Max S. Hayes

Maximillian Sebastian "Max" Hayes (May 25, 1866 – October 11, 1945) was a newspaper editor, trade union activist, and socialist politician. In 1912 Hayes became the first candidate to challenge Samuel Gompers for the presidency of the American Federation of Labor in nearly a decade, drawing about 30% of the vote in his losing effort. Hayes is best remembered as the long-time editor of the Cleveland Citizen and as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Farmer-Labor Party ticket in 1920.

Hayes was born in the tiny rural hamlet of Havana, Huron County, Ohio on May 25, 1866. His father, Joseph Maximilian Sebastian Hayes, was a farmer. Hayes was raised as a Roman Catholic. Hayes was largely self-educated, only attending school through the 4th grade.

At age 13 Hayes went to work as a printer's apprentice, beginning work in a field in which he would remain for the rest of his life. Hayes worked on the staff of the Cleveland Press from 1881 to 1890.

In 1890, Hayes became founder and editor of a labor newspaper of a decidedly Socialist bent, The Cleveland Citizen. This paper was named the official organ of the Cleveland Central Labor Union in 1892. Hayes remained active as editor of this weekly publication until 1939.

Hayes was a member of the International Typographical Union (ITU) from 1884 and worked as a general organizer for the labor movement in the Cleveland area for 15 years.

He was a frequent representative of the ITU to the annual conventions of the American Federation of Labor.

In 1903, Hayes was chosen as the delegate of the AF of L to the convention of the British Trades Union Congress.

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