The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-12-21
BY n. B. HUDSON

'DFhe organization Of firm basis
Of our Party and the revolutionary
trade union movement among the
decisive strata Of the American
workers in the most important in
dustrtaI centcrs."
This Is the first task outlined in
the Open Letter. One OF the most I'M
portant industries in Baltimore, Phil
adephia and Boston is marine. It
is time to ask ourselves to what ex-
tent the Party in these districts have
begun to carry out the line of the
open letter.
In the period since the Party Con-
ference the Party and revolutionary
trade unions have made considerable
progress in the marine industry.
In comparison with the situation
six months ago we are far better of.
But in comparison with the favor
able possibilities that have, and still
do exist, we have merely scratched
the surface.
Only the daily, systematic applica-
ton Of correct mass policy can re-
suit In winning the workers in the
basic industries. The extent to which
we carry through this daily system
attic work is best reflected during the
course Of struggles. An examination
OF some. recent struggles that have
taken place In these Districts will en-
able us to find out to what extent the
Party committees have made turn
in their work.
Strikes In Baltimore
Baltimore has been the scene OF
the most important struggles that
have taken place in the marine in
dustry in ten years. A number Of i'm
portant ship strikes, led by the Ma
rine Workers Industrial Union have
taken place. The union played a ma
Tor role in the militant strikes OF
the International Longshoremen's
Association and was the instru-
ment for developing united action
OF the seamen and longshoremen
During the course of these struggles
there was mass response to our slo-
gans and we made some Roadway ir
exposing and isolating the LILA. Of
iicials. Largely through the initia-
tive Of the M.WI.U. the strike move
ment spread and for q short time
actually became general strike
Four hundred police were inoi1lized
to break the strike, machine guns
were openly mounted on the docks
and ships and militant clashes be-
tween the strike and police occurred.
In no other industry in Baltimore
have such militant struggles &C.
Cured. In no other industry in Balti-
more has the Party so much influ-
ence and a more solid base among
the workers. In no other industry ir
Baltimore has the Party SO many
capable and willing proletarian forces
to work with,
The Leadership Of the Party
To what extent did the Party Com
mittee in Baltimore give leadership
to these forces and how was tn,
Party mobilized for the support o.
these struggles?
Despite the mass character OF the
strikes the Section Committee wa.
not aroused to the Importance OF the
situation and no steps were taken tx
establish close contact with the stu.
alton. It is reported that several time!
during the course OF the strike thu
comrades spent hours and hours try
ing to find the Section Committee II
order to get advice upon important
questions Of policy that arose. Effort
to get additional forces and supper
to carry on the struggle were ur1suc'
cessful. No political guidance, littl'
practical support-this is the char
acterization OF the situation, made b.
the District Organizer from Phila
delp11ia, at q meeting of the Section
Bureau in Baltimore, and which wa
accepted by them.
The complete isolation Of tn
Party Committee from the situation
is best illustrated by the reaction
made to an injunction which was is
sued near the conclusion of the strike
This Injunction, issued at the reques
Of the lila. officials, supposedly wa
to restrain the police from interior
ing with the picketing OF the docks
The capitalist papers were full o
stories that the so-called injunction
was in the interests of the workers
Surely this maneuver deserves an ex
PLANTATION to the workers. But it
doubtful whether the section is eve
aware that it was issued because tn
Party and union have never issued
statement ON 1t! Neither has any Sc