The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1929-02-15
By SAMUEL BLUM, Unit IF, &c.


What we need is self-criticism and
analysis; what we are having is
self-praise on one side and recriih-
ination from the other side. Egged
on by fractional strife, proponents OF
both sides are forced 70 untenable
extremes. Debaters become solely
interested in proving the case Tor
their sides and abusing their oppo-
nents. regardless of fact and truth,
and the debate degenerates to the
low level of recrimination and dema-
yogy. Under the blows Of faction
alisna, each side has been forced to
shift position, and all in order to
bolster up separate program lof
which there is hardly enough diff
ference in principle. The Minority
is more interested in attacking the
at,,cr side than in finding ways ard
means OF struggle, and the Majority
is so fearful of Opposition that 1t
tries to cover weak spots ond ex-
cuse mistakes, and it looks upon all
criticism, self-criticism, as an at
tack. Let us have self-criticism,
even if by exposing our weakness
we give courage to opponents ana
enemies. We have weaknesses and
we must overcome them if we are
to make better Roadway in the flu
ture.
Paralysis of Factionalism.
I. The factional struggle para
lives all our activities. Comrades
who have worked together in the
future proceed against one another
a. against enemies. Even at the
top, comrades cannot boast of high
theological level, and at the bottom
it is shameful to witness. Instead
of fighting our enemies we fight
one another and neglect the work.
Difference Of principle is no reason
for factional struggle, and there IS
not enough difference CT principle
either. Criticism and discussion we
can have without factions. The in
coming Central Executive Commit
tee should appoint special COM
mission to deal with all signs OF
factionalism and also discrimina-
ton. Factionalism should be eradi-
Gated even if expulsions become
necessary, and it will depend on the
Majority at the convention, on its
tact, how few expulsions we will
need.
Z. Reorganization of the Party
Tho reorganization of the Party or
the basis Of shop nuclei meant the
spreading of our activities IN the
shops and factories and linking Of
our campaigns with the economic
conditions and daily struggles Of the
workers; it meant systematic re
cruiting Of the best proletarian ele
ments in the shops on the basis O
our activities in their midst; i
meant the proletarianization of TIL
Party: it meant drawing in workers
from the shops by using their con
ditions in our literature and propa
gAnda.
Defects Of Shop Nuclei.
But how have we carried tina
through? In the New York District
the strongest district, we have les
than score of shop nuclei, if yo
do not count "shops" under Part
management. Nonlinally we hav
been reorganized, but the donlinan
organization is the so-called factor
district unit. This differs from tn
old territorial local only III on
point, that the territory is based o
place Of work instead Of residenc
In all other things they are ider
tical. The old local held conglon
Grafton Of trades and occupation
The factory unit may have as man
lines Of work as it has member
In 4 New York unit you may fir
! few needle workers, not necessa
;Iy Of the same trade, and Their
FORE concerned with different pro-
lens; few office workers, tax
driver, restaurant workers, laund1
workers. clerks and other such. al