Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-07
VOTED COORDINATION
INSTEAD OF MERGER

VOTED COORDINATION
INSTEAD OF MERGER
| Chicago. March 6.-Delegates to the
National Prohibition Convention to-
night voted to cooperate and federate
with the National Party in the further
ance OF certain mutual association but
rejected a proposal for complete mer-
ger.
I To Retain Name
After test vote on the merger reso-
luton had failed to produce the two
thirds majority. necessary for adop-
ton, a substitute resolution by DR..
Charles Scanlon Of Pittsburg was ac-
cepted POT to Is. 1t provides that the
Prohibition party shall retain its name
and continues it's present activities, but
that its national committee shall meet
with the National Party committee to
cooperate in furthering the election Of
state legislators and congressman ia
voring the platforms of the two par
ties.
Although DR.. Scanlon's resolution
was made unanimous on motion OF w.
G. Brudbaker Of Illinois. who fathered
the resolution for complete merger.
delegates from many states declared
they would go over to the National
Party and disband their state organi-
cations. Such action will have to be
taken at state conventions. Some Of
the states which it said would bolt are
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Wash
ington, North Dakota and Kansas.
Two Days Of Debate
Final action came after two days Of
lively debate that resulted in dead
lock in which neither those for nor
those against the complete merger
could muster the two thirds majority
necessary. At times each side was able
to muster a majority. for the delegates
becoming weary with the long hours
of argument, repeatedly changed their
votes.
The anti-merger faction Yed by Mr..
Scanlon apparently was in the majority
at the opening of the convention, but the
merger faction gained strength until they
had a majority. The test vote on the
Brubaker resolution showed the merger
, faction ahead 173 to al. A vote on the
first day on the question of whether a
two-thirds majority was necessary 20
pass the merger resolution was won by
the anti-merger faction overwhelmingly.
| Dr. Scanlons resolution introduced as a
compromise was bitterly opposed. A Wig
orous debate took place between DR..
Scanlon and Mr.. Brubaker during which
each was charged with "Kaiserism" and
attempting to run the convention.
| Virgil C. Hinshaw. Prohibition natio1a,
committee chairman. at the close of the
convention outlined the plan Of co-opera-
tor with the National party War proin-
bition within 50 days. final action on the
constitutional prohibition amendment
| within Is months. election Of state legis-
lators and congressman favoring the two
parties. are the chief aims which will be
sought. He announced that W. J. Calder
! wood Of Minnesota would run for the
United States Congress on the National
ticket. and that John Spargo of Vermont
/ also probably would run for Congress.
Both would be supported by prohibition
lists, he said.
After sending kilograms to President
Wilson and both houses Of Congress
urging immediate war prohibition and
pledging its loyalty the convention ad :
journed.
National Party Convention
The National Party, formed by q
group who bolted from the Socialist
Convention in st. Louis because of its
alleged disloyal stand. transacted only
routine business at fts national RON
vention here today. John Spargo of
Vermont was appointed temporary
chairman and committees were APP
pointed. Adjournment then was taken
pending the decision of the Prohibi-
ton party on the question Of merging
with the National Party.
| Approximately a hundred delegates
were present. including many former
members of the Progressive party.