Montana labor news., 1936-05-14
National Convention
Called For Chicago
Gathering to Represent All Ele-
ments in Attempt to Unit All
Progressive Forces in Nation
Under One Plan.

Steps for the formation of a national
third party have been initiated by the
Minnesota Farmer-Lab Association.
A call for a conference representa-
tive of labor, farmer and progressive
organizations throughout the United
States was issued on May 8 by the as
ISOLATION through its state central COM
mittee and Governor Floyd B. Olson,
ex-officio member of the committee.
The conference will be held at the
Hotel Morrison, Chicago, Illinois, on
May 80 and 81 Of this year.
The conference, according to the call,
will not consider the matter Of a third
party presidential ticket for 1886. 1t
contemplates, however, the formation
Of a national Farmer-Labor party, the
detectives for 1886 being aiding form
alton of local and state Farmer-Labor
parties aiding of local, state and Con-
gressional campaigns as a national
force, and bringing together of all la
Dor, farmers and progressive groups for
the purpose of building a national Far
mer-Labor party this year.
The issuance OF the call is in con-
formity with the resolution passed by
the annual convention OF the Minneso-
ia Farmer-Labor association held in St.
Paul in March Of this year. The on
v%ention called upon the Minnesota
Farmer-Labor party to take the lead
ership in forming a national party, COM
posed OF all progressive and leftist
groups who will subscribe to its pro-
gram.
Leaders OF the Farmer-Labor move
ment in Minnesota are convinced that
a national third party, which will seek
fundamental changes in our social and
economic order rather than palliative
reforms, is necessary if Il present ills
are to be cured through political ac-
ton. Its objective would be an econ
omy Of abundance rather than an eco
nomy Of scarcity, an order which could
pass along the benefits of increased
production to the great masses of our
citizens, and the defeat OF war and fas-
cism.
The cali which has been issued to
approximately IS persons, reads as fol-
lows:
1.-THE Minnesota Farmer-Labor AS
ISOLATION, by decision of its March r.
% Convention, invites you to partici-
pate in a conference to discuss pros
poets for a national Farmer-Labor
Party this year. We thought it most
effective to limit the conference to
seventy-five or e~ighty-five persons,
authoritative Spokesman for labor, far
mer and progressive organizations,
which will be held at the Hotel Nor
rison in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday
and Sunday, May 80 and 81, 1896.
"The aims Of the conference can be
briefly stated as follows
(a) Aid in the formation Of local
and state Farmer-Labor Parties.
% Preparations for active partici-
patton as a national force in further
ing the election of local, state and con-
gressional candidates. because of cir
cumstances that have developed the
question of a 3rd party Presidential
ticket for 1886 will not be %considered) .
(c) The unification of labor, farm
err and progressive groups for the
building of a national Farmer-Labor
Party this year.
"You should understand first, that
this conference is not a delegate con-
t ference in which one or another group
can exercise dominance. 1t is a con
ference of people carefully selected
truly representative, who are known
to support the idea OF a new Party ii
general, but who are also known &c
have widely diverse views on how anC
4 when it should be organized. We be.
lieve that through this conference ag'
Ereement can be reached on these nov
e conflicting views.
"The conference will be conducted il
the spirit OF striving to unity all labor
farmer and progressive forces, includ
! ing those not directly represented, il
the building OF a broad, genuine Far
mer-Labor movement, this aim in it
{ self will be a guarantee that most care
full consideration will be given to al
viewpoints, with decisions arrived a
d through discussion and agreemen
rather than by that OF a mere majority
: vote.
I'VE sincerely hope to hear from vol
7 at the earliest date, advising US OF you
readiness to cooperate"