The Detroit times., 1911-03-17
MICHIGAN TAKES
PROMINENT PART
National Republican Progressive
League Is Building Strong Organ
ization in This State.
BY RAYMOND w. PULLMAN.

among the states which are pushing
the work OF the National Progressive
Republican league, accordpg TO Fred
eric G. Howe, who has just establish
ed permanent Offices for the organiza-
ton In the Union Trust Building OF
this city. This building, by the way,
Is the one in which Frank II. Hitch
cock held forth and built up his fam
Gus card index system during the
Taft campaign.
Fred w. Davis, OF Detroit, president
OF the Michigan state league, Is said
TO be doing excellent work, and II the
predictions OF the national officers OF
the Progressive Republican league are
justified he will soon have one OF the
strongest organizations OF any OF the
many states which are taking keen
interest in the new movement for pop
ular government. In reporting the
progress OF the leagues work, Secre
tary Howe said today:
The National Progressive Republi'
can league was organized Jan. 81
1911, and began active work about the
LIST OF February. It's working exist
ence is limited to about 30 days, a
absorbed with congressional work that
but one meeting OF the executive com
mittee has been held.
"On March 6, 1911, the league NOV
ed into permanent Offices on the 8th
floor OF the Union Trust building. The
office has been swamped with re-
quests for literature, enrolment
blanks and for speakers, as well as
for assistance in the drafting OF bills
In the various legislatures. Judging
by the response from individuals and
organizations, the idea OF perfecting
the machinery or government so that
the public will will be free TO express
itself, has seized hold on the pro-
gressive movement as has no other
idea in recent years. Literature, en-
rollment blanks, circular letters OF
various kinds and other material to
meet the various demands from differ
ent quarters have been distributed, al
though the need for speakers and for
literature has not yet been fully met
owing 10 pressure OF other things.
AT the first meeting OF the execu-
tive committee, 1t was decided TO
concentrate immediate attention ~
on the promotion of legislation by
working with governors and members
OF state assemblies, and (2) by or
ganizing local and state leagues iden-
titled with the program and in SYM
pathy with the purposes of the league.
In harmony with this decision, the
following definite work has been ac-
complished:
l. Printed pamphlets containing the
laws OF Oregon, with a long eNplana-
tory letter of the underlying purpose
OF these laws. have been sent 10 the
governors of all the states, along with
Senator Bourne's speech on Popular VS..
Delegated Government, and other liter
allure.
2 A personal letter, enrolment
blanks for local leagues, statement of
the purposes OF the league, and resolu-
tion blanks to be executed by labor
unions, oranges and other organiza-
lions TO be sent TO members OF state
assemblies, were distributed to prob
ably 1900 people who have written TO
the league This has been followed
by a very active correspondence with
several hundred persons who have re-
sponded TO the original letter
3. Material has been supplied sew
eral magazines, and articles will APP
pear in the American. Success. Hamp-
tons. Munsey's and other magazines
describing the aims and purposes OF
the league, the fundamental ideas I'M
DERIVING popular government and the
Oregon plan and experiences OF that
state. From this publicity, 100000 TO
5000, 900 readers will be reached.
4. The speaking program has suffer-
ed from the inability of members OF
the league TO leave Washington. Three
influential Republican organizations In
New York have been addressed. as well
as similar organizations In Pennsylva-
MIA, New Jersey and Ohio. Speakers
have been arranged for meetings in
Boston, Delaware, Minnesota. New
York state and probably a number OF
M Ia n
as active speaking propaganda as pos
sible during the next 80 days. A pig
mass meeting is being planned by MIR
Amos Pinchot at Carnegie hall in New
York within the next month In connec-
ton with the Insurgents club OF that
city, which has endorsed the entire
program of the league as the funda
mental principles OF the club.
s. Personal letters have been sent
to every member OF the assembly In
Delaware. Minnesota, Montana, New
with league literature and Senator
Bourne's speech on Popular VS.. Delegat-
ed Government, and a similar personal
letter and literature to the editor OF
every newspaper in Delaware, Montana
and Minnesota
g. state leagues have been organic
ed with officers and stationery and APP
sofa. Nebraska, Michigan. South Da-
kota, North Dakota and Washington,
while similar leagues are forming In
Montana and some other western
states The Minnesota league has
opened offices and employed a secre-
tary. The South Dakota league has
perfected an organization at Huron and
printed enrolment blanks and is car
rying on a vigorous propaganda. In
this state there are two state organi-
cations which desire to be recognized
by US. Similar organizations have been
perfected in Nebraska and Washing
ton with an enrolment OF prominent
men. The state league in Colorado ia
and referendum TO secure such legisla-
ton as the league has endorsed and
TO bring about the election OF n proper
United States senator. They are work
ing to organize all the counties. The
South Dakota organization includes
Gov. r. s. Wesley and Lieut. Gov. +. M
Byrne. The executive committee In
wide. Forty out OF the Sc counties in
the state were represented I'm the or
ganization meeting. In the state Of
Washington a large committee on or
ganization has been formed and they
report in the near future: I'VE shall
have county leagues organized
the state and a call issued
for state organization. IL has been
the intention OF all OF us 20 affiliate. IL
tion. and we will be very glad to CO.
operate with you"
T. In addition 10 the state organi-
cations a-great- number OF city and
other local movements have been
started which have accepted the pro-
gram OF the lesRue as we'll as a num-
Der Of college clubs.
tion for popular government is being
enncted nv the Legislatures NJ tho