HUMILITY IS KEYNOTE OF LA FOLLETTE'S SUCCESS
Kelly, Gerald
Humility Is Keynote of La Follette's Success Phil Proud of Victory, But Only as it Aids Political Cause [The following interview with Philip F. La Follette was written for the Wisconsin News by...
...For instance— Phil writes like a whirlwind on a noiseless typewriter, using only the forefingers of each hand...
...McCORMICK ^Minneapolis, Minn., Sept...
...In its present form it is a failure...
...If he were dictating the policy of the Progressive today I doubt if it would make any reflections on Ruth Hanna McCormlck...
...To succeed in any great task asks loyalty and co-operation...
...The stalwarts and big business fought it...
...On Phil's coat lapel is the insignia of the American Legion...
...But I face the task with the utmost humility...
...La Follette—he prefers plain "Phil" —since his landslide victory In last week's election despite the fact that only two newspapers- in the state actively supported him...
...He was broadcasting to the world the message of his father...
...Show me the man without personal vanity—no matter how hard he fights against it...
...It is not a task one man can accomplish alone...
...But— "If a man owns $50,000 in property in the city of Madison on which he receives an income of $2,500 a year, he pays out in taxes approximately $1,050.-If he receives the same income from the same value in stocks and bonds— his taxes are $6.50 a year—including the 'exorbitant' income tax...
...That Is the kind of people we want in the Senate...
...We have no paid election workers...
...Man of Ideals A diminutive man whose brain power belles his stature is the republican nomine* for governor—a position conceded as virtual election to the state's highest executive post...
...Its principal requisites are love and loyalty and plenty of hard work...
...Phil is somewhat of a political "handshaker...
...Jim Reed in which he labeled Wisconsin Progressive Republi cans "plain northern Democrats...
...Interesting Character There are many Interesting features about this 33 year old attorney to whom the state looks for Its next two years of governmental leadership...
...But I have held public office...
...Humility Is Keynote of La Follette's Success Phil Proud of Victory, But Only as it Aids Political Cause [The following interview with Philip F. La Follette was written for the Wisconsin News by Gerald Kelly, a member of its reportorial staff, and is reprinted for the benefit of readers of The Prog-ressive— EDITOR'S NOTE.] BY GERALD KELLY Humility is the keynote of La Follette political prowess—the sinew of an electoral Samson with no modern-day Delilah in sight...
...We agree that some prohibition is necessary—but it should be in the hands of the state...
...others I did not deserve...
...McCormlck went to the White House and told President Hoover that she was opposed to the entrance of the United Stales into the League Court and the president could not persuade her to the contrary...
...There Is fire in his eye, and mirth: love in his heart and hate...
...During the war he went into the infantry as a "buck private" and worked up to the position of "shave-tail...
...Wisconsin's government is probably the cleanest of any state in the Union," he continued...
...Today, chain banking must be fought and vanquished...
...On his short vacation trip to Brown's lake near Hayward last week, he caught not a fish...
...his 3 year old son...
...The great contest is between British Influence and American independence and all those who want our country to ruled by England should try to defeat Mrs...
...I have been reared in an atmosphere of public service and I know of the many kicks that cannot be avoided...
...As district attorney of Dane county I gave my best...
...This was the unbiased opinion of the writer after a two hour Interview with the 33 year old gubernatorial candidate...
...Wisconsin wants industry, but only that industry which is able to carry its share of the load of government...
...Lb Follette entered the Senate is international machine to which Senator Dcncen seems to be a willing assistant...
...Far from it...
...16'—I have always been an admirer of the late Robert M. La Follette, for his courageous stand for our country against the dominating influence of Eurcpean diplomacy, particularly that of Great Britain and I believe that he would have voted against the London naval agreement if he had been in the Senate at that time...
...There is much of the "old man" In this second son of "Fighting Bob" La Follette...
...at 3, weighs 45 pounds...
...Elections are honest and the ballots are actually and fairly counted...
...We try to cross the bridges as we come to them...
...Some, of course, I deserved...
...My brother js not, and I am not...
...If—and when—I am elected governor will be time enough to make predictions...
...Aid For Workers "Under progressive rule, Wisconsin was the first state in the Union to institute a workman's compensation law...
...And the fact that she spent n quarter of a million dollars In the primary is tint much more to her credit...
...Mrs...
...he said...
...I made many friends and many enernles...
...True democracy is not only a noble ideal, but a mammoth project to nourish and maintain," Mr...
...The industries are against us, as is other big business, but the people of the state take politics seriously...
...The people will rule Wisconsin because the progressive party is made up " them...
...McCormlck and make a few more treaties to give England control of our naval power and must delenses...
...Grows Eloquent The progressive cause...
...possesses the same shock of unruly hair, the same eloquent and fiery oratory—and the same endearing personality...
...I shall endeavor to relieve unemployment, to boost lagging business...
...As governor I think I would have both...
...The interview with Phil ended something like this: "Prohibition...
...He Is a zealot in the progressive cause...
...And on this humble principle, Phil La Follette plans to build anew the mighty government of Wisconsin...
...Proud of Victory , But reporters are riot allowed opinions...
...Democracy is but self government that Is equally fair to all parties and classes, large and small, rich and poor...
...he explains, he has always liked people, wanted people to like him...
...calls him "Phil...
...the Republican candidate said...
...I am not in favor of saloons coming back, but I am not one of those simple minded individuals who think that the Anti-salcon league is all that it pretends to be by any means...
...I am not dazzled...
...But the greatest danger that this country has had to contend with since Mr...
...Bob also speaks of himself always in the third person...
...For somebodv must pay the taxes...
...The blue eyes of Phil La Follette snapped behind his rimless glasses...
...Fishing His Hobby He is fond of telling the old story of Sen...
...You won't find many pacifists in Wisconsin politics...
...Little Bob has a fine racer...
...His favorite book is James Bryce's "Modern Democracy...
...My mother is an absolute pacifist...
...he explained...
...His voice which had been quietly modulated, now rose to a pitch of eloquence...
...We will meet it...
...He shakes hands with taxi drivers and policemen...
...Certainly I am proud of the confidence the people have placed in me...
...I am in favor of modification and state control...
...My platform for November will be similar to the primary platform...
...Phil wasn't just talking to the reporter...
...In plain language I think it would side with the British influence or in any other influenre that might serve Its purpose...
...great ideals in his mind and wild dreams...
...My father was not...
...My victory in the primary election was not a personal victory...
...Phil drives a Ford...
...Phil La Follette is brilillant, honest, and unquestionably sincere—but human withal...
...And our workmen are more efficient for this protection...
...He dresses in dark clothing, readily shedding coat and vest and rolling up his sleeves when the weather is warm...
...I hope the Progressive will get right on these most Important matters.—F, D. McMillen...
...Tomorrow there will come another battle...
...And let us look at the state income tax...
...Good government is our reward...
...And the kicks were many...
...Phil's hobby is fishing—but he Is not the world's greatest angler...
...La Follette explained...
...His father weighs less than 130 pounds...
...It was a conquest of the progressive cause which for 38 years has flourished in Wisconsin despite conditions which on the surface would seem impossible...
...DEFENDS MRS...
...It took that much money and an untold amount of labor- to beat the League Court machine in Illinois...
...Bob III...
...I greatly admire the courage of this Senatorial nominee in her great struggle against such combined influences as the International World Court-League of Nations machine and the Anti-saloon league...
...The irftervlew was the first granted by Mr...
...Bob...
...We do riot want the type of industry which prospers at the expense of the citizen...
...So let's hear Phil: "Proud...
...Disarmament...
Vol. 1 • September 1930 • No. 43
