The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1916-04-06
OUR PARTY
ORGANIZATION
BY Ida Crouch Hazlctt.

ent that the existing form of organlza-
tion is inadequate, inefficient and in
capable of accomplishing the practical
results that the Socialists movement
should he able to set before the public
at this time. A recent correspondent
in a Socialist publication asserts that
he almost breads to take an applica-
ton for party membership any more,
as he knows, if admitted, the new
member will in all probability soon be-
ONE disguested at the party squabbles
over insignificant matters, the tire
some routine of immaterial details
without accomplishing anything def
mite and the lack of local progress.
The ordinary cycle of local organiza-
tion is small and in many larger towns
and in the country, is as follows: A
speaker comes along, stirs up consd-
cradle enthusiasm, and from five to
fifteen, under the psychological sug-
ECNllOI VI lllt lIlOIllCllt, are lilduCcb W
sign the pledge pay their dues and
elect the required quota of officers,
For few Sundays they meet, strug-
gle through the order of business can
not think of anything important to do,
perhaps develop a personal disagree
ment of some sort, and the State sec
rotary soon ceases to receive any re-
port from the branch of the Socialist
party. In the more backward States
this is the condition, to the exclusion
of almost every local from active par
ticipation in party affairs, and the
dismal and purposeless routine stulti-
fies the movement in many places
where we should expect more intelli-
gent action In the meantime there
are hundreds and thousands of Social
lists scattered over each State, unat-
tached, purposeless, except to make a
few more similar unattached wander
ers, who have a vague idea that cts
a-coming" some time-like the millen-
mum.
Locals cannot be successfully main
tanned by the old methods of weekly
meetings or economic study where
there are none who have sufficient in
terest or ability to give the work their
personal attention. The members meet,
get tired of looking at each other and
hearing the same old thing and quit
going.
In other words, there is something
radically wrong with our form of or
ganization. In Milwaukee, New York
and other places that might be men
toned, the size of the movement gives
it sufficient momentum to force it to
meet practical issues. | have organ
lied Socialist locals for fifteen years
In ordinary State work | make bust
ness Of organizing every unorganized
point visited. | know the locals will
not stick; they do not know what to
do or how to do it. We lack initiative
and we lack incentive.
OKLAHOMA SOLVES PROBLEM
Oklahoma appears to be the only
State that is showing a successful So
luton Of the problem. The Oklahoma
State organization never forgets that
it is a political party and that it must
devise means of effectively manipulate
ing its party machinery and OutWit-
ting the tactics Of the capitalist par
ties. To this end it is attacking every
corner Of its territory with it's "skele-
ton form" of organization; that is,
precinct committeeman in every pre-
cinct where there is not organization
to look after the political interests of
the party.
1t seems to me there should be an
intelligent attempt to get a roster of
all Socialists in every State, even
where it is impossible to hold a work
ing local together, after some such
plan as this Obtain chartered, dues
paying membership, as large as posi-
Bile. See that the most competent man
or woman is made secretary-treasurer.
A literature agent and an organizer
should be elected if such material can
be found. These three may constitute
an executive committee that may
transact all business of the party
where regular meetings seem impossi-
BILE. Special meetings may be called
at any time or business meetings held
at rare intervals.
If even an executive committee
seems hopeless, the one officer, secre-
may be chosen to have
general charge of all marty husiness