The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-09-27
ROOSEVELT'S VIEW
ON PROGRESSWISM
Colonel Writes of the Newest
Party, It's Aims and
Achievements.
PARTY'S FIRST YEAR
In October Century Says Old
Parties are Really
Different.

Theodore Roosevelt declares in an
the October Century magazine that
there are two fundamental reasons
for the Progressive party, namely,
the fact that there are no longer any
real distinctions between the Demo
cratic and Republican parties, and
that those in control Of each of these
parties refuse to deal with the really
vital problems now before the people
of the United States. He goes briefly
into the history of the two older
parties and mentions the new polit-
focal issues that have arisen.
He says that most Of the issues that
the average man is interested in have
come up in their present form within
the past forty years or so. 1t is neces-
sary to face certain new facts,
whether we are concerned with the
wage-worker, farmer and small bust
ness man, or are considering the in
terest of the whole public. What the
people need Is to realize the demo
cratic ideals that our predecessors
had at heart, even if to do so means
completely changing the methods en-
ployed. The ex-president believes
that the Progressive party is the only
instrument by which this important
object can be achieved under present
day conditions Collective action
must be strengthened but not at the
cost Of individual initiative.
Attacks Bosses.
What Is really going on in the field
of politics Is not known to the rank
and file of the Republican party who
are in the hands of the Republican
bosses. In Colonel Roosevelt s
opinion, the corrupt methods by which
the Republican National convention
was controlled in the interest of Mr..
Taft was condoned by many men who
in their hearts feared the real control
of the people.
Colonel Roosevelt believes that the
Democratic party is diverting the peo-
pie from the really important issues
and that there is no evidence to show
that the work of that party on the tar
if problem will result in reduction of
the high cost Of living.
He declares that the Progressives
are for the rights of the people. Where
state powers will best obtain these
rights, they are for states rights
where federal powers will accomplish
the same result they are for national
social and industrial justice are con-
crete and definite, according to the ex-
president; and are the first in the his
tory of the country showing the pur-
pose of a national party to employ the
fundamentally of the government
sanely, for the purpose of accomplish
Industrial betterment.
UP to this time, social industrial re-
form has usually been thought of as a
municipal problem. 1t is important,
however, that we should realize that
there can be no lasting prosperity un-
less the farmer prospers. The govern
ment should assist farmers to organ
ize as the wage-workers and business
men have organized.
He recommends an interstate indus
trial commission for the control OF
trusts similar to the interstate com
merce commission. He is also in favor
of a healthy progressive tax on in.
herited wealth. Constitutional amend
ment is now possible but he declares
that it's processes are too long and I'M
certain. The Progressives are vitality
concerned in seeing that the people
have the upper hand over both pub,
lie servants, the court and the legisla
ture. In summing up, Colonel Roose-
welt says that the Progressive party