The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-04-25
A WORKINGCLASS POLICY IN
THE COOPERATIVES

The struggle for a0orking class policy IN
= the cooperative movement, noW gong on
among the Finnish 1OorkerS, deals auth such
fundamental problems of the entire 10orklng
class, and aUith such an important section OF
the revolutionary acorkerS' Increment IN the
United States, that it becomes a document OF
Uital interest to the entire Increment inc
Daily Worker has Just received the author
ICED English translation, and hdstens to puo-
lish it for the benefit OF all revolutionary
aoorkers, as 1cell as for the Finnish Increment
achick already has received 1t in the Fu'1lish.
(Continued)
In opposition to Halonens opportunlsm the
Communists should also in the cooperative
movement pursue clear-cut proletarian class
line. A more vigorous struggle must be waged
also on this front Not even the slightest
thought can be allowed that the Communists IN
this field want s. bmissively to collaborate with
the social-fascists. All tendencies of this sort,
inasmuch as they still to be observed IN our
ranks, must be rooted out The socialist, lWN.
and similar leaders, must be mercllessly eX-
posed before the masses as traitors to the IN
terests of the workers also on the question OF
the cooperative movement. 1t is quite other
wise, of course, with regard to collaboration
with the workers belonging to socialist and
l.H.N. organizations. new HieHlpeIs anu wi
lowers are constantly to be recruited amongst
them, and especially among the non-Party
workers Taking the concrete particular prob
lens of the cooperative movement, and of each
cooperative separately (the question of prices
the struggle against private dealers, trusts,
protective tariffs, sabotage on the part of the
reactionary reformist leaders of the coopera-
tive society, etc. a basis, the connection
between these special issues with the general
problems of thu class struggle should be shown
to the rank and file members with view to
earning their confidence and controlling the
cooperatives according to strictly proletarlan
class policy (Which of course, does not permit
the slightest negligence in the matter of care
full and efficient run ing of the business and
the commercial and financial operations, or
the efficient handling of technical work.. 1t
should be pointed out to the members that the
enemy cannot be defeated by means of con-
slant compromises and concessions and that
victory is possible only by means of ruthless
revolutionary class struggle; that that can be
done only if the largest possible number of
members of the cooperatives too become active
organizers and agitators in the proletarian
class struggle. The question here is much wider
than that of mere financial support of strikers
or victims of the class struggle by the coop
eratives, which by itself is important and at
times very much so. The question is above all
that the cooperatives do not content themselves
with this support but simultaneously with this
activity and through the same as well as in
addition to this financial support help to rally,
organize and prepare the masses and train
active cadres for the proletarian revolution,
for the final struggle for power.
This undoubtedly means turn in coopera-
tive work of the Finnish Communists of the
United States, turn called for by the
quirements of the present situation.
A similar turn is also necessary in the ac-
tivities of the workers societies and of the
clubs. We spoke at the beginning of this let
ter Of Right deviation and of retrogression
to be observed in this activity. The time has
come now to put stop to this and to strike
new course.
What are the principal tasks of the Finnish
comrades in these workers organizations?
l. To train in them new, conscious, capable,
and active Communists for the Communist Par
ty of America and for it's work.
2. To help in the mobilization of the Finnish
workers for the pressing mass conflicts of the
American workers and for drawing them into
the proletarian mass organizations primarily
the revolutionary trade unions and the Young
Communist League (and the workers coopera-
tive movement).
8. To see to it that they carry on steady
mass educational work among the Finnish
workers and small farmers, that they circulats
the Communist press and organize all sorts of
educational work of a revolutionary nature
in the Finnish language, especially in counter
acting the propaganda of the Finnish white
guards and supporting the revolutionary labor
movement of Finland (also the activities of
the Workers International Relief, and popu-
larizing the achievements and the experiences
of and defending the Soviet Union.
To be able to fulfill these important tasks
change of policy is necessary in the activities
OF the Finnish mass organizations.
Down with out-of- date narrowness and Sc
clusiveness!
Open the doors that new proletarian masses
may enter!
The Finnish miners and other workers of
Minnesota and Wisconsin must be drawn into
the organizations by the thousands All &C.
tivities must be in class spirit and of a class
character so that the organization may become
political school for its members. Protection
OF the property of the organization must not
obstruct its correct activity on the basis of
militant class program. The separatism and
exclusiveness of the women in the organization
must also be overcome.