New-York tribune., 1918-03-09
Officers Represent All Fac
tions Absorbed by
New Body
Bid for Labor Vote
British Workers Will Be In
vited to Make Tour of
United States

CHICAGO, March 8.-David C. Coates,
formerly Lieutenant Governor of Col
orado, an active figure in the Socialist
party and one of the founders of the
National Non-Partisan League, was
made chairman of the National party
at the final session of its first conven-
tion here to-day. His election, as we'll
as that of all other officers, was with
out dissension, and the ticket as finally
adopted carried a representation Of all
OF the several parties anna gamated
with the new organization.
Definite action came after a day of
discussion with only a small number
of the delegates remaining. During the
day constitution was adopted, and
plans for bringing about an influx of
new members were considered.
). A. II. Hopkins, formerly New Jer-
sey State chairman of the Progressive
party, was elected chairman of the ex-
ecutlve committee and first vice -ch air
man OF the party. Other officers elected
were:
Second vice chairman. Miss Marie C.
Brehm, Long Beach, Cal; secretary,
Clarence E. Pitts, Chicago; treasurer,
William f. Cochran, Baltimore.
Share of Offices to Women
An equal representation of men and
women was made, in pursuance of the
poilcy to make equal suffrage one of
the main planks of the party platform.
More than fifty women delegates have
been attending the convention.
There was a mild sensation toward
the close of the session, when Mr. Hop
klns, IN his speech of acceptance, told
the convention that Senator Boies PEN
rose "domlneers and controls the des-
TIMES of the Republican party" Mr.
Hopkins said that while a Progressi
state chairman he was frequently in
touch with the Office of George w.
Perkins, and cited several alleged at
tempts of Senator Pcnrose to "bartcr"
candidates with the Progressive chief
tain.
Chairman Coates said that the func-
ton OF the "two big political parties"
Is soon to end. and that the new ideals
and hopes of the American public have
been exemplitied by the National party
He predicted nationwide victory for
the new body in 1920.
Headquarters of the party will be
opened in New York and Chicago and
in several other cities as rapidly as
permanent organization is effected.
Although he has not been in attend
ance at the convention, Upton Sinclair
was made a member OF the advisory
committee. Sinclair, with several
others, bolted the convention of the
Socialist party in July, 1917.
Cooperation Of British labor party
leaders will be sought in propaganda
launched bv the National party through
out the United States. The convention
unanimously adopted this resolutions:
"In consideration of the very close
accord Of their aims and ours, the Ma
tlonal party, through it's national con-
vention, recommends that one or two
of the members of the British Labor
party be invited by our executive COM
mittee to tour our country under our
auspices, to interpret more fully to
the American people their purposes and
methods"
The British Labor party and the Ma
tlonal party agree on virtually every
plank of their respective platforms.
John Spargo, of the resolutions COM
mittee, told the convention. He said
that labor is to play the leading role
in future world politics and that the
British Labor party's platform. as we'll
as that of the National party, best ex
empllfies this