Correspondence

2 pages

H. L. Loucks writes about his desire to be involved in politics at the national level. He mentions Richard O. Richards will continue his work with the primary law amendments and Loucks believes he will be an ally in the elections. He suggests that Pettigrew should contact progressive leaders throughout the United States.

TRANSCRIPT

Jan. 20th. 1915.

My dear Pettigrew,

I continue to gain physically, and as I do, with no business cares, I feel it in more and more strongly, that I should get busy somehow, somewhere in advocating our national principles.
The Administration is making lots of ammunition, that is practically going to waste for want of attention. The reactionary republicans will control, and will limit their campaign to the tariff largely. The time to expose those things is when there is no direct campaign on. We should in some way have an understanding with and a plan of national cooperation. So far as this state is concerned that work must devolve largely upon you. Richards will concentrate on his primary law amendments, but I have no doubt will work with us when we are ready. Now so far as The Progressive Party is concerned, I stand just where I advised you before election I would, but could not, without being misunderstood take that position publicly.

I can and will be glad to cooperate with the true progressives.

I would not trust the men in this state who deserted us for Johnson, but there is no necessity of making that public at present.

So far as the National organization, I could not cooperate with them so long as they are financed and controlled by Perkins.

Now the thing for you to find out first is, as to what extent after the prominent desertions of the McCormicks, can Perkins control the national organization. Roosevelt will go with Perkins I think.

At any rate in the Pinchot discussion he so affirmed very emphatically, and in any case I think that he should be deposed as ROSS.

Are you acquainted with Raymond Robbins of Chicago? From what I have heard he is one of our kind? My friend Hampton of New York wanted me to stay over in Chicago on one of my trips to get in touch with him

But I did not seem to have time on any of my trips. I did stop over between trains to have a visit with the editor of “The Public” and was very much pleased with both him and his good wife.

Get in touch with Johnson of California, and while in Washington with Kent and other Washington (crossed out) California Progressives. Poindexter and The Washington delegation. Kegley of the Washington State Grange is a very strong man there and I will take it up with him.

The Pinchots of course and find out how New York & Penn? are likely to go in National convention. Clapp of Minn. May have to take his chances in the republican ranks again. Like what I have seen of him. Now if that group will cooperate with us for a straight, clean cut, advanced platform that would simplify matters a great deal but if not, then I think that it would be better for us to organize this state and wait.developments.

In the meantime if I only had expense money to pay for stationary, printing and postage, I would begin another series of one column articles and furnish to as many of the papers in the state as would use them, and begin a systematic movement to enlist earnest men in the several counties. This would necessitate personal visits, and prepare the way for personal work later if we can start a regular Paper, as you have suggested.

I wish that you would have a good, visit with LaFollette and learn what his plans are for the future. I am satisfied that he is more inclined to independent action than he was. Still his political life is evidently at stake in Wisconsin. Having supported the Progressive candidate for Governor, and I think for Senator I am not sure, but it is going to complicate matters very much for him.

There is a great deal to do, and now is the time to begin.

Sincerely yours,

H.L. Loucks