The Washington times., 1916-06-14
Insist on "0fflcial Invitation" to
Progressives to Come Into
Fold.
BAKER DUBIOUS ABOUT PLAN
Daniels For It, and He Confers
With Leaders Of Suffrage
Advocates.
By LOWELL MELLETT.

BY LOWELL MELLETT.
st. LOUIS. June H-The Democratic
platform will contain a strong bid to
the so-called "fatherless' Progressives-
or there'll be a fight.
This was made clear today, as the
young and progressive members of the
party began getting together. A COM
pact group. led by Director of the Mint
Wooley, Assistant Attorney General
Houston Thompson. and Richard Lloyd
Jones, of Wisconsin, having started
things humming last night, kept IL Up
with the avowed purpose of getting d.
with tho arrival Of Secretary OF War
Raker and procurement by him on
the subject. no doubt was left that the
proposition to throw the doors wide open
to Progressives will have strong back
Ing In the resolutions committee.
Baker Is Dubious.
Baker. however. was dubious concern
ine the wisdom of inviting Progress
sives into tho party, a plan that had
gained Scod deal OF Roadway prior
to his arrival. He would not Indicate
whether any of the wilson-indorsed
platform planks that he brought with
him from Washington. bear on the ques-
ton OF gaining Progressive support.
There couldn't be any direct invita-
get Progressive support by drawing a
prevail"
Senator Kern, Democratic leader In the
to offering specific invitation by plat
form plank:
at should be directed" he said, ito
those Progressives' who indorse the
ent Administration and the Progressive
program enunciated In the platform
adopted here"
Daniels for Plan.
Secretary Daniels declared his en-
thusiastic support OF any practical
plan" to prove to Progressives that the
Democratic party offers that which the
Pregresslves are seeking.
The extreme to which Daniels might
De willing to go was indicated by a
series of conferences with radicals OF
various Understanding Spokesman for
women's suffrage. He talked with the
suffragists themselves. but his sessions
with Democratic leaders which favor
suffrage were regarded as more signifi-
cant.
Can they deliver what they prom
ise?' was the question attributed to
Daniels by one who urged Administra-
ton backing for the plan to give suf-
amendment. for suffrage.
What they promise is strong
working organization In the suffrage
states In behalf of the Democratic cam
didates: The. women Of the Congress
sional Union have offered to turn their
whole working force over TO the Demo-
cratic organization IL the present Con-
gress will put the Federal amendment
resolution through.
Backed by Half Million.
The organization is backed by the
S6O0.OO0 campaign fund guaranteed by
Mrs. .. II. p. Belmont
The opposition to the plan to garner
Progressive votes is quite tangible.
Tom Taggart is probably frankest
among the opponents. Having STAYED
on action by the national committee
thus far, he Is insistent there is moth
ing to this Progressive business" Ger
tain Southern leaders are with him. and
much Is made of the wrath that would
be aroused In the South by such ac-
ton, National Committeeman Ewing,
or louisiana. is not one or those who
feel there is any danger I'm this
The practical form the issue is taking
Is indicated today by the open DECLARE
tion OF one well-known leader. inasmuch
s as tie Democratic party has the South
tion should devote itself to winning
over States where Progressives have
been strong and leave the South out OF
consideration.
No expression on the subject is OBJ
tainable from Senator Stone, who is
TO be chairman of the resolutions COM
mittee. The first session OF the COM
mittee will be held tomorrow afternoon.
Government Ownership.
Government ownership OF railroads,
telegraph and telephone lines. and coal
deposits were advocated for the Demo-
cratic platform In a report TO the reso-
lutions committee by Frank p. Walsh,
Chairman OF the Committee on Indus
trial Relations.
Samuel Gompers, president or the
mitted advocacy of organized labor for
ownership OF telephone and telegraph
lines and far-reaching program OF eco
nomic and Industrial reform.
Sompers confined his demands largely