New-York tribune., 1918-01-03
Political Parties Unite to
Gust Him and Some
Representatives
Plan Is Non-Partisan
Session of Legislature Urged
to Consider Senator's Stand
on the War
Especial Corrcsponde,,ce1

sin Loyalty Legion. backed by Rcpub-
Lean. Democratic and Prohibition lead
ers, has launched fusion plan where
ny political parties and factions in
Wisconsin will unite to elect loyal Rep
rescntatives and United States Senators
This is tho first organized move against
La Toilette and Badger State Congress-
men who have not whole heartedly sup
ported tho war programme of Prcs-
dent Wilson.
Resolutions declaring Wisconsin,
unrcserved loyalty to tho nations in
tcrosts in the war, adopted by the State
Council of Defence. have been for
whrded to President Wilson After
stating that 10000 soldiers and sailors
have been raised in the state, that Wis
cons'n stands ready to I'LL every quota
and give her last dollar to the cause
and that tho commonwealth demands
the most vigorous prosecution Of the
war, the resolutions conclude:
"Thcrefore, be it resolved, that the
Wisconsin State Council of Defence for
the people Of the State Of Wisconsin
calls upon all members Of Congress from
this state to give their loyal and help
ful support to the President in the Wig
orous prosecution Of the war, and that
any criticisms which they may offer
should be constructive. with the under
standing that it viii be recognized at
u,
remedy, and that they be rcassurct of
the support of this state in every CT
fort that will assist the President in
prosecuting this war, to the end that Il
satisfactory and lasting peace may BE-
achieved"
George A. West. chairman Of the Re-
PUB lean State Central Committee,
said:
From newspaper clippings | learn
that the loyalty of Wisconsin ia still
questioned in many sections of the
United States. Although this state has
promptly responded to every call Of the
tratlon. the undesirabl e stigma
of disloyalty is rot yet wholly cradi-
Gated. The unAmerican attitude Of
La Toilette and some of our Representa-
tlves in Congress is primarily to blame
for this libel, and their defeat, and the
defeat of other unpatriotic candidates,
VIII result in showing to the world that
WISCONSIN stands solidly back Of the
administration in its efforts to win
tho war, and that its citizens do not
approve OF the playing OF politics by
its repres cntatives in war times.
"To accomplish these results. it
seems desirable that all loyal political
parties, so long AZ the war lasts, should
forget party Affiliations and unite on
such candidates for congressman and
Senator'S at future primaries and clec-
lions as are imbued with the true
American spirit CT loyalty"
Meeting To Be Non-Partisan
The mass meeting which will be held
here soon vii probab Y be entirely non
Tarhsan. The programme has not yct
been completed. but it seems certain
that resolutions will be introduced d
dealing with La Follettc's attitude on
the war, and another set Of resolutions
demanding that the Legislature turn
Gown any bill to give the Governor the
power of appointment Will be the
major issue before the convention.
There may be stirring fight in the
convention over the latter question. and
there arc some men who arc high in
the councils Of IKE Loyalty Legion who
are dec airing emphatical.y that they
hei'cve the passage ot resolutions crit
iclsing Senator La Toilette and the
demand that the Legislature in its spe-
cal session pass resolutions asking
that the United States Senate take
action in regard to Senator La Fol-
lettc's position on the war should be
just as prominent an issue before the
convention as the Senatorial question.
Expect Sharp Protest
Friends of the Governor do not ex-
pect that there will be sufficient
strength in the convention to prevent a
demand that the Leg stature refuse to
grant the power OF appointment to the
Governor, but they do believe that
there VIII be sufficient protest to
make it an interesting session.
On the other hand, the friends Of
tho Governor believe that no matter
what the convention does the Legisla-
ture is likely to pass bill comforting
the power of a temporary appointment
on the Executive.
1t is also believed by the friends of
the Governor that the sentiment is
strongly in favor of the passage of res
olut'ons crlticising Senator LA Toilette.
he Philip men are not taking al ac-
tive part or making any canvass on
this question, but they declare that
the Legislative sentiment as expressed
by members is strongly in favor of
some action being taken on the attitude
OF the Senator, and they believe this
sentiment will be voiced in resolutions
Iassed by the Legislature.
The La Toilette people consider tho
main issue which will come before the
special session IF the Legislature the
question as to whether Senator La Fol
iette shall be criticised for his attitude
IN Congress on var issues.
La Toilette Men to Meet
Just as soon as the call for the spc
cial session is issued the La Toilette
leaders intend to call meeting and at
this meeting strong appeal will he
made for opposition TO the resolutions.
or course, the stand taken now bv
La Toilette is entirely on the issue Of
excess war profits tax. In an editorial
ny the Senator in MS magazine puh-
lisncd this week he devotes two papcs
70 presenting his IDEAS on financing the
war. lie berates the President for hi.
silence on the subject in the FOLLOWING
Words 'V'''' ''' :
oh. for one plainly spoken word
from the Chief Executive Of this coun-
Try IN favor Of the highest tax on in
comes and "ar profits in that crucial
time! IL would have won the dav for
just taxation, reduced measurable the
SIZE OF loans, the bond sales. checked
imitation and halted the increase in
prices on the necessaries OF life at a
tlme When they We're wellnigh intoler-
able. But, alas, that word was MT
spoken. The President was silent. W.