Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-06-06

THIRD PARTY RADICALS
", MAY NOT BE APPRAISED
Remnants Of Bull Moose Party Made
Of Extremists Who Arc Uneom.
promisins-,cooI Heads Of Both Fac.
tions Working to Bring Order Out Of
the Chaos Of Four Years Ago.

PromIStn9-I00l u00oS Ot ooSH ~
tions Working to Bring Order Out Of
the Chaos Of Four Years Ago.
[By Judson C. Welliver.l
Chicago, June 6.-Four years ago one
convention met at this time in this
town, predestined to divide into two.
Today. two conventions are gather
ing here, and the question is whether
they can be consolidated around one
program, ticket and policy.
I think consideration Of the merely
physical difficulties in the way Of re-
uniting the republicans and progress
ives will illumine the whole problem
that confronts delegates and managers
A national convention Is not an eff
ficient legislative or deliberative body
It isn't trained or disciplined to the
consideration OF infinite detail, as a
legislative body must be. To manage
one convention is big enough task for
any group Of leaders. To attempt
driving two conventions in double
harness is vastly harder. Yet that is
the task ahead Of the men Of both the
republican and the progressive party
who want to present united front
against the democracy.
Both conventions, republican and
progressive, will be called to order at
noon on "Wednesday. The repub-
licans will vii! be ct the Coliseum. the pro-
gressives at the Auditorium; the better
fraction of a mile apart.
At the outset, there will be an ele-
ment IN each convention that will want
to act entirely Independently Of the
other. There are, especially, some
leaders among the progressives who
insist that they should behave as II
there were no such Institution as the
republican party They want the pro-
gressive convention to organize, name
committees, nominate ticket, adopt q
platform. adjourn and go home, with
absolutely no reference to the doings
Of the republicans.
In the minds Of these non-conform-
lists, the only procedure Is to name a
ticket and let the republicans take OF
leave 1t. Some Of those who entertain
this view are influential leaders. No
body can guess, as yet, how large a
proportion Of the whole progressive
gathering they will constitute. But
this much is pretty certain
Progrsssives Slump.
The progressive party has slumped
good deal from the 100000 votes
counted IN 1912. 1t Is reasonable te
presume that the delegates who come
to this years convention are largely
the uncompromising element: the last
ditchers. Can their leaders manage
them? Can the cflieftains Keep them
in session, marking time. while ex-
changes Of views can be conducted be-
tween the progressive managers and
the republican leaders? Mere physical
patience will become factor here. No
known gathering Is quite so mercurial
and temperamental as q national con-
vention. Maybe an Irish parliament
would be: but at present there is no
Irish parliament And Of all the touch
and-go political conventions, a pre-
gressive one is probably entitled to
rank we'll toward the top.
Very we'll Keeping these psycho-
logical aspects in mind. consider now
the conditions to be met. The two
conventions must be steered along so
that neither shall get TOO far ahead.
Neither must take an 'rrevocable step
till the other has been committed. thru
consultation and conference, to ac-
ceptance Of that step and its impl:ca-
tions.
How docile will the mass Of dele
gates, in each convention, prove? How
willing will they be to surrender their
political convictions, futures and fates
into the keeping of conferees or steer
ing committees or whatever you may
choose to call them?
These are the questions that men
are asking each other just now; the
questions that are bothering managers.
national committeeman. leaders Of an
shades and views.
Let me illustrate. Governor Hiram
Johnson, Of California, came to town,
and promptly announced himself in
favor Of going ahead, holding thor
oughly Independent convention, paying
no attention to anybody else, and ad-
journing when a ticket and platform
had been made. He was candidate for
vice president on the progressive ticket
in 1912, and Is an important figure No
Knowing how much following he would
command if he should get on the plat
form and voice his demand for no
compromise.
Likewise. there Is Clifford Pinchot, a
seasoned progressive. He published a
full page advertisement in the Chicago
Tribune, setting forth in effect that
while he is in favor Of uniting with
the republicans on a program and
ticket that shall represent straight-ou
Americanism In the present interna-
tional crisis, he doesn't want the pro-
gressive party to coalesce with the re-
publicans. He wants its national and
state organizations preserved. in order
that, II the republicans shall "go re-
dictionary hereafter, on domestic is
sues. the progressives may be able, at
ter the international crisis, to use their
organization to compel forward-look-
ing legislation of human Importance.
This Is very similar to the opinion
entertained by Governor johnson. # #
Is the kind Of sentiment that adds to
the difficulty of composition between
the two parties. There is no doubt
that men who sincerely want to bring
about such a measure of unison as is
possible at this time, are gravely con-
cerned lest extremists may tumble
over the whole kettle OF fish.
Can They Get Toaetherl?
n each convention could turn over
to steering committee of a few men
the business Of getting together"
with the other party; If the steering
committee in each case could possess
the complete confidence Of the con-
-ent!en behind it,; i there could be