The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-01-24
Progressive Republicans Launch Or
ganization Which Binds Itself To
Make Nationwide Fight for
Establishment Of Popular Govt.
Wine U. s. Senators, Six Governors,
Is Congressman and Other Prom
inent Men Back Of Plan.

formation Of tho National Progressive
Republican leasue was announced
here today. Backed by nine United
States senator's. six governors, thir
teen members OF the house of repre-
sentatives, and other prominent pro
gressives. the new organization binds
itself to make nationwide Fight for
the establishment of popular govern
mont"
Representing the progressive wing
OF the Republican party the league
was looked upon here today as the
opening wedge for the fight OF the
progressives to gain control OF the
party before the next presidential
election.
In the senate the organization is
composed Of the LarFollette- Cummins-
Beverage faction. with Senator
Bourne, (Repn., Ore) named as pres.
ident Of tho league. On the house side
the Norris Murdoch insurgent element
forms the representation. Among the
private citizens appearing In the orig.
inal list are: William Allen White.
of Kansas: Louis DR.. Brandeis, OF
Mass; Clifford Pinchot, former chief
forester; James r. Garfield. OF Ohio;
Francis ]. Heney, or California; Ray
Etannard Baker, OF Michigan. and
many others.
The declaration OF principles-the
platform OF the new organization-is
az follows:
We. the undersigned, aseociate our
49, fhAr n
rressive Republican League.
The object OF the league is the pro,
motion OF popular government ana
Popular government in America has
been thwarted. and progressive iegis-
lation strangled by the special inter
ests which control caucuses. delegates
and through control OF the machinery
OF government, nominations and plat
forms; elect administrations. legisia-
lures, representatives In congress and
United states senator's. and control
. Under existing conditions legislation
ss sssc Ts. = eas By
long struggle to secure laws. only par
tally effective. for the control OF rail-
way rates and services. the revision OF
the tariff in the interest Of the pro-
Queer and consumer, statutes dealing
with trust and combinations. based on
sound economic principles as applied
10 modern industrial and eommerciai
conditions; wise, comprehensive and
Impartial reconstruction OF banking
and monetary laws; the conservation
OF coal, oil. gas, timber. water powers
AND other. natural resources, belonging
10 the people and for the enactment
OF ell legislation solely for the common
good.
Just in praportion as popular gov-
seeded the delegate convention system.
and the people have assumed the con-
troll OF the machinery of the govern
sivc to the popular will. and progress
sivc legislation been secured
The Progressive Republican League
believes that popular government Us
this end IL advocates:
senators by direct vote OF the people.
ton OF all elective officials.
5--The direct election Of delegates
to national conventions, with oppor-
tunity for the voter to express his
choice for president and vfce-president.
q 4--Amendment 10 state constitutions
providing for the initiative. referen-
5--A thoroughgoing corrupt prac-
Whenever requested by any state
leagues or by progressive leaders In
stated legislatures the National Pro,
Gressive Republican League Will aid
IN the preparation OF appropriate bills
and resolutions, and will furnish
speakers and literature In support OF
lions enumerated In the Ave numbered
paragraphs set forth in the foregoing
declaration OF principles.
A plan for extending the leagues
actiyity throughout the nation Is set
forth In q paragraph on state organ.
ization as follows:
The league will cooperate with
progressives in the several states, and
x wherever acceptable will render as.
sistance in promoting the organiza.
ton OF state leagues"
At the first meeting OF the league
held Saturday night, the following
officers were elected:
President, Senator Jonathan Bourne
8 IT., Oregon; first vice.president, Rep
g. w. Norris, Nebraska; second vice
president. Gov. Chase 8. Osborn
Michigan; treasurer, Charles r
: Crane, Chicago.
Executive committee, Senator Mos
es z. Clapp, Minnesota; Senator
Joseph l.. Bristow, Kansas; Rep. z
II. Hubbard, Iowa; Rep. I. l.. Lenroot
Wisconsin; Representative-elect vii
liam Kent, Cal Clifford Pinchot
Pa; George l.. Record, New Jersey
and the president, vice-presidents and
treasurer, members ex-officio.
President Bourne of the league sait
today:
"The declaration of principles O
the National Progressive Republican
League speaks for itself. While III
membership is confined to those who
believe that the Republican party rep
resented by progressive Republican,
offers the most announcement 70,
the establishment of these principles
there Is no purpose to make II a politi
cal organization In the sense OF pro
noting the political fortunes of an,
men. The enactment OF legislation
carrying out the program t. its sol,
aim and purpose. and II stands reau,
10 aid and assist Democratic as wei
< as Republican legislatures To secur,
such legislation.
The league will at once enter upoI
progressive campaign. State leagues
will be organized and upon request
viii be furnished bills. literature an,
speakers. Permanent headuuarter
. viii be maintained for carrying OF
the work.
Precise uniformity of Legislation
In the different states is not to be e,
rccted Account must be taken o
The conditions In each state, as 10 th
fcteils OF the legislation 10 be urged
The object being to insure popular go,
eminent I'm the end.
Norhbership In the National PrC
<rcseivc Republican league consist
IN those who have signed the declars