The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-12
Ia FOLLET IS
FOR PARTY
DELAY
Opposes Progressives Organ
izing All Over Country Now.
Leaders Divided
BY KENNETH CLARK,
international News Service.

AAoNnt1uotc ouluAlS 4tCIC bOuayD q
little group of men and women
discussed plans for launching IN
the United States permanent
new political party. They were
members Of the executive council
Of the Conference for Progressive
Political Action, the organization
which first indorsed the inde-
pendent presidential candidacy of
Senator Robert M. La Toilette of
Wisconsin, and which supported
him vigorously in the recent cam
paign.
Individually, at least, most Of
the members favored creation Of
. new party, a movement, seeking
the future backing of industrial
workers and farmers of the coun-
try for concerted political action
IN national and State elections.
New Party Seen Likely.
vail. it was indicated strongly that
out Of the committees discussions
will come the definite recommen.
dation that the groundwork for the
new party, laid in the La Toilette
campaign, be maintained and
strengthened.
A spirited wrangle broke out in
the session when representatives
of at least two labor unions, affili-
ated with the American Federation
OF Labor launched a move to post
ponA indefinitely issuance of a call
for a national convention. Under
q mandate from the convention last
july one of the committees chief
tasks was to set date for q ma.
tional meeting in January.
The move by union men was
opposed by a coalition of socialists,
and leaders Of the La Toilette cam
paign committee, who charged that
indefinite poStponement Of the con-
vention would virtually mean the
death Of third party plans, at least
Tor the immediate future.
Threaten to Bolt.
They further opposed the union
vancouver on the grounds that
the committee had no authority
itself to defer call, but was
obliged to set a time for the con-
ventiop this winter.
The union men whose names
were withheld, declared their or
CARNATIONS would not go along
with any third party movement.
This was In line, they said, with
the decree Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor convention that or
ganized labor must remain strictly
nonpartisan in political affairs.
Despite the protest the labor
union officials, third party sup
porters predicted they would have
sufficient strength to pass the
resolution calling for the national
convention at which they hope to
give life to permanent new po-
litical movement.
The committee can do no more
at this time than recommend
plans. The final decisions must be
left to the convention of the Pro-
gressive Conference, expected to be
called, for Chicago in about six
weeks.
Delegates themselves held widely
divergent views as to what course
should be followed if it is decided
TO give permt I ency to the Pro-
gressive movement. There were
among them, particularly the Soc
talists, those who favored launching
at once a national party organiza-
ton complete from top to bottom,
which would place candidates in
all elections from the Presidency
down to minor State and local
offices.
Delayed BY Conservatives.
The more conservative of the
group would not go so far. They
would build along the lines followed
In organizing the La Toilette cam.
paign.
That would mean, for instance,
that the new movement would not
attempt at once to put full tickets
in the field everywhere. Those of
the latter belief would concentrate
on few Of the more important
offices, contesting only against
those candidates, regardless Of
party, whom they regarded as IRE
dictionary"
In other words, while maintain
ing a third party organization, this
group would attempt to develop "a
progressive spirit in the country
by the slower process of boring
from within the established political
organizations.
When, in their opinion, the move
ment has developed sufficient
strength, indicated through the cleo
ton of candidates to office, they
would then branch out in political
contests all over the country.
Attitude of La Toilette.
Senator La Toilette is said to ad.
here to the belief that the new
movement should be buiIded slowly
to insure its permanency. He has
repeatedly said that new parties
are born, not made
He believes that the people them.
selves soon will demand a political
realignment, and that this should
be encouraged by maintaining a
permanent third party organization
which should lead the way in con-
solidating opinion.
The sessions of the committee
are expected to continue until to-
morrow afternoon. Only half Of
the committees membership of
more than fifty was in attendance.
William H. Johnston, president of
the international Association of Ma
chinists, is chairman.
~ n NAN TAN NEAERR-A