The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-11-01


mined European industry. As is known
the present total OF European produc
ton does not exceed 20 per cent OF
the pre-war level. Hence the limita-
ton Of production and the successful
capitalist offensive against the work
ing class. Hence the reduction of
wages, the actual abolition of the
eight-hour day, and numerous unsuc-
cessful defensive strikes, which again
demonstrated the treachery of the la
Dor bureaucracy to the working class.
Hence the colossal unemployment and
the growth of discomfort Of the work
ers with the reactionary trade unions.
Hence the idea of the united front in
the economic struggle Of the working
class and the project for the unifica-
ton of the two labor internationals
into a single international, capable of
resisting capital. The reformist
speeches at the Vienna congress Of
the Amsterdam International June,
1924 about negotiations with the
Russian unions and the appeal for
unity Of the British Trade Union Con-
gress September, 1924 are only a
reflection Of the growing pressure of
the masses upon the reactionary
trade union bureaucracy. The most
remarkable thing about it was the
fact that it is precisely the British
unions which have been the nest of
conservatism, and the basic nucleus
of Amsterdam, that have taken the in
itiative for the unifcation Of the reac-
tionary and revolutionary unions. The
appearance Of left elements in the
British labor movement is the best
proof of the fact that there, at Am
sterdam, something is rotten"
Some think that the unity cam
paign is wanted precisely now, be-
cause left wing has developed in
Amsterdam, and it must be supported
by all means and efforts. This is I'M
true, or to be more precise. it is only
partly true. The Communist parties
of the West are becoming mass or
ganizations. They are becoming truly
Bolshevist parties. They are growing
and moving to power apace with the
growth Of the discomfort Of the great
working masses; hence we are NOV
ing towards the proletarian revolu-
ton. But it is impossible to over
throw the bourgeoisie without first
depriving it of its buttress in the face
of reactionary Amsterdam; It is i'm
possible to establish the dictatorship
without winning over this capitalist
stronghold. However, this cannot be
done by one-sided work from without.
This object can be achieved at pres
ent only by combinined activities
within and without, along the line of
establishing unity in the trade union
movement. That is why the question
Of unity and of affiliation to the in
dustrial internationals has become a
vital issue. or course the lefts should
be supported and pushed on. But,
real support Of the lefts will be OBJ
tanned only If the banners OF the revo-
lutionary unions continue to fly, of the
reactionary Amsterdam leaders con-
tinue to be scorned and denounced for
their treachery and splitting activi-
ties, if the left leaders are criticized
for their half heartedness and indecis-
iveness in the struggle against the
reactonaries. Only by such a policy
can real trade union unity be brot
about. Otherwise we may get pic
ture similar to that in Germany last
October, when Lewis left group was
successfully used by the reactionary
right wing of the social democrats to
envelop the German revolutionists.
Finally, as regards the growth of
the popularity OF the Soviet Union
among the masses of the capitalist
countries. Perhaps the best Indicator
Of the Instability Of the "pacifist demo-
cratic regime" IL the undeniable fact