Lenin CW-Vol. 23.pdf - From Marx to Mao

TASKS OF LEFT ZIMMERWALDISTS141to the broad masses of the poor and propertyless who areindifferent to, or suspicious of, the Social-Democratic Party,largely owing to its reformist and opportunist character.Secondly, the only way of wresting concessions from the bourgeoisieis not by “bargaining” with it, not by “adapting”ourselves to its interests or prejudices, but by preparing therevolutionary forces of the masses against it. The larger thesection of people we convince of the justice of revolutionaryhightaxation rates and of the need to fight to secure suchrates, the sooner will the bourgeoisie make concessions. Andwe will utilise every concession, however small, in the unswervingstruggle for the complete expropriation of the bourgeoisie.13. The fixing of a maximum salary for all salaried employeesand officials, Bundesräte,* etc., of 5,000 to 6,000francs per annum, according to size of family. The prohibitionof the accumulation of all other incomes under penaltyof imprisonment and confiscation of such incomes.14. Compulsory alienation of the factories and works—inthe first instance of those that are indispensable for supplyingthe necessities of life to the population—and also of allagricultural enterprises of over fifteen hectares (over 40“Jucharten”) in area (in Switzerland there are only 22,000enterprises of this size out of a total of 252,000, i.e., lessthan one-tenth of all agricultural enterprises). Systematicmeasures, on the basis of these reforms, to increase foodoutput and ensure the people a supply of cheap food.15. Immediate and compulsory alienation by the stateof all water power in Switzerland; this, as well as otheralienated property, to be subject to the above-mentionedscales of property and income tax.III. PRESSING DEMOCRATIC REFORMSAND UTILISATION OF THE POLITICAL STRUGGLEAND PARLIAMENTARISM16. Utilisation of the parliamentary tribune and theright of initiative and referendum, not in a reformist manner,* Members of the Federal Council.—Ed.