The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-12-09

mendous model or our late leader,
Comrade Lenin, and it seems but yes
terday since last stood in this hall
taking my place as a bodyguard
around the funeral bier
Across the great hall huge slogans
are blazoned on red streamers. They
are of great Importance, as they typi-
fly the task which the trade unions
are now straining every nerve to ac-
complish. One reads: 1.-THE trade un-
ions are the schools for Communism"
Another, Garry out the watchwords
of Lenin. Increase production and so
strengthen socialist economy" The
next one, rally to the Communist
Party, the bulwark Of the proletarian
dictatorship" Another, Under the
banner Of the Communist Information
al to a lasting proletarian victory"
And the last one, running right across
the hall, gives the watahword of the
Russian trade unions, unity Of
the International Trade D. IN Move
ment."
100000 In Russian Unions.
I
The hall is a sea of faces. Com
rade Tomsky, the chairman of the ALI
Russian Union Congress, leads the
platform party. The British delega-
ton are Immediately observed, and a
roar Of welcome goes up as they take
their place on the platform. A warm
and enthusiastic atmosphere is in evil
dence. A band strikes up the Inter
national. Everyone stands, and as
this battle song of the proletariat re-
sounds thru the great hall it sets the
keynote for the whole proceedings.
Comrade Tomsky declares the con-
gress open. He reports that there are
$500 delegates present, representing
6,400, 900 workers. He makes a preli-
minary reference to the presence of
the fraternal delegates.
Then come the speeches of the fra
ternal delegates. First comes the
delegation from the Red Army to
assure the congress OF the solidarity
of the Red Army and the desire to
preserve the present close association
with the trade unions. Then comes
Comrade Schmidt minister of Labor
who brings greetings. Now the dele
gate from the Profintern is followed
by speech of welcome by Comrade
Kalinin, the president Of the U. S.
S. R.
zlnoviey Speaks.
Now comes Comrade Zinoviev bring
ing greetings from the Communist In
ternational, he receives a magnificent
ovation from the delegates and makes
a speech analysing the international
situation and the special tasks facing
the Russian Republic, with emphasis
upon the important role to be played
by the Russian trade unions. In a
wonderful analysis of the British
situation, which was especially inte-
Testing because Of the presence of the
British delegation, Zinoviev says it is
the first sign Of the end o. the era of
democratic pacifism.
The return Of a reactionary govern
ment in England has been followed
by a consolidation of reaction in
America. Everywhere the workers
are once more witnessing the gather
ing Of the forces of reaction, who still
hope by one means or another to
crush the Russian revolution and also
to commence new offensive upon
the whole working class.
It is because Of the new situation
that it is now so essential that the
unity of the international trade union
movement should be achieved.
+n The Big Event.
Now comes the big event Of the.
evening. It is the turn of the British
delegation. They had been met at
Riga by delegation from the Russian
trade unions, and at every station
from the Russian frontier to Moscow
they had been met by large numbers
of workers anxious to give them a
first welcome to Russia and to demon
strate their solidarity. All thru the
night this had gone on, and such en-
thusiasm and warmth must have sure
ly impressed the British delegation
with the magnificent spirit Of solidar-
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