The Daily Worker Newspaper, October 18, 1924, Page 5

“The idea becomes power when it pene- trates the masses.” —Karl Marx. SPECIAL MAGAZINE SUPPLEMENT THE DAILY WORKER. SECOND SECTION This magazine supple- ment will appear every Saturday in The Daily Worker. OCTOBER 18, 1924. Communism Versus LaFolletteism - In the last analysis, Communism versus LaFollettism is the same thing as working class against capitalist class. That may not be as yet ap- parent to the American working masses at this time, but it is true, nevertheless, and as time goes, on this truth will become the inalienable pro- perty of every loyal member of the working class. Two Angles of Communism What does Communism stand for? If a straw vote were to be taken on this question among the working masses, the common answer would be something like this: Revolution, So- viet Russia, some future order of so- ciety, the millenium on earth, etc. In all these answers there would be found a certain measure of truth. Communism stands for Revolution, of course, for the social revolution which will abolish capitalism and lay the foundation for the communist order of society. Communism stands for Soviet Russia. In what sense?. In the sense that Soviet Russia is the living example of how the working class all over the world will eventually break the chains of capitalism. But this is not all that Communism stands for. Or, rather, the above is only one phase of Communism, the phase that embodies the final aims of the proletarian class struggle. But what about the struggle itself? Has Communism anything to contribute to the immediate needs of the masses? This is. the second angle of Com- munism, the one which deals with the methods of struggle of the working masses to be employed by them to- day and tomorrow and until the very moment when they become ready to seize power, for the overthrow of cap- italist rule. Communism, therefore, is not only the ideal of the future order of soviety but also (and mainly) the theoretical and political expression of the everyday struggles of the working masses against capitalist exploitation. The Communist message to the workers is a message of struggle against the capitalists. Whatever affects the wellbeing of the workers is therefore of immediate and practical concern to Communism and to the Communist Party. It is primarily from this angle that one must consider the challenge of the Workers Party against LaFolletteism. * Between Big Capital and the Workers What is LaFolletteism? It is a po- litical movement seeking political power. It makes its appeal from two bases. To the middle classes LaFol- letteism appeals in the name of cap- italism (yes, capitalism) and against know quite well which side their bread is buttered on. They are .con- scious of their respective group inter- ests which they are determined to defend. Now, what happens is this. When these middle classes come into sharp collision with the monopolized indus- tries and big bankers, which usually happens in times of’crisis and econ- omic depression, they (the — middle classes) incline more towards the workers. On the other hand, when business is*comparatively good and the workers attempt to utilize the situation to better their own condi- tions, the middle classes immediately , as it reflects itself in the minds of the middle classes themselves, that is, when considered from a subjective point of view. Objectively, however, this LaFollette movement is merely one of the means in the hands of capitalism for the perpetuation of the present order of society. Whatever the motives of its participants and what- ever the intentions of its leaders, the LaFollette movement, can do nothing else but strengthen capitalist rule and the system of capitalist exploitation in the United States. The fact that the trade union bureaucracy is in alliance with La- Follette does not change the funda- YOUTH AND JUNIOR Two Generations of Russian Communists the danger of violent revolutions,|set on their guard and run for shelter while to the working masses the appeal is made on the basis of fair play to labor. Just read LaFollette’s campaign pro- paganda, You will find that the basic idea of all the utterances of the La- Follette group directed to the middle classes 1g: Save the existing order! Don’t permit the struggle between capital and labor to reach the point of violent revolution! If necessary ‘let us grant to the upper sections of labor and to the trade union bureauc- racy some minor concession, but, for heaven's sake, don’t let the class strug- gle assume the proportions of civil war, This is the essence of LaFolletteism. It represents the groups and classes that stand between the working class and Big Capital. Economically these classes come into conflict not only with Big Capital but also with the workers, The rich farmer, the inde- pendent manufacturer, the small mer- chant and banker—and these groups into the arms of Big Capital. That is, the normal political state of mind of LaFolletteism is one of vacillation be- tween the demands of Big Capital and the demwands of the workers, always deciding in favor of the former when- ever fundamental capitalist interests are at stake. Incline Towards Labor At present, because of the general decline of capitalist economy and the downward trend of affairs in the Un- ited States, the middle classes find their interests greatly encroached up- ;on by Big. Capital. Hence, the dis- |satisfaction of the small capitalist with present conditions. Hence, his determination to build a_ political | weapon for himself with which to pro- tect his property and profits against | the devouring appetites of Big Capi- tal. Hence, his apparent “sympathy” | with the aspirations of Labor. Hence, the present rise of the LaFollette movement. This is the picture of LaFolletteism mental nature of the movement. On the contrary, this alliance offers ad- ditional proof for our contention that LaFolletteism is the political ex- pression of the middle classes. bureaucracy of the American trade- By Alexander Bittelman struggle. The trade union bureauc- racy then decided to strike up an al- liance with the middle classes led by LaFollette thereby diverting the rising anger of the masses into the safe channels of petty-bourgeois reformism. The Workers Party. Against La- Folletteism. By this move of the trade union bureaucracy, the movement for a farmer-labor party has been defeated, but not the class struggle. The latter continues and so does the political ex- pression of the class conscious work- ers of America—the Workers (Com- munist) Party. This party stands for the social revolution. It is the most implacable and uncompromising enemy of Amer- ican capitalism. And because of that the Workers Party is the only labor organization in America ready at all times to engage in struggle against any and all manifestations of capital- ist rule. The Workers Party there- fore stands up against LaFolletteism as the only defender of working class interests. LaFolletteism is a political alliance of the petty-bourgeoisie and the trade union bureaucracy. The Workers Party is the party of the class con- scious workers and the political ex- pression of the proletarian ‘class struggle. As against surrender to the middle classes, which eventually spells surrender to Big Capital, we say: The proletarian class struggle on the economic and political field. And as against a LaFollette party we say: A political party of workers and poorest sections of the farmers— the Workers (Communist) Party of America, LISTEN HERE, NOW! There's only one Sunday night in every week, and every one of them is going to be made interesting—full of pep. We're letting, you in on this early. It’s going to begin a week ffom now —Oct. 19, at eight o'clock at the Lodge Room (not the big hall, but the “Lodge Room”), at the Ashland Audi- torfum. And it'll keep going in the same place every Sunday night. We're expecting you to get the habit. “What's it all about?” “What's going on?” “Who's going to be there?” Why, it’s the Open Forum! Didn’t you know? The Workers Party is go- ing to have an Open Forum every Sun- day night during the next few months. Current history, politics, science, in lectures by the foremost speakers of the labor movement. Come and see! And hear! And discuss! That’s an Open Forum! On October 19th, C. E. Ruthenberg, executive secretary of the Workers The} Party of America, will open the forum with a lecture on “Political Forces in unions, in order to retain its present] the Election.” position of leadership, is compelled to resort to political maneuvers. Gom- On October 26, J. Louis Engdahl, editor of the DAILY WORKER and pers and Johnston and the rest of| candidate for U. S. senator, will speak them have proven completely bank- rupt as leaders of the economic organ- izations of the workers. The result was dissatisfaction and restlessness in the ranks of labor, which has been threatening to find its expression in an independent political party of workers and poor farmers. And what would that mean? The beginning of a real class struggle in the United States, the first step to- wards concerted political action by labor against the daily manifestations of capitalist exploitation and against capitalist rule in general. But such prospects Gompers and his crew couldn’t accept witheut a ~ on “Wall Street and Us.” be there. Will you? On November 2nd, Alexander Bittel- man of the central executive commit- tee of the Workers Party, will speak on “Communism versus LaFollette- ism.” Say! If you think Bob La- Follette will free the workers from Big Business, come and listen to this one! The week after, on November 9th, Oliver Carlson, who spent two years in Soviet Russia, will lecture on the lives of Russian youth, and compare the lives of American youth. Hey, you young workers! Will you be there? Everybody get the Open Forum habit. Beginning October 19. Don’t forget! “Us” will