The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-01-25
Danger in New Progressive
Movement
PROMOTERS ARRAIGNED
As Merely 0ficeseekers--Two of Leaders
Candidates for the Presidency-The
League Obviously Organized to
Stop Taft's Nomination.

Washington, Jan rs. The chief in.
terest excited in Washington by the an
nouncement of the organization by Re-
publican insurgents of the National Pro-
gressiye Republican league relates to
the universal assumption that this is
essentially anti-Taft organization. 1t
was engineered primarily by Senator
Robert NJ. LaFollette and its declare.
tion Of principles is signed also by SEN
ator Albert b. Cummins of Iowa. Both
are reputed candidates for the presi-
dency. II is baown that President
Roosevelt declined to sign the paper,
although he wrote letter expressing
his sympathy with the principles set
forth. But for long time it has been
understood that the colonel has aban-
doned at least, any idea Of appearing
in the 1912 campaign as candidate.
Granting that one purpose of the
league is or will be TO oppose the re-
nomination of Mr. Taft, politicians here
are seriously discussing whether the
progressive movement viii be helped by
the new organization. While Cummins,
LaFollette, Beypridge and their col
leagues and the insurgents of the House
were unorganized fighters for progress,
they made great Roadway. They over
turned the Cannon organization in the
House, they greatly modified the pol
icies of the Senate, and in the recent
elections they overwhelmed in almost
every test reactionary senators and rep
resentatiyes.
Another angle Of the situation also
is provoking discussion. This is the
implication, in consequence of the or
ganization Of the insurgents that Presi-
dent Taft is not a progressive. His
friends resent this implication and point
to the fact that the real opponents in
Congress of his legislative programme
are the reactionaries Even Senator
Cummins is understood to be friendly
to the Taft programme with the excep
tion Of ship subsidy. The action Of
Senator LaFollette in refusing to 90
to the White House in response to
courteous invitation to discuss supreme
court appointments was regarded here
as little less than boorish. The presi
dent was putting his best brains into
the task of selecting suitable men to
Gil three vacancies and LaFollette, in |
stead Of aiding him, remained away
and read him public lecture. On the |
most important issue before Congress,
that OF tariff commission. the presi- I
lent and the insurgents are working /
hand in hand, with the president goad- 1
ing Congress into action at every OPP /
portunity. The establishment Of a per 1
manent tariff commission would be the T
greatest achievement Of the Taft adj /
and had not the president /
lggressively instead Of passively promot.
ed the idea, it would stand no chance /
81 success II his friends are not great |
y mistaken, President Taft is regarded /
by the country as a progressive man +
and not a reactionary, hence If the new +
league purposes 10 oppose him for re-
1t win handicap its own I
'ause, in their opinion.
The question is raised also whether 7
, concrete organizations Of progressives /
viii not create breach in the Republic T
IAN party which cannot be overcome I
Turing the period between nominations
Ind elections, and thus give the Demo
rats longer lease Of power than hope.
.ul Republicans of all shades Of opin-
on desire them to have. At all events.
he new league viii be called upon to
Explain its purposes little more clear
v before il viii receive the support
II thousands Of Republicans who are in
'eality as progressive as the reorgan-
zers.