The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1935-01-21
Party Life
Philadelphia Unit
Criticizes "Leftism"
In Unemployed Work

In Unemployed Work
There is a disease present
within the leadership of the
Unemployment Councils that
threatens the continuance of
an effective un m ploy e d
movement in Philadelphia.
This disease is Left Commu-
nism. It appears today that leader
ship constitutes itself chiefly in the
ability to lead militant denonstra-
tons. The demonstration is looked
upon rightly as the high-point of
organizational and agitational acti-
witty but its relation to continued
organiZational and agitational activ-
ity is lost sight of. There remains
only the isolated demonstration in
its relation to and its effects upon
the capitalist class and its represen-
tatives AS a result the demonstra-
ton does not assume an integral
position in the ever-rising tide of
revolutionary action. The tendency
is always to make this demonstra-
ton the strongest. the most militant
that we have yet had. Consequently
one Of two things happens either
the leading comrades are able under
certain conditions to whip I'D the
appearance of a fighting spirit
which does not truly represent the
political level of most of the work.
ers.
What must be the tactics Of the
leaders under such circumstances,
demonstrations, etc? First, the
leaders must at all times be
thoroughly integrated with the
workers, in the closest spirit with
them, knowing their true reactions
and desires. Second, If a mass
spirit Of assured resentment and
militancy is present then the lead
ers must use the demonstration as
weapon for mobilizing, organizing.
and pointing this spirit in the cor
rect direction-for greater relief, for
defense against police attacks, etc.
Third, If the leader of the worker
remains at all times simply lead
ing worker, therefore one of them,
responsive to them, presenting their
demands, and Offering correct guild
ance, should be quick to note the
temper as well as the pitch of the
spirit manifested by workers
Thus, even with a large group of
workers it would be correct to avoid
carrying tactics to such point as
would provide pretext for a police
attack Of it be at all preventable)
as by refusing to give a name or
address, determination to hold a
meeting without permit, etc.. when
the temper of the workers militancy
is not yet sufficiently substantial
for the undertaking Of active defen-
sive measures.
R. G. UNIT 7O1, Philadelphia, Pa.
|
Comment by COmrade Israel Amter
The issues that the comrades
raise are correct in a certain sense.
In all Of our work we must lay the
greatest stress upon the leaders be-
ing in the closest daily contact with
the masses so that they not only
understand the need of the masses,
but also through their contact they
are able to educate the workers
There Is a great tendency par
ticularly in unemployed work to de-
pend chiefly upon demonstratiye &C
ton as a means of arouSing the I'M
employed masses. 1t is true that
such demonstrative actions tend to
dramatize their struggles and en-
able us to establish locals of the
Unemployment Council through the
mass mobilization of the workers.
However, this can only take place
on unusual occasions A mass DEM
onstration should not be the begin
ming but the climax of hard day.
to-day plugging work in organization
in the locality.
1t certainly is incorrect to "pro-
woke" police attacks. We do not
say this from the standpoint of the
police, but because the workers are
still filled with the idea of legalism
and cannot understand why such
technical details as getting permits,
ETC., are not complied with if this
makes easier the possibility of
carrying on work. Thus, the re-
fusal to ask for permit not only
plays directly into the hands of the
police but also confuses the work
ers. We should at all times ask
for a permit and then, if such permit
is refused we will be able to better
mobilize masses of workers to de-
mand their rights than otherwise
We must at all times put down
as basis:
I'd The leaders must be in the
closest contact with the workers in
their daily struggles
(2) Basic work is in the organi-
cation and in the locality taking ur
the daily needs of the workers.
90 Demonstrations except on
special occasions = sudden relief
cuts, strikes, ETC.. should be cul-
mination and not the beginning OF
activity.
"a Technical requirements should
be complied with provided they dc
not interfere with the rights of the
workers and the denial of such