The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-10-18

IN the last analysis, communism
versus LaFolIettism is the same thing
as working class against capitalist
class. That may not be as yet APP
parent to the American working
masses at this time, but it is true,
nevertheless, and as time goes on this
truth will become the inalienable pro-
perty of every loyal member of the
working class.
TWO Angles of Communism
What does Communism stand for?
If straw vote we're to be taken on
this question among the working
masses, the common answer would be
something like this: Revolution, So
Wet Russia, some future order of so
ciety, the millennium on earth, etc.
In all these answers there would be
found a certain measure of truth.
Communism stands for Revolution, of
course, for the social revolution which
will abolish capitalism and lay the
foundation for the communist order
of society. Communism stands for
Soviet Russia. In what sense? In the
sense that Soviet Russia is the living
example Of how the working class all
over the world will eventually break
the chains of capitalism.
But this is not all that Communism
stands for. Or, rather, the above is
only one phase of Communism, the
phase that embodies the final aims of
the proletarian class struggle. But
what about the struggle itself? Has
Communism anything to contribute to
the immediate needs of the masses
This is the second angle of Com
munism, the one which deals with the
methods Of struggle of the working
masses to be employed by them to
day and tomorrow and until the very
moment when they become ready to
seize power, for the overthrow of cap
italist rule Communism, therefore, is
not only the ideal of the future order
Of society but also (and mainly the
theoretical and political expression OF
the everyday struggles of the working
masses against capitalist exploitation
The Communist message to the
workers is a message of struggle
against the capitalists. Whatever
affects the wellbeing of the workers is
therefore Of immediate and practical
concern to Communism and to the
Communist Party. 1t is primarily from
this angle that one must consider the
challenge of the Workers Party
against LaFolletteism.
Between Big Capital and the Workers
What is LaFolletteism? 1t is a po-
litical movement seeking political
power 1t makes its appeal from two
bases. To the middle classes LaFol
letteism appeals in the name of cap
italism Eyes, capitalism) and against
the danger of violent revolutions
while to the working masses the appeal
is made ON the basis Of fair play to
labor.
Just read LaFollette's campaign pro.
paganda. You will find that the basic
idea Of all the utterances Of the La.
Toilette group directed to the middle
classes iS: save the existing order!
Don't permit the struggle between
capital and labor to reach the point OF
violent revolutionl II necessary let
us grant to the upper sections OF
labor and to the trade union bureauc
racy some minor concession, but, for
heavens sake, don't let the class strug.
gle assume the proportions of civil
war.
This is the essence Of LaFolletteism
1t represents the groups and classes
that stand between the working class
and Big Capital. Economically these
classes come into conflict not only
with Big Capital but also with the
workers. The rich farmer, the indie
pendent manufacturer, the small mer-
chant and banker-and these groups