The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-01-24

American imperialism. and that this sugments the
danger Of war.
In short, it should be clear that Roosevelts en-
tire purpose in his gold deyauaon is to increase the
profits Of Wall Street monopoly capital at the ex-
pense OF the American toing and Wall Streets
mperalist rivals that it is further step toward in
nationaTy plundering of the masses toward fascist
reaction and war,
DUT what does the Socialist leader Norman Thomas,
y think Of this Roosevelt poicyP What Goes he tel
the workers about it? Does he warn them to fight
against it? Does he urge them to resist it, and de-
nand that Roosevelt put the burden Of the crisis on
the capitalist class rather than on the masSes2
Quite the contrary. Here Is how he talks to the
workers in his New Leader editorial this Week:
Remembering that world trade is still in the
grip Of a crazy capitalist system, the Presidents
proposals for devaluating the dollar in terms OF
gold O.. . are probably about the best that can be
made The terms Of the Presidents proposals
lessen rather than increase the danger OF war be-
tween cuTrencies and for advantage in foreign trade
They do not end it, AS it is-the measure OF
initiation proposed by the President may bring about
along certain lines what looks like a boom. >
Behind the critical" tone and the Socialist phrase
oogy, have we not here a complete approval Of
Rooseyelt's inflationary assault the masses7 Is
there anything here which Roosevelt and his reac-
Honary capitalist advisers could not approve?
Initiation will bring boom" declares Thomas A
boom for whom, may we ask? Roosevelts initiation
brought a temporary boom during the summer-but
this boom meant only increased profits for the
poly capitalists and lower standard of living for the
masses,
This boom meant that workers now have to pay
20 per cent more for bread and Is per cent more for
milk.
now does Thomas justify his support Of this CAPT
Al taliSt inflationary attack on the workers?
1t is his to this question that reveals the
very heart of the capitalist theology of these So
caliSt leaders. Thomas declares that these infla-
ton measures necessary because world trade
is still in the grip Of the crazy capitalist system"
In these words, he is placing himself squarely
behind American imperiasm'S infIationary war
drive for foreign markets! He approves the dollar
devaluation because it will help Wall Street imper-
ialism to fulfill its detectives in the present state of
world trade! This is how Social Democracy always
adapts its line to suit the needs of its bOurgeOse
at any given historical moment
Socialist leaders everywhere proclaim their APP
proval OF Socialism and their opposition to capitalism
But, meanwhile, they say we are living under capt.
tals, and therefore must adapt ourselves to this
crazy capitalist system" That's how the Socialist
Second International justified its support of the i'm
per1alist World War in 1914-18 That's how the Ger
man Socialist leaders justified their support Of the
arch-reactionary Junker mitarist Hndenburg That's
how Thomas justifies his support of the Roose-
Velb 14aUOry -hpeTanSt drive Tor foreign markets.
Wall Street needs dollar devaIuation in its fight
for trade. And Thomas supports it, with So
cais phraSeOlOgy about the "crazy capitalist system!
This is the typical role Of Social Fascis-to pre-
pare the way for fascist reaction and war, behind
Socialist phrases This is what SociaI-Fascism is
Socialist in phrase but Fascist In content and deed
And that why the workers in the struggle against
the Roosevelt Wall Street exploitation and reaction
must direct their main blow against the treachery Of
Socialist leaders like Norman Thomas