Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-05
BLOC CONFERENCE
D|SCLA|MS POLITICS
BUT URGES REFORMS
Untermyer Flags Attorney
General Daugherty-MeI-
lon and Federal Reserve
System Draw Fire

WASHINGTON. Dec. 4.-(By the
Associated Press. l-Plans for promo
ton of progressive sentiment and
policies throughout the nation were
made at concluding meetings
of the two days concIave of pro
gressives called by Senator La Fol
lette, Republican. Wisconsin, and
Representative Huddleston, Demo-
crat, Alabama, under the auspices of
the peoples legislative service.
Resolutions declaring for contin-
uation of the new progressive move
ment, which is to be actively trans
lated into legislation through the BIZ
partisan progressive bloc of con-
gress formed yesterday, were adopt
cd during two sessions today of the
public conference ana addresses
were made by a dozen leaders in
liberal movements.
Presentation of a detailed lcgisia-
tive and economic program was no.
attempted, but speakers at Saturdays
open forum" and at the closing
dinner tonight proposed q multitude
of reforms and flayed past and pres
cnt government officials and policies.
A feature of the dinner which was
attended by about 500 persons, was
another attack on Attorney General
Daugherty by Samuel Untermyer,
New York attorney.
Senator La Toilette presided over
the open sessions today and speeches
were delivered by President Comp
pers, of the American Federation of
Labor; Governor Blaine, of Wiscon
sin; Senator Norris. Republican, Ne
braska; Senator Brcokhart, Repub-
lican, Iowa; Senator-elect Wheeler,
Democrat, Montana, and Frazier
Republican, North Dakota, and Rep
resentatiyes F'rear, Rcpubncan, Wis,
consin, and Sinclair, Republican,
North Dakota.
Movement N0n-Partisan
Resolutions adopted unanimous
II by the convention declared that
the movement was "non-purtisan"
and designed primarily to promote
progressive legislation. Other reso-
lutions called for extension of the
direct primary, including abolish
ment of the electoral college ar -
direct popular election of president
and vice president. Another reSOlu-
ton called on President Harding to
release immediately all ''free-SDeeCh
prisoners" The conference declar.
ed, however, that it was impossible
IN a single day to formulate a com
plete legislative and economic pro
gram.
Appointment by Senator La
Toilette of a non-partisan commit
tee 10 provide for national co-opera-
ton of ProGressiVCs was suggested.
At the same time date for call
ing another conference of Progress
siVcs was left open, but Sena tor
La Toilette announced that a confer
ence Of Progressive governors
would be held next January.
Attorney General Daugherty and
Secretary Mellon, of the treasury
department, drew the especial fire
Of speakers.
At the dinner tonight. Mr.. Inter
nlyer presented an indictment
against the attorney general, char
acterizing him as "a cheap politi.
cian," and charging him with nu
merous alleged derelictions. Mr.
Untermeyer urged an investigations
Of the department of justice and
the alien property custOdian's office,
and declared that there was cam
outage enforcement of prohibition
laws" by the department of Justice
Mr.. Untermeyer said Mr.. Daugh-
erty was ''conspfcuously unfit" for
his office and was appointed sole
ly on the basis of personal friend
ship and political service for Presi-
dent Harding.
"He has made virtually dead
letter of the antitrust law" said
Mr.. Untermeyer. The war fraud
cases-have ended in a complete
fizzle"
Untermyer's Reforms
Improper conduct in the General
Electric, New Haven railroad
United Gas and other cases also
was chargde against the attorney
general by Mr.. Untermyer,. who
in addition, suggested numerous
legislative reforms including amend
ment of the Federal Reserve act
protection of the public against
fraudulent securities. regulation of
. stock ana commodity exchanges.
federal licensing of interstate cor
poratfCns. transfer of antitrust pros
ecItions to the federal trade COM
mission and prohibition of tax-frec
securities.
Secretary Mellon was attacked by
Governor Blaine and Representative
F'rear for alleged failure to col
1ect taxes from wealthy corpora
tons and Representative Frcar
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