New-York tribune., 1922-11-19


Referring 60 the progressive eles
of cleavage will be drawn that separ-
ases she sheep from the goats.n
Senator La Toilette declared agri-
cultural conditions in the West were
"a tragedy and that before the new
Congress met the chief question con-
fronting great part of the people
might be TO "gst bread and BUTTER
Senator La Follette's program un-
queetionably spells trouble for the
regular Republican organization and
the Administration. Some see IN II
trouble for Mr.. Harding in 1894, with
Mr.. La Toilette or some man sup
ported by him an active candidate fot
President, either on the Republican
ticket or o third party ticket.
The Wisconsin Senator this after.
noon attended the conference Of rail-
road employees officials here. He am
fiounced chat he would press the gaao-
line investigation and the Teapot
Dome Inquiry.
Senator La Foliesss~s statement fol-
lows:
"As q result of the elections, sit
nation has been created which, 60
my mind, calls for definite action on
the part Of progressives in Congress,
The people have given them q man
date which cannot be ignored.
For several years u small number
Of progressives in both parties have
been in disagreement with the most
important policies of those who have
been for the time in positions Of
party leadership.
although it has been apparent that
the bread aims and purposes Of these
progressives were In harmony, the
necessary elements have not been
present for the formation of an ag-
gressive group, united upon program
of positive action.
Nevertheless, in time Of great re-
action, the progressives in Congress,
acting without any concerted plan,
have defeated many vicious pieces Of
legislation and have presented aitern-
ative policies which have commanded
general public confidence.
"The time has now come for the
organization of weli-defined group,
cooperating in support Of accepted
progressive principles and policies. The
announced program Of the adrninistra-
tion makes plain the necessity for i'm
med ate action.
at has been stated that, disregard
ing the expressed will of the people
ard ignoring the necessity for irnmedi-
ate and tangible relief for prostrate
American agriculture, President Hard
ing is about to demand the passage Of
the ship subsidy bill by the present
Congress. Administration leaders have
Indicated, also, q desire to rush
through q program Of legislation ac-
into small number Of monster sys-
terns, and giving the Railroad Labor
Board coercive power to prohibit and
punish strikes and other lawful actiy-
tiles Of employees.
Great interests are employing their
Influence with high officials in the Ad-
TO effect the immediate
transfer Of the national forests to the
control Of the Secretary Of the In
terior, whose declared policy and prac-
tice is TO turn the natural resources
of the nation over to exploitation by
private monopoly.
"These measures must be defeated.
wherever the ship subsidy bill was
all issue In the campaign as in the
great Republican states OF Minnesota,
Iowa. Wisconsin, Nebraska and North
Dakota, it was overwhelmingly repu-
dated. The action Of President Hard
ing in forcing the ship subsidy bill
upon Congress at this time is, there
fore, o direct challenge not only to
the Progressives but to the people.
II am convinced Cnae gnere are in
ber Of patriotic and courageous men 20
defeat this measure. In any event,
such attempts to abuse the dominant
power Of the Administration over this
discredited Congress will be resisted
at this time and will be decisively re-
pudiated 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 single
state holds the balance Of power in
the House Of Representatives.. Core
spcndingly, group Of eight or ten
progressives may act with equal effec-
tiveness in the Senate.
Within the last two months / have
talked with influential men and wosaen,
including number of the Progressive
candidates who were successful at the
recent election. I have everywhere
ben impressed with the fact that
there is a deep and insistent public
sentiment which will support a Gin
cere effort TO mobilize the Progressive
forces in Congress-.
For my own part, I am ready to
participate in such movement at tho
present time, and am convinced that
if proper action is taken without de-
lay great opportunity for public serv-
ice will be presented.
Within the next few days I expect
to consult with my colleagues in both
branches of Congress, and trust that
some definite understanding may soon
be reached"
The call for the national conference
OF progressives in Washington, De-
cenber | and 2, says in part:
Two years ago, after an election
in which reaction had triumphed, a
small group Of Senators and Repre-
sentasives met together in Washing
ton and, with the cooperation and
support Of many Progressive indi.
viduals and organizations, established
the Peoples Legislative Service as the
most effective means of assisting this
group In their effort TO preserve the
public interest.
Among those present at the dinner
at which the service was formally es-
tahlished were Senators George w
Norris, William S. Kenyon, David /
Walsh, Edwin +. Ladd and Robert Nj
La Toilette; Senasor-eleet Smith w
Brookhart, Representative Joseph D.
Beck, Z. E. Browne, w. J. Burke. Ross
a. Collins, James A. Frear, George
huddleston, Oscar E. Keller, James N.
Mead, John NJ. Nelson, j. H. Sinclair
and Edward vorgt, and some 200 In.
huential men and women.
1T was decided at that time that IL
vas premature TO attempt to organize
the handful Of progressives in the two