Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-03
ASKS FARM MD
As PR0GRESS|VES FORM
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!. NEW BLOC IN CONGRESS
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Plea for Agricultural Relief and for Release of
] Political Prisoners Made by Montana Senator
elect as 100 State and Government Officers
Rally to New Cause in u. S. Capital.

Washington. Dec, 1.-The purpose of
the new "progressive' movement in
augurated Friday by the organization
of the progressive bloc in congress
were declared formally to be legislative
and not political in resolutions adopted
Saturday at a general public conference.
Senator La Toilette, republican, WIS
consin. who, with Representative Hud-
dleston, democrat, Of Alabama, called
the conference under the auspices of
the peoples legislative service, presid-
ed over the general public gathering.
which was attended by more than 1W
members of congress-, governors n
other leaders. Representative Wood
ruff. republican, Michigan, vas elected
secretary.
The first resolution adopted declared
that the movement was "nonpartisan
and would devote itself to '.considera-
ton of devising methods and neal for
cooperation II support of the gen
Cral legislative program adopted Fri
day by the new progressive congress
sional bloc. At the suggestion Of Pres
ldent Gompers of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor. the resolutions had been
amended to declare the movement mon
partisan instead Of mon political"
La Toilette Opens Meeting
In opening the conference as chair
man Of the Peoples Legislative service.
Senator La Toilette said the time APP
peared opportune for the progressive
movement. and there seems to be a
mandate growing out of the election
for a movement to advance the inter
ests of the people" He declared or
ganiZation of the new bloc was the
greatest and most encouraging thing"
IN his experience.
1T is proposed said Senator La
Toilette. that each legislative step
shall be well grounded and not all at
one stroke"
A committee on resolutions was ap-
pointed headed by Frederic c. Howe,
former immigration commissioner at
New York. Other members designated
included Samuel Gompers. who retired
in favor of Andrew Furuseth. president
of the international Seamen's union;
Granville Mcfarland, Boston; Herbert
+. Baker. president of the Farmers
National council; Miss Elizabeth Haus-
or. secretary Of the National League of
Women Voters; Amos Pinchot, of New
York: Senator. Sheppard. of Texas;
Representative Huddleston. of Ala
bama: Representative John NJ. Nelson,
of Wisconsin; George L.. Berry. presi-
dent of the ,Pressmen's union; r. H.
Callahan, Louisville; William II. John
ston. of the international Machinists
union: ID. B. Robertson, Of the fire
mems and enginemen's brotherhood.
aud Miss Ethel Smith, of the Women's
Trade Union league.
Wheeler Pleads for Farmer
A special committee to draft sepa-
rate resolutions declaring for a ma
tional movement for direct primaries
was headed by former Representative
Heating, of Colorado. Other members
included Warren S. Stone. Of the loco
motive engineers brother; Ben Marsh.
OF the Farmers National council:
George L. Record. of New Jersey; SEN
ator Ladd, Of North Dakota, and Frank
Morrison. secretary of the American
Federation Of Labor.
Speeches urging aid for farmers were
made by Senators-Elect Wheeler, Of
Montana. and Frazier, Of North Da-
kota. They said the farmers were not
receiving the cost Of production and
were suffering from high freight rates
and car shortage. An investigation OF
the car situation was advocated by Mr..
Wheeler.
Declaring that "the present admins
~tration is trying to forestall n action
by the progressiyes and steal their
thunder" on the question of farmer re-
lief. Mr.. Wheeler said the northwest
wanted results and was not particular
about the form Of credit received. He
added that progressive senators in
northwestern states had won in the re
cent election because the people
thought we have intestinal stamina to
stand up and fight for what we thought
right"
Release of political prisoners also
was adocated BY Mr.. Wheeler, who de-
clared amid much applause that he was
for free speech and free assemblage.
Farm prices should be fixed and sta
bilized, it was declared by Senator'S
Elect Frazier, who said both state and
federal aid was needed by farmers. Re
ferring to written plans for farm credit,