Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-11-18
Republicans Make
Plans To Be Safe
La Toilette, Leader OF Independents
Due in Capital TOnight-New
Party Seems Likely.
(Bv Isaac Gregg

Washington, Nov. l6-lnSuiGeHO
Republican Senator's and Representa-
tives now in Washington and others
who are due to arrive during the neNI
dav or two in time for the special
session which opens on Monday nave
already begun TO formulate plan
of action that will probably clystali;He
during the next few weeks. Inc
tentative program does not yet go as
far as a proposal for new naIioi's'
party, as advocated by the FARMER
Labor group and certain extreme rao-
icals. but it has that in mind for tne
future in case it is impossible TO H-
beralize the present Republican party
to suit the insurgents.
Senator La Toilette Of Wisconsin
aho is regarded as the leadec OF tne
more independent wing of the Repuo-
lean insurgents. is due in Washing
ton tonight. His attitude on the ;th-
tatiye plan has not yet been puDhc-
lv announced but ne is known TO have
been consulted about il and to nave
given il his provisional approval.
Theoretically the Republican IN
surgents will admit that both OF the
old parties be given & chance to ac-
cent the insurgent legislative program
but practically they do not believe
that either of them will 90 so. But
the insurgents who are behind TINS
program Of action DO not believe 1t
will be possible to launch a SERIOUS
third party movement now. They m
sist that the new movement must
have a real issue and there must be
a popular demand before a new party
can hope for national success. Such
an issue would be furnished in Their
opinion, if the Republican party
would refuse to adopt the proposed
insurgeut legislative program.
The probable plan OF procedure OF
The Republican insurgents Is as fol-
lows:
First: To hold informal confer
ences during the remaining months OF
she dying SiXty-Seyenth Congress
with the liberal elements in the DEM
ocratic party the farmer-Labor
group and other liberal political ele-
ments, with view of arranging for
mai rational conference of insurgents
early in the spring to include the IL
beral leaders of all parties.
Second: If such u national confer
ance can be agreed upon by the var
;ous insurgent leaders here their next
step will be to invite to the proposed
conference prominent liberal political
thinkers from private life-men pro-
minent in the business, journalistic,
agricultural and labor worlds-who
will be expected to have a broader
outlook than the officeholderS and to
bring 10 the conference an indepen-
dent and detached view Of the poIit-
;cal situation in the nation.
Third: A legislative program Will
be drafted at the national insWgent
conference. An effort will be made to
agree upon certain liberal legislative
measures to be advocated for enact
ment into law by Congress, which
will become the definite platform Of
the new movement
Fourth: This legislative program
or platform will be publicly rcmul-
gated. President Harding and the Re
publican party leaders will then be
asked to accept it and to put it into
effect.
Fifth: If the Republican organiz-
alton will not accept it, or make it
effective as far rs lies in its power
to do so. then it is proposed that the
insurgents appeal directly to the
country with their Legislative pro-
cram for an issue.
Sixth: At that point it will be de-
termiued whether or not a third party
will be launched by the insurgents.
If their legislative program meets
with hearty popular support, they
propose that steps be taken then, but
not before, to organize a definite, IN
dependent, national political move
ment in the form Of new party.
Whether conditions are right at this
time for a new party or the realign-
ment of the other parties, is ques-
ti0n which many Of the insurgents in
Washington are doubtful about. They
believe the wise course will be to
procseed in methodical manner
step by step and feel their way to-
ward a peaceful political revolution
that will give birth 10 two new ma
tioual parties, divided along lines
which will give the voters an oppor-
tunity TO express their wishes and
accomplish their desires which is I'M
possible under the complicated and un-
natural conditions which prevail in
the Republican and Democratic part
les.