Evening star., 1934-03-11
WISCONSIN GROUP
AWAITS DECISION
ON THIRD PARTY
La Toilette Faction Calls
Upon State Supreme
Court for Ruling.
BY WILLIAM T. EVJUE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MADISON, Wis, March 10
Whether or not the La Toilette or
Progressive branch of the Republican
party in Wisconsin will discard the
old party label and form new third
party may depend upon the decision
of the State Supreme Court in an
action for a declaratory Judgment
started this week to obtain a definite
Interpretation of the election law re-
garding new party.
The suit was started Friday by
James E. Finnegan, attorney general.
at the request Of a committee headed
by former Gov. Philip F. La Toilette
which was appointed by the State
wide Progressive conference held in
Madison last week end.
Sentiment for a third party as ex-
pressed by large number of the 500
conference delegates demanded the
immediate formation of such a party
until it was explained by Progressive
leaders. including Senator Robert M
La Toilette, jr., and Herman L. Ekern,
former attorney general. that the am
biguity and vagueness of certain por-
tions of the statute relative to placing
new party column on the ballot
might endanger the success of new
party movement and might even ban
its candidates from the ballot.
Take Matter to Court.
After a spirited all day and eve
ming session, the conference unani-
mously agreed to take the matter to
the high State court and await its de-
cision. The committee, headed by
former Gov. La Toilette, was in
structed to institute the necessary
proceedings.
Both Senator La Toilette, who
came from Washington for the con-
ference. and his brother. the former
Governor, took a prominent part in
the conference, with Senator La Fol.
lette delivering keynote speech call
ing for united action on the part o.
Progressives The Senator cautioned
against launching a third party move
ment without first finding solid lega
grounds, but declared he would moi
hesitate to cast his political future in
tllc llOppCl Will liAC SOiAASASAiSS
decision.
An unofficial roll call was taken o.
the Wisconsin counties represented
by delegates at the conference on the
third party question and showed ?;
county delegations in favor OF new
party, IS against and Is divided.
Hearing Due in April.
The suit being pushed by the Pro.
gressive Committee will probably be
heard at the April term, and a de-
cision handed down early in May
This will permit the committee tt
follow out its instructions to call 6
second Statewide conference before
May Is to render final decision or
the third party question. The con
ference will probably be held In a Gen.
trail Wisconsin city, possibly Wausal
or Marshfield.
One of the dangers which the Su
preme Court action seeks to avert L
that local and county candidates vii
not be accorded a place in the new
party column. This would diSfran.
chise voters from voting for local Off
GERS if they wished to vote the new
party ticket and would be a serious
deterrent to the success of a new
party.
Secession of the Progressive wing
from the Republican party would
break up a connection that has ex-
listed for more than 80 years begin
ming with the senior La Follette's
first ventures into politics. Possibility
of coalition of the Progressive Re.
publicans with the conservative fac.
ton, however, is patiently impossible
and a great many Progressives fee
the time is ripe for new party
alignment. The younger element II
the party. particularly. is impatient
with the Republican afiliation