He took part in Social-Democratic activity in Russia from the beginning of the 1890s; later he became a Bolshevik. He was a member of the Central Executive Committee, which appointed him to be the head of the OZET Presidium. Because Smidovich was one of the few non-Jews who took part in this organisation's activities, he was given the nickname of "apprentice Jew to the governor", alluding to Smidovich's role vis-a-vis his deputy Yu. Larin.