The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-06-06
v. Systematic Agitation

"The role Of the newspaper is how
ever not confined to the mere propa-
ganda of ideas; to the political school
ing and winning over of political
allies. The newspaper is not merely
collective propagandist and collect
i've agitator, but collective organ
izer." (Lenin: 1.-THE newspaper as col
lective organizer.)
THE first prerequisite for the at
4 tainment Of the goal aimed at by
Lenin is systematic and manysided
Communist press agitation. This must
be capable of not only giving every
stratum of the population that which
interests it, but it must be capable OF
doing this so systematically, and with
such complete political consciousness,
that the masses are guided into chan
nels advantageous to the Communist
movement. A striking example of pro-
perly understood and properly exc
cuted strategy in press agitation is
given by the workers editorial staff
of the factory newspaper Leuna Pro-
let. They. write in their report:
"The articles in the Leuna Prolet
may almost be said to be adapted to
the individual peculiarities of our col
leagues. For we must give everyone
something. Though we apparently
come to meet their moods, in the end
it is our views which we impose upon
them. Our attitude towards the fascist
movement, towards the social-demo-
Gratis, and the yellow trade unions,
can be expressed clearly and unequi-
vocally.
"Our relations to the employees are
somewhat more complicated. Here we
find SO many groups, some proIabor,
some anti-labor. Foremen and such
people are generally represented in
our newspaper as speeders up and
slave drivers. The severest terms are
suitable with respect to them, for they
are the conscious and willing trustees
Of our class adversaries. Masters
superintendent, accountants, prole-
tarians disguised behind a white
collar, are worthy of little more than
derision. We sketch them in ridicul-
Gus positions, scoff at their triviality
and petty errors. This has the effect
Of inducing them to act with less
severity towards their subordinates;
the famous Leuna discipline weakens.
Our attitude towards the employees
must be adapted to the circumstances
Of each individual case, the motives
of action being carefully examined
into.
Besides this, the "Leuna ProIet"
must supplement the factory reports
by. articles aiming at political enlight-
eminent. But this may safely be done
in round about way. Among our
colleagues there are still many who
do not want to hear anything about
politics. especially anything about pol
itical action. They are however none
the less anxious for more wages and
better working conditions. These col
leagues must be clearly enlightened
as to the fact that the question Of i'm
proved economic prosperity is at the
same time a question Of political pow
or. Things must be discussed which
the factory council cannot tell the
workers. t"The Leuna Works and its
Communist factory nucleus.")
NOTHING could be more to the
~ point. The Communist press
must adapt itself to the individual
peculiarities' Of the masses. 1t must
give everybody something. 1t must
be capable Of the systematic and eff
fective use Of every medium OF agita-
ton.