New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-15
THE PROGRESSIVE VIEWPOINT
A Third Party Representative Com.
ments on MIR. McCook's Letter.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: AS an active Progressive of former
Republican sympathes, who has followed
with interest the efforts OF The Tribune IN
helping to define the frontier which for
the present at least divides those who were
on e united" the letter Of Mr.. Philip j. Nc
Cook in your issue of March 6, replying TO
the admirable exposition OF Progressive
principles and purposes contained IN the ear
ler letter of our county chairman, Mr. Lin
don Bates, Jr has given me much FOOD Tor
thought. Not, however, that all, or even
substantial part, OF that food is digestible.
In his sweeping condemnation Of the Pro-
gressive principles set forth in Mr. Bates's
letter Mr.. McCook characterizes them as
most illibera! measures, which, II adopted,
would destroy responsibility and make rep
reScutativc government a farce
Now, what are these "iliiberal measures?
Specifically the following: Direct nomlna-
tons wOrkingmen's compensation laws,
laws restricting child labor. laws limiting
the work hours Of women, national regula-
tion OF big business and national employ
ment bureaus 20 remedy the evils OF seasonal
unemployment.
Does Mr. McCook speak with authority for
The Republican party when he brands these
measures as "illiberal," and when he says
that their adoption would impair uuneces-
sarly local initiative and suppress individual
capacity and local CUSTOM
Wherein is 1t destructive OF responsibility
20 confer upon the people the power OF nom
mating directly their candidates Tor once =!
True. that would tend TO destroy the respon-
slbilty-and consequently the po"er-ot the
political boss but we Progressives prefer to
increase TO that extent the responsibility and
power OF the people themselves.
IL is true that workmeH's compensation
laws suppress the individual capacity OF the
selfish employer to swell his profits with the
blood of his employe, but we Progressives
raE.r AgFrt on
from the production OF the benefits enjoyed
by society shall be apportoncd so that those
who reap those benefits may bear their just
share OF the incidental burdens.
Il is true that laws restricting child labor
suppress the individual capacity of the selfish
employer 20 exploit the lives OF thousands
upon thousands OF helpless children, whose
only crime - the poverty OF their parents.
But we PrOgressIves prefer that such chill
dren shall not be broken upon the wheel OF
the greed and avarce OF heartIess individ-
uals.
/, Is true that laws limiting the work hours
of women suppress the individual capacity Of
selfish employers 10 sap the energies OF the
mothers OF the race. But We ProgressIves
prefer 70 conserve the strength and vitality
of mankind, even at the risk OF curblng the
nordnate desires and gross appetItes OF d
lew individuals.
No longer are these and similar measures
OF social justice such a. old age pensions.
state insurance against sickness, etc. the
mere fantasies OF the dreamer OF utopian
dreams They have been tried out not only
in various parts OF our own country, but IN
such nations as England and Germany. And
wherein have they been, after u fair test,
wanting?
Would Mr.. McCook contend that because
England has adopted much Of the Lloyd
George programme Of social reforms her
truly representative government has been
rendered farcical? Would the wonderful
industrial development OF Germany during
the past generation have been possible If
the adoption by that nation of these "Illib-
cral measures" had really served to impair
The local initiative and suppress the indvid-
ual capacity and local customs" OF her peo-
pie?
II is apparent from his satirical comment
thereon that Mr.. McCook utterly missed the
viewpoint Of Mr. Bstess criticism Of 'our
short GIFTED rulers" in treating the cancer
OF widespread unemployment with such emo-
!ients as bundle days" and municipal lodging
houses. We PTogreSsiyes do not object TO
the use Of these temporary alternatives, but we
DO believe il 10 be the essential duty OF So
ciety 10 uproot the cancers IN its body poll
tic, and that such duty is not fulfilled merely
by applying salye OF passing relief upon
the surface manifestations of those cancers
here and there.
And this illustrates, after all, prime diff
terence between the real Progressive and
the reactlouary. The Progressive seeks the
absolute removal of the political and eco
monte evils Of society, even II IN the proc
ess il should become necessary to disturb
sine -honored institutions that is, nstitu-
lions which have become hallowed merely by
time. whereas the reactionary IS too prone
TO worship the devil himself because of his
antiquity. The real Progressive seeks the
means OF enabling the starving. shiyering.
Jobless man TO earn permanently his food
and clothing and shelter, whereas the SNUG