The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-03-25
By PHIL BART.

I
FOR the first time in the history of our Party
/ have we succeeded in rallying over million
workers to demonstrate on International I'm
employment Day. This number can very well
compare with those in the larger parties IN
Europe This demonstration therefore opens
new problems for US We have already had
demonstrations, such as Sacco-Vanzetti, which
were partially legal, and we were permitted
the use of the squares in the various cities
In this demonstration, however, we found that
with very few exceptions, struggles took place
between the police and the workers for the
right of the streets.
In Analysing the experiences we must point
out in the beginning that in each city we are
faced with somewhat different problems. First
", the question of certain squares, where the
workers have established tradition of meet
ing, such as the Cleveland Public Square, New
York Union Square, etc. In Detroit, however,
no such central place is in existence Secondly,
the question of reaching these squares, which
are different in various cities. The writer,
however. having mostly experience with De-
troit will therefore confine himself to that city
primarily. However, some basic principles are
applicable all over.
Especially at this time is it important to
take this question up seriously and with all
called upon to prepare for an even greater
on May First 1t is therefore
necessary for US in the shortest possible time
to estimate our experiences, look over our
shortcomings, and to correct our mistakes
Some Criticisms of Detroit.
The resolution of the District Committee COR
rectly states that, "though ORIGINATING on a
large outpouring of the masses and applying
correctly the line of the Central Committee,
we underestimate the tremendous response of
the masses to the call of the Party" While
everyone expected large outpouring of mass
es, no one estimated the possibility of 100000
workers responding. That this figure is not
exaggerated is observed by all capitalist pap
ers. The Detroit Times admits that there was
a larger turnout than on Armistiee Day. .
Our strategy was not entirely suited to the
large number of workers. 1t was necessary
for US to change our strategy with the new
situation. Here again the resolution points
out that, e.. The steering committee at. the
demonstration suffered from too much formal
ism and lack of initiative" 1t was the duty
. of that committee to adapt itself to the new
problems. This it did not do While Commu-
nists are expected to carry out instructions,
this must not be done mechanically. Commu-
nists must be flexible and adapt themselves to-
new situations as they arise, in order correctly
to give leadership.
Gathering Before Demonstration.
In the past we used to gather our forces in
various halls and send the comrades to their
designated places. This plan does no longer
work today. We have seen for example in
Chicago and Detroit where meetings were raid
ed prior to the demonstration and wholesale
arrests took place. Therefore the congregating
of large numbers Of workers in our halls would
-. --s.,> L. IL
leadership from the demonstration by arresting
many of the leading comrades.
This does not preclude that we are to give
up the idea of marching to the demonstration.
This can be done by holding meetings at fac
tory gates and getting the workers in large
numbers to go to the demonstration in an or
ganized way. Similarly the calling of strikes
and having these workers march from their
place of work to the demonstration. It can
also be arranged for small groups of workers
to meet in different homes in a certain vicinity
(if possible near the place Of the demonstra-
tion), and each group as it walks along will
meet with the next group until all of them
have been gathered together. Then organized
in large body they march to a designated
place Similar groups can be organized in diff
ferent parts Of the city, each to march from
a different direction. But as much as possible
this should be timed so that each section reach
es its assigned place at about the same time.
The Leadership of the Demonstration.
To have a successful demonstration it is
necessary to throw in the whole Party force
The Third Congress of the Comintern points
out on this question, "The backbone of the
demonstration must be formed by we'll in
structed and experienced group. Of diligent of
ficials, mingling among the masses !" With
an organized and diligent group Of comrades
we can successfully carry through our tasks.
This has been demonstrated in Campus Martius.
While the workers responded militantly to the
attacks Of the police, there was noticed lack
of leadership in fighting in an organized man