The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-10
JOHNSON GIVES
.G.0.P.WARN|NG
California Senator Insists Pro-
gressivism Still Enshrined In
Hearts of Millions.
BY GEORGE X. HOLMES.
Iat~ruatI0nn News Service.

With the assembling of the new
Republican Administration but @
scant eight weeks distant, Senator
Hiram Johnson of California took
occasion today to issue significan,
public statement.
1t contained a warning that "re'
action is on today" and that pro.
gressivism, though perhaps mo-
mentarily forgotten, ''is yet en-
shrined in the hearts of millions"
PRIMARY ENDANGERED.
The Immediate subject of the Cali
fornia Senator's statement was the di'
rect primary. This is endangered. hi
said, and II is Progressivesim'3 frs
duty to see that 1t is saved from
those who would destroy IT.
II have read much lately said
Senator Johnson, about the pass
ing OF Progressivism. Progress
sivism has not passed. Certain
progressives have. The limclight
progressives who were more inter
ested in office than in policies have
wanted thier horrible past for
gotten. and have endeavored to
atone by outregularing regularity.
But Progressivisn, though fPr-
gotten by many so-called leaders,
liz likewise cherished by the great
inarticulate mass, is still enshrined
in the hearts OF millions.
Reaction is on today. Reaction
against the human advance OF the
past quarter of a century and re-
action against the political rights
with much difficulty won by the
people. Reaction always shows 1t
self first in attack upon the right
of the electorate to choose for 1t
self its candidates for office; and
today we witness the assault all
along the line upon the direct
primary. II this succeeds. there
is little that exploiting privilege
has to fear from public OFFICIALS.
With the primary destroyed, OF
ficials generally viii answer as in
former days, not to all the people,
but to the powerful few.
SEES LABOR MENACED.
The litter concerted movement
against la Dor by which the splen-
did gains OF humanity are inn
perilled and jeopardi2ed. is the &C
compartment OF the endeavor TO
take from all the voters the right
OF nomination OF their public ser
wants TO prevent the elimination
of the direct primary. Of the right
of selection of public officials by
all the men and women voters, and
the destruction or modification OF
that which has added to the com
mon welfare and enabled common
humanity to have a juster measure
OF LIES opportunities and enjoy
ment ia the work ahead for pro-
gressivism. and this work will be
done by the rank and file without,
and II necessary, in spite OF pro-
gressivisms former leaders"
What inspired the California SEN
ator. who was Theodore Roosevelt
running mate in 1912. to issue this
statement at this time-almost on
the eve OF the Harding Administra-
ton coming into power--he did not
state.
But leaders of the Republican or
ganization saw in il a deeper signif-
canoe than the mere warning that the
direct primary is in possible danger
They viewed II in the light of a
broad warning from Senator John
son and his friends that any attempts
to guide the course of the new Gov.
ernment away from the doctrines OF
Pre- yressivism will be met with in
ST.. t opposition and fight from the
s al but militant group of Pro-
,srtssives Ia the new Congress.
Conjecture has been frequent and
widespread in Washington over the
y, ssibility Of n split In the ranks oI
the new Republican Congress before
IL Is many weeks old
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