The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1947-08-15


sessions and also to tour this country that he pre-
sent "crosssection America his fellow Poles back
home He's young only %, but the patches of gray ap-
pearng in his light brown hair attest that he had
much of the Observation-Disclosures horror the Germans
parceled out to all occupied countries He's graduate
OF the University of Warsaw, class of 1940-his final
year of education having been received after the uni
Verslty and its staff took to the underground And
he's married and the father of hreeyear old daughter
"a daughter, who, growing up in the surroundings of
New York, speaks perfect English and has yet to learn
the language of her native land.
When he first in to the office Monday
ing, he looked typcaly American that at first glance
took him for book saesmen-after ALL he carry
ing copy of John Gunthers famous book Inside USA
under his and his English despite the fact he only
began to learn the language bare Is months
such that he could easily for average American.
Presentation of his card however dispelled il
IusonS had as to his being book statesmen, and with
in few moments were engaged in a rapid fire eX-
change of quesonshs about Montana its people, its
history-mne about Poland, its postwar government,
industry, labor unions, etc.
From this interview I learned many interesting
things about country and its people, which too many
Americans have dubbed being behind iron
tain Here the hghlights of this interview with
Mr.. Wonzcek.
PoLAND'S POLITICAL STRUCTURE
Contrary to reports, postwar Poland is a country
having five political parties Largest of these is the
Socialist party the party of the center, with
100000 active party members. Second in numerical
strength is the Communist party with slightly
Peasant party with little under 100000 members The
Radical Peasants and the Democrats the two minor
parties
Strongest support of the Socialist party comes from
the ranks of organized labor with the exception the
coal miners union which tends strongly toward
ISM The Polish Peasant party gathers its strength
the party of the right from the ruggedy indivduast
ic peasantry and from the conservative elements
among business and professional people This party
because fascist organizations have been outlawed in
Poland, has also drawn in what remnants of such pre-
war groups still exist Significantly, although the
Peasant party had million members in the fall of
1945 farsighed policies of the national
ization of industries land division, have caused
many thousands of it's members change their aff-
ations to either the Socialist Communist parties
NATURALIZATION AND LAND DIVISION 49,.
The government has nationazed only those indus
tries employing 100 or more workers. Small Polish in
dusty and business continue to remain under private
ownership Purpose in sociazing the large industry of
the nation of to break up the monopolisc
concentration of wealth and economic control in the
hands of the very few.
The principle employed in breaking up hdge estates
seems just wise and farsighted that applying to
curtaing monopoly industry. The Polish govern
ment dispossessed the large andownng gentry and has
in turn, given outright ownership so
acres to each peasant family The peasants of Poland
IKE those of Hungary and other eastern European
tries have had hunger for land ownership that is
erations old This hunger is now being satisfied and
the Tears held two years ago by the Polish peasantry
That the government would simply replace large private
anu
Dearlng The only portions of the former privately
owned estates retained by the government the
SONS and adjacent buildings These being
yerted into public schools, hospitals museums
1onal centers, etc.
POLISH TRADE UNIoNS...
Polish trade unions date back to the 1905 and dur
ng the have strven not only for economic, but
lso for political advancement There five
million trade unionists representing almost 80 per
4 all working people in Poland With the exception
the coal mine workers. of which there 100000,
he great majority of union members socialstic in
Official philosophy. Only amongst the coal miners
oes the Communist party have great strength in the
ibor movement. Catholic trade unions, despite the
act that Poland is strongly Catholic nation have
membership of only 100000.
Operatives FOOD, ETC. 49,.
In postwar Poland there upwards so 900 rural
Operatives These include producer, consumer self
clip coops etc. At present the latter is probably the
ost important Because of the acute shortage farm
achinery through such selfhelp coops all of
community have opportunity to secure at least