New-York tribune., 1913-07-14
CONDEMNS CITY PARTIES
T. R. DepIores National Lines
in Municipal Politics.
PRESCRlBES SPECIAL CURE
It's "Progressivism," Ex-Presi-
dent Says, Diluted for Use
to Local Application.

Colonel Roosevelt has announced him-
self i'm favor Of the destruction of party
lines in municipal politics. The colonel
has set forth his views in "Foreword'
lust published in the Progressive service
documents by the Progressive National
Committee In connection with an address
delivered by William l.. Ransom on May
10. entitled The Making Of Municipal
! Platform
In his foreword Colonel Roosevelts ad-
vice is directed particularly to liberals
of demonstrated tendencies in municipal
affairs" with broader application i'm
piled He says:
1T is surely desirable that all citizens
who agree on these fundamental matters
of municipal policy" (such as the estao-
hshment Of cducationl facilities for voca-
tional training and other reforms), and
who desire TO work for substantially the
same ends in municipal affairs should
come together and act together In the war
against both the forces Of reaction and
privilege and the forces Of sheer corrup-
tion and lawlessness.
This is not party amalgamation, how
over. the colonel insists. adding. 80 be
successful II must have nothing whatever
:, do with that kind Of fusion which con-
slsts merely In diCkering for division on
offices among various political organlIa-
tons II must represent the Joint action
~ decent citizens, irrespective Of their
several attitudes on national politics, on
behalf Of a platform plainly expressing
the fundamental needs OF the local stu
alton. and on behalf OF candidates whose
characters and expressed convictions are
such that the sincerity Of their acceptance
Of the platform Is evident"
The Progressive party. according to the
colonel. has platform which applies In
many important respects To local as well
AS state and national affairs. In this II
Is unlike the other parties. he declares.
As result of this. ne asserts that many
who oppose the party on state and ma
tional questions are willing u Join with
the party members In local political
issues This should he done. he declares
with party lines disregardcd.
These citizens" nc says. are in doubt
as 10 the desirability. FOR instance. OF the
Introduction Of the recall. the referendum
or the Initiative. into statewide or ma
tior-wIde matters. yet are quite willing
10 establish the rule Of the people I'm mu-
nicipal affairs. through tho introduction OF
suitable forms ~ these eXpedients. They
doubt whether minimum wage legislation.
In the form which II has taken In some OF
the nations Of the world. is consonant
with our economic and political theories,
or they doubt whether our conditions yet
call for the enactment of such legislation
I'M the state Of New York yet they readily
acduisscc In our view that every large
city should begin at once 20 do its part
and make It's contribution toward solving
tho problem of the minimum wage.
through the establishment of suitable edu-
cational facilities for vocational and con
tlnuatlon' training along lines which Will
give every boy and girl a chance for a
schooling Of practical value. thereby OBJ
Waiting the possibility that he or she Will
ever bo n problem for the student Of the
minimum wage"