The Washington times., 1913-05-25
THE get TOGETHER" MOVEMENT.

There were two political developments OF yes
terday, having to do with the political elements that
were formerly the Republican party, which indicate
the direction of the wind. In Washington the execu-
tive committee of the Republican national commit
tee met and unanimously called a meeting of the
full committee to be held within sixty days after the
adjournment of Congress At that time the COM
mittee will decide whether to call an extraordinary
national convention to reform the party law so that
the public may be convinced of party purpose to
unload the bosses Of last years convention and give
the rank and file the chance to run things their own
way in future.
There is practically no doubt what the national
committee will do 1t will call the extraordinary con-
vention.
While the Republican leaders were in session in
Washington the executive committee of the national
Progressive party was meeting in New York. 1t an
nounced that since January more than 5000 Pro-
gressve clubs have been organized; that funds are
coming from all parts of the country; that next year
Congressional candidates Of the party will be put
forward in all districts and also that Senatorial nom-
nations will be made in all States where Senators
are to be elected.
The Progessives' official attitude does not ap-
pear responsive to the get together invitations Of
the Republicans. But in truth neither what hap
pened in New York nor what took place in Wash
ington is so significant as what is doing in the
Senate Committee on Finance That committee is
putting the finishing touches the tariff bill which
will be the real incentive to antDemocratic elements
to amalgamate.i There is plenty of evidence that
Progressives and Republicans, taken in mass dis
posed favorably, and more favorably with every
passing month"; to amalgamate their forces against
the new policy that is dominating the Government.
1t will take time and developments to bring a
situation in which the Republicans and Progressives
will realize that they must forget the aspertes of
1912. When something more serious and imminent
than the bitterness of that conflict impends; when the
of policy and direction then there will be chance
for todays ove-branch tenders to get the response
which inevitably must be given to them unless the
country really is determined upon adhering to Demo-
cratic principles on tariff on State rights and on
the other issues. These issues are real and vital.
They constitute the real line Of schism between DEM
ocrats on one side and Progressves and Republicans
on the other.
Anticipating what most people in both the Pro-
gressve and the Republican ranks regard as newt
abe-an ultimate amalgamation-it is natural that
both elements should put up the best showing of earn
estness and confidence. Each will want to get near
as possible to domination when the time for united
action comes. That is as natural as anything in
human activities In the larger view, the very fact
that both Progressves and Republicans display so
much evidence of vitality and insstence is good
sign for the future in which their minor differences
will be buried in the presence of the more insistent
question of serving the nation as it would be served