Evening star., 1924-12-12
THIRD PARTY FATE
UP FOR DECISION
National Committee Re.
jects Proposal to Postpone
Convention Indefinitely.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.


The course which the third party
movement shall follow, if such a
movement is to continue, was under
consideration today at meeting Of
the national committee of the Confer
ence for Progressive Political Action
in the Machinists Building.
The first resolution presented pro-
vided for an indefinite postponement
of the national convention of the
conference which was proposed for
January. The Cleveland convention
which nominated Senator La Toilette
directed the holding of the conven-
tion in January, leaving to the ma
tional committee the duty of working
out the details. At that convention
it was expected the whole matter of
the permanent organization of the
new Progressive party would be
threshed out.
The Keating resolution was ruled
out of order by William H. Johnston,
chairman of the committee.
Later motion to issue call for
the conference for the convention was
offered. The motion was pending
when the conference adjourned until
2:3o o'clock this afternoon. 1t is ex-
pected that the resolution will be
carried, although there will be opposi-
ton. The proba bility is that Chicago
will be selected for the convention
city.
The resolution for an indefinite
postponement was proposed by Ed
ward E. Heating. editor of Labor,
the organ of the railroad brother
hoods.
Considerable discussion followed as
to the authority of the committee to
take such action in view of the
n Int a
convention itself last July.
Fear Confession of Weakness.
On the other hand the view was
expressed that 1t would be idle to
hold a convention il considerable
number of the organization repre-
sented in the conference were op-
posed to the organization of new
party at this time.
The fear was expressed, however,
that If the proposed national conven-
ton was not held it would be seized
upon as an acknowledgment of a
failure or at least a backward step
of the Progressive movement.
Socialist members attending the
committee meeting today were de-
scribed as being strongly in favor of
going ahead now with the organiza-
ton of a new party.
None of the members of the COM
mittee desired to see the Progressive
movement halted. The differences of
opinion arose over the procedure to
be followed.
La Toilette Not Present.
Nearly all the members of the or
ganization were in attendance either
in person or through representatives.
Senator La Toilette was invited to
attend, but owing to the fact that
Mrs. La Toilette was undergoing an
operation for the removal of her ton
sils today he was unable to attend.
Representative John NJ Nelson, chair
man of the La Toilette campaign COM
mittee also was invited, but was not
present Robert NJ. La Toilette, jr.
was on hand to represent his father
The attitude of Senator La Toilette
undoubtedly will have much effect
upon the course adopted by the COM
mittee. whether he will send a mes
sage was not disclosed this morning.
If the committee decides to go ahead
with the convention in January,
definite date will be set and all plans
for that meeting will be made prob
ably today.
The meeting is being held behind
closed doors.
List OF Those Present.
Those who are attending the
National Committee today are Miss
Elizabeth Gilman, Baltimore, proxy
for Miss Jane Adams, Chicago; j.
NJ. Baer, former Representative from
South Dakota: Donald Richburg,
Chicago, proxy for A. F. Bentley;
Mrs. Nita Berger, Wisconsin: Mrs.
Lora williams, Washington. D. c.,
proxy for Miss Jennie Buell., Michi-
gan; T. C. Cashen, president Of the
Switchman's Union; Harley Christen-
sen, Chicago; Miss Fannie M. Cohn.
Ladies' Garment Union, New York:
Mrs. Mabel Costigan, Washington, D.
c. r. A. Haste, Washington, proxy
for d. C. Dorman, Montana Nom
Partisan League; J. NJ Baer. for F.
C. Faires, proxy for w. w. Fitzwater;
Edward L. Keating, proxy for E. H
Fitzgerald. president of the Railway
Clerks; Mr.. Keller. proxy for F. H.
Flojozyal, president Of Maintenance
OF Way Employees; J. E. Davis, proxy
for j. A. Franklin, president of
Brotherhood Of Boiler Makers.
Mrs. ellison Gardener, Washington,
D. c.; Sidney Hillman, president of
Amalgamated Clothing Workers; Nor
ris Hillquit, Socialist. of New York;
CONTINUED on Page Q, ColumnNs.)