Evening star., 1928-06-17
THIRD PARTY MOVE
WAITS ON HOUSTON
Western Progressives Hold
Conference at Xan-
SaS City.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.


KANSAS CITY, June l6.-Considera-
ton Of the launching Of third party
movement has been deferred until after
the Democratic national convention at
Houston. Definite decisions to that end
were taken in Kansas City at confer
ence OF Western Republican Progress
ives In which Senator Robert M. La
Toilette OF Wisconsin and Gerald p
Nye Of North Dakota we're leading
factors.
Wait and see what Houston does"
summarizes the determination to which
the conference came. II the Democrats
do not go materially beyond what the
Republicans did at Kansas City. In the
way Of farm relief and other issues for
which Western Progressiyes stand, the
prospect Of an independent third party
ticket Is exceedingly strong. Beyond
that general forecast Of the situation,
La Toilette. Nye and their fellow con-
ferees at Kansas City win not go. They
quit the q. o. p. convention city In
sullen mood. The Curtis Vice Presi-
dental nomination signally failed to
conciliate them. They declare that 1t
changes nothing.
Denies Hoover Support.
Senator La Toilette. who made one Of
the distinct hits of the Kansas City
conclaye and emerges from 1t with en-
hanced reputation, took occasion, Just
before entraining for his home State,
to deny report that he had come out
for Hoover. The statement Is author
lied on Young Bob,s" behalf that sup
port OF the Californian on the Kansas
City platform Is unthinkable from the
standpoint OF men who wear the La
Toilette color Of political spectacles.
With the prestige he acquired at Kan
sas City. the Baby Senator" seems GER
tain TO be In the forefront OF any inde-
pendent faction the ProgresSives take.
Some OF his more enthusiastic. adher-
ents went the length Of suggesting him
for a third party presidential nonltna-
ton. but they forgot that the const!tu-
tional age-limit bars Young Bob"
from such honors for at least another
three years.
Meantime there is no doubt that the
feasibility OF an independent national
ticket Is being considered in the most
serious manner. None Of It's fomenters
imagines that 1t could make any APP
preciable dent In the November electoral
college vote. They are thinking rather
In terms of the future. Their reason
ing is along the line that 1928 Is the
time for "a new alignment" link
ing up of the progressive elements In
both the Republican and Democratic
parties. The program would be to
make as impressive a showing as pos
sible this year, maintain the organiza-
ton. expand 1t steadily, and take the
field In 1899, as well as at intervening
congressional and State elections. The
feeling Is that the iron Of resentment
over the policies Of both parties being
hot right now, right now Is the time
TO strike
Good Cites Backing.
Soon after the third partyites plans
became known, in the closing hours Of
the Kansas City convention, this writer
had opportunit. TO discuss them with
James w. Good OF Iowa, Hoover pre-
convention manager. The seasoned
politician who may be the next chair
man of the Republican national COM
mittee registers no trace Of alarm over
the suggestion that Hoover and his
Democratic opponent may have 10 face
an independent rivalry. Good pointed
out one thing which has not received
full consideration by leaders interested
In. or terrified by. third party gpccter
THE La Toilette and Wheeler ticket
In 1924" the Hoover manager said.
never could have rolled up anything
like It's total of nearly 100000 votes
except for the support of organized
labor, or large sections OF organized
labor. A 1928 third party ticket would
lack that support. It would In par
ticular not have the backing Of the
great railroad brotherhoods. These are
openly friendly 10 Herbert Hoover. They
threw their full strength into his pri-
mary campaign In both Indiana and
West Virginia.
Personnel" Seen Surprise.
One of the third party eonspirators.
as he joculariy calls himself. declares
that the country viii open Its eyes over
tho personnel" Of the new orgnniza-
ton. provided developments al Hous~
ton bring 1t into being, II will not be
an essentially Western revolt movement
ike the La Foliette~W Wheeler mutiny OF
four years ago. The East and South
win be conspicuous In H.; men and
women OF means have pledged their
political support and their financial
backing, Prom the standpoint of
sinews Of war, the informant explains.
lcontinued on Page I. Column 80