PROFITEERS OPPOSE LA FOLLETTE
Profiteers Oppose La Follette Senator H. A. Huber of Wisconsin Legislature Exposes Conspiracy of Wealth Against Badger Solon—Farmers and Labor Refuse to Join WHEN LA FOLLETTE was governor I was...
...During the pendency of the bill many amendments were offered and I give you LaFollette's record on the more important amendments...
...The resolutions are as follows:) Whereas the provisional Government of Russia did, on the 19th day of May...
...LaFollette favored a bill that no citizen should lose his citizenship by reason of any •ath required of him in entering the service of any allied government...
...and Whereas, one and all of these declarations bespeak a willingness to adopt the doctrine of "a peace without victory," proclaimed by President Wilson on the 22nd day of January...
...When war was declared Senator La Follette accepted it as a fact and has not since referred to the causes leading up to the war except in reply to attacks made upon some action of his prior to that time...
...It is too late and pity it is, that it is true...
...As I see it, public sentiment is not ready for compulsory military service, and I trust that nothing will be done by Congress that will make the war unnecessarily unpopular with the people...
...The amendment was defeated 5 to 75...
...A bitter campaign was made against him by the munition makers and those unneutrals who wished to force this country into a foreign war...
...His vote was well distributed...
...the inner workings of his mind...
...At this point in history La Follette accepted an urgent invitation to address a non-partisan league of farmers at St...
...He has simply been ahead of his time, and has drawn the fire while those in the rear have followed on to victory and gathered the fruits of his pioneering mind...
...I merely express my opinion...
...In the debate on the bill for arming the merchant ships the President's party took up 30 hours of the time and the opposition took up only 22 hours of time...
...Dak., Jones, Wash., Kenyon, Kirby, LaFollette, McNary, Thompson, Vardaman...
...LaFollette supported an appropriation' for $3,281,094,5-11 war expenses, the largest appropriation ever made at one time by any government in the world...
...Ker-ensky pleaded for acceptance of his terms, the very terms now proposed by our President and was treated with disdain...
...Another is that income or profits constitute, if not the best, at least one of the best standards by which to measure ability to pay...
...LaFolllette favored an appropriation of $640, 000,000 for aviation...
...Jones: No...
...Those voting for were: Ashurst, Chamberlain, Gronna, Hollis, Husting Johnson (Cal...
...Those who voted for the bill were: Borah, Brady, Gronna, Hardwick, Hollis, Hust-ing, Johnson, Cal., Jones, Wash-, Kenyon, LaFollette, McNary, Norris, Poindexter, Reed, Sheppard, Sutherland, Thompson, Trammell, and Vardaman...
...It was defeated...
...Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Myers, Norris, Phelan, Sheppard, Thompson, Trammell, and Vardaman...
...it never will be misplaced...
...However the allies thought otherwise...
...I understand the speaker of the Assembly coincided with the Governor...
...eradication of plant diseases $441,000...
...The system Senator from Minnesota made the first move...
...But who dares to follow him...
...LaFollette supported an appropriation of $147,363,928 for sundry civil expenses of the government...
...I.*Follette favored an act to secure the secrecy of patents on war inventions during the war...
...This would have given the government the power to refund at lower rates of interest after the war...
...It was defeated by a vote of 15 to 65...
...VII...
...SEPT...
...That report is recognized as the ablest financial statement for the raising of war revenues ever presented to congress...
...Certainly we ought to all agree that if the President knew an attempt was to be made to sink the ship, he should have warned the passengers off from it or have protected them by all the power of the government...
...they will win, of that I have no doubt...
...and Whereas, the German chancellor, speaking for the Imperial German Government on the J7th day of May, 1917, made the following official declaration in the Reichstag: "We did not go to war, and we are not fighting now against the whole world, in order to make conquests, but only to secure our existence, and firmly to establish the future of the nation...
...LaFollette favored a bill to facilitate the purchase of land for the ordnance department...
...However that may be, this St...
...Never before in our history had we had universal military service...
...As well might they charge the Governor with disloyalty because he opposed the draft and then file the charges with .he Historical Library to give permanency and publicity to the libel...
...Among these is the principle that the burden of taxation should be apportioned among the taxpayers in accordance with their ability to pay...
...He consistently and patriotically supported the President and his country to the end that we might win the war at the earliest possible moment with an honorable and abiding peace...
...1. 5. Senator LaFollette supported an amendment offered by Johnson of California increasing war profits taxes by $1,707,000,000...
...Would the lowest criminal on trial accused of an offense be submitted to such indignities...
...That Congress declares that there should be a public restatement of the Allies' peace terms, based on a disavowal of any advantages, cither in the way of indemnities, territorial acquisitions, commercial-privileges, or economic prerogatives, by means of which one nation shall strengthen its power abroad at the expense of another nation, as wholly incompatible with the establishment of a durable peace in the world...
...Yet the senate is a court ef impeachment, and is submitting to organized propaganda to discredit one of its members under charges and refusing to give him a chance to meet his accusers face to face at a fair and impartial trial...
...Robert M. La Follette...
...The same act authorized $2,-000,000,000 of certificates of indebtedness or temporary loans for the government...
...Signed) Emanuel L. Philipp, Governor...
...LaFollette foresaw that this trade in munitions of war woultL-assume such vast proportions as to impeach our neutrality, for through this traffic he visioned what actually happened...
...The delay in the trial of Senator LaFollette indicates fear of the wrath of the people...
...APRIL 6. LaFollette supported the appropriation for $163,841,400 for the general deficiency, $100,-000,000 of which was made immediately directly available to the President for any war purposes he should choose...
...All these things have not come by chance, nor by popular disagreement with his course...
...AUGUST 2% LaFollette favored a bill to provide an air craft station for the navy and appropriating $150,000...
...It is a record to be proud of...
...SEPT...
...OCT...
...LaFollette favored the creation of an aircraft board, and appropriating $100,000...
...At the out-set of the European war...
...The amendment was defeated...
...LaFollette favored an act called the "Trading with Enemy Act'' making it unlawful to carry on business with an alien enemy...
...4. LaFollette favored an act permitting public land affidavits to be taken before military officers...
...Security Leagues organized in the east spread themselves into ^he west and made active propaganda for a big army and conscription of our young men into military service...
...3. 6. LaFollette offered an amendment to tax war profits in excess of peace profits IQVc, increasing the government revenues, $1,584,000,-000...
...Kenyon, LaFollette, McNary, Norris, Reed, and Vardaman...
...that both Germany and England had violated our commercial rights...
...As a candidate for Senator in the fall of 1916, LaFollette made speeches in every part of the state and discussed freely and fully the war issues and his record thereon...
...LaFollette' voted for an administration bill regulating manufacture of explosives...
...his good name defamed...
...V. The Submarine Campaign AFTER LAFOLLETTE'S election in 1916, nothing happened to arouse the passions of the people until the renewal of the submarine campaign in February, 1917, Then the President for the first time abandoned his plans for complete neutrality and demanded the right from Congress to arm merchantmen to fight off submarine attacks...
...It would also have clarified the law and eliminated from the bill the dangerous provision giving legislative recognition to capitalization of surplus taken from the public in extortionate charges...
...APRIL 11...
...his motives have been impeached...
...5. LaFollette voted to fix commutation price of the navy ration...
...On the resolution declaring war LaFollette spoke and voted in opposition...
...LaFollette voted against the espionage act on account of the censorship provision giving the power to the postmaster general to declare nonmailable any newspapers in his discretion...
...SEPT...
...Johnson (S...
...LaFollette favored the establishment of a permanent aviation station for the army and navy in the harbor of San Diego...
...sacrificed money and friends to be true to his constituency and his convictions...
...It was defeated...
...Today, after a life-time of public service to the people, he is a poor man, his home heavily mortgaged, his income insufficient to meet the public demands made upon him...
...He received 251,303 votes to his opponents' 135,-144...
...War was declared April 6, 1917...
...Paul, he spoke without notes...
...Instead of giving this great speech at St...
...He made a comprehensive study of the bill and presented to the senate a minority report on the bill signed by himself and Senators Gore and Thomas...
...What a shame to accuse LaFollette of disloyalty because of this...
...In other times such proceedings would be considered scandalous...
...He thereby lost the support of his people and was thrown out, and the allies lost Russia for good...
...It was defeated...
...there is much that is objectionable to war profiteers and tax dodgers...
...I>aFollette favored an act providing for the appointment of 20 chaplains at large for the army...
...I will read the telegram he sent to LaFollettc: Madison, Wis...
...Only the other day professors of the University, servants of the state, when his son was sick nigh unto death, sent the Senator a libelous and insulting petition and notified him that a copy had been filed with the Historical Library...
...SEPT...
...The American people are patient...
...APRIL 20...
...for eradication of diseases in live stock $885,000...
...La Follette offered an amendment making incomes derived from bonds taxable as other incomes...
...At the election LaFollette's position was overwhelmingly endorsed...
...It would have increased the revenues of the Government from income taxes and excess profits taxes $162,000,000...
...However, blood in unknown quantities will be spilled in a sacrifice for poor state-manship...
...It was defeated...
...SEPT...
...4. 8. LaFollette having been defeated in the higher rates proposal, offered an amendment for 60 per cent, on war profits...
...In Ireland there has been no conscription today...
...1917, declare in favor of "peace without annexation or indemnities on the basis of the rights of nations to decide their own destiny, and Whereas, the Imperial Reichstag, representing the great majority of the German people, did on the 19th day of July, 1917, by a vote of 214 to 116, pass resolutions in favor of peace, "without forced acquisitions of territory and without political, economic, and financial violations" and declaring for "a mutual understanding and lasting reconciliation among the nations and the creation of international judicial organizations...
...OCT...
...Those voting for were: Borah, Brady, Gronna, Hollis, Husting, Johnson (Cal...
...LaFollette supported the act authorizing war bonds to the amount of $5,063,054,460, three billions of which was to be available to our allies as loans...
...MAY 19...
...Jones: Yes...
...Up to November, 1916, LaFollette's record was approved as the record of no other public man in Wisconsin had been approved...
...Their faith has never been misplaced, it never will be misplaced...
...It makes the heart sick that greed and avarice of rulers by divine right shall keep an Innocent and helpless people in the prolonged horrors of war...
...bearing in mind that a President had been elected because he had kept us out of war...
...He should not be compelled to go back of that accounting and settlement...
...And under my oath .'-8 a Senttor of Wisconsin, I say, La Follette is a brave and-honorable man...
...LaFollette favored the bill authorizing the second bond issue giving the Secretary of the Treasury with the approval of the President, power to borrow $7,558,945,640 for war purposes, and to issue other certificates of indebtedness up to $4,000,000,000, and war savings certificates to the amount of $2,000,000,000...
...I came to know him intimately...
...One war profiteer in Madison, with war profits in excess of peace profits for the years 1915 and 1916 of $3,508,884 on a capital if $1,250,000, could a tale unfold that should make each particular hair stand on end...
...Never before had a drafted man been taken to fight on a foreign soil...
...They wanted the President to issue a call for a special session of Congress to convene immediately upon the dissolution of the old congress, March 4, 1917...
...The Senators were: Kenyon and Cummins of Iowa, Lane of Oregon, Vardaman of Mississippi, Clapp of Minnesota, Works of California, Stone of Missouri, Kirby of Arkansas, Gronna of North Dakota, O'Gorman of New York, Norris of Nebraska, and LaFollette of Wisconsin...
...Back of this conspiracy have been all the war profiteers that have so recently created a stench in the nation that smells to high heaven...
...and Whereas, the above principles are those by which the respective warring Governments of Europe profess common willingness to he bound and are principles to which the United States subscribes...
...To pay for the munitions of war the Allies asked and received the help of the House of Morgan in floating great bond issues in this country...
...MAY 14...
...Those voting for were: Ashurst, Borah, Brady, Gore, Gronna, Hollis, Husting, Johnson, Cal., Johnson, So...
...But enemies of popular government never accept the voice of the people as final, and again and again he has been since villified for his actions as approved by popular vote...
...I know what that record is, pretty well,—better than most men know it...
...I do not blame the President...
...Those voting for were: Ashurst, Beckham, Borah, Broussard, Gronna, Hollis, Husting, Johnson (Cal...
...LaFollette voted against the River and Harbor bill appropriations pending the war...
...4. 9. The Senator voted on an amendment by Senator Hollis of New Hampshire for a 50 per cent, rate on war profits...
...When LaFollettc introduced his peace resolutions Russia was in the throes of revolution and was demanding to know the terms of peace...
...LaFollette supported an act increasing the midshipmen of the naval academy...
...SEPT...
...The additional pay would approximate for our soldiers what the Canadian soldiers were receiving where house bounties, etc., were considered...
...Corrigan: Did you intend by any of them (newspaper articles) to convey the idea to your readers that LaFollette was dishonest...
...It was defeated by a vote cf 26 to 51...
...Some one asked him, How about the Lusitania...
...Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Myers, Norris, Thompson, Trammell, Vardamam SEPT...
...SEPT...
...SEPT...
...Often I have been doubtful of the wisdom of his course...
...C. I recommend that you oppose plan of conscription suggested by the General Staff and reported by the press as being urged upon Congress at this time...
...LaFollette favored an amendment by Senate* France giving authority to the Prealden* dur* ing the war to close any board of trade or stocH exchange and voted against an amendment Senator Nelson designed to weaken the amendment of Senator France...
...MAY 22...
...MAY 15...
...2. The next measure for which he has been condemned as a traitor v.as his peace resolution of August 11, 1917...
...for increasing food production $4,338,400...
...It is equally obvious that the more vexatious and burdensome taxes ought to be foregone as long as possible in favor of less burdensome and vexatious taxes...
...It was defeated by a vote of 20 to 55...
...For this reason he favored an embargo on the "things that kill" while in non-contraband merchandise he insisted on the full enforcement of international law...
...JUNE 21...
...LaFollette voted for an amendment to the Espionage Act to clothe the President with power to make rules to prevent disclosures as to movements of vessels or other war activities but providing that it should not be construed to prevent criticism of the act or policies of the government...
...It was defeated...
...Such is the record of Senator La Follette...
...Paul speech is made the subject of Senatorial investigation, and in due course the Senate of the United States must pass final judgment upon it...
...LaFollette supported resolutions to relieve miners who enlisted in the army or navy from performing assesssment work on their claims...
...In the light of subsequent events those supposed patriots who condemned him for these resolutions look silly and must feel foolish...
...JULY 26...
...The amendment was defeated by a vote of 19 for to 55 against...
...LaFollette also voted for an amendment limiting the appropriation during the war to keeping present harbors, etc., in repair...
...Resolved further, That the Congress hereby declares that this Government will not contribute to the efforts of...
...LaFollette favored an act to relieve homestead entrymen from residence on homestead when in service of the government...
...23, 1917...
...Having made a most wonderful fight for fair taxation and having succeeded in adding some $600-000.000 taxes to the profiteers and having kept off the revenue lists tea, coffee, cocoa, and sugar, he was defeated in his main contention of taxing war profits 80 percent., as England is taxing hers...
...SEPT...
...He believed it to be wise to make war as effective as possible that it might be the sooner ended...
...War Record Reviewed PERMIT me now to gotback to the record of Senator LaFollette since the war was declared April 6, 1917, as shown by the official record of the United States Senate...
...Beginning with the furnishing of munitions of war to the Allies and the great loans which followed, the parties in this country most interested made an insistent demand for the creation of a great army and for universal military service...
...SEPT...
...SEPT...
...He broke all his former records and all other records in the state...
...The purpose of the act was to give better control of transportation during the war...
...LaFollette supported an act providing for soldiers in foreign service making allotments of pay for support of dependent...
...I therefore deem it fitting and proper to make this statement...
...The first amendment rroposed was, et...
...Gets Increased Profit Tax AFTER THE VARIOUS amendments had been defeated, LaFollette offered a substitute bill for the committee bill...
...JUNE 15...
...It would have added to the Government revenues $1,174,000,-000...
...What I say on that score only goes to show that there may be wide differences of opinion by loyal citizens...
...SEPT...
...What arc we coming to when the University is made the spawning ground of political libels and insults of a Senator of Wisconsin in the United States Congress...
...words put into his mouth he never uttered, nor even thought...
...5. LaFollette favored an act for commissions in the army for the medical and dental corps...
...LaFollette supported an act authorizing issuance of rifles and equipment of home guards...
...It does not come, I know not why...
...You will note, that our former colleague, Senator Husting, voted with Senator LaFollette, with few exceptions, on every amendment...
...Thus did the profiteers and tiie avarical win in this financial battle against the people...
...Those voting for were: Gronna, Hardwick, LaFollette, Reed, and Vardaman...
...The yoemen of the land, the workers in the mines and the shops know Bob La Follette and they have faith in him...
...He said our citizens had the technical right to ride upon it, but he was not in favor of riding upon it in view of the dangers to the passengers and to our country...
...The President was supposed to be in a position to counsel wisely...
...7. 3. LaFollette supported an amendment offered by Senator Hollis, New Hampshire, increasing revenues from large incomes by "80,-000,000...
...He had prepared a speech to deliver, but because of the fact that the League having been forewarned of an effort to be made to disturb the meeting, it was not delivered...
...Germany was begging for peace, Austria was exhausted and peace was to be had for the mere statement of acceptable terms...
...I say only what the great men of oui country are all saying today...
...Jones (Wash...
...I have read this speech...
...First let me say, that LaFollette is a member of the finance committee to which the war revenue bill was first referred...
...Quoting this one sentence from an exhaustive speech made prior to the declaration of war the yellow press abused La Follette and called him pro-German...
...SEPT...
...that Germany had abandoned her illegal submarine violations of our commerce on condition that we should require England to likewise abandon her illegal violations of our commerce...
...I have followed his record from that time down to this day, carefully and attentively...
...A magnificent audience of over ten thousand people greeted him...
...In doing this he did what Canada had done up to that time...
...The Kaiser, war mad, war crazy, ambitious for world empire, has taken new hope of world victory and it seems we must humble his pride, hut at what loss God only knows...
...On'the record so made he became a candidate for a third term as United States Senator...
...the proposed tax on passenger tickets and freight rates, which operate like sand in the bearings of industry and commerce...
...MAY 29...
...It is a matter of record that the executive of this state, speaking for the state, advised \a-Follettc to vote against conscription...
...Dak., Jones, Wash., Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Norris, Thompson, Trammell, Vardaman...
...I have it before me...
...I think not...
...that England had disregarded our protests and continued her illegal acts towards our commerce...
...LaFollette has been ready and anxious for that Investigation for a long time...
...often I have differed with him,—never have I doubted his motives, and always it seems to me his vision of the future justified his course...
...Time will explain why, and time wil" rectify the mistakes of the malicious...
...and that Germany waited some three or four months before resuming her illegal acts towards us...
...Immediately there was poured on the heads of these brave men such abuse as was never before heaped on the heads of the representatives of the people...
...7. 4. LaFollette supported an amendment offered by Hardwick of Georgia, to levy, an additional tax of 10% on incomes in excess of $25,000 to provide additional for soldiers while engaged in foreign war...
...True to The People T" HE FACT is that he hns been true to his people, true to his Government, and has been the most able exponent of the wishes of the common man either in or out of Congress...
...It was defeated...
...LaFollette voted for an amendment to the bill giving the President power to limit expenditures on Rivers and Harbors during the war to actual necessities...
...I.aFolllette was right as events now amply show...
...LaFollette was singled out for the major share of this villification...
...As examples to enforce this principle, we cite in the majority bill the exceptional and extraordinary taxes on consumption, like the proposed tax on tea, coffee, and sugar...
...Yet, when the editor is called to answer under his oath before his God, he is forced to say what you and I know to be true...
...Johnson (S...
...Notwithstanding he opposed the conscription act, upon its passage, LaFollette immediately counselled full compliance with the law...
...War would have been on immediately with no provisions for war and none could be made until Congress was convened...
...Drastic action by the Board of Regents would seem proper...
...and Whereas, on behalf of Great Britain, on the 2.1rd day of May, 1917, Lord Robert ('ceil, as one of the ministers of the present Government, replying in the House of Commons, said that— "Our aims and aspirations are dictated solely by our determination to secure a peace founded on national liberty and international amity, and that all imperialistic aims based on force and conquest are completely absent from our program...
...SEPT...
...Yes, even until March 1917, no change in the President's position as first announced was ever made known to the American people, and as late as January 8, 1917, the President recognized complete neutrality on .our part, and the equality of rights as between the contending forces by his celebrated manifesto calling for a peace without victory...
...Bet pending the investigation there has b«en an organized attempt to influence the senate action by petitions, resolutions, and communications addressed to that body...
...Had men been enlisted in an orderly manner as needed they could have been equipped and supplied as called, and we would not now have a million men drawn away from essential industries awaiting transportation that cannot be fully provided for probably more than a year yet...
...He set about to make effective war...
...They have come by carefully laid plans, by conspiring to misrepresent and defame him...
...he was enthusiastically received and roundly applauded time and time again...
...Common decency would suggest to them that they should resign...
...I ask the indulgence of the Senate while I make this statement of facts: I. War was declared with Germany April 6, 1917.But for the fact that the Senator's record prior to that time is being constantly attacked by a hostile press we would not go back of that date...
...I^aFollette was denied the right to speak—a democratic senator,, a supporter of the President,' filibustered the bill to its death...
...Peace Resolution Read IHAD intended to read LaFollette's peace resolutions in full and ask you to find one word in them that you can criticise...
...LaFollette supported amendment to draft bill for volunteers to protect the border...
...Within the past few months I have seen him attacked most viciously...
...4. LaFollette voted for the bill providing insurance for military forces and compensation for injured soldiers and their dependents...
...He has not at any time or place condoned the sinking of the Lusitania, but he did criticise the administration for allowing the ship to sail with American passengers aboard after they had good reason to believe it would be sunk...
...OCT...
...As finally passed the bill carried more than $600,000,000 additional revenue raised from the rich and the war profiteers while at the same time proposed taxes on the poor man's breakfast table were eliminated...
...The President was insistent on the passage of the bill and that Congress should then adjourn and go home...
...Jones (Wash...
...APRIL 20...
...and Whereas, there has recently emanated from official and unofficial sources, both in this country and abroad, statements indicating that we are to continue in the war until a peace is obtained which gives to the entente allies, or some of them, punitive damages and territorial advantages as a result of the war...
...If addressed to a court having the case under consideration, the authors would be immediately jailed for contempt...
...Not one of the senators opposing the bill had made an attempt to use unnecessary time in discussing that important bill, fraught as it was with the destinies of the nation, and its sons on the battle field of a foreign soil...
...Corrigan: At the time this article was published you believed Senator LaFollette to be a brave and honorable man...
...The evidence of experts then was, and since it has been demonstrated, that the arming of merchant ships is no defense against submarines...
...Events have demonstrated since then, that the President's position was really futile and untenable...
...Those voting for were: Ashurst, Beckham, Borah, Brady, Gronna, Hollis, Husting, Johnson (Cal...
...Only these superior men of superior opportunities looking for favors from a Rockefeller foundation, or a Carnegie Pension would stoop to such tactics...
...Those who voted for the bill were: Borah, Brady, Gore, Gronna, Hardwick, Hollis, Johnson, Cal., Jones, Wash., Kenyon, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Norris, Owen, Poindexter, Reed, Townsend, Trammell, and Vardaman...
...any belligerent for the purpose of prolonging the war to annex new territory, either in Europe or outside of Europe, nor to enforce the payment of indemnities to recover the expenses of the war...
...proposed increase of letter postage from 2 cents to 3 cents...
...and of being a yellow streak...
...SEPT...
...1. The senate defeated an amendment tm bill offered by Senator LaFollette to the income section of the bill which would raise $850,043,-712 from income applying a rate ranging from 66-100 per cent on incomes pf $3,000 to 59.91 per cent on incomes of $2,000,000...
...for investigations $2,-> 522,000, and other purposes $650,000...
...5. LaFollette offered amendments to the rates to increase war profit taxes by $219,800,000...
...He was equally well indorsed in the farming sections and the laboring sections...
...APRIL 17...
...Never by men of common understanding...
...The yeomen of the land, the workers in factory, mine, and shop know Hob La Follette and they have faith in him...
...LaFollette supported the second great appropriation for the war amounting to $ri,356,666,-016...
...When War Was Declared CONGRESS was convened in special session April 4, 1917...
...Jones (Wash...
...Did LaFollelte vote against the wishes of his constituents in this respect...
...They were defeated 23 to 56...
...It was defeated by a vote of 18 to 50...
...April 10, 1917...
...One of this splendid band unused to such villification and unable to understand went back to his western home and died of a broken heart...
...APRIL 11...
...MAY 16...
...JUNE 18...
...The_ purely American communities were as favorable to him as any of the largely foreign populated communities...
...and Whereas, the people of this country do not know the terms of the secret treaties or agreements existing among the entente allies, defining the advantages, if any, either in the way of indemnities or territorial acquisitions or commercial privileges, which each is expected to receive as a result of the war: and Whereas, there is naturally a widely expressed demand coming from the people of our own country for some declaration of the purpose and object for which the I'nited States is expending, in the first year of the war, from thirteen to seventeen billions of money, and raising by draft and otherwise an army of 2,-000,000 men ostensibly for service in foreign countries...
...OCT...
...SEPT...
...I represent Dane County, the home of Senator La Follette, the place where he was born...
...VIII Governor Gives State View BEFORE giving his complete record I wish to mention the bills or measures upon which the system press has held him up to the country as disloyal, pro-German, and guilty of treason...
...LaFollette favored an act to relieve entry-Men of desert land when they entered the military or naval service...
...LaFollette saw that where our money should go would also go the hearts of those who financed the loans, and thus would our peace be endangered...
...Jones (Wash...
...his action misrepresented...
...Those who voted for were: Beckham, Borah, Brady, Gronna, Hardwick, Hollis, Hust-ing, Johnson, Cal., Johnson, S. Dak., Jones, Wash., Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Myers, Norris, Phelan, Poindexter, Reed, Shafroth, Sheppard, Sutherland, Trammell, Vardaman...
...The draft act made our military men drunk with power...
...LaFollette offered an amendment limiting rates of interest to 4...
...he has been accused of being disloyal, pro-German, guilty of treason, of promoting sedition, accepting retainers from the ei.emy...
...It is not necessary to discuss the matter here...
...SEPT...
...I give his testimony: "Mr...
...OCT...
...LaFollette supported an appropriation for the military academy amounting to $1,344,896...
...Resolved further...
...and an amendment to call for 500,000 volunteers and draft any deficiency after 90 days...
...In his speech of April 6, 1917, La Follette showed by unbroken line of precedent in international law that a neutral country to be such in fact must enforce its rights equally between belligerent nations...
...LaFollette supported an act granting officer* of the public health service serving on coast guard vessels In time of war or enlisted In the army or navy, pensions the same as army off navy officers...
...APRIL 11 AND MAY 5. LaFollette supported an act making appropriations for the supporti of the army for 1918 amounting to $273,046,322...
...5. LaFollette supported an amendment by Hollis, New Hampshire, increasing the Government revenues on the committee bill by taxes on war profits $395,000,000...
...La Follette is Misquoted LAFOLLETTE in his reply to his critics said he had not been in favor of going into the war because of the awtful consequences in comparison to our rights that had been infringed...
...7, 1917...
...Not only must the senate submit to the indignity of being influenced by irrevelant matter out of court, but the Senator himself while under charges preferred against him, and while out of respect to the trial body he must remain silent, he is compelled to submit to insult by those whom we have been taught to look upon as better than common clay...
...I give notice now that in regular session I shall ask to have this matter investigated and the instigators of the outrage discharged from the service of the state...
...That is the record as publised in the official documents of the Senate...
...LaFollette voted against the war revenue act because it failed to tax wealth and war profiteers in proportion to their owners ability to pay...
...that not one comes from an organization of laboring men—not one conies from an organization of farmers...
...2. LaFollette supported an amendment to the income section of the bill to increase income taxes on the larger incomes so as to net $162,000,000 additional revenue...
...In the face of this record LaFollette has been slandered and libeled as no other man of his time...
...bearing in mind that Washington in his farewell address counselled against our meddling with the affairs in Europe and that every statesman of note from that time to the time of Wilson had agreed with Washington and that it had become the historical policy of our government to keep out of the old world entanglements,—LaFollette could do nt other...
...Profiteers Oppose La Follette Senator H. A. Huber of Wisconsin Legislature Exposes Conspiracy of Wealth Against Badger Solon—Farmers and Labor Refuse to Join WHEN LA FOLLETTE was governor I was for a time his confidential and private clerk...
...In concluding, I may add that Madison—his home town—has appeared to be more bitter against the Senator than any other place...
...Of this amount $405,000,-000 was for building a shipping fleet...
...Senator LaFollette accepted the position of the President in good faith and lent him most efficient service in carrying out his program of absolute neutrality...
...Kendrick, Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Myers, Norris, and Thompson...
...APRIL 20...
...LaFollette supported a measure for the na« tional security and defense by stimulating agrW culture and making an appropriation therefor* of $11,346,400...
...LaFollette supported an act to increase the power of the Interstate Commerce Commission respecting car service...
...of sea food...
...the President by public proclamation counselled the American people to be absolutely neutral, not only in deeds but in their thoughts as well...
...5. I^aFollette favored an act granting six months pay as a gratuity to dependents of deceased officers and making it applicable to any retired officer who should re-enter active service...
...Senate Chamber, Washington, I...
...5. I>aFollette favored an act permitting vessels of foreign registration engaged in coastwise trade to be admitted to American registration...
...It was defeated 17 to 54...
...Those voting for were: Ashurst, Borah, Brady, Gore, Gronna, Hollis, Husting, Johnson, Cal., Johnson So...
...In opposing conscription he did what Australia had done and is doing today, »nd Australia has only been equalled by Canada in her support of the war...
...He was equally well endorsed in the Scandinavian counties and in the German-American counties...
...It would have yielded additional revenues of $764,000,000...
...SEPT...
...While the bond bill was pending, LaFollette offered an amendment providing that the bonds should be redeemable at any time after 5 years at the discretion of the President...
...LaFollette supported an act providing fo* condemning land for military purposes...
...LaFollette supported a resolution to permit the Red Cross to erect temporary buildings in Washington...
...III...
...He supported an amendment by Senator McCumber to create a board to devise methods to guard against submarine attack...
...APRIL 30...
...He stood it without flinching.- He knows the source...
...While Belgium was being overrun, and France invaded the President's message to the American people stood unmodified...
...OCT...
...3. One thing more has served as a pretext for big business to renew its attack on La Follette...
...and Whereas, duly organized bodies of loyal citizens of Great Britain representing millions of other citizens, many of whom are eminent in official life and exert a wide influence upon public opinion, have declared that— "A stage in the war has been reached when the democracies of all the belligerent countries are beginning to work toward a peace based on the same general principles...
...The money is more needed for war purposes...
...Permit me to read from this report: "Complicated as is the subject of public finance there are certain principles and certain truths underlying the science that are self-evident...
...Their faith has never been misplaced...
...OCT...
...5. LaFollettc favored the act extending to the navy the morality and liquor sections of the army draft law...
...It was defeated by a vote of 17 to 62...
...the heart of the man...
...OCT...
...Johnson (S...
...History must record the final verdict...
...Trading in Munitions ALMOST at the beginning of the war in Europe the Allies swept the ocean of German commerce, and then began the purchase and shipment of munitions of war from this country...
...5. LaFollette favored an act giving the President power to use cavalry as artillery regiments...
...I believe in the Volunteer army in a democracy,—especially in a foreign war...
...LaFollette with eleven other senators held that such action meant war as indeed it was admitted it d^^by all speakers on the floor of the Senate.flPtl that Congress should take direct action if war was to be declared and then prepare for war...
...JULY 14...
...War having been legally declared I>a Follette immediately accepted it as a fact...
...the tax on bank cheeks, and other exceptional taxes proposed in the bill...
...5. LaFollette voted for an act establishing ratings for artisians in the army...
...Gives War Record 1AM MOVED, Senators, to place before you and the country the war record of this man, because nowhere has it ever been published so that the plain man may understand...
...MAY 22...
...Those voting in favor were: Borah, Gronna, Hollis, Husting^Johnson, Cal., Johnson, S. Dak,, Jones, Wash., Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, Mc-Kellar, McNary, Norris, Thompson, Trammell, Vardaman...
...And the fear is well grounded...
...The State of Wisconsin stands ready to furnish its full quota of the National Guard as provided by the military-defense act of June 3, 191b, promptly, or any additional force required to meet the present requirements...
...5. LaFollette supported a bill for reimbursement of sailors for property lost at sea while in government service...
...LaFollette offered an amendment that bonds be issued in sums of $20.00 or multiples thereof...
...Kenyon, King, Kirby, LaFollette, McKellar, McNary, Myers, Norris, Phelan, Sheppard, Thompson, Trammell, Vardaman...
...It was delivered at Toledo on his way back to Washington and included in his great speech in the Senate of October 6.-It was a wonderful speech on freedom of the press and the right of free speech in time of war...
...A bill for that purpose was brought into the Senate on the 2nd of March, 1917, 52 hours before Congress would adjourn by constitutional limitation...
...1. Lah'ollette opposed Conscription...
...Bearing in mind that in November his constituents had endorsed his opposition to war...
...It was defeated by a vote of 18 to 52...
...SEPT...
...LaFollette supported an act raising the age limit for officers of the naval reserve from 35 to 50 years...
...and Whereas, in this free Government Congress, in whom the war-making power resides under the constitution, is charged primarily with the responsibility of deciding upon the objects of the war at its commencement or at any time during its existence: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the constitution vests in the Congress as the accredited and lawful representatives of the people full authority to determine and to declare definitely the objects and purposes for which this Government shall continue to participate in the European war...
...It was a contemptible trick of the trade but with the people under the excitement of war it passed as an honest statement of his position...
...Senator LaFollette voted in favor of the Food Control Bill appropriating $162,500,000...
...The vote stood 21 for and 58 against...
...The truth has been suppressed...
...Paul, Minnesota...
...Those voting for the substitute were: Borah, Brady, Gore, Gronna, Hardwick, Hollis, Husting, Johnson (Cal...
...JULY 21...
...LaFollette supported an act to encourage retired officers to reenter the army in the engV neers corps...
...JULY 21...
...There is nothing objectionable to an audience of common men...
...his reputation defiled...
...He received 23,307 more votes than the candidate for governor on his ticket and 30,481 more than the candidate for President on his ticket...
...JUNE 16...
...The President was in a trying position and no doubt used his best judgment...
...Now when it is too late we are all willing to take the terms of Kerensky and call them good...
...Re-fore the battle is renewed on the next revenue bill, they hope to expel La Toilette and so terrorize the other progressives as to insure their success again...
...Only in the civil war had we drafted men and then only in those districts that had failed to furnish their quota by enlistment...
...The spirit of oor troops will be much better if we adhere to the volunteer system, and we shall avoid sore spots at home if we defer conscription until it can be shown to be a military necessity...
...APRIL 28...
...We can recruit volunteers much faster than we are receiving equipment and supplies...
...The amendment was defeated...
...Hereafter I will give his record on the war measures coming up for consideration of the Senate...
...A newspaper here in the city has been guilty of the most atrocious misrepresentations of Senator LaFollette, and some people have thereby been temporarily misled...
...He said we had grievances against Germany—and the press reported him as saying we had no grievances against Germany...
...It was defeated...
...LaFollette supported a bill giving the Prest* dent power to direct that war shipment should have priority over other shipments...
...without cantonments being ready, without guns, without shoes, without clothes, and inefficiency, sickness and death followed...
...for procuring and far-nishing seeds $2,500,000...
...that our country had protested against English and German violation of our rights of neutral commerce...
...For this twelve United States Sentaors, those senators who had always faced and fought the special interests and who were universally recognized as the champions of the people, were, denominated by the President as the "wilful twelve...
...The fact is that he has faced ruin of his reputation;, accepted disgrace, opprobrium, hatred, and scorn...
...It was eulogized in the Senate and by the press...
...Here again LaFollette foresaw that such action on the part of this eountry would inevitably lead to a breach of the neutrality urged by the President and opposed the program...
...He also supported an amend* jnent to the bill designed to develop new source...
...Four hours before the time of adjournment Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, a democratic supporter of the President, secured the floor and kept it until the very minute of adjournment for the avowed purpose of preventing LaFollefcte from making a speech that he had prepared to deliver...
...LaFollette supported a joint resolution au-thorizing the President to take over the Ger> man and Austrian boats in our harbors...
...He supported an act appropriating $45,150,000 to insure vessels and their cargo...
...but the Congress does hereby declare in favor of the creation of a common fund to be provided by all the belligerent nations to assist in the restoration of the portions of territory in any of the countries most seriously devastated by the war, and for the establishment of an international commission to decide the allotment of the common fund...
...and Whereas, the people have a right to know with certainty for what end their blood is to be shed and their treasures expended...
...1917, as the only possible peace that can be enduring...
...The draft called men from the necessary industries into involuntary idleness, Farmers and Laborers Uphold La Follette "Yet I think h% must have taken consolation when he reads the resolutions condemning him that not one comes from an organization of laboring men, that not one from an organization of farmers...
...I believe he was absolutely right...
...Now I present to you the record of the Se»» ator on the amendments to the bill...
...A record in support of the administration war program with the exception of the draft bill not excelled by any member of Congress in either house...
...Jones (Wash...
...And Canada had made a most glorious record in the war—having furnished as many soldiers per population as had England, and soldiers of the finest quality...
...It was at this point and relating solely to this matter that La Follette used the expression: "I say, Germany has been patient with us...
...OCT...
...Had LaFollette's resolutions been acted on and a statement of terms of peace thus been made that have since been made by President Wilson, Russia would have staid in...
...LaFollette voted for Senator Thomas' amendment providing a $5,000 tine for gambling transactions in food stuffs...
...Jones: I frequently expressed my ultimate faith in Senator LaFollette's honesty...
...they have the courage, and they will screw it to the sticking point...
...3. 7. Immediately upon failure of his first amendment, LaFollette offered an amendment taxing war profits in excess of peace profits 65%, yielding increased revenues of $1,379,-000,000...
...It was defeated by a vote of 24 to 55...
...MAY 15...
...MAY 9. LaFollette supported an admirtistrtatiort amendment to the Federal Reserve Act, MAY 11...
...LaFollette supported an act to increase the enlisted strength of the navy from 87,000 to 150,000 and the marine corps from 17,400 to 30,000...
...He knows the penalty...
...The bill carried an appropriation of $176,250,000...
...JUNE 2. LaFollette supported the Food Survey BiU...
...No one has attempted to question the soundness of his law, the accuracy of his logic, nor the propriety of his making it...
...Also for an amendment preventing increase of railroad rates till approved by the Commission...
...The amendment was defeated...
...JULY 23...
...Yet I think he must take consolation when he reads the resolutions condemning him...
...It carried appropriations...
...He said the ship was laden with munitions and that the President knew of this fact He did not condone the sinking of the Lusitania...
...Exceptional and extraordinary impositions such as these should be avoided altogether it possible, and certainly should be reserved until other resources of taxation have been exhausted and until the necessities of the Public Treasury are uncompromising...
...I^aFollette supported a bill to enlarge the Interstate Commerce Commission...
...But Senator LaFollette supported an amendment to the espionage act to prevent gambling in grain and food stuffs...
Vol. 10 • February 1918 • No. 2
