The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1915-04-24

OF Comrade Bostrom II Is constltu-
ional criticism of his written state
ment.
Comrade Bostrom in this discussion
has not met the Issue. Nor has he
answered my interrogations. He has
only quoted from my letters with re-
ference to correct relations" which
existed In the days of primitive man
and which still exists between wild
animals of the lower brute creation.
He has repeatedly gone aside from
the subject and by way OF references
made broad accusations of what are
my beliefs, etc. by these inferred
misstatements II seems he wishes to
lead both myself and our readers away
from the subject under discussion.
Not once has he even mentioned "im-
mediate demands" which he SO scath-
ingly denounced as "glittering gener-
alities." "bombast," reform fakes"
and "opportunist buncombe." He
makes all these epithets to apply to
the Oregon right to work" measure
and only endorses the eight hour day
as an ESSENTIAL demand to the saliva
ton of the party.
1t is quite contradictory for q
socialist to advocate the swinging "of
the club and then unite with many
other socialists in criticising our COM
rades In Europe for using it. Would
Comrade. Bostrom write WAR In the
socialist party platform? Would he
exchange immediate demands for
bombs? Does he demand that we use
force as a party weapon to gain pos
session of the power in government?
If he does the way is certainly open
for him to act-but not through the
socialist organization.
Bear with us this repetition: that
we are not arguing the excellency for
merits of either of these plans. We
find our self within the party organiza-
tion and until such time as we may
conclude other fields give better pro.
mise of results we will Loyalty espouse
socialism as our plan for working
class emancipation.
II authority In government is what
is meant by use of the words office
or trustee" even though wage slaves
be not freed between sunset and sun
rise by the socialist party, we insist,
as socialist, that 1T" (the plan OF
immediate demands) and not the club
is the step in the right direction.
Actions and not words are what
count. II the club and not the bal
lot is the weapon advocated by some
let them be honest enough to stand
outside of the party organization and
not allow it to be demonstrated with
tactics contrary to it's principles.
Until "the party becomes single
minded and consistent" (Bostrom
writing to WILSON, in abiding its pro-
gram; until war. sabotage, violence
ltIe CluDJ Do WlilICh iCiht shooS
advocating such tactics should not be
found inside the party organization
for the good reason that other organ
izations exist which open up the way
for such activities. To be consistent"
all such should be RELOCATED into in
nocuous desuetude." (Bostrom to Will
son again.)
In conclusion let us say that opposi-
ton to educational immediate de-
mands, which opposition always comes
from disorganization, is the enemy OF
all progress in the movement. On &C
count of this disloyalty the party or
ganization has fallen far behind its
possibilities, and it has not reached
the capitalist expectation for working
class emancipation. However, not
withstanding this fact the party vote
has far out-stripped the party organiza-
ton.
For the third time we ask: did party
advancement come of the immediate
demand" contained in the Oregon
measure? c.. w. BARZEE.