The Mena weekly star., 1911-02-02
ORGANIZE A LEAGUE.
nANY LEADING INSuRoENT MEM sERs OF CONGRESS ARE
 PROMOTERS.
OBJECT POPULAR GOVERNMENT
Wei Known Private Citizens Enrolled AS Members-Full List of Officers selected-State Organization To Be ForFned-Not a New Party.

Washington, Jan. 25.-Carrying a possibly greater significance than any poli<ical movement in years. the for nation of the National Progressive Republican League was announced here. Backed by nine United States senator's, six governors, thirteen mem bers of the house of representatives and many other prominent prosressives, tho new organization binds itself tc make nation wide fight for the establishment of popular government.
 Representing the progressive wing ol the republican party, the league was looked upon here as the opening wedge for the fight of the progress s;yes to gain control of the party be- fore the next presidential election.
 In the senate the organization is ccmposed of the La Follette-Cummins. Peveridge faction, with Senator Bourne Republican from Oregou) named as president of the league. On the House side the Norris-M -Murdock ih- surgent element forms the represen- tation.
 Among the private citizens appear ing In the original list are William Allen White of Kansas, Louis D. Bran i. deis of Massachusetts. Clifford Pin chot. former chief forester; James R. Z Garfield of Ohio, Francis J. Heney of California, Ray Stanard Baker of < Massachusetts and many others. i. The Platform. r The declaration of principle, or plat \ form of the new organization, is as fol- !, lows;
 We, the undersigned, associate ourselves together as the National Progressive Republican league.
 .'The object of the league is the pro- motion of popular government and proKressive legislation. *The progressive republican league believes that popular government is Fundamental to all other questions To <his end 1t advocates:
 "I~-The election of United States eenators by direct vote of the people,
 Direct primaries for the nomi- nation of all elective officials.
 The direct election of delegates fo national conventions with opportun- < ity for the voter to express his choice for president and vice president
 Amendment to state constitu- fions providing for the initiative. ref erendum and recall.
 "5.--A thorough going corrupt prac. tices act"
 A plan for extending the leagues -actlyity throughout the nation is set forth in a paragraph on state organi- zations as follows:
 tThe league will cooperate with SproErcssives in tho several states and wherever acceptable will render as sIsfence in promoting the organiza. ti6ns of state league"
 4 Declaration of principles has been fI&ned, constitution adopted and the following officers elected:
 Officers Elected.
 President. Senator Jonathan Bourne, jr. Oregon
 First vice president, Representative Gc0lge w. Norris, Nebraska Second vice president, Governos Charles E. Osborne. Michigan.
 Tfeasurer, Charles R. Crane, Chi
 Executive committee Senator Moses E. Clapp, Minnesota; Senator 5uEeph l.. Bristow Kansas; Represen- lstative D. H. Hubbard, Iowa; Repre- sentative Irvine E Lenroot, Wiscon. {. ain Representatiye-elect William Kent. California; Clifford Pinchot Pennsylvania; George L. Record. New Jersey. and the president, vice pres. dents and treasurers, members ex-of fefn