Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-03

IOW lIlk pOWcI, dllu IIlCy dIC III
Indiana, Iowa, and now North Dakota,
have added to their discomforture.
Sees Harding Opposition
Call the movement ''insurgent' farm
bloc. radical or what you will, there is
no denying the fact that President
Harding will find himself in the next
congress facing a new group OF OPP
pOnents.
The hands of the radicals are being
strengthened-day by day.
1t has been perfectly apparent for
many years that the words republican
and democrat are misnomers when ap-
piled tt some of the men who desig-
nate themselves as such. 1t has been
recognized that there is a greater at
finity between democrats and some re-
publicans than between congressman
and senator's claiming membership in
the same party.
1t has been difficult for most per-
sons. however, TO conceive Of a com
plete break away from the two old
parties.
Democrats nave been traditional for
-four generations.
For a brief time it was thought the
progressive movement which broke out
in 1902 would sound the death knell of
the grand old party.
But the progressive movement OF
that time famed and died about a
single personality. 1t famed about
Colonel Roosevelt when it seemed that
he had been won away from al of the
conservative tenets of republicanism. 1t
died when Colonel Roosevelt slipped
back into the old fold.
Unrest Exceeds 1912
But the political unrest of 1912 was
as nothing compared to the unrest of
today. Ten eventful years have gone
by. The progressive movement of 1872
was a quick burning revolution. 1t
failed.
The present radical movement which
is gaining Roadway. slowly but surely
is an evolution.
Whether a radical or liberal party
is to be born in the coming congress
the congress which will write the
story of the last two years Of the
present administration - that depends
upon the adhesiveness of the elements
which are being drawn together and
which, to n very large extent. are al
ready functioning.
The radical element will not have
the republican forces alone TO draw on.
already they can lay claim to democrat
ic recruits. Already six democratic
senator's have voted for some of the
highest amendments to the schedules
of the FOrdney-McCumber tariff bill;
already a number Of prominent demo- |
Gratis have voted solidly with the farm !
bloc. composed largely of independent
republicans. So much for the break
ing down of party ties.
Radicals Against AntIs
Some of the old line republicans in
Washington today will tell you that the
natural political alignment in this coun-
try should be between radicals and con-
servatives. That is the real issue
virtually today there is no actual re-
publican control of the senate because
of the fact that certain members listed
as republican designate themselves as
republicans only as a means to an end.
The farm bloc already must be con-
sidered in any mention of senate con
troll and it is this bloc which is gaining
notable victories in the republican pri-
maries. to say nothing of recruits in the
democratic ranks.
Even from Virginia comes word that
former Governor Westmoreland Da-
Wis, who is fighting Senator Swanson
for the toga. has announced that he
will align himself .olidly with the farm
MN th' iudJoihs - hat UiUC
be republicans or not.
This condition of affairs is temper-
ing n elation the democrats may feel
over the defeat of odd Guard" repub- !
licans IN their own party primaries. /
Conservative democrats say there ia
nothing politically to gloat over. Rath-
er there is much to talk over.
Primary Leaves LoophoIe
Ten years ago. it is admitted now,
the birth of aradical party. or the
making Of a republican party over into
4 radical party, was impossible. But
the new primary laws have wrought a
change. They have given the radical
and the independent a chance. It is
true these radicals have to announce
themselves as republicans or democrats
10 really have a chance, but as republi- :
cans or democrats they reserve to .
themselves the right of absolute indie !
pendence of office.
The nearness to radical control Of
the senate is brought home by the fact f,
that the defeat of McCumber and the f,
elevation of Reed Smoot to the chair !
manship of the finance committee will .
Bob LaFollette of Wisconsin a :
man on that committee and next in line :
to the craftsmanship under the sacred I
seniority rule. 1t is true the old '