The Detroit times., 1913-11-28

now being used by
persons who do not dare to fight IN
the open against the initiative, refer
endum and recall. In consequence,
although the fact Is not generally
known, this movement toward max
ing government more democratic has
been. during the last year. brought
practically to standstill. Eight
state legislatures. under pledge to
submit, have rejected amendments.
Four have submitted worthless
amendments, two have submitted fair
| ly good ones, one has by statute rem
dered imperative an amendment al
ready adopted by the people. one has
submitted mutilated amendment IN
lieu OF a good one now in force. The
net results in 1913 to date are lG
defeats and two victories for the In
itiative and referendum.
| Aroused by this situation, real
friends OF popular government have
called a national conference which
will take place here on Dec. Q, ana
which will be addressed by prominent
progressives of all parties, among
whom are Secretary OF State Bryan,
Senator Robert l.. Owen, Rep. Rob-
ert Crosser, of Ohio: Herbert Quick
Senator Harry Lane, OF Oregon: Sen
ator CApp. of Minnesota: Rep. M.
CLYDE Kelley, Of Pennsylvania Frank
Walsh, of Kansas City; Everett Coz
by. of New Jersey: Samuel Gompers'
of the A. F. of L.. and many others.
The purpose of the convention Is
to form the National Popular Govern
ment league-a permanent. non-paru-
san, national organization OF innueh'
tial men to promote and protect popu'
lar government measures. TWO prih'
cipal measures will be advocated by
the league. The first is the Gateway
amendment, to afford an easier meth
cd of amending the federal constitu'
ton. under which II would be pos
sible for both houses Of congress, or
by either house should the other
house twice reject a proposal. or By
10 states. to propose amendments to
the federal constitution which would
be submitted directly to the voters
of the nation at a general election.
The second big job which the
league has laid out for itself Is the
securing of the initiative. referendum
and recall for states and cities. and
preventing the enemies OF popula.
government from slipping In jokers.
At the afternoon session OF the con
vention. "fve-minute reports from the
battle line" will be made from states
where the campaign is on to secure
the initiative and referendum in the
states of Delaware, Florida. Illinois,
Maryland. Massachusetts,, Michigan
Minnesota, New Hampshire. New
York and Pennsylvania. Reports Will
also be received from leaders OF the
popular government movement In
states which have already adopted
these measures.
Senator Harry Lane, OF Oregon:
Congressman j. A. Falconer, OF Wash
ington. and Congressman Robert
Crcsser. of Ohio. will discuss the
question. Shall it be made unlaw'
full TO compensate solicitors for circu'
lating petitions?" This question is
now agitating the state OF Oregon
and so good a friend Of popular gov
eminent as ex-senator Jonathan
Bourne has been in the past, Is now
adv coating a law which would pro-
hibit the payment OF solicitors of sig
natures TO petitions. Such law. Ii
is believed, would absolutely prevent
the operation OF the initiative and
referendum. In 1910, when the In
itiative measure known as the En-.
ployers' Liability law, backed by the
state Federation OF Labor, in Oregon,
was UP. 1t was found impossible to
secure the necessary number OF sig
natures to the initiative petition with
out employing hired solicitors. al
though the unions had membership
OF 10000 (Which was about the num-
Der of names neededD and although
the measure when submitted to the
electorate was carried by majority