The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-05-30
TO ALL WORKERS AND FARMERS:

a GREAT Farmer-Labor-Progre Con-
vention will be held at ST. Paul on June
18th, 1924. This convention was born out
OF the intent and purpose to give to the
farmers and workers and other progressive
voters of America an opportunity to vote for
candidates for President and Vice-Presdent
IN the campaign of 1924, who would be abso-
lutely free from the vicious influence that
dominates the old party organizations.
BUT the ultimate purpose of inaugurating
an independent national political movement
in the campaign of 1924 was to lay the foun
dation for permanent independent political
organization which would represent the
wealth producing elements of the nation.
FOR this reason it must be evident that the
movement cannot be built around any indi-
vidual but rather must be founded on the
economic interests of the great masses of
the people who depend primarily On their
labor for living.
The sponsors for the June 18th conven-
ton were not oblivious to the strategic ad-
vantage of having prominent individuals of
national character who had the confidence
OF the people, lead in this movement. This
is why Senator LaF Gillette has been, from the
very inception, the choice of the active pro-
ponents of the convention.
At the same time, the danger of making
Senator LaFoIlette the prime factor in the
movement was not overlooked. From the
very outset the point has been emphasized
that this was to be an independent Farmer
Labor movement, and that if Senator La
Toilette failed or refused to meet the call of
leadership the place would necessarily be
filled by less prominent person.
Senator LaFoette's published statement
gives no absolute assurance that he will be a
candidate for president on any ticket; and
that even third party ticket is contingent
on what the old parties may do. The con-
Guiding part of his letter is exceedingly vague
and certainly cannot satisfy the aspirations
OF the millions of men and women of this
nation who are willing to break their affiia-
tons with the corrupt old parties and join
in launching clean independent movement
which will stand for the interests Of the COM
mon people,
Senator LaFoette's letter subordinates
the tremendous issue of rescuing the gov
eminent from plutocratic control, and the
necessity tor all honest progressive voters
uniting in this crisis, by engaging in petty
factonaI contentious.
On the face of his statement there is mani
fest certainty that II is not the result of
original investigation and calm deduction.
It IS obviously the unfortunate decision that
comes from unfair and unjust counsel
No direct inquiries have come to the local
committee Of arrangements regarding the
nature of the June 18th convention. Mr..
LaFoette or his representatives have made
no inquiries and his attitude as expressed in
his statement must have been reached from
adverse, ex-parte reports.
AS expressed in the beginning of this
statement the National Farmer-Labor Pro-
gressve Convention is not LaFoIIette, or
one-man movement. II has come into exist
ence in response to the call of millions Of
voters whose experiences under the lash of
special privilege have driven them to seek
relief thru independent political action. II
cannot be diverted or destroyed by anything
Senator LaF GILLETTE may do or say. The need
for Il continues to exist and there is no alter
native but for il to proceed.
FIFTY thousand invitations have been sent
out and thousands of responses from farmer
labor and progressive political organizations
have been received, filled with eagerness and
enthusiasm. The responses are manifesto
tiOns of IOvaItv 10 a oroaf nriroinIa and s.o4