The Detroit times., 1913-03-07
NOT
WORRIED ABOUT
PARTY HARMONY
Recent Candidate for Congress
map-at-Large Speaks Before
Grand Rapids Wilson Club
POINTS TO WOBBLE
BEFORE CONVENTION
State Senator Murtha Also
Speaks Before Gathering
Wit and Mirth Abound

GRAND RAPIDS. Mich, March I.
Edward Frensdorf, OF Hudson. Dem
ocratic candidate last fall for con-
gressman-at-large, was one OF the
by the Wilson club, following State
Senator Murtha, who made plea for
party harmony.
Frensdorf did not seem 10 worry
much about lack OF harmony. Ills
speech was filled with satire and wit
and considerable ridicule, all directed
at the state Democratic organization,
which means Edward Shields and K.
o. Wood. There was some bitter
ness, too. Right to the fore Mr..
Frensdorf placed the fact that in the
ante-convention period Woodrow Will
son was not given fair treatment In
the state. His em.ssary. Dudley Field
Malone, was insulted and refused a
chance TO speak at various banQuets
where the other candidates were be-
ing lauded.
Michigan" he said, was more
stubborn than any other state in an
swering the call Of progressive
democracy. II two factions at the
Bay City convention could have
agreed upon spoils there would have
been a solid Harmon delegation from
this state to Baltimore. l too, am
for harmony" he added. "but not at
the sacrifice Of any principle. Michi-
gan was the only state where Wilson
ran third. Does that look like such
@ wonderful organization We are hear
ing so much about now? Only once
before in 76 years, did Michigan show
such small percentage of Demo
cratic votes. IL under this so-called
organization we could show only 26
per cent. of the votes. what need We
fear OF reorganization? want TO
set you boys right. 1t is not so vital
that we have no discord now Why,
IL all the Democratic leaders in the
state had gone down on the Titanic
and there had been no campaign,
Michigan would have returned at
least &c per cent. OF the votes for
Wilson"
While making no direct charge
there was no mistaking Mr.. Frens-
DORIS meaning. He was intimating in
every word his belief that the state
organization had been against Wilson
from the beginning. He asked, too.
II II was any wonder that certain
forces In the state were lukewarm In
their support OF Alfred Lucking when
IL seemed probable that Wilson plan
ned to leave the patronage In the
hands of the senators and cOnguess-
men. He drew the conclusion that
without a senator from Michigan the
national committee might hope to get
a longer finger in the pie. Would 1t
be right for the men who really work
ed and fought for Wilson to sit by now
and fail to try and do something for
their friends" he asked. Should we
turn over our winning checks to the
other fellow and allow him to cash
in?"
Frensdorf declared that had 1t not
been for the Wilson league Z. o.
Wood would have been nominated for
governor and that the Wilson league
by insisting upon progressive candi-
date finally induced Ferris to run. He
then took up an interview with Gov.
Ferris published In local paper and
turned loose all OF his sarcasm and
ridicule upon it. In fact Frensdorf
opened wide the wound In the side OF
the party and had no compunction In
jabbing in the probe.