Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-11-19
CONFERENCE Of
PROGRESS|YES IS
CALLED To MEET
At WASHINGTON
LaFoIIette and HuddIeSton
Plan to Organize This
Element in Congress- An
nounCenent Says,
REAC CTI0NARIES WERE
REBUKED ON NOV. 7
Plan to Defeat the AdminiS-
tration Ship Subsidy Bill
and Proposed Anti-Strike
Legislation,

Washington, Nov. 1S.---A call for
\ national conference of progress
sives to meet here December l and
2, and organize progressive group
in congress was issued tonight by
S,nator LaIollette, republican,
Wisconsin, and Representative
Huddleston, democrat, Alabama,
chairman and vice chairman, re-
spectively, of the peoples legisla-
tive service.
Formation of not only cohesive
progressive bloc in the senate and
house, but also a national council
Of progressives, without regard to
parity, was the apparent object of
the movement. There was no mem
tion of third political party. Een-
ator LaFollette declared a new
party must be a matter of evolu-
tion and could not be established
through meetings of any group Of
men and adoption Of resolutions.
The call proposed u meeting Of
progressive members of congress
December !, and of gathering of
progressive leaders generally on
December 2. Invitations to the
latter meeting were sent, it was
announced, to a Representative
group of influential progressive
men and women throughout the
country" whose names were not
divulged.
Replies Requested.
Telegraphic replies were re-
quested and it was said the name
of those accepting would be an
nounced as replies were received.
Previous to announcement of the
conference, Senator LaFollette is
sued a statement declaring that
"the time has came for the or
ganization of well defined group
in support OF accepted progressive
principles and policies, and the de-
feat of the administration ship sub
sidy bill, proposed anti-strke leg
islation and projected transfer OF
federal forests to the interior de
partment.
Senator Capper. republican, OF
Kansas, chairman Of the senate
farm bloc, almost at the same time,
issued a statement declaring
against the ship subsidy bill and
including far mcredits, prohibition
including farm credits, prohibition
of tax free securities and reduction
of freight rates and government
taxes. Both Senators LaFollette
and |dpper said the recent elec"
tions were q victory for the pro.
gressives over the react.onaries, but
it was not apparent to what extent
the plans of the farm bloc might
coincide with those of tho LaFol'
lette-H e-Huddleston group,
The call issued by Senator La
Toilette and Representative Hud
dleston, with the latter a strong Ia
Dor champion in the house, an
nounced that it was for the or
ganization of an active working
group in congress. The general
conference on December 2, it was
said, further, would include lead
ing progressives and not already
actively affiliated with the peo-
pies legislative service"--an or.
ganization formed two years ago
at a dinner OF senator's, represent
atives and others.
Exposed Gigantic Evils.
1T was decided at that time
that it was premature to attempt
to organize the handful of pro-
gressives in the two houses Of
congress-" said the call, but with
out organization these members Of
congress who are devoted to the
peoples interests have struggled
nanfully against overwhelming
odds and have won many impor-
tant victories. They have blocked
many vicious bills and have saved
the taxpayers hundreds Of millions
of dollars and exposed some gi-
gantic evils. But above all they
have let the people know what
was happening in Washington.
THE people have responded
They have eiected very consider
able number of senators and rep.
with splendid records
of fidelity to public service. 'they |
have done all that could be done |
at this election to express their |
will that this government shall be
genuinely progressive.
"It Is apparent, therefore, that |
the time is opportune for a con-
ference to discuss definite plan |
for the cooperation of all the pro-