The Washington times., 1913-05-17
DEMOCRATS FEAR
PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Followers of Roosevelt Show
Strength by Getting Places
on House Committees.
By John SNURE.

The fact that Democratic political
leaders are worried over the activity of
the Progressive party forces in organiZ-
ing for 1914 and 1916 Developed here to-
day. 1t cropped out in connection with
the meeting of the executive committee
of the Democratic national committee,
which is in Washington planning the
political strategy for the next four
years.
II has come to the ears of the Demo
cratic leaders that the Bull Moose has
a large campaign fund: that organIZa-
ton Is being pressed everywhere and
that there will be A Bull Moose cc1idi-
date for Congress in every district next
year. The Democratic captains fear
that such strength is going to be shown
by the Progressive party in the Con-
sressional elections of 1914 that Demo-
cratic control of the House will be en-
daneered
The Progressive party is the thing
we have, to fear" declared one of the
most prominent of the members of the
Democratic National Committee. Our
campaign is going to be directed on the
theory that the Bull Moose is dan
gerous obstacle in the way of continued
Democratic success"
Not Sure of Victory.
In many quarters il is assumed that
II will be almost impossible next year
to sweep the Democrats out of control
of the House But the men who are
gathered here for the meeting of the
executive committee of the natoina!
committee are not so cocksure about II.
They doubt whether the country Is go
ing to see a rehabilitated- reunited and
restored Republican party Gut they
realize that it would be no extraordi-
nary thing as political currents SHIFT in
this country, If the combined strength
. of Republicans and Progressive party
men in the next House wers TO exceed
the Democratic strength.
Such a situation would be most en-
barrassing for the Administra ton,
would be looked on as defeat for the
Administration and for the Democratic
marty, and would make 1t Impossible
for the Administration to force through
legislation except after 1t had been
shaped to meet the ideas OF the TIo-
gressive party men and progressive Re-
publicans in Congress.
The aggressive course taken by the
Bull Moose minority in the House since
the special session opened is one OF the
things that has INDICATED to the Demo,
Gratis they must be on their @ snaro
over, from now on, the Bull Moose In
/ the House are going to be In better
position than ever to keep Things stlrred
IN. CONGRESSMAN Mann. Republican
minority leader, made a fight to keep
the Progressive party men out Of as
many good committee places as possible.
But Democratic Leader UNDERWOOD
has turned down Mr.. Mann and has
kept his original promise to the Pro-
sressive party leaders. They Will get
fhirty-seven committee places, and OF
these there will be one each on four
teen of the leading House committees.
The only big committees on which the
Progressive party men in the House
viii not get representation will be Riv-
ers and Harbors and Agriculture. This
II a gictory for the Bull Moose.
One of the results of the Democratic
fear Of the Bull Moose. will be that
liberal fund for preliminary organiza-
. tion work. distribution of literature,
and publicity will be provided. The
I Democratic leaders saw the Bull Moose
national organization has s20o,o0o at It's
command for preliminary organization
purposes, to pave the way for next year
and 1916. They doubtless will find ways
TO raise more than this.
Z Affects Legislation.
Another result of the apprehension
over Bull Moose activity is going to be
felt in a legislative way. The Admins
tration and House and Senate Demo-
I cratic leaders will endeavor to keep on
record as working for progressive legis-
/ lation. They realize that il IL should
/. appear the Democratic elements in Con-
! gress were headed in a reactionary d.
rection, tens of thousands of Progress
i've Democrats would quit following the
party of Jackson and ally themselves
with the party Of Roosevelt.