Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1946-12-01
The CommiedemOs
By AIvuro Shoemaker


The rule-or-run faction which trying to main
tain control of the state Democratic Party organization
could be credited with sincerity in its purpose
maintain the policies of Franklin Roosevelt if it had
shown unshakeabe attachment to those principles
and policies.
So long as the Soviet Union was in effect ally of
NaZ Germany through nonaggresSion pact, and until
that fatefu June day when Hitler threw his armies
against Russia Roosevelt ''war-monger' in the
precise words of these Commy paryners and his fixed
policy to launch the United States in imperialist
the side of Great Britain with destruction of
Russia the ultimate purpose 1t not until the very
day. and hour that the Soviet forced to fight
team that the Rabbits and Pennocks and Hureys were
converted to the policies of Franklin Roosevelt"
Also their arguments for party unity" would have
greater weight if they not in fact, very small
minority of the Democratic Party. They fight obvious
" for the Communist party line and the great majority of
the Democratic rank and file is obviously against it,
that if Democrats should hold plebcite on this single
issue, the Comnies would be outvoted 100 to 1.
How then. can so insignificant segment of a great
party gain control of its machinery? First, by closely
knit organization and WORK In this method they have
given the Democrats lesson from which, if they would
they could benefit Secondly the extreme eftwing ee
nlents in the Democratic Party in this state and else
where in the nation have taken leadership genuinely
liberal and progressive advocates which have wide popular
appeal They have fought vigorously and with consider
able success, for legislation having nothing do with
Communism world ideology but applying strictly to
the American scene which has greatly benefited large
masses Of underprivileged citizens
Democratic leaders Of rightful lineage could have
done these things. They could have organized, they
could have WORKED, and they could have taken the
initiative in forwardlooking social legislation. But they
didn't In almost every the letwingers took the
initiative and rankandfle Democrats and their legisla
tive representatives strung along because popular pres
sure left them other If the Commes got the
popular credit, who is to be blamed?
The Communist policy in the United States is to make
Hank attack the established social and economic
stutona structure To advance toward their ultimate
goal they must nfiltrae into major party They have
this successfully in the Democratic Party not by
ting for Communism, but for the things the great
17es of Americans need and have if they are to
e o. even modicum of social justice.
ne Democratic Party could have made these fights on
f Of the people. And under the national leadership
z -" li0 Roosevelt it DID take such measures But
j state Of Washington liberal leadership went to the
Conn INST party liners by default while, with few excep-
tons old-time Democrats Of historic attachment to
t--- I ooked on smugly and apprehensvely welcom-
OF Communists. sharing popular appreciation
o. Democratic legislation, but fearing the day
{. ~ fo~ng
-aa- has come If the left-wingers are truly demo-
crate a minority group they will accept such status