Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-11-04
QUESTION TO De PUSHED X
VOTE A. COMING SESSION or
CONGRESS.
ONLY OPPOSITION FROM
SUPPORTERS OF TAFT
Prssidsnt's Friends Fear Law Would
Work to Osnefit Of LaFolistte-VNil.
son and othsr Democrats 70 Urae
Support Of Measure - Champ Clark
Dossn't Dare Oppose.
Especial Correspondence

Washington Nov. 4.-That the fight
for the enactment Of federal primary
law, whereby the nomination for can
didates for president will practically
be made by the people, will become
animated this session of congress now
seems assured.
Senator Cummins, Of Iowa, has an
nounced that he will introduce a bill
for federal primary and will push
it. Now, to lend force to the project
it is declared the house democrats will
probably take up measure for q fed
eral primary law and will bind them
selves in caucus to pass it.
Representative Burleson, of Texas.
today expressed his approval Of such
legislation and said he had no doubt
the house would pass it. He pointed
out that If such action was taken 1t
would strengthen the prospects Of
passing such measure thru the SEN
ate. AS is well-known, the difficulty
will be to get the committee on priv
ileges and elections in the senate, q
committee dominated by reactionaries.
to make a report on the measure and
thus TO get it to the floor where 1t can
be considered in the light of day.
Wilson Favors Il.
The influence Of the friends Of
Woodrow Wilson will be put forth to
have the democrats take it UP in
house and senate and act favorably on
it. On the other hand. the influence
of the Harmon forces will be against
it. Such influence as William Jen-
nings Bryan can swing will be put
forward for the primary. AS for
Champ Clark, he can not afford to be
put in position OF opposing such lesis-
lation. That the LaFollette forces on
the republican side in house and SEN
ate, will work for the legislation is
we'll understood. Generally speaking,
the support OF President Taft will be
thrown against the primary.
One of the arguments that will be
set forth for the adoption OF federal
primary Law Is that such a measure
would put out Of business any such
thing as the federal machine as po-
litical force. The postoffice depart
ment has for years been hotbed OF
politics. despite many denials OF the
impeachment by postmaster generals.
Under federal primary law, the vii
lage postmaster would have no inhu-
ence around about the time for nomin-
attnr president He might. OF course,
continue to influence certain phases OF
politics but he would be OF little use to
a man who wanted to be presidential
nominee.
Would Eliminate Postoffiee Politicians.
Whence, 1t is argued, one effect OF
the adoption of a federal primary law
would be to make the postoffice de-
partment a purely business institution.
Moreover, the construction Of feder-
al machine out Of revenue collectors,
marshals and the like would be uphill
business. 1t would no longer be pos
sible for any administration to sur
round the delegates in the south or
anywhere else simply by controlling the
federal offices. In short, with fed
eral primary law, it would be hard for
man who had got one term In the
White House to project himself into a
second term. Unless he could COM
mand a majority Of the votes Of his
party in the different states he would
have little more control over the NOM
nation than any competitor. He could
own interest nor in the interest OF
some man who he might favor. In
other words, as the supporters OF the
fedora, primary argue, It would be i'm
possible for Roosevelt to face the re-
publican party to take up a Taft and
nominate him under the federal pri-
mary plan.
Fear It Will Help LaFoiistts.
In one sense, this winter will not be
q fortunate time to bring up the fight
over the primary. In another, 1t will
be. The conservatives Of both parties
in house and senate are always OPP
posed to any extension Of the principle
Of the primary. But the republican
conservatives will fight against 1t
harder than ever because they fear 1t
would help LaFollette and similarly
the democratic rec ctionaries want to
check the Wilson boom at every turn.
On the other hand, the progressives of
10th parties will work harder than they
would ordinarily for such Hesitation
because they perceive the course Of the
next, campaign may be turned as they
want It to turn II they can get the
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