Evening star., 1936-10-04
THREE PLATFORMS
BEFORE WISCONSIN
Ia Toilette Works Bill Left
Out as Plank by
Progressives.
BY CHARLES w. HoLMBURG.
sr ecial Dispatch to The Star.

u ecial Dtspatcn 70 The star.
MADISON, Wis, October s.-The
electorate of Wisconsin had before
it this week end three major party
platforms, adopted by the weeks plat
form conventions, upon which the
bitter political battle Of the next four
weeks will be fought out.
Following the two-day swing
through the State Of Gov. ALI Lam
don, which ended with his social
security speech in Milwaukee last
Saturday, it was not unusual that
the Republican State platform makers
should couch their Endorsement of the
Kansas Governor In the most en-
thusiastic terms. Not only does the
new State G. o. p. platform vigorously
support the national platform and
candidate, but lauds Gov. Landons
interpretations Of Republican princi-
Piles.
The State Democrats, meeting in an
adjoining State capitol chamber, we're
equally laudatory Of their national
candidate. and President Roosevelt
was given a ringing ovation. Con-
spicuous In the Democratic State
platform as adopted was the approval
of the Presidents utility program
and relief policies.
Plank Disturbs Convention.
The Progressive party's platform
convention ran little less smoothly
when it became apparent that cer-
tain delegates would insist upon the
adoption of a production for use"
plank similar to that in the State.
wide "Farmer-Labor- Progressive fed.
eration," a political union of nine
party leaders.
Only after this plank was voted
down, 10 to 70, did the convention
speed its work and produce o plat
form that, curiously enough, does not
mention the La Toilette works bill.
hitherto stressed by Gov. Philip F.
La Toilette as one of the major State
campaign issues.
Although both Gov La Toilette and
Senator Robert NJ. La Toilette, jr..
have personally and publicly indorsed
President Roosevelt, the national
campaign is not mentioned in the
Progressive platform. An interesting
addition to the platform is a pro-
vision that industry be encouraged
by legislation exempting new factory
from taxation for a period
of three years.
Both the Republican and Demo-
cratic State platforms strenuously
assail the La Toilette administration
with reference to politics in schools"
and "radicalism." The Republicans
accuse the Governor with engaging in
q united front with Communist"
the reference being to the r. L. P.
Federation, which the Governor has
not joined.
- In Toilette Bars Communists.
An exchange between Gov. La Fol-
lette and the handful Of organized
Communists in the State occurred
during the week. First the Commu-
nists issued a statement indorsins
with qualifications" the F. L. p. Fed
Grafton candidates and La Toilette. A
few hours later Gov. La Toilette came
back with q statement repudiating
the Endorsement and declaring no
Communist could have a part in the
Progressive party campaign.
Gov. Lsndon's tour of the State
doubtlessly had q stimulating effect
on Republican activity and brought q
turnout Of Republican leaders, Repub-
lican newspaper editors and legisla-
tors unequaled during the past four
years. The Republican presidential
nominee made numerous speeches
from his train platform and was gem
orally received with enthusiasm. Every
available seat in Milwaukee's audito-
rum, seating $500. was taken and
hundreds stood in the corridors.
Former Gov. Walter J. Kohler
emerged from retirement and occu-
pied q place Of honor on the Milwau-
kee platform with Landon.
Gov, La Toilette formally Endorsed
the candidacy Of Roosevelt in an adj
dress to the convention Of union ma
chinists in Milwaukee, declaring that
In a national campaign of this kind
he had no choice but Roosevelt. Lam
don, he asserted, was backed by reac-
tionary forces Of the type the Pro-
gressive movement has traditionally
opposed.