The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-01-09
BY JAY LovEsToNE.

N view of the fact that the Comm
l tern has not yet spoken directly
on the immediate party controversy
and that the national convention has
not yet been held, it may be cQnsi-
dered by some a bit premature to
talk of a balance sheet of the party
dispute. Still, it is appropriate, on
the eve of the second stage of the par
ty controversy, to list briefly the as
sets and liabilities of the contending
groups in the first round Of the con-
test.
Results of Meetings.
In the capital cities of nine of our
biggest districts, membership meet
ings have been held to discuss the
party problems. Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, Buffalo, Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapo.
lis and New Haven have had such
meetings for discussion and voting on
the thesis before the party.
In this balloting the Foster-Lore
theses received a net total Of 1915
votes. The combined strength that
the followers of extreme right wing
of our party of the Two-and-a-Half
International tendency in our party,
and the crystallizing opportunistic,
non-Marxian Cannon-Foster leader
ship could muster has been register
ed at about fifteen hundred.
At the same time, to use the ex-
preston of the American commission
of the executive committee of the
Comintern, the MARKHAM group led by
Comrade Ruthenberg, the group of
Communist consciousness" in our
party. despite overwhelming odds,
succeeded in polling 1886 votes. Thus,
against a vicious attack, against a
barrage of unparalleled Islander, and
villification, against united front
ranging from the EXTREMIST right
wing of Lore, Doctor Aronson of New
York and Moscow agent" fame, and
Fable Burman to certain extremely
left sick comrades, the MARKHAM group
of our party enlightened the mem
bership to such an extent as to be
nosed out by only 23O votes turnout
the country.
Some Illuminating SideIights.
But the circumstances and condi-
tions surrounding the contest are far
more Illuminating and significant for
the party than the cold, dry figures
at hand.
First of all, the thesis Endorsed by
the Foster-Lore group was a tumble
Of false premises and empty promis-
es calculated to appeal to every Sec
tion of party opinion. To the left sick
Communists in our ranks the Foster
Lore group of self-annointed pure"
revolutionists turned face anti-farm-
er-labor party in principle. To the
EXTREMIST right, opportunist elements
in our party, the c. E. C. majority
held proudly aloft the Lore-Poyntz
Burman coat of arms of militant
Communism" To the comrades who
still entertained doubts as to timeli-
ness of dropping the united front far
mer-labor slogan, the Foster-Lore
group yelled: I'VE are not opposed to
the labor party in principle, but not
just now, in the future"
The discussion waged in the ranks
by the Foster-Lore adherents was pre-
cisely along theses lines. The fulfill
tartan policies of this unholy alliance
menacing the progress of the Work
ers (Communist) Party were agitat-
ed for thru an appeal to the most
backward and harmful sentiments in
the party. Vicious whispering cam
paigns were organized on a country
wide basis against the c. H. c. mi
nority members and their associates
in many districts. The real issues be-
fore the party membership were not
discussed by the c. E. c. majority or
its satellites.
Not a single article was written by
any of the Foster-Lore scribes at
tempting to deal with the political
and economic conditions of the coun-
try. Not even the slightest effort was
made by the Foster-Lore group to
analyze the LaFollette movement and
its recent development. Not an ar
ticle was written by the Foster-Lore
group to show that the industrial de-
partment of the party has made any
effort at all to utilize our participa-
ton in the industrial and economic
struggles for the purpose of increas-
ing the political rehabilitation of the
masses. Not word was offered in
refutation of the criticism made by
the c. II. G. minority that the Foster
Lore group still maintains the "su-
percilious attitude towards the indie.
pendent unions" it was warned
against by the Prohntern. Last but