Great Falls tribune., 1922-02-21
WORKERS PLAN
POLITICAL COUP
At INFERENCE
Farmers, Labor Leaders,
Socialists, Clergymen.
Join New Movement.
Support Is Pledged to
Program Intended to
Control Law Making.

| Chicago, Feb. 2O.-Unanimous sup
| port of new movement to install men
and women of the working class in the
nations legislative halls was pledged
BY farmers, members of the socialist
and farmerlabor parties. labor leaders
and clergymen in a conference Monday.
called by group of railroad union men.
!. headed by William II. Johnston. presi-
dent of the international Association of
Machinists
Declared by Morris Hillquit of New
York to be ''the most significant event
that has taken place in the American
labor movement for a generation" the
conference brought together leaders
! high in labor and minor political par
ties. Although Chairman Johnston de-
clared in his opening address that the
time was not yet ripe for formation of
a new party. the meeting was expected
to develop the germ of a new political
organization, which some delegates said
would be functioning by 1924.
Nonpartisan political action in the
1922 elections was the keynote of the
meeting. Committees on program and
organization will report to the conven-
tion Tuesday. when definite plans are
expected to be adopted.
Urges Great Machine
BY combining their efforts. workers
of every class could build political
machine which would elect 10 office
''men and women truly representative
of the people of the United States.
E. j. Manion of the Order Of Railway
Telegraphers told the delegates, and
both he and Thomas Van Lear. former
mayor of Minneapolis, pledged their
support to such movement.
Morris HilIquit of the socialist party
declared he was not at the meeting 10
make political capital and did not
seek office for socialist candidates
there.
I'VE are trying to give everything we
have as a party TO movement toward
the common cause. Mr.. Hillquit de-
clared. This is the first time that
the progressive elements of all diverg-
ent factions have gotten together IN
one common action. | believe IL Is the
most significant event that has taken
place in the American labor move
nent for generation
Would Continue Primaries
The Rev. Herbert Bigelow of Cincin
natl made plea to capture the prim-
aries in established parties by electing
men representative of the workers in
terests and II. F. Samuels. farmer of
Idaho, urging the unity Of all classes IN
achieving that end. declared he had
looked and hoped for 30 years to be in
such a convention as this.
Another clergyman, the Rev Richard
Hogue of Philadelphia. executive secre-
40 1f ha 7 far TnJlfS-
trial Democracy. pointed out the OPP
portunity to gather support from stud
ents "a new tide of insurgency only
lacking direction" he said. was sweep
ing the schools and seminaries of the
country and its support could be gained
by supplying leadership.
The organized farmers attitude was
presented by A. F. Long of the United
Society of Agriculture. who emphasized
the necessity for obtaining the actual
facts on the value of their production
and demanding their share of produc-
ton.
The farmer-labor party. represented
by J. G. Brown. national secretary. was
friendly to the new movement, asserted
Mr.. Brown. who pledged his support
in any liberal plan of coalition.
Depend on Selves
''We must depend on ourselves and
not on our political friends he de-
clared. I'VE must develop leadership
within our own ranks
The same idea was expressed by
James H. Maurer Of the national ex-
ectuive council of thn socialist party
and president of the Pennsylvania State
Federation Of Labor
Il am willing to 60 the limit with
you" said Mr.. Maurer. ito bring the
producing classes together for com
mon political action.
Following the election of Mr.. John
ston as permanent chairman and Ben
iamin G. Marsh of the Farmers Ma
tional council. as secretary, the commit
tees we're named. as follows:
Program-Rasil Manly. ]. H. Frank
lin. George F. Griffith, E. J. Manion.
Herbert s. Rigelow, II. T. Daugherty.
Fl. F. Samuels. j. G. Brown. James
ONeaI. Harry W. Fox and Miss Alice
Lorraine DAILY.
anization-Frederic G. Howe.
John Fitzpatrick. Timothy Healy.
James Maurer, Martin F. Ryan, Morris
Hillquit. f. G. Curtis. Arthur Il. Holder
aud Miss A Aepnc NaSh;t