The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-01-10
By /. AMTER.

THE Central Committee, faced with many
problems some of the not least important
of which are financial problems has decided
on change in the dues system in the Party.
According to this system the members of
the Party will not pay flat rate-which was
not supposed to be the case in the past at least,
theoretically, but in practice was true, but will
pay according to income. Certainly on this
basis there could be nothing more equitable.
According to your income you will be asked
to support the Party financially"
The &C. has asked worked out the plan
that comrades earning SIS week or less and
housewives shall pay 10c weekly as dues. From
SIS to $25, 25s weekly, $25 to $50, sos, $31 to
$40, Use weekly, SAL to $50, 81 weekly, above
$50, 81 plus special tax.
On the basis of proportionate dues sys-
tenn, nothing could be more fair. According
to his or her income, each member shall
able the Party to carry on its work This is
only the financial aspect of the question:
Now to take up a few special features of
the decision First of all the weekly basis of
the payments. 1t is well known that when
comrade falls into arrears for few months
he finds it difficult to meet his obligations
This has so often been the case, that we find
comrades willing to drop out of the Party,
because of their inability to meet their arrears.
If payments are made on weekly basis-with
all provisions being made for the stamps, ETC.
the members of the Party will be able to meet
their obligations without any trouble.
AS the amount of dues-beginning with the
lowest income category. No one will declare
that those having an income of only Sis
wee.i-and all housewives-should contribute
ess than 10 cents weekly. On the basis of month
ly dues, 45 cents seems more for the MEM
Der has to pay it in one sum, and frequently
has not the money. On the basis of weekly
payments, he will be able to meet it without
difficulty MANY comrade with an income
of this size does not hesitate to buy cigaret-
ties, go to movie, ETC., so that this difficulty is
metz AS to housewives, today they pay rs cts.
monthly, and yet these same housewives do
not hesitate also to go to the movie to buy
knicknacks-and although henceforth their
dues though paid weekly will amount to more
per month, they will be able to pay them in
:uch small sums that they will not be noticed.
81 e the rising categories it is again true
that the amount paid per month will be more,
but owing to the fact that the payments are
weekly, they will not be noticed much.
Is the progressive dues system correct? No
comrade will question it. Is the rate of rise
in the dues too great? Considered monetarily
some comrades will declare emphatically in the
affirmative. And yet not only in New York,
but in other districts, the comrades forget
that even those who paid nominally so cents
dues, actually paid more in the form of
tax for the upkeep of hall, for renting
loom. etc This is the practice throughout
ne Party-an unavoidable practice owing to
the lack of meeting places. Thus the new sys-
TEN does not tax the membership to the ex-
tent that supposes.
1t will be noticed that all comrades earn
ing more than ISL will pay not only 81 week
in dues, but will be subject to special taxes.
No comrade earning that sum of money has
the right to object for the basis of financial
support must be leach according to his
means
Does the new dues system represent too
great tax upon the membership? If one re
CARDS some of the European parties, will
find that the system of go or 80 of ones
earnings in dues has been in vogueAfor some
years. 1t is a correct system, and has a justi-