ABSTRACT
The labor unions, an organized democratic factor within industry, could scarcely have failed to develop a policy looking toward the democratic organization and government of industry. That policy would naturally emphasize the importance of labor in industry, of industry in the social structure, and of democratic political government. In developing its ideas of industrial government American labor does not aim at any political goal and is not under the influence of any political theory. Organized labor works for the constant extension of this beginning of democratic government in industry. American labor reviewed its ideals for industry a few years ago— at the time when the "super-power" and "giant power" projects first began to promise another great increase in our industrial product. Labor's pronouncement on Industry's Self-Determination, passed unanimously by the Portland convention of the Federation, in 1923, has received high praise— though it has rarely been understood. The proposed "self-determination of industry" is not to be taken literally.
