Evening star., 1912-09-14
AMUSES BOSS Finn
Speaks JocoseIy of the Situa-
tion in Pennsylvania.
HOLDS UP THE REGULARS
Will Not Withdraw Roosevelt
Electors Until State Ticket Is Fixed.
DIVIDING REPUBLICAN VOTE
Progressive Leaders Rather Indiffer-
ent as to the Fate Of the Con-
gressional Candidates.
From a staff Correspondent.

From STAFF Correspondent
PHILADELPHIA, September At
don't have to go to a vaudeville show;
can get all the amusement I want watch
ing the Pennsylvania political situation"
Thus spake William Finn. leader of the
progressive party in the keystone state,
in the course of a frank two-hour talk
he gave me today. The big bull moose
boss had merry twinkle in his eye
when he delivered that utterance, and
spoke with gusto. 1t is quite probable
that Chairman Hilles and the Taft lead
ers in this state do not share Mr.. Films
sense OF humor. In point of fact. 1t is a
very serious situation for the Taft men.
Not so with the bull mooses, however.
They have everything to gain and moth
ing to lose in the way the cards are fall
ing now. It's the other fellows who are
walking the floor. and it is fact that
they have been walking it with anxious
mien for the past three weeks.
The republican situation in Pennsylva-
mia is tangled skein of inharmonious po-
litical colors. Let's see if we can unravel
it and lay each thread out straight.
1t will be remembered that as a result
or the republican primaries last April for
the selection of delegates to the repub-
ilcan national convention and for the
choosing Of republican candidates in the
electoral college it fell out that of the
electors thus designated twenty eight
were Roosevelt men and ten were Taft
men, Consequently, Pennsylvania's going
republican in the November election
would mean twenty-eight votes Il the
electoral college for Roosevelt. although
they might have been elected by regular
republican votes.
Thus. an impossible situation was pre-
senied from the regular republican view
point. pennsylvania is supposed to be
a rock-ribbed republican state, and vet
1t would go, in the last analysis, to the
new party. Under this arrangement the
regular republicans would not have op-
portunlty to cast their votes for Taft in
measure sumc1ent to express a majority
preference, but would be compelled to
vote for Roosevelt or a democrat, a So
cialist or prohibitionist
The Proposed Agreement.
Out of the frequent and anxious confer
ences between the representatives of
Roosevelt and Taft has come an agree
ment by which Taft is at least to be given
"Iook-in" on eletcion day-somethdng
which was not possible under previous
conditions.
The twenty-eight Roosevelt electors are
to be withdrawn from the ticket and Taft
allowed to nominate twenty-eight men.
who. if elected. will vote in the electoral
college for him. in addition to the ten
already on the ticket.
The Roosevelt party will have a sepa-
rate column, with thirty-eight Roosevelt
electors in it. and the voters may express
their choice between the two.
Naturally, this will make a three-cor-
nered fight. with Roosevelt, Wilson and
Taft as the main participants since the
socialist and prohibition vote is negligible.
1t means consequently, the dividing Of
the. republican vote of theastate.
Does that spell victory for Wilson? !?
That's question: in 1908 the republican
vote for President was in round numbers
10000 and the democratic vote 10000
We're cast. of which Roosevelt received
314. 600 and Taft 10000 with go 600 stay
at-homes. This makes very pretty prob
lem in percentages. If you want to sit
down and figure 1t out.
But there is one element of uncertainty
which stands as a bar to reaching any
thing like accurate result and that is
the question. How many democrats will
vote for Roosevelt? 1t is entirely too
early in the campaign to begin to cal
culate definite results.
Progressive Legislation Urged.
The presidency is not the only issue in
tHIS CdHpdlSH, HONeteT lOWST1nK ABOVE
1t is the proposition whether Pennsyl-
vania is to become progressive state or
remain "reactionary'' and under the
dominion of the old machine which has
dominated it for so many years In view
of recent Developments the conclusion
seems inevitable that Pennsylvania Is to
take a stand among the most progress
sive states, no matter how her vote may
be cast for President.
This is to come about through state
legislation at the next meeting of the leg
islafure, which will be absolutely pledged
in advance of the meeting Of the law
making body.
The progressive partys convention, W hich
was held in Harrisburg last May, recon-
mended the enactment of seven laws car
rying out progressive principles The
state chairman of the progressive party
was directed to demand a statement, prior
10 election, OF each candidate for the leg
lsiature ana state senate as to his atti-
tude for or against these proposed mea-
sures.
Thus far twenty-three out of twenty
nVe Tor the state senate have pledged
themselves to the progressive program.
and 40 out of 2o5 candidates for the Icy-
| er house have done likewise
1T Is thus assured that PENNSYLVANIA in
to become one of the foremost progressive
states in the Union.'' said Henry 6. Was
SON. chairman of the republican state
so''AAhaeeOo, " He otdT correspondent To-
day.
The progressive program is as follows:
F1rst-A bill for the extension Of the
direct primaries to all offices elected by
| the people, including United States sena-
tors. and the expression of the prestden-
| tial preference.
Second-A bill defining by whom and the
purpose for which money may be con-
trtbuted or spent in any general or
| primary election limiting the total ex-
penditure and requiring full accounting
| at public audit and such amendments to
| the election laws as shall guarantee the
| freedom of said elections from fraud,
| coercion and undue inf .nce
Third-A bill making a willful violation
| of any or all laws governing elections a
| felony. punishable by Imprisonment.
Fourth-A comprehensive and effective
public utilities law
Fifth-A fair employers liability and
| workmens compensation act. and regu-
| lating the employment OF women and
| children.
Sixth-A law to stop the swindling of
| the people through the sale of stocks in
| fraudulent corporations.
Seventh-A law creating the department.
| of public charities. with full control. in
| order that the states appropriations may
| be equitably and economically distributed
| and institutions receiving state aid may
always be open to the unfortunate.
The Congressional Situation.
The congressional situation in Pennsyl-
| vania is peculiar. The apparent prepon-
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