The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-08-15
Bridgeport Socialist Mayor
Fights His OpUn Rank and File
RADE AND SPEAKING FROM
THE PLATFORM OF THE AMER
ICAN LEGION,

RADE AND SPEAKING FROM
THE PLATFORM OF THE AMER
ICAN LEGION.
McLevy has been particularly
vicious against the united front with
the Communists and other militant
workers. He has repeatedly fought
within the Socialist Party against
such united front, attacking the
Communists and anyone who dared
to work together with them.
Did Not Help Organize Workers
BY not so much as lifting his
voice has he attempted to help or
ganize the thousands of bitterly ex-
plotted workers in Bridgeport am
munition, electric and metal fac
tories. While having an unexam-
pied opportunity to do so, he has
not started any or assisted in any
organization campaign, alth u g h
the local radio station is given to
him free of charge for two 49,
minute periods weekly. On the
other hand, strikers have found the
Bridgeport police little different
than those of any other city.
The employers, whose Committee
of 100 endorsed him for the office
in prediction statement, are not
afraid of McLevy. To our question,
DO you think the employers of this
city regard Mayor McLevy as a
dangerous radical?" Socialist rank
and filters were positively derisive.
LiskoVski, one of those to whom we
addressed the question, laughed.
Nav! Some of them figured
he'd give 'em good government
and cheaper taxes. That's why
the Committee of 100 of local
business men and civic leaders
gave McLevy thier endorsement"
McLEVY is rapidly diyorcing him
l'i self not only from the workers
of Bridgeport but even from his
own Socialist Party. His failure
to report to elected bodies of his
own party, his appointment of of
ficials who should be elected his
failure to hold caucuses with the
Socialist aldermen to thrash out
common policy, are mentioned on
all sides. The great democrat" is
being assailed most bitterly as one
who is opposed to democracy in his
own party.
But there is growing resent
ment to McLevy and his policies
within the Socialist Party and Bit
ter disillusionment without. An OPP
position, as yet uncrystallized and
confused, is growing. The mem
bers see McLevy's pledges broken,
see that no problems are being
solved and are beginning either to
fight or turn away in utter disgust.
One Socialist alderman, John
Scheerin, has already rendered his
resignation. Others demand united
front with the Communists.
Struggle Between Members and
McLevy
A political conflict for the Social
list Party of Bridgeport is in the
cards. The workers who want to
fight for the improvement of their
conditions, want to fight against
war and fascism, cannot long re-
main at peace with a Socialist lead
er who assails the unemployed and
marches in lingo parades. A worker
who speaks from platform to-
gether with Communists against
war and fascism (but who still is
loyal Socialist Party member, con-
Guiding his speech with an appeal
to workers to join the S. P.) cannot
long remain at peace with Social
ist chief who shares the rostrum
with American Legion leaders.
Bridgeport workers, inclu d in g
those in the Socialist Party, are
more willing than at any other time
to engage in mass struggl efor their
own demands. They are beginning
to see the need of fighting against
such leaders tas McLevy, who block
the road to struggle. They are in
creasingly anxious to engage in
united actions, as the case of Lis
kovski proves.
The Communist Party has con-
sistently urged policy of mass
struggles. 1t has persistentIy
fought for the unity ow the work
ers in the struggles for unemploy-
ment insurance, against war and
fascism. The desire for the unity
of the workers, Socialist, COmmu-
mist, American Federation of La
Dor and unorganized workers, is
rising everywhere. This unity is
the need Of the hour in Bridge
port. The Socialist workers of
Bridgeport should fight to build
the united front Of labor, against
the disruptiye policies Of McLevy
and his ilk.