Evening star., 1936-09-11

leaders had abandoned the idea when
labor threw its support to Roosevelt" :"
He said the organization was being
kept together. however. and might
take part in local campaigns.
Lewis Joins Farley.
John L. Lewis. president of the
United Mine Workers of America and
leader of the Committee for Industrial
Organization. Joined the conference.
His appearance gave added strength
to a frequently expressed belief the
conference would launch a movement
to indorse President Roosevelt, since
Lewis position as supporter Of the
administration is well known.
Just before the conferees went be-
hind closed doors for the discus
sionS, Representative Harry Sauthoff
Of Madison, Wisconsin Progressive,
predicted the group would give "un-
qualified Endorsement" of the Presi-
dent.
Lewis said he was one of the orig
inal 140 liberals invited to the con-
ference by Senator Robert M. La
Toilette, jr., Wisconsin Progressive,
and the seven other sponsors of the
meeting. Lewis was accompanied by
his son, John L. Lewis, jr., on the
trip from Washington.
The union president had no state
ment to make Immediately, but said
he probably would comment later.
Sidney Hillman Attends.
Ranks of the Roosevelt supporters
w>re strengthened by the appearance
xof Sidney Hillman of New York, pres
e4dent Of the Amalgamated Clothing
1Workers of America and treasurer Of
sthe Labor Non-Partisan League, which
as campaigning for the President.
n Hillman said both himself and his
sdnion were dedicated to the Roosevelt
cause.
+ Mayor La Guardia, entering the
meeting, expressed the opinion the
only result possible was Endorsement
! Of Roosevelt.
:. Smith w. Brookhart, former Pro-
gressive Republican Senator from
Iowa, was among those present. Sena-
tor George w. Norris of Nebraska,
although invited, was not expected to
attend.
8 A complete list of conferees had not
been prepared at noon, but members
of Senator La Follette's secretarial
Sstah estimated "at least" $50 persons
were gathered in the Roosevelt room
OF the hotel, although only 140 had
received official invitations.
Senator La Toilette was named per-
nanent chairman.
; Senator La Toilette said he could not
predict how long the meeting would
last or what its full accomplishment
would be.
I'VE did not intend this to be a
convention" he said. 1T Is a con-
ference, and we want every one there
to feel free to talk"
Mayor Fiorello La Guardia of New
York was expected to take a leading
part in the discussion.
' Two Democratic members of Con-
gress from the South were among the
conferees. They were Senator Hugo
L. Black of Alabama, who served as
chairman of the Senate committees
investigating airmail contracts and
lobbying activities, and Representative
Maury Maverick Of Texas.
A roster Of the Independent political
leaders present included:
Senator Robert M. La Toilette, IT.,
Wisconsin, Progressive; Gov Philip F..
La Toilette, Wisconsin; Representative
Harry Sauthoff of Wisconsin, Progress
eive; Representative Gerald Boileau
OF Wisconsin, Progressive; Representa-
tive Gardner withrow of Wisconsin,
Progressive; Representative George j.
Schneider Of Wisconsin, Progressive;
Mayor Fforello La Guardia of New
York, Fusionist; Senator Elmer Benson
Of Minnesota, Farmer-Laborite; Gov.
Hjalmar Petersen of Minnesota, Far
mer-Laborite; Senator Hugo L. Black
Of Alabama, Democrat; Charles A.
Ward of St. Paul; Representative
Maury Maverick, Texas, Democrat;
Frank P. walsh, head of the New York
State Power Authority: M. p. David
son, New York City commissioner: A.
A. Berle, sr.. of New York.
Representative Sam Massingale of
Oklahoma, Democrat: Representative
Matthew Dunn of Pennsylvania, Dem
ocrat; Representative Paul J. Kvale Of
Minnesota. Farmer-Laborite; Repre-
sentative Henry Ellenbogen Of PENN
sylvania. Democrat; Senator Lewis B.
Schwellenbach Of Washington, Demo-
crat: John L. Lewis. president of the
United Mine Workers of America:
Representative Thomas Amlie of Wis
-consin, Progressive; Smith w. Brook
hart. former Republican. Senator from
Iowa, and Sidney Hillman Of New