The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-04-07

EbAC1sUo ENVtAutNAN III MEEANo
stachePs speech was frequently
interrupted with approving applause,
and sharp and rapid cross-fire, in
his polemic with some comrades.
Why do we stress winning the
leadership Of the economic strug-
gles?7 he asked. Why DO We en-
phaSize the plunging of the whole
Party into trade union work, the
building Of revolutionary trade
unions, the winning of the workers
in the independent trade unions,
building trade union oppositions in
the reformist unions? Because the
economic struggles particularly at
this moment are the links through
which me can arouse the masses to
struggle, and guide them in the de-
velopment Of these struggles towards
revolutionary struggles.
We are able thus to subject to
criticism and the fire of actual
struggle Of the masses the policies
and deeds Of their enemies. the fas-
cist and social-fascist leaders. The
morkers are able to see our policies.
our tactics, our deeds, and learn
revolutionary lessons.
The relationship Of economic de-
mands to the struggle for power has
been excelIently developed by Com
rsde Browder"
Traces History Of Struggle
Comrade Stachel then went out
to trace the history Of the workers
economic struggles during the
Hoover regime, up through the New
Deal, pointing out that Roosevelt
was continuing and developing the
original no-strike alliance made by
Green & Co with Hoover.
The main cause for the weak
role we play in the economic strug-
giles" he said. "hes in the fact that
we have not yet fully and with suf-
ficient energy and understanding
carried through the Open Letter
and the control tasks we set our
selves. We were especially weak in
carrying through our concentration
tasks. and they have told against us
in the course Of the huge strike wave
Of a growing political character. We
have not succeeded in mohihzing
more than part of our members for
this fundamental task of facing the
factories. Of working within the
trade unions, and winning the
masses for struggle. We must espe-
ciallv be alarmed over developments
in mining, auto mine and textile,
where we play a decreasing role in
many instances in relation to the
past"
Masses Moving to Left
He pointed out that the masses
were moving to the left, to struggle,
3. over the heads of the A, F. Of L.
and Socialist Party leaders. After
detailing the course of the strike
wave involving over 100000 work
ers in 1888, Comrade Stachel said
These strikes showed a stubborn
and militant character. They took
on the form Of struggles against the
N.RA. They also showed the grow
ing attacks Of the Roosevelt govern
ment against the workers Before
the N.R.A. came into existence, the
strikes were mainly won. This en-
phasized our explanation that the
N.RA. itself was passed as weapon
to prevent strikes and increase the
exploitation of the masses with the
help of the A. F. of L. leadership.
His report next detailed the ire
mendous strike wave and sentiment
In 1884 in Alabama coal fields, in
Aluminium. marine. auto, taxi. etc
Two issues. mainly We raised in
these strikes. l. Increased wages
the right to organize, against. the
company unions q They are being
conducted over the heads Of the A
=. of L. bureaucrsts, and the re-
strike move ment showing the
tenacity Of the workers fighting
spirit. The N. r. A. is not solving
these problems, but brings to the
fore the company union.
Cites Three Eastern Strikes
Comrade Stachel dealt in detail
with the marine strike, the New
York taxi strike, and the role played
by the Communist Party, the Haver-
hill shoe strike.
Were we prepared and did we
meet the strike situation?" asked
Comrade Stachel of the delegates
I'VE were not. The bourgeoisie was
able-though through some conees-
sions in wages in auto, steel and coal
through fostering new illusions in
the N r. A, through the pressure OF
the reformists and through our in
ability as yet to lead in the face OF
obstacles and through terror - to
stop the outbreak of important
strikes in decisive industries
These opportunities faced us and we
we're not able to grasp them. We
we're not able to make the strikes of
the coal miners, steel and auto
workers, and longshoremen, tremen-
dous battles against capitalism.
Comrade Stachel showed these
failures were due to the lag IN con-
centration. What could we have
done in Detroit, for example, If we
had one shop organized. That is
why the Comintern has hammered
into our heads the importance OF
concentration. If we only had one
hammer, one factory in auto, to
break the bosses chains on the strike
movement The central committee
sent Comrade Weinstone to Detroit
to help in concentration, to help
remedy these defects.
Stresses Unemployed Work
Dealing with work among unem-
ployed he stressed the need Of ex-
tending and stabilizing the unem-
ployed movement as a permanent
organization fighting for relief and