The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 28, 1926, Page 3

THE DAILY WORKE R Workers (Communist) Party The National Organizational Conference of the Workers (Communist) Party By MARTIN ABERN, The national organizational confer- ence of the Workers -(Communist) Party, at which every district organ- izer and nearly all language bureau secretaries were present, concluded its three-day session on Feb. 22 in Chi- cago. The organization conference ‘was perhaps the most successful and fruitful gathering of leading comrades and functionaries ever held in the his- tory of the party. The reporters for the central execu- tive committee were: 1. General Po- Utical Report; Labor Party and De- fense of Foreign-Born Campaigns— Jay Lovestone. 2. Communist Inter- national Organization Conference, Shop and Street Nuclei, Fractions, Auxiliaries—Martin Abern, 3. Trade Union Work—Jack Johnstone. 4. DAILY WORKER—M., Loeb. 5. Ag- itprop and Negro Work—John Ball- am. 6. Y. W. L.—S. Darcy. At this conference, there were dis- cussed at length, among other things, the ways and means to carry out the campaign for the protection of for- eign-born, for a labor party. Elabor- ate reports on the organization and activization of the shop and street nuclei were outlined by the district organizers. It was manifest that the nuclei organization had taken hold strongly among the membership and ‘was already producing increased mass activity. Attendance had increased ap- preciably; trade union attendance and activity had improved; literature, leaf- Jets, pamphlets, The DAILY WORK- ER, tickets for mass affairs, such as the Lenin memorial meetings, were being disposed of more systematically fn the shops and factories; where Workers’ Schools had been establish- ed, the comrades were entering the various classes, and the foreign-born comrades especially the English classes. The shop nuclei were finding it simpier to engage more effectively in the mass struggles, such as strikes, and endeavoring to take part and lead- ership in the solution of the daily problems of the workers in the shops, such as wages, working conditions. Lahor defense activity in the shops was noticeable. Improvement of party life among the workers was clear. Nevertheless there remain great difficulties: the language problem, at- tendance at the nuclei meetings, get- ting every member into the work, etc. Organization and Functioning of Executive Committees. Stress was laid on functioning nuc- leus and sub-section executive com- mittees particularly as means of ac- tivating the nuclej with life, and to “eliminate from the shop and street nuclei meetings the routine matters; to have at the nuclei meetings ac- tual reports of activities, such as trade union reports, shop activity, de fense work, concrete plans of work. The executive committees shall be re- sponsible for bringing in well thot out programs of work and proposals. It was also pointed out that we must develop party democracy thru democratic centralism by the close contact of the functionaries with the membership and by the nuclei discuss- ing and acting on party problems. A system of functionary gatherings can- not be substituted fer discussion in the nuclei and conferences of respon- sible delegates from the nuclei, Fune- tionary conferences have no power to decide any question. All decisions must be decided at conferences of delegates, Many organizers pointed out the tendency, a dangerous one, of lan- guage and union fractions to take up and decide upon party problems, to act as basic party units. In this con- nection, there was a thoro discussion on the role of the language fractions in the fraternal organizations, work- ers’ clubs, etc.; the. need of systemat- ically “bringing workers’ politics” in- to these non-partisan organizations, which are actually now systematically permeated with capitaligt politics and ideas by the bourgeoisie. The ener- getic pushing of the foreign-born pro- tection campaign, spread of literature, working class speakers, support of the International Labor Defense, etc., was especially stressed as work of the party language fractiofis in these’ or- ganizations, In connection with defense, it was reported that the International Labor Defense organization was handling the Zeigler, Pittsburgh, California, and Bimba cases. Its work demands the support of the entire party member- ship both financially, and aid organ- izationally by joining the I. L. D, as individual members and getting the workers everywhere to join this mass non-partisan organization which de- fends all class war prisoners, Foreign-Born Campaign Draws Response. The campaign for the protection of the foreign-born, as to its political im- portance and organizational methods to draw in the masses of the Ameri- can-born workers, the trade unions, liberal elements, as well as the mass of foreign-born workers directly af- fected by the registration, finger- printing, deportation laws, were dis- cussed and the importance of ener- getic work in this campaign stressed, Trade Union Campalgns. The central, executive committee of the party is now conducting an ener- getic campaign to draw every eligible party member into a union and to build the party fractions in the unions, as a basis and means of build- ing a broad left wing T. U. B. L, movement in the trade unions, Or- ganizers reported on results to date and meetings of members not yet in unions, being called. In the trade union report, the work in the unions to date, particu- larly in the I. L. G. W.; the Machin- ists, the Furriers, A, C. W., the textile industry and the present strike in Pas- saic, the steel industry, automobile in- dustry was mainly discussed. Ultra- left tendencies were noted, and par- ticularly dangerous right tendencies, as in the I. L, G. W. Concrete meth- ods, applying to the situation in the various districts, for developing the campaign for a united labor ticket in 1926, for a labor party, ‘were touched upon in the approach to the labor unions, and central labor councils, on these questions, and also the question of trade union unity, Daily Worker, Youth, Negro, Agitprop Receive Consideration, The continued sub-drive for The DAILY WORKER, its financial situa- tion, results since party reorganiza- tion, the issuance of more party litera- ture, particularly cheap pamphlets, more of the Little Red Library, etc., came up under The DAILY WORKER report. Need of party aid to establish the Young Worker (Communist) League on a stronger footing were put for- ward on the Y. W. L, report. The re- cent party inner struggle had affected the Y. W. L. somewhat adversely; more important, tho, large. numbers of the Y. W. L. were now active in the party and the Y. W. L. machinery had been stripped nearly bare of the most active elements. The party must now aid the league in every city. Agitprop work, in relation to the foreign-born campaign, educational work in the party, the establishment of more party schools and classes, mass agitprop activity, work among the Negroes, the drive to raise $20,000 to push forward more swiftly the party campaigns were discussed un- der the agitprop report. Negro work is being pushed and effort made to se- cure organizational results. Brieflly, on major aspects of the conference, on the trade union work, there was emphasized the need of basing our activity on the simplest of issues, such as wages, working con- ditions, unionization, and use these. in the development of broader issues, like labor party, trade union unity, amalgamation. The foreign-born campaigns pre- sented itself also a means of demon- strating to the workers the oppres- sion and suppression of working class standards of life and political rights; the need of a drive to organize the unorganized into the unions; of achieving a closer unity and solidarity between the American and foreign- born workers against capitalism and joining thereby in common struggle against the bills now before congress; of working for an independent politi- cal, movement of the workers to pre- vent the passage of such anti-working class laws, This campaign permits of mobilizing a vast mass movement of protest against capitalist aggression, In the campaign for a united labor ticket for 1926 and for a labor party, NOTICE! Chicago ,Daily Worker and Literature Agents There will be a meeting of Daily’ Worker and Liter- ature Agents at the district office, 19 S. Lincoln Street, Saturday, Feb. 27, 3 p. m. sharp. All Daily Worker and Li- terature Agents MUST be there. Please do not be late —be ON TIME. Sam Hammersmark, City Agent. it was clear that the first steps. were agitation, achieving political unity on @ local scale,,taking extreme care to prevent the splitting of labor tickets and movements; that, in other words, the developmént of the movement for a mass partyiofthe workers is not a single step or action, but involves a long period and series of steps, each one of whichaids in forwarding the political matirity of the workers and strengthening’ its class basis. The la- bor unions, it ‘was emphasized, must be the main organizational basis of this movement, Party on Forward March, The conference went thru three days of discussions on party cam- paigns in an atmosphere free from fractional feelings and differences. This conference, had as its objective a review and. the mobilization of the party to carry, out these campaigns most effectively, Practical problems on every phase of party work from the organizational angle, were to be set forward for discussion and solu- tion, This was done. Injection of fractional issues while the organizational conference was considering practical problems for conducting the party work would have fallen flat. The proceedings were handled in a healthy constructive manner. The district organizers con- tributed much to one another and particularly to the central by pre- senting conefete situations for solu- tion, Such conferences as this one, indi- cate that the party is on the forward march; that the bitterness of the past party struggles has by no means de- stroyed the capacity or the willing- ness of the entire party to carry out the party work among the masses as one man, with the full energies and resources of eyery comrade. The in- ner party struggles have only con- tributed, as they must, to the swifter Bolshevization,of the party, to better conceptions .of;;ways to carry out the party work. Our party js a part of the class struggle; the“leader of the masses of workers and:farmers in this struggle; otherwise it would not be a Commu- nist Party. Our disputes have arisen out of differences as to the best means to conduct this struggle to the best advantage of the party and the work- ing class. Ni Ww events and new prob- lems continu: ally face us. The class struggle al leaves its imprint on us and our rk. The many prob- lems of the working class and the ne cessity of the party leading in the so- lution of these problems are driving the party toward the development of a unified leadership and a uniform theory and practice, the basis of party unity. Growth of Consistent, Uniform Theory and Practice of Party. The organization conference just held demonstrates in a concrete way TONIGHT TEMPLE HALL 50c in Advance 75c at Door MARSHFIELD AND VAN BUREN STREET how the reorganization party is re- acting to the issues and problems of the working masses. There has been practical discussion of experiences; common work has been laid out; the district organizers, the language sec- retaries, the party membership are proceeding to carry out the party pro- gram of work among the masses. This organization conference is a hot re- ply to those outside of the party who hope for party destruction. Their foolish belief that internal struggles would destroy ‘the Communist Party, the leader of the working class, is be- ing rapidly dissipated. The right wing danger inythe party is not by any means averted, but the Commu- nist heart of the party masses is strong. The help of the Communist International, the internal growth and change of the Party as an organism, the development of the class struggle in America proving stronger than the wishes or plans” of individuals or groups having ‘Other aims or inter- ests than the patty and the masses, Thru all forms of these struggles, the party is gradually developing a uniform, consistent, Marxist-Leninist attitude and leadership , toward all problems facing the party. Confer- ences, such as the one held, only con- firm and develop such uniformity, The organization conference reports and discussion are being transcribed, and abbreviated, yet quite adequate | reports will be printed shortly in The DAILY WORKER and language press. These should prove of immediate prac- tical value to the membership, invited on our 18-year rving the finest food, pies and pastry in this vicinity. West Inn Cafeteria 734 West Madison St., 2nd Floor 3 Doors East of H. id Si We also serv “Bensati ey Dinner 10:30 to 2:30° Supper 4:16 to 7:15 One Triat Will onyinee You of Our jualit: ick Noon Bervice Come if Con- Movement Before 41:80 of ‘Atop 12:90 1000 WORKER. CORRESPONDENTS BY Win a Prize Next Week! First prize, Historic Materialism, by Nicolai Bukharin. This Is an extremely interesting book on an extremely important subject for every thinking class conscious worker, Second prize, Literature and Revolution, by Leon Trotsky, a criti- cism of present day literary groupings in Russia and a discussion of the relation of art to life. Third prize, Lenin on Organization which needs no further ex- planation. Send in your articles. Next.week's prizes will be given for sub- ject and preference will be shown for direct on the job stories, Tell what is happening in your factory, the conditions under which you work, and show how organization can benefit the workers in your industry, THE STATE, THE CHURCH, THE KU KLUXERS AND THE OPEN SHOPPERS IN A UNITED FRONT CELEBRATION By a Worker Correspondent. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Feb. 26—The feud of the ku klux klan was stopped while they together with the local catholics welcomed the newly appointed Archbishop Mooney, whose home is here, A Family Reunion, Mayor Scheible and the chief of police were on the reception commit- tee as well as some of the biggest openshoppers in the valley, J. G. Butler, Jr. J, A. Cambell and A. W. Adams, and other big kluxers who have made their money from the sweat and blood+ of the workers of the valley, R . evolutionary Chorus The mayor was elected to office on a ticket which was backed and en- Greeted with Acclaim dorsed by the K. K. K. and during the election a great cry went up from the catholics, but on such an occasion as the reception of the new arch- bishop, they dropped all ‘their little quarrels and got together and fratern- ized like the true brothers of one class that they are. The whistles of all the open shops in the Youngstown Sheet and Tube, the Briar Hill Steel, The United States Steel, The Republic Steel will blow a welcome to the bishop, while he will salute from his private car furnished to him by President Bar- nett of the Nickle Plate railway. Workers’ Hard Earned Money. The car will be stopped in the city to allow the archbishop to salute J. G. Butler, Jr., who will await his rev- erence on his front porch and salute him in return, The fact that Butler, Jr. is one of the great exponents of the open shop will make no difference to his “reverence.” The fact that thousands of the poor parishoners who have contributed to make this non-producing monarch of the church a big figure for the time being, have to work long hours for small pay, will have no effect on this representative of the church, The police and firemen who havé had a hard time getting their salaries from the city this winter will be turned out like show cattle at a county fair to let the archbishop know how much the city has been honored by his presence, The Bishop’s Job. By GERTRUDE PINCUS (Worker Correspondent) NEW YORK, Feb. 26 — Five thous- and workers filled Mecca Auditorium, Brooklyn, to listen to the Freiheit Chorus, The chorus under the direc- tion of Loeser Winer accompanied by The People’s Orchestra sang the canto, “The Two Brothers” by Peritz music, set by Shaffer. The Freiheit Chorus is composed of working men and women, who have devoted time and energy to build the Freiheit Chorus into a proletarian culture institution, The various melodies of the or- chestra mingled with the chorus, ex- pressing the deepest feelings of the class struggle. The composer Shaffer comes from the ranks of the working class, and he creates all his music for them, A concert will be given by the Brownsville and Peterson Chorus, Brooklyn, on the 15th of April, with Shaffer as composer and director, JANUARY 13 1927 STEEL MILLS ARE A LIVING HELL, SAYS REPORTER [Bosses Try to Prevent Union Organization By 4 Worker Correspondent WHEELING, W. Va., Feb. 26 — The | Wheeling Steel corporation has a very large plant here, and also a big steel mill in Benwood, The Benwood mill produces piping. It employs abont 5,000 men, three-fourths of whom are foreign-born, Hours range from 8 to 10% per day, The 8-hour shifts apply | mostly to Americans, whom it happens were former strikebreakers. Most of them work in the pipe furnace depart- ment. The sheet mill has also an 8-hour basis. Piece work is the rule. The work is hard, as the heavy steel must be thrust into the furnaces, When the bars are hot they are withdrawn and pushed a distance of some sixty yards |for the next operation. Fifteen Minutes to Eat, In the pipe mill working hours are 10 on the day and 10% on the night shift. Twenty minutes are allowed for dinner during the day and 15 minutes for the midnight lunch, The furnace department is a real hell. The low roof forces the men to work amidst the dust and smoke, Of the workers 95 per cent are foreign- born, mostly Italian, Polish and South lav. Wages are 44 cents an hour, and up. Out of their miserable pay the men must put up a dollar a month for sick insurance. The corporation employs system- atic tactics to divide the workers. The Americans get the better and more highly paid classes of work. The old- timers get the preference in staying on when work is slack. Even on the treading ‘floor where the work is dirty jand oily and foreign-born and Negroes are employed, they try to keep up dis- tinctions to keep those groups apart. The mills are running now only part-time and some of them are en- tirely closed. Of the 5,000 who normal- ly are employed, half are working only a day or two a week. Very few are employed steadily. The workers learned in the last strike in 1919 that where a corpora- tion has mills in other places, all most be closed in astrike, The milis here, as might be expected, are entirely un- organized, Telephone Lehigh 6022 DR. ABRAHAM MARKOFF Surgeon Dentist 249 East 115th St., Cor. Second Ave. NEW YORK CITY Office Hours: 9 to 12 A. M.; 2 to 8 P. M. Daily, except Friday; Sunday 9 to1 P. M. Special Rates to W. P. Members The ,Indians who arg having such a hard time breaking away from the imperialistic and exploiting British |empire will have this non-producing prince of the church to keep for the | balance of his life. He will tell his Indian followers to “suffer quietly in this world in order that their reward may be greater in the next” and he THE DAMNED AGITATOR AND OTHER STORIES BY MICHAEL GOLD No. 7 in THE LITTLE RED LIBRARY will issue the injunction of “Servants obey thy masters” as did the church down thru the ages, Why a worker correspondent? Why writers. not? 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Phone Lincoln 3141 DENTIST 2232 N. Near Milwaukee Avenue | guarantee to make your plates fit and make your appearance natural. Logan Square “L,” Milwaukee, Kedzie and California Ave. cars to door, Send this PROPAGANDA SUB to # worker to “Make Another Communist” We Call for and Deliver. ZIMMERMAN California Avenue NO PAIN.