Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-25
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TO
FORM CLUB FEDERATION
Federation of Precinct Clubs
to Insure Nomination of
Progressive Candidate
RY RALPH snrrTH.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-The Demo-
cratic federation of precinct clubs viii be
formally organized this afternoon at a
meeting in the Democratic conference
room of the United States senate. The
object of the proposed organization is
the control of the, next Democratic ma
tional convention, with view to the
nomination of a progressive candidate
70 rthe presidency, and the adoption OF
progressive platform.
Senator Robert L. owen. of Oklahoma,
and SENATOR George E. Chamberlain, OF
Oregon. initiated the movement Both
of them today expressed confidence in
the success of the plan.
The conference this afternoon Will be
attended by many Democratic senators
and representatives. and will be followed
by stll another meeting tomorrow morn-
ing, when charter for the organization
viii be drafted
According to Senator Owens the SUI
preme court of the District of Columbia
will be petitioned to sanction the char
ter of the national organization, which.
in turn, will recognize the precinct clubs
to be organized all over the next Demo-
cratic national convention explained
Senator owen today. THE organization
will be committed to the candidacy of
no man for the presidential nomination,
but will fight to see that progressive
candidate, thoroughly responsive to the
demands of the people. is chosen to lead
the Democracy in the next national cam
paign on a platform acceptable to the,
progressive thought of the country.
THE organization viii see to it that
there is no trading or trafficking on the
floor of the Democratic national conven-
tion for the nominations.
THE convention will not be Charac-
terlzed by political deals. wherein cabi-
net positions and ambassadorships are
traded for the promise of votes for as
piring candidates for the presidential
nomination. The Democracy will chose a
candidate on his merits and record.
ITO OBTAIN CONTROL.
THE precinct clubs all over the country
will be encouraged to fight for the con-.
troll of the local Democratic organization.
with a view to sending delegates to the
national conception who Will be actual
ed solely by what they believe to be
for the est interests of the people.
THE organization of this federation has
been we'll considered and its details care
fully PANIED. Many men prominent in the
Democratic party have been approached
and they have given their Endorsement
to the plan Tie, letter calling for to-
days conference was sent out last night,
and we have received many. responses
from congressman indicating their SYM
pathy with the movement
Senator Owen is himself fa'. rable to
the nomination of Woodrow Wilson for
the presidency, and it is believed that
the federation of precinct clubs may be
friendly to the candidacy of the New
Jersey governor. AT any rate. it is re-
garded as certain that the organization
will oppose Governor Harmon, of Ohio.
The following letter was sent out by
Senator Owen calling the conference:
Each progressive Democrat realizes
that great crisis in the fight against
the special interests is being reached.
The main fight is for the control of the
Democratic primaries. and conventions.
nnxt year and the contest is now in full
swing The regular democratic organiza-
ton is for use after the nomina tons
are made; btu the actively progressive
Democrats ought certainly to be organic
ed at once, so as to be sure OF contron-
ing the regular organization of 1872 We
propose such a movement. and the de-
tails have been carefully worked out. An
adjournment of congress is coming on
and when it occurs. v'ill you not stay
over for day and take part in form
ing the Democratic Federation of Pre-.
cinct Clubs? A state charter is to be
issued. as soon as practicable for each
state, to We followed by Immediate organ
izatio in each state.
1--WE shall be glad to have you with
us Coy of plan will be mailed to you on
onday.
1--WE wish Immediate organization
yours sincerely.
(Sgned) ''R. L. OWEN"