The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-12-30

Is it not fact that during strikes
and demonstrations the Communist
workingmen take their place in the
front ranks of the working class and
receive the first blows of the capt.
talists, whereas the reformist labor
leaders take shelter in the backwards
of the capitalists?
How can Communists refrain from
criticizing the cowardice and the re-
dictionary policies of the reformist Ia
Dor leaders? Is it not clear that such
criticism can serve only to stimulate
and strengthen the labor movement?
True, such criticism destroys the au-
thority of the reactionary labor lead
ers, but what about that? Let the
reactionary labor leaders answer the
criticism, not expel the Communists
from the unions. l think that II the
labor movement in America desires to
live on and develop, it cannot avoid
a conflict of opinion and Of tendencies
within the trade unions. L think that
the conflict of opinion and of tenden-
cries within the trade unions, criticism
of the reactonary labor leaders, etc.,
will continue to grow notWlthstand-
ing the efforts of the reformist labor
leaders to prevent it. The working
class of America stands in absolute
need of such conflict of opinion and
of such criticism in order that 1t may
be able to choose between the various
tendencies and finally to take up its
stand as an independent organized
force within American society. The
complaints made by American re-
formist leaders against the Commun-
lists merely indicate that they are not
and do not feel strong in their posi-
ton. That is why they fight criticism
sure of the correctness OF their case
like a plague. tits remarkable fact
that the American labor leaders are
more determined opponents OF ele-
mentary democracy than many capt.
talists in America.
The assertion that the American
Communists work under "orders from
Moscow" is absolutely untrue. There
are no such Communists in the world
who would agree to work under or
ders" from outside against their own
convictions and will and contrary to
the requirements of the situation.
Even if there were such Communists
they would not be worth cent. Com.
munists bravely fight against host.
of enemies. The value of a Conf
munist, among other things, lies in
that he is able. to defend his convic-,
tions. Therefore, it is strange to
speak of American Communists as not
having their own convictions and ca
pable only of working according to
"orders" from outside. The only part
of the labor leaders assertion that
has any truth in it at all is that the
American Communists are affiliated
to an international Communist or
ganization and from time to time con-
suit with the Central body of this or
ganization on one question or another.
But what is there bad in this? Are
the American labor leaders opposed
to an international workers center?
1t is true they are not affiliated to
Amsterdam, not because they are OPP
posed to an international workers
center as such however, but because
they regard Amsterdam as being too
radical (laughter). Why may the
capitalists organize internationally
and the working class, or part of it,
not have it's international organiza-
ton? Is it not clear that Green and
-~-a- 80"