The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-06-12
BY MAX HARRIS.
Conditions in Lehigh Valley Prove Decaying
Capitalism.

Conditions in Lehigh Valley Prove Decayirg
Capitalism.
ONE need not look to the South for some of
Vthe grossest examples of the decaying cap
italist system. In many respects some of these
can be found among the condi-
lions of the workers in the Lehigh Valley. Here
we find impressive economic crisis, with mass
reaching an enormous stage,
which the local capitalist press was finally
forced to take cognisance of. In order to hide
the seriousness of the unemployment situation,
the press carries fake editorials promising
future prosperity for the workers, while corrupt
politicians are trying their level best to
the mood of the masses with the usual fake
relief measures and road building programs.
The Allentown Chamber of Commerce readily
extends an open hand to merchants looking for
location where they exploit the workers
to their hearts content. This is done by point
ing out to the greedy bosses that the vast
ajority of the workers are native born, coming
from Pennsylvania dutch ancestry, docile and
immune from any form of union organization,
And in order to make sure tht the workers
remain docile and immune from organization,
we find such fascist outfits as the Klu Klux
Klan Daughters Of the American Revolution
American Legion, ETC., carrying on the usual
bosses propaganda among the workers. This
is done by stirring up race prejudice, anti
semitism, fomenting nationahsn, and espe-
cially Installing within the minds of the work
ers a hatred for "those damned Reds" The
seventy-two churches of Allentown and the
many other religious organizations and institu-
lions located in the Valley, also contributing
their bit for the "downtrodden BOSSES"
1t is not accidental therefore that quite
number of new industries have been established
in the Lehigh Valley. Still others, such
dress goods, textile and leather, have moved
their plants here from N. Y. and other large
cities. The bosses have entered the Valley
with these additional industries in order to take
advantage of the much advertised "docile and
cheap labor"
Native Workers In Revolt Against Bosses
However, following the example of the awak-
enng proletariat in the South, the native born
workers are gradually showing signs of milt-
ancy and are fighting against the vicious ex-
plotation of their labor power. The spontane-
Gus strikes (Allentown, Easton, Nazareth,
Strousburgh Slatington) which consisted main
ly of native born workers. are definite proof of
the awakening RESPONSIVENESS amongst
these workers
Wage cuts, curtailed production, mass unem-
ployment and further intensified rationaiza-
mills, Mack Truck and Bethlehem Steel COM
panies, have greatly served to strengthen the
militancy and spirit for organization among
the workers. In order to offset all attempts
at organization the capitalist class has resorted
to legalized terror, and holds the criminal syn
dicalist law as whip over the heads of the
workers. An attempt to hold a mass meeting
in Bethlehem a few months ago resulted in
a raid by the local police and the arrests of
comrades Burlak, Murdoch, and Brown. Charles
Schwab, who recently made an untrue state
ment on the wonderful prosperity" confronting
the American workers, has made sure that his
own slaves shall not hear the other side of the
story of this prosperity" he promises them.
This legalized terror has also been encountered
in Easton where attempts to hold meetings and
organize the workers have been smashed by
the hirelngs of the local capitalists.
The present conditions with their radicalizing
effect among all varieties of workers in the
Valley, afford our Party ample opportunity
for growth and influence. This is highly in
dustrialized section in the state of Pennsyl-
vania, and contains such industries as textile,
rayon steel, leather and automobile. Despite
the favorable situation and the many oppor-
tunities afforded through the various strikes,
the Party has not been able to gain any real
organzational results or root its influence
amongst the masses of native and foreign born
workers. This shortening must be analysed
in the light of Bolshevik self criticism, so that
we can be better prepared to overcome our diff
ficulties, and gain the full fruits of our future
activity in the Valley.
Looseness of Organization is Barrier.
The main barrier toward the growth of the
Party has been the low theological level and or
ganzatonal loseness prevailing in the section.
Due to the past Lovestonite leadership, no seri-
Gus attempts have been made towards the ideol-
ogical development of the comrades. Tl sec
ton a whole was abounded by the district
and was mainly used for factional purposes in
maneouvering for delegates. AS result prac-
tically no Communist activity was carried on,
and the units developed into Family circles"
instead of regular functoning Communist units
Meetings were not held regularly and no func-
tioning section executive or other important
committees were established The new turn
which the Comintern established for our Party
brought to the surface some Of the fruits of
the past degenerated leadership. Due to
complete lack of the fundamental principles of
the Communist Movement, many good proet-
arian clements dropped out of the Party COM
pletely with the announcement of the new
dues system, and the general political reorgan-
ization of the Party. AS a result the Easton
Unit consisting approximately of 80 members