ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE PZPR (POLISH UNITED WORKERS PARTY)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00046R000300330008-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 10, 2013
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: April 29, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

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SUBJECT Organization and Operation of the
FM (Polish United Workers' Party)
DATE OF INFORMATION
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General
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DATE DISTR. 29 April 1954
NO. OF PAGES 17
1, The Communist3;Party in Poland has been known as the Polish United
Workers' Party (Polska Zjednoczona Partja Robotnicza - PZPR) since.
December 1948, the date of the unification of the former Polish
Workers' Party and the Polish Socialist Party. Its ideology and
organization were modeled after the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union. Every member, and the PZPR as a whole, was subordinate,
according to Lenin-Stalin principles, to the Communist Party of
the Soviet Union and was plgdged to strict obedience to it. There-
fore, Poland could not be regarded as an independent country since
the Polish Government was entirely in the hands of the PZPR.
2. flee Annex A for the organizational structure of the PZP7 The
highest organizational unit of the Party was the Central Committee
of the Polish United Workers' Party (Komitet Centralny PolskieJ
Zjednoczonej Partji Robotniczej - KC-PZPR). Subordinate to the
KC-PZPR were the voivodship committees.(Komitety Wojewodzkie - KW)
located within each individual voivodship seat: Warsaw, Kielce,
Lublin, Rzeszow, Krakow, Katowice, Opole, Wroclaw, Zielona Mora,
Poznan, Szczecin, Koezalin, Gdansk, Olsztyn, Bydgoszcz, Bialystok,
and Lodz.
The following central institutions were directly subordinate to
the KC-PZPR:
a. The Party School of the Central Committee of the PZPR (Szkola
Partyjna przy KC-PZPR) on Bagatela Street, Warsaw. This was
the highest Party school for the highest Party officials; the
course was of two years' duration.
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b. The Institute for Training of Educational Cadres (Instytut
Kwztalcenia Kadr Naukowych) located at-1 Szopena Street."
The institute was connected with Warsaw University and had
three departments: the Education Department, the History
Department, and the Economics Department.
c. The Institute of Party History (Wydzial Historic Partii) at
9 Aleje Stalina, Warsaw. This institute was engaged in re-
writing the history of Poland in accordance with the present
Party line. It was connected with the University of Warsaw.
d. The Central Pa3 -,.. Training Center (Centralny Osrodek
Szkolenia Partyjnego) at 25 Mokotowska Street, Warsaw.
Short-term,evening, training courses were organized at this
center; they were particularly designed for instructors assigned
to conduct Party Courses. The center had a large library
supplied with all Party literature, newspaper clippings, etc.,
and a reading and study room.
The KC-PZPR was located in its own huge building at 6 Nowy Swiat
Street, Warsaw, and employed about 400 Party professionals. It
had the following departments: organizational, educational, higher
learning, mass propaganda, cultural, agricultural, communications,
press, publications and administrative.
5. Warsaw, as the capital of the country, had its own committee called
the Warsaw Committee (Komitet Warszawski-KW) which was directly
subordinate to the KC-PZPR and equal in status to the voivodship
committees. The city of Warsaw was the center of all the highest
governmental agencies which, because they ruled Poland, were sub-
jected to special Party supervision. In this way the Communist
Party had close insight into the spirit of Warsaw and was able to
examine the prevailing attitudes and eventually to dissolve any
tensions that might be forming, if it suited Party purposes. More-
over, the KW was especially interestedin the industrial development
of Warsaw because, according to Communist plan,it was destined to
become an industrial city and furthermore, like Moscow, was a
display city for all Poles and foreign visitors. Because of this
the KW was highly interested in all problems and events, cultural)
and otherwise, concerning and taking place in Warsaw.
6. The relation between the KW and the KC was strong and close and,
in some respects, the Warsaw Committee could be regarded as a
separate department of the Central Committee. The Warsaw Committee
was located at 63 Aleje Jerozolimekie and controlled the whole
area of Greater Warsaw which, for this purpose, was divided into
11 districts. Eep% district was under the control of a district
committee (Komitet Dzielnioowy-KD) and employed about 30 Party
professionals. There were the following districts in Warsaw:
KD Srodmied ie, office at 48 Mokotowska Street
KD Starowka, office at 77 Aleje Swierczewskiego
KD Zoliborz, office at 3/4 Gorskiego Street
KD Wola, office at 16 Mlynarska Street
KD Ochota, office at 34 Grojecka Street
KD Mokotow, office at 4 Chocimeka Street
KD Wilanow, office at 24 Poweineka Street/Sadyba
KD Grochow, office at 6 Podskarbinska Street
KD Praga Centralny, office at 91 Stalowa Street
KD Wawer, office at 4 Sportowa Street
KD Brodno, office at 27 Bialolecka Street
the Srodmieeoie District Committee to which the employees and Party
members of the Ministry of Power were subordinate had the following
sections: organization, propaganda, pplitioal training, women's
affairs, and cadres. The Warsaw Committee had its own Party school
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called the Warsaw Party School (Warszaweka Szkola Partyjna),
located at 92 Krochmalna Street. Courses for district instructors
and for certain high Party officials were conducted there.
The Warsaw Voivoidship Committee (Komitet Wojewodzki w Warszawie-KWW)
was in charge of the voivoidship of Warsaw (except Greater Warsaw).`,'
The office was located at 9 Aleja Stalina and had the following de-
partments: organization, propaganda and training, agriculture, cadres,
and administrative. It had its own automobile service sta-
eneral
,
g
tion at 2-A Poniecka Street in addition to a. hotel at 4 Sniezna
Street.
8. Subordinate to the voivoidship committees were the county. committees
(Komitety Powiatowe - KP) and the municipal committees (Komitety.
Miejekie - KM). In the rural areas there were also township com-
rdittees (Komitety Gminne - KG), each of which controlled several
villages.
The lowest Party organizational unit was the Basic Party Organi-
zation (Podstawowa Organizacja Partyjna - POP). POP's were organized
within each governmental administrative office or enterprise such as
ministries, territorial administrative offices and agencies, factories,
plants, firms and unions. In the city of Warsaw POP's were subordi-
nate to district committees; in the country, to the local PZPR
county, municipal, or township committees.
10. The employees of the KC, KW, KP,Di and KG were exclusively engaged
in Party work and for this reason they were regarded as Party pro-
fessionals. The number of Party professionals in Poland can be
estimated at approximately 20,000, and can be broken down as follows:
KC - PZPR about
Warsaw Committee
Warsaw Voiv1,,4,~ Committee
4O0
100
80
District committees in Warsaw
( 11 districts x 15 employees) "
170
Other voivotebt committees
(16 voivvpj11i,4 x 80 employees) "
1,800
Municipal committees
(300utowns x 20 employees) "
6,000
County committees
(300 counties x 20 employees) "
6,000
Township committees
(3,000 townships x 2 employees)
6,000
District committees in larger cities
as Lodz, Poznan, Krakow, Wroclaw)
Party schools
(such
" 450
" 250
Total 20,750
Assuming that the average employee received a salary of 1,300 zloty.
monthly, the total amount spent on salaries of Party professionals
would be about 26,000,000 zloty .
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11. In-addition to the professional employees, there were also,
especially in lower Party echelons, temporary employees who
were assigned to different. Party organizations by the government
administrative units. or agencies. They were usually assigned for
different periods of time in order to assist in Party work, es-
pecially at the POP level. The governmental administrative office
assigning such employees for Party work paid their wages.
12. The POP was entitled to a secretary if the number of Party members
exceeded 300. The secretary dealt exclusively with Party problems.
If the number of Party members was lower than 300, employment of
a secretary had to be approved by the ED and KW. Non-professional
employees assigned the job of secretary by a governmental office
or enterprise were occupied by Party problems and work to the
exclusion of other matters.
Basic Part. Organization within the Ministry of Power (Podstawowa
r an za a Par na n s ers wa er e
13. The POP within the Ministry of Power was organized in March 1952
at the time the Ministry of Power came into being. Its fundamental
and primary aim was the political management of all employees of
the. Ministry as a whole (about 400) through the intermediary of
the Party organizational setup and the social organizations. It is
true that the POP had no direct influence .the so-called profes-
sional work of'the Ministry of Power; the Minister himself was
responsible to the Prime Minister for its policy and operation.
However, the POP had the task of securing, and supervisingjthe best
work performance at the Ministry in addition to continually raising
the efficiency of all individual employees within each department
and section. In Communist vernacular, the function of the POP was
Oft continue mobilizing all employees for the most efficient per-
formance of a job".
14. The POP-ME exerted its political management and control over
employees of the Ministry only. It had no authority over other
POP's which existed in districts and power plants subordinate
to the Ministry of Power. Those POP's were subordinate to their
respective territorial Party authorities. The POP-ME was sub-
ordinate to the Srodmieacie District Committee. In some cases,
however, because of the enormous importance of the Ministry of
Power, the KC and KW dealt directly with POP-ME on certain problems.
15. The POP was governed by an executive (Egzekutywa) composed of
seven members with a first secretary and his deputy (second secre-
tary) heading the group. The first secretary was responsible for
the overall work and attended all conferences of the KW and KD.
In some cases, the second secretary acted as deputy at the KD
conferences. The second secretary was primarily responsible for
organizational'matters and for political training. The remaining
members of the executive were assigned special individual duties
such as:
a. Cooperation with the Trade Union of Energetics (employees of
electric power industry),
b. Cooperation with the departments of the Ministry of Power.
c. Cooperation with social organizations such as the United
Soldiers' Friends' League, Women's League, Russian-Polish
Friendship Society, etc,
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d. Cooperation with the National Front (Front Narodowy).
e. Cooperation with the section of the Union of Polish Youth
(Zwiazek Mlodziezy Polskiej - ZMP) at the Ministry of Power.
f. The direction and control of Party groups.
g. The direction and control of Party agitation (agitacja partyjna),
particularly through the Party agitators.
h. The organization and supervision of mass activities.
16. Party members from one or two departments of the Ministry formed
so-called party groups (Grupe Partyjna). Each group was under the
control of a group leader (Grupowy) who was elected by the members
of the group, and who was subordinate to a member of the executive.
All Party orders and instructions were carried out through group
leaders. The group leader collected Party membership fees, organized
group meetings, and was responsible for such Party work by his group-
as political training, the execution of "voluntary obligations" to
fulfill various plans and norms, the execution of various section
plans, etc. Two or three group meetings were held each month. In
addition there were one or two meetings during the month for group
leaders only. There were approximately 12 Party group leaders in
the Ministry of Power.
17. Agitators (Agitatorzy) carried on their work among Party, and non-
Party members who were employees of the Ministry of Power. There
were between l5'? ?W 20 agitators in the POP-ME.. They were respon-
sible for their activities to the Party Organizers (Organizatorzy
Partyjni) of whom there were three within the POP-ME, and who, in
turn, we,er,subordinate to a designated member of the executive.
Otherwise''as Party members, the agitators were subordinate to
their group leaders. All agitators received one or two briefings
monthly from the executive in addition to emergency briefings.
They also had one or two meetings among themselves to coordinate
their work.
18. There were POP-ME meetings at least once a month which were attended
by all members of the PZPR. The dates of the meetings as well as
the agenda were always determined in advance by the KD. The meetings
were held for the purpose of delivering political lectures on cur-
rent topics and for pertinent discussions at the beginning of the
meeting. The lectures were written by a member of the executive
on the basis of directives from the KD. The text of each important
lecture was checked by the KD. Sometimes there were discussions
at the meetings concerning various problems of the Ministry of
Power. The second part of the meetings was usually devoted to
party organizational matters and. to a discussion during which
individual Party members were reprimanded for various faults-,nd
negligence in the execution of Party instructions. The meetiAPAs
ended usually with so-called free discussions and suggestions.
A KW or KD representative usually attended the regular meetings
but when, for example, Party authorities were elected, or some
important problem was discussed, a KC representative also attended.
In addition to the closed meetings, meetings were held to which
non-Party persons were invited. In certain cases, particularly
where more complex economic problems were discussed, Party members
holding responsible positions in the Ministry (relevant to the
subject discussed) were invited to meetings of a so-called en-
larged executive. It should be pointed out that general meetings
had the right to impose obligations of fulfilling some special task,
to criticize the executive, and to demand that certain matters
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be-submitted to higher Party authorities for decision. The KD
had'the-right to repeal a resolution or a decision made by POP-ME
at any meeting, if it did not conform to established rules or to
general'Party guiding principles. Controversial cases concerning
very important issues were decided by the KW.
POP-ME Cooperation with the Energetics Trade Union (Zwiazek Zawodowy
Energe y cow
19. In accordance with the general task of the Party, the POP ME was
responsible for the political direction of the trade union. It
should be emphasized that as a rule the chairman of a trade union,
as well as certain members of the trade union's executive, were
members of the PZPR. The task of the trade union was "to politically
enlighten" the non-Party masses or, in other words, to indoctrinate
the masses with Party thought and concept. All employees of the
Ministry of Power belonged to the Energetics Trade Union (Zwiazek
Zawodowy Energetykow).
20. In view of the function of the trade union, the Party showed
particular concern for:
a. The elections of the trade union executive; lists of candidates
had to be approved by the Party.
b. The ceremonies organized by the trade unions ( 1 May, 22 July,
7 October) as well as other mass celebrations and performances.
e. The organization and outcome of the so-called vocational, and
technical conferences carried out in individual departments and
sections of the Ministry.
d. The "voluntary obli ations" ("zobowiazania") undertaken on
various occasions i.g. voluntary obligation to fulfill certain
norms, to perform extra work, etcj (some of these obligations,
such as the clearance of rubble in Warsaw,,did not concern
the Ministry of Power).
e. The professional training.
f. The various activities of trade unions, including the activities
of their cultural-educational sections, sport sections, and
the like. ,Y
Controlling the weekly lectures during which press comments
were given (the so-called "prasowki").
The POP Executive also cooperated with the Executive Board of the
Central Energetics Trade Union (Zarzad Glowny Zwiazku Zawodowego
Energetykow), which represented all employees of the electric
power industry in Poland.
POP-ME Cooperation with the ZMP Union of Polish Youth - Zwiazek Mlodziezy
Po s ie
21. The ZMP had, in principle, a separate organization subordinate to
the ZMP district authorities. As a rule, the ZMP unit was headed
by a Party member. One member of the POP-ME Executive. was respon-
sible for the "political care" of the ZMF. The KD very firmly
emphasized the necessity of strong Party influence on the ZMP.
The Party believed that the youth organization constituted the
"anteroom" of the Party, from which would originate future Party
members.already"brought up in the new spirit". It should be
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pointed'out here that various positions in the Ministry of Power
were increasingly filled by ZMP members, called the "new intel-
ligentsia". The ZMP-members, as a rule, represented a far more
dangerous. element than the regular Party members, for as young
people they tended to cooperate more easily with the UB (Security
Police). Consequently, greater caution was exercised with regard
to ZMP activists than regular Party members, particularly those
of advanced age. It was well-known that the majority of ZMP
activists represented very poor material with respect to profes-
sional skill and experience; yet, they distinguished themselves
by brazen arrogance, baseless and vain cocksureness, and other
offensive characteristics.
POP-ME Cooperation with Social Organizations
22. Branches of the following social organizations were organized at
the Ministry of Power and were under control of POP-ME:
a :League of Women (Liga Kobiet -.LK)
b. Polish-Soviet Friendship Association (Towarzystwo Przyjazni
Polsk o-Radzieckiej - TPPR) a. a . of Soldiers' Friends (Liga Przy jaeiol Zolnierza -
LPZ
d. Voluntary Reserve of the Peole's Militia (Ochotnicza Rezerwa
Milieus Obywatelskiej - ORMO)
The League of Women was practically a dead organization, although
it showed a limited activity in matters of interest to women.
The remaining organizations were characterized by complete in-
activity and were organizations in name only. They were created
because it was decreed. The PZPR paid slight attention. to these
organizations--except now and then when it was necessary to write
something in periodical reports to the RD.
POP-ME Cooperation with the National Front
23. An organized movement extending throughout Poland, called the
National Front (Front Narodowy - FN), was set up by the PZPR
for the purpose of bringing the Polish people under the control
of the regime and exploiting patriotism in the interest of the
regime. Warsaw was divided, as far as the National Front was
concerned, into sections and each POP was assigned to one street
or one block of houses. Party members as well as employees of
the Ministry of Power who did not belong to the Party were assigned
the mission of boosting Party propaganda efforts through the
National Front Pint located at 88 Hoza Street. Under the pretext
of National Front activity the agitators went to private homes
for the purpose of carrying on their work. Meetings, were held at the Point.
once a week at which there were lectures followed by discussion.
Afterward the agitators went to their assigned houses in order to
excite action on such events as: elections, collection of scrap,
price changes on consumer goods, activities of the Catholic clergy,.
important sports events, "Peace Front" activities, and the like.
About 25 agitators usually participated,~;n activities of the National
Front Point on Hoza Street.
POP-ME Cooperation with Departments and Sections of the Ministry of Power
24. The secretary of the POP-ME cooperated closely with all departments
of the Ministry of Power, especially with the Department of Cadres,
in regard to employment and the political reliability of personnel.
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The Industrial Security Section (Wydzial-Ochrony Przemyslu) was
not controlled by the POP but was subordinate to the POP-UB
(Podstawowa Organizacja Partyjna Urzedu Bezpieczenstwa),-the
basic Party organization of the security police in Warsaw. The
director of this section, however, attended, ex officio, various
POP-ME meetings in order to acquaint himself with current plans
and activities. He therefore cooperated with the secretary of
the POP ME and with the Minister of Power on matters calling for
"vigilance". In all probability, he submitted reports on this
matter directly to the Ministry of Public Security.
Cooperation of the POP-ME with the Minister of Power
25. The POP-ME secretary and the Minister held, from time to time,
advisory conferences at which they discussed various matters
regarding the increase of production, voluntary obligations,
allotment of apartments, housing for employees, organization of
various ceremonies, matters of political vigilance, etc. The
Minister not only attended these meetings, but also the training
courses of the POP-ME.
Contact with the Warsaw Committee
26. Certain Party members were employed for agitation activities by,
and on behalf of, the Warsaw Committee. For this purpose they had
to complete a two weeks' course organized by the KW; afterward
they attended "orientation lectures" once a week at the KW. Appro-
priate instruction material was delivered by the KC. The Minister
and the higher officials of the Ministry of Power often came into
contact with the KW when economic problems concerning the City of
Warsaw arose. The KW was a7.o responsible for part of the special
training given to the POP and,ZMP employees of the Ministry of
Power.
Contact with the Central Committee bf -t1_,PZPR
27. There was constant contact between the Ministry of Power (the
Minister and the Director of thetral Power Dispatching Depart-
ment) and the KC authorities. The KC was provided with daily
reports and information concerning the consumption and dispatching
of electric power throughout Poland, and on breakdowns of electric
,power supplies and equipment at power plants. This. information
was provided by administrative channels independently and, in
addition, to-PO &MFo reports. The Department of Cadres of the
Ministry of Power kept ingose contact with the KC in regard to
the sot7called "analysis of cadres" especially with respect to
those pep;uwho held high executive positions in the Ministry.
The KC was also greatly interested in all such important invest-
ments as the construction of new power pants. The Minister of
Power reported personally to the KC once or twice a week. All
appointments to positions of department director or higher had
to be approved by the Kt of the PZPR and were afterward submitted
for final approval to the Council of Ministers. The Secretary
of the POP-ME was called upon at least once a week to report to
the KC; there he was interviewed on various matters.. The KC
annulled the slate for POP Executive elections in 1952 on the
score of "poor composition" and ordered pew elections in accordance
with its own directives.
Party Publications
28. POP-ME was also responsible for the distribution and sale of Party
publications and newspapers such as Tr bung Ludu, Tr buna Wolnosci,
Notatnik Agitatora, Organ Zwiazkowy t az ow Zawodowych, and Prz azn
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in addition to political books. The' 'arty was very interested in
increasing circulation, and the reading of these publications by
all employees, so everyone subscribed to certain Party newspapers
(Trybuna Ludu was the most popular) to avoid the risk of disfavor.
Political Training
29. All Party members and a certain number of non-Party employees who
held high positions were subjected to political training. Plans
were worked out for all employees of the Ministry of Power to be
given political instruction but only a small percentage of "volun-
teers" had been trained up to 1953. There were four courses of
political training:
a. Basic Training - first grade
b. Basic Training - second grade
c. Self-Instruction - first grade
d. Self=Instruction - second grade
30. All courses beginning in September and ending in July lasted one
year. The executive arranged the assignments for particular courses.
Normally a Party member completed his courses in succession. Only
those who graduated with special distinction were publicly mentioned,
otherwise a st,iv9ent'r progress was told him orally by his instructors.
Courses ' ! iA: irai'hing were conducted by lecture, questions,
and discussions. In the self-instruction courses, subjects were
assigned in advance, and the instructor only coordinated the discus-
sions. He also gave the students "directives" in accordance with
instructions he received from the?,Party.'.POlitieal!Ttai;ning Center. To
facilitate the studies of the students, the instructor gave them,
at every meeting, a list of books and articles specifying certain
pages for reading, or provided special material from the Center.
Courses took up approximately three hours a week and were generally
given after working hours, though sometimes before. No diplomas
were issued. All Party members except the Minister had to attend.
Political instruction was regarded as one of the most important
aspects of the Party program and absence 'from class, as well as
negligible progress, led to disqualification for Party membership.
The courses were conducted by a chief instructor and his assistant
who were selected by the POP-ME and approved by the district Party
committee. The two instructors had to attend seminars once a *eek
at the.Central Party Training Center.
31. There were also short-term, three-week courses organized at the
KD or at the Central Party Training Center for instructors. Those
assigned to the courses usually attended in the evening after
working hours, or in certain cases they were released from work
in order to attend full time when full-time courses were offered.
Certain selected Party members who were undergoing, self-instruction
were also sent full time to the voivoidship Party schools for
courses lasting from three to eight weeks. Most of those selected
were from the second phase of self-instruction though some were
from the first. Prominent and very active Party members were sent
for training to the KC central schools for two years.
Political Vigilance
32. The leaders of the regime realized that the situation in Poland
was growing worse and that the people were complaining more and
more Conseqquently, the Party was held responsible for continually
observing and controlling popular morale, and for the eventual
favorable,dissolving of tensions. The common man was under
constant pressure and attack by the Party, the ZMP, trade unions,
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League of- Women,D ague of, 'Soldiers' Friendsa ORMO, Polish-
Soviet Friendship Association, the UB,-the National Front, Department
of Cadres, etc. Therefore, during Party meetings, there was
continuous pressure and "whip-cracking" to enforce vigilance
because:
a. The activities of all the organizations were unsatisfactory.
b. The execution of Party,orders was neglected.
c. The attitude toward employees who were not Party members was
weak and indulgent.
d. The morale and attitude of members was declining.
Despite continuous repetitions of Communist slogans, those attend-
ing the meetings only listened patiently, applauded promptly, and
did nothing except when forced to. Every one subscribed to a
newspaper but very few read them. The attitude of the employees
of the Ministry of Power was especially noticeable during the
weekly lectures and comments on the press. No one spoke eagerly
or entered discussions but instead each one looked impatiently at
his watch.
The Technique of Carrying Out Orders
33 e was strict discipline enforced in the Party, and the system
of relaying and carrying out Party orders was under central control.
In all cases where matters of "state importance" (Sprawy Donioslosci
Panstwowej) were involved, the Party was called upon to assist in
the actual execution of a given order. In addition, the Party
also had to carry out another function, the so-called "enlightening"
of the non-Party masses. On such occasions considerable attention
was devoted to stirring up "vigilance" among the people. Such
governmental actions as the change of currency, the arrest of
certain persons, and the change of market prices on commodities were
usually prepared and controlled by the Central Committee of the
PZPR. The KC, throu*h the intermediary of the KW, KD, and KP, set
in motion so-called mass meetings" (Masowki) in all party echelons
and organizations controlled by it. At these meetings previously
briefed Party agitators, as well as agitators from trade unions and
other organizations, spoke during the discussions. The purpose
of such meetings was also of a prophylactic nature; and it was
explained that the measures must be carried out "in order to harden
the non-Party people, to render them resistant, and to arm Party
memrmrs with proper arguments". Those meetings were usually
preceded by consultations of the POP Executive with the Party
activists. In addition, the trade union was usually wiven a
special "orientation" along, the so-called "union line . It should
be pointed out that action was very swift and that the efficiency was
really high. The essential feature of any Party activity was the
close connection with higher echelons of the Party; this technique
was used to avoid "perversion of the Party line". As the Party line
and approach to certain problems frequently changed it was easy to
bungle if not in touch with higher echelons and all members tried
to avoid such bungling.
Special Tasks
34. Sometimes individual Party members or groups were given special
orders or tasks on behalf of the Party. The character and the way
of accomplishing such tasks will be illustrated by two examples
in connection with the following events: (a) the Peace Congress
in Warsaw in 1952 and (b) the law changing the prices of goods in
January 1953.
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The Peace Congress
35. The Peace Congress was organized in detail by the PZPR. Numerous
employees, particularly Party members, were delegated to assist
while the Congress, which lasted two weeks, was in session. In
addition to normal earningg4 the employees picked were paid specially
for this job. In most cases, the employees were assigned to foreign
visitors and delegates as orderlies or servants. They were not
permitted to reveal their true employment. For example, the direc-
tor of the Department of Cadres of the Central Power Administration
worked for two weeks as the servant of a certain English delegate.
He even polished his shoes. This move was apparently aimed at
preventing the foreigners from having any contact with Poles and
thus learning the true conditions of life in Poland.
36. I heard that individual foreign delegates were so impressed and
deeply moved by the kindness and intelligence of their "servants",
and'by their knowledge of foreign languages, that they could hardly
express their delight. Certain of the delegates, particularly the
women, when asked whether or not they had encountered any unpleas-
antness, were so overcome that they had tears in their eyes.
37. Official dinners of the Conference were so sumptuous that some of
the foreign delegates admitted that they had never eaten so well.
The waiters (special) attending the foreign delegates were many
times enraged when they saw meals that bore no comparison with
even the most luxurious food available to Poles in the past, not
to mention the present. Apparently the expenses of the entire
performance were fantastic, but on such occasions expense was
evidently of no importance to the Communists.
38. The security measures were also of a special nature. Special
telephone lines were arranged beforehand; listening devices were
probably installed. Separate amplifiers were affixed.. All lines
were examined and checked.. The names of persons responsible for
these arrangements were taken down. As a further precaution only
specially selected and strictly checked persons were admitted to
the Congress. All security measures were conducted and supervised
by the MBP (the Ministry of Public Security).
39. The crowds assembled at the railroad stations for the welcoming
and the farewell ceremonies were composed of specially selected
Party and ZMP members who "spontaneously" cheered. The shop
windows in Warsaw were "abundantly" supplied and arranged, and a
greater quantity of goods was thrown on the market for that occasion.
In brief, everything proceeded like the theaters in reality it was
a gruesome drama. Under such circumstances, the majority of the
foreign delegates, unaware of true conditions, must have formed
a favorable opinion of what they saw and heard.
The Law Changing the Price of Goods in January 1953
40. On 2 January 1953 almost all Party members of the Ministry of Power
received orders to appear at a meeting at 1600 hours to be held'in
a big hall on Kruoza Street. Approximately 400 persons assembled
there. At the beginning of the meeting the chairman informed all
present that they would have to assist the Party in an important
government action in connection with the new law changing commodity
prices in Poland. He explained that the law was aimed at curbing
unlicensed trade and the black market, and with doing away with
food rationing. He indicated also that this action was designed
for the "welfare of the working masses". Afterward the chairman
announced that no one present would be allowed to leave the hall
before 1800 hours. At that time a simultaneous inventory of all
stocks and cash held by all government shops, stores, and warehouses
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was-to begin; this inventory was to'be supervised by the CP members.
He pointed out further that no one present would be allowed to lbbk
out of the windows, so that no word could be given to anyone on the
outside.
41. After lengthy discussions, general instructions were given concern-
ing-the assignment of various shops and warehouses. Everything was
prepared in advance and so meticuously that in one hour each person
knew his assigned duty. All present were divided into groups;
each group consisted of three persons, a chairman and two members.
It was indicated that, in case of difficulty, the assistance of
Party organs or the militia should be called on; the latter was
already mobilized for this purpose. The group
was made responsible for supervising the inventory of six s ores,
two of which had cafeterias. They were located close to each other,
and so, assigning the supervision of two buildings to each person,
it was possible to begin simultaneously. The managers of the shops
were visibly disconcerted but they gave way at the sight of our
written authorization and cooperated, though not without cursing.
report in which he described the reaction and remarks of each shop-
keeper. Many employees of the Ministry of Power worked until 0900
man of our group to the district committee ro m esc a e e ne
reported the completion of our task. He also submitted a brief
hours the next day, especially those who were assigned to large
shops and warehouses.
Ministry who were not Party members but were assigned by the trade
unions took part in this action.
42. The secrecy enveloping this whole affair can be best evidenced b
the fact that even the Minister of Power himself (a Party member}
did not know what was going on. On the same night, he was irritated
and angry because the Party was using several employees whom he
needed for urgent conferences. He called at their homes after
2400 hours and sent messengers to find them, but"was unable to
reach any one of them.
Party Membership=
43. Every member of the Party had to pay a membership fee. The amount
depended on the gross salary of the individual. Monthly membership
fees, according, to salary, were as follows:
Wages per Month (in zloty) Membership Fee (in zloty)
Up to 00
00
800
" 1,000
" 1,200
1,400
10500
50X1 Over 10500
12
1
22
25
2 Pereoen't of the salary
My gross salary amounted to approximately 2,700 zlotys monthly and
Taking 15 zlotys as an average monthly fee and the approximately
1,200,000 members of the PZPR,I monthly collection would amount
to approximately 18,000,000 zlotys. It is evident that the sum
did not cover all Party expenses and that additional sums were
provided by the government.
I
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The Party Identification Card (Legitymacia Partyina)
44. The Party Identification'Card was issued to a Party member per-
sonally through an appropriate Party committee for example in
Warsaw - through the district committee (KD)7.
a. The IC was red;-it contained photograph, number, name, and a blank
space for Party notes and records of payment of membership fees
{stamps).
b. Each member of the Party was responsible for carrying his IC
with him at all times. It was not permitted to carry the IC
while traveling abroad. In case of trips abroad of approxi-
mately 5 weeks or so, the IC was deposited with the KC;
in case of brief trips, the IC could be left with the POP
secretary.
c. In no case was it permitted to identify oneself with the IC
or to rase it in any official capacity. One was not allowed,
for instance, to show the IC while entering the KC or other
Party offices.
d. For reasons of control, or in~ease of disciplinary action,
the'IC could be taken away, without explanation, by a secretary
of the KD or other appropriate Party organ (but not by the POP
secretary).
e. During POP elections or during Party conferences, the IC
was shown at the time of casting one's vote; the validity of
the IC depended upon having all membership fees paid at least
two months in advance. In such cases it was not permitted
that the IC cards be handed over; they could only be shown..
f. Negligence or carelessness displayed in carrying the IC
constituted sufficient grounds for a Party reprimand.
g. Any loss of an IC had to be immediately reported to the KD.
Every such case was subject to minute investigation.
h. Permanent dispossession of an IC was tantamount to deprivation
of Party membership. The proper agency handling these matters
was the Party control section of the appropriate KW.
I. Stamps verifying payment of membership fees were issued by a
member of the POP executive, who was authorized to collect
the fees.
General Characteristics of POP at the Ministry of Power
45.. General Characteristics of the Basic Party Organization at the
Ministry of Power were as follows:
a. The constantly declining interest and enthusiasm for political
activities on the part of individual members;
b. The carrying out of one's duties only to the extent of h -,ins
the risk of falling into disfavor.
This "burning out" of enthusiasm considerably increased, especially
in 1952-1953 after it became evident that things were going from
bad to worse and that the Party was only concerned with deluding
people into believing that things were.beooming better. Moreover,
even the most hot-headed and ardent Party man saw by now that he
'had no arguments with which to convince others, since he, himself
was aware that the standard of living was increasingly deteriorating.
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And above all, the Party's idolatry of Russia disturbed and " '..
irritated him. -Party meetings were marked by slogand, verbosenesb,
and eo rplete"emptiness; the subjects debated there were exceedingly
dull and boring. No one dared to voice his opinion for fear that
he might run counter to officially established Party creed.
46. It should be stressed that every.,hour taken from an employee' caused
considerable exasperation, and was regarded by him as an impairneht
of his budget since all employees were engaged in outside work' and
their time was completely taken up. There were cases when even
certain directors themselves did special "compensatory work" (prace
zlecone) during office hours to make extra money.
47. Because of this apathy, it was decided in the summer of 1953, in
the belief that the executive might work more devotedly, that
the POP executive should be rejuvenated by choosing for some of
its members certain persons under 30 years of age. ZMP members, however,
bnly worlme4 eagerly during parties; and dances; otherwise, they
were inch a aiid indolent.
48. It is obvious that an artificial creation such as the Communist
system could be maintained and kept alive only by fear. This
statement finds justification in the number of Communist police
organs. of various types and character, and in the continuous
emphasis on the lack of "vigilance". Thislin reality, meant
that the regime feared any'open expression of true opinion on
the part of the people.
49. On the other hand, plain common sense and a feeling of self-
defense forced every one into a pretended conformity to the
present system in order not to incur disfavor for everyone
realized., nolens volens, the bitter reality of being completely
dependent upon the state which held in its hands and controlled
all the necessities of life, such as one's work and living
acoomodations, and which had, above all, the power to deprive
a person of his individual freedom. Despite the ever-growing
hypocrisy among Party and non-Party persons, one could readily
observe the general discontent and sense the increasing reluctance
toward participation in any sort of political or social activities.
More and more frequently, one hoard remarks which gave evidence of
the growing determination on the part of the people.. For example,
"'let that harm me but I am not going to do it." Or one heard
critical comments on the so-called benefits for the working mangy';.
The whole regime would long ago have fallen iltb pieces were it
not for the fact that the Party is all-powerful.
50. The atmosphere of the trade unions was far more critical than
that in other Party organs. Every one tried to avoid being elected
to any office. Meetings were avoided and-conspicuously deserted.
(In one ease, for example, during an election it was necessary to
hold three meetings in order to secure a majority.) Every one
knew that the trade unions were merely'Party agencies which could do
nothing to help the workers. Hence, the unwillingness on the part
of the workers to pay dues, which in turn brought forth more
pressure from the Party..
51. There were two things one could readily observe in the behavior
and attitude of the people: On the oine hand a cleverness and knack
in adjusting to the situation, and, extreme hypocrisy on the other.
Those people who participated in discussions during meetings acted
perfunctorily and repeated the same things over and over; the
people had become so accustomed to the whole thing they regarded it
as normal. The majority of speakers on such occasions were the so-
called professional "ironclad' speakers; the moment one rose to
speak, all present knew immediately, what the, speaker would say.
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Becauee_ 11_meetings, ceremonies, and "mass-Party- actions;-_._
proceeded automatically and-in-a robot -like- manner,. most people
had'learned to adjust-to'such situations. They had learned to
"exclude themselves,meatally and keep'a~.oof" or how to "sleep
instantly" when the occasion warranted it. Whatever will and
determination there had been to remedy the situation had
brought slight results. Consequently, as before, things continued
in the same round-about way. The young people had the'advantage
for,-sensing their opportunities and secure situations, they
"noised boisterously and did nothing.
Party Attitude Toward the US
52. The first, and necessary, guarantee of the citizen's loyalty
in the Communist system was his positive attitude towards
Russia; this attitude had to be emphasized by him on every
possible occasion. Moreover, the Communists lauded those
occasions when one expressed his "spontaneous" delight in
anything Russian, spoke a few words however senseless in that
language, or gave any outward demonstration of favorable senti-
ment towards Russia. A second factor which determined a person's
loyalty was a public expression of his attitude towards the West
which, obviously, had to be extremely negative. The most
affective method of expressing the sentiments required of one was
to praise Russia and, at the same time, to condemn and sneer at
the West. Any nonsense or illogicalness in an opinion about the
West, and particularly about the US, would pass without censure;
under no circumstances would the speaker be reprimanded,-if the
USSR was, at the same time, appropriately praised and glorified.
Derisive'and derpgatory words and remarks Were admissibl.e'and
even recommended when expressing an opinion about the West.
This was established procedure at the various Party meetings
and "mass actions".
53. Listed below &re examples of some of the issues debated during
Party meetings:
a. "The US - a country :'corroded' from within by internal
contradictions";
b. "The role played by trade unions in the US and in Poland";
a. "The real causes and implications of the present US foreign
policy";.
d. "Living conditions in the US";
e. "The state of production in the Us";
f. "Technology in the US and in Russia";
g. "The planned economic system in Russia and the economic
system in the US";
Y}. "The problem of the economic crisis in the Western countries
and in the US";
1. "Utilization of rani materials in the US and in Russia";
~. "The problem of unemployment and wages";
k. "Architecture and building in. Russia and in the US";
1. "Crime in Russia and the US";
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M, "Friendship between Satellite countries and. the Western
nations";
n. "The elections in Poland-and in the US and the differences";
0. "The increase of the 'Peace Camp' in Western countries and
the US";
p? "Educational system and education of youth";
q,, "Why we take as an example and follow pnly Soviet literature".
54. During, party meetings, it was expressly emphasized that very
soon the entire world would be communized. It is characteristic
that the last verse of the International has been recently
changed. The words, "we shall move the mass of the world from its
foundation" have been c ange to "we are moving the :pass of the
world from its foundation". On the o er hand, the real and
inherent feeling of the Polish people towards the US can.be
described as follows:
a. They hold US teobnioal .progress in;?:.gteat regard.
b. They respect the.US as a nation.
c. They realize that their salvation and rescue can come only
from the US.
d. They regret that relief in the form of the Marshall plan
failed to reach Poland.
e. They envy anyone who succeeded in reaching safety in the
US through outwitting the Russian security controls.
Annex A:
The Organizational Structure of the Polish United Workers' Party
1' Comment At the PZPR Congress which took place between 10
50X1 an are 1954 in Warsaw the total figure for PZPR Party members
and candidates was given by the new secretary of the Party, BIERUT,
as , 1, 297, 000.
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Annex A. The o-rganizational Structure of the Polish-United Workers
KC - PZPR
KC PARTY SCHOOL
r",
11 KD SRODMIESCIE
INSTITUTE OF
LISTORV
CENTRAL POLITICAL
KW KIELCE'
6 KD MOKOTOW
KW WROCLAW
10 KW ZIELONA GORA
KW POZNAN
L2J KW SZCZECIN
1LKW KOSZALIN
1 KW GDANSK
1 KW OLSZTYN
4
KW BYDGOSZCZ
KW BIALYSTOK
KW LODZ
KD WILANOW
GROCHOW .~
J91 IM PRAGA CENTRAL
KD BRODNO
1 KD WAWER
WARSAW PARTY SCHOOL
H MUNICIPAL COMMITTEESI
COUNTY COMMITTEES
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEES
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