 While it had previously pursued as neutral a line as possible regarding factional scuffles, "Toveri" under editor Elis Sulkanen came down firmly in favor of an independent existence for the SSJ.Upon learning of the decision of the Waukegan Convention to separate the Finnish Socialist Federation from the party, Socialist Party Executive Secretary Otto Branstetter immediately set about reorganizing a new Finnish Federation for the Socialist Party.A large percentage of the moderate Eastern District of the now independent SSJ came over the new reorganized Socialist Party-affiliated SSJ, including about 30 branches representing approximately 2,000 members.