The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-10-02
Senator Wheeler Discovers a
Dictator in the Soviet
Union
BY VIM. z. FOSTER
Prisoner No. $3.50
Communist Candidate for Governor of
New York State)

capitalist governments for war against the Soviet
Union every conceivable form of propaganda is
used to dscredit the first Workers Republic in
the eyes of the workers, that the latter may be
deferred from rallying miltantly to its defense.
One of the favorite attacks of this kind is the
assertion that Comrade Stain, Secretary of the
Russian Communist Party is an absolute dictator
in the Soviet Union and that tyranny prevails
there. 1855
Stains "ron Hand"
This lying argument is repeated constantly in
the capitalist press. One sees it on every hand.
Even many friends of the Soviet Union who
advocate diplomatic recognition retail it in>var-
ious forms For example Senator Wheeler, who,
just returned from the U. S S. r. is now running
series of articles in the Hearst papers proposing
recognition of the Soviet Union by the United
States. He says that Stain rules with an iron
hand that he almost completely dominates"
the government, that there is no free speech in
Russia that even the most prominent Party
members don't dare to speak out, etc.
That there is a dictatorship in the Soviet Union
is true, but it is not dictatorship of any indv-
iduaI. 1t is the dictatorship of the proletariat,
the rule Of the working class through its Party,
the Communist Party. That is, the workers in
alliance with the poorer peasantry, all in
dustries and the land, and govern the country
the social parasite classes such rich farmers
the few remaining capitalists clericals and other
producers being denied the right of citizen
ship. The difference between the proetarian
dictatorship in the Soviet Union and the capitalist
that the former carries on the government and
the whole social process in the interest of the
great mass of producers while the latter exploits
the toiling masses for the benefit of the capitalist
class who own the great industries, the banks,
etc.
REAL Democracy
Contrary to such capitalist politicians as
Wheeler, the only real democracy in the world
today mot for capitalist parasites but for useful
workers) prevails in the Soviet Union. The
,baro Of al
activity. In the industries and in their general
political life they criticize and direct the in
dustral and political policies with a thoroughness
utterly unknown in capitalist countries. Their
great Communist Party, gigantic trade unions
and immense CO. operatives, all Economically
controlled, have equal in other countries.
In such Workers Republic dictator is abso-
lutely impossible. And Stain is not dictator.
He is the foremost leader of the Russian Com
munist Party, indeed, of the world revolutionary
movement. He is "the best pupil of Lenn," the
clearest MARKHAM of the present day. Stain en-
joys great prestige. This he has won by his life
time of splendid revolutionary service. Especially
has his work been outstanding since the death
of Lenin In 1924, when Stain, far more than any
other figure, has been able to find and forge
ahead upon the correct path of socialist develop
ment through the maze Of difficulties and dangers
confronting the revolution in this crucial period.
Free Speech in the U. S. S. r.
1t is a plain lie when capitalist apoogists say.
there is no free speech in Russia" and that
one dares speak out. The fact is there is more
real rank and file political discussion in the
Soviet Union then any half dozen capitalist coun-
: tries. Time and again the masses of workers
have been plunged into great discussions, Of the
terrific problems that have faced the revolution.
Typical Of these were the great debates over the
questions raised by Trotsky and Bucharin. This
is quite aside from the instant flood of rank and
file self criticism of every Soviet activity Such
discussions penetrate into every factory every
village, every army unit, etc, with thoroughness
and intensity quite unknown in any other coun-
try. Then the great rank and file of the Party
speaks and the issue is decided. So, democratic
cally. works the Communist Party Of the Soviet
Union, 4
In the Soviet Union leadership depends upon
ability to see the right road and to lead the
masses militantly along it. Failure by any In
dividual, however great may have been his past
services, to meet these severe requirements means
his Elimination as leader. This is the iron law