Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-10-02
LAFOl.LETTE
PEOPLES NAN
Has Been Staunch and Vail
ant Defender of Public
Interests.
BY ALBERT o. HARToN
Author Of "LaFollctte'n Winning Of
Wisconsin,

- - - ~sAN ~ eFf--A 80
Author Of "LaFellctte's Winning Of
Wisconsin,
BaFoIlette took his seat IN the sen
ate In January. 1905 He has three
times been reelected, in each instance
by overwhelming vote OF the people Of
Wisconsin.
He had been in his seat but a few
weeks when ne made one Of the long
est and most notable speeches OF the
session ON the Hepburn railroad rate
bill. which revealed him as one Of fhe
authorities on the subject, and fore
Swallowed the leading part he has
taken 10 railroad Legislation since. In
that and the sessions following he took
an active part In legislation on the
great problems relating to tariff,
finance, transportation and c0nserVa-
ton, with an eye single 70 the public
interest as opposed to special Uriviz
lege legislation
True Friend Of Soldiers
II was Oh the outbreak OF the World
war that LaFollette proved himself Of
the mold Of heroes who can remain
true 70 their Ideals IN hours OF sH-
preme trial. He opposed the precipi-
tate entrance OF the United States Int
the war which was demanded by the
mOney-lenders, the munition makers
and profiteers. He foresaw that this
war, like most wars OF history. would
lead to the setting back Of the wheels
OF progress. the losing Of the ground
gained for popular government, the
probable loss OF thousands Of lives and
millions Of iollnrs in property, the alb
rogation OF freedom OF speech and
press. the imposition Of crushing bur
dens Of taxation, and an era Of hatred
violence and inteleranee. with dicta-
torshIps and intensified national jeal
ousies Against all this he counseled
mederation He believed congress
should have the power. to declare war
and that Il was the duty of It's mem
bers to vote their honest convictions
for or against IT. AS the leader Of the
group that dared to stand out against
Immediate participation. he had to
bear the brunl Of storm OF abuse,
vlllncation and misunderstanding such I
as seldom has descended upon the
head Of public servant.
Son Goes 70 War.
with war declared. however. he
urged its effective prosecution and
sent his son into the service. He op
posed the declaration Of war. the draft
act and the espionage law, inveIghed
against the censorsiips and arbitrary
arrests. but held that law once
made must be obeyed until repealed.
LaF0llette favored every bin to bet
ter the condition Of the soldiers and
sailors. He secured an appropriation
OF $2.0p0.000 for the benefit Of soldiers
and their dependents during the Mexi-
can troubles He voted to Increase
the pas OF soldiers sent abroad ia
vored every appropriation bin to sup
port the army and navy. BE fought
enc hardest flght Of his life to make
war profits bear q reasonable proper
lion Of war taxes, and It was largely
through his efforts that taxes on the
poor mans table tea, eofSees cocoa
and anRnr--were defeated
Activity increases
lAFulIetfe never was more active ia
he senate than be has bean b the
past gear or two The Investigations
nfo The Teapot Dome ana ether oil
steasa oa ghe Hmrdlna administration
ma san more recent ones into the
ss4ces Of sugar end gasoline were
|mrsengv SGT on fook nnf directed by