The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-10
Norman Thomas Explains

efforts of the "old guard" to sabotage
united working class action against fascism and
war, Mr.. Thomas explanation OF the Boston N. E. G.
decisions will be disappointment.
Under the caption, 'NIr Thomas Explains" Sat-
urday's New York Times carries a long letter from
the militant" leader in which he fully Identifies
himself with the "od guard" opposition to revolu-
tonary Socialist policies including particularly the
united front. This explanation of his own position
is further elaboration OF his article in Saturdays
New Leader We will take up his stated position and
attempted justification point by point;
/, 1T was early agreed by a majority of the
N E c. thai there should be definite end of
united front negotiations There we're differences of
opinion concerning the way in which our position
should be stated. What the action OF The
N E c. Goes is to close the door further discus
sons at its meetings of united front negotiations,
unless and until national convention gives other
instructions" New LEADER
The National Executive Committee at its last
meeting definitely ended all talk of united front
negotiations with the Communist Party" New York
Times0
From these statements by Mr.. Thomas the de-
sire Of the N, E. c. majority. remembering always
that this majority is Mr. Thomas militant" group.
to block united front action is crystal clear. What
is most significant here is his bold declaration on
and the "militants" as to aim. Both agreed that
there should be a definite end of united front ne
goations" incidentally such negotiations had never
really begun! The only differences, according to
Mr. Thomas we're on "the way in which posi-
ton should be stated"
This brings out most clearly the true character
of the differences" between these two groups, the
"old guard" and the "mlitants' The Waldman-"old
guard" group openly and brazenly advocates re-
fecfio oft he INIT d Of
Declaration Of Principles and an alliance with the
A. F of L. bureaucracy. The Thomas militant
group advocates essentially the same reactionary
policies, and differs only with Waldman "the way
in which position should be stated" Every
worker who has had illusions as to role of Mr..
Thomas should note this admitted fact.
p "At the Boston meeting the matter of
the united front with the Communists and certain
other controversial issues were handled in keeping
with the method necessary to build an inclusive
democratcaly controlled Socialist Party New
Leader)
Il should say that it 1.-THE decision against the
united front.-Edtorl was clearly victory for that
group in the party, which 1 convinced is
majority which desires no negotiations on the united
front and an end of the waste of time discus
sion Of it" New Leader
AS for the statement that "the issues were han
died in keeping with the method necessary to buld
Party this is sheer nonsense. To begin with, the
Communist delegation denied the opportunity to
even present the proposals of the Communist Party
for united action. But still more serious refuta-
ton of this claim for inner democracy is the fact
that the NEG was factionally dominated from
start to finish. The more reactionary opponents
of the united front and of revolutionary policies
were massed in Boston to prevent any true express
sion Of inner democracy. The decisions we're fac
tonal not democratic decisions.
AS for the assertion that these decisions repre-
scented the will of the membership, this is stupid
ignoring of facts The membership overwhelmingly
adopted the Declaration of Principles which, despite
its confusion and basic omissions important ques-
tons, was an expression of the increasingly left
ward trend in the Socialist Party; it was the ex-
preston Of a desire for policy of militant struggle
against war and fascism, of desire for policy
which could only be carried through in united strug-
gle together with the Communists. In short the
adoption of the Declaration Of Principles was itself
the handing Of mandate to the NEG. for the
speedy realization of the united front with the Com
munists. There is the action of the local organi-
cations throughout the country as the most con-
elusive proof that the NEG. does not represent the
will of the membership. Local organizations by the
dozens Chicago Newark, Trumbun County etc.
had already entered into local united struggle Joint
ly with the Communists. Finally the action of the
five state organizations in the South, of Portland
of Kensington etc. since the NEG. meeting gives
the lie to Thomas's assertions. The facts are that
the Boston decisions were directly contrary to the
will Of the membership; they were factionaI and
reactionary.
- THE NEG. definitely repudated the amazing
statement in the Revolutionary Socialist Review
which was to all appearance an advocacy of armed
instruction 1t set in motion methods for dealing
constructively y with organized groups within the
party" Yes, the NEG. adopted resolution to
investigate the Revolutionary Policy Committee It
again shows the meaning of its much touted inner
democracy. With them it proposes to deal "construc
lively" The truly revolutionary forces in the party
and the r. p. c. will be "constructively" expelled
those who are characterized by merely revolution
airy phrases will make their peace with Thomas
"militants. But the reactionary "old guard" which
is actively organizing for split is not to be inves-
tigated Yet Mr. Thomas talks of democracy!
Democracy for the Right; Investigations and expul-
sions for the Left!
a But believe that the statement [of the
NE.C-Editorl as it stands handles the problem as
well as it can be handled in view of the present
the renewed bitterness of Communist at
tacks the Socialist Party and on the labor move
nent and the manifest desire of the ma iority of
The Socialist Party to close discussion on this issue