The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-03-16
M|CHIGAN TAKES
PROMINENT PART
National Republican Progressive
League Is Building Strong Organ
ization in This State.
BY RAYMOND W. PULLMAN.


gan is taking prominent place
among the states which are pushing
the work OF the National Progressive
Republican league, according TO Fred
eric c. Howe, who has just establish
ed permanent Offices for. the organiza-
ton In tho Union Trust Building or
this city. This building. by the way,
is the one In which Frank III. Hitch
cock held forth and built up his fam
Gus card index system during the
Taft campaign.
Fred W. Davis, OF Detroit. president
Of the Michigan state league, Is said
to be doing excellent work, and II the
predictions OF the national officers OF
the Progressive Republican league are
justified he will soon have one OF the
strongest organizations of any OF the
many states which are taking a keen
interest I'm the new movement for pop
ular government. In reporting the
progress OF the leagues work, Secre-
tary Howe said today
The National Progressive Republi-
can league was organized Jan. Fl.
1911, and began active work about the
LIST Of February. Its working exist
ence is limited TO about 80 days, q
large part OF which time has been so
absorbed with congressional work that
but one meeting Of the executive COM
mittee has been held.
On March 6, 1911, the league NOV
ed into permanent Offices on the Sth
floor of the Union Trust building. The
Office has been swamped with re-
quests for literature, enrolment
blanks and for speakers, as well as
for assistance in the drafting OF bills
In the various legislatures. Judging
by the response from individuals and
organizations, the idea OF perfecting
the machinery OF government so that
the public will will be free to express
itself, has seized hold on the pro-
gressive movement as has no other
idea In recent years. Literature, en-
rollment blanks, circular letters OF
various kinds and other material TO
meet the various demands from differ
ent quarters have been distributed, al
literature has not yet been fully met
owing to pressure OF other things.
.At the first meeting of the execu-
tive committee, IL was decided to
concentrate immediate attention Oh
on the promotion OF legislation by
working with governors and members
Of state assemblies, and CD by or
ganizing local and state leagues iden-
titled with the program and in sym
pathy with the purposes OF the league.
In harmony with this decision, the
following definite work has been ac-
complished:
l. Printed pamphlets containing the
laws OF Oregon. with a long explana-
tory letter OF the underlying purpose
OF these laws, have been sent TO the
governors OF all the states. along with
Senator Bourne's speech on Popular vs..
Delegated Government and other liter
o. A personal letter. enrolment
blanks for local leagues. statement of
ton blanks to be executed by labor
unions. oranges and other orRaniza-
tions to be sent TO members or state
assemblies. were distributed to prob
ably 1900 people who have written TO
the league, This has been followed
by very active correspondence with
several hundred persona who have re-
sponded to the original letter.
s. Material has been supplied sew
eral magazines, and articles will APP
Lear In the American, Success. Hamp-
tons. Munsey's and other magazines;
describing the aims and purposes OF
the league. the Fundamental ideas un-
DERIVING ppIul government and the
Oregon plan and experiences OF that
state From this publicity, 100000 10
5000. 600 readers will be reached
The speaking program has suffer.
ed from the inability OF members OF
inf inn Rep sa erFaSi9ations rf In
New York have been addressed, as well
as similar organizations in Pennsylva-
MIA, New jersey and Ohio. Speakers
Boston. Delaware. Minnesota. New
York State and probably a number of
other states. IL Is planned TO carry on
sibie during the next 80 days 4 dig
mass meeting Is being planned by Mr..
Amos Pinchot at Carnegie hall in New
York within the next month In connec-
city. which has endorsed the entire
program Of the league as the funda-
mental principles Of the club.
20 every member of the assembly In
Delaware, Minnesota. Montana, New
Jersey. Indiana and Illinois. together
with league literature and Senator
Bourne's speech on Popular VS.. Delegat-
ed Government, and a similar personal
letter and literature 10 the editor OF
every newspaper I'm Delaware, Montana
and Minnesota.
8. State leagues have been organiz-
ed with officers and stationery and APP
parently aggressive purposes In Mime
sofa. Nebraska, Michigan, South Da-
while similar leagues are forming In
Montana and some other western
states The Minnesota league has
opened offices and employed a secre-
tary. The South Dakota league has
perfected an organization at Huron and
printed enrolment blanks and In car
rying on a vigorous propaganda. In
this state there are two state organi-
cations which desire to be Recognized
BY us. Similar organizations have been
perfected I'm Nebraska and Washing
men. The state league In Colorado Is
TO make use OF the initiative
and referendum TO secure such legisla-
tton az the league has endorsed and
TO bring about the election Of a proper
United States senator. They are work
South Dakota organization includes
Gov. r. y. Wesley and Lieut. Gov. y. NJ.
Byrne. The executive committee in
that state In trying 10 make IL state
wide. FcTty out OF the Sc counties IN
the state were represented In the or
Washington a large committee on or-
ganization has been formed and thew
report In the near future I'VE shall
have county leagues organized |
throughout the$state and call issued |
Tor n state organization II has been
possible. with the national organiza-
operate with YOU"
q In addition to the state organi-
zations great number OF city and |
other local movements have been
started which have accepted the pro-
gram OF the league as well as a num-
Der OF college clubs
g. Moro really fundamental legisIa-
tion for popular government Is being
states now Nv session than in the pre-
sseding 10 years This legislation ad-