With the State Party’s leadership well-captured by the Right, Minnesota’s Left Wing gathered to affiliate with and elect delegates to the National Left Wing Conference. With 42 delegates claiming to represent 1,387 members in 14 locals and 4 groups, the conference saw several debates. The debates are seen below in the Convention’s minutes and an after-report by Duluth Scandinavian Local delegate, the Irishman Jack Carney. Carney, editor of Truth, was part of a minority that sought to affiliate to the I.W.W. as well as the National Left Wing. Aside from Carney, future Communist leaders participating in the meeting included among others Charles Dirba, Charles Skoglund, O.E.Thompson, and Charles Hathaway. Referendum that would have seen the State Party’s leadership recalled were ignored as the local Right mimicked the national Right Wing in simply ignoring their losses.

‘Minnesota’s Left Wing Conference’ from Truth (Duluth). Vol. 3 No. 24. June 13, 1919.

MINUTES OF MINNEAPOLIS LEFT WING CONVENTION

June 8, 1919. At Commonwealth Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.

The Conference was called to order at 10; 15 A.M. by the Temp. Sec. of the Twin Cities Group. Chas. Dirba. D.E. Earley was elected Temp. Chairman, and Chas. Dirba, Temp. Sec’y.

Then the credentials of 42 delegates from 14 locals and 4 groups were read and accepted. Of these 38 delegates took part in the conference representing a membership of 1,387. Thirteen other locals with a membership of 244 are definitely known to be Left Wing. All delegates were seated.

D.E. Earley was elected Permanent Chairman of the Conference, and Chas. Dirba, Permanent Secretary; H.H. Seff was elected Vice Chairman, and Jack Carney, Ass’t Secretary.

M.&S. that Roberts Rules of Orders be recognized as the Rules of the Conference, where they do not conflict with the established rules of the Socialist Party. Carried

M.&S. that mover of a motion be limited to 10 minutes, other discussion to 5 minutes. Carried—After amendment to limit all discussion to 10 minutes was lost.

Then the following committees were elected:

ON RESOLUTION—Seff, Hathaway, Carney, Pieper, Thompson.

ON ORGANIZATION—HagIund, Larson, Papas, Buck, Benton.

ON WAYS AND MEANS—Ungar, Steinel, E.M. Gordon, Ben Gordon, Johnson.

ON PRESS—Earley, Dirba, Fuchs, Carney, Sterner.

At about 11 o’clock the conference adjourned until 1:00.

Promptly at 1 o’clock it was called to order again.

Reports of Committees: The Resolutions Committee presented the following resolutions: “That we form a permanent organization of the Left Wing in Minnesota.” Carried.

“Whereas the N.E.C. has expelled the State of Michigan and suspended the Russian, Lettish, Lithuanian, South Slavic, Hungarian, Polish, and Ukrainian Federations without giving them a hearing, or consulting the membership.

“Therefore be it resolved that this convention request the delegates to take the question up at the meetings of their respective locals and endeavor to get their locals to second the motion of Local Cleveland, demanding that the question of expulsion be submitted to the membership for referendum.”

This resolution was adopted unanimously.

Then the majority of the Committee, Thompson, Hathaway, Pieper and Seff submitted the following: “That we of the Left Wing of the Socialist Party of Minnesota in convention, assembled, resolve to enter every economic struggle of the working class, as far as possible, whether by the I.W.W., radical factions of the A.F. of L. or any other group of organized or unorganized workers, and endeavor to educate the workers to revolutionary Industrial unionism, as a political weapon.”

The minority, Jack Carney, submitted the following:

“That we of the Left Wing of the S.P. of Minn, resolve to enter into every economic struggle of the workers and advocate revolutionary industrial unionism as expounded by the I.W.W.”

Minority report lost by 26 to 6.

Majority report adopted by 24 to 6.

The report of the Organization Committee was adopted unanimously, as follows:

The best way to strengthen the Left Wing movement is to teach the philosophy and the economics of Socialism, Reformism can no longer draw any support from an apparent contradiction between Marxism and the facts of industrial development. Marxism has been completely vindicated by the war and its outcome. The Left Wing movement will grow in proportion to its success in making this truth known.

Therefore the Organizations Committee recommends that propaganda be the main business of the Minn. Left Wing Movement; that Left Wing meetings, study classes, and debates be arranged; and that as much as possible be written and published on Left Wing philosophy and tactics.

We further recommend the election of a permanent state executive committee of five, the secretary of the committee to be a member of it, with voice and vote.

We further recommend that this executive committee whenever possible route speakers who are capable of expounding socialism.

We further recommend that this convention select seven members who represent left Wing principles, to be nominated as delegates to the Special National Convention of the Socialist Party, which is to be held in August.

—

Later the following five comrades were elected to the Left Wing State Executive Committee: Jack Carney, E.M. Gordon Jos. Ungar, O.E. Thompson, A.A. Larson; and the following seven comrades were endorsed for the S.P. Special National Convention; Holm, Dirba, Carney, Thompson, Larson, Ungar, Hathaway.

Report of the Committee on Ways and Means. Taken up seriatim.

“That the Left Wing of the S.P. of Minnesota elect to the Left Wing National Convention to be held in New York beginning June 21, two delegates from the State at Large. (Any locals desiring so, being entitled to send a delegate of their own).” This was adopted after an amendment to make it one delegate was voted down. (Duluth Scandinavian and St. Paul German in all probability to send their own besides).

M.&S. to elect the two delegates at large. Carried.

The first vote showed D.E. Earley and E.M. Gordon elected. Objection raised to Comrade Earley’s being a member of the S.P. of Michigan and not of the S.P. of Minnesota.

M.&S. to disqualify Comrade Earley as a member of this conference. Lost by 22 to 7.

M.&S. to resubmit the election to another vote: Carney enters withdrawal of his candidacy as a protest against seating of Earley. Not accepted.

Earley begins to speak on the subject. DeGroot raises point of order. Earley refuses to recognize the point of order. DeGroot appeals from the decision of the chair. Chair sustained. Earley finishes his speech.

M.&S. to adjourn for 10 minutes. Lost.

M.&S. that those who get absolute majority shall be considered elected.

Amend. M.&S. that the two getting the highest vole shall be elected. Amendment carried.

M.&S. to make a recess of 10 minutes while the vote is counted.

M.&S. to adjourn for 10 minutes, and to vote anew on reconvening. Carried.

Adjourned for 10 minutes. Reconvened.

M.&S. to erase the nominations, and to start the election from the beginning. Carried without opposition.

E.M. Gordon and O.E. Thompson elected delegates to the Left Wing National Convention to represent the State of Minnesota at large.

(2) “That the expenses of the two delegates be raised by a proportional assessment of the locals represented in this convention—on the basis of 10 cents per member.” Rcommendation adopted.

(3) “That all delegates of this convention be Instructed immediately to have a special meeting of their locals called to raise this assessment in any manner they may decide.” Recommendation adopted.

(4) “That an assessment of about 10 cents per member per month would be very desirable for Left Wing propaganda work.”

M.&S. to ask the locals affiliated with the Left Wing to contribute to our propaganda at 10 cents per member. Carried.

M.&S. to adopt the report as a whole as amended. Carried

Frees Committee report. Comrade Carney offered one page in the TRUTH for the Left Wing. Offer accepted. The Committee recommends election of a press committee of three to edit this page in the TRUTH and to supply information to the national paper of the Left Wing, THE REVOLUTIONARY AGE. Suggestion for the committee—E.M. Gordon, D.E. Earley, and Jack Carney.

M.&S. to adopt this report with all recommendations and suggestions. Carried.

Then the consideration of the Manifesto issued by the Left Wing of New York was taken up, and the Manifesto was adopted as amended by striking out—“with provisions to safeguard small investors,” and “provisions, however, to be made during the transition period for the protection of small owners of stock.”

M.&S. to take up collection for the Left Wing. Carried.

$14.07 collected.

M.&S. that it is the consensus of the conference that the delegates should go back to their locals and work for the recall of the present State Executive Board.

Adjourned at 5:30 P.M.

CHAS. DIRBA, Sec.

‘The Left Wing Convention’ by Jack Carney

The Left Wing section of the Socialist Party of Minnesota decided to call a convention of the Socialist Party Left Wing members of Minnesota. The convention met last Sunday, in Minneapolis, there being present forty-two delegates representing over 1,500 members of the party. The work of the convention was carried out in a brisk and businesslike manner and reflects great credit upon those delegates that took part in the proceedings. True it was, that at times there were hot debates, but at no time were the delegates forgetting the aims and purposes of the convention.

The first debate centered around the following resolution, introduced by ourselves:—

“THAT WE OF THE LEFT WING OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF MINNESOTA RESOLVE TO ENTER INTO EVERY ECONOMIC STRUGGLE OF THE WORKERS AND ADVOCATE REVOLUTIONARY INDUSTRIAL UNIONISM AS EXPOUNDED BY THE I.W.W.”

The main argument of the delegates was, that being that the I.W.W. does not recognize the political state, we could not indorse them. The resolutions committee, with the exception of ourselves, were also of the opinion that we should be more “broadminded” and so they brought in the following resolution:

“That we of the Left Wing of the Socialist Party of Minnesota, in convention assembled, resolve to enter into every economic struggle of the workers, as far as possible whether by the I.W.W. radical factions within the A.F. of L. or any other group of organized or unorganized workers, and endeavor to educate the workers to revolutionary industrial unionism as a political weapon.”

It is our opinion that the A.F. of L. must sooner or latter split up. That will come about by the expulsion of radical unions or their voluntary withdrawal. The international unions are now expelling locals for engaging in O.B.U. work and propaganda. That means that a new organization in the shape of the One Big Union will be formed. Out in the west, members of the A.F. of L. carry cards in the I.W.W. There is direct relationship between the radical members of the A.F. of L. and the members of the I.W.W.

The former have faith in the A.F. of L. for a while, but as soon as they realize that there is no hope WITHIN the A.F. of L., they will flock to the I.W.W. and the I.W.W. will become the leading organization, both in numerical and working class strength, in this country. But a slight knowledge of the labor movement will convince any worker of the correctness of our views. That being so, it was our desire to place the Socialist Party in a position of being possessed of sufficient foresight to realize this. But we regret to stale that the convention, despite the fact that the Cook County Convention indorsed the I.W.W. thought otherwise.

The talk about the abolition of the political state is alright.

But let us remember that abolition of any institution means action. Action without organization leads to chaos.

But nevertheless the convention accepted the manifesto of the Left Wing of Greater New York, which states:—

“The adoption of that clause compels the convention to come round to our point of view, so we feel that after all the convention indorsed our resolution.”

A permanent organization of the Left Wing of the Socialist Party of Minnesota was suggested and formed. The following are the members of the Executive Board; Emma Gordon, (Minneapolis), A.A. Larson, (Minneapolis, Jos. Ungar, (St. Paul), O.E. Thompson, (Duluth), and Jack Carney, (Duluth). Comrade Ungar, 1080 Park Ave. St. Paul, Minnesota was elected treasurer and Jack Carney Box Hotel, Duluth, Minnesota, elected secretary.

We trust that all delegates will see that their local pays the ten cents assessment and send it immediately to Comrade Joseph Ungar. We feel sure that this assessment will only have to be paid until the holding of the National Convention, as the party will then go to the Left. This is urgent, so see that your local pays up AT ONCE.

All communications relating to the Left Wing to be sent to the writer at the Rex Hotel, Duluth, Minnesota. Any matters that you may wish the State Board to act upon, kindly let us know at once.

We beg to call your attention to the following resolution passed unanimously at the State Convention of the Left Wing:

“That it is the consensus of opinion of the delegates to the Left Wing conference that the present State Executive Board of the Socialist Party of Minnesota be recalled.”

This is an important resolution and we trust that your local will IMMEDIATELY send in a recall motion to the State Office. Do not delay this matter, but act at once.

The S.E.B. is 80 per cent Right Wing and you cannot expect a Right Wing State Board to work with a Left Wing rank and file. It Is a matter of policy that they be recalled. Send in your motion to recall, to the State Secretary and also send us a copy. Comrade Earley, not being a member of the Socialist Party of MINNESOTA was nominated as a delegate for the National Convention of the Left Wing protested and after one hour had been spent, discussing same, the members realized the correctness of our viewpoint and voted to send the two following delegates, Emma Gorden and O.E. Thompson. The members of the Socialist Party of Minnesota who carried on the burden of the fight, here in Minnesota, during the war, are best qualified to represent the Minnesota locals. Comrade Earley insisted upon being nominated as a delegate, so we resigned as a protest against his being nominated. We have no personal quarrel with Comrade Earley, only a faith in the members of our own State organization. That is all. Every issue of Truth will contain matter appertaining to the Left Wing. So if you have any news relating to the Left Wing send it in.

We are living in stirring times. Winnipeg, and other places prove to us how keen the struggle is. The master class see danger ahead and so more than at any other time we need organization, education and agitation of the Left Wing character. We especially urge our readers to rally to the Left and so make our future one of success.

The minutes of the Convention will be found in another column. The above is just the expression of one delegate and not an expression of the State Board of the Left Wing, of which we are the secretary.