The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-11-28
Discussion on Immediate Tasks of Our Party

culiarity Of the situation which does
not permit separation of the task
of creating labor party from the
task of coming into closer contact
with the farmers, requires of the
Workers Party special methods. The
American Communists must establish
within the farmer-labor party a
strong, consolidated labor wing in
Guiding the agricultural wage work
ers. This wing shall lead the exploited
farming masses instead of falling
under the influence of the petty
bourgeois character Of the latter"
We endorse this statement as cor
rect summary of the task before our
party.
2. The slogan "for a Glass Farmer
Labor Party" remains our most effect
i've means of agitation for political
action on class basis by the work
ers and poorer farmers. Our use of
this slogan for mobilization of the
left class-party bloc against the La
Fsllette progressive movement has
made deep impression upon those
workers and poorer farmers who
stand for fight against capitalism
The slogan offers the most effective
weapon against the LaFollette pro-
gressive movement whether the latter
organizes a third party or not
Through this slogan we can again
establish connection with the trade
unions and with the organizations OF
poorer farmers.
3. If we abandon the United Front
policy politically by abandoning the
slogan For Glass Farmer Labor
Party" we win surrender the most
effective agitational weapon we have
Tor drawing the workers close to our
party and building the Workers Par
ty. The experiences of the workers
and poorer farmers in the struggle
against capitalism will produce even a
stronger movement for independent
POLITICAL action than has existed in
the past. To deny this is to deny the
fundamentals of our Communist prin-
ciples, and the correctness of the
analysis of the present world situa-
ton Of capitalism. Should we sur
render the position of leadership in
this campaign we will give to the
yellow socialist and reformist leaders
free field to bring the workers and
farmers who become politically con-
scious under their influence and lead
ership. Our failure to raise this issue
in the A. F. of L. Convention has al
ready lost us an opportunity for lead
ership and to strengthen our in
fuence.
4. The farmer-labor groups which
were temporarily brought under the
leadership of the LaFolIette move
ment can by carefully directed agita-
ton be split away from the LaFollette
progressive movement. In number
of states such as Washington, Mon
tana, Colorado, South Dakota, and
Minnesota the farmer-labor parties
ran seperate farmer-labor tickets al
though accepting LaFollettes can
didacy indicating the fundamental
conflict between the farmer-labor
movement and the LaFollette move
ment. A tendency is already in evil
dence for these farmer-labor parties
to reassert their independence as for
instance in Minnesota where is al
ready developing bitter criticism of
the LaFollette progressive movement
for its attitude toward the farmer
labor party during the campaign.
Other groups such as the North Dako-
ia Farmer Labor Party, the Washing
ton County Pa. Farmer Labor Party,
ETC., never entered the LaFollette
movement but maintained their in
dependence. Part of the LaFollette
vote-that cast by workers and farm
ers-is an indication of the extent
of the farmer-labor party sentiment
among the workers and farmers.
5. The goal Of our policy must be
to crystalline around the Workers
Party those elements who are ready
for the formation of class party.
We must crystalline the elements of
workers and poorer farmers now in