The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-04-19
BY ALExANpER RITTELMAN.


try and to everyone who claims to
represent the interests of the exploit
ed farmers. Now is the time for
each organization of workers and
poor farmers to take a definite stand
on the convention of June 18th in
the Twin Cities, which is to cement
and consolidate the farmer-labor
forces of the country for an indepen-
dent political struggle against the
domination of capital and its serv-
ants in the government Now more
than ever is the time for positive
commitments on this momentous is
sue in the life of the oppressed
masses of America. Where do you
stand?
It is no longer the old abstract
proposition of Independent political
action versus nonpartisan politics Of
the kind practiced by Gompers and
the G. P. P. A. Nor is it a mere mat
ter of preference, taste or desire.
No, it is a perfectly concrete, def
mite and practical problem that is
now confronting the workers and ex-
plotted farmers. 1t is the problem
of June 18th or July 4th. Which do
you choose?
And remember: there isn't must
time left for making up ones mind.
In another few weeks the workers
and poor farmers of America will
have to take action. They will have
to decide in which of the two gath
e1ings-June II in the Twin Cities
or July il Cleveland-they will par
ticipate. Hence, the immediate ne
cessity of placing this question on
the agenda of all organizations of
workers and poor farmers.
A Third Party or a Labor Party.
Of course, a class farmer-labor
party, this is what the workers and
exploited farmers need. A party of
their own. A political instrument
for their own battles. A means to
further their own interests as against
the interests of the exploiting and
ruling classes.
Who will undertake to challenge
or disprove this contention? Only
those who don't give damn for the
interests and well-being of the work
ers and exploited farmers; only
those who are consciously Or uncon-
sciously working for the promotion
of the interests of capital, big and
small. In short, only those who rep
resent interests other than the in
terests of the workers and exploited
farmers will deny the imperative ne
cessity of class farmer-labor party.
This pressing need of class farm
er-labor party is not of recent origin.
1t has been with us for many and
many years, practically since this
republic of ours was established. But
never, never as yet in the history of
the country were conditions so ripe
and favorable for the realization of
such a party. And, furthermore, new
er was there so much at stake for the
life interests Of the oppressed masses
uCpShuih6 upOu Tic llutueuldlS anu
successful formation of mass farm
er-labor party Who will deny this?
The C. p. p. A. and July 4.
Much of what has been said be.
fore will no doubt be accepted as true
by quite number of leaders of labor
and exploited farmers. Which is prog.
ress, indeed. For there was a time,
and not very long ago, when the non.
partisan bunk of Sam Gompers, and
the newer edition Of the same thing
by the G. P. P. A., were practically
dominating the American labor move.
ment.
Happily this is no longer the case.
Social and political events have the
great virtue of compelling action, II
not always understanding and sym.
patty. And so 1t came about that