South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-03
PROGRESSIVES To
CONTINUE AS A
SEPARATE PARTY
George w. Perkins Bitter in
DenunCiation of Sources in
New York From Which
AmaIgamatiOn Stories Arose

CHICAGO, Dec. 3.-The progressive
party Will continue intact and without
amaIgamation with any other party,
according 10 bull moose leaders who
gathered from "a states to attend the
national conference which opened in
Chicago on Wednesday.
That the question of the COntinu-
ance Of the party as il is would be the
keynote Of the conference became ap-
parent with the arrival of George w.
Perkins, chairmOn of the national eX-
ecutive committee and the man said
to have financed the moose Organiza-
ton from its outset
Mr.. Perkins was bitter in his denun-
citation of sources in New York from
which have emanated reports that the
prOgressives were looking about for
allies and that an amalgamatiOn with
either The republicans or democrats
was imminent.
other leaders took up Mr.. Perkins
cudgel and with him hammered out of
existence all traces of the reorganiza-
ton rumor.
For Peace Policies.
Another point which predominated
the opening meeting was the part Will
liam Howard Taft would play in the
1916 race. Unless the republican
nominee is a progressive in his party,
they predicted Prest Wilson would
again sweep into office by an over
whelming majority should he be the
democratic candidate. The progress
sive leaders on a motion from Con-
gresham Murdoch. avOwed their sup
port to the president in his peace pol
icies, regardless Of party ties.
The absence of Theodore Roosevelt
at the meeting created much comment
until il was explained by Mr.. Perkins
that the chief bull moose had never
been invited to attend a national con-
ference and further that he was too
busy writing his war stories, anyway
to leave his New York desk.
That the party should continue to
prosecute its fight alone was declared
the only solution to the present pOlit-
ical situation. II was limited, how
ever. that the question of amalgama-
ton with either of the other two par
ties might come up later, with the
opening of the 1916 campaign.
Don't Desert the Ship"
But whether this question might
come up in the future or not" de-
clared Mr.. Perkins holly. lis a matter
TO he decided then. and not now. We
have made our decision, and we are
going TO stick by it. Our slogan is
going to be: But don't desert the
ship
New York is proving itself 10 be
possessed Of a very productive rumOr
factory. 1t has grown to be the source
Of repeated false statements and UNI
founded rumOrs concerning the pro-
gressive party. Behind these lies an
Rnimus and a motive of which we in
the executive councils of our party are
well aware. but unfortunately the
general public often is fooled.
The party is going ahead with its
fight. And despite the enmity which
certain powers in New York show to-
wards us. we will retain our national
headquarters in that city
Mr. Perkins stated that the work be
fore the executive committee at this
time was solely routine, and not of
any special significance. There VIII
be an informal exchange of views be-
tween the national committeeman and
state chairmen, he said, and that was
about all.
Big Attendance.
The numerous reports which have
been spread broadcast that the Chi
cago meeting was 20 be a dissolution
meeting" brought out a bic attendance
at the conference. Written invitations
were sent out and in order that no un-
invited guests might be I'm ON the pro-
ceedings. only those receiving the IN
vitations were admitted.
Mr. Perkins opened the meeting,
and was received with great out
hurst OF enthusiasm as he sounded the
stick together" slogan. For the next
hour or two the atmosphere was hot
with the ready spirit of loyalty 10 the
big moose. which peryaded at the
meeting