesitatcd before. Always smooth, easy
lowing words ringing like clear
,ell. Then he plunged into narra-
ion of how the Socialist Party al
Ways fought for the oppressed. Bel
,ium, he said, was now of the OPP
PRESSED, and this was all he said as
ar as the war was concerned. He
nded his speech rather lamely on
he theme that labor must be as one.
There was a fluttering applause as
lie bowed. The Governor clapped his
lands, but without enthusiasm: his
aides followed suit.
The Ice Cream Socialiat Speaks
Van Lear's speech cast heavi-
less upon the audience Miller, on
eing introduced, received no ova-
ion. Everyone waited to hear what
lie would say.
"The Socialist Party always stood
Or peace" he began. Applause start
1g in the galleries was stopped short.
filler then began speaking of the
cor people who were dying In the
1--WE are against brutality
riends," he Oozed. THE Socialirt
arty wants men to live, not to die
Is shame to kill men. It's again
3d. He turned to the Governor
Ok. For Gods sake, Governor,