The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-12-11
Farmers and LabOrerS Begin
TwO-Day Conference.
Representatives Are in Favor of
Present Primary Law.
DELEGATES FROM EVERY STATE.
w. I'll. johnson Says People
Voted Wise Last Election.
Some Are in Favor of the Third
Party Movement.

Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 11.-Farmer
and labor have discovered their joint
power thru the primary and there
is now hope that our political and in
dustriaI future is safer than it ever
was before william II. johnson. in
ternationaI president of the machin-
lists union, declared here today in
opening the confeeence for progress
sive political action over which he IS
presiding.
Our first experiment is ended and
our first preliminary skirmish on be
half of equal and exact justice has
come to close, he declared, sum
marizing the recent elections. Thru
you as a result of the efforts made
by your associates and neighbors. at
home, the American people have
spoken most emphatically.
"on November Z, the stored-up
wrath of the people was let loose
against the so-calIed captains of in
dustry, the freebooters. profiteers.
plunderers and political puppets Of
the discredited Harding adIajn istra-
ton.
Voters Show Independence.
ION that day American citizens
voted more intelligently than they ever
did before. They voted with rare dis
criminal ton and magnificent indepen-
dence. They not only brandished the
Dig SUCK OIL outraged lIdlSndllOIl, Dul
they used it that day most effectively.
so thoroly, in fact, that the predatory
interests in and out of the present
administration are still trembling with
pain from the wallopS they got and
they are uuivering with fear as to
what is likely to happen to them when
the voting intelligence and indepen-
dence of the people developed in every
Legislative and judicial district in our
land.
s.x1o,,- .I,o,,,-od .l,o,,, how baInIasS
they were and how ineffective their
ballots We're on election day if they
had no choice between two evils. The
first place to make a choice is at the
primaries. You have exposed the
greatest inequity of the s.eight of
whereby candidates on. both major
party tickets have heretofore been
hand picked by the predatory un-
American corporate interests.
See Each O:fer C.carIy.
"a very deliberate and dishonest
propa aganda of partisanship and preJu-
dice has been kept in circulation to
foster mistrust among the farm work
ers as against the city workers. For
tunateIy the dawn is breaking and we
now see each other more clearly.
We laboring people of the city and
We would not and will not attempt to
benefit at the expense of others. What
we want and what we will have. is
justice. Il
1--WE are not mendicants seeking fa-
vor or blessing of any other groups,
any parties, any institution. We have
our limitations, but they are becoming
less. We have our shortcomings but
they are becoming fewer.
I'VE have consecrated our lives to-
the highest ideals of fair play in in
dustry and the proper representation
in politics. Thus there will be brought
together in understanding and politi-
cal fellowship those great constructive
and productive forces upon which the
welfare of the nation fundamentally
rests"
Many Leaders Present.
Most of the opening session was de-
voted to the reading of reports, ap-
pointment of commissions and the ad
dress of william II. Johnston, inter
national pres dent of the Machinists'
union and president of the conference.
Approx ximately 200 delegates from
n early every state in the Union. main
ly accredited delegates of interna-
tiona1 LABOR organizations and national
farm groups, attended. Among the
prominent leaders here are Warren S.
Stone, president of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engineers; ID. B. Robert
son, president of the Brotherhood of
Firemen and Enginemen:
Sidney Hillman. New York, president
Of the Anna lgamated Clothing Work |
ers; Edward Keating, of Washington. |
editor, Morris Hillquit, New York, |
member national commission of the
Socialist party; Benjamin c. Marsh. |
farmers national coun- |
Gil: ]. @ Brown. Chicago, national sec
retary farmer-labor party; Fred G. |
Howe. New York; H. f. Samuels. OF
Idaho, representing the national Nom
partisan league. and representatives of
the L. NJ. w A. the Brotherhood of |
Boilerma kers. order of Railroad |
and the Women's Trade I
Union league. Each International or
ganization will have three delegates, /
in the case of a roll call vote instead /
Of voting by delegates each organ:za- /
ton will be allowed one vote for each |
10000 associate members. Prior to |
ston and other leaders said the forna-
ton of third party was not con-
We are committed to the principle /
hat the primary is distinct institu- |
tion and that II is intended a means /
voters can place paeir can
1idates in nomination and we intend 4
10 use our power in the primaries to /
nominate the right men. regardless of
political faith he said.
Some Favor Third Party.
It was said that some of the rank 4
and file were strongly in favor OF a 4
third party movement.
Demand for the primary nominal
ion of candidates in states where /
here is no primary is made in the I
report of the national committee Of
he conference which states that thru I
he primary ballot, progressive can
iidates can be nominated"
The committee declared that IN Z
hose states where the primary law /
loes not exist, a demand for enact 4
nent of such a law should be made on
he incoming legislatures; in states
where the law is defective, efforts
should be made to perfect them and 4
hat efforts Of big business and poll