The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-14
PROCRESSIVES
 ARE MILITANT Ready to Battle With Old
 Parties. WESTERN MEN ARE ACTIVE Republicans Are Very Bitter
 Against Them. Iowa Voters Rebel AEsinst Misrule of the Cannon-AIdrich Band. and : Many Are Leaving Tneir
 Party.
ny TAy.

Des MolneS, la., Nov. 13--(SpectaLl- Regardless of whether there will be three great political parties in the field by the time the next Presidential con- test rolls around, the three parties are here now SC far as Iowa is concernej. They are the Democratic, Republican and Progressive.
 Each os the three paaties has sep arate and distinct organization in Iowa. Indications are that in the near future each organization will have its own ticket in the city, coun- ty and State primary elections. And If the Republican insurgency keeps to its present course. overspreading the Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Illinois, and Indiana, it is not too much to prognosticate that the next Presidential election should see National Progressive ticket in the field. 1t would seem that the only way the present tendency toward the form ation of a third party could be halted would be for the Progressive leaders to re-unite with the regulars. In. that event the present following of the Progressives would be divided. one part remaining Republican and an- other part coming over to the Demo- cratic Party.
 But in Iowa the Progressive Party is here now. And within the next
 
 eide whether the infant party Is. to re- main a pigmy, or whether 1t shall be- come gaint. Iowa has come sud- denly to be recognized as a political battle-ground in which will be fought out momentous struggle between in- surgents and stand-patters. Therefore, a peep from the inside is worth while.
 I am writing from the heart of the insurgency regions, after having vis. ited various sections of the State. have discussed politics with members of the House of Representatives. Fed eral officials. State officials. members of the Iowa Legislature. editors of newspapers. political bosses. business men and plain citizens.
 Some Striking Phases,
 Here are some of the most striking phases of the Iowa situation. as they exist today: ssH
 Measured in poIitlcal strength, the Republican and Progressive machines of the eleven Congreasional districts of Iowa are of equal strength. whether the Progressive or Republi- can machine Is to be supreme in the State will be decided at the primaries next June.
 The sentiment of the voters of Iowa is with the Progressives: yet the ten-. dency of the politicians is to cling to the regular organization. Reason: The old organization has unlimited "spoiis 10 distribute to those who can swing votes, while as. yet the new organiza- tion has no pie"
 presstves. The intensity of this bit- terness Is growing daily. No end or the feud is in sight.
 Progressiye is much more friendly to a Democrat. whom he considers as a half 'brother-and to whom. he looks for encouragement-than he is to a Re- publican. .. old-time foe, the Democrat IS most desirable citizen when compared to Progressive. The gtandpatter regards the progressive as "a knocker, "a traitor" and as one who cannot be trusted.
 strife fin PoIitics.
 The strife between the standpatters and insurgents should not be passed over lightly. It is more important than the questions over which the Republi- cans and Progressive disagree. The feud between old friends is the key to the s'What will be the result of the in- ssurgency movement?" problem.
 ssThe bitterness between insurgents and regulars may be expected to in- crease in the primaries" explained a leading Iowa Republican. speaking
  bitterness die out after the nomina- lions have been made. In districts in which a regular wins the nomination, the indications are that many of the progresisves will quietly lay down and allow the Democratic candidate to win. Many regulars will also knife" in- surgent candidates"
 This view was frequently expressed to the writer, and augurs well for the prospects, of a Democratic majority in the next House of Representatives.
 Close-hand scrutiny of the ranks of progressives brings out the fact that, when seen lat home," they include many types of politicians. Recruits are appearing for service, and they are frequently accepted without cross-ex- animation.
 Some of the newcomers are politi- clans who, because of one or more of a dozen reasons, have fallen out with the old party. It may sound harsh, but it is true that some of the progressives are such because they felt that the old party had not treated them with suf- ficient generosity in the distribution of natronage, such as offices, Federal con- tracts. etc. Still another class of pro- 1resisyes represent men who were nioued because they could not become leaders in the old party. Others are progressives by reason of necessity, and this classification takes in quite few members of the lower house. With them 1t was a case of follow Cummins or LaFoIlette, or be retired to private life. One or two progressives departed simply because they were master poli- ticians. Their political instinct told them the people had enough of rule by the special interests, and that the time was ripe for a party with new banners.
 The great majority of the progress ives. however. are conscientious men who are rebelllng at the fragrant mis- rule of the Cannon-Aldrich band of Philistines, and the people of the mid dle west who are sympathizing with the Republican insurgency have unlim- Ited confidence in the leaders of the movement.
 If there should ever be a national progressive ticket in the field, 1t would be supported with enthusiasm In this section of the country.