The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-12
DEMOCRATS PLAN
MING TO KIDNAP
PROGRESSIVES

meeting II may turn out 20 DO a
truly thrilling affair. Quiet confer
onccs among Democratic committee
men sunday and sunday night re
suited IN a determination on new
program.
Theodore Rooscvclt's refusal to
run reiterated yesterday PRED
the kidnapping plan II is the opin.
ion az Democratic committeeman that
Roosovelt's action spells the death
o. the Progressive party. The com
mitfccmon will bend every effort to-
ward gathering i'm the 4ooo.oo0 Pro
eres i've votes They have coun-
scllcd with Washington by wire in
the brief time Of planforming and
the White House is said 70 be pre-
pared 10 back up the effort.
Swift developments since Satur-
dav may have a marked bearing on
he Democratic platform although
one Of the men busiest on the kid
uapng scheme declared today the
platform on which Senator Stone
and President Wilson have been
working probably will serve the dc.
sired purpose
Various leaders were Cvasivo whom
asked about II today National
Chairman McComhs said to be tho
actual originator, tacirly admitted
no WAS working with others to bring
u 10 g head
Somebody must adopt the child %
they said smiling, and addcd--'all
1000 0o0 OF it
Asked point.hlank n overtures 10
Progressive leaders were proposed,
he refused To discuss the matter fur
Their He maintained the same at'i-
tude concerning any steps that may
have been taken by him IN this con
uection, while In Chicago Others
said. however, that the fact Roose-
welt would abandon his leadership OF
the Progressive party was not known
In Chicago when McCombs left there
Friday, made II altogether unlikely
the Democratic chairman had talked
with Bull Moose leaders on the sub
ject. There IS every indication that
the thought was born with the col
onel's message from oyster Bay tell
ing his purpose not to take the nom.
nation.
The definite admission was made
by one Democratic leader that Ger.
tain Progressive leaders were ex.
pected I'm ST Louis in n few days.
He would not admit. hoNever, that
they had been invited
Col Robert Ewing, Louisiana
member Of the national committee.
said on this point:
Wed like to have them all here.
The treatment received by the loyal
Progressive workers at Chicago con-
stitutes one of the crimes OF Ameri.
can politics. in my opinion. Take
fellows like Victor Murdoch, for ex-
ample. who were led ont Of the Re-
be left high and dry when Roosevelt
found there was no personal success
in It for himself Murdock's politi
cal career may be ruined No one
ever questioned Murdock's sincerity
and it has been abused shamefully.
Men like Murdoch and William
Allen White cannot support justice
Hughes. White has declared since
Hughes was nominated that Hughes
milk and water statement on Amer
icanism' would prevent Progressives
supporting him"
The chief thing done 10 date. II
ives learned. was 10 check off the
probable Democratic platform
against tho platform adopted by the
Progressives last week. The Demo
cratic platform, IL was agreed would
meet the Progressives' expressed de.
sire on the following points:
Universal military training.
Regulation Of industry and just
distribution OF it's returns.
Re-establshment OF an American
merchant marine
National highway development.
A permanent tariff commission.
Removal of artificial causes OF the
high cost OF living.
Prevention OF the exploitation OF
men, women and children IN indus
try by extension OF the wcrkmens
compensation law and thorough
going child labor law.
Protection Of the wage Garner.
A properly regulated system Of
rural credits 10 encourage the farm
or and give 10 the landloss man an
opportunity 10 acquire land
stumbling blocks I'm any eet-to-
gPther program. all Democrats
agreed. would include the following
Moose planks: