The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-02-23

communist party; differences which
express themselves primarily in the
relative emphasis placed upon the or
ganizatiOnal and political aspects Of
party work, and therefore has a
special bearing upon the subject Of
this article.
Onsthe one side we find group Of
comrades who stress the need of
building the party organization itself,
maintaining that at the present stage
in the development of the communist
movement we should concern our
selves principally with methods Of
strengthening the existing forces of
the party. Believing communist
education to be by far the most i'm
portant method, these comrades
stand out as the chief agitators with
in the party for educational work
amongst the membership. Before
we engage ourselves in combat, they
say, let US be sure our battalions
have been given intensive training be-
hind the trenches. 1t is therefore
our first duty to furnish members of
the party with that knowledge of
communist principles and tactics with
out which we cannot develop efficient
fighters and so assume leadership of
the working class.
The Other Position.
Opposed to this point of view are
those comrades who, in their eager
ness to show that communists do not
fear the realities of the class struggle,
have become absorbed in the politi-
cal problems of the party, and at
tach primary importance to the
science of political tactics. To map
out plans of strategy, to enter into
large campaignsEthese are aims and
tasks besides which the problems Of
party organization are decidedly Of
secondary consequence. Such ques-
tions, therefore, as the intensifcation
Of educational work turnout our
ranks, from the lowest to the highest
units, are relegated to the back
ground. For we do no want a party
that spends its time discussing the
theory of surplus value, and prides
itself on educational forums and
lectures; we want a party of action.
Now the impression has often been
created by comrades arguing on one
side or the other that these two views
are mutually exclusive. And each
group appears to be equally con-
WINGED that to follow the policies of
the other means the deterioration of
the party. The fact is, however, that
the real growth of the movement de-
ponds not on either policy alone, or
on a compromise between them, but
upon an effective utilization of both.
Emphasis on Organization.
Those Nho harp constantly upon
organization, who maintain that only
a policy of systematic education of
the party membership along the lines
of Marxist science. can build the
party, fail to grasp the significance
of communist tactics-that 'the de-
velopment of the Communist parties
can only be achieved thru a fighting
policy" That is, not thru mere cdu-
cation and propaganda, but thru
participation in the struggles of the
masses, thru taking the lead in or
ganizing them on the industrial and
political field, thus gaining their con-
fidence. Besides, soldiers become
good fighters not alone thru training
behind the trenches, but by actual
combat-Vhich for a communis.
movement means practical activity.
1t is true, however, that the inn
portance of educational work has
been underestimated by some Of
those whose care is the formulation
Of political and industrial policies.
Only party sound in theory can be
sound in action. We may not be
afraid, as has been expressed, to
venture out into the stormy sea of
reality; but if we are to steer a
straight course, then we must be
entirely certain Of the way we are
going and have a firm hand on the
rudder." As concerns the party, this
certainty, this -frmness, can be ac-