NORMAN THOMAS FLAYS PARTIES

At a luncheon yesterday at the Union attended by over 100 members of the University, Norman Thomas, Socialist candidate for the Presidency bitterly attacked the Republican and Democratic parties as "the double-headed party of big business". With sharp sarcasm, keen wit, and scathing mockery he discussed the campaign, the issues at stake, and the candidates, from Republican to Liberal.

Abraham Kalish introduced Mr. Thomas as "the man who entered the Socialist party when a 'liberal' President was putting thousands of Socialists in jail, and while Quaker Hoover was silent about his desire for peace."

Norman Thomas then began his speech by explaining what made the Socialist campaign worth while.

"I admit publicly that I have no chance of being elected to the presidency. The American psychology seems to be to join the crowd and be successful, rather than undertake something which will not be immediately successful.

"The present situation is ideal for big business, the one percent of our population which owns one third of our wealth. The Du Ponts will be on the right side whichever party wins. They are 'sitting pretty'; and it's worth to them all they pay for it. Business is a two car train. Salesman Smith is selling seats in his car, and advertises the added attraction of a rack for the hip flash on the side of the bench to obviate the necessity of having to stoop down to get it from under the bench; otherwise, business might as well ride in the Republican car. It doesn't make much difference anyway."

Mr. Thomas went on to discuss prohibition, farm relief, water power, and control of other public utilities. He then pictured graphically the Democratic politicians as being members of a party for which there was no hope of reform.

"The only solution is to have a party to fight the moneyed power. We need a conscious social control before another world war causes complete destruction; we want men who care about sharing the light of mankind."