can Federation of
Labor, and would in all probability have endorsed the I. W. W. and
repudiated the American Federation of Labor if the Socialists had not
nursed a hope of getting control of the latter organization and turning
it into an industrial union similar to that of the Industrial Workers of
the World.

That the Socialist Party by no means repudiated the I. W. W., but on the
contrary was still on the most friendly terms with it after the 1912
Convention, is evident from several facts. "The Call," May 17, 1912,
affirms that the Convention decided for neutrality in affairs of unions.

In the "Appeal to Reason," May 25, 1912, we read: "So after long weeks
of discussion in the press, after days of apprehensions and fencing for
advantage, the labor organization committee brought forth a unanimous
report, which after a few speeches, all expressing the spirit of
solidarity, was adopted without a dissenting vote. It was a compromise
resolution. Each side declares itself completely satisfied with it. Each
declares that it expresses its sentiments."

William D. Haywood, who perhaps more than any other person had the
interests of the I. W. W. at heart, declared, according to "The Call,"
May 17, 1912, that with the adoption of this declaration concerning the
neutrality of the party towards the two rival labor unions he felt that
he could go to the 8,000,000 workers of the nation and carry to them the
message of Socialism. "This," he continues, "is the greatest step that
has yet been taken by the Socialist Party."

Although Haywood was for the time being removed from the National
Executive Committee of the party, charged with favoring direct action
rather than political action, he was never expelled from the
party--which yet boasted so much of the constitutional clause adopted at
the 1912 National Convention demanding that any member who opposes
political action, or advocates crime, sabotage, or other methods of
violence as a weapon of the working class, to aid in its emancipation,
shall be expelled from membership in the party.

"The New Unionism," page 119, points out some of the "merits" of the I.
W. W., in comparison made with the Socialist Party, against which it was
somewhat offended by the anti-sabotage and anti-direct action plank
adopted at the 1912 National Convention:

"There are vote-getters and politicians who waste their time coming
into a community where ninety per cent. of the men have no vote,