The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-01-25
FACE TO THE WATERFRONT!

ly on the ships and docks, our comrades are
hopelessly resigned
It is true that numerically the opponent
unions are not big and are weak. Against the
Marine Workers Industrial Union there are the
International Longshoremen's Association with
$4,000 members, the International Seamens As
ISOLATION with $500 members, the I. w. w with
300 members and last of all the Associated Mar
Inc Workers Union with 5000 members. But
all these so-caed unions, due to their class col
liberation policy with the help Of the employers
and with the help of the government, will still
play an important role in breaking strikes and
selling out the workers. The field for organiz-
ing strong groups of revolutionary opposition in
these unions is very favorable because of the
great discomfort of the workers who are men,
bers of these reactionary unions due to the
strikebreaking role which the reactionary lead
ers of these unions play. But the fact is that
no work is also being carried on inside the re-
ligious and charity organizations such as the
Seamen's Friend, the Seamen's Bethel, Saliva
ton Army, YMCA, the Seamen's Church In
stitute, etc.
The Party Must Be Criticized.
The work of the fraction is very weak Until
recent times the marine workers did not feel
the guidance of the Party committees. Not only
but also in New York they did not feel the guild
ance and help of the Party organizations. No
help was given also by the Central Committee
of the Party. The Central Committee did not
mobilize the Party for the work on the water
front did not give concrete guidance to the
District Party committees in this direction.
Not long ago for the first time the Political
Buro handled and discussed the question of the
Importance of the work on the waterfront in
connection with the war danger. But the de-
cisions of the Political Bmo are not yet car
ried through by the Party and the respective
Party organizations are not modified for the
work on the waterfront. They do not make any
efforts to get nearer to the waterfront The
Party and the trade union press did not handle
the questions of the work on the waterfront.
The Party is not brought forth on the water
front before the marine and longshoremen
masses. They do not hear the voice of the
Party. There exists very many concrete facts
which manifest the impossible neglect of this
work. Amongst the seamen, we trace syndical-
list tendencies these tendencies should be ener-
getically combatted and must be overcome. The
Central Committee, therefore, must not only give
more attention but check up the carrying out
Of its decisions. We should not forget at the
same time that if we do not give the neces-
sary attention to the waterfront, the Lovestone-
ties are making energetic efforts to get cOnnec-
lions and find basis on the waterfront.
We emphasized SO sharply the weaknesses and
shortcomings, not because there no positive
gains in the union, and not because the condi-
ton is so deplorable, but because posi-
tive that by sharply self-criticizing our weak
nesses and shortcomings and drawing the at
tention of the Party and revolutionary trade
unions In the United States and securing their
very serious attention and help, it will be pos
sible with the help Of the Party and unions in
an organized manner to more quickly overcome
these weaknesses and shortcomings and create
field for the quicker growth of our union.
No, we are not afraid of self criticism We
are not afraid to openly bring out our failures
mistakes, weaknesses and shortcomings. That is
our method of overcoming the weaknesses in our
work, of modifying the masses for this purpose
This open, uncovered sef-critcism for us is
guaranty for the success and further develop
ment OF the work aheady of us.
What must we do as a whole to overcome
these weaknesses and shortcomings and guar
antee further political and organizational
strengthening?
What Must Be Done
First of all the Party and T. u U. L. must
turn their face and get politically and organ
nationally nearer to the waterfront. Good func-
tioning fractions must be built up in the union
and guidance given by the district Party COM
mittees. We also must strengthen the Party
work on the waterfront and at the same time,