Report of a Committee appointed at a conference of Leaders of the Progressive Movement, held in New York City, November 26th, 1912
Recognizing the necessity of formulating a comprehensive plan of work for carrying out the pledges and principles of the Progressive Party, an informal conference of Progressive Leaders was called in New York City, November 26th, 1912, at which Theodore Roosevelt and many other prominent progressives were present. At the close of this conference, after a somewhat extended discussion, a Committee was appointed with instructions to draft a plan to be presented to the larger conference to meet in Chicago. This Committee now beg to submit for your consideration the following:
Believing that the pledges of our party are to be redeemed, not only through political organization but through the acceptance by the American people of Progressive principles, and the achievement through legislation of the policies for which the party stands, the Committee recommends the creation of a Progressive Service, responsible directly to the National Committee of the Progressive Party.
1. ORGANIZATION
The Progressive Service shall consist of six Bureaus:
1. Education and Publicity
2. Legislative Reference
3. Social and Industrial Justice
4. Conservation
5. Cost of Living and Corporation Control
6. Popular Government
2. STAFF
A Special Committee of the National Committee, which shall consist of the Chairman and two other members to be appointed by him, shall select a Chief of the Progressive Service, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the National Committee. The Chief of the Service shall with the advice and consent of the three members of the National Committee so designated, appoint a Director of each Bureau of the Service; the Directors of the six bureaus and the Chief of Service, who shall act as Chairman, together with the heads of such other branches as may hereafter be added to the Service, shall constitute a Board, for the organization and supervision of the work of the Progressive Service.
3. SCOPE
The platform of the Progressive Party shall be the charter of the Progressive Service. [page 3]
4. BUREAUS
The following tentative plan is suggested as the work of the bureaus:
I. EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY
1. Press and Literature.
2. Bulletin.
3. Speakers.
4. Schools and Colleges.
II. LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE
1. Reference.
2. Drafting.
3. Legislation.
III. SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL JUSTICE
1. Labor.
2. Children.
3. Social Insurance.
4. Immigration.
IV. CONSERVATION
1. Natural Resources.
2. Health.
3. Country Life.
4. Produce Efficiency.
V. POPULAR RULE
1. Direct Legislation.
2. Suffrage.
3. Judicial Reform.
4. Economy and Efficiency.
VI. COST OF LIVING AND CORPORATION CONTROL
1. Cost of Living.
2. Trusts and Corporations.
3. Tariff and Taxation.
It is possible at the outset that active work in only a limited number of these bureaus and sub-divisions will be undertaken. On the other hand, as the Services become better organized and developed, other planks of the platform will be included in these or in new divisions.
5. COMMITTEES
The Director of each bureau may appoint a chairman and committee in each sub-division to push the work of investigation and education and to frame appropriate legislation and carry into action those planks in the platform committed to their consideration, subject to the approval of the Chief of the Services and the Service Board. At his own initiative or upon the request of any three chairmen, the Chief of the Service shall convene the Directors of all the Bureaus, and the Chairmen of all division committees, to confer on any or all questions relating to the service.
The Committee contemplates that the Progressive Service shall work in the closest possible [cooperation] with all existing state and local agencies of the Progressive Party and that in the absence of such agencies for carrying on the Progressive propaganda, the Service may assist in their organization.
All of which is respectfully submitted for your consideration, by the following Committee:
JANE ADDAMS, Chairman
JOHN A. KINGSBURY, Secretary
MARY H. INGHAM
PAUL U. KELLOGG
FRANCES KELLOR
GEORGE W. KIRCHWEY
MRS. GEORGE H. MELLEN
GEORGE W. PERKINS
AMOS R. E. PINCHOT [page 4]
NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Education and Publicity
Press Service and Literature
Bulletin
Speakers
Schools and Colleges
Legislative Reference
Reference
Drafting
Legislation
Social and Industrial Justice
Labor
Child Welfare
Social Insurance
Immigration
Conservation
National Resources
Country Life
Health
Productive Efficiency
Cost of Living and Corporation Control
Cost of Living
Trusts and Corporations
Tariff and Taxation
Popular Government
Direct Legislation
Equal Suffrage
Judicial Reform
Economy and Efficiency
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