The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-25
STATE PARTY
COUNCIL DAY

VOOlVVl6 IN
CONTINUED From Page Cme.)
of old-line leaders since its endorse
ment in the platform Of 1910, is to be
again endorsed. In the hotel Hobbies
it was admitted that no fight would
be made on the I. and r. when its
provision was read, and that the plan
for placing 1t in the declaration OF
party principles was regarded as good
politics.
Remove Teeth From 1. & r.
Most Of the teeth will be removed
from the Republican I. and R., how
ever. and it is possible that the en-
dorsement Of the measure will point
| merely to the heroic stand Of Republl-
| can legislators in 1913 and ask that
| such a reform as they advocated be
written into law. In addition to the
I. and r. measure the Republicans
will endorse welfare reforms, but may
decide to tread lightly on a strong
endorsement of the minimum wage.
The Democratic state and national ad-
ministrations will be denounced. the
failure of the Democrats to reduce
taxes will be called attention to and
the spoilS system as a deadly tool in
the hands of innocent Democracy will
be mentioned. The low tariff program
will be referred to as the enemy Of
the Kansas farmer and the general
policies Of the Republican national
platform of 1912 will be endorsed.
But there will be no Republican
fights. it seems. Both Roosevelt and
Taft supporters Of 1912 who are still
fighting for the old party. are trying
to forget the breach which developed
in the platform meeting and gave the
state to the Democrats. And with this
| bit of history fresh in mind. both fac.
tions are working to sidestep possible
friction.
Prohibition Trouble.
Among the Democrats. the only
trouble concerned the endorsement of
national prohibition and national suf-
frage. There Il a real division in the
party concerning these issues and a
number of workerswant the p1anks left
out of the platform this year. Besides.
1t IL argued, suffrage and prohibition
are not sound Democratic doctrines.
| Hodges to Fight for 1t.
From the state administration.
though, is the clamor for the two pet
planks. Rather than see national pro-
hibition removed from the platform.
it was asserted today that Governor
Hodges himself might take the floor
this afternoon in defense of the meas
lure. Failure of the party to endorse
prohibition, it IL claimed, would mean
a slap at the Hodges Columbus speech
and a half admission that the Billiard
forces were justified in placing the To-
peka man in the gubernatorial race as
an Independent candidate. It is to
make the lines clean cut and clear that
the state administration crowd will. de-
mand a prohfbftory plank. And it is
quite probable that they will get 1t.
Strong Progressive Platform.
Progressive leaders came to Topeka.
Monday night and conferred regarding
party policies to be advocated in the
1914 campaign. This morning the plat
form question was again considered.
William Allen White. Congressman
Victor Murdoch. Henry J. Allen, U. s..
Sartin and other third party leaders
submitted prospective planks and it is
believed the platform in Kansas this
year will be even stronger than the
tentative platform written by the
Progressives in February.
1 Both the Progressives and Republi-
cans will endorse national prohibition
and national suffrage. The Progressives
will endorse the initiative and refer
are not as enthusiastic about the meas
ure as when the reform was first urged
In Kansas four years ago.
| Time of Meetings.
1t is probable that the platforms of
the several parties will be written and
approved by q late hour this afternoon.
The council meetings will be held
promptly at noon. Immediately follow
ing the organization, a committee on
resolutions will be named. This COM
mittee win be furnished with several
bushels OF typewriter paper on which
ID written the prospective planks of the
party. AS soon as an agreement Is
reached concerning the planks that
should go into the state platform, the
matter will be checked up to the mem
bers Of the council: Barring the posi-
oiaties OF prolonged fights or discussion
OF party issues, the platforms Of all
parties should be- adopted by a late
hour this afternoon.
At 10 o'clock this morning the state
committees met for the organisation of
their lighting forces for the coming
campaigns. With the organization
this morning the various state
committees elected chairman, secretary
and treasurer who will be in active con-
troll of headquarters during the cam
paign.
| Grain Gossip
(By special wire to T. J. Myers)