Draft of the Thesis on the Trade Union Question ter stage of 1919 22 witnessed a change tol growth of the of Lunions, bolsin Infinence of the unlons, unions of the and is today of and the new Independent unions slashing capitalist offensive, it is to be in nson re PAGE THE MILITANT SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1931 would mean, for example in the miners situation, that the National Miners Unlon Virginia This entre the onions of Southern West of workers who have rebelled against and split off from the imperialist agents of Lewis machine. The The question of trade undon polley ship of the of type of unlons become a part of the anti Communist, a vote of the membership, as for exam cancratic encumbrances to which the new the today involves primarily the problem of as agents of imperialism, first of all front, part of the machinations to deceive ple the Illinois miners strike in Decem. Industrial unions have been subjected should, upon the basis of such recognlorganizing the unorganized industries concerned with the interests of the capt the workers. In the trade union fela, ber 1929 and the later Philadelphia They must be allowed to develop as action, take the initiative in calling them which, in its immediate sense, means the talist system, become glaringly manifest. the Right wing discloses its liquidation Waterfront strike. Often strikes were tual unions, ready to embrace all the together to find the best ways and means possibilities and perspectives of the new It has alternated, in conformity to this ist course with particular conclusiveness. called without a clear objective or de workers in a given industry. They must for united strustle and to hammer Industrial union movement. But a cor position, between the deceptive policies rect approach to this problem must equal of class collaboration and of out. The Status of the New Industrial Unionscent New York needle trades strike ofisut serious care should be taken that sle. In the textile workers situation, ly take into account the present position right treason to the workers. survey of the present status of the the industrial union. Generally they all they retain their militancy. Their class an approach to a solution should proof the American Federation of Labor and would this present position of the new industrial unions will reveal the wound up in certain defeat. There was objectives, and a revolutionary leadership coed on a similar basis. Such a united similar types of existing unions as well of Le type of unions warrant a per following startecularly notabiye factors complete absence of activities within founded upon revolutionary service and front poltes, correctly applies can be as their future perspectives. The prob spective of their uninterrupted deterior. First, there are the most recent signs of the reformist or conservative unions devotion.
lem revolutionary section and contribute to2. It is essential and as a process ward the defeat of the reformists. The the former is closely bound up ation and decline until their pressing out great prospects available for the devel whose members were simply read out with a correct attitude toward the lat of existence? Docs it warrant eren a opment and strengthening of these un of consideration by phrases about com: going hand in hand with the organizato the ultimate establishment of trade The vigorous growth of the American ing role of thelr type of reactionary lendions, thelr possibility of actually attain pany unlon and social fascism But tion of the unorganized industries, to united front policy must become a means masa basis. above all, the party leadership fail take up seriously the work of develop union unity. With the further progress of the struggles during the immediate post war prospects of revival, expansion and Secondly, it is necesary to note the ure to apply the united front policy ing and organizing the potentially growgeneral decline both of organization and counted heavily in the decline of the new ing Left wing sentiment within the a severe downward curve lasting in influence and an organizational throughout the period of bourgeois pro sense, in the face of a perfod of coming with the exception of some recent limit endangering seriously their future pro under reformist domination. Not in expected that there will to an increased forward developments. This decline specta.
order to split off minority sections from ing degree be a resorting to the most would be false. Such pro reduced some of them to virtual non ex: sperity up until the most recent devel struggles, all the elementary These are also the very important these unions but to win their members opments. Strikes decreased progressive spects can easily materialize Perhes are stence, despite its occurrence in a period reasons for the rise of new independent for Communism. One of the important rights of the working class. It is to ly, both in actual numbers and in num from two directions. First, bers of participants. The trade unions ect pressure of the employers upon the of objective possibilities for growth. unions alongside of the unduties of this potentially developing Left he expected not merely as a preventivo deteriorated ideologically, decreased workers to lower their standard of liv.
numerically and became weakened. The ing compelling these workers to seek side of the unions of other failure of the under party principles of the new industrial unlong as a menns of continnally keeping them workers were lulled into a false sense organization. Many will undoubtedly new Independent unlons having their atroction, that the separate sections of which are under revolutionry leader on the defensive. Where. In a rising not serve the capitalist employers 80 of security. The unions falled entirely join the ranks of the of unions, origin either in a revolt against and a new miners unions like the Southern ship. Not only to defend them but to movement, deception and treason may split off from the of L, or in op West Virginia union and the Illinois work actively for unity in struggle for well, it will be substituted by open brutto take advantage of the bourgeols pro as their first step while in turn the position to it unions with a new type union, first under the Ilowat Walkor class objectives jointly with the new in sperity to strengthen their position. With of unions will be compelled, of leadership. distinctly reformist or combination and later under the Edmon dustrial unions. There can be no objec. al force. Increase of injunctions, police the advent of the present world wide at least formally. to adapt themselves oeudo progressive, as for example, the son leadership, could come into existence. tion in principle to splits but the funda persecution, deportations, evictions, denerisis, the heavy unemployment and the to these new requirements. Secondly, miners unions of Southern West Virginia They are the first example of new un mental basis must always be the one or tal of political rights, etc. etc. In this consequent slaghing capitalist offensive prospects for expansion and growth canland Illinols. The main reasons for the long organized without the Communists, winning the majority of the workers for situation, it becomes a duty of the Comupon the working class standard of livmaterialize by outright resurrection at Arst factor mentioned, the prospects orl with a peudo progressive and reforin the revolutionary objects. Under condi munists particularly to raise the slogan of fight for the democratic rights of ing the of unions had reached tempts, by deals with employers who may growth for the new industrial antong, Ists leadership, but also anti Communist tions where the reformist unions embrace the workers. to unite the workers the lowest ebb.
even give certain concessions in appear have already been indicated.
ance to of untons, of fear The Prospects for the New Milltant of actual growth of the riew industrial the. Lokuntons are not in the row to strike bargain with the resc help build and strengthen them but with The rensons for the general decline of today in opposition, to endeavor tomorers it is the task of the Left wing to forces and to organize the light so as Unions to bring out fully its political character and completely connect it with the traile The prolonged crisis now the outforce to the role played by the labor main to be sought in the objective dim tionaries, deceive the workers and again, the avowed object of winning the memunion issues.
bers and the new recruits for the polculties which had to be overcome, al return to the reactionary camp. The Left Opposition will continue standing feature of capitalist economy, agents of imperialism.
its fight fraternally to assist the party the misery of unemployment and the possibility of expansion and growth though there were such. No! The main such preudo progressive leadership. Icies of the left wing.
reasons are very intimately connected whether it be at the head of new unions Particularly in the trade union toward correct views and practises of drastie reduction of the working class of the of unions embodies tho standard of living is reaching a degree possibilities of growth of genuine pro with the false concepts and methods of or merely functioning as Left cover field are there now rich possibilities as trade union policy but unparingly and byings for the of reactionaries well as an imperative need for a genuintransigeantly against the false manews to begin to seek the ways and means within the membership. For this the the Centrist regime of the party and of cannot be combatted by the futile burine united front policy. It correct an vers and blunders of the party leader of pressure which compels the workers grossive sentiment and of radicalization Communist leadership as practiced of resistance, and for those who are pressure of the slushing capitallato all to record and condemn the false con by the worse method of alliance with the Communists.
the Comintern. It is necessary first of ing of epithets of social fascism or plication is a serious duty devolving upon ship. We decisively condemn and will unorganized, to begin to seek organs. Le mere he aprender laying the basis. The cepts of revolutionary unions in practise them behind the back of the workers. ed situation in the mine fields and in the essentially reformist views of the zation. In this direotion, the first man increasing pressure and growing remiat bulit on a basis which really left room The Centrist party leadership swings be the textile industry testify eloquently to Right wing Lovestone group, which, in ing and textile industries. And It is not of problems demanding increasing millat all accidental, as it is precisely heretaney to approach solution. Simul only of certain type, excluding all rev. from the isolation of the Third Period of execution. It can, however, not be the developing revolts against the.
that the pressure upon the workers hiss taneously, it also territically deepens the Olutionists and Left wing workers not antics conceal the danger of repetition carried out under the maneuvers of try of bureaucracy within reformist chan: been the heaviest. Therefore, similar chasm of the already great contradictions willing to accept the Centrist views of of the shameful alliance of the Anglo ing to fool the workers or inviting them nels, to bring about their defeat by plaas manifestations may soon be expected in between these rotat needs of the masses mit to its arbitrary factional control. tremes only weaken Communist leader to enter a so called united front from of the Lovestone group is the liquidation other industries as the pressure increases. action membership and the obstinate. Some of these untons were merely min ship and further strengthens the Lect below under the narrow banner of party of the new anions, the liquidation of the Thus the first half of 1931, despite have already been shown in rank and file ority sections withdrawn from the con coverings for the reactionaries, The Some results controlled unions. Much less can the Left wing and the strengthening of the the prevailing growing unemployment ter can be effectively combatted only by united front be established by maneucommences an upward curve in working revolts, which prove the absolute need servative unions which hail the declare unmasking their role of coverings or vers behind the backs of the workers icy is the building of the new militant reactionary Imperialist agents. Our polclass resistance and in militancy within of, and excellent possibilities for the bulk of the workers within their ranks.
the labor movement. It records an inoranization of the Left wing within record and condemn the false tactics and experience of the worker through a cor ons. Both methods defeat the very ob and the developing and strengthening of In the second place, it necessary to the reactionaries on the basis of actual of alliances or deals with left come unions under revolutionary leadership crene in strike movements. While these stene undons land for conducting the blandering methods pursued by the party rectly applied policy of united front sects and purposes of the united front, the Left wing wherever the masses are workers are still fighting entirely on struggle for Left wing leadership.
ing leadership in the new is the fact that, to an increasing degree, struggles there will also be increased the breast scroblange of unlon democracy formunt filmeces well as those under then the hold upon the workers by the The Left Opposition proposes this Communist leadership in these develop manifestations within the of Lated by the party leadership. They were reformists and reactionary imperialist policy to the party, to the Communist Conclusion agents.
and similar unions of the appearances of An honest united front policy movement and to the left wing trade aning struggles is being accepted by the neudo progressives. Even the agents of nomy necessary for union to operate ion policy today is the organization of long as bona fide bodies composed of they are in the trade union, he it the not granted the least measure of autoworkers BO often betrayed by The center of gravity of trade un implies a recognition of the existing union workers. Our members wherever Actionary leaders. On a whole the preto strengthen their bulwark against Comimperialism in labors ranks, in order as such. Functionaries were arbitrarily the unorganized industries through the workers whom it becomes the duty of the new industrial unions or in the of sent objection situation marks the posreplaced for reasons of party apparatus building of the new Industrial unions Communists to bring together to fight side will work as a Left Communist frac silities for the revitalization of the units creatingek. torentracte the work interests, without even as much as an with the prospects of coming serious by side, actually to unite and. in the pro tion fighting for the application of this for its attaining a mase basis factor thelr reactionary policies. In this sense explanation given to the membership. battles, the possibilities for this work is cers, to defeat the deceivers and betray policy. Continuation of the party leadHontributing to these prospects is the the forsteites within the of I, who National Miners Union and the Nationaltial conditions for its success is the neeiority of the revolutionary program, ob can only urge our members and suppo:ters to intensify their efforts throughout basis within the of unions incloaks, may be said to be only the fore Textile Workers Union. Ahortive strikes essity of removing all of the false narjects and leadership recent years, the almost complete de this character. But It emphasizes furde runners of more definite developments of were launched without consultation or rowing concepts, all of the factional burTranslated into practical action it the trade union field.
struction of the United Atine Workers, ther the need of the Communists earn LETTER FROM TORONTO Similarly, the continued absence of estly directing their attention to organthat their methods would only create ough going social and political crisis and vitality within these unions; their utter izing the genuine Left wing sentiment.
more Bolshevism. But the capitalist the suficient degree of demoralization of fallure to undertake any actual organ. It is necessary to emphasize again that press with few exceptions virulently the ruling class necessary but a majority ization whatever among the unorgan. this work must go hand in hand with the urged a holy war of Christendom of the workers at least must have ne ined industries; the proclamation by central task of organizing the unorgan Green for the organization of the auto imed workers and building the new inagainst Soviet dumping. The pillars cepted Communist lendership.
of Business and Finance, including the Trial Out of the Past mobile Industry, which never even reach dustrial unions.
Chief Justice of the Province, gave ex a serious discussion stage: the feeble The Attorney General must know as attempts at organization in the South posal amounted to a scheme of public Draper faith and works their heartiest well as we do that the party in Canada The Trade Union Polley of the (Continued from page 1)
which came to naught.
of a complete embargo on trade re works, road construction, etc. to which approval. Liberallam could only emit its cannot yet bonst such a following and Lovestone Group The organisation of the unorganized lations with the Soviet Union may possi the registered unemployed will be draft odor of decay.
that there is no immediate revolutionthrough building the new industrial uniThe restatement of a correct policy for bly satisfy the Archbishop of Canter el to work at such wage rates as the The latest stage of the persecution of ary crisis. If there were such, he must ons stands today more than ever as the Left wing activities within the of bury but scarcely contribute to indus government sees fit. It is a choice be the party is by far the most serious, further know that the methoils of a jury center of gravity. To the Communist the proposals of the Right wing Love Meanwhile unemployed demonstrations at the lowest possible standard of living lat program itself under indictment. gether inadegunte. Ile has apparently untous has nothing in common with trial revival.
tween a form of industrial conscription since it attempts to place the Commun trial would by mutual consent be alto must become serious duty and an imperative task, with the further deep stone group for a return to the old un thrdughout the country have shown the or outright starvation In plain words, Upon the comrades selected by circum not learned, however, that he cannot for ening of the economic crisis and the tons via the route of desertion of the temper of the jobless victims of the the Government gave notice that every stance to represent our doctrine resta a long time hope to stem the tide of revtrends of resistance will develop into clearly wage cutting campaign the present Left wing. This has been so much more system to be rising they have not al manifestation of class consciousness, ev. therefore a great responsibility. to utilolutionary agitation, propaganda and or.
demonstrated in their recent ways been ready to disperse submissively ery attempt to bring home the responsi ize the occasion despite the technical ganization by proscribing the revolutiondefinite prospects for sharpened class practical proposals for such return. at the first threatening gesture of the bility for the crisis on capitalism, every difficulties of court procedure, as a forum istr. Bismark anti socialist legislation batles. Even a possible early revival For example, in the New York needle police. Reller has been pitifully inade movement of industrial or political op from which to appeal to the working failed ultimately to prevent the expansion capitalist economy could not seri. trades their call upon the workers to quate. To proposals a system of position in the working class to the class. It is capitalism that must be of the social democracy and in our day.
ously alter this perspective. On the con return, it followed, would mean the out social Insurance Bennett replies that measures of the government, will be placed under Indictment. The Commun the Communist movement. Attorney GenIsts must show that they have no in eral rice may not have heard of the trary it will make more certain the com right liquidation of the Loft wing: the never, never, will he undermine the met with censorship suppression, ing workers offensive for a revival can denial of the right to existence of the sturdy independence and pioneering spirit prisonment and deportation. And the terests separate and apart from the rest trial, following the revolution of 1005 be accomplished only at the cost of hear Left wing and their return to the bosom of Canadians with the infamous dole. Communists, as the militant leaven, are of the workers. If they are on trial of 52 delegates to the Workers Council ler burdens upon the workers. Thus, the of Schlesinger and his agents, is today Fearing the radicalixing effect on the to be singled out especially. at this moment. It is for no advocacy of St. Petersburg. They were arrested prospect for arising morement is on the the actual role played by the Lovestone masses of starvation in its several de Police Terror in Toronto of force or violence but because they and tried under section 101 and 102 of order of the day. In that particularly srour. On a similar plane was the can grees, the possessing classes view the The Ontario provincial authorities have are leaders in the immediate struggles the Czarist Criminal Code as having His the favorable objective possibilities by this right wing group in the coal approaching winter with uncertainty and quickly taken their cue. Not that their of the workers against unemployment. attended and participated. in an Should the Communists fall to util and to return to the in the Parliament, the Cabinet rushed through Ever since the advent of General Draper tarism, for the defence of the Soviet the purpose of violently overthrowing the 1no these possibilities, or to apply the face of their growing revoit against the bill in terms unparalleled since the to the police administration in Toronto, Union, for freedom of speech and as legally established form of government of Lewis machine and their growing strug.
correct tactics and methods which can les against starvation conditions. Tollal powers upon the governer In council speed to kive the most convincing ocularl expose the mechanism of capitalist ex. but the example is instructive. The 62 War Mensures Act conferring dictator. Bo called civil liberties have been consembly, etc, and because in the course Russia and replacing it with a democratic insure successful developments of the by their absence. Draper proof these struggles the Communists must republie. The proportions are different new Industrial unions and establish rev.
return to the Lewis union could mean that is, itself in respect to unemploy.
olutionary leadership, such unions win nothing else but the betrayal of the mintenance of peace, order, and good govern bourgeois democracy is a sham and ment and farm relief; and for the main demonstration of Lenins thesis that ploitation and the class character of the were condemned to long terms of im.
State.
be built without the Communists or in ers revolt and struggle.
prisonment and Siberian exile. With opposition to them. This problem stil But it is particularly in the recentment in all parts of Canada.
what results. lie. Open air meetings were dispersed The Communists make no secret hangs in the balance between the alter developments in the Paterson textile In explanation of this measure Ben on every occasion by police clubs, speak their aims. Our program is dictated bs There can be no question of the postnative of revolutionary or reformist workers strike that the Lovestone group nett declared that we will take puchers were cruelly man handled and beat an objective consideration of the motivetion that every class conscious worker leadership. The former spells progress of absolutely shameless renegacy. Alecutive of this country. will free renting out their assembly halls by the We are well aware that the government lute, militant, earns for itself the ineradlicable stigina action as in the judgment of the eren. Hall owners were prevented from forces of history and capitalist society. must take up towards this trial absthe latter, defeat to the working class.
intransigeant struggle In this sense the coming in tiod will be ready so deeply involved in the cunning this country of those who have proved tear of losing thelr license. few pac regards the use of force and violence. avainst the forces of reaction. The work come a crucial one.
schemes of the of JA bureaucrats, unworthy of our Canadian citizenship. fists and professors uttered a feeble whether for the prosecution of war ofers must organize in a brond united front, The Position and Perspectives of the the social reformist Musteites who fune already enabling the denaturalization working here in Joint partnership with He referred to the Immigration Act as protest for free speech in the name of the suppression of strikes, as its exclu whatever their political or industrial af of Unions tion as their Left come ons, the Love naturalized citizen, and of course his and social democrats either maintained al is the executive of the capital statel Aliations, to protest against the wave of British fustice. The labor leaders sive monopols. The democratic class terror which the capitalist authorities of La unions, as well as the inde latters views toward the Communists Since the beginning of the crisis, the stone group has completely adopted the subsequent deportation. His rellet pro cowardly silence or warned the police and an organ of exploitation and coercion have let loose against the militants of of the proletariat. If bourgeois dem their class. Every ounce of energy must pendent unions of the Railway Brother and toward the official party. It sees ocracy is based on consent, it is the be thrown into the defense of the comhood type, have been utterly unable to the party direction of the consent of the victim who has been rades and the right of the parts to con maintain their gains of the past mostly nothing but a series of anti working stunned or drugged. But constitutional tinue above ground. We Communists of gains easily won. They retreated all working class acts. and charges the along the line and have given up one party with nothing but disruptive and problems are in the first place questions the Left Opposition have serious inter of power and legal institutions change at differences with the Centrist leader position after another. The very back splitting activities in the same tone and with the social structure. The Com ship of the party touching policy and hone of the craft unions, the building spirit that has always characterized the munists do not create revolutionary principle. We do not minimize the im trades, are facing a inability to assaults upon Communism by the by LEON TROTSKY situations; they only organize the work portance of these differences for a cormaintain their contracted wage scale. of hierarchy.
To an ever increasing degree the work THE SPANISH REVOLUTION IN DANGER ers to reap the advantage. Revolution rect revolutionary Marxian development The Lovestone group does not at all ere in this and in similar industries, see the Communist party as a party of 64 pages. 15 per copy Special Rates In Bundles ary explosions must occur when the con of the party, but that cannot deter us tradiction between the character of the from rallying to the party in every crisis where the of has its main foot the working class whose interests are 10property relations and the mode of pro and emergency and for a united strughold, are losing their position of craft separably bound up with those of the PROBLEMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE duction of a given society becomes uncle against the reaction. We ask today privilege due to advancing machine tech working class, whose role, despite all the 48 pages. 15c per copy bearable. In this sense it is true that a before to be re instated in our memnique and other causes. But the reason blundering mistakes of the leadership on a world scale capitalist cconomy is bership rights and we are prepared to for deterioration and decline is not only still is the one of leading sections of the PIONEER PUBLISHERS ripe for social revolution. But the submit our dikerences to be resolved by to be sought in these objective conditions, workers in struggle for thelr vital needs.
84 East 10th Street workers conquest of political power is the processes of party democracy.
since particularly during the most re Hence it is natural that this group in New York City not a simultaneous act. It is fought out Toronto, August 1931.
cent period has the role of the leader the Paterson strike situation, has already in national forms. Not only is a thor MAURICE SPECT The Red Raids in Canada in of TWO NEW PAMPHLETS For the Pre Conference Dicussion