The Bismarck tribune., 1922-01-30
AMBITION OF SOME LEAGUERS TO
FORM NATIONAL MOVEMENT SHOWN

merging the Nonpartisan league into
a national movement. Roylance wrote
Ladd on the subject on Aug. IL. 1921,
also urging establishment in Wash
! ington of legislative service for diff
ferent organizations. He said in part:
| Furthermore, it is recognized that
there is the greatest need for the for
nation of some sort of nucleus around
which the national progressive move
ment can concentrate, and anyone at
all acquainted with the situation will
agree that any proposition for direct
political consolidation is doomed to
failure at the very beginning. All
with whom | have talked or cores
ponded with in regard to this matter
agree that our best chance lies in the
establishment of bureau or service
through which our common problems
can be studied and the interests upon
which we may unite for political ac-
tion defined. With that done we
should he in favorable position for
political cooperation on the eve of the
campaign and by the use of whatever
method NOnpartisan endorsement,
fusion, the formation of a national
party, or OtherWise-aS existing con-
ditions might determine.
could you let me have your views
on this matter at the earliest possible
moment. I have talked the matter
over with Mr.. Plumb, who approves
the idea, and Mr.. Carl Thompson of
the Public Ownership League is also
greatly Interested. I have some defi-
mite suggestions to make to you with
regard to our relations with Senator
I.aFollette both in Wisconsin and in
Washington that l shall write you
within few days. Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Commings and others at Madi-
son have urgently asked me to solicit
your kind offices with Senator La
Toilette to the end that closer CO.
operation may be achieved"
To See LaFollette
On Aug. II, 1921, Ladd wrote to
Roylance: 81 have your letter of Aug
ust 18th with regard to the possibility
of bringing about more definite work
ing arrangements between the League
anil other national ORGANIZATIONS 4
working along the same line, espe-s !;
cially here in Washington.
1T would be impossible to secure
the cooperation of the agricultural
bloc because several of these men are
prejudiced at the present time, and
could not be induced to take part. -.
II will try and have a talk with
Senator LaFollette about matters per-
tanning to the Nonpartisan League or
ganization in Wisconsin and other
states as early as can. At the present
time it is almost impossible to get in
touch with himaas he is tied up on i'm
portant committees that take all of
his time and any spare moments that
he has he is working Or the railroad
problem. ......."
Doubts League Future
Roylance expressed grave doubts as
to the future of the Nonpartisan
league in a letter to Senator Ladd,
Sept. 19, 1921 He said in part:
II have very grave doubts as to
whether the NonparisanL eague can
accomplish much more without
making workable and perman-
ent connection with other ma
tional progressive organizations at
least with other farmers organiza-
tions. I even doubt whether it can
much longer hold its own without
making such connections. But If
such connections are made in such
a way as to eliminate the greater part
of the suspicion and jealousy that now
exists between the League and other
farmer organizations, it seems to me
that there is every reason to believe
that it will continue to be the most
vigorous and most vital progressive
organization in the country"
A letter signed Geo., F.. Comings,
written on stationery of the Wiscon-
sin Legislature on Aug. s27, 1921, ex-
pressed the views of the Lieutenant
Governor OF, Wisconsin as follows:
ITO my mind the getting together
into harmonious relations of the for
ces represented in the League, the La
Foletce following, the Women's Pros
gressive L., the Committee Of 4S so
they may have a common objective
and work together efficiently is of the
greatest importance If real fine COM
plete victory is to be won. TO elect
Blaine again and the kind of legisla-
ture we had last is a victory barren
of results. Simply personal glorifi-
cation. With LaFollette, Blaine and
the oCngressnlen to campaign for
next year, a victory is possible such
as has not been in the state for more
than decade; have hoped that Ladd
and LaFollette would have much in
common and be political chums."