Montana labor news., 1936-07-09
Communist Convention
Outlines Its Policies

NEW YORK-(FP)-"The direct
issue of the 1886 elections is not So
cialism or capitalism, but rather de-
mocracy or Fascism. At the same
time we emphasize, and will always
emphasize, that a consistent struggle
for democracy and progress leads in
evitably, and in the not distant fu-
ture, to the Socialist revolution"
Thus, in his keynote address to the
ninth national convention, meeting at
New York, General Secretary Earl
Browder sized up the present-day po-
litical situation as seen by the Com
munist party. The party, to use Brow
der's words, does not employ the tao
tics Of 1882 to the situation Of 1885,
and the application of the much-dis-
cussed new line" was evident through
out convention proceedings as the
party planned to direct its main cam
paign attack against Landon, while at
the same time not supporting Roose-
welt.
The new line" was also evident in
numerous cordial gestures in the direc-
ton Of liberals and Socialists, who have
frequently been appealed to in recent
months to join with Communists in a
Farmer-Labor party movement and in
campaigns against Fascism and for a
variety OF immediate detectives.
Steady gains in party membership
and influence were reported by dele
gates and functionaries. Present
membership was announced as 10000,
with an additional 1000 in the Young
Communist League, an increase Of 90
per cent in two years.
Recognizing that the great majority
are not as yet prepared to turn to So
cialism," Browder outlined a series Of
detectives for an American peoples
front Cd restoring and raising living
standards Of the masses; (2) CONSOLE
dating and extending social and labor
legislation; (3) curbing the usurped
power Of the Supreme Court; "a re-
storing control OF the government to
representatives of peoples ~organiza-
tons; % uniting with the peace forces
Of the world TO keep America out Of
war by keeping war out Of the world"
Neither the Republican party nor
Roosevelt are headed in this direction,
Browder declared. The Republicans
"unquestionably represent the full re-
dictionary program, formulated by
William Randolph Hearst" Roose-
welt and his administration are trying
to pursue a middle course, Browder
said, but, especially in the last year,
"Roosevelt's course has been a series
of retreats before the offensive of re-
action when he has the most support
from the left; he fights reaction only to
the degree that he thinks necessary to
hold labor and progressive forces from
breaking away"
I'VE clearly and sharply differen-
tate between Landon and Roosevelt"
said the Communist spokesman. 1--WE
declare that L.andon is the chief en-
I envy, direct our main fire against him,
do everything possible 10 shift masses
away from voting for him ever though
we cannot win their votes for the Com
munist party, even though the result
is that they vote for Roosevelt. This
il not an example Of the policy of the
lesser evil which led the German
workers to disaster; we specifically and
constantly warn against any reliance
upon Roosevelt, we criticize his sur
renders to reaction and the many points
in which he fully agrees with reac-
ton; we accept no responsibility for
| Roosevelt"