The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-21
Practically Extinct in Mis-
souri, and Dying in West
BIRTHDAY AFFAIR
AT NEPORT A FIASCO
Despite Widely Advertised Speech of
Colonel Roosevelt, But 2S2 Per-
sons Heard His Address-The
Colonel Annoyed
BY HOLLAND

New York July 20.-(Special. )-Fof
the mast three or four months informa-
tion has, from time to time, reachea
this city which, If authentic. justifles
the belief that the progressive party
In many parts of the west is either
sleeping or is closing a career Whlch,
although brief, was exciting and so-
perfieiaIly prosperous. One of the ex-
nerieneed politicians of St Louis, for
merly a member of Congress, upon a
recent visit to this city, said to his
friends that the progressive party was
practically extinct in Missouri, and he
had good reason for suspecting that it
was becoming moribund in other parts
of the west He added to this state
ment another-namely. that the
strength and popularity of Colonel
Roosevelt are more strongly main
tained in the east than in many parts
of the west.
Recent enrollments tend, to some ex-
tent, to confirm these statements.
Many of those who were active year
ago in the progressive movement seem
not to have thought it worth while to
enroll themselves so that they may
take part in the politics of the ap-
preaching fall. The more Intimate
friends of Colonel Roosevelt in New
York explain this apparent indiffer-
ence or lethargy by saying that this
is an off year in politics, there being
no congressional elections and very
few elections of state officers. They
predict that next year. in view of the
election of members of the new Con-
of 1914, the strength and earnestness
of the progressive party will be suf-
ficient to show that the organization
is not moribund nor has Indifference
affected any of its members
Today information was brought to
New York from Newport r. l., telling
of certain peculiar features of the re-
cent birthday celebration of the pro-
gressive party at that city. The in
formation was somewhat astonishing
since there had been no intimation in
the newspaper reports of the Newport
celebration of what the real facts were.
Some of the reports spoke of many
thousands as having been gathered at
Newport to see and hear Colonel Roose-
welt, ex-senator Albert j. Beveridge
and Jane Addams and to join in what
was expected to be a very impressive
and enthusiastic demonstration.
A Much Advertised Celebration
= The story as brought to this city by
those who are in position to know the
facts is as follows: Extensive and
somewhat expensive preparations We're
made for the progressive birthday
celebration at Newport. A vigorous
campaign of advertising was carried
on. The newspapers--at least the news
papers published in Newport and Its
vfcinity-contained conspicuous adver-
t1sements of the event, and the pub
lie was urged to make early prepara-
tions to share in the festivities, since
the probabilities were strong that as
many as 10000 persons would take
part.
In addition to the newspaper adver-
tisements, large and attractive bill
board posters were displayed for many
miles around Newport. There were
also circulars and private correspond
ence sent forth in great numbers.
Arrangements were made for the
running of special trolley cars from
Providence. New Bedford, Taunton and
other large towns and villages within
easy reach of Newport 1t was also
announced that special trains would be
run by the railroad companies whose
lines enter Newport and there were
also to be special steamboat excursions
The Great Tent
The committee was compelled to go
rs IaT west as -Cnlcago before 1T could
secure tent large enough to comfort
ably protect and cover the multitude
which was expected to be present A
Chicago tent of a capacity of 5000 per-
sons was secured and was placed in po-
sition on the seashore at Newport The
excursions were to be continued for
two days. There was to be an i'm
posing naval spectacle, and that of it.
self, 1t was presumed would tempt
MANY thousand visitors to Newport
The chief attraction, however was to
be the presence of Colonel Roosevelt
and the promised delivery by him of
an address which would reaffirm the
principles of the progressive party and
would serve as text for progressive
addresses all over the country 1t was
! also believed that ex-senator Beyer-
1dge of Indiana. would fittingly sun
plement the address which Colonel
Roosevelt promised to deliver, and it
was presumed that the appearance of
Miss Jane Adams of Chicago, would
still further supplement the interest
and excitement caused by the appear-
ance and address of Colonel Roosevelt
The committee on entertainments had