The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-09-12
By JOHN sFEUBEN.


THERE are great many lessons that Che revo-
lutionary movement and the working class
as a whole can learn from the present struggle
of the textile workers in Paterson. The first
lesson is that wherever the united front policy
from below is correctly applied our revolution
airy unions, no matter how weak they were yes
terday, can become mass organizations and be
the decisive factor in the struggle Of the work
ers against the offensive of the bosses The Sec
ond lesson is that the outcome of the strike
greatly depends on the preparatory work inside
the mills, which means not only general agita-
ton and propaganda but actual organization Of
workers inside the mills and shops and those
play a decisive role in crystalIizing discomfort
and militancy into struggles. The third and
foremost lesson is the great responsibility placed
upon us in a situation when the social reform
lists are attempting to break a strike through
declaring another strike" and two strikes are
taking place in one industry at the same time.
The fourth lesson is the fact that the Paterson
strike completely and thoroughly exposed and
unmasked the slightest doubt the real role Of
the Lovestone renegades as an integral part of
social refOrmism in the United States
The first two lessons are not entirely new to
our movement the struggle Of the coal miners
and the furriers in New York City already
brought substantial results in the process Of
our practical application of the united front
policy. Paterson therefore, only enriches our
experiences along these lines. The third and
fourth lesson however, while theoretically is
nothing new either, but in practical life and
struggles it is something new and therefore de-
serves utmost attention.
The National Textile Workers Union for a
period of many weeks has energetically prepared
for a strike in Paterson. AS one of the first
steps in this direction, the N T. W. q. initiated
a broad campaign for united front movement
among the workers regardless of their union af-
filiation, or whether the workers were morgan
lied, so long as the workers were ready to strug-
gle against the present unbearable conditions
that prevail in the industry. The textile work
ers responded enthusiastically to the call for
unity among the workers and the struggle
against the bosses. At a mass meeting, one Of
the largest meetings ever held in Paterson, the
workers elected a rank and file united front
committee consisting of members Of the Ma
tional Textile Workers Union, United Textile
Workers. Associated Silk Workers, and unor-
gained workers The responsibility given to
this committee by the workers was preparations
for a general strike within the shortest period
of time. This marked the beginning Of a gen
eral strike movement that rapidly spread
throughout the city of Paterson. The United
Front Committee and the N. T. W, q. stood out
as the unchallenged leader Of the general strike
workers in Pawtucket, Central Falls Putnam,
and especially in Allentown, gave additional i'm
petus, courage, and militancy to the Paterson
workers.
1t is at this juncture that the Lovestone-
Citlow renegades who are completely isolated
from the ranks of the revolutionary movement,
losing ground day by day, decided to prove to
Music and McGrady that not only are they OPP
posed to the policies of the TUUL, but they are
ranks Of the social fascists in the struggle
against the TUUL and the revolutionary unions
These traitors stopped so low that they didn't
even attempt to cover up their policy. The
Revolutionary Age definitely declared with pride
that they were instrumental in bringing to-
gether the takers Of the United Textile Work
ers, the Associated and Music under the direct
leadership Of the A. F. of L, What was the
purpose of uniting these takers just at the same
moment when the rank and file textile workers
began to form genuine united front for strug
gle? It is so obvious, an open attempt to break
the process Of unity of the workers and thus
break the coming strike. 1t couldn't be other
wise because if Gitlow and Lovestone would have
had even one ounce Of revolutionary integrity
they would not have been on Green's and Nc
Grady's side of the struggle. On July 22nd, the
united front committee and the N. T. w. U. de-
clared general strike From the response of
the workers at the very beginning Of the strike
it was clear that the strike would rapidly de-
velop, with the possibilities Of tying up all sec
tons Of the industry! This was such shock
to these renegades, and they became so alarmed
that they proposed to the other takers to
n4ediately issue fake strike call, thus to bring
about confusion and attempt to demoralize the
solid front Of the workers. The A. F. Of L.
blpeaucrats together with Music accepted the
clever policy of their new colleagues and de-
clared strike on August Bird. They inme
diately enlisted the support Of the bosses for
the august Bird strike" 1t didn't take long for
the bosses to recognize their friends-the good
old A. F. of L. fakers-and they began forcing
the workers to take out cards from the A. F.
of L. Even the Mayor of Paterson issued a.
statement calling upon the textile workers not
to strike and wait till August 3rd because it
will be a respectable strike" This marked the
beginning of the strikebreaking activities of
Lovestone and Gitlow in Paterson, they became
the theological leaders Of the A. F. of L. bureau
cracy. This also marks the beginning of terror
and intimidation against the rank and file
workers. Despite the treacherous activities Of