The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-21
, new POLITICAL
FEDERATION IN
CHICAGO MOVE
Labor Leaders, Farmers,
And Liberals Seek
Campaign Program.

CHICAGO. Feb. 20.-The conven-
uon OF union leaders and farm and
political liberals. called here to dis
cuss concerted political action, con-
sidered three propositions in to-
days sessions.
1. To form a political federation
IKE the British labor party, with
no existing organization losing its
identity, but all agreeing on the
same platform and candidates for
offlce.
.. To attempt to capture the Con-
EressionaI primaries by invading
the primaries of the old parties and
nominating men by joint action OF
labor. farmers, and liberals.
J. To band together under a ma
tionalized nonpartissn league, to
have the machinery of the present
Northwest farmers organization.
When the day was done repre-
sentatives of each faction had
spoken. but the only definite ac-
ton taken was the appointment OF
two committees on organiza tion
and program. These committee
are to map out a line of action and
report to the conference tomorrow.
Farmers' Paint Heard.
opinion and the breadth OF view Of
some of, the speakers. the meeting
was uneventful. Farmers declared
that a great percentage OF aGricul-
turat'. producers are bankrupt"
and lack Of assistance OF the pres
emit administration was blamed
They were indefinite on what line
of action the conference should
take
The Socialist speakers for the
most part favored a federation like
the British labor party. with the
units retaining their IDENTIFY bu,
all working toward a common end
Union labor speakers asked, IN
> the main. concerted action in the
primaries. either on the Republican
or the Democratic dcket.
There were nearly 200 representa-.
tives present. The entire day was
spent in feeling each other out
Each brand of political belief was
brought out and aired. and the con-
ference listened patiently.
At the conclusion Of the session
1t was evident from the addresse:
Of the farmers that they are al
sea regarding program.
Closing the session, Chairman
William Fl. johnson. president OF
the Brotherhood of Machinists. de-
clared that II was the purpose oI
the meeting to take some kind OF
action 'by the shortest route" and
TO break into the stronghold OF pol,
itics OF the two old parties.
Rfpeness I'm Pennsylvania.
James Maurer, head Of the Penn.
syIyania State Federation Of La.
Dor, said that his State was ripe
for any kind OF political action that
would bring relief to farmers who
are bankrupt and Industrial work.
ers who are actually starving"
The Rev. Herbert Bigelow. Gin
cinnati. cautioned against forma,
tion Of a new party. THE political
habits OF Americans cannot be
changed he said. Men will ha.
bitually vote the Republican OF
Democratic ticket The only way
we can operate successfully Is to
nominate our own men in the prt.
naries of these parties and elect
Them"
other speakers Included E. J
Nanion. president of the Order OF
Railroad Telegraphers; Thomas
Van Lear. former mayor OF Mime
spolis; H, F. Samuels. representing
the NonpartisaD league; J. G
Brown, secretary OF the Farmer.
Labor party: and Rev. Richard F
Hogue. Of Philadelphia.
It was a picturesque gathering
There were radicals of the stamp OF
William z Foster: Socialists like
Victor Berger: aintellectuals of. tn,
type ot-Rev. Hogue; shrewd labor
leaders like Bert Jewell. presiden
Of the railroad department OF the
American Federation of Labor
| fiowery orators like ]. Weller Long
representing the United Farmer.
and the La Toilette organization II
| Wisconsin