Evening star., 1950-11-22
Farley Called Sagest
Political Observer
OF Our Times
Criticism of Fair Deal
Reflects Changing Ideas
Of Democratic Voters


Reflects Changing Ideas
Of Democratic Voters
By Dapid Laurence
Probably the sagest Of the po-
litical observers of our times is
James A. Farley. who, after twice
plotting a presidential nominee to
success at the polls. nevertheless
parted from that same individual
on q matter Of principle-opposing
q break In the third-term tradi-
tion.
What Mr.. Farley says now in
analyzing the recent election Is
particularly significant and re-
vealtng. For 1t is the opinion Of
a man who, more than any other
outside Of public Office, knows
what the Democratic Party really
means to its followers and what
1t can mean in pursuing a course
that might be termed sound in
stead Of unsound liberalism.
The man who not only served
In the late President ROOSEVELT Is
Cabinet as Postmaster General
but who led the Democratic Ma
tional Committee, is certainly en-
titled to speak about the Demo-
cratic Party as an institution.
Fear Led to Taft Votes.
First" says Mr.. Farley con-
corning the last election, Iii
showed in Ohio and in several
other places that neither the Re
publican nor the Democratic
Parties, nor the working man him
self. nor the voters generally want
an independent labor party. !
have many times made myself
clear on this subject.
"Since labor unions became an
effective force in our economy it
has been suggested by some that
labor might conceivably form a
political party Of its own, with
the avowed objective of present.
ing its aims through the medium
Of a platform sponsored by an
independent labor party.
II want to say that I am defi-
nitely opposed to such an idea be-
cause am a firm believer in the
two-party system. =.
"The great danger since the two
big labor federations have set up
their own political organizations
is that in many districts and in
some States these organizations
might well supplant one or both
Of the regular parties. The result
of this would be the elimination
Of policies by one issue and by
one group in the community. That
is quite contrary to the whole
theory Of government in this re-
public under a two-party system.
The fear Of that in Ohio I know in
this years election drove many
Democrats to vote for Taft. And
it is also clear that thousands of
union members refused to be told
how to vote by the political arms
Of the unions and voted for Taft
In protest"
Knows Trends in Party.
This is q frank exposition by one
who knows the trends in party
fortunes and the changing atti-
tudes of voters. Mr.. Farley, how
ever. not only refers to what hap
pened In Ohio but in his latest
speech-made in the deep South
ut Tampa. Fla.-he calls at
tention to the way the American
Labor Party, which he says came
to be heavily Influenced by Com
munists," ran a ticket in New York
State that was thoroughly buried
by the regular party vote. He
adds that he is happy to note
that the outlook is very dark
for third or fourth parties in this
country"
The former chief Of the Demo-
cratic National Committee con-
demns also "the Brannan plan,
socialized medicine and other un-
substantial experiments" and calls
on the President to summon the
leaders Of the South to solve civil
rights problems ION a regional and
State basis"
ITO pass a law" he remarks
with reference to this issue that
has aroused the South, especially
q Federal law. is never the best
way to correct an injustice"
What Mr.. Farley says to his fel-
low Democrats and to the Nation
will be discussed widely. For II
Is the beginning Of q very impor-
tant dissent against New Dealism
and Fair Dealism which has been
smouldering for some time but
which is now coming to the sur
face as the independent Demo-
Gratis, forced to choose between
radicalism under the Democratic
banner or anti-radicalism In the
opposite party. are voting in favor
Of Republican candidates. Thus
they do not hesitate to leave their
party for the time being-at least
until the Democratic Party can
get back on the track again,
Reproduction RIGHTS ReservedJ
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