I NATJ ONAL COMMITTEE PLENARY MEETING ISSUE

EARL BROWDER

> EUGENE DENNIS • ROY HUDSON • JOHN WILLIAMSON

G~LBERT GREEN • JAMES W . FORD WILLIAM SCHNEIDERMAN • ARNOLD JOHNSON RESOLUTIONS AND DOCUMENTS I ' .New Half-Million Edi-tion!· Complete at Only l 0 Cents! f ' VICTORY-AND AFTER By Earl Browder

The hundreds of thousonds who have read Earl Browder's great war program for the nation ond, hove been inspired by if ,to greater -efforts for victofy, will hail the new half-million "Victory- , in-1943 Edition" of his book, Vic,tory-And .After, complete and at the price of only I 0 cenfs a copy. This mass edition makes it possible to deliver o shottering blow against the home front con­ spiracy of defeatist and appeaser forces who pre obstructing the opening of the Se·cond Front and the smashing of Hitler in 1943-.

Here is the most seorch~g and reolistic- analysis of the rood . to victory. Here is o messoge +hot is vibront with the will to win through over every obstocle to thEr utter defeat of the common enemy ond the triumph of the United Notions. Here is o book th-ot meets the vito! needs of the present cruclol moment of the war, for os the author states in his introduCtion to ihe new edition: 1 , ~ "The book hos stood the test of time end criticism and p,roved itself so_undr as much todoy os it, was when it was written. ' Victory-And After is o book written for the Americon peo­ ple. It hos specie! significance for labor, which is the backbone of th? notion:s support behind Pres. Roosevelt's victory poli,cies. Thot IS why V1ctory.:~....And After m·ust become a powerful weapon

/ - in the hC~nds o of lobor to push forword oil other sector~ of the 1 populotion toword victory thi.s year. 128 Pages, Complete "Ten C_9pies, .for a D~llar!"

WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station D (832 Broadway), New York 3, N. Y. VOL. XXII, NO. 7 JULY, 1943 THE COMMUNIST A MAGAZINE OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM-LENINISM EDITOR: EA.lf.L .ROFDEIC.

CONTENTS

Hold the Home Front! . . Earl Browder . 579 Victory and the 1944 Elections Eugene Dennis 599 Crucial Problems Before Labor Today 1\,oy Hudson 613 Gearing Organizational Forms and Me;hods to the War Effqrt . . . . . John WilLiamson 624 The Dubinsky Social-Democrats Gilbert Green . 633 The Negro ·People Unite for Victory James W. Ford 642 California and the Coming Elections William Schneiderman· 648 The Fight Against Defeatism in Ohio Arnold Johnson . . 653 Resolutions and Sh:tements of the National Committee Plenum ...... · 657 The Anglo-Soviet Treaty of Alliance . 662 On the Anniversary of the Soviet-American Agreement ... 665 Historic Documents 668

Entered as second class matter November 2, 1927, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. THE COMMUNIST is published Monthly by Workers Library Publishers, Inc., at 832 Broadway, New York 3, N. Y. (mail address, P. 0. Box 148, Station D), to whom subscriptions, payments and correspondence should be sent. Subscription rate: $2.00 a year; $1.00 for six months; foreign and Canada, $2.50 a year. Single copies 20 cents. PRINTED IN THE U. S. A...... 209 NEW AND FORTHCOMING PAMPHLETS

The·War of National Liberation II . $.15 By Joseph Stalin

Congress and You .I 0 By Frank Ryhlick Policy for Victory • .15 By Earl Browder

Soviet Trade Unions and Allied Labor Unity . .05 By William Z. Foster

Behind the Polish-Soviet Break • .03 By Alter Brody

Thomas Jefferson: Selections From His Writings . .25 With an introduction by Dr. Philip Foner

The Heritage of Jefferson . .10 by Claude G. Bowers, Earl Browder and Francis Franklin

Karl Marx: His Life and Work . .15 Reminiscences by Paul Lafargue and Wilhelm Liebknecht

Whither Germany? .I 0 By Paul Merker • WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station 0 (832 Broadway), New York 3, N. Y. In view of the extraordinary importance of the Plenary Meeting of the National Committee of the Communist Party, held in New York on June 11-1.3, this issue of THE COMMUNIST is presented as a special Plenum number.

We are publishing the full report of Earl Browder; the sub-reports (abridged) of Eugene Dennis, Roy Hudson. and John Williamson; the Plenum Resolutions and Statements; and the speeche3 (abridged) of James W. Ford, Gilbert Green, William Schneiderman, and Arnold Johnson.

HOLD THE HOME FRONT!

BY EARL BROWDER

I. Our Task Today The road will be difficult, and every advance must be paid for. HE decisive phase of the war has Our task today is, in unity with T arrived. The preconditions for all other forces in the country who the defeat of the Axis have been place victory above all other con­ created by the unprecedented vic­ siderations, to weld unbreakably the tories of the Red Army in the win­ home front, in order to guarantee ter campaign and the merging of that the blows delivered against the the Soviet offensive with the ac­ enemy by our armed forces shall tions of the British and American have the full force of the nation forces in Africa and the air attacks behind them. upon Germany from the West. To- Hitler and his associates are fully day, British and American forces aware that the hour of decision is are preparing to open up major ac- approaching. And they are acting tions on the continent of Europe. upon that knowledge, feverishly For the first time the Anglo-Soviet- mobilizing all their reserves to American coalition will be exerting throw into the balance. It would its combined forces in full coordin- be an unforgivable mistake to un­ ation against Hitler on the main derestimate Hitler's remaining pow­ field of battle. The road to victory er. Above all, we must not under­ lies straight and clear ahead, but estimate Hitler's fifth column in the victory must still be won in battle. United States. Axis hopes are now 579 580 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! centered upon creating diversions friend and ally. We saw this legend behind the main battlefronts, in or­ repeated just a week ago in the der to create divisions among ·the New York Times editorial in reply Allies, disrupt our internal unity, to my letter regarding the anti­ sap our strength and prevent it Communist bogey, and it is con­ from reaching the battlefields. To stantly repeated in discussions of hold the home front line is now of the war in many circles. It is time equal importance to holding the that we make an issue of this ques­ battle line. tion and bring some new clarity in The home front must be protected the public mind on the nature of from Hitler's diversions. Events our alliance with the Soviet Union have already demonstrated that this and its foundations. So long as is our most vulnerable point, that false conceptions of this issue are here we are least prepared for the prevalent and unchallenged, so long enemy'!' advance. That is why we is our home front most seriously - must concentrate our attention in in danger. This, therefore, is a :fj_rst, this period on the home front, safe­ key problem in consolidating the guarding national unity, upholding home front. our Commander-in-Chief in the di­ June 22 will mark two years since rection cf the war, securing maxi­ the Nazis began their invasion of mum and uninterrupted production, the Soviet Union, almost six months mobilizing the masses for most effi­ before the United States entered the cient application of all war meas­ war as a belligerent. In these two ures-rationing, war savings, civil­ fateful years the destiny of human­ ian defense, etc.-perfecting the ity lay in the hands of the Red structure of our war economy, and, Army, the Soviet peoples, their so­ above all, unmasking the hidden cialist system and their leadership enemy \Vithin, the Copperheads, the -first of all, Joseph Stalin. On the defeatists, the advocates of a nego­ Eastern front the tide of world af­ tiated peace, the profiteers, the fairs was at last, after years of black-marketeers, and all their threatened complete collapse of civ­ agents and accomplices. ilization, turned toward victory of the peoples, victory of human cul­ II. The Nature of Our Alliance ture, progress and democracy. With the Soviet Union In spite of this evident and un­ deniable fact, powerful forces in One of the most effective weapons this country still consider it a re­ for disrupting the unity of the na­ buke to a person to say that he tion for the war and for undermin­ changed his attitude toward the ing our unity with our Allies still war after June 22, 1941. In the light remains the legend that the Soviet of history it has become clear that Union was not our ally but our t!wse Americans to whom June 22, enemy until June 22, 1941, and that 1941, was not a decisive turning only then did the Soviet Union, by point are themselves guilty of the accident, as it were, become our most light-minded carelessness re- HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 581 garding the fate of their own coun­ petuated. · It lingers in the legend try. For at that time the United repeated in some of our most re­ States was drifting relentlessly into spectable· newspapers, that before the world storm without regard to June 22, 1941, the Soviet Union the main condition for riding that was an ally of Nazism.. That mali­ storm to victory-the condition of cious slander is used to conceal the having by our side as an ally the great historic fact that it was the Soviet Union. very existence of the Soviet Union If we now have a clear perspec­ as a neutral which saved the Brit­ tive for victory in the war this is ish Isles from Nazi invasion in 1940, due, not so much to any American a hundred times more so than the wisdom, but to Hitler's stupidity moral and material support then be­ and to the underlying relation of ing given by the United States to forces which arose above all such Britain. That lie is used to obscure transient factors to impress its char­ and hide the truth, so vital to the acter upon the war. The prospect United States, that it was the So­ of victory is based, first of all, upon viet Union which, by its very ex­ the mighty achievements of our So­ istence, held b·ack the Japanese viet ally, whose friendship we so militarists from striking at the cavalierly repulsed for years, United States until December 7, whose might we so blindly underes­ 1941, after Hitler had invaded the timated, whose profoundly demo­ Soviet Union. It hides the fact that cratic and progressive contributions the Hitler invasion of the Soviet to world history we so childishly Union was a factor which made in­ denied. Our country has indeed evitable the Japanese attack upon much to learn still from the lessons the United States. It hides the fact of June 22, 1941. that we must understand, for our Those who try to :Perpetuate the own future sake, that the Soviet p:rejudices which before June · 22 Union was always a power on our took the place of thought are doing &ide, even when we rejected its an ill service to our country. There friendship; that invasion of the So­ was not a moment since 1935, to go viet Union on June 22, 1941, was back no further, when the United the signal of inevitable invasion of States could not have had complete the United States as well, unless the friendship and alliance with the So­ Axis was first destroyed. viet Union for the preservation of So long as the United States does world peace. All it required was a not understand to the full this basic sincere demonstration of a friendly political truth, we are not fully pre­ approach based upon acceptance of pared for all of the tasks required the Soviet Union as an equal. We for victory. For it still remains reached that relationship, however, true that correct policy, based on only after the eleventh hour, and knowing our friends and not con­ the delay cost humanity dearly-a fusing them with our enemies, is cost we will long have to pay. more important than armaments. That mistake is still being per- Our country is still in the first 582 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! stages only of its alliance with the That is the central thought which Soviet Union. It will be exceed­ we must press home to our country ingly difficult to deepen that alli­ on the occasion of the anniversary ance, as it must be deepened, so of June 22, which will mark two long as our country is influenced years of the Eastern Front as Amer­ by the Hitlerite lie that the Soviet ican boys prepare to open the Sec­ Union was our enemy before June ond Front in Europe. Let us use 22, 1941, and was only pushed on to this truth to weld our national our side by a sort of accident, and is unity, defeat the fifth columnists therefore, since June 22, only an and deepen our alliance with the adventitious friend. It is much Soviet Union and our other Allies closer to the truth to say that the for the more severe battles to come, United States only awakened to the historic necessity of that alliance, III. The Lewis Insurrection of which the Soviet Union was long conscious, by June 22, 1941, fol­ The most acute and difficult of lowed so quickly by December 7, our problems are epitomized in the and Pearl Harbor. Lewis insurrection against the war. Almost all Americans are ready It has become clear that we must today to join :n the universal glori­ characterize the campaign of John fication of the Red Army. That is L. Lewis and his long list of helpers good as far as it goes, but more in these past weeks as nothing less fundamental and more important than an insurrection against the for the victory which must be won war. John L. Lewis has become the is to gain an understanding of, our key figure and the spearhead of the great Soviet ally. We must under­ anti-war diversion, and for this he stand how and why it was that the is manipulating the miners' union, Soviet Union was the United States' o.f which he has, over the years, be­ friend and protector in the Pacific come the unchallenged autocrat. even when we were behaving in a There is not the slightest doubt that most hostile manner and repeating Lewis is working and has worked the worst lies about friends. We during the past two years at least must understand how the Soviet as an integral part of the pro-Nazi Union was our greatest friend in fifth column, aiming at a negotiated Europe and fighting our battles for peace with Hitler at the expense of us even when we were helping Britain and the Soviet Union, and, Baron Mannerheim and slandering 'in a deeper sense, at the Nazi sub­ cur friend with the epithet "Com­ jugation of the United States itself. munazi." We must understand There is no doubt that the miners' June 22, 1941, as marking the de­ strike was developed consciously as struction of those old myths and a part of that conspiracy. There is legends and opening our eyes to the no doubt that this is treason against truth and n0t as the occasion for the miners, against the labor move­ perpetuating Hitler's lies today in a ment, against our own country and new form. against the United Nations. HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 583 The day on which Lewis called not press the war to a conclusion. out the miners the last time, the This movement aims at nothing less ·Chicago Tribune put out the slo- than the seizure of power in Wash­ gan "Remove Roosevelt." That was ington either by forcing the surren­ approximately the same day on der ·Of Roosevelt or, if that proves which the Volkischer Beobachter in impossible, by defeating him in Berlin published a eulogy of Lewis' 1944, by throwing the country into activities, showing that this strike chaos and blaming the chaos upon was no mere carry-over of prewar the President. concepts of trade unionism. This is Lewis personally has hopes of be­ no mere trade unionism as usual, no ing the next President of the mere matter of a certain lag in de- United States. And he is encouraged velopment, a failure to catch up in these hopes by powerful capital­ with the problems of the day. No, ist circles in the United States. it is a distinct intervention in the That is the outline of the conspir­ war, on the side of Hitler, against acy which comes to a head in the the United States and the United Lewis strike movement. Nations, and has behind it a whole This conspiracy has widespread strategy whose aims we can de- tentacles. 'we have already noted scribe in detail. ' various manifestations of it over the This movement aims, first of all, past several months. To these can to break down the war economy of now be added the anti-Mexican our country, to smash the Presi- riots in Los Angeles, which are one dent's economic policies and ad- of the sharpest expressions of this ministration by canceling labor's planned, organized and financed di­ no-strike policy. It aims to draw the version movement aimed to break whole labor movement into an un- up the unity of the country and de­ restrained wave of strikes and stroy the war morale. We have struggles of all sorts, throwing the to mention also the deliberately or­ country' into chaos and giving the ganized and incited anti-Negro reactionary majority in Congress riots and provocations in Detroit, in the pretext ·to enact anti-trade · Mobile, in Newark and many other union legislation. It aims at seiz- places. Finally, there is the wave ing the leadership of the C.I.O. -of anti-Semitic agitation which, in through Lewis' stooges by discredit- the most sinister fashion, is sweep­ ing Murray and the responsible ing this country, with very little leadership and then triumphantly organized resistance. moving into the A. F. of L. to take These are all the supporting over the whole labor movement in movements of the conspiracy line with Hutcheson and Woll. This against the war, the conspiracy to movement aims, by achieving these establish John L. Lewis as Hitler's ends, to halt the American-Brit- Gauleiter in charge of our country. i~h plans for the invasion of Europe Lewis is by no means alone.. He has in 1943. Or, if that is impossible, a most impressive list of helpers. to weaken its force so that it can- There is an unprecedented concen- 584 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! tration of forces giving open aid to their best to put Lewis at the head Lewis and all sorts of concealed of all labor as the American ver­ aid, uniting those groups and indi­ sion of Hitler's Robert Ley. viduals who for any reason are op­ Fourth, the newspapers.. The only posing Roosevelt's war policies and papers that are excited about the who place their special interests situation and are making a cam­ above victory in the war. Chief paign are fighting tooth and nail among these Lewis forces we can for John L. Lewis. The others are note the following: supporting Lewis with a few words First, without exception and of criticism or gently reprimanding everywhere, that political grouping him. In the United States newspa­ which identified itself before the per field, however, you cannot find war under the title "America First," a single paper conducting a mili­ headed by the Hoover, Wheeler, tant campaign against John L. Vandenberg, Nye, Taft coalition of Lewis except the Daily Worker and political figures. The Worker. Day after day, politi­ Second, the Southern poll-tax cal commentators deal with this politicians who are in coalition with whole question in such a way as to the reactionary Republicans in Con­ build up Lewis as a hero-labor':> gress and who are preparing behind hero-while at the same time using the scenes a coalition for the 1944 his diversions to justify anti-labor elections of the same nature against legislation and prepare the ground Roosevelt and his policies. for crippling the labor movement. Third, the coal operators Who Fifth, the Hutcheson, Woll, Du­ have long ha1 a close and confiden­ binsky clique, long actively con­ tial relationship with Lewis. Typi­ spiring with Lewis, and in effective cal of their spokesmen, and of their control of the A. F. of L. Executive whole course, is an expression Council. William Green is nothing printed in the Wheeling Intelligen­ but their megaphone now. At the cer. This newspaper, published in very moment when William Green Wheeling, W.Va., and directly con­ was formally reiterating the A. F. nected with the coal industry, said of L. no-strike polity, he expressed editorially in its issue of June 1 pleasure at Lewis' bid for reaffilia­ in summing up the situation at the tion, although the miners were on moment when the miners were on strike at that moment; and no top strike: leader of the A. F. of L. has de­ nounced that strike. "For our part we would rather It is a matter of common gossip see John Lewis at the head of labor that the arrangements have already in the United States than any other been completed by the top leader- . man. His very strength is what ship of the A. F. of L. to bring we need. We consider him not only the. strongest but the safest labor Lewis into the A. F. of L. at the leader iii the nation." Octobe:- convention, and Lewis has promised the A. F. of L. leaders that And these gentlemen are doing, he is going to bring in with him the HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 585 United Auto Workers and the Rub­ meaning For Fre.edom. It is the or­ ber Workers. gan of the Socialist Revolutionary Sixth, the Reuther-Carey group­ Party, old-time emigres from Rus­ ing in the c.r.o., super-ambitious sia, professional anti-Sovieteers. young men who have been led up to The leader of this party is called the mountain-top and shown the Victor Chernoff. Victor Chernoff land over which they will be given was an honored guest on the plat­ command, and who are speculating form of the meeting in which Du­ on a Lewis victory. These men have binsky launched the Ehrlich-Alter affirmed their connections with the provocation and he was introduced conspiracy through the medium of to the audience. Victor Chernoff's David Dubinsky and the Social­ magazine for the month of May has :Qemocratic Federation. in it a very interesting news item. And finally, we must mention in The editor of this magazine, Mr. this combination all that maze of Zinzinoff, is reported as delivering anti-Soviet groupings in the United two public lectures to the New York States, ·the professional anti-Soviet­ group of the Socialist Revolutionary eers, the. professional anti-Commu­ Party. One was on "American nists, all of whom have been very Magazines on Russia," a survey for actively enlisted in this conspiracy the last three months; and the and all of whom are making their other "A. Voice from the Under­ contribution very energetically. ground," a review of an article by This · includes the emigres of the Ivanov Razumik in the Berlin Rus­ Second International, the Social­ sian paper Novoye Slovo of Septem­ Democratic Federation with its New ber, · 1942, on the spiritual life in Leader and the Forward, the Love­ the Soviet Union. stoneites, Norman Thomas- to Note that Mr. Zinzinoff, the editor whom the latest edition of the of Victor Chernoff's paper, has in United Mine Workers Journal de­ his hand the magazine published votes al:rr.ost a half page of eulogy by his Berlin associates and is able and who in turn eulogizes John L. to deliver a public lecture on that Lewis-the Trotskyites, the Cough­ magazine here in New York, the Unites, the Ku Klux Klan and subject being the "Underground," many others. not against Hitler, but against the These are the forces that seized Soviet Union. How do you think on the Ehrlich-Alter case as a· po­ Mr. Zinzinoff is able to get the mag­ litical preparation for the Lewis azine from Berlin? How are they strike movement. The connection so closely informed about the ac­ betweew. these two .and the meaning tivities of their party associates in of this grouping of all these anti­ Berlin? How is it that the S.R.'s war forces are shown by a bit of in Berlin are able to function so evidence that came to my hand in freely? the shape of a magazine in the For that we get the answer in the Russian language published in New May 2 news dispatches from Stock­ York. It is called Za Svobodu, holm, which report that ,Hitler is 586 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! organizing a Russian army against munists to be against strikes. Yes, the Soviet Union with the assistance they go so far as to quote Lenin of the old emigres who have long vgainst us and for John L. Lewis. operated in Berlin against the So­ Such references to Lenin are be­ viets. These gentlemen are in ac­ neath contempt and are an obvious tive Illilitary collaboration with cover for treason to trade unionism Hitler in Berlin and their activities as well as to the nation. Even in are reported _immediately and in de­ the days when strikes were in the tail to their agents in New York main progressive acts and to be who are so bold as to speak about supported, Lenin never failed to it publicly on their platform, and warn, and on this he had the agree­ publish it in their paper. ment of all sound trade union lead­ From this we can understand ers, that not all strikes can be sup­ much better the significance of the ported, that the consequences of a Ehrlich-Alter case. And these are strike must always be taken into the gentlemen most actively fight­ consideration before a strike is ad­ ing for John L. Lewis today. And vocated, planned, carried out or David Dubinsky boasts to the news­ supported. The consequences of an paper reporters how six months act are the determining factor of the ago he made plans for Lewis to go class attitude toward it. That is back into the A. F. of L. Is it not a basic rule of all sound trade plain from these related facts that unionism. Way back in 1902 Lenin we are dealing, with a widely rami­ had occasion to criticize a program fied conspiracy, of which the strike that had been advocated by one of movement is a part? These facts the organizations in Russia and expose the clumsy legend that, in which extolled strikes as the best this strike movement, we are· deal­ means of struggle. The strike, ing with militant trade unionists Lenin rE'plied, whose only fault, if there is one, i!'; an excess of zeal. ". . . is only one of the means, not always even one of the best. Do l\T e Support AU Strikes? It is enough to indicate the neces­ sity to give leadership to economic Lewis' stooges, especially the struggles in general; sometimes this leadership must be expressed by re­ Trotskyites and Norman Thomas straining strikes." (Collected Works, Socialists, the Social-Democratic Vol. V, p. 130, Russian edition.) .Federation and the George Sokol­ skys, have raised the cry that strikes Today in the United States it has must always be supported, and es­ become an imperative duty of all pecially by the Communists. They sound labor leadership to restrain are trying to convince us that we strikes and to do everything to dis­ are renegades from the principles solve the strike movement. You of Lenin and Stalin in condemning cannot have strikes and win the the strike movement; that it is war. against the laws of nature for Com- Today it is the anti-war capital- HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 587

ists, th~ admirers and friends of months before the contract ex­ Hitler, those who want to bring pired. , Nazism to the United States, that In general, Lewis has stubbornly want strikes; the strike policy is refused to permit the union to take their policy, and they do not hesi­ up the problem of production, or to tate to use strikes freely to prepare relate the miners' income to produc­ their way to power. tion. Lewis has connived with the Do you think employers are uni­ employers to place all possible so­ versally against strikes? That is just lutions of the economic issues of as foolish as to think Communists the mining industry in such a form are always for them. There are that to settle them would require employers who like to use strikes granting higher profits to the op­ and like to have the labor move­ erators, thereby smashing the eco­ ment in a condition where they can nomic policies of the Roosevelt Ad­ provok~ strikes when and where ministration. they please. David Dubinsky helped to pave, the way for Lewis when he The Incentive Wage staged the stoppage of the dress­ makers in New York, despite the This line, and especially the line fact that he and the employers had of preventlng the linking of the already agreed on a settlement. workers' income to production, has There was a deliberate purpose be­ been followed by all anti-war ele­ hind that move; it was to spread the ments. It is the platform of the idea that strikes during wartime defeatists' conspiracy inside the la­ are legitimate. bor movement as well as outside. John L. Lewis betrayed the min­ This has come , to the fore in the ers months ago when he blocked issue of the incentive wage. The every effort to lay the foundations question of incentive wage is the for settlement of the needs and question of unifying the economic grievances of the miners before the interests of the workers and the expiration of the contract. Way economic' needs of the war, so that last summer, Ickes proposed to they act not to defeat one another Lewis and the coal operators to put but to help and supglement one the miners on a six-day basis, give another. the miners time and a half for the By li!lking the workers' wage in­ extra day, increase production for come to production and productivity the war, and alleviate the manpow­ it is possible to stimulate produc­ er shortc>ge. We must not allow the tion for the war enormously and miners to forget that Lewis joined at the same time give the workers with the mine operators to reject the i!lcreased wage income which this, although in May, in the first they desire and need without in' any strike, when this was imposed upon way undermining the existing eco­ the industry, the LE:wis forces hailed nom~c relationships or causing a it as the first victory for the strike, general shake-up or initiating an when it could , have been had six inflation spiral. Much headway

looking looking toward toward the the real real unity unity of of the the his his strike strike policy, policy, laying laying bare bare his his

them, them, on on a a state state and and national national scale, scale, movement movement on on the the basis basis of of rejecting rejecting

sciousness sciousness of of the the task task that that faces faces spiracy spiracy and and isolate isolate it it in in the the labor labor

working working collaboration collaboration with with the the con­ We We must must expose expose the the Lewis Lewis con­

eration eration of of Labor Labor and and the the C.I.O. C.I.O. into into strugg'le. strugg'le.

ing ing elements elements of of the the American American Fed­ next next crucial crucial period period in in the the military military

We We must must bring bring the the healthy healthy lead­ fication fication of of the the home home front front for for the the

ences. ences. These These provide provide the the key key to to the the solidi­

past past or or present present ideological ideological differ­ in in the the lsbor lsbor movement movement and and outside. outside.

port port without without any any regard regard to to possible possible set set for for all all conscious conscious and and honest honest men men

giving giving them them our our confider:tce confider:tce and and sup­ simply simply stated stated aims aims which which we we must must

Murray Murray in in the the fullest fullest collaboration, collaboration, surrection surrection against against the the war war in in a a few few

ing ing element element who who goes goes along along with with tasks tasks in in relation relation to to the the Lewis Lewis in­

must must work work with with every every honest honest lead­ In In general, general, we we can can sum sum up up our our

for for the the labor labor movement, movement, and and we we conspiracy. conspiracy.

and and his his clear clear and and corrEi!ct corrEi!ct program program their their connection connection with with the the defeatist defeatist

hind hind the the leadership leadership of of Phil Phil Murray Murray resistance resistance is is political, political, caused caused by by

We We must must unite unite the the C.I.O. C.I.O. be­ that that section section of of the the employers employers whose whose

be be called called into into action. action. edness, edness, greed greed and and inertia, inertia, as as well well as as

awaiting awaiting the the moment moment when when he he will will resistance resistance is is based based upon upon shortsight­

member member of of the the conspiracy, conspiracy, only only that that section section of of the the employers employers whose whose

can can be be looked looked upon upon as as a a probable probable up up with with Lewis, Lewis, and and to to overcome overcome

out out against against this this Lewis Lewis insurrection insurrection cial cial interests, interests, most most of of them them linked linked

And And anyone anyone who who refuses refuses to to speak speak which which come come from from people people with with spe­

Reuther Reuther is is is is one. one. Carey Carey another. another. sue sue within within the the labor labor movement movement

know know who who some some of of these these people people are. are. sistance sistance and and sabotage sabotage of of this this is­

only only in in words, words, but but in in deeds. deeds. We We is is necessary necessary to to break break down down the the re­

with with Lewis Lewis and and his his policies policies not not ers ers who who are are ready ready to to welcome welcome it. it. It It

into into the the open open or or force force them them to to break break tions tions of of the the enlightened enlightened employ­

others, others, we we must must force force those those agents agents the the government government and and with with those those sec­

him, him, like like the the Auto Auto Workers Workers and and trade trade unions unions in in collaboration collaboration with with

are are going going to to bring bring them them along along with with by by having having it it applied applied in in life life by by the the

Lewis Lewis has has promised promised that that his his stooges stooges of of discussion discussion to to the the stage stage of of action, action,

Second, Second, in in those those unions unions where where centive centive wage wage over over from from the the stage stage

templated templated coalition coalition with with Lewis. Lewis. us us is is to to carry carry the the issue issue of of the the in­

of of Labor Labor to to carry carry through through its its con­ for for the the war. war. The The problem problem before before

sible sible for for the the American American Federation Federation especially especially upon upon the the scale scale required required

We We must must make make it it politically politically impos­ ing ing the the program program of of incentive incentive wages, wages,

fascist fascist partisanship partisanship for for Hitlerism. Hitlerism. way way has has yet yet been made made been in in apply­

narrow narrow personal personal partisanship partisanship but but as as tion tion problem. problem. But But not not much much head­

Roosevelt Roosevelt Administration Administration not not as as the the basic basic importance importance of of the the produc­

showing showing his his attempts attempts to to wreck wreck the the November, November, 1942, 1942, when when we we stressed stressed

in in the the population population against against him, him, question question which which we we first first raised raised in in

and and rallying rallying every every patriotic patriotic element element of of this this question question on on ·a ·a mass mass scale, scale, a a

anti-war anti-war alignments alignments and and purposes purposes has has been been made made in in the the understanding understanding

HOLD HOLD THE THE HOME HOME FRONT! FRONT! 588 588 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 589 labor movement, not a unity which that the only clear hope of a straight consists of consolidating the anti­ Republican Party victory in 1944 war elements in control at the top, lies in the nomination of Willkie. but a unity of labor to win the war That, however, would represent a and win it against the Lewises or defeat for the reactionary coalition any other pro-Nazi provocateur. second only to Roosevelt's re-elec­ We must build the unity of all tion or the election of a person anti-Axis elements for the war now, standing for everything that Roose­ and for the 1944 elections, which velt does. And the anti-war coali­ are already a practical issue today tion will fight against Willkie with in the course of the conduct of the almost the same fanaticism they war. display against the President. Thus it is that the main current IV. The 1944 Presidential Elections of thinking in the defeatist camp The preparations for the 1944 turns in the direction nf securing a election campaign are not formal three-way division of the electoral and traditional preparations. They vote thac will deny a majority to bear all signs of the development any candidate, thus throwing the of a major battle for power be­ election into the House of Repre­ tween two fundamentally irrecon­ sentatives, which is controlled by the cilable trends of policy. The ques­ reactionary coalition. To bring about tion of the President's succession such a result, the reactionary coali­ involves the determination of tion must first split the labor sup­ whether the United States goes port ·of Roosevelt in the North, forward in the Anglo-Soviet-Ameri­ create economic chaos and social can coalition to the unconditional struggle on a broad scale, thus surrender of the Axis and all carrying the North at least in the its works, with the reconstitution majority; second, splitting the of the world order on that basis, or Southern poll-tax states away from whether the U. S. shall dissolve. the Roosevelt or Roosevelt's candidate, coalition and embark upon a course behind a rival Democratic candi­ of salvaging the Axis powers and date named by a rump convention combining with them against our which will keep Roosevelt off the present Allies, Britain and the So­ ballot in the poll-tax states. For v~et Union. That is the issue of this they aim at all costs to prevent the 1944 elections. the repeal of the poll tax. This issue is being fought out in For the labor and progressive both major parties. In the Demo­ movements, as for all who put vic­ cratic Party it is the dividing line tory above all other considerations, between the pro-Roosevelt and preparations for 1944 are therefore anti-Roosevelt groupings. In the an integral part of the home front Republican Party it is represented of ·the war effort which must be in the Willkie camp versus the made now, not next year. Special regular Republican machine. The political groupings and organiza­ struggle is complicated by the fact tional efforts have a positive value 590 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! today only as they are formed un­ gram. Most of the C.I.O. minimum der the sign of unity for victory, program, still to be fought for and under the slogan of holding the achieved, is merely the concrete en­ home front. The dominant issue is forcement of that seven-point pro­ not Right wing versus Left wing; gram the President enunciated. The it is not the New Deal against the deeper problem of organizing the Old Deal; it is not the keeping of national economy for war is only the status quo; it is not anything now being seriously approached. but for victory against the defeat­ A few days ago the President by ists. executive order set up an Office of And in this whole struggle, War Mobilization. Thus there came whether it be electoral alignments into being essentially that structure for 1944 or the daily questions of of authority which had been put life today in the development of forward in the Tolan-Kilgore-Pep­ the war, our friends and our allies per Bills with the support of labor are not determined by any ideologi­ and a large part of the other cal considerations, or any formal classes. political alignments. We are part­ This is progress, but everything ners and allies with every Ameri­ now depends upon how quickly this can who is ready to fight the de­ centralized authority which has featists at home and prosecute the been created takes up its tasks, war to victory at all costs. That is whether it really begins at once to our political platform today and produce centralized all-out plans for next year; along that line we must the national economy. You can­ carry on without deviation. That not have such plans without having is the linE of struggle for the next the centralized authority to produce period of the war, and the line for them. But the existence of the the 1944 elections. authority does not automatically produce the plans and now it is V. Problems of the War Economy necessary that the country shall make it known to the Office of War A few words about our war econ­ Mobilization that it expects order to omy. The tempo of construction of be brought out by the economic an all-ouf war economy in the chaos-not by the adjustment of U. S. has been distressingly slow. differences and quarrels by an The chief obstacle has been the pol­ umpire, but by the prevention of icy of appeasing the defeatists' op­ differences, quarrels, bottlenecks, position. Even the elementary and breakdowns by means of planning m1mmum seven-point program and direction of economic life ac­ enunciated by President Roosevelt cording to plan. in April, 1942, has not been carried out. Most of the disturbances of ilgriculture for War national unity could have been avoided or controlled by full ap­ We must begin to give this more plication of the seven-point pro- ,emphasis now also in relation to HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 591

~griculture, to which the country technical aids to production. Such is b,eginning to turn its attention. aids on a proper scale must include Price fixing can be maintained only an organized system of machinery by the firm establishment of rental and repair stations adjusted planned production. That applies to the type of agriculture in each to all phases of the war economy, section, auxiliary transportation industry and agriculture. We must services which are required to re­ insist that the economic plans shall place the breakdown . of private cover not only production of war transportation, and a labor army for material, but also industrial produc­ seasonal demands in agriculture tion for the civil population, and ag­ which cannot by any means be ricultural production for industry taken care of on the basis of indi­ and for food. vidual employment, even if organ­ In agriculture, there are two fea­ ized and protected by governmental ture's of the war economy which agencies. The labor question in ag­ require over-all planning and ad­ riculture clearly will require a na­ ministration. These are, first, the tional organization of labor to sup.,. system of production subsidies. It plement the labor of the individual is clear to all who accept the neces­ farmer and the individual hired sity for the maintainence of the worker. present price structure that the only way in which the pressing VI. The Dissolution of the Commu­ problems in the field of food pro­ nist International duction can be met is by production ,> subsidies. Herbert Hoover's elabo­ It is necessary for me now to pass rate platform for the removal of on to a few words on the signifi­ all ceilings on prices of agriculture cance of the dissolution of the Com­ i:;: merely another attempt to wreck munist International. We have pub­ the economic program of the Ad­ lished the decision of the Presiding ministration with a political objec­ Committee of the Comintern, as tive. All of the enemies of produc­ well as many documents from vari­ tion subsidies in the food produc­ ous countries and from our own tion program are enemies of the all­ party, in relation to this action. It out prosecution of the war. It _is is not necessary for me to review necessary that we make this clear ,these documents with you here. We to the country, to labor, as well can assume that you are familiar as to the farmers, and win · gen­ )Vith them, that you have studied eral support to the concept of pro­ them, and that you already have a duction subsidies for food. common body of opinion as to their Second in the development of significance. agricultural production are the The action taken on May 15 and technical aids to production. Some completed on June 10 cancels the beginnings have been . made in the · organizational association of the way of providing through a national various national Communist Parties. economic apparatus the necessary Thus is closed an era of the devel- 592 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! opment o:f the world's working class nism, t::> prevent the effective coali­ movement. It is quite clear that tion of the democratic states jointly we have a most profound, positive to resist aggression. With the dis­ estimate of the role of the Commu­ appearance of the Comintern, this nist International during this past Axis weapon has been to a very period. Especially we must em­ great degree rendered harmless to phasize that in this period, and due the cause of democratic unity. It above all to the role of the Com­ has destroyed the legend that Com­ munist International, there has fi­ munist Parties in the various coun­ nally been realized that coalition of tries act upon any other basis than all the progressive forces in the the interests of their own nation; world that gives us the guarantee it thereby facilitates the unity with­ of the final elimination of fascism in our nation of all patriotic forces, and Nazism from .the world. That as well as the unity of the various is a tremendous achievement. We nations, for the joint struggle must further emphasize that in this against the Axis. period now closed, under the guid­ The dissolution of the Comin­ ing hand of the Communist Interna­ tern has further cleared the boards tional, there has developed in most for the emergence of higher forms of the major countries-and many o.f international solidarity, which of the smaller ones-mature Marx­ must find expression also in inter­ ist working class parties, in most national trade union unification, cases under the name Communist, first of ·an in the Anglo-Soviet­ which are playing, and will con­ American trade union council, to tinue to play, a most vital role in parallel the coalition of govern­ achieving the tasks of this war, ments and peoples. which are the supreme tasks of this There are special questions relat­ historic epoch, and of guaranteeing ing 6 our own party and the rela­ an ordered world development after tions of our party to national unity. this war is over. The dissolution of the Communist Our party, the Communist Party International creates new and more of the United States, being without .favorable conditions for the integra­ international affiliation since No­ tion of the Communist Party of the \•ember, 1940, is not called upon to United States into our own Ameri­ participate in the decision which can democratic life and national has already been finalized. This is unity. It is true that our party, al­ an event, however, which demands ready in 1940, had dissolved its our political evaluation and con­ affiliation and had taken all pro­ clusions to be drawn, since it pro­ grammatic steps requisite to the foundly influences the national and proper adjustment of our relations internaticnal life within which we to the democratic national front. work. But all circles in America who were The Axis was brought into ex­ infected with Hitler's anti-Comin­ istence as an anti-Comintern, man­ tern bogey in any degree denounced ipulating the spectre of Commu- our disaffiliation and other move- HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 593 ments as a fraud, insisting that so sition to Japan short of war, was long as the Communist Interna­ exactly the formula of Chamberlain tional existed there could be no dis­ and Daladier at Munich and con­ affiliation except by renegacy and trasted sharply with the Commu­ fighting against the Communist In­ nist Party declaration of 1937 to ternational. support war if necessary to halt Now that the Communist Inter­ Japanese aggression. national is no more, this argument Also the editor evidently began to has lost even a semblance of plausi­ realize that his pet formula, the dis­ bility, and the Communist Party has solution of the Communist Party of a more advantageous position and a the United States, raised more prob­ better atmosphere in its struggle to lems from his approach to the ques­ secure full citizenship on our own tion than it settled, although he merits, and without the fear of could not yet find any new ground ghosts. for continuing the discussion. Al­ To begin the process of the im­ though the New York Times is by mediate utilization of these more no means a decisive organ of' public favorable conditions, I wrote a se­ opinion, on the whole, we must take ries of letters, with the agreement these reactions as symptomatic and, . of our Political Committee, to the considering the source, not unfavor­ New York Times and the New York able to the prospects of a further Herald Tribune. These have been broad discussion which we will take republished in The Worker of to the entire country and which will June 6. finally place the problem of the As was to be expected, consider­ Communists in America in a new ing its confused and vacillating po­ light entirely. sition on the war, the first reaction It is not without significance that of the New York Times was swift the Herald . Tribune, a more ob­ and angry refusal to consider as jective and realistic organ, even if open to discussion the position of equally prejudiced, did not rush in­ the Communist Party in the United to print with a ready-made. answer, States. This was evidently not based but withheld its comment. These upon any new thought in the light letters addressed to the Times and of the new stage in world history, Herald Tribune are, of course, in Lut was a mechanical hangover or reality directed to all Americans, carry-over from the past. The including the responsible govern­ Times' editorial reaction to my sec­ mental leaders of our country and ond letter was still stubborn, but of the war. We sincerely hope and already in a defensive tone, and expect that our approach will re­ conceded the legality of the Com­ ceive the response in the same munist Party. spirit of national unity for the war The editor of the Times was evi­ in which those letters were written. dently uncomfortably aware that This discussion is by no means his defense of· the appeasement of closed. It is only opened. Japan, which he described as oppo- It is necessary for the war, for J94 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! victory, for national unity, that our munist participation in this task. country shall understand anti­ Communism as a defeatist political VII. Communists and the Trade instrument of the same order as Unions anti-Semitism, just as harmful, and no more a private problem of the One angle of our work becomes of Communists than anti-Semitism is a greater importance every day­ problem only for the Jews. Both namely, our relations to the world are equally weapons for Hitler. You of trade unionism. We must em­ don't have to be a Jew to know the phasize especially what is true gen­ damage of anti-Semitism. All you erally of the relationships of our have to be is a decent democrat. party to mass organizations, that it The same thing is true, for the same is the duty of the Communists, and reasons, of anti-Communism. Both we must school the Communists in are obscurantist political witchcraft. this duty, to so conduct themselves And only at the price of complete as to convince all their honest fellow exposure and rejection of these citizens, even the prejudiced ones, ideologies is it possible to have any that there is no truth whatsoever in kind of sane, healthy, democratic­ the fairy tales that the Communists life in our country. The presence want to dominate or to capture the and continued operation of anti­ trade unions, or any other mass or­ Communism and anti-Semitism and ganizatiC'n. We have no such pro­ the other features of Nazi ideology gram. We have no such desires and are destructive of all clear thinking, we want to prove it by our small­ of all sound political relationships; est act and word. To this end it they are destructive of national has become more necessary than unity. and are productive of defeat­ ever now that we clean up in the ists in the war. To clear the air odd corners of our party whatever of these bogeys is a common duty remnants may be hanging around of of all democrats. Of. course, this is old methods of work, carry-overs not to <;leny that we Communists from the days when we were a per­ have our own special duties in secuted minority in which the main breaking down the walls of suspi­ stream of public life was not devel­ eion and distrust that have been oping along the lines that we sup­ built up against us and against na­ ported and in which fractions and tional unity by years of repetition fractional methods of work were of lies and slander. We must be used to some extent in trade u'nions patient and persevering and never and mass organizations. Some years ailow ourselves to be provoked by ago we put an end to this as a sys­ these lies into hot words or hasty tem of work in our party. A recent actions. Only complete calmness inspection of our work in the field and collectedness and persistence in disclosed that some remnants of bringing forward the truth against this old approach still continued, in these lies will meet this problem spite of the declared policy of our from the point of view of Com- -party. Let us here make it clear HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 595 that we want to sweep out all those And even this is not merely for our­ remnants completely. In the trade selves. It is a firmly established unions Communists need no special historical fact that when equal Drganizational forms of any kind. democratic rights are denied to the Everything that we have to do, our Communists that is the beginning of tasks ana aims, we share with the the loss of democratic rights for the great mc.jority of the trade union entire population. And in fighting members and leaders; and we must for our democratic rights, we are make that clear beyond any ques­ fighting not for a special interest, tion and we must establish that in we are fighting for the democratic the practical life of our party so rights of every man and woman in that no one can doubt it. America. Communists can and must work We must warn all of our party in a most free and democratic man­ leaders that they will often be faced ner in trade unions and other mass with temptations when non-party organizations with all other honest people approach the party in a patriotic forces under the one main friendly way and say, we want to banner which unites us all, of unity discuss with you about the condi­ to win the war, to hold the home tions in the trade unions, this or front firm. There is not and there that union, this or that problem. Of must not be any special discipline course, we have the right and duty among Communists in the trade to discuss with every on~ all public unions. The party, of course, will questions, including trade union continue to demand of its members questions, which are not matters of their complete adherence to trade indifference in the general political union dE:cisions and policies demo­ life of the country, but we must cratically arrived at, as well as the never fall for the temptation of full support of our national war ef­ party leaders discussing with other fort, to which everything else must party or non-party trade union be subordinated. leaders detailed questions of trade The Communist Party has its own union life in any way which pre­ sp~cial discipline in the sense of de­ tends or assumes to commit Com­ manding these things of the mem­ munists in the trade unions to fol­ ber. But this is no discipline which low a particular line. These deci­ in any way runs contrary to or sions are not made by our party crosses the discipline of the trade in consultation with anybody in the unions, which are autonomous or­ trade union movement. Those deci­ ganizations to which the Commu­ sions are made only inside every nists subordinate themselves in the trade union by the members of the same way that all other members trade union, including the Commu­ of the trade unions do. There are nists, of course, and are never made no special demands in the interests by party representatives on the out­ of the Communists, no special in­ side. And let us make sure that terests of the Communists; we de­ that understanding is carried to the mand only equal democratic rights. whole labor movement, and espe- 596 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! dally that it is enforced in the prac­ tionale," making our American tice of our party. version of it different from that used in any other part of the world. VIII. "The Internationale'' You know that in America we have for many years been singing a re­ At the time the dissolution de­ frain of "The Internationale" as the cision was published, the Associated "International Soviet." That's not Press called me up and asked me done anywhere. else in the world for a statement as to what Ameri­ That's a special Americanism. Some can Communists were going to do very zealous, very sectarian worker about the song "The Internation­ in the cultural world gave it to us ale." Without having had any and we thoughtlessly accepted it preparation for such a momentous and it became an established cus­ question, my reaction was to laugh tom. We never even reviewed it. at it and reply I really couldn't say. We never even discussed it. Sud­ We never had any party decisions denly, without discussion, on the in­ about songs, and I didn't suppose itiative of one person, the American there were going to be any, that Communists began to sing about the without party decisions we sang the "International Soviet," where ali "Star Spangled Banner" and I sup­ the rest of the international labor posed we'd still continue, and I movement sang about the "Interna­ don't see any reason for changing tionale." It's a small difference, our singing programs, which include but it's a difference which has been "The Internationale." exaggerated into a programmatic I am afraid, however, that I took question in America by our ene­ this question too lightly when I an­ mies. Perhaps we'll have to break swered the Associated Press over a long-standing tradition of having the telephone. Thinking the matter no decision about songs and offi­ over afterwards, I realized that cially chango the American version while this question of songs has ot the "Internationale" back to the · never been a matter of party de-. international version. I cite this cisions but merely of customs, to the as just one example whereby, by outside world these things assume becoming more international, we a great importance, especially as the will adjust ourselves closer to spotlight is turned by enemies of American realities. This was an ours and of the war effort upon pre­ Americanism that separated us cisely such small questions as that. from the American people. Thinking further over the situation I had to admit that perhaps we IX. Conclusion made a mistake in not having party decisions about questions of songs I must bring my remarks to a because, if we had had party deci­ conclusion. I have concentrated sions, I'm sure that the American this report upon a few outstanding party would never have decided to questions which seem to me to be change the words of "The Interna- key to the central questions of the HOLD THE HOME FRONT! 597 day upon which there must be main "The strength of the proletariat concentration. This very narrow consists in this, that its number and selectivity is not in any way to be­ compactness grow as a result of the little the importance of other ques­ process of economic development it­ self, at the same time as among the tions. It is to serve mainly as a big and petty bourgeoisie there is matter of establishing the proper growing disunity and disintegration emphasis and the proper relation in of interests. In order to register this terms of programmatic development natural advantage of the proletariat, of our daily work. the political party of the working We can sum up what we have class must attentively observe all to establish in the Plenum, that our conflicts of interest among the rul­ main task today is the struggle for ing classes, using these conflicts not the solidity of the home front and only to get fractional benefits for the politlcal education of the Amer­ one or another stratum of the work­ ican workers and the masses of the ing class, but in order to educate American people in the course of the working class as a whole and also with the struggle. the purpose of extracting a useful lesson from each new so­ The task that we have before us cial political upset." is the most revolutionary task of history, the task of extirpating the With the proper adjustments to the Axis from the face of the earth. period of history in which we are Nothing could be more revolution­ living, that thought expresses our ary than that. In this revolution­ most profound central special task ary task we have the collaboration which only we can carry forward in of the broadest circles that are sub­ the midst of this general struggle jectively not revolutionary at all for virztory. and who object to the use of the Another quotation from Lenin: word "revolution" because they see something sinister and subversive about it, although they agree whole­ "In the history of revolutions the heartedly and completely with our contradictions ripening during dec­ revolutionary aims of the extirpa­ ades and centuries come to the sur­ tion of the Axis. face. Life becomes tremendously rich. On the political scene appear Our special task as Communists as active fighters the masses, who is the political education of the hitherto remained always in the millions, to bring deepened political shadow and therefore were ignored understanding in the course of the and even despised by superficial ob­ struggle. The masses are learning servers. These masses learn through from life. their experience, trying their first Lenin wrote, way back in 1902, steps, g~·oping for the road, formu­ some words that I think are advan­ lating their tasks, checking them­ selves tageous for us to remember at this and the theories of their ideologists. Those masses are ex­ moment, over forty years later, in a erting heroic efforts to reach the quite new historical situation. He heights of gigantic world tasks im­ said: posed upon them by history and no 598 HOLD THE HOME FRONT! matter how big may be some broadest masses of our country and defeats or how enormous the flow others, the extirpation of the Axis. of blood and number of victims, While giving complete and full nothing can equal the importance of leadership and energy to the main this direct education of the masses task which we share with the and classes in the process of revolu­ broadest democratic camp, our spe­ tionary struggle." cial task is, at the same time, to What Lenin said forty years ago guarantee the political education of of that stage of the revolutionary the working class and the toiling struggle is fully true today in that masses of our country, preparing supremely revolutionary task in them for their future historical which we are engaged with the role. VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS

BY EUGENE DENNIS

N THE new stage of the war must understand that next year's I which is now taking place-as national elections are not a post­ crucial battles approach on the de- war problem and not a problem to cisive Soviet-German front, and as be resolved solely in 1944. Just as Anglo-American offensive opera- p;resent military-political develop­ tions are being extended to the Eu- ments will decisively affect the out­ ropean continent-it is clear that come of the 1944 elections, so, too, the sharpening inner political strug- the preparations and alignments gle withm the United States and now under way for the elections the figh-c to achieve the greatest will directly ·affect the conduct of unity and common action of labor the war now. For this, if for no and all other win-the-war forces in other purpose, we must concern support of the Commander-in- ourselves with helping influence Chief will play an extraordinary and shape all events and regroup­ role in influencing the course, the ings which will determine .the re­ duration, and the outcome of the suits in the primaries and in No­ war. This is especially true today in vember of next year. Further, we respect to resolving whether or not must say, it is time for labor and the victory policies of the Roosevelt other win-the-war forces to prepare government will be more fully and now to intervene more actively in speedily realized, especially so that the pre-election alignments and America will exert its full strength preparations; otherwise we may and resources in time and in coor- have a repetition of the Congres­ dination with the Soviet Union and sional elections of 1942, only with Great Britain for utilizing the far more serious and disastrous present favorable situation to help consequences for the nation and for deliver decisive blows against Hit- victory.... ler Germany this year. Therefore, in this situation and In analyzing the political situa- in view of the decisive phase which tion and alignments within the the war is entering upon, it is es­ country, special consideration sential that everything be done to should be given to the approaching strengthen the anti-fascist unity 1944 elections. To begin with, we of the nation as never before. 599 '600 VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS This is vital to ensure victory in unity. And national unity in each the war and victory in the 1944 anti-Axis nation is the chief weap­ elections. All obstacles to strength­ on for achieving victory over Hit­ ening the camp of national unity lerism and Hitler's Axis.... must be broken down. All difficul­ High among the tasks for obtain­ ties and impediments to advancing ing labor's united action lies the labor's unity of action, which is the need of smashing the reactionary backbone and core of national policies and activities of John L. unity, must be overcome. All hesi­ Lewis, of the Trotskyites, and So­ tancies and vacillations in waging cial-Democrats. Similarly,· the an uncompromising struggle against united action and patriotic role of the defeatists within certain gov­ labor require that the most ad­ ernmental circles, within both ma­ vanced sections of the working jor parties, as well as within the la­ class, together with other win-the­ bor movement, must be resolutely war forces, should further clarify swept aside-with the focal point all war issues, should make clear of this stage now being to smash the anti-fascist nature and objec­ the Lewis conspiracy. tives of the war, and should help This is the approach, the main guarantee that labor resolutely ful­ orientation and the strategical line fill its independent and united which must be mapped out and con­ responsibilities. cretized in order to rout the defeat­ ists and to guarantee that the exist­ • • • ing prerequisites shall be utilized In considering some of the most for speeding victory in the war as urgent and practical tasks that well as the triumph of the demo­ face labor and the trade unions, cratic camp in the 1944 elections. and therefore the Communists, for It is from this viewpoint that we advancing the common action of la­ must give maximum consideration bor and reinforcing national unity, to the role and grave responsibility I should like to concentrate on a of the American working class and number of urgent problems and people. The American labor move­ tasks, liwJted primarily to the ques­ ment needs confidence in its ow!' tion of how to strengthen labor's strength. It needs unity of action role and united action on the po­ to consolidate and exercise its own litical, legislative and electoral power. It needs a united front on fronts. a national and international scale Recent experience has proved to fortify and further develop the that one of the most important world coalition of states and peoples channels for developing labor's against Hitlerism. And within our united action and influencing politi­ country it needs to extend and forge cal developments is in the forma­ the most active militant unity of tion and activity of joint labor leg­ the working class and its trade islative committees. Within the union movement. For working class past month united labor political unity is the center of national ·action committees and people's con- VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS 601 ferences involving the C.I.O. and cies of the Wheelers, Tafts and important A. F. of L. organizations ChandlN·s. It is necessary that, in and the Railroad Brotherhoods, have addition to adopting a general win­ been established in many key indus­ the-war program, attention be given trial centers in New York, Pennsyl­ to seeking out one or two of the vania, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, most burning issues, particularly so California, Wisconsin, etc. These as to find those specific and single have been organized chiefly around issues which can unite the widest Congressional and state legislative forces, which, for instance, could issues dealing with anti-labor legis­ facilitate the involvement of broad­ lation, the President's seven-point e; sections of the A. F. of L., which program and questions of production could reach the miners' organiza­ and manpower. However, most of tions and which could also draw these conferences and movements the· farmers, the Negro people and have also adopted a clearcut posi­ middle-class groups into coopera­ tion and program of action in sup­ tive win-the-war action. It is neces­ port of the Casablanca decisions for sary that, in orgamzmg the speeding the invasion of Europe and struggle on vital wartime legisla­ for strengthening American-Soviet tive and political .issues, the main collaboration. fire. be directed against the It is vitally urgent that these defeatists and obstructionists, while forms of common labor and people's against the weaknesses and mis­ action be consolidated and extended takes of the Administration and its everywhere, locally and on a state war agencies only the weapons of and national scale. This is possible criticism should be used. It is neces­ and necessary and remains one of sary, further, that greater consid­ the foremost instruments for en­ eration be given to help create a abling labor to develop the most broader and more representa­ suitable and effective forms of mass tive leadership in these com­ action, for exerting mass .pressure mittees and movements. Finally, it on Congress, for implementing the is necessary that these commit­ government's policy, and for pro­ tees and conferences called around moting labor's unity of action as given political-legislative issues do well as labor's collaboration with not become an end in themselves other win-the-war forces. What is but a fulcrum for organizing sys­ necessary, however, is that greater tematic and broad mass actions in initiative and alertness be dis­ the unions, shops, communities and played in reacting to new events Congressional Districts. and issues, such as coping with Organically connected with the the new strike provocations, the question of organizing joint labor current struggle over O.P.A. and political action, it is extremely im­ subsidies, the new phase and tac­ portant that the proposals of the tical problems of the anti-poll tax national C.I.O. for organizing com­ fight, etc., as well as combating the munity and Congressional District pro-Hitler and appeasement poli- conferences and legislative Clection policy. sons and Dubinskys, and more rapidly to extend and fortify labor's * * * unity and the unity of the nation. In considering the forms and Pvenues for developing the inde­ * * * pendent political action of labor Another important problem is within the framework of national that of the autumn mayoralty elec­ unity, the question arises-what tions, as well as the coming pri­ about forming Labor or Farmer­ maries for electing party commit­ Labor Parties? This is not an aca­ teemen and delegates. Key mayor­ demic question, for in the past six alty elections are due to take place months efforts have been or are shortly in San Francisco, Cleveland being made in such states as New and Milwaukee, as well as in a se­ Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut ries of ether communities, and these and Michigan to launch Labor Par­ will have a big effect on both the ties. Even Mayor La Guardia has Administration and Congress and rr.ade a public statement urging the the alignments for 1944. building of the A.L.P. on a national Insofar as the general tactical scale. line which we must pursue, it is The political initiative for these clear that we must approach each movements to crystallize Labor 2.nd every municipal election from Parties has stemmed chiefly from the angle of its political effects na­ the old-guard Social-Democratic tionally, from the angle of strength­ forces connected with the Dubinsky ening the democratic camp of na­ leadership in the American Labor tional unity in support of the Com­ Party. These movements have also mander-in-Chief. And as a cor­ been encouraged by various pro­ ollary of this, we must work in Lewis and Norman Thomas ele­ such a way as to promote united ments, such as in Michigan. And labor and people's action as part of without exception the Dubinsky­ and in collaboration with a wider N orman Thomas - Mazzey - Lewis win-the-war coalition. It is further forces are' now endeavoring to or­ necessary to help activate and unite ganize so-called Labor Parties as a the win-the-war Democrats and means of dividing the labor move­ Republicans, and to reach and win ment, of trying to break labor's over the important middle-class alliance with the Roosevelt Govern­ sections of the population. To­ ment, and to disorganize the camp gether with this, it is necessary to of national unity. link the local election issues with However, in relation to these the main national win-the-war moves, and to similar steps now be­ problems, with mobilizing concrete ing undertaken in a number of 604 VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS other states (such as in West Vir­ from the angle of whether it is pos­ ginia and Southern Illinois, where sible for candidates to run simul­ the old Labor's Non-Partisan taneously on two party tickets or League organizations are con­ ballots, as in New York. trolled by Lewis forces) it is neces­ But so fat: the conditions have sary to recognize the fact that there not matured for the formation of exists an influential current of hon­ state labor or Farmer-Labor Par­ est labor sentiment which favors ties (and here I do not refer to the some form of independent labor or New York or Minnesota situation, third party political organization where such parties are already in and activity. This is particularly existence-parties that can play a true in relation to a number of key role if they adhere to a consist­ states now controlled by Republi­ ent anti-Hitler program, if they can administrations and where the pursue an electoral tactic based on local Democratic Party happens to a policy of national unity and coali­ be in a state of demoralization or tion, and if these organizations put passivity. an end to artificial Right and Left­ What should be our approach to wing divisions and broaden their this question, to the issue of form­ mass base and leadership). ing local or state Labor or Farmer­ However, if the prospects were Labor Parties at this time? Gen­ that Roosevelt could be defeated erally we consider that it is pre­ in the Democratic Party in 1944- mature to organize such parties. which is possible though not proo­ Moreover, we believe that in most able-and if the Willkie forces like­ states the formation of such parties wise were to be defeated in the Re­ now would result in dividing the publican Party, then the situation camp of national unity, in accentu­ would alter. But in such an event ating the breach in labor's ranks the labor movement, together with lind in abetting the divisive, anti­ the win-the-wal' forces in the Demo­ war policies of the Social-Demo­ cratic and Republican Parties, cratic and pro-Lewis elements. would then be faced with the task, Of course, we do not oppose the and the conditions would quickly formation of Labor, Farmer-Labor materiahze for organizing a broad or third parties in principle; what anti-fascist party coalition and we must do is to gauge the situa­ alignment much broader than a La­ tion concretely and to determine bor· or Farmer-Labor Party. whether major C.I.O. and A. F. of While opposing the launching of a L. forces are or could be involved Labor or Farmer-Labor Party in the in these movements, as well as various states at this stage, we can­ other popular forces. We must fur­ not be and are not indifferent to ther view the question as to its pos­ the question of strengthening la­ sible effect on labor's relations with bor's independent political action, the win-the-war forces in the major as well as its independent po- parties. Also, we must take into . litical organizations within the Pccount the state electoral laws camp of national unity and as a VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS 605 means for strengthening national ment of a broader anti-Axis coali­ unity. tion within the country and firmer Therefore, while opposing pro­ national unity around the Com­ posals for the launching of Labor mander-in-Chief. or Farmer-Labor Parties at this time, we do consider it essential * * * to examine the political situation As the 1944 elections draw closer, in each state from the viewpoint of more and more there is being in­ developing new and more varied jected into the political scene the forms of united labor, people's and issue of the fourth term. Defeat­ other win-the-war legislative and ist as well as other anti-Roose­ electoral organizations and activity. velt forces in both the major parties For instance, we consider it timely are bringing forward the question to explore the possibilities in cer­ of the fourth term both from the tain states for creating political or­ angle of mustering support to pre­ ganizations 0f a ,federation type or vent the renomination and re-elec­ of the type of United Labor Com­ tion of the President, as well as to mittees in Philadelphia and St. engender a national controversy de­ Louis. Furthermore, there is un­ signed to obstruct and oppose the doubtedly considerable merit to the Administration's war program to­ proposal being adv~nced by certain day. On the other hand, within the labor leaders who want to strength­ labor movement there is a growing en the national war coalition, to demand, such as expressed by A. bring together influential labor and F. of L. state conventions in Geor­ other popular forces on a state gia, Al.abama, Louisiana, that the basis, as well as nationally. This President should run for a fourth might be important, though not from term. Many local machines of the the viewpoint of rushing or even Democratic Party, those which are trying at this time to crytallize new most closely nllied with and support political organizations. However, .the Roosevelt Administration, such such gatherings could play a positive . as in Chicago and New Jersey, are role if they were called for the pur­ also actively mobilizing support for pose . of involving influential and a fourth term. Moreover, the re­ representative leaders of the labor cent poll conducted by Roper and and people's movements, collectively published in the May issue of ·For­ to survey the political situation, in­ tune clearly indicates that over 64 cluding the approaching 1944 elec­ per cent of all strata of the popu­ tions. Such gatherings could help lation favor a fourth term for clarify the key win-the-war issues. Roosevelt if the war is still on. They could give an independent What should be the position of lead. and stimulus to unify further labor on this question? This is a the anti-fascist forces everywhere. simple question, and yet it is com­ And they could help influence cur­ plex. lt is simple because, first of rent pol~tical alignments in the di­ all, the national interest requires rection of promoting the establish- that the anti-Axis, anti-Hitler war

labor labor and and ·allege ·allege other other win-the-war win-the-war are are following following forces forces a a progressive, progressive,

on on the the fourth fourth in in a a term. term. number number Furthermore, Furthermore, of of states states who who they they

this this basis basis publican publican take take a a forces forces positive positive and and position position administrations administrations

war war program program lishing lishing and and working working leadership, leadership, relations relations and and on on with with Re­

ing ing a a means, means, a a bridge, bridge, and and endorsement endorsement for for estab- · · of of the the Roosevelt Roosevelt

be be taken taken to to the the reaffirm reaffirm New New Deal, Deal, labor's labor's they they support support are are also also seek­

the the fourth fourth term term as as one one taking taking of of preserving preserving place, place, appropriate appropriate action action

of of L. L. and and C.I.O. C.I.O. conventions conventions now now cies. cies. And And in in placing placing the the question question of of

bor bor leaders leaders ary, ary, that; that; disruptive disruptive in in the the and and state state anti-Soviet anti-Soviet F. F. poli­ A. A.

given given to to the the listing listing proposals proposals support support of of various various for, for, their their la­ reaction­

Therefore, Therefore, means means support support of of screening, screening, should should as as be be well well as as en­

clique. clique. Roosevelt Roosevelt labor labor sentiment sentiment as as a a

southern southern thereby thereby Bourbons Bourbons seeking seeking and and the the to to exploit exploit Farley Farley the the pro­

isolate isolate and and defeat defeat ·the ·the reactionary reactionary New New Deal, Deal, the the Social-Democrats Social-Democrats are are

Roosevelt Roosevelt supposedly supposedly forces forces more more as as effectively effectively one one of of preserving preserving to to the the

Democratic Democratic Party, Party, in in enabling enabling the the in in placing placing the the fourth-term fourth-term issue issue

in in the the fight fight for for control control of of the the Moreover, Moreover, it it should should be be noted noted that, that,

have have a a direct direct President. President. influence influence and and bearing bearing

the the conduct conduct of of the the war. war. will will also also cratic cratic policies policies It It advocated advocated by by the the

strengthen strengthen the the President's President's hand hand in in sion sion of of the the anti-Hitler anti-Hitler and and demo­

fluence fluence on on Congress Congress and and will will help help sult sult in in the the continuation continuation and and exten­

ists. ists. will will have have a a tremendous tremendous in­ It It tee tee that that the the 1944 1944 elections elections shall shall re­

weaken weaken the the position position of of the the defeat­ his his victory victory policies, policies, and and to to guaran­

dl dl sections sections of of the the people-this people-this will will the the Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief, to to back back

the the Democratic Democratic Party, Party, and and among among is is that that of of mobilizing mobilizing support support around around

unions, unions, among among the the farmers, farmers, within within ·?r ·?r anti-New anti-New Deal. Deal. The The vital vital issue issue

throughout throughout the the country country in in the the trade trade ficial ficial division division on on the the basis basis of of pro­

stronger stronger the the movement movement develops develops needs needs to to be be done done to to avoid avoid an an arti­

immediate immediate war war situation. situation. The The cannot cannot be be the the issue. issue. Everything Everything

tremely tremely important important in in terms terms of of the the post-war post-war period. period. But But this this is is not not and and

Hitlente Hitlente coalition; coalition; it it is is also also ex­ continuance continuance of of the the New New Deal Deal in in the the

the the American-Soviet-British American-Soviet-British anti­ issue issue of of the the fourth fourth term term one one of of a a

the the closest closest friendship friendship and and alliance alliance of of are are trying trying to to present present and and make make the the

tive tive ;:;ecurity ;:;ecurity for, for, peace, peace, based based on on New New the the Leader Leader Social-Democrats Social-Democrats

and and the the future future problems problems of of conec­ Here Here it it is is significant significant to to note note that that

cause cause of of term. term. post-war post-war considerations considerations

of of course course is is important important not not only only be­ voicing voicing support support for for the the fourth fourth

fourth fourth term term for for the the President. President. This This sky sky Social-Democrats, Social-Democrats, who who are are also also

for for the the developing developing movement movement for for a a tivities tivities and and policies policies of of the the Dubin­

sary sary to to lend lend the the most most active active support support r:.ecessary r:.ecessary to to warn warn against against the the ac­

this this basic basic consideration consideration it it is is neces­ bor bor on on the the fourth-term fourth-term issue, issue, it it is is

and and for for the the post-war post-war period. period. From From In In relation relation to to the the position position of of la­

veloped veloped further, further, movement. movement. for for winning winning victory victory

ment ment should should be be continued continued and and de­ defeatist defeatist inspired inspired anti-fourth-term anti-fourth-term

policies policies of of the the Roosevelt Roosevelt Govern­ should should speak speak out out and and condemn condemn the the

VICTORY VICTORY THE THE 1944 1944 ELECTIONS ELECTIONS AND AND 606 606 VICTORY AND- THE 1944 ELECTIONS 607

a so-c:o~lled New Deal labor and so­ Closely connected with this prob­ cial policy. lem is the question of labor's posi­ There are, of course, other and tion toward Willkie and the Willkie more complicated aspects of the forces within the Republican Par­ fourth-term issue. The question ty. And here it is not only a mat­ is more complex in relation to how, ter that labor will lend its active the two-party system and the deep­ support to help ensure the defeat of rooted partisan interests now oper­ the Hoover-Taft-Vandenberg com­ ate, and the more damaging role bination within the Republican Par­ which partisan differences may play ty and political life and definitely in hampering national unity during favor a victory for the Willkie pol­ the 1944 wartime election campaign. icy and forces within the Republi­ Therefore, for instance, the ques­ can Party. The bigger question is tion of the movement for a fourth how labor can exercise its influ­ term has to b~ considered from the €nce so as to bring about a greater angle of its effect on the Willkie degree of collaboration between the forces and other non-defeatist sec­ Willkie forces and: the Roosevelt tions of the Republicans,_ including Administration. those who hold public office in Con­ One thing that has to be studied gress and the states. is how to influence Willkie and his Taking this important question adherents to take not only a general into account, and it must not be but a forthright position and an ac­ overlooked, it is necessary that the tive one on a whole series of spe­ movement in support of a fourth cific issues both in the sphere of term should not, and cannot be international policy and particularly made as a partisan commitment. on domestic questions, including the Among other things, the task of question of Lewis' strike movement support for the victory policies of and anti-war conspiracy. And here the President, now and in the elec­ the objective should be not so much tions, should not be confused to put these people "on the spot,~ or tied in with giving endorsement though it is necessary to get them or official support for the Demo­ to take a clear public position and cratic Party and its candidates as to show in deeds as well as words such. Labor must make it clear where tbey stand; rather the objec-· that insofar as Congressional and tive is to influenc, defeatists within state candidates are concerned, its the Republican Party and Congress position will not be influenced by to take a correct position, one that party labels and partisan consid­ will bring them closer politically erations; that it will approach the and into cooperative relations with question of a new Congress and of the Roosevelt-labor alliance. all candidates from the angle of This is necessary and possible in their stand on the government's war connection with a host of current program, on their contributions to war policies, both foreign and forging national unity around the domestic; and this is extremely_ Commander-in-Chief, for victory. urgent both for stre:1gthening na- 608 VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS tiona! unity now as· well as to help Lewis-Woll-Hutcheson clique in the shape the new realignments within labor movement, as well as through the country on the basis of consoli­ the organization of such fascist dating and broadening{ the camp groups as the K.K.K. and the and coalition of all anti-Axis and America First Party of Gerald anti-fascist forces. K. Smith, are planning and count­ ing upon converting the Repub­ * * * lican Party into its main elec­ In connection with the political toral instrument. Also, from an alignments now taking place and examination of the character and the outlook for the 1944 elections, line which are being developed by it is necessary to take into account Spangler, Landon, Bricker, etc., in the fact that defeatist reaction, while the preliminary pre-election cam­ operating in Congress through a bi­ paign, such as in their attacks on partisan coalition, and while en­ the Roosevelt Government as "New deavoring to split the Democratic Deal National Socialism," as the Party in the South away from "internationalist party," etc., it is Roosevelt and the national. organi­ clear that it is through and around zation-these forces, the pro-fa!lcist the Republican Party that pro-fas­ circles among the monopolists, are cist reaction is making its strong­ concentrating on establishing com­ est bid to come into political power. plete control in the Republican Par­ It is necessary to raise this ques­ ty nationally, with the objective of tion now, in orientating toward the using it as its main political vehicle 1944 elections, and in order to avoid through which to operate in 1944. any mistakes in the attitude be­ It is true that there are defeatists tween labor and other win-the-war and reactionaries in both parties, forces and a number of Re:publican but this must not obscure the fact governors and state administrations, that already in the National Com­ such as in California, New York, mittee of the Republican Party, in Michigan and Minnesota, where the the majority of its Congressional Republicans are maneuvering skill­ delegation, in the Republican Com­ fully and demagogically, where mittee on Post-War Problems, the they are trying to improve their re­ Hoover-Taft-Vandenberg and Mc­ lations with labor, and avoid, and Cormick forces hold the upper hand sometimes oppose, openly reaction­ and have a much better control of ary legislation. the party machinery nationally and In pointing this out, however, we in most of the states than do the must not come to the conclusion Willkie forces. Moreover, it is that the defeatists already have clear that the defeatist elements complete control of the Republican among finance capital, operating Party. For instance, it is by no through the du Pont clique in the means a settled question as to N.A.M., and in the coalition with whether Willkie can be eliminated the Southern Bourbons in the so­ in the Republican primaries and called Farm Bloc, and through the nominating convention. Moreover, VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS 609 it would be a mistake to conclude, bama. It is necessary to consid~r on the basis of the estimate we that important progressive changes have made; that the Republican are taking place in the South, not delegation in Congress and Republi­ only in the labor movement, in lib­ can office-holders in the various eral circles and among the Negro states are one reactionary mass, for people, but also within the Demo­ this does not correspond to the facts. cratic Party itself, such as in Geor­ What is necessary to signalize at gia, North Carolina and Florida. this moment is to show the main Moreover, it is necessary, in or­ point of concentration of reaction ganizing the anti-poll tax fight on a national scale insofar as the in the South, that far more atten­ two major parties are concerned; tion be given to mobilizing the secondly, to bear this in mind in the white masses and their organiza­ working out of our tactical line in tions; ~Jso to conduct the struggle the important mayoralty elections in such a way that the anti-poll tax and to approach each local situa­ issue is not placed as a pro- or anti­ tion from the viewpoint of the war. Administration fight, but as an ur­ and its effect on political alignments gent war measure which can con­ nationally; and thirdly, bearing in tribute greatly to victory, which can mind the objectives and strategy of strengthen American democracy. reaction in respect to the Republi­ can Part;>~, to work out a differen­ * * * tiated approach in regards to the Of crucial importance in the fight Hoover-Taft forces and to those for natior.al and labor unity, espe­ win-the-war conservatives and va­ cially now as the struggle against cillating forces within the Republi­ Hitlerite Germany is entering a de­ can Party who are often influenced cisive phase, is and will be the po­ by them, especially on so-called do­ litical influence and initiative ex­ mestic policies; to concentrating our erted by our party as a unifying main fire against the defeatists and and guiding center for helpin~ or­ criticizing the conciliators and poli­ ganize the broadest anti-fascist tics-as-usual elements. unity of the nation. Already the role of our party as * * an indispensable force for victory And here it is necessary to note, over Hitlerism is being recognized even if only in passing, that it is far and wide. Our contributions to­ likewise vitally necessary to work ward victory are indelibly estab­ out a differentiated tactical ap­ lished in our struggle for the Sec­ proach in respect to the Southern ond Front, for achieving a unified Democrats. It is necessary to under­ military strategy of the anti-Hitler stand that not every opponent of coalition, for strengthening the the Anti-Poll Tax Bill, H.R. 7, Anglo - Soviet - American alliance, is a defeatist, as symbolized by for establishing a fully centralized the position on foreign policy of war economy, for obtaining maxi­ such people as Senator Hill of Ala- mum and uninterrupted war pro- 610 VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS duction, and for solving a host of ition, not only as a war alliance for other vital war tasks. Moreover, securing victory, but as a long-time the independent win-the-war ef­ coalition and international alliance forts of our party are exemplified for insuring collective security and in our activity to help forge labor's a lasting peace. We can also con­ joint action, in helping cement la­ clude that the possibilities have be­ bor's ties with the Administration come more certain of realization for and labor's collaboration with the creating democratic, anti-fascist farmers, the Negro people and the governments and republics in a national groups and with all other . number of countries, based on the patriotic forces. national liberation fronts which In the sharpening political strug­ have arisen in the struggle against gle now taking place within the the Hitlerites. We can correctly country, and in preparation for vic­ conclude that the road toward tory in the war, as well as for vic­ achieving broad national working tory in the 1944 elections, we have class Marxist parties in the various new and greater responsibilities. countries will proceed at a rapid Our party, especially in the key in­ tempo, though in varied forms, such dustrial states, has a unique role as 'through the establishment of to play, second to none. united working class parties, per­ Aside from the key questions haps, for instance in France; or in which we have already dealt with, the affiliation of some Communist \Vhat are some of the special tasks Parties to existing broader working that confront our party to strength­ class organizations, such as in Brit­ en national unity, for coping with ain; while in certain other coun­ the new and supreme war tasks tries there may take place a fusion which now arise with the approach­ or merger of various militant work­ ing decisive battles? ing class and anti-fascist groups to­ For c·ne thing, it is imperative gether with the existing Communist that we understand the perspectives Parties. for continuing and developing anti­ As for our own country, it is fascist national unity as a prere­ reasonable to expect and necessary quisite for obtaining victory over to understand that the task of con­ the Axis and as a means for guar­ solidating and enhancing the unity anteeing a durable and just pe&ce. of our nation, and of forging the On the basis of wartime develop­ anti-fascist unity of the United Na­ ments, and noting certain other fac­ tions, is not only a current tactic, tors which were signalized in the is not only a win-the-war task­ historic decision of the Pre3idium it. is also a long-range objective, a of the Executive Committee of the task which requires to be carried Comintern in proposing the dis­ over and developed in the new con­ solution of the International, we can ditions which will arise in the post­ conclude that the perspectives have war period, especially in the big become more realistic and probable political struggles which will take for continuing the anti-Hitler coal- place to preserve and extend Arner- VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS 611 ican democracy and liberties against all opponents of Hitlerism, regard­ the onslaughts of the most reaction­ less of political or religious beliefs. ary and pro-fascist circles of Amer­ It is thus a major war task upon ican finance capital. which t]],e course of victory itself is To the extent that we establish conditioned. clarity in our own ranks and make While bearing in mind that the clear the long-range view and pos­ Folution of this problem, the liqui­ sibilities of maintaining and forging dation of the bogey of Communism, the democratic camp of national requires more than a consistent po­ unity, to that extent we shall also litical-ideological struggle against succeed now in reinforcing the anti­ fascism and reaction-important as Axis unity of the nation for accel­ this is-and while understanding erating victory. that this task cannot be solved uni­ In addition to this general esti­ laterally by decisions solely on our mate and guide to action, which part, we must nevertheless recog­ Comrade Browder already projected nize that there are a number of in his book Victory--and After, there things which we can do to help re­ are a number of pressing questions solve this vexatious problem. which demand solution, questions For example, it is necessary and concerning which we are now able possible for us to hasten the proc­ tu make important contributions to ess of ending the false conception further welding national unity and prevailing in our own ranks and in to integrating ourselves more fully many labor circles regarding the within the national win-the-war co­ cbsolete conditions which continue alition. b exist in the form of artificial di­ For instance, in the common visions in many trade unions, the problem facing all patriots of A.L.P., etc., on the basis of so­ smashing Hitler's secret weapon, called Right and Left wings and or­ the bogey of Communism, there are ganizations. It is necessary and pos­ a number of specific tasks which we sible that we help to solidify and alone can perform. We can and establish more normal, closer and must make further clear that this firmer working relations with the question, especially insofar as it Murray forces in the C.I.O., as well concerns the establishment of ·the as with the Hillman .and R. J. full citizenship and democratic ·· Thomas forces. It is necessary and rights of our party in the win-the­ possible that we take the initiative war coalition and national public to help broaden out the representa­ life, is not a partisan question, nor tion and basis of the leadership in merely a question of guarantee­ a whole number of C.I.O. national ing the constitutional and civil tmions and councils, as well as in a liberties of the Communists. It is number of A. F. of L. bodies and rather and first of all, a question of various people's organizations. It is establishing the national unity of all likewise necessary and feasible to anti-fascists and the international change our forms of organization collaboration and united fronts of and methods of work in most fac- 612 VICTORY AND THE 1944 ELECTIONS tories, where our structure and prac­ country. . This also applies to a tices often create obstacles to closer whole series of tactical questions. relations with the rest of the labor This means that we must use the movement. And further, it is both compass of Marxism-Leninism to possible and essential that, pending know our country, our history and steps which we may take to broad­ our people more thoroughly and en our party, to strengthen our par­ concretely than ever before, and to ty as a mass national working class be able io ascertain what is new and political organization, already we decisive in the situation and events. should proceed to incorporate into And this also includes the necessity our ranks and leading bodies hun­ to examine and resolve the most dreds of advanced anti-fascist trade suitable forms and methods for union and progressive· leaders who building our party into a mass have moved to a Marxist viewpoint. Marxist American working class Simultaneously, we need to ex­ political organization, as an organic plore all possibilities and carefully part of and together with our ef­ work out ways and means of en­ forts to help forge a broader and hancing the independent political national coalition for victory over role and the mass work of our par­ fascism. ty, to come forward more effectively This also includes the task of un­ and boldly in the public life and dertaking to develop further anum­ war activities of the nation, partic­ ber of Marxist theoretical proposi­ ularly in many broad win-the-war tions, such as regarding the char­ conferences· and mass movements of acter of the peace and the relations a united and national front charac­ of forces in the post-war period ter. which can arise from this people's In the present situation and in war of national liberation, as well view of the greater political respon­ as to study the new possibilities sibility which the struggle for vic­ that may open up for the transi­ tory imposes upon us, as well as tion to socialism in a number of in order to meet the new and com­ countries, including tlre United plex tasks which will arise in the States. future-it is especially urgent that But today, in the forefront of all our entire party redouble its efforts our thinking and action, we must to master and apply more effectively be guided above all by the reali­ the science of Marxism-Leninism. zation that to insure and hasten This requires, among other things, victory, much depends on how our that we learn to think more deeply party succeeds in helping to rally and dialectically, taking into ac­ labor and all other national win­ count in time the big and rapid po­ the-war forces in a broader and litical and historical changes which firmer fighting front against Hitler­ are now taking place and maturing ism and the Axis and against the internationally and within our internal enemies of our people. CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY

BY ROY HUDSON

CRUCIAL period in the war of the government. Only the active A lies ahead. The American peo- support of the people, united as ple will face grave responsibilities never before behind the Command­ which will require greater effort, er-in-Chief, will enable the Presi­ greater sacrifices, greater det~rmi- dent to secure the execution of nation and greater unity. In this these policies upon which the fate per·iod our nation must not only vf our nation and all other countries continue to build up its armed pow- waging war against Hitler depends. er and increase its production of Therefore, at this moment in the war material but it must use its war, the American working class, as strength to a maximum to deal the backbone of the nation, has the death blows to the Axis and espe- twofold task of rendering its united cially to strike with all our weight political support to the policies of b the decisive front against the t:1e government and of guaranteeing heart of the Axis, through the in- at all cc.sts that there shall be no vasion of Europe. Such action on interruption in production and that the part of our nation and Great production shall be increased in or­ Britain, merging with the attack of c!.er to meet the increased demands the Red Army on the Eastern Front, that will be required by the inva­ and supported by the rising libera- sion of Europe· and offensive action tion movement of the peoples in in the Pacific. Failure to maintain conquered Europe, can mean vic- and increase production would both tory in 1943. jeopardize the military offensive The policy of our government, and the nation's unity. Initiative by calling for the invasion of Europe labor in actively combating all de­ to bring about the unconditional featist and fifth-column forces is es­ surrender of Hitler and his allies, sential to rallying all the people to has committed our people to this crush the forces of negotiated peace course. However, Wheeler, Chand- and bring about a strengthening of l.er, and all the other "negotiated the nation's unity. What organized peace" forces openly challenge the ' labor does on these two fronts will victory program of our government. be decisive in dfiltermining whether By launching attacks on every as- or not the nation will have the pect of the war program, they seek strength and ability to carry for­ to reverse or obstruct the decisions ward the prosecution of the war to 613 614 CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY victory, or whether America will mining the leadership of Philip be prevented by' the defeatist forces Murray, aml in diverting the C.I,O, from throwing its full weight into from its win-the-war program, theq the scale of battle, thereby jeopard­ Lewis' allies in the A. F. qf L. un-. izing the efforts of all the United doubtedly would have been aJ?le to Nations, and making it possible for carry through an opeJ1 lrrea.k witl} Hitler and his allies to save their the Roosevelt Administration. 'flm& skins through a "negotiated peace." the conspiracy of the defeatist forces to create a pFeak between la.. * * * bor and the Roosevelt Administra.. Has labor been fulfilling its role tion and to isolate labor from the as backbone of the nation? Is it other win-the-war forces, all ot already fully prepared to meet the which would have made it impos-,. even greater tests that the further sible for the Roosevelt Administra-, prosecution of the war is bound to tion to command the necessary sup., place? The answer to these ques­ port for the execution of the "un.., tions is yes and no. conditional surrender" and "inva., The defeatist forces have suc­ sion of Europe" program, has not. ceeded in provoking situations in succeeded. When the showdoWJ1 which the course of the war effort came, the main and overwhelming and the future of the Roosevelt Ad­ sections of organized labor recog.:,. ministration have been dependent nized its responsibilities as th€1 upon the stand of labor. If the backbone of the nation's unity. 111-. President of the United States had the gravest crisis our country ha~ been unable to rely upon the patri­ yet faced, in the face of tremendou$, otic support of important sections attacks against its win-the-war pro.,. cf organized labor it would have gram, labor held to its course, eveq . been impossible for the government though at critical moments it faileq to even begin to cope with the coal to act with the speed required. cns1s. However, the 'handling of But the fact that the threat to th~ the coal situation by the President nation's unity still exists and that might have been firmer if the entire the defeatists were able to provok~. labor movement had spoken out im­ these crises, that these questions mediately against the coal strikes were posed for decision, shows tha} and Lewis' treasonable policies. If labor was inadequately prepared to the treasonable action of Lewis in fulfill its role with the clarity, unity repudiating labor's no-strike pledge and decisiveness that the war de,. had resulted in provoking a sweep­ mands. The fact that all of labor ing strike movement in many in­ did not quickly adopt a correct posi, dustries, as it was intended to do, tion on the crucial Executive order then the nation's unity would have on the roll-back was a major weak.,. been shattered, the economy of the ness that opened the door for th~ country disorganized, and an irrep­ defeatist drive to shatter labor'~ arable crisis created. If the defeat­ support for the war. The fact tha! ir-t forces had succeeded in under- the co.aJ miners twice permitte~. CRUCIAL PROBLEMS -BEFORE LABOR TODAY 615 Lewis to lead them into strikes, the certain sections there was and still fact that subversive elements have is uncertainty on questions of poli­ been able to provoke stoppages in cies and consequently slowness in the automotive industry and in such taking up the fight against those important industries as rubber, who challenge the win-the-war shows the existence of confusion program of labor. But if all labor among sections ·of the workers and :Cully felt that everything depends a weakness in leadership which en­ on victory over fascism, if it felt able the defeatists to provoke the that victory is possible only if every workers into action harmful to their nation, and all the people in every own interests and the war effort. nation give everything possible-­ Even though in the end they met then it would be impossible to pro­ defeat at the Cleveland Conference, voke important groups of workers the fact that defeatist forces found into strike action-nor would there it possible openly to challenge the be uncertainty as to what policy program of the C.I.O. and its lead-, should be pursued in the war, or ership must not be ignored, because slowness in meeting attacks against it reveals weaknesses and shortcom­ the established policies of the labor ings that can be fatal if not over­ movement. come. Finally, the fact that the Also, if the trade union move­ maneuvers of Hutcheson and Woll ment had the same experience and to strengthen the domination of the ability in exercising its political defeatist forces in the A. F. of L. by strength as it has in exercising its readmitting Lewis have not already economic strength, then the defeat­ met with wider protest from the af­ ist forces would have been unable filiates of the A. F. of L. is further to raise the question of repudiating proof that greater clarity and unity the no-strike pledge. Today, the of the win-the-war forces in the trade union movement, having vol­ labor movement are necessary in untarily pledged to relinquish the order to bring about the complete strike weapon during the war, must defeat and isolation of the agents of rely upon its political strength and the fifth column in labor's ranks. initiative as the sole means of be­ Thus, labor has met this situa­ ing able to protect its members and tion only by beginning to overcome realize its policies. Compelled to weaknesses that the crisis revealed. go beyond its previous understand­ These weaknesses arose from the ing, experience and methods, it is fact that many labor forces, while still developing the most effective supporting the war, have not yet forms of struggle for its correct fully grasped the full meaning of win-the-war policies. It is impor­ the war and what is required to win tant to note that those forces who it and what the duties and tasks of did the best jobs in organizing, and labor are. There is no question conducting strikes and in giving ex­ about the patriotism of the mass of pression to the militancy of the workers and their leaders. But workers during peace time have some workers were provoked. In also been the most effective in or- 616 CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY ganizing the fight for union policies of those who sought to bring it in under ccnditions of the war. But line with the defeatist policies of in too many cases there is still a big John L. Lewis, has hammered out a gap between the policies adopted firmer unity and deeper under­ and the organized struggle for these standing of its basic policies than policies. Where there is not a quick it had hitherto achieved. Undoubt­ enough mastery of the new forms of edly, as a result of these experi­ struggle, unsolved problems accum­ ences, the understanding of most A. ulate, and then doubts arise as to F. of L. members has also been the correctness of policy and the deepened. ability of labor to make a maximum But the win-the-war forces are contribution to the war effort and in a stronger position only in the at the same time prevent the em­ sense that issues are now more ployers from attacking the unions clear, there exists a greater under­ and worsening the conditions of the standing and the beginning of a workers. firmer unity, which creates more Thus, these experiences empha­ favorable conditions for taking the size anew the need constantly to fight to the masses who, in the main, explain and explain the character still have to be won for an organ­ of the war and what is required ized and active struggle for all win­ for victory. They pose more sharp­ the-war policies. Labor and all ly than ever the need to enable the other win-the-war forces must · working class to think politically utilize to the full these more favor­ and to act as an independent politi­ able conditions in order to smash cal force and to learn how speedily the sinister attempt of the Lewis­ to find the ways and means of or­ Hutcheson forces to regain lost ganizing its activities effectively so ground and achieve their objectives that its full strength may be ex­ by openly combining forces through erted in rallying and uniting all the the entry of Lewis into the A. F. people for those policies and meas­ of L. and thereby bring about a ures necessary for the prosecution change in the relationship of forces ot the war and the needs of labor. that will enable them to carry for­ The defeatist forces have been ward their attacks on the govern­ held back from gaining the main ob­ ment's war program, to suppress and jective of "their attack. While they thwart the true desires of the A. F. have suffered setbacks, they have of L. members, and to promote dis­ succeeded in dealing serious blows unity and splits in the C.I.O. to the war effort and their attack Likewise the plot to weaken the still has to be crushed and defeated. war effort by enactment of the anti­ In beating back the attack, by over­ labor Smith-Connally Bill must be coming the weaknesses, the rela­ defeated at all costs. tionship between the main sections It is in the light of the continued of labor and the government is not grave threat to the nation's unity, weaker, but stronger, and the C.I.O., in. the light of these conclusions and in decisively rejecting the position lessons that labor must approach CRUCIAL PROBLEMS- BEFORE LABOR TODAY 617 the tasks that arise out of the pres­ then it must combat and isolate ent moment in the war. Greater these forces who specialize in anti­ clarity and unity are needed in or­ Soviet propaganda and attacks, der more effectively to apply labor's who, under the cloak of being "la­ win-the-war program. To combat bor leaders," have made a lifelong and defeat the Lewis-Hutcheson profession of wielding the Hitlerite combination, labor must also strug­ weapon of Red-baiting. Every force gle against all those who carry in the labor movement must unite through, or are influenced by, those to put an end to the disruptive par- policies that are promoted by the 8.lyzing influence of the Dubinskys defeatists and the fifth column. a.nd other New Leader anti-Soviet Social-Democrats, the N o r m a n * * * Thomas "Socialists," the Trotskyites The slowness of the labor move­ and the whole "revolutionary" ment in reacting to the anti-Soviet wing of the Hutcheson-Lewis-Hoo­ incitements initiated with the in­ ver-Coughlin conspiracy. And this famous Alter-Ehrlich case, and the also requires that labor purge itself insufficient struggle developed of all the poison that these gentle­ against the Dubinskys and other men have injected into the labor anti-Soviet Social-Democrats who movement and the nation. As long launched the campaign, would be as any trade union continues to fatal if repeated in the coming pe­ carry discriminatory clauses against riod when greater and more desper­ the Communists, or permits govern­ ate attempts will be made to split ment rules and regulations that de­ the United States away from its al­ prive Communists of their rights, lies. Can any one today doubt that then it means that the defeatists these anti-Soviet incitements were still have a chance to raise the cry attacks against the war effort, of the "menace of Communism" which allowed the defeatists to take without fear of rebuke. the initiative, and by creating con­ Passivity continues to be one of fusion and passivity make possible Hitler's chief allies. When the trade their furth11r attacks against the war union movement fails to concern it­ efforts and labor's policies? For self with every issue affecting the twenty-five years these miserable war, or when it endorses the poli­ vermin have dreamed and worked cies of President Roosevelt but fails for the downfall of the Soviet Union to organize the fight for these poli­ and they still cling to their vain cies-then it becomes possible for hopes, even though destruction of the defeatists and obstructionists to the Soviet Union would endanger promote confusion and carry for­ the existence of every nation, the ward their attack on the nation's future of the labor movement and war program. They seek to cover make possible the continued exist­ up their treasonable activity and at ence of Hitler fascism. the same time provoke labor to If labor is effectively to defend break with the Roosevelt govern­ the policy of the United Nations, ment by placing the responsibility

into into a a victory victory tlie tlie Congress, Congress, passage passage of of and and anti-labor anti-labor insure insure legisla-

en en national national so so unity, unity, in in order order convert convert to to cripple cripple Congress Congress labor labor with with

forces forces will will utilize utilize the the people people failure failure are are to to to to do do be be rallied rallied to to strength­

wise wise the the defeatists defeatists part part and and of of anti-labor anti-labor labor labor is is required, required, if if all all the the

own own policies policies and and discipline. discipline. ganizational ganizational Other­ initiative initiative upon upon the the

mum mum production, production, on on greatest greatest the the basis basis possible possible of of its its political political and and or­

guarantee guarantee uninterrupted uninterrupted ing ing period period and and maxi­ is is one one in in which which the the

combated combated tion tion and and of of overcome. overcome. manpower. manpower. The The Labor Labor com­ must must help help

bargaining, bargaining, prejudices prejudices need need be be more more that that prevent prevent effectively effectively full full utiliza­

wages, wages, conditions conditions production, production, and and whether whether collective collective it it be be strikes strikes or or

ties ties of of the the tolerate tolerate unions unions any any to to questions questions action action that that of of hinders hinders

ism-as-usual," ism-as-usual," that that limit limit the the activi­ The The nation nation cannot cannot and and will will not not

a a lack lack of of understanding understanding and and "union­ leadership leadership of of the the labor labor movement. movement.

all all those those A,ll A,ll tendencies, tendencies, these these activities activities arising arising out out will will of of test test the the

great great majority majority and and more more of of people. people. prevalent prevalent Therefore, Therefore, in in all all industries. industries.

in in the the end end Semitic Semitic by by the the propaganda propaganda position position of of becomes becomes the the more more

-all -all of of which which must must be be determined determined tion tion of of Negro Negro manpower. manpower. Anti­

are are applied applied workers workers by by government government to to oppose oppose agencies agencies the the full full utiliza­

ment ment and and the the manner manner in in which which they they race race prejudice prejudice and and to to incite incite white white

established established policies policies of of the the govern­ more more desperate desperate efforts efforts to to inflame inflame

ers ers alone, alone, subversive subversive but but on on the the elements elements basis basis of of will will the the resort resort to to

direct direct negotiations negotiations Mobile Mobile strike strike with with the the are are employ­ warnings warnings that that

the the employer employer Packard Packard are are not not strike strike determined determined in in Detroit Detroit by by and and the the

wages, wages, conditions conditions and and relations relations with with but but cannot cannot sanction sanction them. them. The The

necessary necessary in in view view of of the the fact fact that that that that their their leaders leaders favor favor such such strikes strikes

the the Cabinet. Cabinet. This This is is all all the the more more plant. plant. The The workers workers are are slyly slyly told told

resented resented in in all all war war agencies agencies and and in in neck neck that that shuts shuts down down the the entire entire

ly ly insist insist upon upon being being adequately adequately rep­ picket picket line line or or a a stoppage stoppage in in a a bottle­

on on all all issues issues and and should should more more firm­ the the issues issues but but are are confronted confronted with with a a

bor bor should should have have an an active active position position not not given given an an opportunity opportunity to to discuss discuss

labor labor says says and and does. does. Therefore Therefore la­ strikes," strikes," in in which which the the workers workers are are

gram gram depends depends first first of of all all upon upon what what every every issue issue to to foment foment "outlaw "outlaw

velt velt government government and and its its war war pro­ movement, movement, their their agents agents seize seize upon upon

tion. tion. The The existence existence of of the the Roose­ policies policies and and leadership leadership of of the the labor labor

true true sense sense part part of of the the Administra­ expected. expected. In In order order to to discredit discredit the the

Roosevelt Roosevelt Administration, Administration, it it is is in in a a class class and and race race against against race race must must be be

cuted. cuted. Labor Labor not not only only supports supports the the country country by by provoking provoking class class against against

and and the the manner manner in in which which it it is is exe- . . and and disorganize disorganize the the economy economy of of the the

mining mining the the policy policy of of the the government government part part to to disrupt disrupt the the nation's nation's unity unity

feeling feeling of of responsibility responsibility for for deter­ failed. failed. But But greater greater efforts efforts upon upon their their

labor labor needs needs to to acquire acquire a a greater greater ing ing its its no-strike no-strike pledge pledge have have so so far far

pose pose and and defeat defeat these these maneuvers, maneuvers, ists ists to to provoke provoke labor labor into into abandon­

on on the the government. government. to to In In order order ex­ The The initial initial efforts efforts of of the the defeat­

in in the the execution execution war. war. of of the the war war program program

for for all all weakness weakness and and inadequacies inadequacies the the unhampered unhampered prosecution prosecution of of the the

618 618 CRUCIAL CRUCIAL PROBLEMS PROBLEMS BEFORE BEFORE LABOR LABOR TODAY TODAY CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY 619 tion, isolate it from other win-the­ comes more urgent in view of the war forces and thereby weaken the Lewis-Hutcheson-Dubinsky maneu­ war effort. Tee anti-labor Smith­ ver tha: is aimed at widening the Connally Bill is proof of this. What breach in the labor movement. Does is required is that labor have a the move of Hutcheson, Dubinsky clear-cut program and that firm, and Co. openly to combine forces effective leadership be forthcoming. with Lewis reflect the fact that the Where such policies and leadership membership of the A. F. of L. is existed they were upheld by the moving in the direction of an anti­ rank and file. even when the initial war, anti-Roosevelt position and efforts of subversive elements to in­ that the movement for unity with cite the workers were momentarily the C.I.O. in support of the war ef­ successful. This has been true in a fort is disintegrating? The fact that :cumber of cases, as, for instance, the Executive Council felt it neces­ in the automotive industry. Where sary formally to reaffirm its no­ there was hesitation on the part of strike pledge is due not only to the tbe leadership, however, such as oc­ defeat suffered by the pro-Lewis curred in the rubber strike, it re­ forces in the C.I.O., but also to quired firm action on the part of their need to take into account the the government to make the issues stand of the majority of the A. F. of clear to the workers. Even workers L. \.mions. Furthermore, many A. who have been provoked into harm­ F. of L. unions throughout the ful action, once they find themselves country condemned the violation of in conflict with the government they labor's pledge when Lewis provoked support, will call to account leaders the stoppage in coal. And what is who fail in their duty to give lead­ of decisive importance is that the ership. The leadership of the la­ movement for unity of the C.I.O. bor movement has the duty of pre­ and A. F. of L. on a state scale con­ yenting tl~e defeatists from exploit­ tinue unchecked, embracing large ing grievances of. the workers, by numbers of unions and assuming more effective application of the new and more effective forms. An policies of the unions, thus insur­ instance of this is the recent joint ing a quicker and better solution conferences of representatives of to problems affecting wages, en­ C.I.O. and A. F. of L. from five forcement of contracts and settle­ states in the midwest. Therefore, ment of disputes. Also, the advances the move to bring Lewis into the made in breaking down Jim-Crow­ A. F. of L. is aimed at strengthening ism must be not only maintained the anti-war Republican forces in but extended. This requires great­ the Executive Council and placing er educational work on the part of them in such control of the top ma­ the unions and a more determined chinery that they can dare openly to effort to break down each and every fl&unt the sentiments of the mem­ barrier that deprives Negroes of bership by dictating an anti-Roose­ their Constitutional rights. velt policy and by breaking up all The question of labor unity be- forms of united action with the 620 CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY C.I.O. in support of the war policies to control all affiliates of the A. F. of the government. of L., and compel submission to To carry through this maneuver, their autocratic will is to be seen however, the defeatist forces in the in the disaffiliation of the powerful A. F. of L. have had to expose more Machinists Union. clearly their real policies and in Thus, the main body of the A. F. what direction they are seeking to of L. tends to go in one direction, lead the A. F. of L. The conflict and a section of the leadership tries between their position and the to form new combinations in order needs of labor and the war becomes to pull the A. F. of L. in a different more clear. The rank and file want direction. This fluid situation exists to maintain the no-strike pledge, because the clique of reactionaries and they see Hutcheson and Co. and defeatists are no longer able entering into relationship with to dictate their policies in the old Lewis, who has violated this pledge. way, old lines are cracking, and a The majority of the A. F. of L. is regrouping of forces is in the proc­ pro-Roosevelt, and they see the ess of developing. The fact that anti-Roosevelt forces in the Execu­ the struggle can no longer be con­ tive Council seeking to combine fined to top bodies because funda­ forces with Lewis, the Republican mental issues are raised means that America Firster. The membership these issues are coming out into the of the A. F. of L. desire unity with open for settlement by the masses. the C.I.O., and they see the anti­ Because these issues are of funda­ C.I.O. elements in the Executive mental importance, because the in­ Council seeking unity with John L. tervention of the masses can be Lewis, who split from the C.I.O., more effective, the differences in an effort to break up and split the among the top leadership of the C.I.O. The A. F. of L. rank and file A. F. of L. are bound to become see that the same forces who have more clearly defined and result in prevented the A. F. of L. from af­ all forces taking a stand on the is­ filiating to the Anglo-Soviet Trade sues of for or against the war, for or Union Committee are now attempt­ against support of the Roosevelt ing to deepen the split in the Amer­ Administration, for or against a ican labor movement as part of united labor movement on the basis their conspiracy against the war ef­ of strengthening labor's support for fort. Thus, fundamental issues are the war and preservation of the raised and brought out into the gains of labor. open. This cannot but increase the In view of these developments, difficulties of the small clique in the a tendency can already be noted Executive Council who have been for the local, central and interna­ aided in dictating the policies of the tional bodies of the A. F. of L. to A. F. of L., by preventing issues react more to questions of national from coming into the open. That policy. Certainly, there are far top maneuvers alone can no longer greater thinking and concern among enable the Hutcheson-Woll clique the membership concerning ques- CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY 621 tions of national policy.. The strug­ essential, however, is maintaining gle is bound to sharpen, making all and strengthening the unity of the issues more clear; thus the per­ C.I.O. behind its program and the spective is one in which every A. leadership of Philip Murray who, F. of L. affiliate is bound to feel more than any other single force directly affected by each and every in the trade unions, enabled labor development. Thus, the basis al­ to beat back the attack of the de­ ready exists for securing a much featists. The exposure a'nd com­ broader, effective and quick reac­ plete Isolation of any pro-Lewis tion by the A. F. of L. to events forces in the C.I.O. will strengthen and major issues. Every voice that the ability of the C.I.O. to make its speaks out, that gives a clear lead maximum contribution. Greater in­ on fssues, will be listened to and itiative on the part of the C.I.O. supported, because the majority of in promoting joint action with the the A. F. of L. members are think­ A. F. of L. in every industry and ing about these problems but do not locality will help to achieve more express themselves because they quickly and effectively the unity of feel the absence of leadership and the A. F. of L. win-the-war forces a program that expresses their de­ who, in collaboration with the sires sufficiently. To rally the mem­ C.I.O., can defeat the conspiracy of bership of the A. F. of L. behind Hutcheson and Woll to weaken the the win-the-war policies, in order war effort and deepen the split in that their true voice may be heard labor's ranks. at the coming state, international The miners and their great organ­ and national conventions, is a task ization have a place in the ranks of of major political importance. The a united l~bor movement. Neither organization of a broad protest labor unity nor the interests of the - movement against the Lewis-Hutch­ miners will be served, however, on eson maneuver, and for labor unity the basis of a Hutcheson-Woll-Du­ to strengthen the war effort, is im­ binsky-Lewis combination. The perative. All possible efforts to miners must face the fact, however, strengthen and extend every form that Lewis' policies lead the min­ of united action between the C.I.O., ers into conflict with the govern­ A. F. of L. and Railroad Brother­ ment, and jeopardize the just de­ hoods are essential. · The demand mands of the miners. They must for affiliation to the Anglo-Soviet face the fact that if disaster was Trade Union Committee should ring avoided, and if the opportunity still out from every union of the A. F. remained for securing a settlement of L. of their demands, it is due only to The struggle for labor unity can­ the policies of the government and not be advanced unless the A. F. of the support of the organized labor L. membership effectively chal­ movement. If the miners face these lenges and repudiates the conspir­ facts, then they must draw the con­ acy hatched by the defeatist bloc clusion that they have a duty to in the Executive Council. Equally themselves and to organized labor 622 CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR to put an end once and for all to too often taken a defensive position the ability of John L. Lewis to ex­ on the question. However, experi­ ploit their organized strength in or­ ence itself is beginning to make der to attack the war effort and dis­ more clear that an incentive wage credit the labor movement and the policy is the key, at this time, to miners. No doubt many miners al­ mcreasing production, defending ready have reached these conclu­ wage standards, and to unmasking sions and as a result the gamble of and isolating pro-Lewis and defeat­ Lewis has resulted in a weakening ist elem€nts. That is why, for in­ of his control of the miners' union. stance, in such industries as auto But this fact will not bring about some of the opponents of incentive the downfall of Lewis. Initiative on wages have found it necessary to the part of the progressive miners, retreat from their former position however, will enable all the miners which more and more tended to ex­ to draw these lessons ·and to crys­ pose them in the eyes of the work­ tallize quickly a broad anti-Lewis ers. The experiences of the United movement that will guarantee that Electrical Union in working out in­ there will be no more stoppages, centive wage policies, the position that will finally result in the settle­ of the C.I.O. and the approach of ment of the miners' demands, and Philip Murray, have helped to make that can bring about changes in the this question a matter of wide dis­ policies and leadership of the Min­ cussion among the auto workers, ers Union that will enable it to be steel workers, and shipyard work­ once again a powerful weapon in ers. A bold and energetic pressing the fight for labor unity and for o.f this issue should result in bring­ l'trengthening the war effort. ing the struggle on this issue to a quick decision. * * * The attacks of Lewis and Co. on Old formulas and methods, no the established policies of the matter how applicable to peacetime C.I.O. and A. F. of L. all show that conditions, are hindrances to labor these policies must be made the in meeting. and solving wartime property of the rank and file, who problems. In no case is this more must fully understand them and be true than in connection with ques­ organized to fight for them, if they tions of production. Labor has made are to be defended and made effec­ enormous contributions to increas­ tive. Where the necessary under­ ing production; but in many indus­ standing does not exist among the tries the question of relating wages rank and file, a fertile field exists to production is still a matter of de­ for the defeatist forces. These ex­ bate. This has been the weakest periences raise anew the import­ phase of the work of most progres­ ance of clarifying and activizing the sive trade unionists. They too have trade union membership. If this been held back by old formulas, has not been accomplished to the have been slow in raising the ques­ extent necessary it is because the tion of incentive wages, and have trade unions have not sufficiently CRUCIAL PROBLEMS BEFORE LABOR TODAY 623 taken into account the tremendous reaching the mass of members and changes brought about during the involving them in the life of the war and worked out the necessary union will not and cannot do the steps to meet the problems these job. Greater emphasis must be changes create. The expansion of placed upon reaching the mass of industry and increased need for workers through shop and depart­ manpower have increased the size ment meetings, steward councils, of the working class. These new the trade union press, and other recruits can be organized and be forms. If new forms of trade union made an effective source of strength democracy are not developed to to the trade union movement and meet wartime conditions-then only their contributions to the war effort a handful of workers engage in the increased only if the trade unions life of the union and determine its work out a correct approach to these policies. The mass of workers be­ workers and through organized gin to lose the feeling that they are educational work enable them to the union-because they are not the achieve that degree of understand­ ones that pass upon all questions ing and "trade union consciousness" directly. A growing gap develops that most trade unionists have ac­ between the policies of the union quired under different conditions and the thinking of the mass of and as a result of years of practical workers who do not directly help experience. Unless these workers formulate policy and therefore must are made at home in the unions and have greater difficulties in under­ fully absorbed, they become an ob­ standing the reasons for the deci­ stacle to the adoption and carrying sions of the union. Where such a through of correct policy. Under situation exists the leadership will these conditions, such a body of find, in a critical situation, increased workers, reflecting the tendencies difficulties in convincing the work­ and ideology mainly of the petty ers as to how such a situation bourgeoisie, can become the instru­ should be met. In peacetime every ment through which the fifth col­ active trade unionist knows that the umn spreads moods of defeatism union cannot effectively enter into and disruption in the trade union collective bargaining or a strike un­ movement. less it can rely upon the active con­ Further, the trade unions can ac­ scious support of the mass of work­ tivize and clarify the membership, ers. In wartime the need for such both old and new, only if they take active support of the rank and file into account the swing shift system, i<" not less but greater, and it is also the longer hours of work, the trans­ more difficult to achieve because portation difficulties and the fact different forms of activity are re­ that in many families both husband quired and the organized strength and wife are working. Under these of the workers exerted in a new conditions reliance upon local union manner, especially in greater politi­ meetings as the ma1n means of cal initiative and activity. GEARING ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS AND METHODS TO THE WAR EFFORT

BY JOHN WILLIAMSON

O GUARANTEE our maximum leaders or other leaders of the war T and most effective contribution camp as to the consequences of par­ to the victory of our nation and the ty growth must be dispelled by United Nations over the Axis, our proving in life that the Communist party should secure a full and equal Party's growth, especially among place in the democratic war camp. trade unionists in all important in­ The securing of such a position will dustries, contributes to strengthen­ mean a firmer integration of our ing the organizations and the unity party in American democratic life of the trade unions and to strength­ and the removal of the barriers to ening the leadership of all demo­ our full political citizenship. cratic unions. This is primarily a political task, This demands of us an under­ and all questions of organizational standing, and resulting actions, expression can and will confront us showing that the relationship be­ only to the extent that there is an tween our party and the trade understanding and agreement ot unions is a political one, in which all the win-the-war forces as to there is no interest or desire organi­ our role in the camp of national zationally to interfere in trade union unity. affairs, and that our political objec­ However, there are a number of tive is solely to strengthen the role things that we can and should do and effectiveness of the working now which will contribute toward class and its trade unions in the making easier the attainment of the war and the life of the nation. It objectives necessitated by the pres­ also makes imperative the complete ent situation. liquidation of all fractional meth­ ods of work in the trade unions, * * • and methods of leadership in trade union work whereby a District Or- Approaching these matters gen- ganizer or any other party leader erally, we must emphasize the need becomes a broker or middleman be­ of establishing proper relations be- tween the trade union leaders who tween our party and the mass or- are party members and other, non­ ganizations, especially the trade party, trade union leaders. While unions. All fear by trade union all party leaders should establish 624 GEARING TO THE WAR EFFORT 625 the closest relationship with the ism-Leninism, understanding at all broadest group of trade union lead­ times its living and creative charac­ ers and other leaders in public life, ter and steering clear of all dog­ it should be on a political basis and mas and mechanical transference of not as intermediaries or substitutes experiences. for party trade unionists. Let us examine more specifically All Communists who are trade a few questions that are still un­ union leaders or leaders in any solved. In some cities we have In­ other mass organization or move­ dustrial Sections or Divisions. These ment must be encouraged to exer­ were necessary and important at cise initiative based on political un­ one stage of the development of derstanding, and to represent them­ our relations to the trade union selves and their membership on the movement. It would appear that in basis ·of their own standing and the main they have outlived their leadership. usefulness. The New York com­ Above all, our organizational rades have called attentign to an forms ·should approximate the usu­ incident that emphasizes this. Their ally accepted forms and method;:; Industrial Division has some 4,000 of American public life. It is clear members, all trade unionists. There that our party is an American are another 11,000 trade union political party of the workers. members scattered throughout the Its policies grow out of the condi­ county branches. Today these 11,000 tions and needs of our working class party members in the trade unions and our nation and are conceived get little political guidance on trade to represent the best national inter­ union developments from their ests of our country. Our leadership branches. This is not just the fault is firmly rooted in American life of the branch leade!·ship. We cannot and stems from the American la­ allow such tendencies as neglecting bor movement. the struggle against the Lewis However, our methods and our strike provocation on the grounds terminology do not always cor:.. that this is a "trade union prob­ respond to American practices. As lem" which belongs in the Indus­ much as possible there should trial Division. We see here, first be no such differences in our or­ of all, a misconception about the ganizational forms and methods; character of Lewis' defeatist activi­ it is in its political content that the ties-its consideration as a special party's specific role and character trade union question instead of a should be expressed. Furthermore, broad national war question-and, we have not yet mastered the art secondly, the failure on the part of and science of basing our educa­ party functionaries to realize that tional work and our school curric­ they had a responsibility to create ula on American conditions, while clarity and arouse the entire popu­ making use of all international ex­ lation against the sabotage of Lewis periences and contributions, and be­ and the cperators. ing guided by the science of Marx- Branches and sections must be-

this this where where instances instances as as cited cited were were misrepresen- the the is is workers, workers, trial trial

. . Baltimore Baltimore and and Hartford, Hartford, ,Waterbury, ,Waterbury, indus­ and and shop shop to to respect respect in in tion tion

Peoria, Peoria, Deroit, Deroit, Chicago, Chicago, C.I.O. C.I.O. the the organiza­ party party of of forms forms sidering sidering

or or L. L. of of F. F. A. A. the the in in unions" unions" wing wing con­ seriously seriously for for reason reason Another Another

Right Right from from officials officials union union with with ation ation branches. branches. community community

collabor­ in in done done be be should should this this "All "All through through working working or or to to longing longing

declared: declared: article article the the Further, Further, tions. tions. be­ members members our our of of majority majority vast vast

elec­ local local capturing capturing in in votes" votes" ing ing the the of of need need the the to to consideration consideration

trad­ for for made made deals deals and and out out sought sought give give should should we we work, work, political political nity nity

be be should should groups groups dissident dissident and and ent ent commu­ in in forces forces and and organizations organizations

"Independ­ declared: declared: further further article article win-the-war win-the-war other other and and unions unions trade trade

the the espionage, espionage, organized organized of of need need the the all all uniting uniting of of needs needs urgent urgent the the

on on elaborating elaborating After After etc." etc." groups, groups, of of viewpoint viewpoint the the from from all, all, above above

minority minority and and Negro Negro of of up up ring ring and, and, organization, organization, party party of of forms forms

stir­ the the Worker; Worker; the the Daily Daily of of those those our our Americanizing Americanizing of of unions, unions, trade trade

paralleling paralleling policies policies Committee; Committee; Dies Dies the the for for substitute substitute a a party party our our make make

the the against against and and Front Front Second Second the the to to tend tend that that forms forms ganizational ganizational

for for particularly particularly agitation, agitation, political political or­ avoiding avoiding of of leaders, leaders, their their and and

constant constant are are Communists] Communists] the the of of unions unions trade trade the the with with relations relations er er

strength strength the the determining determining [in [in tests tests prop­ establishing establishing of of viewpoint viewpoint the the

the the "Among "Among declared: declared: article article The The From From union. union. trade trade the the for for party party

effort. effort. war war national national the the and and unions unions the the substitute substitute to to tend tend that that or or ship ship

trade trade the the against against directed directed reality reality in in leader­ unon unon trade trade the the with with tions tions

is is movement movement this this Communists, Communists, the the rela­ our our impede impede that that forms forms tional tional

against against aimed aimed organiza­ Supposedly Supposedly avoiding avoiding of of elections. elections. need need is is there there

union union local local annual annual the the c;>f c;>f ancl ancl ship" ship" ever, ever, than than more more Today, Today, fractions. fractions.

steward­ shop shop the the of of "capture "capture the the as as function function to to tend tend still still times times at at

at at aiming aiming cells cells shop shop secret secret of of zation zation branches branches industrial industrial and and shop shop these these

organi­ the the for for called called and and activity activity of of some some that that contrary, contrary, the the to to forts forts

Communist Communist of of purposes purposes and and role role the the ef­ and and intentions intentions our our despite despite nize, nize,

distorted distorted article article This This Menace." Menace." recog­ must must we we Today Today dustries. dustries.

Front Front "Second "Second entitled entitled Cronin, Cronin, in­ production production mass mass in in especially especially

Father Father by by article article view view four-page four-page a a workers, workers, American American the the unionizing unionizing

the the in in appeared appeared there there Re­ Catholic Catholic of of task task historic historic the the to to tributions tributions

year year this this of of 30 30 April April On On featist. featist. con­ great great made made and and function function sary sary

de­ and and seditious seditious is is activity activity whose whose neces­ a a fulfilled fulfilled branches branches dustrial dustrial

cells, cells, shop shop secret secret with with unicns unicns the the in­ and and shop shop the the period, period, preceding preceding

of of honeycombing honeycombing own own their their justify justify the the in in and and unorganized unorganized the the ganizing ganizing

to to attempt attempt the the in in hierarchy hierarchy olic olic or­ of of days days early early the the In In branches. branches.

Cath­ the the in in circles circles reactionary reactionary and and industrial industrial and and shop shop of of role role ent-day ent-day

Trotskyite Trotskyite Front, Front, Christian Christian K.K.K., K.K.K., pres­ the the further further study study must must We We

the the by by existence existence their their of of zation zation velopmer.ts. velopmer.ts.

utili­ the the and and forces forces reactionary reactionary by by de­ union union trade trade on on policy policy broad broad of of

branches branches industrial industrial and and shop shop party party questions questions all all on on guidance guidance adequate adequate

of of purpose purpose and and role role the the oi oi tation tation give give to to qualified qualified politically politically come come

EFFORT EFFORT WAR WAR THE THE TO TO GEARING GEARING 626 626 GEARING TO THE WAR EFFORT 627 technique is giving "real results." trade unions, within the factories It is significant that the war as and wherever else they raise their the all-decisive issue does not en­ head. Into positions of leadership ter once into this leading article. -whether as local union execu­ Who are the dissident groups with tives or shop stewards-should be whom these people want to coop­ elected the most active, devoted and erate? Obviously the anti-war, pro­ clear-headed unionists, irrespective Hitler Trotskyites and Norman of whether they be Catholic, Prot­ Thomas Socialists, whose main aim, estant or Jew-Communist, Demo­ in conjunction with all other de­ crat or Republican. featist forces, is to interrupt pro­ To defeat within the trade unions duction necessary for the war these anti-war and pro-Hitler un~ against Hitler. derground activities of the K.K.K. By removing organizational forms and Gerald L. K. Smith's America and practices of our own that can First Party in Detroit, or the small serve as obstacles to the maximum but insidious group of Catholic Ac­ unity of the labor movement for tion forces in Baltimore or Con­ the war effort, we shall take away necticut, or the Christian Fronters from these defeatist forces of our h: New York, or the Nazis in New nation, who are also anti-labor Jersey, is a necessary task in unit­ forces, a means with which they are ing the entire trade union move­ trying to cover up their anti-war ment for the only decisive questipn and anti-labor activities. We can of the moment-the defeating of then more convincingly emphasize the Axis and fascism. the need of unity of all forces-:­ Catholic and Protestant, Negro and * * * white, Jew and Gentile--committed to a program that subordinates Irrespective of what our final de­ everything to the winning of the cision on organizational structure war. We shall thereby emphasize may be--and we should discuss it that we consider it necessary to fully and frankly-we must put an come to an agreement with all end to anything which could be in­ · forces, irrespective of their political terpreted as interference with the affiliation or religious faith, in sup­ normal functioning of the trade port of the elected trade union of­ unions, including those with Left ficials cc.mmitted to the war pro­ and progressive forces in the lead­ gram of the government and the ership. This doesn't mean that we C.I.O. Executive Board decisions. are not interested in the role and There can be no organization in the contributions of the trade unions. war plants except the trade unions. It doesn't mean that we shall not . A united union-basing itself on a concern ourselves with problems win-the-war program-must strug­ that affect the working class and gle against, and liquidate all Nazi, the trade unions. But in any such K.K.K., Trotskyite or Catholic Ac­ discussions we want our trade tion secret organizations within the union comrades to consider how 628 GEARING TO THE WAR EFFORT they, with their Communist under­ comrades who are trade union lead­ standing, as trade unionists, can ers come forward as Communists, help the trade union movement and everywhere, whether openly as within its framework, without re­ a Communist or not, everyone placing the normal and democratic should defend the right of the Com­ functioning of the trade union. munist Party to its rightful place in Within the party, our main consid­ the democratic war camp with full eration should be politically to and equal opportunity to make its equip om trade union comrades to contribution to the nation and the use thei.r own initiative and react winning of the war over the Axis. and find the answers to all specific problems. This means raising the * * * quality of branch leadership to In the past two meetings of the handle all such problems. It also National Committee, we placed means that every party trade union­ sharply the entire question of or­ ist should. read the Daily Worker ganizing large community branches each day and become a better stu­ which will become a political factor dent of Marxism-Leninism. in the community. Some progress Irrespective of our final decision, has been made. In New York City it is clem· that we must avoid over­ there exist more than 100 such clubs night, abrupt changes in organiza­ with an average membership of 140, ti,pnal structure. We should move some having a membership as high in the direction of our final decision as 300. The experience gained so with the ground well prepared po­ far emphasizes the correctness of litically, with the membership con­ our deci:oions, and all cities should vinced, and with organized guid­ proceed more quickly with the es­ ance. As a beginning, some mem­ tablishment of such clubs, with at­ bers of shop and industrial branches tractive club headquarters and ap­ should already now-while retain­ propriate community political ac­ ing their membership in these tivities. branches-begin community activ­ Experience has already brought ity around specific war issues or on to the fore a few urgent questions the basis of Congressional Districts, that should be taken note of: and try to unite C.I.O., A. F. of L. 1. There is sometimes a tendency and Railroad labor unions and other to become enamoured of the club community organizations into active form and forget the central ques­ joint committees with community tion of utilizing this form to do activities. more effective community political Irrespective of what organiza­ mass activity-to rally the commu­ tional forms the political develop­ nity for all forms of war activity ments may dictate, meanwhile, in -whatever the issues may be. the course of all activities outlined 2. With 100 to 300 members in a before, we on our part should care­ branch, it is possible to give politi­ fully survey each specific situation cal guidance on only the most gen­ and, where conditions permit, have eral issues at the club meetings. GEARING TO'THE WAR EFFORT 629 Even then not all the members at­ as abstract questions. We know tend. It is indispensable to organ­ that different stages in development ize activity committees of groups -with different conditions--dictate of membets active in specific phases different organizational forms and of work, with the branch executive methods. Not only the shop and in­ giving direct guidance to such com­ dustrial branch, but the trade union mittees. AbovE: all, large member­ fraction and the shop papers, which ship committees are a requirement, we have long ago liquidated, all with a visit to each member at least fulfilled a specific need under differ­ once a month. During such visits, t:!nt conditions; without them our the membership committee should party wculd not have been able to discuss party policies, hand out lit­ make the great contributions it has erature and, where necessary, try made. to convince the member to read the The essence · of the decision of Daily Worker each day, collect dues, the Presidium of the Executive etc. Committee of the Communist Inter­ In scme cities the organization national, in recommending the dis­ of thes3 large club branches has solution of the C.I., emphasized pre­ rendered the old Section Committee cisely this question when it de­ obsolete, and county committees clared: have direct contact with the large branches. "The -entire course of events for In the light of these develop­ the past quarter of a century, as ments, we have made our recom­ well as the accumulated experiences mendations for different types of of the Communist International, have convincingly proven that the branch meetings, adding the concep­ organizational form for uniting the tion of the quarterly meeting. We workers as chosen by the First Con­ recommend that the first of these gress of the Communist Interna­ quarterly meetings take place in tional, and which corresponded to July, and that they be well pre­ the needs of the initial period of pared in order to guarantee their the rebirth of the labor move­ success. ment, more and more outlived itself in proportion to the growth * * * of this movement and to the in­ creasing complexity of problems in In conclusion, on this question of each country; and that this form organizational forms and methods: even became a hindrance to the Some may ask, "Why didn't we further strengthening of the na­ think of the3e things five or ten tional workers' parties." years ago?" Some may approach cur discussion as just another "re­ The same ~Jpproach applies to our organization" or lightly look upon finding the best organizational it as a new "fad." Such ideas forms and methods of work that should be rejected. We do not ap­ correspond to the needs of the pres­ proach these questions of organ­ ent situation. True, certain organ­ izational forms and methods izational forms may tend to con- 630 GEARING TO THE WAR EFFORT tinue their existence even after confidence in other Bureau mem­ they have become obsolete. This is bers, not to speak of State or Sec­ true in all forms of life. But pre­ tion Committee members, that they cisely because we are the kind of run themselves sick by' visiting party we are, we are more alert to scores of branches and substituting the danger of that phenomenon, for everybody else. and raise for discussion all neces­ A weakness common to nearly all sary changes-not only in policy­ districts is the tendency, after the but also in organizational forms State Executives have made good and methods, in time to prevent decisions, to underestimate and their becoming an obstacle. sometimes even by-pass the party force that is the key to the masses * * * -namely, the membership organ­ Another question that needs at­ ized in the branches. More time tention is the deepening of the must be spent and better methods democratic processes of our party must b~i! found to acquaint the mem­ and the normalizing and regulariz­ bership with the policies of the ing of the election of officers and various State Executives. Above all, issuance of financial reports. the membership should be involved In life we are the most demo­ in the working out of policies and cratic of all political parties and in finalizing their application. The mass organizations in the country, State Executive and State Commit­ even though we have not always tee should work out the direction observed the full forms of such of policy, without crossing every "t" democracy. Party democracy is not and dotting every "i." Too often the merely the right to vote. It is the present method is just to hand down raising of the political understand­ decisions as something the top ing of the membership so as to committee has hatched out of its guarantee their maximum initiative own exclusive understanding, to be and fullest contribution to the ham­ given to the party branch as a sa­ mering out of policy and its enrich­ cred matter in the execution of ment and extension in the course of which they may not vary by a hair's its execution. breadth. Such an approach does It- is true that party democracy not help develop the initiative of is at an uneven level throughout comrades below, nor does the party the party. Thus, we have a get the maximum contribution from district in one of the most impor­ its own members. If the branch tant industrial states where the is not encouraged to finalize the State Executive does not meet for generally correct directives of the five or six weeks at a stretch, dur­ state executive, we run the risk ing which time, we presume, guid­ ot its not having its most intimate ance is by decree. We have another roots in the local soil. district that convenes regular meet­ As part of the process of deepen­ ings, but there the leading mem­ ing the democratic practices, we bers of the executive have so little should regularize the election of all GEARING TO THE WAR EFFORT 631 party committees and officers in will facilitate anything more far­ accordance with the party constitu­ reaching. tion and insist upon the prepara­ With this understanding, we pro­ tion of financial reports by all par­ pose the following perspectives to ty committees from top to bottom. be acted upon: 1. To prepare during the summer * * * for an autumn party membership campaign for 30,000 new members. Drawing lessons from the E.C.C.I. 2. To continue mid-year recruit­ Presidium decision, which makes ing at approximately fifty per cent possible higher forms of organiza­ of the tempo of the party building tion, we are out to build a broader drive. American working class party-a 3. To tackle more fundamentally Marxist party, not only in our own the campaign to integrate politically way as we have known it, but in and activate the new members, any way the development of history recognizing that the key is the or­ makes :possible. It is possible that ganization of a membership appara­ the further strengthening of our tus to contact the new member, and party can be achieved, not only by to promote the regular reading of our own growth, but also by addi­ the Daily Worker and party litera­ tional means, including the rapid ture. development of certain strata of the 4. To fulfill successfully the pres­ working class that may be ready to ent campaign to increase The Work­ join with us. We must stimulate all e1· circulation by 35,000 readers. moves in that direction. All of this means aiming at a However, we must help this pos­ party of 100,000 by the end· of the sible process by strengthening the year. It is not an easy task. We party as it is today and by integrat­ feel the conditions are here if .the ing it with the mass movement. National Committee and the State That is why the overcoming of all Committees are ready to fight for inner weaknesses-political or or­ the realization of this task in the ganizational - contributes to the course of the mass activities out­ building of the party. lined in Comrade Browder's report. To exclude these possibilities and Irrespective of what organiza­ allow them to pass us by would be tional adjustments may be neces­ unforgivable. But to sit and wait sary in the course of maximum fu­ for them to happen and not build sion with the democratic war camp, our party today would be even we must never forget that we are worse. Let us be clear that we can a Marxist party-a workers' party already begin now to broaden our of a special kind. party further, by recruiting new Every district should have a cen­ tens of thousands of members and ter of gravity, which can influence by recruiting as many prominent and carry forward its policies individuals into the party a's are among masses of workers. That is ready today. Everything done now the essence of concentration policy. 632 GEARING TO THE WAR EFFORT For Detroit to have any other cen­ armed forces of the nation, loy­ ter of gravity than automotive ally and able defending our coun­ workers would render our party try. By now the number has in­ there impotent. Similarly, in Penn­ creased considerably. This has tem­ sylvania and West Virginia the cen­ porarily stripped us of many ex­ ter of gravity must become coal perienced functionaries--a con­ mining, and these district leader­ tribution to our nation we gladly ships, together with the National make. However, there is not yet Committee, must find a new ap­ sufficient boldness in the promotion proach to the solution of .the scan­ of shop workers and trade union­ dalous situation in which, in an ists to le8ding committees and posts. otherwise splendid campaign, less While progress has been made in than 100 coal miners out of 15,000 the promotion of women comrades, new members were recruited. This many of these women comrades is a challenge to us to see to it that feel that they are treated too much the defeatist activity of Lewis shall as apprentices and are most often imperatively be met and mas­ assigned exclusively to administra­ tered. In all districts, a point of tive functions. In the branches special attention must be the hun­ particularly, even new members dreds of thousands of new women should be carefully promoted into shop workers. The fact that only leadership. Activization of some of 1,196 shop women were recruited, the new members in branch execu­ with half of these from New York tives and committees--especially City, shows that we have not yet membership committees-will con­ tackled the problem seriously. tribute to a more successful integra­ In all fields of activity, our poli­ tion and activization of the 15,000 cies will be as effective as the ca­ new members. The question of pacity of party leadership and guiding cadres and the development member participation in the locali­ and promotion of new cadres­ ties and branches permit. On Jan­ while always a decisive one-merits uary of this year 18 per cent of the today the most systematic and men comrades in the party were on steady attention of every State leaves of absence, and were in the Committee. THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DElVIOCRATS

BY GILBERT GREEN

N THE state of New York the votes in the last gubernatorial elec­ I struggle against the Dubinsky­ tion and is the balance of power in New Leader-Forward wing of So­ the state. This party is today being cial-Democracy is of utmost impor­ used as a political football for the tance in the struggle to smash the intrigues and double-dealings of anti-war conspiracy in the ranks of David Dubinsky who, at the same labor, to bring about labor unity time that he invites Henry Wal­ and to win the state for Roosevelt lace to speak at an A.L.P. dinner, in the 1944 elections. becomes the champion of John L. The struggle against this disrup­ Lewis' fight against the Adminis­ tive wing of Social-Democracy has tration end continues to have back­ been on our agenda for some time. door agreements with Tom Dewey But today we can no longer tarry. and the reactionary Republicans in We can no longer retreat from it. the state. We must prepare to wage it to a Thirdly, these Social-Democrats finish. have strong positions among the In the state of New York Ameri­ Jewish people through their control can Social-Democracy finds its of needle trades unions, the For­ ideological and organizational cen­ ward, and such organizations as the ter. From here its corroding ideolo­ Workmen's Circle. gy and influence spread through the Fourthly, this groups wields con­ fibre of the nation as a whole. siderable influence upon all sorts The Dubinsky-Forward clique oc­ d petty-bourgeois liberal circles­ cupies many strategic positions of the Nation and New Republic, the leadership. First, it controls a num­ Union for Democratic Action, the ber of unions, the most important of various refugee relief committees, which is the I.L.G.W.U. Through such as the Kingdon Committee. these unions it exerts an influence Through these spheres it influences on the trade union movement as a the thoughts and actions of the whole and in New York on such im- would-be intellectuals in our col- portant indw;tries as aircraft and leges and universities, not alone in shipbulding. New York State but in the nation Secondly, it controls the state as a whole. leadership of the American Labor Ideologically and politically, the Party-the party that polled 400,000 Dubinsky-New Leader wing of So- 633 634 THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS cial-Democracy is allied with the a period of time after June 22 they Trotskyites, Lovestoneites and Nor­ were certain that the Soviet Union man Thomasites. Even though was going to be defeated and hoped there is a division of labor in this and worked toward that end. When coterie insofar as their public po­ the Soviet Union, despite their sition toward the war is concerned, wishful thinking, did not fall, they m practice they see eye to eye on still clung to the hope that at the most questions and collaborate very worst the war would end with closely. This gang has also re­ a great weakening of the Soviet ceived numerous reinforcements State internally and as a world through the recent arrival in this power. country of thousands of Social­ It has since dawned upon these Democratic emigres from Europe. gentlemen that they badly miscal­ Most of these emigres hope to turn culated. Not only is the Soviet the United States, and first of all Union not going to be defeated, but New York City, into the new inter­ it will emerge from the war as an national center for their divisive even greater world power. This is · activity, using sections of the the fear that haunts this gang every American labor movement to fin­ day. They are more frightened by ance their special anti-Soviet, anti­ this prospect than they have ever unity so-called underground move­ been by that of a Hitler victory, ments in Europe. and it is this fear that unites them today with the defeatists and re­ * * * actionary forces in the country. What explains the renewed bra­ They see only one i:ay of hope left, zen activities of this clique? It the prolongation of the war, the de­ would be a major error to believe velopment of war weariness among that this arises from a feeling of the masses, and the consummation greater strength on their part, or of a "negotiated peace" with Hitler. from favorable objective conditions. Nor are they oblivious to what is Of course, there are certain objec­ happening in occupied Europe. They tive factors that do help them. But know full well that in such coun­ this is not true in the main. Much tries as France, Czechoslovakia, and of what they are doing today arises Yugoslavia, powerful national fronts from their conscious realization that are being forged. In these fronts the main forces of history are mov­ the Communist and Social-Demo­ ing against them. In desperation cratic workers are fighting shoulder they are trying to stop and reverse to shoulder. The New Leader gang the wheels of history. fully understands that the Social­ Before June 22, 1941, the New Democratic leaders who are today Leader-Forward gang supported the participating in the school of the war. They did so in the firm be­ anti-Nazi struggle are learning lief that in time the war would quite different lessons from those become transformed into a holy cru­ t&ught by the so-called emigre lead­ sade against the Soviet Union. For ers in the Rand School and in the TIIE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS 635 New School for Social Research. have ties even within the Adminis­ Most of these Social-Democratic tration it&elf, as represented by the emigres are not only men without Berles, the Bullitts and the Biddies. countries-they are leaders without It is no accident that the Social­ followers. Their one hope for lead­ Democrats hesitated for a while be­ ership in their homelands lies in fore organizing their Ehrlich-Alter the expectation that the Bullitts meeting in New York. This hesita­ and Berles in our State Department tion ceased, however, after Dubin­ will be in a position artificially to sky had taken a trip to Washington manufacture the governments of vnd found that he had support there post-war Europe. and that those who would not sup­ In this country, too, they note with port him would refrain from at­ dismay and alarm the sympathy, tacking him. respect and admiration so wide­ Moreover, Dubinsky was able to spread for the Soviet Union. exercise his control of the A.L.P. That is why they are compelled to state leadership as a political club laud the Red Army and the Soviet over the heads of such win-the­ people, while trying to make a dis­ vvar figures as Senator Mead and tinction between these and the So­ Mayor La Guardia, getting them to viet Government. How fearful they speak at this shameful anti-Soviet, are of an enlightened public opinion and therefore anti-war, spectacle. can be seen by the vehemence with But the main reason for their which they are attacking the film temporary successes is to be ex­ "Mission to Moscow." For, if the rlained by the weakness and hesita­ American workers learn the truth tion of the conscious win-the-war about the Soviet Union, where will forces, especially in the ranks of la­ poor little David Dubinsky be? bor, who did not speak up promptly and vigorously enough, exposing * * * this plot to break Allied unity. The What, however, explains the abil­ Alter-Ehrlich case was viewed by ity of these people to attack our thes·e win-the-war forces as some most important ally without being isolated flare-up which would soon rebuked by the important win-the­ blow over, and not, as explained war sections of public opinion and time and time again by Comrade the labor movement? What ex­ Browder, as part of a whole pat­ plains some of their partial suc­ tern connected with the new stage cesses? in the war and representing Act I We must first note that they are in a well-conceived conspiracy. receiving considerable encourage­ ·This weakness is also associated ment and support, not only from the with the weaknesses of the progres­ defeatist crowd, but also from re­ sive forces in a number of impor­ actionary circles in the win-the-war tant industries. These forces are camp, who, too, fear the growing relatively weak in the I.L.G.W.U., strength and influence of the Soviet the main base of the Social-Demo­ Union. These rea'Ctionary circles crats in New York. The fight against 636 THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS Dubinsky in his own union is sec­ right thing, but often vacillate in the ond in importance to none, if the direction of the Social-Democrats win-the-war forces are to isolate because it is from that side that the and defeat the Dubinsky wing of main pressure comes. Social-Democracy. There are con­ The second effect is that the most siderable win-the-war forces in conscious and most consistent win­ this union, but there is not the-war forces in the New York la­ as yet any movement of serious bor movement often :feel themselves proportions threatening Dubinsky's isolated from the other sections of ruinous policies. While it is true the labor movement and for that that these ·forces stymied Dubin­ reason frequently hesitate to speak sky's efforts to get his own local up promptly and vigorously, as was unions to support his stand on Alter the case at the time of the Alter­ and Ehrlich, it is likewise true that Ehrlich incident. Yet, the ability of the progressive forces have not these forces to move the labor been able to get a single union movement as a whole in the correct or shop in New York to adopt a direction depends greatly on their resolution condemning his policies. taking the lead and thereby en­ Furthermore, the work of the couraging like actions on the part of most advanced and consistent win­ other win-the-war forces. If Hill­ the-war forces is weak in the basic man finally did come out with a industries,especially in shipbuilding public denunciation of John L. and aircraft. In the A. F. of L. the Lewis, it is in no small part due to strength of the Left-progressive the lead that had been taken by the forces lies in only a few indus­ Communists, and by other progres­ tries and is weak not only in the sive forces. I.L.G.W.U., but is even lower in such decisive unions as the team­ * * sters, the longshoremen and the The problem of strengthening our I. A. of M. positions in a number of key indus­ These weaknesses have a two-fold tries is not the simple problem of effect. First, certain forces that de­ numerical growth, important as sire to move in a consistently win­ that is. Most important of ali, it the-war direction hesitate and fear calls for the pursuit of such broad taking rublic issue with Dubinsky policies as will unite all honest because they do not have confider;ce anti-fascist and patriotic forces. It in the strength of their own posi­ is ofttimes possible for the Dubin­ tion among the masses. This is es­ skys and Antoninis to get support pecially true of the Hillman force:' from people who do not agree with in this city. Hillman wants to fight them on their fundamental policjes. Dubinsky, but he is afraid to join This is so because many such peo­ hands with the Left-progressive ple, even though they hate Dubi.n­ forces. Such leaders as John Green sky, feel, all too wrongly, that on of the shipbuilders and Kerrigan of cme count he is correct, namely, that auto, too, would prefer doing the the Communists are to be feared. THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS 637 It is true that even people who even in our own thinking and ap­ appreciate our role in the labor proach. We occupy strong positions movement today, who know that in the labor movement in New York this role is essential for the war ef­ City. But it is true that the section fort, fear the possible conse­ of the labor movement that we in­ quences of our continued growth fluence is often separated by a Chi­ and influence. Hillman and the nese wall from other progressive forces around him respect us, know win-the-war unions and leaders. the important role we are playing, This is true of the C.I.O. Council yet fear us. Some of the Murray itself. This is reflected in the fail­ people rEact in the same way. We ure of the most advanced trade know that among some people there union leaders to work closely with, was a certain uneasiness at the suc­ and influence, the John Greens, the cess of our party recruiting drive. Kerrigans and others. And yet Hence, a mere quantitative increase the more we influence and the in our strength is not enough. This closer are our ties with the Hill­ by itself may even complicate some mans and the John Greens, the of our problems. more possible will it be to influence What is it that these people fear? the masses who are today following They fear that we Communjsts are the leadership of the Forward-Du­ out to capture and control the labor binsky clique. This same danger­ movement. They believe that we ous separation exists, not only be­ tolerate them today only because tween unions, but often within we are not strong enough to be in­ unions as well. tolerant. They believe that the The dissolhtion of the Communist stronger we become, the more pre­ International emphasizes the need carious will be their positions in for eradicating the remnants of the labor movement. It is upon o1d divisions and the lowering this fear that the Social-Democrats of all artificial barriers that con­ thrive. They nurture and cultivate tinue to separate us from other it. decisive sections of the labor move­ Wh'lt does this arise from? Cer­ ment. To help accomplish this we tainly not out of the issues of the must also remove all obsolete forms day. It represents the remnants and of party organization, which help to· the carry-over of the issues and di­ perpetuate the fear on the part of visions of ye&terday, especially the r1on-party masses of the aims and divisions between Right and Left. objectives of the party in the trade There is no basis for such a division unions. in the labor movement today. There is only one division. today and that * * is between the win-the-war and the lose-the-war camps. Another obstacle to our arnvmg Yet we must admit that the old at closer relationship with other approach of Left versus Right has forces is that we have not yet clear­ not been completely eradicated ly enough spoken out on our per- THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS spectives for the post-war world. of control instead of that of poli­ Labor leaders such as Hillman will cies. In one piece of literature is­ continue to have reservations and sued in the Bronx, the progressives doubts, as long as they fear that appealed for support to drive the once the war is over the old divi­ Dubinskys out of the A.L.P. Such sions in the labor movement will an appeal has all the earmarks of a reassert themselves and that there factional plea for power. The pro­ can be no perspective for long­ gressives do not want to drive any­ time collaboration with the Corn­ one out. They want to unite the mun1sts. A.L.P., to win it for correct policies, One of the main reasons for the to make its leadership and its ranks weaknesses of the advanced win­ more representative of the labor the-war forces in the I.L.G.W.U. movement in this state and there­ is the waging of the fight along the fore to build it into a more power­ old lines of Right versus Left. This ful and influential party than it is also a major obstacle to winning now is. the fight in the American Labor Instead of fighting on the false Party against the policies of Du­ issues placed by Dubinsky, the pro­ binsky and Counts. The. majority gressives must fight on the. real is­ of the vvorkers in the I.L.G.W.U. sues of today. They must ask: and the majority of the 200,000 en­ Why is Dubinsky allied with John rolled voters in the American La­ L. Lewis in the fight against the bor Party are neither Right nor President? Why has that great Left. They are simply progressive union, the Amalgamated Clothing trade unionists who want to win the Workers, been forced to withdraw war. As long as the fight is con­ from the A.L.P.? Why is the great ducted on issues and divisions that C.I.O. movement of this city ex­ have become obsolete, the progres­ cluded from the A.L.P. and its lead­ sive forces will only play into the ership? Why did Dubinsky join hands of the Dubinskys. hands with the reactionary anti­ This must especially be borne in Semitic Polish government-in-exile mind during the heat of the present against the Soviet Union? Why did A.L.P. primary fight. How does the Dubinsky try to block the campaign Dubinsky clique hope to win a ma­ for the Marcantonio anti-poll tax jority? It intends to do so by avoid­ bill? And these questions must be ing present-day issues and by reit­ answe:red in such a way as to show erating the charge that the Commu­ the 'llvorkers where Mr. Dubinsky nists are out to capture the party. really stands on the war and why he This is attested to by their many must be defeated. The fight must letters and leaflets issued in the not degenerate into an unprincipled past weeks. struggle for power. It must be said that on the part Among the Jewish masses in the of some of the progressives there is city the fight is also to too great an a tendency to bite at this bait and to extent still viewed as Left versus help Dubinsky make the issue that Right. Many new positive develop- THE DUBINSKY BOCIAL-DEMOCRATS 639 ments are taking place in the di­ ducted on broad lines will shake up rection of Jewish unity which will the leadership itself, create rifts in help obliterate these old lines; but its ranks and bring many lower of­ the fact that they still remain is a ficials into the strvggle against Du­ major source of difficulties. binsky's policies. We see this happening in District * * * 9 of the painters. By correct poli­ cies, the forces around Louis Wein­ Our recent renewed offensive stock have helped break up the So­ against the Dubinskys has been in­ cial-Democratic opposition in the terpreted by some of our old-timers union to the extent that we can re­ as taking on where they left off port today that despite the desires some years back. Of course, there of the Forward clique, the Social­ is a relationship between the theory Democratic group will for the first and practice of Social-Democracy time in the history of that union not historically and its position and role put its own slate in the field. lt is :oday. But everything today de­ now possible in this union to wipe pends upon our ability to see the out the old divisions of Right and deveLoping differences and contra­ Left and to establish a united union dtctions, the fissures and divisions in and a united leadership. the ranks of Social Democracy. To Anothe': example of the correct­ view Social-Democracy as a unified, ness of this approach can be seen homogeneous mass is to fail to among the Negro people. A year deepen the divisions in its ranks ago the Randolphs and the and in effect to unite the camp of Crosswaiths held the initiative. Social-Democracy instead of break­ Today the reverse is true in the city ing it up. of New York. Many of those who Precisely because we are conduct­ followed Randolph a year ago and ing open warfare against the Du­ who spoke at his March-on-Wash­ binskys, we are in duty bound to be ington meeting in Madison Square more careful than ever in pursuing Garden are today fighters for win­ a policy of differentiation, of sepa­ the-war policies, collaborating with rating the sheep from the goats. V{e the Communists, and were among must not resort to name-calling. We those who helped make the Negro must always be sure of our facts. Freedom Rally on June 7 the great We must always, concentrate our memorable demonstration that it fire on the conscious leaders of this was. Here the win-the-war forces conspiracy, being ready to modify did not hesitate to take the initia­ our attitude and extend a helping tive. But they also knew how to hand to those who are temporarily pursue the broadest kind of policy, influenced by Dubinsky and Com­ one that brought the greatest unity. pany, or who for one reason or another are ready to desert them. * * * In a mass union such as the A few words on the ideological I.L.G.W.U., a real movement con- struggle against the Dubinsky-New, 640 THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS Leader stripe of Social-Democtacy. Chanin were so effective· and To a certain extent the appeal of created such consternation in their Dubinsky to the masses is even ranks, because he tore their mask mqre dangerous than the Lewis ap­ off, made the war the issue and ex­ peal. Why? Because the Dubinsky­ posed their real position toward N.ew Leader-Forward wing of So­ the war. cial-Democracy cloaks ·its appeal in The contradiction in their position win - the - war and anti-fascist is seen also in the way they treated phrases. This gang even indulges the miners' strike and Lewis' effort in a certain "Left" criticism of the to re-enter the A. F. of L. Ai:ttonini, President, of both his domestic and in an article in Justice, did not dare foreign policies. support the strike as such, but with­ It is this demagogic cloak that en­ cut a word of criticism of the strike ables these people to mislead many or of Lewis leveled his main attack honest anti-fascists, especially against the Administration and the among the Jewish people. But this Communists, and then added: "We demagogy can be transformed into cannot say that the miners were a double-edged sword because it wrong in fighting for their right to arises out of a fundamental contra­ a decent living." Note the hypoc­ diction in their position. This is ex­ risy here. He gives support to the pressed in the fact that while they strike by beclouding the real issue are doing all in their power to ob­ of the strike and the war with the struct the war effort, divide the false op.e of the right to a decent United Nations and harm American­ living. Likewise, Dubinsky de­ Soviet relations, they dare not come fended his efforts to bring Lewis out in their true colors, because the into the A. F. of L. by glibly talking masses that they lead are solidly about this being a step toward behind the war. greater labor unity, and denying It is this contradiction which is that Lewis was an enemy of the the Achilles' heel of the Dubinsky war effort. To the extent that we wing of Social-Democracy. If can expose these moves as directed this contradiction is exposed, against labor unity and the war ef­ it can bring their complete fort, to that extent can we win the isolation and defeat. Their effort masses in opposition to Dubinsky's is to make the issue that of Com­ policies. munism. We must not permit that to happen. We must make it impos­ • sible for them to influence people into thinking that their stand on In conclusion, let me warn that Alter and Ehrlich was only an anti­ despite the most favorable objective Communist act instead of one to conditions for the isolation and de­ break the w1ity of the United Na­ feat of the Dubinsky-New Leader­ tions and to obstruct the entire war Forward gang, everything depends effort. That is why Comrade Brow­ upon our ability to wage a consist­ der's charges against Dubinsky and ent and all-sided struggle against THE DUBINSKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRATS 641 it, one that will enlist the sup­ l?bor leaders who do not yet un­ port of all progressive labor. derstand its real intent. Unless this is done, there is grave If the Dubinskys, the W olls and danger that this group of Social­ the Hutchesons are successful in Democracy will be able to win a getting John L. Lewis readmitted new lease on life; will penetrate and into the A. F. of L., this combina­ influence new sections of workers tion will constitute a great obstacle and will win new positions of pow­ to labor unity and the prosecution er. The Social-Democrats are today of the war, and may become the re­ the leading force in the so-called actionary Republican spearhead to American Labor Congress on Inter­ break labor from the Pre~ident in national Affairs-a committee that the 1944 elections. has as its real objective the defeat That is why the fight against the of every move toward genuine unity reactionary wings of Social-Democ­ among the United Nations and in­ racy is not our concern alone; it is ternational trade union unity. We the fight of all the conscious win­ must note that this committee the-war forces in the ranks of the has the cooperation of many labor movement.

642 642

mittee mittee of of Brooklyn. Brooklyn. The The forces forces of of put put there there was was in in attendance attendance a a large large

of of Harlem, Harlem, and and the the Victory Victory Com- was was a a conference conference of of Negro Negro people, people,

Committee, Committee, the the People's People's Committee Committee tions tions in in the the City City of of New New York. York. It It

ganized ganized by by the the Negro Negro Victory Victory Labor Labor union, union, civic civic and and religious religious organiza­

This This huge huge demonstration demonstration was was or- year year ago ago in in a a conference conference of of trade trade

the the war. war. hind hind the the meeting, meeting, was was organized organized a a

Negro Negro people people in in the the prosecution prosecution of of mittee, mittee, the the central central guiding guiding force force be­

tions tions to to the the full full participation participation of of the the The The Negro Negro Victory Victory Labor Labor Com­

for for

the the elimination elimination of of all all obstruc­ • • • • • •

tion tion for for the the support support of of the the war war and and

cans cans for for the the creation creation of of united united ac­ Negro Negro rights. rights.

desires desires of of 13,000,000 13,000,000 colored colored Ameri­ to to national national unity unity and and the the fight fight for for

was was a a powerful powerful expression expression of of the the cess cess it it was, was, rendered rendered a a signal signal service service

tion tion of of Negro Negro and and white white unity. unity. It It to to make make the the meeting meeting the the huge huge suc­

was was a a magnificent magnificent It It demonstra­ and and Worker Worker in in helping helping The The Worker, Worker,

memory memory of of the the people people of of New New York. York. ture ture political political coverage. coverage. The The Daily Daily

effect effect that that will will long long remain remain in in the the Sunday Sunday labor labor papers, papers, gave gave most most ma­

cent cent Negro. Negro. This This created created a a political political America's America's Worker, Worker, leading leading daily daily and and

the the meeting, meeting, 75 75 per per cent cent to to 80 80 per per press. press. The The and and Daily Daily Worker Worker The The

There There were were at at least least 30,000 30,000 people people at at and and also also by by the the metropolitan metropolitan daily daily

mendous· mendous· political political demonstration. demonstration. weekly weekly newspaper newspaper in in the the country, country,

of of our our government. government. was was a a tre­ It It by by nearly nearly every every influential influential Negro Negro

support support of of the the win-the-war win-the-war policies policies was was evidenced evidenced in in wide wide coverage coverage the the

of of action action of of the the Negro Negro people people in in National National interest interest in in the the meeting meeting

tures tures of of organized organized opinion opinion and and unity unity Negro Negro and and white white leaders. leaders.

The The rally rally represented represented basic basic fea­ a a very very wide wide representative representative list list of of

British British forces. forces. lican lican and and American American Labor; Labor; and and from from

sion sion of of Europe Europe by by American American and and ing ing Communist, Communist, Democratic, Democratic, Repub­

the the moment moment of of the the imminent imminent inva­ political political parties parties and and groups, groups, includ­

tory tory over over Hitler Hitler and and Hitlerism Hitlerism at at ganizations ganizations among among Negroes; Negroes; from from

gle gle to to forge forge American American unity unity for for vic­ civic, civic, business, business, and and fraternal fraternal or­

standing standing development development in in the the strug­ independent independent unions; unions; from from religious, religious,

York York City City on on June June 7 7 was was an an out­ unions-the unions-the C.I.O., C.I.O., A. A. F. F. of of L. L. and and

Negro Negro Freedom Freedom Rally Rally in in New New resented resented support support from from the the trade trade T

collaboration collaboration HE HE movement movement and and sponsorship sponsorship registered registered rep­ by by the the

BY BY JAMES JAMES W. W. FORD FORD

THE THE NEGRO NEGRO PEOPLE PEOPLE UNITE UNITE FOR FOR VICTORY VICTORY THE NEGRO PEOPLE UNITE FOR VICTORY 643 representation of white delegates. sought collaboration with Admini­ Of all groups represented, the trade stration forces to end discrimination unions constituted the most decisive and to take steps to integrate the and influential section. The most Negro workers in the war indus­ powerful stimulus for the organiza­ tries. Together with the People's tion of the Negro Victory Committee Committee, it organized a mass was the need for Negro unity fol­ meeting in Harlem, attended by lowing the Axis declaration of war more than 4,000 people. Paul V. Mc­ on the United States, which created Nutt, newly appointed Manpower among the Negroes intense con­ Administrator and government sciousness of the menace of Hitler spokesman, outlined the policy to be and fascism. followed by the Manpower Commis­ A year ago the March-on-Wash­ sion in placing Negro workers in ington group, which was consider­ jobs. The Negro Labor Victory Com­ ably influenced by the Socialist mittee incorporated in its program Party, was creating confusion and of action the eight points of Negro dangerous moods in the ranks of grievances brought forward by the the Negro people and utilizing their March-on-Washington group and justified grievances as a weapon of additional points of its own, includ­ opposition to the Administration's ing the unequivocal support of the war program and was following tac­ war, the destruction of Hitler and tics that would lead to the isola­ friendship with the Soviet Union. tion of the Negro people from their During the course of its activity, most important allies, the progres­ the Negro Labor Victory Commit­ sive white population and the or­ tee secured thousands of jobs for ganized labor movement. Negro workers. The organization of On June 16, 1942, the March-on­ the Negro Labor Victory Committee Washington group held a mass undoubtedly was an important step meeting at Madison Square Garden. to unity among the Negro people The general tenor of the speeches and for winning their support for was anti-Administration and anti­ the war. It projected and set to work white. This caused great concern to organize the victory rally at among many people regarding its Madiso:q Square Garden. dangers to the war effort and to the rights of Negro people. The progres­ * * sive forces among the Negro people The Negro Freedom Rally was and the forces of labor were more the climax of a year's struggle for than ever convinced of the need of Negro unity and the rights of col­ taking steps to unite the Negro ored citizens in New York, and was people for support of the war and an expression of similar struggle~> for winning greater rights. throughout the nation. It was the The conference of the Negro culmination of a year's struggle to Labor Victory Committee sharply counteract confusion among the criticized Jim Crow and iob dis­ people in regard to the war and the crimination, but at the same time Administration. It was the culmi-

all all with with join join to to unity, unity, of of national national grievances grievances solid solid the the overcoming overcoming for for

in in instrumentality instrumentality country country main main our our the the be be help help to to must must and and people people

policy policy wage wage Negro Negro the the incentive incentive unite unite An An to to clash. clash. further further serve serve

race race a a cause cause to to operated operated forces forces ler ler must must Rally Rally Freedom Freedom Negl'o Negl'o the the

pro-Hit­ of of that that see see results results to to the the fail fail time, time, cannot cannot same same one one the the At At

Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Negroes. Negroes. against against riots riots China. China.

shipyard shipyard the the of of bottom bottom the the at at were were and and Union, Union, Soviet Soviet the the Britain, Britain, Great Great

issues issues economic economic coalition, coalition, Ala., Ala., Nations Nations Mobile, Mobile, In In United United the the in in lies lies

Jersey. Jersey. New New al­ chief chief its its and and nation nation our our between between

in in attacks attacks these these behind behind are are ments ments collaboration collaboration closest closest the the facilitate facilitate

ele­ K.K.K. K.K.K. and and Bundist Bundist Hitlerite Hitlerite to to and and Europe Europe of of continent continent the the of of

Undoubtedly Undoubtedly pipes. pipes. lead lead with with groes groes invasion invasion the the for for possible possible way way every every

Ne­ attack attack to to black-outs black-outs of of cover cover in in nation nation the the assist assist to to mobilized mobilized

the the use use They They Negroes. Negroes. against against there there be be must must people people Negro Negro The The struggle. struggle.

operating operating still still are are gangs gangs Armed Armed that that from from resulting resulting gains gains these these

fatalities. fatalities. in in resulted resulted have have dents dents consolidate consolidate to to is is now now task task The The

stu­ school school high high white white and and Negro Negro nation. nation. the the of of effort effort war war the the into into

between between fights fights Newark Newark In In dustries. dustries. people people Negro Negro the the integrate integrate to to fully fully

in­ war war Detroit Detroit the the in in clashes clashes race race and and Jim-Crowism Jim-Crowism out out wipe wipe to to steps steps

stimulating stimulating is is Klan Klan Klux Klux Ku Ku The The bold bold taking taking of of need need the the to to ernment ernment

states. states. southern southern other other and and gia, gia, gov­ the the of of forces forces decisive decisive most most the the

Geor­ Mississippi, Mississippi, in in soldiers soldiers Negro Negro of of attention attention the the draw draw to to struggle struggle

against against clashes clashes armed armed encouraging encouraging year's year's a a symbolized symbolized people. people. Negro Negro It It

already already are are defeatists defeatists The The war. war. the the the the of of enslavement enslavement bestial bestial the the about about

of of prolongation prolongation the the to to leading leading sion sion bring bring would would that that "peace" "peace" a a and and

confu­ cause cause to to and and Administration, Administration, interests, interests, nation's nation's the the of of detriment detriment

Roosevelt Roosevelt the the from from Negroes Negroes the the late late the the to to Hitler Hitler with with peace" peace" gotiated gotiated

iso­ to to aiming aiming generally, generally, forces forces war war "ne­ a a seek seek would would who who forces forces those those

win-the­ the the and and people people Negro Negro the the defeatists, defeatists, and and appeasers appeasers the the against against

between between divisions divisions create create to to efforts efforts struggle struggle year's year's a a symbolized symbolized It It

their their intensifying intensifying are are Negro-baiters Negro-baiters allies. allies. natural natural and and

and and defeatists, defeatists, appeasers, appeasers, the the front, front, vital vital their their from from Negroes Negroes the the of of tion tion

second second the the of of imminence imminence the the With With isola­ the the prevent prevent to to peoples, peoples, white white

Axis. Axis. the the over over victory victory for for forefront forefront and and Negro Negro the the between between unity unity closer closer

the the in in placed placed be be must must unity unity national national bring bring to to struggle struggle year's year's a a of of light light

complete complete forces-that forces-that win-the-war win-the-war high­ the the was was groups. groups. minority minority It It

the the all all of of and and labor, labor, of of people, people, gro gro all all for for rights rights equal equal win win to to and and

Ne­ the the of of unity unity the the to to obstructions obstructions war war the the win win to to together together joined joined be be

and and barriers barriers artificial artificial all all out out wipe wipe must must that that groups groups basic basic the the to to regard regard

to to found found be be must must ways ways that that is is Rally Rally in in people people Negro Negro the the among among clarity clarity

Freedom Freedom Negro Negro the the from from drawn drawn bring bring to to struggle struggle year's year's a a maxed maxed

be be to to lesson lesson important important second second The The cli­ It It people. people. colored colored the the of of war war

earth. earth. the the the the not not and and war war man's man's white white a a was was

of of face face the the off off fascism fascism and and Nazism Nazism this this that that claimed claimed who who those those against against

wipe wipe to to peoples peoples freedom-loving freedom-loving work work hard hard and and long long of of nation nation

VICTORY VICTORY FOR FOR UNITE UNITE PEOPLE PEOPLE NEGRO NEGRO THE THE 644 644 THE NEGRO PEOPLE UNITE FOR VICTORY 645 both Negro and white, at the same resources of Africa, including Li­ time that up~grading of Negro beria, make rapid invasion of Eu­ workers is carried forward. rope a possibility, and promise suc­ cess for this decisive action. * * * At a dinner in honor of President Three things that took place at Barclay, in New York, on June 11, the time of the Negro Freedom Judge G

BY WILLIAM SCHNEIDERMAN

N CALIFORNIA we already wit- favoring a "truce" between capital I ness the preparations for the and labor on anti-labor legislation, 1944 elections in full swing. The and by supporting a number of war win-the-war forces have not yet measures in the Legislature. He fully recovered from the defeat suf- made a bid for the pension vote by fered in the election of Governor supporting an increase in pensions Earl Warren, which has placed the tc $50 per month. initiative in the hands of the reac- But all these gestures are aimed tionary forces and placed the labor- at carrying California for the Roo­ progressive pro-war forces on the ver Republicans in 1944. Himself defensive. mentioned as a possible Presidential But, in order to win the election, or Vice Presidential candidate, Warren had to commit himself pub- Warren will undoubtedly line up licly to a number of pro-war meas- with the defeatist forces around ures, and even to ostensible support Hoover, Taft, and Bricker in the Re­ of President Roosevelt. He could publican Party against the war poli­ not follow an openly defeatist line cies of President Roosevelt. While toward the war in the face of the trying to avoid too close association powerful pro-war, pro-Roosevelt with the openly defeatist forces, he sentiment in California. In the has been conducting a campaign for conduct of the State Administration so-called "states' rights," using this and in the Legislature, he has had issue as a political platform against to adopt a "non-partisan" course the war program of the government on the surface, with liberal and pro- and against the various Federal war war pretensions. But Warren's tac- agencies. tics from the beginning have been For example, in the midst of a aimed, first, at consolidating the whipped-up hysteria against the ag­ victory of the Republican Party; ricultural manpower policies of the secondly, at demoralizing the weak- Federal Government, the legislature ened Democratic Party, pro-Roose- passed a bill to set up a state Farm velt forces; and, thirdly, at disarm- Production Council. This council ing and demobilizing the labor has no program other than to attack movement. He made a bid for labor and discredit Federal war agencies, support by appointing an A. F. of 'exploiting their weaknesses and L. representative to his cabinet, by mistakes. The council is controlled 648 CALIFORNIA AND TIJE COMING ELECTIONS 649 entirely by the notorious "Associ­ American-Soviet relations, the un­ ated Farmers," and has neither ions have concerned themselves labor, nor small farmer, nor any mainly with state legislative ques­ other representation. Although War­ tions, and specifically with the fight ren has attempted to disassociate against anti-labor legislation. There himself from the openly defeatist is a tendency in the unions to judge bloc controlling the legislature, he Warren solely on his attitude to­ signed this bill, and never once re­ ward labor legislation, and not to buked the legislators who, on the look behind this to see his carefully floor of the Legislature, had openly concealed tie-up with the forces spoken in a manner tantamount to fighting against the government's rebellion against the Federal Gov­ war policies. These tendencies arise ernment. from the failure to see that there is We have repeatedly called on a division of labor between Warren Warren to break with the reaction­ and the more openly outspoken foes ary bloc in the legislature, and have of the Roosevelt war policies, so criticized his silence on national is­ that Warren need not take full re­ sues of the war, by which he at­ sponsibility for their attacks on na­ tempts to conceal his tie-up with the tional unity and the war effort. defeatist forces in the Republican Secondly, the unions, absorbed Party. We have also publicly criti- with production problems, price • cized the pro-Roosevelt leaders of control, and wage stabilization, do the Democratic Party for failing to not sufficiently relate these ques­ speak up in defense of the Presi­ tions to the national political issues dent's policies in the face of the before the country. Thirdly, while reactionary offensive, and for leav­ labor has excellent relations with ing the pro-war progressive forces the Democratic Party, since the elec­ in the Democratic Party practically tion defeat the trade unions have leaderless. not exerted their influence to revive This situation has been contrib­ and unify the Democratic Party as uted to by labor's insufficient ini­ a vital pro-war force. tiative in regard to national political Since the last election, the Demo­ issues and in regard to the struggle cratic Party has been paralyzed by against the defeatist anti-war inertia and fractional divisions, with forces. Labor has been slow to react its leaders either remaining silent to the critical situation created by or tagging along behind Warren, the reactionary offensive in Con­ and letting reactionary Democrats gress, and to see the dangers to the like State Senator Jack Tenney, war effort and to the labor move­ head of the "Little Dies" Commit­ ment itself. The trade unions have tee, take the initiative in state not sufficiently concerned them­ political affairs by promoting ob­ selves with the broader issues of the structionism, labor-baiting, and Red­ war. While some have spoken out baiting. The "Little Dies" Committee on the Second Front, on supporting succeeded in railroading through the Casablanca decisions, and on the legislature the Dilworth Bill, 650 CALIFORNIA AND THE COMING ELECTIONS aimed at further restricting free difference of most unions toward elections by striking at the right of these elections. In San Diego, now minority parties, especially the a huge aircraft industrial center, the Communist Party, to be on the bal­ united labor movement, together lot. This law, signed by Governor with other pro-war forces, elected Warren, and passed in the face of a candidate for Mayor who ran vigorous opposition by progressive against and defeated the "America labor and by Democratic Party First" leader of San Diego. In Los circles, confronts the pro-war forces Angeles, the elections for the City in California once more with the Council strengthened the represen­ task of organizing a fight to preserve tation of progressive pro-war forces the right of free elections, as part in the council against a reactionary of the fight for national unity and bloc that formerly had had complete winning the war. control. But despite these unfavorable de­ In Oakland, where no possibilities velopments, the Democratic Party existed for a pro-war coalition has a tradition in California of put­ ticket, the party put forward for ting into motion mass people's the City Council in one district its movements. It is still the main chan­ own candidate, Tom Farrell, who nel of political expression for the polled 12,000 votes, one-third of the labor movement and the whole win­ total, carrying 68 out of 300 pre­ the-war camp. If it can unify its cincts, and tying the vote in 28 more ranks, eliminate factionalism, and precincts. show some real leadership on war In San Francisco, a special bond issues, it can revive and re-activate election on the transportation prob­ the Democratic Party rank and file lem resulted in defeat for the Rossi for taking the counter-offensive administration, which is facing a against the defeatists and winning mayoralty election this fall, in which the broad masses for an active the pro-war forces face the task of struggle in support of President achieving unity around one candi­ Roosevelt's war policies. There is a date if they are to elect a genuine growing realization among. the pro­ win-the-war city administration. Roosevelt leaders of the Democratic In all the municipal elections, the Party, and in labor ranks, that this party played an active part in rally­ must be done; but it has not yet ing labor and all pro-war forces for taken organized form. Labor can a correct policy, for more active play the greatest role in influencing participation in the elections, and the Democratic Party to hasten this for placing the war issues in the process. forefront of the election campaign. In San Francisco, the party was * * * practically the only organization The recent municipal elections that backed a practical plan for showed the possibilities of rallying solving the transportation bottle­ the pro-war forces in California, in neck affecting war production, by ~pite of general apathy and the in- proposing that the Office of Defense CALIFORNIA AND THE COMING ELECTIONS 651 Transportation use its emergency convention of the International powers to merge the two ~ttreet-car Longshoremen's and Warehouse­ systems for better transportation men's Union, on the recommenda­ service-a plan, incidentally, that is tion of Harry Bridges and other in­ finally being given serious consid­ ternational officers, voted to con­ eration by the O.D.T. demn Lewis as a traitor, and re­ The municipal elections generally affirmed its support to President indicate that the reactionary of­ Roosevelt and his win-the-war fensive of the defeatists can be policies. beaten back if labor and all pro­ Nevertheless, the labor movement war forces realize the dangers to the is not yet sufficiently aroused to all war program and take effective the sinister implications of the plot steps to unify and mobilize all forces hatched by the Lewis-Woll-Hutche­ of the people to hold the home-front son gang. Many A. F. of L. officials line to back up the battlefront. who are against Lewis' strike policy are still reluctant to speak out pub­ • * * licly against Lewis and his attempt That this can be done is evident to seize the leadership of thQ A. F. from the reaction of the labor move­ of L. These issues have to be taken ment in California to the Lewis in­ up and explained in the local unions surrection. Although the reaction­ to the membership, and where the ary forces backing the Lewis con­ majority of the members do not at­ spiracy succeeded in creating some tend local union meetings, other temporary confusion in the ranks of means have to be found to reach the the labor movement, labor's patrio­ workers, particularly in war indus­ tism and awareness of the issues tries. We have heard of one instance headed off all attempts to provoke a in which the workers in one plant strike movement. A Pacific Coast initiated a petition to reaffirm la­ Metal Trades Conference of all the bor's no-strike pledge, with 60 out A. F. of L. unions in the West Coast of the 61 workers signing. shipyards was confronted with a resolution following the line of John * * * P. Frey, calling for withdrawing la­ bor's no-strike pledge, and threat­ The fight for labor unity is one of ening "direct action" if wage ad­ the important aspects of the mobili­ justments were not forthcoming. zation of labor for the war and After a heated two-hour discussion, against Lewis' disruptive policies. this resolution was defeated by a Jurisdictional disputes on the West vote of 75 to 31. Only a week after Coast have always been one of the the Michigan conference of the sore spots that served as an excuse U.A.W. had voted to support the for some people to prevent unity be­ Lewis mine strike, a U.A.W. con­ tween the A. F. of L. and C.I.O. It ference in Los Angeles voted to is therefore very significant that the condemn Lewis' policies and to re­ . International Longshoremen and affirm _labor's no-strike pledge. The Warehousemen's Union and the 652 CALIFORNIA AND THE COMING ELECTIONS Teamsters Union, which have had winning the war. The timely warn­ nwnerous jurisdictional disputes on ing of Comrade Browder against the West Coast, have recently division of the labor movement into reached an agreement in the Los Right and Left groups should be Angeles area to solve some of these heeded by all pro-war forces in the disputes. A. F. of L. and C.I.O. The political In Los Angeles, the policies of unity established between the Cali­ Buzzell, secretary of the Central fornia State Federation of Labor Labor Council, have been an ob­ and the C.I.O. on legislative ques­ stacle to labor's full participation in tions should be extended to all im­ the war effort. But these policies portant war issues and to the politi­ suffered a defeat recently, when the cal preparations of labor for the council voted to reverse its previous 1944 elections. The splendid ex­ position of refusal to be represented ample of the C.I.O., under the lead­ in war agencies where C.I.O. repre­ ership of Philip Murray, in formu­ sentat~ves were present, with Buz­ lating correct win-the-war pqlicies zell casting a lone vote against the must be extended to the entire labor rest of the council. movement, so that labor can fight These favorable developments in­ with increasing effectiveness for the dicate that the workers in the A. F. interests of the nation. of L. and C.I.O. can achieve greater The June plenum of our party unity in spite of all obstacles, and will give a tremendous impetus to that Left-wing and progressive ele­ the fight to rally the labor move­ ments in the unions, including the ment and the whole win-the-war Communists, can work in full col­ camp against the defeatists, and to laboration with all honest forces in make labor a decisive force for the labor movement, including the national unity and victory in the most conservative, on the issue of 1944 elections and in the war. THE FIGHT AGAINST DEFEATISM IN OHIO

BY ARNOLD JOHNSON

N EXPRESSING full agreement The mine strike witnessed a full .I with Comrade Browder's clear mobilization of the reactionary ele­ and penetrating report, I want to ments in support of this anti-war deal with certain developments on conspiracy. Likewise in the rub­ the role of the defeatists and to say ber strike, the combination of the a few words on treason and the de­ Lewis men and the Trotskyites, velopment of the fascist conspiracy who included on the picket line at in Ohio. least a few known and recognized Certainly, the recent mine and professional stool pigeons who had rubber strikes were outstanding ex­ tried to break strikes and the unions amples of overt acts of treason and in the past, showed that the Hit­ showed the development and tie-up lerite elements include all the with other forces, particularly with dregs and degenerates of society. Governor John Bricker, the defeat­ Again, there was not a single ac­ ist N.A.M. governor. The Lewis tion of the Bricker forces to encour­ fascists are now trying to start a age the men back to work. But, new campaign, a movement among on the other hand, Republican Con­ the miners who have been purchas­ gressman Rowe, whom Lewis ing war bonds-to stop the buying praises in the current issue of the of wa:r bonds, and are intensifying Mine Workers' Journal, became a the campaign to "get rid of the spokesman for the strikers in Wash­ President." In this situation, Gov­ ington. And Mr. George Boss, the ernor Bricker's Unemployment Lewis leader in Akron and collabo­ Compensation Commission an­ rator of the Trotskyites, successfully nounced in the last few days of the forced even the Democratic Party strike that it was going to send and the pro-Roosevelt George Hart­ in a special staff to help the min­ er at least temporarily to give sup­ ers make claims for unemployment port to the strikers. The very fact compensation, thereby encouraging of the strike and the manner in the miners to stay out longer. It is which the action was conducted in this sense that we have a right to again demonstrated that powerful infer that Governor John Bricker, pro-Hitler forces, exploiting eco­ who aspires to be a Presidential nomic grievances, were at work to candidate, was giving encourage­ destroy the labor movement and ment to the miners to continue the the war agencies of the government strike. and to aid Hitler. 653 654 THE FIGHT AGAINST DEFEATISM IN OHIO Certainly, the fact that Lewis now schools we did not think that in promises to bring the rubber work­ every critical period of American ers with him into the A. F. of L. history there were traitors who shows the rubber strike to have shouted false allegiance of patriot­ been a Lewis action against the ism. I think that we should con­ C.I.O. Right on the first day of the sider this as a factor in the present strike, 'May 22, the Ohio newspapers situation. The average American carried the report that Lewis fa­ today knows only a little about vored Bricker for President in Benedict Arnold. He does not 1944, while from powerful corpora­ know about the Tory traitors in the tions came no effort to halt the Continental Congress. He does not strike conspiracy of the Lewis­ know that Aaron Burr, a Vice­ Trotskyite elements-as was the President, was a traitor in the time case among the coal operators in the of Jefferson. He does not know that mine strike-and these corporations Congressmen, Senators, Governors, gave no guarantee that workers and Mayors were leaders of the who reported would continue to Copperheads in the period of the work. They were part of the con­ Civil War. Thus today the people spiracy. Thus we in Ohio have a have difficulty in grasping the fact major task in conducting an inten­ that the Tafts, Brickers and Lewises sive campaign against the Taft­ are traitors. Bricker - Lewis - Crawford (of I think that we need to place the N.A.M.) and Trotskyite agents of present political developments in the Hitler conspiracy. the background of our own history and in relation to present events, to * * * educate people as to the r.ole of traitors in the past and how the As yet, the people of Ohio are not masses of people, once aware of the aware of the full implications of the character of the treason, organized treason that is being developed. The and acted to smash treason in every native-born American who has gone critical period of American history. through our schools is not able to Also this present period, with the grasp as yet the role of traitors in native Quislings in our own and America. I think that there is a other countries, demands a thor­ certain ideology instilled into the ough analysis and understanding of American mind that native Ameri­ conspirators. A signal service in cans are not traitors, but only peo­ this direction is the excellent film ple of differing opinions. The "Mission to Moscow," showing the school boy and girl get the idea that conspiracies of the Trotskyite-Nazi all Americans are loyal patriots and traitors in the Soviet Union. We that they are rewarded with high must specifically show by the great offices and positions of influence and amount of evidence the character of power because of their patriotism. the traitors, the treason and the They carry this idea into adulthood. con_sequences, as Comrade Browder When most of us came out of the has so well done in his report to THE FIGHT AGAINST DEFEATISM IN OHIO 655 this meeting and in his writings. legislature. Labor put backbone in In this sense, as we approach the the Roosevelt Democrats and split municipal elections and the 1944 the Republicans. elections, our task in Ohio must be­ The vieious N.A.M. anti-labor bill come one to guarantee that traitors known as the French Bill is appar­ are not on the ballot and that the ently finally defeated after sepa­ people are given the opportunity to rate labor conferences of A. F. of L. vote for the best victory candidates and C.I.O. and a series of mass dele­ and that labor shall influence all gations of all united labor which such candidates. We must be ever were able to keep the bill in com­ more sharp in our characterization mittee. After labor was able to get of the defeatists and at the same Republican Congressman George time more firm in uniting and Bender to speak out against it, thus working with all the win-the-war further splitting the Republican forces and in helping to mobilize forces who are otherwise in com­ these forces to participate in all plete control of the legislature, the campaigns. bill is conceded as being defeated. While Bender continues in the * * impossibly confused policy of sup­ port to Willkie's program and at the While Ohio has suffered from a same time of support to Bricker to certain rise in the role of the de­ advance his own personal political featists, it is also true that the win­ career, when he acted against the the-war forces have won certain French Bill he immediately b~came major fights and strengthened their the subject of a Scripps-Howard forces. While the Governor and smear. Taft have been making national From the experience of the news, their forces are being split in strength of labor unity on a state Ohio. The Ohio Legislature is just scale, as expressed on legislation, la­ completing the most bankrupt ses­ bor in the various cities has become sion in its history. The Governor more practical and positive in par­ has again demonstrated his com­ ticipating in the forthcoming mu­ plete incompetency. The Governor nicipal elections and in establishing and the N.A.M. were able to get political action committees. Labor through a few bills to gouge the is moving toward more mass cam­ public. They created a big slush paigns, especially on such issues as fund for their ulterior purposes. On the roll-back of prices. In practi­ the major bills they were defeated cally all cities organized labor po­ by a united labor movement organ­ litical action is developing within ized in a regular weekly meeting the two major parties, with the out­ of labor, composed of the A. F. of look of involving far greater masses L., C.I.O., Railroad Brotherhoods, in campaigns. While united action and United Mine Workers, in Co­ is developing, at the same time lumbus on a state scale. United la­ separate unions are conducting their bor influenced both parties in the own campaigns. Labor is learning 656 THE FIGHT AGAINST DEFEATISM IN OHIO of Lewis' role, as was demonstrated a Roosevelt win-the-war Democrat by the declarations of both the who follows an ever more consist­ C.I.O. and A. F. of L. leaders in ent Victory policy of uniting the Ohio against the Lewis strike. While people, constantly gains a greater not all spoke out publicly, there following. His unifying win-the­ was, however, definite expression war policies are so marked that at within their own circles against the the present time the Republican Lewis program as "treason," to use Party has been unable to find a their word as well as ours. candidate in Cleveland to run Ohio has some powerful forces against him, although a candidate tu defeat. With Bricker's star wan­ may soon be forthcoming. The ing, the N .A.M. and Lewis begin to strengthening of a complete coali­ pin more hope on Taft, who wants tion around the mayor in Cleveland to discuss whether we should be will undoubtedly be a blow to the at war. defeatists in the state. At the same We cannot be satisfied that we time, in regard to the Councilmen, have yet done everything we should the support of the Mayor does not have in either the rubber or the permit the local Farley-Miller mine strike, or in the election cam­ forces to exploit the coalition for paign. While in the mine strike narrow partisan purposes. Lausche's our independent role was more to campaign will strengthen full sup­ the forefront, we were weak in the port to the Commander-in-Chief. rubber strike. Our own role today as a party Our own mass work as a party in relation to the C.I.O. and A. F. needs to be strengthened, especially of L. is also greatly improved, and in our relations to the many new forces who today work with us, not we are in a good position to carry only in the labor movement but also out the policies as emphasized in in munipical politics and in neigh­ Comrade Dennis' remarks and in borhood actions. At the present the excellent report of Comrade time, Mayor Lausche of Cleveland, Browder. RESOLUTIONS AND STATEMENTS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE PLENUM

RESOLUTION ON THE DISSOLUTION OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL

THE Communist Party of the 2. Within the United States this l • United States, through its Na­ new stage of world relationships tional Committee, declares its full places new and urgent emphasis approval and agreement with the on many tasks of the day. High proposal of May 15, 1943, by the among these is the common duty of Presiding Committee of the Com­ Communists and all other re­ munist International for the disso­ sponsible groups and leaders within lution of the International. The the democratic .camp to abolish the C.P.U.S.A. discontinued its interna­ remnants of the "bogey of Commu­ tional affiliation in November, 1940, nism," which continue to be a weap­ and is therefore not called upon to on against national unity and the participate in the decision. The war effort. To this end it is neces­ proposal is, however, of the greatest sary to secure the full acceptance political importance, since it pro­ of the Marxist workers' party with­ foundly influences all political rela­ in the national framework of Amer­ tionships, promotes the unification ican democratic institutions, thus of the anti-Hitler coalition, disarms safeguarding in harmony with the the Axis of its most potent weapon war effort the general right of free of disruption-the anti-Communist political assoclation. The C.P.U.S.A. bogey-and opens the way within pledges its full effort to this task each nation toward more complete and welcomes all cooperative efforts national unity in the prosecution of to this end from any and all sections the war to victory. It also clears of the democratic, patriotic, anti­ the way for the continuance of the Axis camp of the American people. democratic unity in the post-war 3. The Communist Party of the period, and thus adds t~ the mo­ United States will continue to fight mentum of the war effort. It facili­ with all its strength, as it has in the past period, for the complete unity tates the emergence of more effec­ of the United Nations, for interna­ tive forms of international unity of tional labor unity, and for national labor, which begins with the imme­ unity within our country, to win the diate task of completing the Anglo­ unconditional surrender of the Hit­ Soviet-American trade union unity ler regime and its allies, Japan and corresponding to the coalition of Italy, and an ordered and peace­ peoples and nations. ful world when victory is achieved. 657

to to the the policy policy sheltering sheltering of of military military the the peoples' peoples' war war of of liberation liberation by by

that that this this coup coup might might mark mark an an end end of of democratic democratic world world solidarity solidarity in in

in in every every part part of of the the world world hoped hoped gentina gentina would would at at last last join join the the camp camp

eration. eration. Every Every fighter fighter for for freedom freedom was was earnestly earnestly hoped hoped It It that that Ar­

wide wide peoples' peoples' war war of of national national lib­ on on the the soil soil of of South South America. America.

on on every every battlefield battlefield in in this this world­ the the aim aim of of early early military military attempts attempts

ca's ca's freedom freedom this this country-and country-and in. in. world world enslavement, enslavement, which which include include

among among the the friends friends of of Latin Latin Ameri­ the the furtherance furtherance of of Hitler's Hitler's plans plans of of

bors bors in, in, Latin Latin America, America, and and also also within within the the Western Western Hemisphere Hemisphere for for

freedom freedom among among Argentina's Argentina's neigh­ the the fascist fascist Axis Axis openly openly to to operate operate

aroused aroused the the hopes hopes of of all all lovers lovers of of called called "neutrality" "neutrality" which which enabled enabled

gime gime in in Argentina Argentina on on June June 4 4 Argentina Argentina under under cover cover of of a a so­ T

and and naval naval agents agents of of HE HE Germany Germany overthrow overthrow in in of of the the Castillo Castillo re­

STATEMENT STATEMENT ON ON THE THE NEW NEW ARGENTINE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT

punishing punishing labor labor for for the the insurrec- Connally Connally Bill. Bill.

The The Smith-Connally Smith-Connally upon upon this this basis basis Bill Bill to to aims aims veto veto at at the the Smith­

surrender surrender of of the the Axis. Axis. policy policy and and appeal appeal to to the the President President

to to peace peace prevent prevent the the President President the the unconditional unconditional and and to to its its no-strike no-strike

to to seek seek bring bring about about a a negotiated negotiated victory, victory, to to reaffirm reaffirm the the support support to to

decisions decisions of of Casablanca, Casablanca, and and who who to to establish establish unity unity of of action action to to speed speed

try try in in order order movement movement to to nullify nullify must must the the historic historic take take this this occasion occasion

the the productive productive bill's bill's capacity capacity repudiation. repudiation. of of the the The The coun­ entire entire labor labor

who who desperately desperately national national strive strive war war to to effort, effort, weaken weaken demand demand this this

crew crew of of American American fifth fifth columnists columnists best best interests interests of of the the country, country, of of the the

acy acy of of John John L. L. Lewis Lewis and and the the whole whole not not become become a a law law of of our our land. land. The The

and and the the insurrectionary insurrectionary to to conspir­ The The Smith-Connally Smith-Connally Bill Bill must must

to to victory. victory. is is an an aid aid to to the the Axis Axis It It national national unity. unity.

menace menace the the democratic democratic forces forces to to and and great great patriotic patriotic a.nd a.nd unifying unifying core core of of

The The Smith-Connally Smith-Connally Bill Bill is is a a Commander-in-Chief. Commander-in-Chief. Labor Labor is is the the

ing ing solidarity solidarity of of the the home home front. front. ing, ing, has has actively actively supported supported our our

morale morale and and therefore therefore to to the the grow­ kept kept the the wheels wheels of of industry industry turn­

destructive destructive of of national national n~ovement, n~ovement, has has kept kept faith faith with with the the nation, nation, has has

destructive destructive of of the the trade trade union union miners' miners' union. union. But But organized organized labor labor

upon upon the the unity unity of of the the nation. nation. is is It It sible sible support support to to the the head head of of the the

piece piece of of legislation legislation is is a a blitz blitz attack attack been been foremost foremost in in giving giving irrespon­

comes comes the the Smith-Connally Smith-Connally Bill. Bill. This This who who have have formulated formulated the the bill bill have have

ti-war ti-war force force within within our our coun~ry, coun~ry, the the camp camp of of national national unity. unity. Those Those

tionary tionary Congressmen Congressmen and and every every an­ to to destroy destroy its its constructive constructive role role in in

san san coalition coalition of of defeatist defeatist and and reac­ bor's bor's prestige prestige before before the the nation nation and and

States, States, supported supported by by a a biparti­ Lewis. Lewis. also also aims aims to to weaken weaken It It la­ F

tionary tionary acts acts committed committed by by John John L. L. ROM ROM the the Congress Congress of of the the United United

RESOLUTION RESOLUTION ON ON THE THE SMITH-CONNALLY SMITH-CONNALLY BILL BILL

658 658 RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTIONS OF OF THE THE NATIONAL NATIONAL COMMITTEE COMMITTEE PLENUM PLENUM RESOLUTIONS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE PLENUM 659 becoming a member of the United tion to certain death in Franco Nations; that it would for its own Spain. His immediate release will security bring to power within its be a measure of the worth of the own country a democratic regime pledge of the Ramirez regime for expressing the national will of Ar­ establishment of a democratic gov­ gentina. Such a development would ernment. All freedom-loving peo­ have won for the new government ples will judge the new government of Argentina the full support of all in generous measure by the steps it people and nations who, engaged in may take to restore democratic the struggle for survival, consider rights of the people and the trade unity for victory over the Axis as unions, and guarantee the .function­ the prime test of all relations. ing of all patriotic political parties But to win this confidence the 'loyal to Argentina, while suppress­ Ramirez Government still should ing the Nazi fifth column. World see the necessity to erase the heri­ democracy will judge the new re­ tage of pro-Axis practices left by gime by whetlier or not it lifts the the Castillo government it replaced; ban on the Communist Party of Ar­ and to oust from its borders the gentina, loyal supporter of Argen­ enemies of the peoples of all Amer­ tina's patriotic cause and leader of ica, to break relations with the Axis, the working class in struggle for which has organized its fifth column unity against Nazi fascism. in Latin America. The interests of all the American First among such steps which all peoples require the completion of true democrats demand is· the im­ Hemispheric unity in alliance with mediate release of the imprisoned the rest of the United Nations. It Argentine anti-fascist leader, Vic­ is on this basis and in full solidarity torio Codovilla. American public with the Argentine people that the opinion is outraged at reports that National Committee of the C.P. Codovilla is being held by the spe­ U.S.A. makes this declaration on cial police preparatory to deporta- the recent events in Argentina.

RESOLUTION ON LUIS CARLOS PRESTES

O President Getulio Vargas, democrats and anti-fascists of the T Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Americas. We urie his immediate The American people are eagerly release as a vital contribution to awaiting the freedom of Luis Carlos hemisphere and world anti-Axis Prestes, one of the outstanding unity.

GREETINGS TO DON PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS

HE meeting of the National Don Pedro Albizu Campos and T Committee of the American wishes him early recovery from his Communist Party extends its heart­ illness. felt fraternal greetings to Brother The people of Puerto Rico unani- 660 RESOLUTIONS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE PLENUM mously demand the right of self­ hood. We will fulfill our pledge determination, which is one of the by rallying the people, and particu­ aims of this peoples' war. This they larly the labor movement, of our have demonstrated through the country to Puerto Rican independ­ unanimous vote in the Legislature ence, as a necessary precondition and in the broad People's Congress to correct relations with all Latin recently held in Puerto Rico. America, and as an acid test of the Through Brothers Pedro Albizu Atlantic Charter. Campos and Juan Antonio Corret­ Puerto Rico must and will be jer, the leaders of the Nationalist free! Party of Puerto Rico, we pledge our NATIONAL COMMITTEE, full support to the Nationalist Party Communist Party, U.S.A. and to the complete unification of WILLIAM Z. FOSTER, all the people of Puerto Rico and Chairman. their various parties around the su­ EARL BROWDER,. preme task of achieVing full nation- General Secretary.

REPLY OF PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS

June 18, 1943 realization, in perfect understand­ New York City ing, of common aims for human good, attainable only by supreme R. EARL BROWDER, Secretary sacrifice for the sake of posterity. M General, Communist Party of So far as my health is concerned, U.S.A., New York City. the fraternal wishes expressed in the My dear friend: Resolution and by you personally, I deplore, due to my illness, not I'm glad to say, have been already to be able to take you, personally, answered. I feel better and confi­ this reply to the moving message dent of an early recovery. Grateful of greetings and fraternal wishes for as I remain for the concern of your­ my early recovery, adopted at the self and of the party in my wel­ meeting of the National Committee fare, I must say that my paramount of the Communist Party of U.S.A., interest has been focused on the on June 14, 1943, attended by its pledge of the Communist Party of leading members in this country. U.S.A., which reads as follows: In an unprecedented gesture of good will, characteristic of your "Through Brothers Pedro Albizu valiant sincerity, you delivered the Campos and Juan Antonio Corret­ transcendental document to me, at jer, the leaders of the Nationalist my bedside. Personally, you are to Party of Puerto Rico, we pledge our me a brother of most comprehen­ full support to the Nationalist sive solidarity in the cause of the Party and to the complete unifica­ freedom of all peoples. Your pres­ tion of all the people of Puerto Rico and their various parties ence means a profound joy, which is around the supreme task of achiev­ the privilege of those devoted to the ing full nationhood. We will ful,fill RESOLUTIONS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE PLENUM 661 our pledge by rallying the people of Puerto Rico. The New World, and particularly the labor move~ which is destined to be the great ment of our country, to Puerto haven of mankind, will enter its Rican independence, as a neces­ sary precondition to correct rela­ era of freedom for all humanity. tions with all Latin America, and The solidarity of the Communist as an acid test of the Atlantic Party of U.S.A. at this particular Charter. crucial moment is the first effective "Puerto Rico must and will be organic expression in this country free! of the revulsion against an intoler­ "With the warmest greetings on able situation. I hereby make for­ behalf of our entire party and its mal recognition of that fact, pledg­ leadership, I am ing to you and to the Communist "Fraternally yours, Party of U.S.A. our national and "EARL BROWDER, "General Secretary." personal gratitude. The Secretary General of the There is a common task of de­ Nationalist Party, Don Juan Antonio molition to be performed of world­ Corretjer, will hold in the archives wide imperialist slavery, national of the nation the document you serfdom, peonage, chronic unem­ nobly placed in my hands, as a cer­ ployment to impose involuntary tain hope of the realization of the servitude, degradation and death. dream of the generations who laid Puerto Rico has been fulfilling down their lives for the indepen­ their historical duty to mankind dence of the Americas: No slavery and especially to the nations of the within the nations of the New Western Hemisphere by facing World; no imperialism over any na­ squarely, under the most difficult tion of this Hemisphere, from with­ odds, the attempts of United States in or from without: the Americas imperialism to destroy their very open to all Humanity. existence as human beings and as May I reiterate my gratitude to a nation. the entire Communist Party of The issue plainly is whether, after U.S.A., to its stalwart leadership, the great wars for independence especially to you and to Mr. Foster, fought successfully against the Eu­ its Chairman. ropean Empires, the curse of colo­ I look forward to the privilege nialism shall be reimposed by an of meeting men and women to American Power against another whom sacrifice and valor constitute American nation. not a norm but life itself. The attempt has failed and the Don Juan Antonio Corretjer, the signs of the times give ground for a Secretary General, will deliver to reasonable optimism for a peaceful you this letter. withdrawal of the armed forces of Fraternally yours, the United States from our national (Signed) territory with recognition and re­ spect of the complete independence PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS. THE ANGLO-SOVIET TREATY OF ALLIANCE*

HE conclusion of an Allied genius of its generalship and of its T treaty marked a historic turn leader, Stalin. in the relations between the This was a year of convulsive U.S.S.R. and Britain. It was an efforts by the Hitler brigands to event of great international signifi­ realize their vile aims by force of cance for all the freedom-loving arms and by weapons of deception, peoples that are taking part in the on the fields of battle and in the struggle against Hitler Germany. dark jungles of provocation and Soon thereafter, in June, 1942, blackmail. All these attempts met during Molotov's visit to the United with disgraceful collapse. States, an agreement was concluded During the past year the fighting between the U.S.S.R. and the United alliance of the freedom-loving peo­ States which is a valuable comple­ ples, led by the great democratic ment to the Anglo-Soviet Treaty powers, the U.S.S.R., Great Britain and bound with it by unity of pur­ and the United States, withstood pose. a serious historic test in the fire of World public opinion justly esti­ greatest battles. The hopes of the mated the conclusion of the Anglo­ Hitlerite gamblers on the disinte­ Soviet Allied Treaty and the Soviet­ gration and weakening of the fight­ American agreement as events sig­ ing alliance of the freedom-loving nifying the strengthening of the peoples have completely failed. fighting alliance of the freedom­ In his report of November 6, 1942, loving peoples. Stalin showed that the entire his­ The past year was a year of stub­ torical situation, which created the born and severe struggle against direct threat of the destruction and predatory German imperialism a enslavement of the freedom-loving year of grave trials ~nd glori~us peoples by predatory Hitlerite im­ victories for the freedom-loving perialism, "imperatively indicated peoples. And shining in the crown the necessity of joint action among of these victories will forever be the members of the coalition in or­ the unfading star of that great der to save mankind from reversion battle at the walls of Stalingrad, to savagery and medieval brutal­ a symbol of the selflessness and ity." heroism and of the high military Stalin then formulated a program skill of the Red Army; and of the of action of the Anglo-Soviet­ American coalition which met with the widest response, support and • Bditorial in PrayJa, May 27, 1942. approval of all the Soviet people 662 THE ANGLO-SOVIET TREATY 663 as well as of the people of Great Hitler war machine echoed in the Britain, the United States and all hearts of the freedom-loving peo­ freedom-loving peoples. The sub­ ples as a harbinger of victory over sequent course of events confirmed the Hitlerite beast and awakened Stalin's words. hope for salvation among the mil­ During the winter offensive of lions of people under the yoke of 1942-43 on the Soviet-German front the German invaders; it rang the the Red Army inflicted serious de­ deathknell for the fascist scoundrels. feats upon the Hitler troops, de­ The Hitlerite gamblers began to stroying a tremendous number of howl about a war crisis. The crises men and vast quantities of equip­ in the fascist camp were expressed ment, liquidating two enemy armies in the desperate maneuvers of the at Stalingrad, taking prisoner more Hitlerite veteran provocateur& cal­ than 300,000 enemy soldiers and of­ culated on deceiving the freedom­ ficers, and liberating hundreds of loving peoples fighting for their Soviet towns and thousands of vil­ country, honor and freedom. lages from the German yoke. This SeJ:¥ing the approach of coming was a staggering, crushing blow at disaster the German fascists are the Hitler war machine which never more and more often talking about before had suffered such a severe peace, hoping that someone will defeat. fall for this bait. The provocative Simultaneously the Allies devel­ overtures of the Hitlerites arouse oped successful operations in Libya the contempt of all the freedom­ and Tripolitania. During the winter loving peoples in all the countries the victorious troops of our Allies of the anti-Hitler coalition. The smashed the Italo-German troops in members of the anti-Hitler coali­ North Africa and destroyed them in tion are unanimous in their agree­ Tunisia. The Germans tasted dev­ ment that only the complete rout astating blows from the valiant An­ of the Hitler armies and the uncon­ glo-American air forces, struck in ditional surrender of Hitler Ger­ the war industry centers of Ger­ many can lead Europe to peace. many and Italy and heralding the The freedom-loving peoples are opening of a second front in Eu­ faced with the task not only of win­ rope against the Italo-German fas­ ning the war, but also of winning cists. the peace. Post-war problems arouse legitimate interest among "Thus for the first time since the the broad masses. For the second war began the blow struck at the time in the life of one generation enemy from the east by the Red German imperialism has plunged Army merged with the blow from the world into an abyss of bloody, the west delivered by the troops devastating of our Allies into a single common war. The peoples are blow," stated Stalin in his May filled with the determination not First Order of the Day. cnly to pursue .the war to complete victory over the common enemy, This united, common blow at the but also to ensure such post-war

beast!" beast!" mankind mankind progressive progressive all all of of interests interests

fascist fascist the the of of back back the the br:eak br:eak the the in in solution solution their their problems, problems, war war

will will Allies Allies our our of of armies armies the the with with post­ of of solution solution successful successful The The

conjunction conjunction in in Army Army Red Red the the when when cupation. cupation.

approaching approaching is is time time "the "the that that said, said, oc­ Hitler Hitler the the of of weight weight the the under under

Stalin Stalin as as know, know, we we and and confident confident groaning groaning people people enslaved enslaved of of millions millions

are are We We fires. fires. two two between between many many the the on on slavery slavery fascist fascist German German of of

Ger­ brigandish brigandish place place will will prepared prepared yoke yoke shameful shameful the the imposed imposed which which

being being blows blows trenchant trenchant and and New New imperialism, imperialism, Hitlerite Hitlerite predatory predatory of of

daily. daily. destruction destruction and and defeat defeat the the without without

growing growing is is might might Their Their hands. hands. tyranny, tyranny, Hitler Hitler crushing crushing first first out out

their their in in initiative initiative the the have have They They with­ day day the the of of order order the the on on put put to to

victory. victory. in in confidence confidence tmwavering tmwavering even even but but solve solve to to impossible impossible only only

and and determination determination unbending unbending with with not not is is Europe Europe post-war post-war of of zation zation

battles battles these these to to forward forward going going are are organi­ just just a a of of problem problem the the But But

coalition coalition anti-Hitler anti-Hitler the the of of members members world. world. the the of of ganization ganization

The The hard. hard. and and grim grim is is ahead ahead gle gle or­ post-war post-war just just a a insuring insuring ments ments

strug­ The The armies. armies. their their and and Allies Allies instru­ important important most most the the of of one one

our our of of as as well well as as Army, Army, Red Red the the is is agreement agreement This This entirety. entirety. their their in in

of of and and Union Union Soviet Soviet the the of of people people Europe Europe in in relations relations international international of of

the the of of demanded demanded be be will will fortitude fortitude development development further further the the for for cance cance

iron iron and and endurance endurance Tremendous Tremendous signifi­ political political great great of of is is treaty treaty

peace. peace. to to way way the the pave pave thus thus this this 1942, 1942, 18, 18, June June on on U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R.

and and enemy enemy the the smash smash to to possibilities possibilities the the of of Soviet Soviet Supreme Supreme the the to to

and and forces forces all all mobilize mobilize to to necessary necessary report report his his in in Molotov Molotov by by phasized phasized

is is It It blood. blood. and and privations privations fices, fices, em­ As As relations. relations. Anglo-Soviet Anglo-Soviet

sacri­ mean mean no no demand demand will will battles battles of of development development the the in in only only not not

These These hordes. hordes. Hitler Hitler predatory predatory the the operation­ its its of of year year first first the the by by

against against battles battles decisive decisive lie lie Ahead Ahead proven proven been been already already has has role-as role-as

1942. 1942. 26, 26, May May of of treaty treaty the the is is !em !em exceptional exceptional an an play play to to upon upon called called

prob­ this this of of solution solution successful successful the the undoubtedly undoubtedly is is treaty treaty this this But But

to to way way the the on on step step important important An An period. period. post-war post-war the the for for

invaders. invaders. German German the the to to prey prey fall fall also also Britain Britain Great Great with with jointly jointly tion tion

again again once once not not will will peoples peoples loving loving ac­ of of line line our our determined determined 1942, 1942, 26, 26,

freedom­ the the that that confidence confidence the the May May of of Treaty Treaty Anglo-Soviet Anglo-Soviet The The

be be there there can can destroyed destroyed and and routed routed States. States. United United the the and and Britain Britain

completely completely . . is is tyranny, tyranny, Hitlerite Hitlerite Great Great Union, Union, Soviet Soviet the the to to of of lot lot the the

of of realization realization the the of of means means cipal cipal primarily primarily and and coalition, coalition, anti-Hitler anti-Hitler

prin­ the the is is which which state, state, Hitler Hitler the the the the of of head head the the at at ·powers ·powers loving loving

when when Only Only coalition. coalition. man-Italian man-Italian freedom­ great great the the of of lot lot the the to to fall fall

Ger­ the the of of surrender surrender unconditional unconditional will will mission mission honorable honorable and and noble noble

the the and and armies armies Hitler Hitler the the of of rout rout a a organization organization post-war post-war this this In In

complete complete the the of of condition condition on on only only aggression. aggression. bloody bloody of of repetition repetition

possible possible is is peace, peace, just just lasting, lasting, a a of of a a of of possibility possibility the the preclude preclude would would

and and security security of of interests interests the the in in and and which which world world the the of of organization organization

TREATY TREATY ANGLO-SOVIET ANGLO-SOVIET THE THE 664 664 ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOVIET­ AMERICAN AGREEMENT*

OVIET-AMERICAN friendship gant adventurists who are not de­ S corresponds to the historical terred by the most monstrous traditions of the two great people, crimes. who have a mutual sympathy and And if the thunder of the war is respect for each other. The Soviet at present far from American terri­ people highly appreciate American tory, this is thanks to the fact that efficiency which, as Stalin put it, is the Hitlerite war machine, after that invincible force which recog­ crushing France, was unable to score nizes no barriers, the efficient per­ a success in the struggle against sistence of which sweeps away all England, and in eastern Europe en­ and every obstacle, which invari­ . countered the heroic presistance of ably finishes that which has been the Red Army and the Soviet started. ' people. It is precisely these characteris­ Not only has the notorious myth tics of American efficiency combined about the invincibility of the Ger­ with high patriotism, the example man army been scattered to the four of which the Soviet people and their winds in the fighting on the Soviet­ Red Army are daily displaying to German Front; not ·only has the the whole world, that are needed Hitlerite program of "Blitzkrieg" more than ever in the present war been frustrated, but also the neces­ of the freedom-loving peoples sary prerequisites for the utter de­ headed by the U.S.S.R., England struction of the armed forces of Hit­ and the United States against Hit­ lerite Germany and its vassals have lerite Germany. been created. The American people, like all the For two years the Soviet people other freedom-loving nations, can­ and their Red Army have been not but realize the mortal danger to bearing the brunt of this war, the their freedom and life represented violence and scope of which are un­ by bloody Hitlerite fascism, which paralleled in history. In these two strives to dominate the world. Un­ years the British Empire has der the conditions of present-day strengthened its navy and formed a development of military technique land army and powerful air force, even such a natural barrier like formidable for the enemy. The the Atlantic Ocean is not an in­ Unted States of America has formed surmountable barrier for the arro- an army of many millions provided *Editorial in Pravda, June 11, 1943. with all types of arms and supplied 665 666 THE SOVIET-AMERICAN AGREEMENT with all types of modern fighting tions on a scale corresponding to the equipment. gigantic scale of the military opera­ During the last year a consider­ tions of the Red Army. able part of American troops crossed No matter how many million for­ the Atlantic and are stationed at eign slaves Hitler drives into Ger­ initial positions to assault Hitler's many's war plants, no matter what notorious ''European. fortress.'' brutal measures he resorts to in Shoulder to shoulder with English order to force the industry of the and French troops the American occupied countries of Europe to soldiers and officers successfully car­ work for the German war machine, ried out the campaign in North Germany cannot win the contest Africa which ended in utter defeat with the powers of the anti-Hitler and destruction of the Italo-German coalition in the sphere of war pro­ troops. American aircraft jointly duction. with the R.A.F. has inflicted and In keeping with the Soviet-Amer­ continues to inflict hammer blows at ican agreement and within the the military and industrial objec­ framework of the Lend-Lease tives of Germany and Italy. Bill, the United States is ren­ Having received their baptism of dering military and economic assist­ fire the American troops have al­ ance to the Soviet Union in the ready passed through their training struggle against Hitlerite Germany. in preparation for the battles in The Soviet people are well aware which the backbone of the German of the supplies, arms, provisions and fascist beast must be broken. other materials arriving in the The Americans used the time U.S.S.R. from the great overseas re­ placed at their disposal, thanks to public. The Soviet people not only the self-sacrificing resistance offered know of these supplies but highly by the Soviet Union, to develop the appreciate the support given by the production of all types of arms and American people as one of the ex­ ammunition at a tempo unprece­ pressions of fighting collaboration dented in history. The output of in the mortal struggle against the military equipment in England as common enemy. well as throughout the British Em­ But it should never be forgotten pire has considerably increased. The that if in peacetime technique is Soviet Union, for its part, has suc­ dead without the people it is in­ cessfully coped with the task of comparably more so in conditions developing its war industries under of war. The fate of war is decided incredibly difficult conditions of war by men able to apply military tech­ against a perfidious and cunning nique, who know the art of warfare enemy. against the enemy, who courage­ The Soviet people, displaying ously and boldly face danger and great self-sacrifice and organization death. and ability, transferred their war The Soviet army, steeled in the industry to the east and expanded fierce and bitter battles that have the production of arms and muni- beEm in progress these past two THE SOVIET-AM:ERICAN AGREEMENT 667 years, possesses these qualities to a dation but still strong and danger­ high degree. Examples of such high ous. military qualities were displayed Hitler is now trying at all costs also by the armies of our Allies to gain time. in preparation for new which routed the Italian and Ger­ desperate military and diplomatic man troops in North Africa and adventures. To upset these calcula­ which by their victory prepared the tions of Hitler, to prevent him from conditions for further successful healing the wounds inflicted by the blows at our common enemy. first Allied blow struck from east The unity and mutual understand­ and west, to organize a powerful ing between the participants in the common onslaught of Soviet, Ameri­ anti-Hitlerite coalition have been can and British armed forces against greatly strengthened in the course the German fascist enslavers, and of the common struggle against Hit­ thu:s deliver the oppressed people lerite Germany. This unity is based from the fascist yoke-to do this on understanding the need of strengthening the common efforts of means to hasten the desired day of the freedom-loving people for the victory, the day of return to peace­ struggle against the Hitlerite war ful, creative labor for the well­ machine, already shaken to its foun- being of mankind. HISTORIC DOCUMENTS

PROPOSAL OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL

HE historical role of the Com­ But long before the war it had al­ T munist International, organized ready become increasingly clear in 1919 as the result of the politi­ that to the extent that the internal cal collapse of the overwhelming ar- well as the international situa­ majority of the old pre-war work­ tion of individual countries became ers' parties, consisted in that it more complicated, the solution · of preserved the teachings of Marx­ the problems of the labor movement ism from vulgarization and distor­ of each individual country through tion by opportunist elements of the the medium of some international labor movement. In a number of center would meet with insuperable countries it helped to unite the obstacles. vanguard of the advanced workers The deep difference in the histori­ into genuine workers' parties, and cal roads of development of each it helped them to mobilize the mass country of the world; the diverse of toilers in defense of their eco­ character and even the contradic­ nomic and political interests for tion in their social orders; the dif­ struggle against fascism and war, ference in level and rate of their which fascism had been preparing, social and political development, and for the support of the Soviet and finally, the difference in the de­ Union as the main bulwark against gree of consciousness and organiza­ fascism. tion of the workers, conditioned also The Communist International re­ the various problems which face the vealed in good time the true sig­ v\'orking class of each individual nificance of the "Anti-Comintern country. Pact" as a weapon in the War prep­ The entire course of events for arations of the Hitlerites. Long the past quarter of a century, as prior to the war the Communist In­ well as the accumulated experiences ternational tirelessly exposed the of the Communist International, base, undermining activities of the have convincingly proven that the Hitlerites in foreign states, who organizational form for uniting the masked these with outcries about workers as chosen by the First Con­ alleged interference of the Commu­ gress of the Communist Interna­ nist International in the internal af­ tional, and which corresponded to fairs of these states. the needs of the initial period of 668 HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 669 the rebirth of the labor movement, pendence, the basic task of progres­ more and more outlived itself in sive workers and broad masses of proportion to the growth of this people is to develop the armed movement and to the increasing struggle which is growing into a na­ complexity of problems in each tional war of liberation against Hit­ country; and that this form even lerite Germany. became a hindrance to the further At the same time, the war of lib­ strengthening of the national work­ eration of the freedom-loving peo­ ers' parties. ples against Hitlerite tyranny, The world war unleashed by the which set into motion the broadest Hitlerites still further sharpened the masses of people who are uniting in differences in the conditions in the ranks of the mighty anti-Hitler various countries, showing the deep coalition irrespective of party or re­ line of demarcation between the ligion, made it still more evident countries which became the bearers that the national upsurge and mo­ of Hitlerite tyranny and the free­ bilization of the masses for speediest dom-loving peoples united in the victory over the enemy can best and mighty anti-Hitler coalition. . most fruitfully be supplied by the Whereas in the countries of the vanguard of the labor movement of Hitlerite bloc the basic task of the each country within the framework workers, toilers and all honest peo­ of its state. ple is to contribute in every con­ The Seventh Congress of the ceivable way toward the defeat of Communist International, held in this bloc by undermining the Hit­ 1935, taking into consideration the lerite war machine from within and changes which had come to pass in by helping to overthrow the govern­ the international situation as well as ments responsible for the war, in in the labor movement-changes countries of the anti-Hitler coalition which demanded greater flexibility the sacred duty of the broadest and independence of its sections in masses of the people and first and solving the problems facing them­ foremost of the progressive work­ already then emphasized the need ers is to support in every way the for the Executive Committee of the war efforts of the governments in Communist International, when de­ these countries for the sake of the ciding upon all the problems of the speediest destruction of the Hitler­ labor movement, "to proceed in de­ ite bloc and to secure friendly col­ ciding any question from the con­ laboration between nations on the crete situation and specific condi­ basis of their equal rights. tions obtaining in each particular At the same time it must not be country and as a rule to avoid di­ overlooked that the individual rect intervention in internal organi­ countries which adhere to the anti­ zational matters of the Communist H;itler coalition also have their spe­ Party." cific tasks. Thus, for instance, in The Executive Committee of the countries occupied by Hitlerites and Communist International was which have lost their state inde- guided by these same considerations 670 HISTORIC DOCUMENTS when it took note of and approved the question of the dissolution of the decision of the Communist the Communist International as the Party of the United States of Amer­ guiding center of the international ica in Novemblir, 1940, to leave the labor movement, the Presidium of ranks of the Communist Interna­ the Executive Committee of the tional. Communist International, unable Communists, guided by the owing to the conditions of world teachings of the founders of Marx­ war to convene a congress of the ism-Leninism, have never advo­ Communist International, permits cated the preservation of those or­ itself to submit for approval by the ganizational forms which have be­ sections of the Communist Interna­ come obsolete. They have always tional the following proposal: subordinated the organizational To dissolve the Communist Inter­ forms of the labor movement and national as the guiding center of its methods of work to the basic the international labor movement, political interests of the labor move­ releasing the sections of the Com­ ment as a whole, to the peculiarities munist International from obliga­ of given concrete historical condi­ tions ensuing from the constitution tions, and to those problems which and decisions of the congresses of arise directly from these condi­ the Communist International. tions. The Presidium of the Executive They rlimember the example of Committee of the Communist In­ the great Marx who united the pro­ ternational calls upon all adherents gressive workers into the ranks of of the Communist International to the International Working.men's concentrate their forces on all­ Association. And after the First round support and active participa­ International had fulfilled its his­ tion in the liberation war of the torical task, having laid the basis peoples and states of the anti-Hitler for the development of workers' Coalition in order to hasten the de­ parties in the countries of Europe struction of the mortal enemy of and America, Marx, as a result of the working people-German fas­ the growing need to create national cism and its allies and vassals. workers' mass parties, brought Signed by the members of the about the dissolution of the Frist Presidium of the Executive Com­ International, inasmuch as this form mittee of the Communist Interna­ of organization no longer corres­ tional: Gottwald, Dimitroff, Zhdan­ ponded to this need. ov, Kolarov, Koplenig, Kuusinen, Proceeding from the above-stated Manuilsky, Marty, Pieck, TJ;10rez, considerations, and taking into ac­ Florin, Ercoli. count the growth and political ma­ This resolution was endorsed by turity of the Communist Parties and representatives of the following their leading cadres in the individ­ parties: Bianco (Italy), Dolores ual countries, and also in view of Ibarruri (Spain), Lehtinen (Fin­ the fact that during the present war land), Pauker (Rumania), Rakosi a number of sections have raised (Hungary). May 15, 1943. HISTORIC ,DOCUMENTS 671

THE LETTER OF JOSEPH STALIN TO HAROLD KING, REUTER CORRESPONDENT, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DISSOLUTION OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL

EAR Mr. King: C. It facilitates the work of the D I have received your request patriots in the freedom-loving to answer a question referring to countries for uniting the progressive the dissolution of the Communist forces of their respective countries, International. I am sending you regardless of party or religious my answer. faith, into a single camp of national Question: "The British comment liberation-for unfolding the strug­ on the decision to wind up the Com­ gle against fascism. intern has been very favorable. D. It facilitates the work of the What is the Soviet view of this mat­ patriots of all countries for uniting ter and of its bearing on future in­ all the freedom-loving peoples into ternational relations?" a single international camp for the Answer: The dissolution of the fight against the menace of world Communist International is proper domination by Hitlerism, thus and timely because it facilitates the clearing the way to the future or­ organization of the common on­ ganization of the companionship of slaught of all freedom-loving na­ nations based upon their equality. tions against the common enemy­ I think that all these circum­ Hitlerism. stances taken together will result The dissolution of the Commu­ in the further strengthening of the nist International is proper because: united front of the allies and other A. It exposes the lie of the Hit­ United Nations in their fight for lerites to the effect that "Moscow" victory over Hitlerite tyranny. allegedly intends to intervene in I feel that the dissolution of the the life of other nations and to Communist International is per­ "Bolshevize" them. An end is now fectly timely because it is exactly being put to this lie. now, when the fascist beast is ex­ B. It exposes the calumny of the erting its last strength, that it is adversaries of Communism within necessary to organize the common the labor movement to the effect onslaught of the freedom-loving that the Communist Parties in the countries to finish off this beast and various countries are allegedly act­ to deliver the peoples from fascist ing not in the interest of their peo.: oppression. ple but on orders from the outside. With respect, An end is now being put to this Signed, J. STALIN. calumny too. May 28, 1943.

1943. 1943. 10, 10, International. International. munist munist June June Union Union the the of of Party Party Communist Communist the the

Com­ the the of of Committee Committee Executive Executive Syria, Syria, of of Party Party Communist Communist the the land, land,

the the of of Presidium Presidium the the of of behalf behalf On On Switzer­ of of Party Party Communist Communist the the

DIMITROFF DIMITROFF G. G. (Signed) (Signed) Sweden, Sweden, of of Party Party Communist Communist the the

International. International. munist munist Spain, Spain, of of Party Party Communist Communist the the viks), viks),

Com­ the the of of property property and and staff staff the the (Bolshe­ Union Union Soviet Soviet the the of of Party Party

of of dispose dispose and and organs organs the the dissolve dissolve Communist Communist the the Rumania, Rumania, of of Party Party

affairs, affairs, the the up up wind wind to to Pieck Pieck helm helm Communist Communist the the Poland, Poland, of of Party Party ers' ers'

Wil­ and and Manuilsky Manuilsky Dmitri Dmitri Ercoli, Ercoli, Work­ the the Mexico, Mexico, of of Party Party munist munist

M. M. (chairman), (chairman), Dimitroff Dimitroff of of posed posed Com­ the the Italy, Italy, of of Party Party Communist Communist

com­ committee committee the the instructs instructs It It 3. 3. the the Ireland, Ireland, of of Party Party Communist Communist the the

Hungary, Hungary, of of Party Party Communist Communist the the 1943. 1943. 10, 10,

June June of of as as dissolved dissolved Commission Commission Britain, Britain, Great Great of of Party Party Communist Communist

Control Control International International the the as as well well as as the the Germany, Germany, of of Party Party Communist Communist

Committee, Committee, the the France, France, Executive Executive of of the the Party Party of of tariat tariat Communist Communist the the

Secre­ and and Finland, Finland, of of Presidium Presidium the the Party Party national, national, Communist Communist the the

Inter­ Communist Communist the the of of Committee Committee Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovakia, of of Party Party Communist Communist

Executive Executive the the the the Cuba, Cuba, of of considers considers it it Union Union That That 2. 2. Communist Communist ary ary

Revolution­ the the Colombia, Colombia, of of Party Party known. known. decisions decisions

their their make make to to position position a a in in were were Communist Communist the the China, China, of of Party Party

which which ones) ones) Communist Communist the the important important Chile, Chile, most most of of the the Party Party nist nist

(including (including Commu­ sections sections the the existing existing its its Catalonia, Catalonia, of of of of Party Party ist ist

all all by by Social­ approved approved United United the the unanimously unanimously been been Canada, Canada, of of Party Party

Communist Communist the the has has Bulgaria, Bulgaria, of of Party Party International International Communist Communist the the

to to .proposal .proposal Communist Communist the the the the That That 1. 1. Belgium, Belgium, of of disso~ve disso~ve Party Party

Communist Communist the the Austria, Austria, of of Party Party declares: declares: hereby hereby ternational ternational

In­ Communist Communist the the Communist Communist of of the the Australia, Australia, Committee Committee of of Party Party

Communist Communist the the Argentina, Argentina, Executive Executive of of the the Party Party of of Presidium Presidium the the

above-mentioned, above-mentioned, the the Communist Communist of of the the by by view view In In approved approved been been

has has International International Communist Communist the the Committee. Committee. Executive Executive

dissolve dissolve to to proposal proposal the the That That 1. 1. the the of of Presidium Presidium the the of of proposal proposal

established: established: and and the the to to International, International, objections objections any any raised raised national national

Communist Communist the the of of dissolution dissolution the the Inter­ Communist Communist the the of of sections sections

proposing proposing 1943, 1943, 15, 15, May May of of existing existing the the cision cision of of one one not not That That 2. 2.

de­ the the to to regard regard with with sections sections ated ated sections). sections). its its of of one one

affili­ its its from from as as received received International International resolutions resolutions Communist Communist the the to to

the the considered considered International International nist nist (affiliated (affiliated International International Communist Communist

Commu­ the the of of Committee Committee ecutive ecutive Young Young the the and and Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia, of of Party Party

Ex­ the the of of Presidium Presidium the the 1943, 1943, Communist Communist the the Uruguay, Uruguay, of of Party Party A

Communist Communist the the Africa, Africa, South South of of 8, 8, June June on on meeting meeting last last ITS ITS T T

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

COMMUNIST COMMUNIST THE THE DISSOLVE DISSOLVE TO TO PROPOSAL PROPOSAL THE THE OF OF TIONS TIONS

SEC- COMINTERN COMINTERN THE THE BY BY APPROVAL APPROVAL THE THE ON ON INTERNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL,

COMMUNIST COMMUNIST THE THE OF OF COMMITTEE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE THE THE OF OF PRESIDIUM PRESIDIUM

THE THE OF OF BEHALF BEHALF IN IN DIMITROFF, DIMITROFF, GEORGI GEORGI OF OF STATEMENT STATEMENT THE THE

DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS HISTORIC HISTORIC 672 672 Two New "International"" Boolcs tHE PROBLEM OF INDIA By R. PALME DUTT

The long l~waited book by Brit~in's distinguished M~rxist, generally regarded i:IS the most authoritative and compre­ hensive study of India today. The author, for over twenty years the editor of. the British Labor Monthly, has. cabled ~ new introduction for the American edition, clarifying the problem -Of -Hindu-Moslem unity in the light ~f India's struggle for national unity and independence in the interests of victory over the Axis. ~ Price $1.50 •

~AB O~ AND THE WAR Prepared by Labor Research Association

A handbook on labor problems in connection with the· war, containing a yeritable ~rsenal of valuable information on Pvoduction and conditions in the basic war industries, man­ power problems, war economy, the various war boards ond commissions, trade union organizaHons, lobor relotions ond labor legislation, internatioMI lobor unity, etc. Prepared as the sixth volum~ in the Labor Fact IIQok series, it is indexed for handy reference. Price $t.25 • WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0 . Box 148, Station D (832 Broadway), New Yorlt 3, N. Y. "In this greet conflict egaind the Axis, there ere fundamental philosophic i11ues at stale. Indeed, all our ethical valun ere involved In the outcome. Dr• .Sels.im'• book is • notable contribution to the unclentending, the philo­ sophic unc:IIN"standlng, of both ourselves ·and our allies. It is the moat com­ plete and careful treatment of socialism ud ethics ,hat h.. been writtaa by ..yone at aay time."-CORLISS LAt;oCONT. / ( ' SOCIALISM AND ETHICS By Dr. Howard Se/sam f

Wh~t is ethjcs? From what do men derive their judgments of right and !wrong, good aAd evil? b ethics concerned primerily with individUt:tl virtue or with economic, sociol and politicel in­ stitu+ions? How c•n capl t~lism ond socialism be morolly eveluated -democracy and fascism 1 Are there eternal moral 1questions? What is the true relation of the individual to society? Whet is freedom what'is pro~re s s? W hat is the role of the working class 1 in the determination and achievement of freedom Md progress? How shoul d one morally evaluare national unity in tlie war of the United Nations against the Axis? In this new b9ok, just published, the authorW of hat Is Philosophy? e~amines capitalist society in its historical development and il!l its present form and ~hows now and why Mt~rxian SC!Cialism con­ forms with and embraces the highest moral ideals of the ages. ' Socialism and -Ethics js a fundamental contribution to , Marxist­ Len inist theory in a field lon<;j neg~ected. It is a book that belongs I in every Marxist library: t ' 224 Pages. Price $1.90 • WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station 0 (832 Broadway), New York 3, N. Y.