The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-24
LA TOILETTE
LOOKS AHEAD
IN PLATFORM
young Bob,' Seeking Sen.
ate Post as Independ-
emf, Shows Way.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
Times Special Writer

handing figure-bristling pompa-
dour, fiery eyes, voice ringing with
passionate concern, feet that stoud
square and solid-used to rise be-
fore Republican national conven-
lions and present a platform of
principles.
Always it was voted down.
This was, for years, a regular
ceremony, always picturesque be-
cause the late Senator Robert
Marion La Toilette of Wisconsin
was colorful figure.
But Fighting Bob" La Toilette
always inspired respect and atten-
ton, even among those who dis
agreed violently with him. The
shreWd always studied his declara-
ton of principles-the Wisconsin"
platform-for by it they could
divine the course of political and
economic events He moved ahead
of the procession. Sooner or later.
they knew that the crowd would
catch up with him and party docu-
mentS would include, as their own,
bit by bit, here and there, commit
ments to the things for which the
Wisconsin senator had stood years
before.
Security for Individual
For this reason, among others,
the program just enunciated by his
son-still called Familiarity Young
Bob"-in his independent candidacy
for the senate in Wisconsin is con-
sidered peculiarly interesting here.
Young Bob, like his father, marches
ahead of the crowd. A Stanch sup
porter in the senate of the New Deal
philosophy of President Roosevelt,
he looks to the future and takes
position on many issues in advance
of the man he chose to follow as
President.
The young senator calls for eco
nomic security for those who toll in
industry through unemployment in
surance, old age pensions, and for
the farmer and home-owner he de-
mands security in the possession of
his farm and his home.
To absorb the still large army of
unemployed, increase purchasing
power and stimulate business and
industry, he asks a huge program
of public works. Until such a pro-
gram can be put under way he adj
vocateS elevation of government re-
lief to "a decent level"
TO give the people control of the
inStrumentalities of credit he recon-
mends government-owned central
bank.
Urges U. S. Rail Ownership
In taxation. he would apply the
principle of ability to pay, and dig
into the pockets of the wealthy to
contribute to the social betterment
of those less fortunately situated
a movement he began, with some
initial success, in the last congress.
He abhorS the sales tax as a means
of raising revenue because it bears
upon the rank and file.
He would have the government
own the railroads and extend to all
power projects its operation now of
a few. The government should I'M
dertake Immediately development Of
the st. Lawrence Great Laker wa
terway, despite the opposition of
"the bankers and the power trust"
he says.
So that the people themselves
who have to shoulder arms and
-slosh through the mire of trenches
and foot the bills-and die-may
have a voice on war. he advocates
national referendum as a prere-
quisite to fighting, except in case of
invasion. Further, he would remove
the power and influence of NUM-
lions makers by having the govern
ment own, operate and control the
manufacture of all implements of
war.
Finally-and this may we'll be
taken prophetically-the Wisconsin
senator calls for a new political
alignment between progressives in
both parties.
huuIiAlS t1S 1uuSpChuChk
The issue, he says, is between
progressives, who favor the widest
possible enjoyment of our abundant
wealth, and reactionarieS in both
old parties, who would go back to
the discredited system of withhold
ing the very necessaries of life by
monopolistic control of production
and distribution, in order to main
tain unlicensed profits"
Young Bob is undertaking an
experiment. He was forced by cir
cumstances to cut loose from both
old parties as organized in his state
and to strike out alone. His father
did that when he won the support
Of 100000 voters as an independ-
ent candidate for the presidency in
1924
If elected, the Wisconsin senator
will gain new prestige that will ex-
tend far beyond the borders of his
own state. He still is a young man.
He may see a new political align
ment in which he will play a
dominant part.
There was a dramatic moment,
back in 1924 in the huge auditorium
at Cleveland, when the very young
man Of that day stood before a
great throng and accepted, on his
fathers behalf, a nomination for
President of the United States.
Quit G. o. P. in 1892
There was another dramatic mo-
ment, in 1923, when a still young
man rose before assembled Repub-
licans, following in his fathers
footsteps, and presented a platform
that was voted down, as usual,
though not until the crowd had ac-
claimed his courage with a thunder
Gus ovation, easily the highlight of
the convention which nominated
Herbert Hoover.