Written: August 1931.
First Published: The Militant, New York, Vol. 4, No. 17, 1 August 1931.
Source: Microfilm collection and original bound volumes for The Militant provided by the Holt Labor Library, San Francisco, California. Additioanl bound volumes from Earl Gilman’s collection, San Francisco, California
Transcription\HTML Markup: D. Walters
Proofread: Einde (January 2013).
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Events are developing rapidly in Paterson, center of the silk industry and scene of historical labor revolts. In the glare of the developing class struggle the various contending groups in the labor movement are being shown up in their true character, and all policies are being put to the test of life.
Last week we reported the strike called by the National Textile Workers Union and urged upon the Communists who direct this organization the adoption of a united-front policy in order to consolidate the workers and disarm the reformists. On Tuesday, the Associated and the United Textile Workers called their strike, having advanced the date from August 1 under pressure of the strike action of the NTW.
The relation of forces at present appears to favor the reformists. They have an established organization, have made rather extensive preparations, and are assured of a fairly strong support among certain sections of the silk workers. The unity effected between the Associated and the United Textile Workers has had a consolidating effect in their favor.
All the developments are taking place under the compulsion of a powerful movement from below. The silk workers, oppressed to the limit of endurance, are determined to strike. No one could herd them back. The question of strike has already been settled in the minds of the workers. The only problem that could arise under the circumstances is: Who will lead the strike, and how will it be conducted?
In this dynamic situation how do the various contending elements and groups reveal themselves?
The National Textile Workers Union is undoubtedly a force in the situation. Its strength is the strength of The Militant spirit of the workers, of their profound and justified hatred of the UTW officials who have sold them to the bosses more than once, and their distrust of the field men of these notorious reactionaries and betrayers – the Musteites. The weaknesses of the NTW are the incompetence and the false policy of its leadership – that is to say, the leadership of the Communist Party. They shout against the reformists, but they do not know how to fight them. They speak of a united front of the workers, but by their tactics they defeat it. This is the heart of their mistake in Paterson. And by it they are entrenching the position of the CPLA elements and through them the treacherous bureaucracy of the UTW – and through them the bosses.
In last week’s Militant we warned the Communists at Paterson that they could not ignore the reformist organization, which has a larger membership and a better organizational base. Here we wish to repeat again the most solemn warning to the National Textile Workers Union: You must go to the workers with a genuine united-front policy. Make a direct proposal to the Associated and United Textile Workers to form a joint strike committee, to unite all the striking workers under a single directing body.
Show the workers that you are willing to give them an opportunity to test the contending policies, leaders, and organizations for themselves in a united strike movement. Let the reformists refuse such a proposal at their own risk. The workers want unity, make no mistake about that. Trust the workers to understand what a real unity proposal is when they see it.
On this road the NTW will become the leading force for the consolidation and victory of the workers, and its strength will increase with the intensification of the struggle and the bankruptcy of reformist policies which will be revealed in this test of action. The present suicidal course of the NTW is leading to a certain defeat for the workers and the Communists, and consequently to a victory for the bosses and their lieutenants.
Issues of great import for the whole future of the left-wing movement are at stake in Paterson, as is the case also in the mine strikes. The trade union question, which is a life-and-death question for the American Communist movement, is being transferred from the field of abstract polemics into the field of action, and all views are being tested there. Nothing that happens will be concealed. No mistakes will go unpunished. The communist workers throughout the entire country are duty bound to watch these developing strike struggles with the greatest attentiveness. Paterson is a rehearsal of greater battles yet to come. The movement will judge everyone by his performance there.
Last updated on: 14.1.2013