tVe now see a trend away from
* democracy In favor of the new In
dustrial autocracy, because the cap
italist no longer needs democracy
against his older antagonists.”
Furuseth was speaking in favor-of
the direct primary, which he asserted
is endangered by a league of politi
cians with business interests who have
causes to serve. Max Hayes of Cleve
land, long a leader of radical move
ments, assuming to perceive the same
threat against democracy in current
* world politics, counselled more direct
Faction on the part of labor, urging
a fresh attempt at formation of a
third party. The question was not
before the convention at any time, so
po test of sentiment was obtained,
but evidence was available to show
that “labor party” advocates have
pot lost heart.
Third Party Not Dead.
The success attained by the A. F. of
L. In obtaining governmental action
to remedy injustice to the working
class by non-partisan action is a
strong argument agffinst a fresh at
tempt to pattern a political labor
movement after parties of England
and other European*-countries. Only
a political development that might
work great injury to the present pro
gram of labor could swell the “third
party” movement to formidable pro
portions, but the movement is not
dead.
On one other point the present lead
ers of the A. F. of L. have demon
strated the strength of their hold
upon the general labor movement.
