Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-07
Third arty Idea Is Classed
With Futile Attempts in Past

Doubt that practical results could be
obtained In American politics by q third
party Is expressed in the comments on
the recent suggestion from Prof. John
Dewey. Both Senator Norris and Sena-
tor Borah have indicated q lack of in
terest In the project. The history OF
third-party movements. is held to show
little prospect of success, while 1t Is
again afarmed that the United States
Is definitely committed to the two-party
system.
"The insurgents want 70 hang onto
their committee ehairmanships in Con-
gresS, which they would lose II they
marched under their own fiag, !" says the
country, with the memory of the third
party movements under Roosevelt and
La Toilette, Is two-party minded. AS a
matter of fact. the country is under the
sway Of at least four parties-the regu-
lar Republicans, the inSurgent 'Repub-
lieans,' as they inE.st on calling them
selves, and the Southern and Northern
Democrats. The two old parties are .
political fiction so far Is Congress Is
concerned, but thus far IN our history
they are . fortunate fact in the execu-
tive department OF Government"
y X
Reminding Pref Dewey Of incidents
ION the campus at his own institution,
Columbia University, the St.. Louis
Times advises that "he ought to know
his history" and adds: Third parties
in politics are just as useful as third
parties on the university grounds. In
politics, al In the social affairs of the
campus, three are crowd" The Little
Rock Arkansas Democrat, agreeing that
two parties are enough" finds con-
f1rmation of this in American political
tradition" and holds that "a multitude
of parties Is unthinkable to the average
American" The Danbury News argues
that IF enough good citizens make use
Of the machinery provided by the two
party system, we can have ideal govern
Changes are going on and always
will go on" declares the Savannah
Morning News. THE two great parties
have changed nightly since their
earliest days. There always will be
points at issue between them and, with
the two, there will be enough changes
to satisfy the slow-moving majority Of
the people" The Madison Wisconsin
State Journal voices the conclusion: I'm
their hearts, these insurgents seem to
feel that the Republican party is q
source Of strength. Seemingly the
insurgents desire both the asset Of the
Republican party's strength and the
additional aid they can secure for them
selves personally through the support of
demands they consider momentarily
popular, even If they are out of har-
mony with Republican party programs"
III r
"The only third-party movement that
made an impression" recalls the New
Orleans States, was that of the late
was to defeat President Taft and give
victory to the Democrats. The Roose-
welt movement went as far as it did
only because 1t was organized and led
by one of the ablest and most pic
turesque personageS in American his
tory" For this reason, the Ogden
Standard-Examiner sees little en-
couragement for Prof. Dewey, "even
though the two old parties are show
ing signs Of decreasing popularity"
The Oklahoma City Times Endorses the
party must have its origin with the
masses of the people and not from a
few idealistic leaders, If it is to attain
formidable strength"
y *
Emphasis Is placed on the fact that
'third-party movements in this country
have never Jared very WELL" by she
Admission Star, with the comment that
'Dr. Dewey is one Of the foremost phi
losophers of today, but his philosophy
does not serve him well when he ven-
lures into the real..of politics" The
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern feels that
history would be likely to Eepeat itself,"
while the Santa Monica outlook AYERS
that what the result would be might
be stated with tolerable accuracy. and
the Memphis Commercial 8 Appeal
AraRee; 4Tha late Cox Theodore Roose=