The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1922-11-24
Ia Toilette Assumes
! Progressive Leadership
ISSUES CONFERENCE CALL
TO PLAN ORGANIZATION OF
MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES

Washington, Nov. ga call for
national conference of progressives to
meet here December I and 2 to orga-
nize progressive group IN congress
was issued tonight by Senator La Fol-
lette, Republican, Wisconsin: and Rep
resentative Huddleston, Democrat,
| Alabama; chairman and vice chair
man respectively of the Peoples ex-
ecutiye service.
Formation of not only a cohesive
progressive bloc in senate and house,
but also a national council of pro-
gressives, without regard to party,
ment There was no mention of a
was the apparent object of the move
third political party and before the
cali went out, Senator La Toilette de-
clared a new party must be a matter
of evolution and could not be estab~
lished through a meeting of any. group
Of men and adoption of resolutions.
The call proposed meeting of pro-
gressive members of congress Decem-
ber I and of a gathring of progressive
members generally on December 2. In
vitations to the latter meeting were
sent, it was announced, to ga repre-
sentative group of influential progress.
sive men and women throughout the
country" whose names were not div
ulged.
VIII Announce Names.
Telegrapl1ic replies were requested
and, it was said, the names of those
accepting would be announced as re-
plies were received.
Previous to announcement of con-
ference call, Senator La Toilette is
sued a statement declaring that the
"time has now come for the ofganiza-
tion Of we'll defined group in support
of accepted progressive principles and
policies, and the defeat Of the admin
istration ship subsidy bill, proposed
anti-strike legislation and projected
transfer of federal forests to the in
terror department"
Senator Capper, Republican, KAN
ksas, chairman Of the senate farm bloc,
almost at the same time issued a
statement declaring. against the ship
subsidy bill and outlining program
of legislation including farm credits,
prohibition of tax free securities, and
reduction of freight rates and govern
ment taxes.
Both Senators La Toilette and Cap
per said the recent elections were a
victory for the progressives over the
reaetlonaries, but it was not apparent
to what extent the plans of the farm
bloc might coincide with these Of the
La Follette-Huddleston group.
Active Group Wanted
The call issued by Senator La Fol-
| lette and Representative .HudClleston,
with the latter a strong labor cham
pion III the house, announced that it
was "for the organization of an active
working group in congress" The gen.
eral conference on December 2, it was
said, further, would include "leading
progressives not already actively af-
filiated with the peoples executive
services-an organization formed two
years ago at a dinner of Senators,
representatives and others.
"It was decided at that time that.
it was premature attempt to orga-
nize the handful of progressives il the
two houses of congress-" said the
call, "but without organization these
members of congress who are devoted
to the peoples interests have strug-
gled manfully- against overwhelming
odds and have won many important
victories. They have blocked many
vicious bills and have saved the tax
payers hundreds of millions of dollars
and exposed some gigantic evils. But
above all, they have let the people
know what was happening in Wash
ington.
The people have responded. They
have elected very considerable
number of senators and representa-
tives with splendid record of fidelity
to public-service. They have done all
that could be done at this election to
express their will that this govern
ment shall be genuine progressive.
Time Is Opportune.
"It is apparent, therefore, that the
time is opportune for conference to
ton Of all the progressives in con-
gress.
Just what senators and representa-
tives will join the progressives move
was not revealed but several have
pointed out recently the desirability of
some such a step. Among other, Sem
ator Borah, Republican, Idaho, has
said that he planned to meet in confer
ence with progressive members of the
senate and house with a view to CO.
operation in legislation.
Senator La Toilette later today
attended an executive meeting of Off
cials of railroad labor unions who are
|associated in the conference for pre-
|gressive political action, and address,
led them at length upon pending poIi-
Itical issues and the possibilities Of re-
action II, congress-