MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.
The meeting was held at the office of the National Progressive Headquarters, on Thursday, January 9th, the Committee being in session from eleven A.M. until six-thirty P.M. with an interval for luncheon.
There were present:
Colonel Roosevelt was present at the morning session.
The following plan of work was adopted:
PLAN OF WORK FOR THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE DEPARTMENT, ADOPTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE COMMITTEE AT ITS FIRST MEETING JANUARY 9TH, 1913.
A. The maintenance of a directory of Progressive members of Congress and Progressive State and important local officers.
B. The maintenance of a directory of State Progressive Legislative committees. (In connection with this work where state legislative committees do not exist the committee to lend its influence to the creation of such committee.)
C. The collection and analysis of legislation prepared by state Progressive legislative committees and party representatives in Congress and state legislatures, and the distribution to legislative committees and party representatives in Congress and state legislatures of copies of such legislation and analyses together with other information in regard to such legislation.
D. The collection of legislation pending in Congress and state legislatures on subjects of interest to Progressives.
E. The maintenance of a directory of the sources of information in re matters likely to be the subject of legislation.
F. The maintenance of a record of the votes on Progressive measures of party representatives in Congress and state legislatures.
G. The preparation of bills for National legislation according to the prearranged [program]. This [program] to be arranged in conference with Progressive members of Congress in order that it may represent that portion of the National platform which the members in Congress believe can be most effectively urged next Fall or at the special session this Spring.
H. The preparation of bills for state legislative committees on the request of such committees; provided the subject is one the committee believe they can treat effectively. In a State where no legislative committee exists bills may be prepared at the request of Progressive members of state legislatures. [page 2]
I. The preparation of minimum standards for the state legislation on a prearranged [program] of subjects, the standards to relate to substance and principles of enforcement. The [program] to be arranged in conference with other branches of the Progressive Service.
J. The maintenance of a representative in charge of Progressive legislation during the sessions of Congress. It was resolved to request the Executive Committee of the National Committee to appropriate $13,900.00, as follows:
For the carrying on of items A, B, C, D, and F, in the plan of work accompanying this request:
It is understood by the Legislative Reference Committee that the control office pays for all office supplies, postage, telegrams, and any special [traveling] expenses, as the [traveling] expenses of the Director.
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