The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 23, 1926, Page 4

Page Four me Boe » THE DAILY WIORKER Organization Meetings Workers (Communist) Party Social Affairs Resolutions Uphold Your Revolutionary Traditions! By JOHN J. BALLAM. pas appearance of the Lettish Com- munist weekly, The Zihna (Strug- gle) at this period in the development of the Communist movement in Amer- ica is of tremendous significance for our Lettish and for the Lettish masses in America, comrades The Lettish comrades have played ‘an important role in the establishment and the unfolding of the Communist movement in America. With the crushing of the revolutionary move- ment in the Baltic provinces in 1905 thousands of Lettish workers migrated to the United States, bringing with them their traditions of struggle and heroic devotion to the cause of the workers and the organizational train- ing acquired by close contact with the party of Lenin in Russia. These Le! at once affiliated with the soci party and early in the struggle ag ainst its reformistic practi and program formed the backbone of its left wing. In 1912-1913 the Socialist Propaganda League was organized in the Lettish Club in Boston which formed the cen- ter of opposition to the Berger- Hill- quit machine in the socialist party. Once acquiring the use of the English language, comrades like Charles John- son, Jurgis, Berger and Bernard be- came active in co-operation with the English speaking comrades. It was therefore no accident that with the opening of the Russian revolution in 1917 that the left wing organ, The Re- yolutionary Age edited by Fraina should have been issued from the Lettish press and was supported finan- cially by the Lettish comrades. No history of our movement would be complete without a consideration of the services rendered by the Letts in America. It is not my intention to write a eulogy of our Lettish comrades—but a criticism. The revolutionary Lettish workers in America have done 10 more than their duty and it was at once their privilege and their oppor- tunity to give to the party in this country the benefit of their experi- ences and training gained in their Struggles against the Czarism in the Baltic provinces in 1905 and later, But no individual or group can live indefinitely upon a revolutionary past. It is a sad but very noticeable fact that our Lettish comrades are no longer responding to the needs of our movement with the same revolution- ary fervor and devotion as in the re- cent past. Our Lettish comrades are divided into three groups outside the main stream of our movement. (1) The.old “underground” section of -the old op- position around the “Straadniks”; (2) A considerable group which, is infect- ed with pessimism and who are no longer active in the movement; (3) A smaller group whose revolutionary spirit has been undermined and sapped by the influence of the prevail- ing American ideology. From the last-named group there is little to be expected. These former comrades have succumbed to the ftness” of a comparatively easy existence—farmers who are more or less prosperous; craftsmen that have been corrupted by the wages paid un- der Américan imperialism to skilled workers; former workers. that have acquired an education in bourgeois schools and are nOw more “American” than the Americans, Our old “oppositionists” are less easily understood, These comrades claim to be more “revolutionary” than he Communist International itself. They have not been able to adapt themselves to the changing modes of the revolutionary movement either in America or in the world. They main- tain their old slogans of 1919 as tho nothing had happened in the world since then. They are entirely sub- jective and do not seem to be able to grasp the changed conditions/of the struggle and the need for Bolshevik strategy and understanding. Their old Bolshevik training seems to have eva- porated thru long years of subject- ivism and introspection—by a refusal to meet the realities of the class- struggle as it develops from day to day. If they cannot have their revo- lution according to their own plan and blue-print—well so much the worse for the revolution, The rank and file of these Lettish comrades are misled by blind leaders who vainly imagine that the hands of the revolutionary clock can be set back to 1921, and that the Communist International will finally recognize its “errors” on Amer- ican questions. These comrades are valuable elements and every effort should be made to win them back to the movement by extending the friend- ly hand of comradeship to them at all times, They need but the invigorating influence of mass work to rejuvenate their flagging spirits. By drawing them into the broad stream of the struggle they will overcome their subjectivity and be amongst our most valuable and trusted workers. I have more than once since my return from Moscow appealed to these comrades to unite with us in our common struggle upon the basis of the program of the Com- munist International. I now again appeal to my comrades of the “opposi- tion” to stop sulking in their “under- ground” tents, and to come out with us and at least co-operate in united front movements for the protection of the foreign-born workers; for defense and recognition of the Soviet Union; for the creation of a progressive left wing bloc in. the trade unions, etc. etc. I again appeal to them to stop dreaming of the revolution and to get out and work for it; to stop contem- plating ideal programs and to get down to Bolshevik realism. I ask them to remember the words of Marx, that, “One movement is worth a dozen pro- grams.” Ta,the pessimists in our movement { can only quote Comrade Lenin's Times and Old Errors in New Form,” as follows: “Those to whom the work is ‘dull,’ ‘uninteresting,’ ‘incomprehensible,’ who turn up their noses and are liable to panic, or who intoxicate themselves with declarations regarding absence of the ‘old spirit,’ the ‘former enthus- iasms’ had better be released from work and retire so that they may not harm the cause, for they do not want to understand, or-are incapable of un- derstanding the peculiarities of the present stage of the struggle.” Of course countless difficulties and innumerable obstacles stand in the road of our party and our cause. It is only by overcoming these that we shall at last develop the strength and tenacity to overthrow capitalism and establish words from his pamphlet, “The New | the: workers’ rule, Pessimism is the philosophy of opportunism. Pessim- iSm is at the very foundations of the Second International; fatalism at one pole and pessimism at the other. Pes- simism is the vice of old age. Courage and struggle; faith in the workers at all times; merciless self-criticism and constant review of our tactics—this is the method of the Communist Inter- national—this is the way of Lenin— this is the way of the Workers (Com- munist) Party in America, The Zihna comes at an opportune time in the life of the, movement in America, All Lettish comrades, and particularly those who accept the line of our party, should rally as one man to its support. Differences of opinion as to the advisability of issuing the Zihna should now wholly disappear. The Zihna can become a mighty wea- pon for the unification «of the Lettish workers in America and for the revivi- fication of their old: revolutionary spirit. The Zihna will be the collect- ive organizer and agitator among the Letts and result inv rebuilding the shattered and divided Lettish section of the revolutionary movement in Am- erica, The Zihna will clarify the issues before the Communist movement and speak boldly and decisively in the name of the Communist International. The Zihna will bfeathe hope and spirit into the Lettisp ‘masses in this country, recall them’to the struggle, rally them to our cause/ and our party. The Zihna will build’up the influence of the Lettish clubs and counteract the subtle poison of “Americanism” and of social reform and all phases of opportunism. The Zihna will speak for a labor party and rally the Lettish workers in the unions behind this slo- gan as well as for their organization into a left wing in the unions and for all our united front movements, Every worker who reads the Lettish language should make the utmost sacrifices to maintain and develop the Zihna into a powerful mass organ of the party in the Lettish language. Support of the Zihta today means to support the propaganda of Cofn- munism and the influence of our party among the Lettish workers in Amer- ‘tea. Long Live the voité of the revolu- tionary Letts in América! Long Live the Zihiia, ney Bordiga, of Italy, Presents His Views |homogenity of the party is naturally OSCOW, U. S. S. R., Feb. 23—(By | necessary, this is nevertheless not a Mail)—The fifth session of the/|starting point, but an aim that cannot Enlarged Executive Committee of the | be reached by force from above (In- Communist International was opened |terruption from an Italian delegate: today under the chairmanship of|“and when you were leader?”). In- Ferdi (Turkey) and was compeletely | ternal party fractions were always taken up with a speech of Bordiga| previously considered from a moral “tion of party discipline. (Italy) which lasted several hours. point of view and characterized as Bordiga: “The discussion cannot be | limited to the theses and to the speech | of Zinoviev because the actions of the | Comintern are not always in agree-| ment with the theses. The existence of Communist Parties alone is insuf- ficient if the connection with the masses is lacking. In an objectively revolutionary situation this was shown | by the German March action. This | led to the united front tactic in the enlarged executive after the Third | Congress. } Iam no opponent of the united front tactic as far as it means the mobilization of the masses. The tac- tic nevertheless degenerated. It was) applied too widely. The slogan of the | workers’ and peasants’ government | bxot confusion into the masses, this ‘was shown by the German example. Instead however of admitting the mistakes which had been made, indi- ‘vidual leaders were made responsible. The Fifth Congress in revising the errors did not go far enuf. The bal-| ance of the process of bolshevization | is extremely unsatisfactory. The only | victorious party is still the Russian Party. The lessons of the Russian Yevolution are extremely important, but its historical scheme is insufficient for the parties of the west and their problems. HE Russian proletariat experienced no struggle against the modern bourgeois state. Theoretically, Lenin Offered us everything that we need, but tactically, the Russian revolution does not offer us everything which is necessary for the parties of the west. The significance of the organiz: tional question was underestimated, he Russian organizational forms were echanically carried over. The build- ing up of the western parties upon the basis of the shop nuclei is impossible, The nuclei are incapable of discuss- ing great political questions, they lead to a mechanical removal of the intel- Jectuals from the party and this is not desirable, but at the same time the nuclei do not offer any guarantee against opportunism which does not only make its way into the parties thru the intellectuals, The bourgeoisie is more easily able to destroy the nuclei than it is the local territorial organizations, It can do this thru work policies, etc. The “Aubert” is also beginning to build up shop nuclei. Executive organs of the party are, it is true, necessary in the shops, but the basic organs of party must remain the local or- izations. AM aguinst the mechanical applica- The crimes, It is necessary to look at the matter historically. Opportunism always cov- ered itself behind the mask of unity, on the other hand the history of frac- tions is the sign of unhealthy condi- tions in the party, and for this reason the way to struggle against fractional- ism is not to smash the fractions, but to study and abolish the causes re- sponsible for the formation of the fractions. For instance the unhealthy over-centralism in the French Party has driven the syndicalist elements away from the party and back to syn- dicalism, and in this way held up an important process inside the working class, altho as a theory syndicalism is finished. Sometimes it is not only fhe sec- tions which are responsible for the fractions, but the whole Comintern. To the accusation that I am in agree- ment with the French right I answer: the standpoint of the French right in the qnestion of the united front is in- correct, but the French right is a healthy movement, it is a healthy re- action to the mistakes of the party. The open letter to the Communist Party of Germany was incorrect. In- dividual leaders are not responsible for the mistakes but the whole inter- nal party system of the. Comintern. The Russian Party has really the greatest historical experience, but it cannot take over the infallible leader- ship of the Comintern for the last in- ternal party discussion showed that the Leninist central committee itself is not united. Therefore the pyramid of tee Comintern which at the moment is balancing on its point must be placed upon its base.” FTER, a short pause Comrade Gescheke read a telegram of greet- ings from the Red Day in Cologne in which 90,000 demonstrators took part, to the Enlarged Executive. The tele- gram was accepted with the greatest enthusiasm. Bordiga then continued his speech: “A certain stabilization in a sense un- jfavorable to us has taken place. The | double perspective ts correct. A revo- |iutionary party cannot however base Jitself upon a dry enalysis alone, it jcannot do without the revolutionary perspective even in the period when the revolu‘icnary wave is receding, otherwise the party will be swamped with opportunism, just as the Secon! International was. The standpoint that the transfer of power from the right to the left bourgeois parties thru | Parliamonts represents a weakening of the bourgevis state is incorrect. |The basic task of the Communist Party is to shatter the bourgeois state. Fascism itself does not merely consist of the large bourgeoisie, but. also from broad sections of the middle classes who create an independent regime and who are always prepared for an alliance with the big bour- geoisie. And here lies the reason for the consolidation of fascism. The Aventine policy of the party which was prepared to form an opposition even with the left bourgeois parties was similarly incorrect, HE whole question of perspectives concentrates itself in the problem of the relations of the Soviet Union to the capitalist world. The whole capitalist world is mobilizing against the Soviet Union. Previously the Rus- sian Party has always been’ success- ful in solving these problems of an- tagonism without giving up its prin- ciples in any way. The problems how- WORKING WOMAN’S PLACE IS IN THE WORKERS (COMMUNIST ) PARTY By KATE GITLOW, bere cannot achieve victory in their struggle for the workers’ cause unless the working class wo- man will participate, side by side, with the men workers, Let the vanguard of the working class take account of themselves. How far and how deep have they penetrated the great masses of the working women. They should ac- knowledge mistakes and correct them, Sisters, working class women—you who suffered and toiled for centuries, are still'in great numbers supplying cheap lwbor, and in many instances, you are an obstacle in the struggles of the workers with their oppressors for better conditions, The vanguard of the working class, the Communists the world over, Pledge themselves for a better and more worthy life for woman, whg is pining away in ¢he factory for a boss, or, as a worker's wife and mother, getting old prematurely, from insuffi- cient provisions, and with steady fear of what will happen tomorrow—per- haps unemployment or a strike, On, my sisters! Turn to the bright star of Communism, the only guiding star that will lead you to understand, as well as our brothers the working men,—that working men and women must learn together, and help each other to get free. Men and women of the working class: fight side by side for the over- throw of capitalist rule and establish the workers’ dictatorship, where work. ing men and- women will*equally par- ticipate in a workers’ government, af o ever do not disappear, but re-appear ever more sharply. {Pheir solution de- mands a strong basisand this basis is supplied by the Russian and the non-Russian proletarjat. The assist- ance of the non-Ruggian proletariat consists above all in a resistance to outside intervention. The problem. however cannot be, solved with mili- tary considerations glone, An inter- vention of the European parties into the Internal political life of the Soviet Union is necessary. « The European parties are the best watchdogs against opportunist dangers in Russia, The whole system of internal rela- tions inside the Comintern must be altered without fearing to mention un- pleasant things. If the question of the choice of leaders is correctly solved, if it is permitted to discuss thoroly all problems, then the Comin- tern is safe from all dangers, it will then lead the proletariat to the world revolution, In the evening the delegates took part in the celebration in the Great Theater of the eighth anniversary of the Red Army. en ae SEND IN A SUB. LENIN ON CO-OPERATIVES A newly issued pamphlet in which our 'great leader explains the role of the co- operatives in the revolu- tionary labor movement. 5 CENTS. LENIN ALBUM Text in German, French and English, With 31 photographs of Lenin at all periods of life. Ideal to include in every worker's library with the writings of our great rev- olutionary teacher. 25 CENTS. — THE DAILY WORKER PUB, CO, 1118 W. Washington Blvd, Chicago, Il, PREACHER TELLS OF PROGRESS IN SOVIET RUSSIA Cleveland Fed. of Labor Fears Real Facts (Special to The Daily Worker) CLEVELAND, March 21 The Cleveland Federation of Labor, which arranged the meeting for Purcell, was the scene of another exposition of con- ditions in Soviet Russia. Dr. Sher- wood Eddy, the well-known clergy- man, was the speaker at the meeting of the Federation last night. Eddy told of his trips around the world and finally came to Soviet Russia. Eddy ititroduced his remarks about Soviet Russia with dn apology. He evidently knew the attitude of the Cleveland Federation of Labor to So- viet Russia. “I intend to tell you what I saw in Soviet Russia and I intend to tell you the truth. First of all I was free to enter and leave: Russia without any molestation. There are some things in Soviet Russia that I do not agree with. Ido not like the dictatorship, But one thing I must say: the Russians are frank about the dictatorship and explain it in their way. If the other governments would be as open about it, it would be het- ter. Laws for People. “Laws are made in Soviet Russia in behalf of the people—the workers and peasants. The art gallerles, con- certs, opera are all for the people. “Wages outside of Moscow and Leningrad were not high last year. But they were sufficient to maintain the Russian worker at his standard. And as far as I have learned, wages have increased since last year. But there is no place in the world where the miners have such good food and such housing as in Soviet Russia. “There is one thing that we must never forget when speaking of the Russian people. The Russians are striving not only to improve the con- ditions in Russia, but are willing to help the workers the world over when- ever they get into struggle. Thus we see that they are supporting the Chi- nese in their fight against the im- perialists.” Eddy then told about China, “How would the American people like it if in the parks they would read ‘Dogs and Americans keep out.’ That is what the Chinese have to tolerate. The parks and public places are full of signs, “Dogs and Chinese keep out.’” Why Fear the Truth? Thus we find that clergymen not only go to Soviet Russia bnt report their experiences without fear, How can the American Federation of La- bor fear a corruption of its .repres- entatives if they go to Soviet Russia? Are they afraid of the truth? Do they fear that many of the things that they have said in the past will have to be explained? They will have to explain more in the future if they continue this at- titude of maligning Soviet Russia, closing the door to representatives of the trade unions who wish to go to Soviet Russia and persist in their at- titude of being holier even than the capitalist who has everything to lose by the truth being told to the Amer- ican people about Soviet Russia. Still such lectures as that by Dr. Eddy are of excellent service in bring- ing the truth about Soviet Russia to the American workers. Pity is only that it was delivered to a small body of delegates instead of to the mass of the organized workers of this city. NEW YORK WORKERS PARTY WOMEN MEMBERS WILL MEET THURSDAY NEW YORK, March 21.—Women Party members who do not work in factories and shops will meet™ on Thursday evening, March 25, at 8 o'clock at 108 E. 14th St. This is an important meeting for party work and all women not in shops must attend. This meeting is for all wo- men in Manhattan and Brooklyn. fr atc isin acest inca Vian Sheets tt ala iaee lg Cae ers + cramieess ccs WITH THE. Y CONDUCTED - BY TH YOUNG WORKERS AND PASSAIC STRIKE By IRVING FREEMAN. HE strike of the textile workers in Passaic and vicinity has already lasted seven weeks. Fifteen thousand workers, men, women and children, are striking for a living wage, better working conditions and for recogni- tion of the United Front Textile Union, In reviewing the strike there are many features that are noteworthy; mass picketing, absence of violence, singing of the strikers and the pres- ence of large masses of young wérk- ers and children, Nobody can help but note the presence of the youth and the predominating part that the young workers are playing in Pas- saic. Wherever one goes along the battle- lin of the strike, whether it is in the relief office, the stores, the mass meet- ing or on the picket lines, these young workers who.never. conducted relief work before, who never dreamed of leading the picket lines and never knew they had the courage and the power to resist every onslaught of the bosses, are always present. It is the young men and women who are the driving force, the power and the spirit that maintains the splendid morals of the strike. The youth in Passaic are the ones leading the picket lines, the ones that are thrown in jail; they are singing and they are beaten up by the police. They are undergoing all the hardships that a strike throws upon the workers. Theyhave no time for recreation—no dance, halls, playhouses, no movies, etc. War is on between the workers and the bosses. The youth knows it. The strikers want more wagps—the bosses more profits. Who will win? If. all signs” are correct, the strikers will win! They have learned during the past seven weeks that organization is the weapon that will carry them thru to victory. Theyyalso know that their children and wives are fighting side by side with them. The strikers know that youth are sacrificing all to win. They are learning who their friends are and who their enemies are. As a result a splendid solidarity has been created amongst the rank and file of the strikers. Let me emphasize that this solidarity will not be broken by policemen’s clubs, nor by the jails of the cities, The ‘young workers are on guard. They are present everywhere. They are the lifé and motive force behind the strike and consequently the strike will be won. Organization, education and solidarity are the lessons the strikers have learned. Thru these~ roads they will obtain their victory, “The future belongs to the youth,” is a saying. For further proof visit the war zone in Passaic. Cap Makers Vote Passaic Aid Girl Militant Shows Up Right- ‘Winger. By a Young Worker Correspondent. BOSTON, Mass.—At a meeting here of the Cap Makers’ Union $50 and plenty of moral support was voted for Passaic relief. Frantic efforts of the right wing to block action were re- pulsed by the militant workers. The meeting was called in a regular manner, but interesting to describe. The hall is crowded and full of smoke. An election for'an executive is on the agenda, As usual, a right wing and a left wing. A right winger takes the floor. “They brot all the girls here just for |: votes.” A -young sister answers: “For the first time I find in a work- Passaic Strikers March on Lodi Mills Told by Young Textile Striker. By Young Worker Correspondent. PASSAIC, N. J—March 9th was the day set for the march on the Lodi mills. At the strike meeting it was announced that today we would test our strength. If everyone goes on the picket line we will be successful in, pulling out the workers of the United Piece Dye Works of Lodi. C. Miller, the speaker at one of the meetings, asked if everyone was! will- ing to go on the picket line and march in Lodi. Belmont Hall, where the meeting was being held, just shook with the cties: “Yés.” All the meetings that day adjourned at 3 o’clock and the strikers formed . no in columns of two in front of the hall and the march on Lodi was started. The pickets, 6,000 strong, were en- thusiastically singing “Solidarity For- ever—Hold the Fort” and other work- ers’ songs. Cheering, they proceeded slowly to the city of Lodi. The Lodi chief of police met the pickets at the city line and advised ers’ organization such an outlook on the working women. Didn’t we fight shoulder to shoulder on the picket lines? Didn’t we prove that we can fight for our class just as you did? Didn’t we working girls organize our- selves? Must we have special meet- ings in order to’ keep up our stand- haa era rere cnenriicbimintereaae ards? Be careful next time of such wild statements; we will show you that we can stand up against any- one!” The right winger does not reply. Everyone applauds the girl’s heroic stand. The meeting proceeds in a regular manner. A communication was read from the Passaic strike re- lief. Everybody wants the floor at one time in order to express solidarity with the militant textile workers. A worker proposes to send immediately $50 to the relief committee and elect @ committee to find further ways and means to help them. Applause fol- lows. The worker has proposed ex- actly what everyone wants—to help the strikers in their fight. -A communication of the f, L. D. of Boston on’ the Bimba case was read: A protest against the mouldy laws which were being revived in order to better subject the working class. A motion was»passed to help the case financially and morally, This looks like real work of an or- ganization of class conscious workers. Don’t waste your breath, put it on paper. the pickets to remove their helmets, as his force is not armed with their “night sticks,” so no violence will occur. ‘ The 6,000 pickets circled the United / Piece Dye Works a few times and each time around more workers joined the strikers’ ranks. Having succeeded in pulling out 600 workers, the pickets proceeded on their homeward march enthusiasti- cally singing and cheering, feeling proud that their ranks was made stronger by 600 workers. The next day the task of pulling out the rest of the workers of this dye plant would be undertaken, which would add 4,000 workers to the strickers’ ranks. FREE LITERATURE SUPPLIED, MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Free copies of the YOUNG WORKER, Tribuna Robotnicza, Pravda, and Honor and Truth, can be secured from Frank -dilder, 821 Clylesurn St., Milwaukee, Why Not Become a Worker Correspondent? Exchange of Experiences of Shop —_- Nuclei and Concentration Groups ZOLA DRAGOITCHEVA Raped and sentenced to death by the white terrorists of Bulgaria, : ‘ poe athe ( mi} Not Amnestied by Liaptchev! This picture illustrates the Bul- garian “amnesty” which was pro- posed and carried. thru by Zan- kov's successot, Liaptchev, It is the picture of the student girl, . Zola Dragoitcheva, who was ar- rested after the attempt on the Cathedral of Sofia, not because she had anything to do with the attempt, but because she had giv- en shelter to a persecuted revolu- tionary. In the political trial of Plovdiv she was sentenced to death for this “crime” as a “con- cealer.” Her attitude before the court was that of, a courageous revolutionary, She was not am- nestied. At present the death sentence against her cannot be carried out becausé she has be- come pregnant with child as a consequence of rapes by the Zan- kov bandits. All these’ shocking tacts could not induée Liaptchey to amnesty this tortured victim of Zankov terror, ‘This is.the Bulgarian amnesty, ‘ ui pare aceite *! Tyeense opened at 6:30 on Jan, 27, and Comrade G. elected as chairman New York group. Order of ‘business was: Election of chairman, Reading of minutes, Reports of comrades. “Report of organizer, Report of literature agent, Next meeting. Dues. Roll call, New business. Comrade W. reporied that we will lead a factory campaign on 30th street in conjunction with concentration group “J.” It was decided to print a leaflefit and distribute it at the factory. _A meeting of the literature agents of all concentration groups will be called; report was accepted. Com- rade G. did not go to W.'s house be- cause he had a meeting, but he prom- ised to go again this week. Comrade M. said that she is going to form a nucleus in’ her shop. Our literature agent, Comrade G., resigned and Com- rade G. accepted. Next meeting was called for Monday, February 1. We decided to collect fifty cents (50c) each month for dues. : ) Meeting adjourned at 7:30, wy \ z \ Pa ea ¢