The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-07-22
Federation
A|'TON|S
S(OIGH
Progressive Forces See Mini
mum Popular Vote OF
5000, 900 in Sight
BY KENNETH CLARK,
International Move service.

. 4
international News Service.
Strenuous efforts were launched
IN the La Toilette Wheeler presi-
Dental camp today to swing the
American Federation Of Labor
vote behind the Progressive ticket
this fall.
William II. Johnston, chairman
Of the Conference for Progressive
Political Action, and one Of La
Follette's most trusted heuten-
ants, announced that he would 60
to Atlantic City August / to at
tend the meeting Of the execu-
tive council Of the federation,
when the question Of endorsing
presidential candidates will be
settled.
Despite reports which have been
broadcast nationwide, officials Of
the federation said fatty today that
no action regarding the approaching
Presidential campaign had been
taken, and nothing along this line
would be undertaken until the At
lAntic City conference. Samue.
! Gompers, president, recovering from
his recent illness, will attend and
lave charge of the meeting. Execu-
tive officers from all over the coun-
try also will be present.
Having already secured the full
!. endorsement of the so-called stand.
ard railroad unions, and numerous
other farm and labor organizations,
La Follette's managers declared
they we're particularly anxious to
make the list complete by swinging
the federation into line.
100000 Votes Sought.
Labor organizations now In the
fold represent a total vote Of at
least 100000, the progressive
p0ry's leaders said. The American
Federation would add about 1900, 900
votes. This, they pointed out, would
give the La Follette-Wheeler ticket
minimum popular vote Of 5000, 900,
only about a million and q half less
than the total vote recorded for
! Governor James M. Cox In the last
ETOSluSutld1 election.
There was much speculation to.
DAY regarding the probable action
OF the federation's executive coun-
Gil. Gompers himself always has
opposed third parties, but at the
same time, La FoIlette's managers
said, the federation can scarcely go
on record for any but the new
party as Gompers has savagely de.
nounced the platforms adopted by
the Republicans and Democrats.
Endorsement Expected.
Private advices also have been re.
Ceived from high federation officers
expressing sympathy for the pro-
gressives' fight. In this situation
: La Follette's leaders freely predicted
the federation would officially In.
dorse the independent candidates.
While 1t is true that the fedora.
ton has avoided taking stands here
tofore on Presidential candidates I
am sure the rank and file OF labor
unions are with us to the limit, and
In view Of this / think the fedora.
ton itself will go on record for u.s.
said Johnston.
Both La Toilette and Wheeler
were said to be deeply concerned
regarding the action Of the fedora
ton, and several leutenants besides
Johnston may be dispatched to At.
lantic City to urge the union lead.
ers to pledge their support to the
pfogressives.
Formation Of State organizations
claimed the chief attention Of La
Toilette and Wheeler today, who, as
has been their custom, met in an
extended conference with managers.
Highly optimistic reports were re.
ceived Of progress in Ohio.
johnson Report Cheers.
Great Joy also was manifested In
camp, when a report, although un.
confirmed, was received stating that
Senator Hiram johnson. Republican,
of California, was considering the
possibility of boiling his party to
Join the La Toilette group.
It was said that close friends Of
johnson had been In communication
with La Follette's managers about
the possibility and that johnson was
being strongly urged to follow the
example of Senator'S Ladd and Fra
Sier. Republicans, Of North Dakota,
who already have announced they
would not go along with President
Coolidge and Brigadier General
Charles g. Dawes. With johnson
In line, La Toilette headquarters said
California could be safely counted In
thA SaSano,rA~ oly.,,.a..