December 31st, 1912.
Dear Amos:
I was glad to get your letter. Now Amos, I am not going to answer it in detail. The important thing is that, as far as i can make out, you and I and Gifford are really at one on most of the matters of policy to be pursued, and so I am not going to take up the matters of difference unless they become more important than they are. For instance, my concern over what you said about the trusts was due to my understanding that you regarded the trusts as practically the sole cause of the increased cost of living. I think, although I am not sure, that they are one of many cause (I have just been talking with Fisher of Yale, who is inclined to combat me even on this point), and as I will go with you heartily to remedy this cause, as far as it exists, it is not of much consequence exactly what we individually think is its relative importance.
Thank Heaven! we have re-instated everything about the anti-trust plank that was, or may have been, cut out, and so that leg's off! Therefore on this point we are now a unit.
Now from Frank Heney I understand that at the last meeting here in New york to arrange as to who should be the "spokesman," the controller, the publicity man" and so forth, was entirely satisfactory. Probably you know that it was I who got Heney on to that meeting by wiring to Lissner either to come on himself or to make Heney his alternative.
You make out a strong case against the Harvester Trust. In Kansas I was informed by Stubbs thatthe Harvester was now behaving well, and that it was only behaving well because they had established over it in Kansas by indirect methods just the kind of power I want to see a National commission establish over it. [page 2]
I wish to Heaven we could get other people beside Mr. Munsey interested in establishing Progressive papers. Outsiders do establish papers here and there and I am backing them as heartily as I know how. As for the further matter you say about Messrs, Perkins and Munsey, I think I will wait until I see you. I am in great haste.
A happy New Year to you and yours.
P.S.
I need not say that I feel that the Progressive Party must be the radical party. We have no excuse for existing excepting as the radical party; but I want to keep it as the party of sane and tempered radicalism such as that of Abraham Lincoln.
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