Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-16
An Ambitious Program

HE conference for progressive political
action in session at Cleveland. which
Is composed OF representatives OF farmers
organizations. labor unions, cooperative
societies and other group movements dis
satisfied with conditions adversely affecting
their interests. have gotten together on "A
broad program of permanent organization
for militancy in political effort and named
an executive committee to carry on tho work
undertaken by calling conferences 10 effect
organization in the various States of the
Union.
The purposes Of the conferences as de-
clarcd in the report of the organization and
finance committee. are the nomination and
election of Presidents and Vice Presidents
% the United State, United States Senator'S
Representatives. members OF State l.cgisla-
lures, and other state and public officers
who are pledged to the interests of the
producing classes and to the principles of
genuine democracy i'll agriculture industry
and government" Meetings of the con
ference are to he held annually. representa-
tion being from every national and inter
national organization OF labor farmers or
cooperative societies. State decorations of
labor, Legislative boards Of transportation
organizations, and city central bodies of
labor
Having learned from experience the
fu;iity of third party movements success
fully to appeal to the voters OF the country
IN overthrowng the established political
parties, the organization will bore from
within" in the effort to seize control and
make them effectively responsive TO pro-
gressive political thought. as reflected in
their platform Of six planks. which calls for
repeal OF the Esch-Cummims railroad law
and operation of the railroads for tho hcnc-
TT OF the people; direct election Of tho
President and NicePrcsidcnt by the people
and extension OF direct primary laws in
all States, that Congress end tho practice
OF the courts to declare legislation uncon-
stitutional: enactment Of the Norrs-Sn-
clair consumers and producers financing
corporation bill designed to increase prices
farmers receive. and reduce prices consum-
crs pay for farm products, and the creation
OF an independent system of food producers
credits; increased tax rates on large incomes
and inheritance. and payment of n soldiers
bonus by restoring the tax on excess prof
It's; !cgislat .cn providing minimum essential
standards o. employment for women, and
other action enargng and improving their
status. political, social and otherwise.
1t is an ambitious program the sound
LESS OF which will not meet with general
acceptance but it has been made broad
enough 10 carry convincing appeal with nu-
merous groups of voters who will be induced
TO limo up in It's support. believing that in
| lis details II affords panaCca for various
! political and economic ills against tho in
| justice OF which they have long complained
| In other words the new movement means
! that there will be wcll-organizeh "boring
| from within" which may vitally alter the
! attitude of both the old parties toward no
! litical issues in agitation during the next
| few years. Such organized "borinc from
within" added tho eighteenth and nineteenth
| amendments tho CONSTITUTIONS