Evening star., 1922-11-18


Wisconsin sena- Senator In Folle<te.
tor. He added that ''''
he proposed to discuss the matter
with other progressive members OF
both the Senate and House, and that
definite plans would then be adopted.
Senator La Toilette did announce
today, however. his intention Of fight
ing to the limit the administration
ship subsidy bill and the proposed
amendments to strengthen the Esch-
Cummins transportation act. He
pointed out that the progressive
groups in the Senate and House in
the new Congress would hold the bal
ance of power. and said they intended
to use that power. He assafled the
practice which keeps in Congress for
the next three months men who have
been defeated at the polls.
New Party Uncertain.
who would seek to run q great
business plant with a group of dis
charged employees he asked. While
he did not say that the progressives
would force a special session Of the
new Congress next spring. the in
timation was that 1t might be ex-
pected.
Does it look to you as though a
new third party would be formed to
meet the situation in the country"
he was asked.
II an near sighted when II comes
to looking for a third party" was
the reply. mo group Of men getting
together and adopting q resolution
can successfully launch a new party.
When the time is ripe. a new party
may be borne. but it will come
people"
The day will come. he predicted,
when the progressive people of the
country. will align themselves to-
tionaries. but when. he could not say.
A prepared statement. issued by
Senator Lafollette, follows:
AS result of the elections. a sit
uation has been created which, to my
mind. calls for definite action on the
people have given them a mandate
which cannot be ignored.
For several years a small number
OF progressives in both parties have
been In disagreement with the most
important policies OF those who have
leadership.
Unity and Positive Action.
Although it has been apparent that
the broad aims and purpose of these
progressives were in harmony, the
necessary elements have not been
present for the formation of an ag-
gressive group. united upon a pro-
gram of positive action.
Nevertheless. in a time OF great
reaction. the progressives in Con-
gress. acting without any concerted
plan. have defeated many vicious
pieces of legislation and have
presented alternative policies which
have commanded general public con-
ddence.
THE time has now come for the or
ganization of a well defined group. CO.
operating in support of accepted pro-
gressive principles and policies.
1.-THE announced program Of the ad-
ministration makes plain the neces-
sity for immediate action.
ut has been stated that, disregard
ing the expressed will of the people
and ignoring the necessity for imme-
diate and tangible relief for prostrate
American agriculture. President
Harding is about to demand the pass
age of the ship subsidy bill by the
present Congress.
Administration leaders have indi-
Gated also q desire to rush through
program OF legislation accelerating
the merger of the railroads into a
small number of monster systems. and
giving the Railroad Labor Board coer-
Give power to prohibit and punish
strikes and other lawful activities of
employees.
"Great interests are employing their
influence with high officials in the
administration to effect the immediate
transfer of the national forests to the
terror. whose declared policy and
practice is to- turn the natural re-
sources of the nation over to exploita-
ton by private monopoly.
''These measures must be defeated.
Wherever the ship subsidy bill was
an issue in the campaign. as in the
great republican states Of Minnesota.
Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North
Dakota, 1t was overwhelmingly repu-
diated. The action Of President Hard
ing in forcing the ship subsidy bill upon
Congress at this time is. therefore.
direct challenge. not only to the pro-
gressives. but to the people.
Sees Defeat Of Measure.
II am convinced that there are in the
present Congress a sufficient number Of
patriotic and courageous men to defeat
this measure. In any event. such at
tempts to abuse the dominant power Of
the administration over this discredited
Congress- will be resisted at this time.
and will be decisively repudIated by the
Congress to which the people have given
their mandate.
mo one can be unmindful Of the
fact that the election has created
such a close division in Congress
that the progressive delegation from
q single state holds. the balance Of
power In the House Of Representa-
tives. CorrespondinEly. Q group Of
eight or ten progressives may act
CONTINUED on Page Column s!