DISCUSSION ARTICLES The Meaning of the American Crisis ale cligere te mendons de componenditions made or couro de los colores even reator industrial activity e etc.
Social Reformism and a Labor Party SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1931 THE MILITANT PAGE Since the driving force behind all cap. correct to infer that the attempt to stab his first article by considering the mar ment of new masses of workers in these talism is protit, such imperialist con ilize capitalism on a lower level will reket to consist only of consumers noods) industries, Re employment means more quests, log war or pace, will be carried it in greater militainey, am will usher Exactly as there are two major divisions wages and therefore an increase in that wit, because it is still possible to extract in a period of years of it. creasing rer of the market (foreign falls into the part of the market that is formed by supilus value from backward countriesolutionary ur lased on increasing first two. so there are two groups of Watkes. An increased market results in ever, from that which wimilar compuests evident inability of capitalism to solve it soods or consumers ooils. If there is Effects on Producers Goods (Continued from last Issue) American capitalism as a whole can had for England on the upward swing problems. Imperialist convents by Ain the likelihood that the industries of Ilowever, the is but The thesis does not show clearly not solve its problem ly increasing its of capitalism. They will mean for America during this period of decline categories or 2, or both will acuin resalis 10 expected as a result of or a short period, in politics or in econ sales to England and Germany: the stan. dictions at home. The development of nomle health to slow this development el ratio to capacity, compared to the effect on those industries manufacturing omics. The political perspective of in. dard of living of the Indian or Chinese cotton growing in India would mean the up materially. How long such a period present, we believe it would be proper producer cood Forest perioda tant of some revival in capitalism, is sound er for capitalism to make a profit on based on small self sufficient farms, and most improbable that it will take so long always remembering the few vital words cnpiltal therefore beking. No sooner do for the next few years, even in the face that of the European of American work trogression to a pre capitalist economy is reached we cannot foretell; it seems that Amerien will get out of its crisis most two years, Industry has been idle.
because it proceeds from the sound on markets must be narrower than the old market to American industry, which still crisis of its downswing as the hundred prethe former, but this means that the new the loss of a kreat section of the home for American capitalism to reach the pertaining to politics. the first signs of the possibility of profit mise that this revival will be Fuctors at Work show themselves than the demand for the ware cutting and the consequent aggrava. The problem can be evaded for a short operates to the extent of over 90 for or more years that it took to reach the The following are the factors we con replacement of parts worn out by two tion of class contradictions. long term timely increased exports of productive the home market.
peak of its upswing, which we believe tend will act to bring about this change years of even tiltene (for a certain de perspective of revolutionary upsurge, soods such as rail material, mining ma.
On these grounds we deny the possi was passed in 1929.
however, is not compatible with a los chinery, etc. but this cannot be a serious bility of a Victorian age for Amer not believe that the revolutionary crisis They will act both independently and preciation occur in fixed capital wheterm economic perspective which in factor in comparison with the actual dis ican enpitalism. We believe that a re is at hand today or next year. On the complementarily, supplementing and re ther it is purely used or it is working at capacity. This xtimulates production cludes the possibility of a complete replacement of raw material production vival in the near future, when and if it basis of the foregoing perspective, how enforcing each other: Gradually diminishing supply or in those industries producing tixed capicovery of American capitalism, over al by America to similar production abroad.
comes, will be limited in scope, will not ever, we do believe that a strategie line tal (e. steel, machinery. Here again period of time, from the depths of the By the end of 1920, it was ests be the beginning of a great upward swing laid out for the next year or two on stocks (primarily in consumers goods)
present crisis to the heights of 1920. On mated on the basis of a questionnaire that will recover the ground lost since the basis of class resistance to wage cuts the sense of replacement of constant creased wakes, Incrensed market, etc. Re investment in industry, both in we have the ever relecteil waves of inthe long term perspective the position of that American direct investments 1929, that the stabilization so achieved could well extend its scope for a longGlancing back at the second of the the thesis appears to be ambiguous, as abrond, meaning factories, mines, planta will be temporary and that the next crisis er range outlook of inerensing militancy capital and the expansion thereof; Increased foreign market.
above etmmerated factors we read that it fails to exclude the possibility of ations, etc. owned outright by American will start from a lower plane than the over a period of years.
Victorian age of American imperial and not in the form of bonds or stocks present one. Politically, we believe it. B, FIELD.
Exactly how will the interactions of one of the forces in operation will be the points ahove enumerated tend to that of expanding the constant capital.
ism, parallel to the development of Bri. finance capital. amounted to over 71 start the wheels of industry moving one of the features of our present crisis tish imperialism in the nineteenth cen billions of dollars. To this extent the again? In the following manner.
is the enormous amantity of money capitury.
American bourgeoisie is profiting by the crisis has as one of its major charactal available. What krenter inducement The second conclusion which shall direct xploitation of foreign prole.
In dealing with social reformism and many is not faith in the leadership batteristics a larg surple of consumers could there be for investment of large ences between the position of American scene of its contradictions from at home position of correction compared to the Since the developing of American econ accumulation, the factorics producing enterprises than the lowmoney rates com attempt to prove is that there are differtariat, and to this extent is shifting the the labor party the thesis presents a lack of faith in the Communists. goods stocked up. Because of this large sums in new as well as expanding old economy at the present time and the to abroad. Such a shifting solves the previous analysis and although the main omies is not moving in favor of the capi these commodities temporartis slow down dating the startede og mere the methods which proved successful for cravates the contradictions of Americanless, a couple of points that need fur favor of greater class battles and the down completely, we thus have the two ount of new investments (Marx. century of such a far reaching kind that alixing a larger surplus value, but aspolnts are correct, there are neverthe talists and their social reformers, but in production or in many cases eren shue always the starting point of a large am.
England cannot be successful for Amer capitalism as a whole, directly as reflect to this fact that American hourgeoisie omic base of social reformism is nar sumed of this type of goods, because of form of expansion of new industries.
ther clarification. The thesis says, Ada revolutionist, it follows that the cron opposing factors. 1) less is being comer of hours of lahor is not to take the ica, and that therefore American Imper. ed in unemployment and indirectly he is still nowerful enough to grant con rowing. But because the economic base de rensed purchasing power of the mass would not the rise of a new industry ialism cannot restore a high level of stimulating Imports.
prosperity. The first of these basic differences comracles that exports of finance capital expansion but also to calculate upon its reformes. Precisely beenuse the capital hourgeoisle. 2) less is being produced day duty to the same manner as rall.
It has been suggested by some we not only have an explanation of its talism will not and cannot grant social cuts and the impoverishment of the petty act as an enormous market for present Is the existence of contradictions in in which America is notably strong mas growth (not shox narrowing down. in ist economic base is sliding, making more e, in both cases lexy after the period odrer mat one time automobiles at opean power has ever had to face. Eng tal, as Lenin printed out is the spear relation to Abstractly considered to be slaught of the workers, it must grant in the previous period prosperitur: Secade? et the one who desires the velling them finished goods and buying sembling and attacking force of capt would organize a labor party, the Comand save a tottering world system.
sure, were there a mass movement which social reforms in order to stem the tide But and this is the all inclusive name of the industry guexs hintself, or erica is a major exporter of both raw not a primary factor in production Imunists would have to take up the ques. Material gains of the past and material consumption exceeds current producnerhal ask his parents why they were tion. This is obvious upon slight re unable to predict the rise of the automaterials and manufactures, and its in rezulates the relations among the exary nucleus. If we can calculate upon ferent, just like some material gains of flection. The working class although in mobile industry.
ternal economy is built on a certain ploiting classes. foreign loan (export its growth then how can we calenlate the workers favor the social reformer depressed straits, must continue to live Foreign Trade equilibrium between the two.
of finance capital) unaccompanied by ex. that the labor party Is a matter which while other material gains favor the sisting of consumers goods can never go we believe the thesis has taken the pro As regards increase of foreign trade, When England developed raw material ports of goods, is merely a means of has less timely significance today even revolutionist, the Communist.
production in foreign backward countries displacing the bourgeoise of the borrow: abstretty than in years past. since words, social reforms of developing capl. method the proletariat nises to obtain of the world market. But here howpolontes or semt colonies. It had little the country by that of the lending cours there is no substantini movement at all talism and social reforms of decaying these necessities of life, they must be ever, the thesis is weak in not clearly and after the decisive defent of the acri. Investments and the direct investments for a labor party in the 1932 elections? capitalism have a different base althoug gotten. Furthermore, considerable por although it does mention it stating the home production of such commodities, try. This is the difference between such It we consider the crisis and all the they both serve the same erds and sametton (luxuries, etc. of the market for political reverberations that must ensuo willing sacrificed its limited home igri many tend to shoulder out the German economie implications that go with it, masters. But in serving the same ends category (1) is less affected by the from a too vigor pursuit of an ag.
cultural Conservative interest in 1923 just mentioned. American loans to Carulture in the United States, nearly proletariat. in favor of the America that the degree of exploitation is inerens at present as they were in the past, be to the big and petty bourgeoisle and to Germany or England continue to withas well as the future trend, we can agree the social reformers are not as secure crisis than other portions. refer here gresive foreign policy. Not for long can half the population still agricultural, bourgeoisie. Such exports of finance capital favor the growth of a parasiticing and the standard of living declining. enne they don have the favorable base those of the American workers who, even stand any serius sault upon their and a much larger proportion is on Also considering the weakness of the of yesteryear. This factor 18 what makes during the crisis, continue to receive markets without the createst internal saged in the production of 60 of the clans of bondholders, obtaining their subworld copper, of the world Ironsistence from the exploitation of a for unions and the Communist party. We the following sentence in the thesis so their with stends to the No matter conclusions, upheavals that may, with ore 44 of the aluminium, 67 of the eign bourgeoisie and a foreign proletar oss the trend is toward and brown vital and the key to the problem. The what the dynamics of the situation may proper Comintern lendership tend to the ECONOMIC base of social reformism. proportionate strength of the two paral be, we can say that the supply of stocks victory of the proletariat in short order.
petroleum etc. that is, in the extractive lat. In no way however, can such exIn other words, the trend of the econlel streams (social reformism and Com on band in the cons Industries producing industrial raw ma ports wolve the contradictions of the ers Indus terials. Development of production of home economy, which are contradictions omle factors favors the revolutionist and munism. II. will depend in a large must decrease. Eren the more objective that America will attempt to get out of such commodities in foreign countries of productive relations.
Such could not be measure upon the course pursued by the of our bourgeois experts recognize the its crisis on the back of Europe is truc, On the contrary, the growth of sald (except historically) of capitalism Commnists.
would simply aggravate the competition Importance of the above in looking for but not all inclusive of the world at Inrge with American ex such a parasitleglement among the Amcrumbs could be well afforded for peace ism in relation to growing and decay. last July that the Annalist registered briefly sum up all of the above: America In its growth stage when granting The thesis must explain social reform signs of a let up. believe that it was In conclusion, and to sort of very ports of raw materials. Unless produe.
tion of such goods in backward contradiction the necessity of a large sur wwelopment Whallen todas these conces: Ine capitalism and the change of cm. creat disappointment because of the fall will most likely tene (fom the pretries were increased, exploitation of such plus of Imports over exports, with which slons are for breathing spells of decay pasls of some problems from emphasis ure of a survey of stocks on hand to sent crisis through an expanding mer countries would be impossible.
the surplus values represented by the capitalism.
of objective factors to emphasis of sub show any appreciable drop from the be ket the expanding market taking the There is therefore a contradiction be exported finance capital may be realized. social reformism is narrowing but from changed relationship being the OPPOS. ing fom Business Cycles and Unemploy In this sense, the economic base for jective factors. The basic reason for the inning of the crisis. Further, by quot form of increased exports development tween America position as the world very mature imperialist power has in this we cannot conclude, as the Stalin ITE TREND OF OBJECTIVE FACTORS ment. we find that during 1921 and ones, and the plek up to caue in cer.
of new Industries, rehabilitation of old greatest producer of raw materials and the past developed on unfavorable bal.
its need, forced by the pressure of ex ance of trade, that is, the rest of the ists do that reformism is done for nor in the growth and decay stages of capll the early months of 1922, there was atain industries because of the inevitable flon ve Forever the marketies. chois contra it has to produce for the rest of the formisan, dismiss the problem by saying Further the thesis must not deal with new materials produced and has an result Made dificult by the enormous Pochette diction did not exist for the older imworld. The difference represents largethe base is not narrowing but has abil the labor party in the abstract. All in much of the surplus stock was consum of capacity for production during the perialist nations, who produced relative capital. England at the present time.
ly, the interest on its exported financeity to widen, as the thesis says. dications are that the question of the la ed. The same effect will be recorded past decade, we nevertheless believe that In realizing the historie limitations bor party will be more important in the at some future date for the crisis of 1930. American capitalism will siceed in exly little raw material, Government figures have been cited to exports about 60 of the value of its of reformism in America (as Trotsky future than in the past (to a large ex Increased activity in production of tricating itself from its present acute show that the percentage of manufac imports the difference represents the points out) it would be wrong to deny tent due to the Right wingers and Cen consumers goods will menn reemploy difficulties. STONE.
tured products in total u.
exports has proceeds of imperialist exploatatlan. its possible growth (Stalinism) but also trists. This means to present our poslincreased from 30. in 1910 1914 tol For the United States, however, such wrong to present it as the thesis does. tion on the labor party and farmer labor The difference between growth and departy, as well as the relation of the two 50. in 1930, while the percentage of a perspective conflicts sharply with its crude materials and semi manufacturers ambition, forced on it by economic neces cay capitalism, which turns around so which we are sure to have in complex declined from 49. to 36. 17. The Deity, to increase exports to the maximum many problems, also clanges the pro American developments, yet maintaining partment of Commerce lists gasoline and reduce imports to a minimum. Clearblem of reformism. Reformism can have the base correct analysis on social re a narrowing economic base with an ideo formism and the labor party as presented BOSTON. ers participated. The leadership in that kerosene, fuel ofl, lubricating oll, etc, as the Hawley Smoot tarift of 1920. When logical growth. As Trotsky says, the In the thesis.
After textiles, the shoe industry in strike were a part of the old United cases they represent less value added a Czechoslovak shoe manufacturer, for support of the social democrats in Ger HUGO OEHLER. New England is the industry second in machine. No preparations were made, ly manufacture than such items as instance, began flooding the American importance in that area. Of all indus no demands drawn up, even the picketcopper ingots or steel billets, classed as market with cheap shoes, the tariff was tries in the section, the shoe Industry ing was not carried on in an organised semi manufacturers considering all work promptly raised on him and his markets has been left almost untouched by the manner. The strike was spontaneous done from the original extraction of greatly reduced.
economic crisis. Production of shoes in almost from its inception and took on No matter what problem of impor. munist party and the labor movement. ore (or crude petroleum) to final ship country such as England, with an tance we, as a political organization, set and it is precisely in this objection that creased due to the fact that New England huge proportions over night. The local ment ready for export. These four atrophied agriculture and little raw curselves to solve, we are always con the weakness of this force lies. The is producing a cheaper type of shoe. De leaders felt themselves incapable of classes of refined oil products averaged material production, has no contradic fronted with the question of the econ. Communist party is but a small, a tiny spite all that, the wages of the shoe handling such a big situation and were in value, during 1910 1914, 114, 400, 000. tions to face in developing its import omic crisis. Our analysis of the level fraction of the American labor move workers have nevertheless undergone un ready to receive aid from any quarter or 37 of total exports; in 1930 they trade. In America, out of 1930 imports opment of the latter will determine the ment. So long as it continues to remain of wage cuts as universal in its effects many of the Communist party members heard or slashes, eren in such period that would offer it to them. In this way.
exports. Transferring this item alone were raw silk 263 millions newsprint the day. It is for this reason that we weakness, and unless it radically changes the workers pay amounts to 40 per cent committee. Splendid possibilities were as the present. Average reduction of weaved themselves into the general strike from manufacture to semi manufacture based on the partial exhaustion of Am. must seriously and comprehensively studs its present tacties, we can predict no for all crafts. The wood heelers and opened up for the left wine in general.
would give the following comparison: erican forests) 132 million coffee, 200 the varions factors at work and the pos rapid rise of its influence or prestigesome of the crafts in the stitching rooms The and the were rePercentage of Total Exports millions: rubber, 140 millions; sugar.
1910 14 1930 130 millions: burlas, 56 millions: wood Bible solutions in order to determine it cannot play enough of a role to ham have had their wages decreased in even cognised by the general strike commit.
Dept. of Commerce pulp, 74 millions. petroleum and gasoline their degree of likelihood.
per seriously any attempt of the capital higher percentages ranging anywhere tee as the official alul agencies and re(of which America produces an enor. sible for this country to follow. 1) the There are in the main three paths poslats to issue from their crisis.
figures from 40 to 60 per cent. The wage cut presentatives of these organizations were Raw semi ma. 49. 33. A second factor tending towards a ting campaign is still on, and during the invited to speak to mass meeting of the Finished mrs.
moppersureus conhersteling na amehonne crisis grows deeper and deeper, leading solution along, either lines or is present season the workers have begun strikers. When Biedenkapp came down 30. 50, copper ores forcefining not a genuine either to an imperialist or a revolution the enormously increased productivity to show resistance against it. Workers to address the workers for the revolution Revised, to allow for oil products as semilongte these were tell the commodities the present state of depression. 3) 11 with this although it makes the solu for organization possibilities, as mans. New York, he was enthusiastically remfd. products Raw semi mid. 54. 44. more apiece, and together they totalled There are factors working for the tion of the crisis more difficult and the tested by walk outs in several factories. ceived by the strikers.
Finished mrs. 2013 38. 284 millions or 42 of total imports. realization of all three of the above, yet period of the cycle shorter, do not at the moment, the cutters in the Dart But, Instead of proving to the workWithout going into other criticisms of Hxports of finance capital by America the factors working for the third possil belleve it to be of so potent a nature mouth factory are out on strike while ers by patient advice and activity in the the official data, it will be clear that therefore create more contradictions bility make that one the most likely.
as to make a solution of the present crisis all the other departments are working strike itself, that the left wing, under American economy has not yet adjusted rather than solve old ones, unless ways impossible roductiveness has always Unfortunately, there is no union in the the leadership of the Communist party, itself to a basis of exportint finished pro can be found of increasing American Politics and Economics been increasing under capitalism and be held strong enough to give all the shoe really represented the will of the strikducts predominantly: It therefore follows Imports of silk, sugar, coffee and the Volumes have been devoted to explain fore one attempts to raise the above as workers leadership in the struggles that ens and that only a revolutionary leaderthat development of raw material re like ing the direct connection and dependence the all important stumbling block before are looming ahend for them. The Boot ship can win the strike for them, the sources abroad will aggravate the posi Behind these contradictions is the of politics on economics. This is, of which American capitalism will be and shoe, the oldest union in the indus party in the midst of the first third pertion of basic raw material Industries in basic difference between American and course, very true and must always be brought to its knees, he should explain try, an of organization, is disod fare actually attempted to more the classic British imperialism, that Amercorne in mind. Yet, and this is also why. In spite of increased prodnctivits credited among the workers quite thor the party headqunrters into the headR. second contradiction in American Imperialism enters the arena in Important, politics very often acts as prior to previous crises, the country toughly, their numerous betrayals are quarter of the strike. Instead of worktea world alms is based on the fact period of world capitalist decline, while the cause and not the effect. not ways rose from the fragile bridge of still fresh in the minds of the shoe working with the rank and file of the strike committee on united front basis, by that its export markets are largely based British Imperialism developed during the as the determining factor for economic the crisis years to bronder paths of pro ers. It has always proved itself to be a on developed industrial nations, not on world upswing of capitalism, before its trends, but the precipitating factor for sperity.
servile agency of the State Board of Ar our tactics and policies, we even alienbackward ones. The countries which contradictions had reached their present accelerating or retarding economic events. crisis, especially the present one, bitration calling all genuine revolta ated the Lett winx workers. took or more of total American ex maturity, When British imperialism, Recognizing the above, we shall discuss manifests itself in over production. re against rotten conditions outlaw weeks later, when Foster came down ports in 1930 were: United Kingdom through exploiting native labor in back the question of the crisis in order to stricted markets or large volumes of strikes, and expelling militant locals, as to address a strikers meeting called ny 17. Canada 17. Germany ward countries greatly increased the show that America will in most likelt accumulated stocks on hand. whichever in the Brockton strike In 1922. The United the party forces, the meeting was brokFrance Japan a total of total world supplies of raw materials, hood be able to get out of its present name you desire to apply to the same shoe Workers, at one time a progressive en wp ly the shoe workers themselves.
12. to America sharpest competitors. world markets were still expanding and crisis. always remembering that major surplus of commodities. Therefore in unton, with its main, or to be correct, only and he wns not given a chance to speak.
British Imperialism did not grow by able to absorb the increased supplies political events, such as successful rev order to rise out of the trough of de base in Lynn, have lost thelr following the party even then did not realize its exporting to Britain competitors, but American Imperialism following the same olutions in Germany or Spain or the pression, it will be necessary to extend at present by tralling in the footsteps mistakes, ant rather docelved itself into to backward countries. American Improcedure will throw additional supplies outbreak of a new imperialist war, will the market. Exactly what does the of the Boot and Shoe. few more in thinking that the breaking up of the rerialism in crushing and displacing on to a world market which is incapable act as the added force to warp com market consist of? The following three dependent local organizations, like the meeting was simply the work of the reEuropean competition, is at the same of absorbing the volume of production pletely the following conclusions, major sub divisions may be made. 1) one in Haverhill, actually amount to actionaries and that the workers were time reducing the buying power of its from exlsting facilities. This will Ag. The major factor working for the con market for consumers goods (shoes, nothing.
still with Disillusioned betrayed (at present) best markets: another con gravate its own contradictions, between tinuation of the present crisis until a clothing, etc. 2) market for produe. The present critical situation among and defented, the workers returned to tradiction which weakens the effective the developed productive forces of Am revolutionary overthrow is the Communers goods (factories, etc. 3) forelgn the shoe workers, their distrust of all the shops. Many of them were blackness of Imperialism as a solution of America and of the existing outside world. 1st party, the labor movement. An ob market. In connection with this, be lendership is a result of their experi listed and could not get any jolis at erica crises, both present and those to and the limited and declining world marjection may be made my using in lieve it should be pointed out that comences particularly in the great strike in all.
come.
kets.
practically the same breath the Comrade Field makes a fundamental error in 1930 in which 12000 Boston shoe work. SHOE WORKER.
In the Struggle of the Shoeworkers Prospects for the Outcome of the Crisis few