The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-09-20

InlS is the 1lrSC OF a series OF three
sketches the publication of which
assumes added interest in the light
of the recent actions of Paul Blan-
Shard, who left the Socialist Party to
actively support the Fusion candidacy
of Fiorello La Guardia for Mayor of
New York City, and of Upton Sinclair,
another leading socialist" who is
seeking the Democratic Party nomi-
nation for Governor of California.
The following account of the traitor
Gus career of Thomas Van Lear, writ
ten by one who was on the immediate
scene Of the betrayal, should be read
by all workers who still retain their
illusions about the Socialist Party
/ leadership.
Minneapolis and st. Paul are called
the Twin Cities. They Iace each
other across the low-howing Missis-
sippi. Today st. Paul has Tor its
Mayor a so-called representative of
labor, Mahoney, who was at one time
a member and a leader of the Social
ist Party. For that matter he still
Considers himself Socialist. He
sends cops to club workers.
Shortly before the United States
entered the world war, Minneapolis
had a Socialist Mayor, Thomas Van
Lear He was leader in the trade
unions and prominent in the Socialist
Party.
Prior to his election he had been
| polling large votes on the Socialist
ticket, so, in 1916, the party leaders
in Minnesota decided to do every
thing possible to get him elected. AL
the funds in the state partys treasury
were allotted for his campaign. The
party leaders hushed complaints when
placards stuck up all over town car
ried very often only his handsome
face, and on the bottom, Thomas
Van Lear for Mayor" or Vote for
IRE IN Of Labor, Thomas Van Lear,
for Mayor"
Just let's get Tom elected" the
leaders said 1--WE don't nave TO put
the word Socialist on the cards. Tom
will act like Socialist when he gets
csc ed. He'll show those capitalists.
Money? Tom will give us more than
10 per cent of his salary when he's
elected Just wait and see!'
So we all whooped 1t up for Tom.
For Tom was a likeable fellow
He had voice clear as bell. Well
built, smooth-shaven, well dressed, he
looked like statesman on the plat
form.
Blissfully an audience of 10000
drank in the clarity of his voice at
the final election rally. Tom was
right. Labor suffered at the hands
of capitalism. Hurrah for Thomas
Van Lear! Tom for Mayor! Tom
will emancipate usl So the audience
cheered, while the Yipsels, girls in
white dresses with red sashes, sang,
''The Workers Flag Is Deepest Red"
We held celebration in the state
headquarters Of the party when Tom
was elected He was not present.
Poor Tom, he was too tired from his
election campaign to come to our
celebration.
Three months passed by. Tom did
not send the ten per cent of his salary
as he had promised on accepting the
| party's nomination. He did not come
to any party meetings. He did not
answer a letter asking him to pay
his dues. A delegation was sent to
him. His secretary, a reddish, we'll
fed fellow, a labor politician, was
very polite He would bring the mat
| ter of the ten per cent to Mayor Van
Lear's attention. The Mayor would do
the right thing. The Mayor was a
fine fellow.
The Party was in debt after the
campaign. Collectors clamored to
have their bills paid. Another dele
cation was sent to Tom Again his
secretary met it, just as Mayor
OBrien's secretary meets delegations
of unemployed today
Whom do you wish to see?" he
asked pleasantly.
as Tom IMP" asked an old grizzled
workingman who had given his life
to party work.
"You mean Mayor Van Lear? The
Mayor Is busy right now. Couldn't
you come another timer"
"I've got to work." growled the old
grizzled workingman. ME and my