Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-07-04
Political independence
Keynote of Progressive
Party States Johnston

Senator Robert u. LaFollette, after ridi-
cuIing the republican party. scorning
the democratic organization, and fierce
Is denouncing communists. William III.
Johnsotn, head Of the machinists inter-
national union and chairman Of the
conference for progressive political ac-
tion. today struck the keynote of the
convention Of the latter organization at
its opening here. independence in poll
ties rather than third party move
ment was emphasized as cxpedent
Senator LaF0llette was hailed a. the
tribune Of the American people, their
greatest spokesman and their most
! loyal defender"
The recent republican national con-
ventioa was referred 10 ~ "A -lifeless
gathering Of political puppets; the
democratic convention as a disorderly
mob meeting. which responded to boss
ccntroi quite obedicntly in its voting,
and the communists a. tools of reac-
lion who are constantly striving "a de-
stroy the merican labor movement and
create chaos in the ranks of the pro-
gr>ssiycs.r
Mr. Johnson claimed the present
convention represents five million citi-
zens and he said its program was broad
enough 20 include the best interests of
wage earncrs, farmers. Saaricd em-
plnyes. professional men and ndrpcmd-
cntT bankers, manufacturers and mcr-
chants.
lie said in part:
We have gathered on this 1i>rh anni-
vcrsary ~ the declaration VI indrpcnd-
encr for action iO secure those rights
for which governments are instituted
among men. deriving tacir just powers
fro mthe consent of the governed
When that immortal declaration ~
the rights of man was pro Iaincd our
forefaihcrs were engaged in struggle
10 establish political freedom. Today the
people "f the United States are engaged
IN contest 10 achieve for themselves
and their children the equally great
blessing of economic freedom
There is no economic freedom. no
equality of economic opportunity in the
United States today fnr any great group
0f tS rornmnn people
american farmers sec their pros
perity want Is only Debated hy a finan-
cial conspiracy and make themselves OBJ
Iigrd ~ Srll their products IN world
market, while thr trusts and momnloIieS
from which they must bny are artiti.ialy
protected by the highest tariff wall in
American history.
The employees NJ The steel trust
THE copper trust. i4c wuulen trust and
the hundreds ~ ether great combinations
ianSl accept employment on such terms
as Gary. Ryan. Wood and the other
industrial magnatrS offer. or risk unenl.
pioymcnt and starvation.
The independent manufacturers must
buy and sell in trust controlled mar
ket and is suffered TO exist only on con
dliion that hc does not engage ia active
and effective competition.
The small merchant finds biz whole
sale and retail prices fixed By trusts and
combinations. while he himself is being
slowly hut surely forced out of business.
The independent banker iS permitted
to participate in the sale NJ bonds and
the financing of new enterprises only uy
the grace OF the great banking syndi
Gates. while he already Sees his early
extinction IN restless competition from
the branches III the great financial inSii
I tuiionS.
We may not know it. bat we are all
I in the same boat.
Mr.. Johnson rrriird the history "f
the progressive movement. painting to
political victories ia the congressional
elections Of l.22 and the fact that pro-
gressivcS held the balance ~ power in
the aSi session III Congress a. proof
taf IL was Wise not the launnrh \ third
party il 1922
Mr.. Johnston said the republicans
with appropriate stupidity" had nemi-
mated two rrariinnarirS on "a platform
of meaningless platitndcs." Ilc asserted
the democratic party had ~again proved
the fitness of its emblem. the patient
donkey By straddling lis platform on
such questions H. shiId labor. League
of Nations and kn klHx klan. and added
that both major parties had consistently
broken their platform pledges when IN
power.
NIr. Johnston declared the time ripe
for this national convention.
We az not lack strength. W. do nor
lack organization and above All we do
not lack leadership he said.
We have leader. that life long.
servant III the people, whose character
ability ana record ~ q con~tru tive
statesman enfiiie him a. take his place
with Washington. jefferson and Lincoln.
Ills name already on your lipS: his ser
vice IN your hearts. hiS vision IA yaHr
souls Robert MI I.aFollettr ~ Wisron-
sin
We need not ask dim for pledges or
promiseS. Ills entire life j. apledge of
service tr The highest ideals aud the
lnfiipSt aspirations w genuine democracy.
IIe has been tried i'll NJ. the fire that
hatred and envy could breathe upon
him and has come forth untarnishcd. an