The daily worker., 1934-10-05

states regularly vote the Commu-
mist ticket in the elections although
they are not members of the Party
This is good and we must multiply
such workers a hundred times.
But what would happen if every
such worker would give this as ar
answer? This shows that those ot
the workers who use this argument
do not yet fully appreciate the role
of the Communist Party in the Or
ganization and leadership of the
daily struggles of the workers, ir
the preparations of the masses fol
the overthrow of capitalism. With
out the Communist Party the
workers cannot advance tn ell
struggle, cannot defeat the enemy
who is well organized. Lenir
stressed this question at all times
and pointed to the fact that the
Russian workers were able to over
throw Czsrism and capitalism be-
cause Of the existence of a strong
and steeled Party of the working
class.
"Too Busy" to Join"
Another argument advanced is:
Il am too busy in my shop, in my
union, ETC." This also is not a
valid argument for those who be-
lieve in the Party and follow It's
lead in the struggle. 1t is just
because you are active in the shop,
in the trade union, fighting for the
policies of the Party, that you
should belong TO the Communist
Party. For in this way you will be
able to get more results through
your efforts. You will meet with
other Party members in your shop
in the shop nucleus) and in the
trade union (the trade union frac-
tom discuss your problems, and
how best to solve them.
Will this take up much Of your
time? The answer is that If you
are active in your shop. in your
trade union, then you are active
Just where our Party urges its
members to carry on their major
activity. 1t will, therefore. not re-
quire much more time except for
the Party meeting once a week.
But for this extra time you will be
repaid by the fact that you will
know better than now how to do
what you are doing, and your work
will be more effective.
Don't Know Enough Yet"
Another reason advanced some
times by workers is, "I am not
ready to join because I have not
sufficient theoretical knowledge"
This is certainly not good ar
gument The Party will teach you.
Through classes if YOU wish, but
primarily through the discussions
in the Party Organizations of the
practical work which you are car
rying on now. If you are a class
conscious worker striving to do
your best for your class, that is all
that you need to be eligible to be-
come a Party member. The rest
YOU will learn and with less effort
than If you are outside the Party.
Fear of Rigid Discipline"
Some workers state that they
would join but they "fear the dis
cipline in the Party" What is the
discipline in the Party? 1t is only
the carrying through collectively Of
policies and actions in the inter-
ests of the workers, such as you
are now striving to carry through
in your activity.
The Communist Party is VOL
untary organization based on g
common program and tactics by
the membership. In the Party
there is full democracy for the
members to discuss problems and
come TO a decision. It is only to
those who are not in agreement
with the Party policies that disci-
pline is a burden. In time, such
people find their way out of the
Party.
To the workers who honestly
fight for their class interests, disci-
pline is no burden at all. In fact,
it is joy to work collectively for
a common goal. Each member Is
given tasks in line with his or her
ability, training, free time, etc.
Or finally, sometimes we even
hear, it costs too much to belong
to the Party and I am making little
money" This is also not a good
argument. The Party dues are
based on the earnings and are paid
on percentage basis. Those who
earn les pay less. All other
financial obligations are for the
most part voluntary, and no doubt
even as a non-Party worker you
already share these burdens.
If you have any other questions
that you wish cleared up we will
be glad to discuss them through
the Daily Worker OF through a per-
sonal letter if you wish.
We appeal to you to consider the
question we have raised: "Why
don't you join the Communist
Party?" And answer by rIling out
an application card for member
ship.
THE COMMUNIST PARTY, U.sA.