Series: Roland E.H. Kannenberg
Physical Description: 55 minutes 
Scope and Content Note: Interview conducted May 29, 1981, with information on the emergence and organization of the Progressive Party, Kannenberg's own legislative campaigns and causes, his philosophy of government, Huey Long, the Union Party, Progressive leaders, and related topics.

Introduction

Personal background
Scope and Content Note: One of twelve children, born in Kenosha County in 1907, and his family moved to Marathon County when Kannenberg was about a year old. Educated in a rural school with one room and one teacher for the first eight grades, and then graduated from Wausau High School in 1926. Did well in school and participated on oratory and the debate team.

Early political interests
Scope and Content Note: Developed an early interest in politics, government and the problems of farmers in conversations with his father and others working on the farm. Worked way through high school in a restaurant owned by Herman A. Marsh who had been elected a Socialist Assemblyman during World War I. The restaurant became a gathering spot for town and county political figures. Because of that, Kannenberg came into contact with the problems of farming and working people who were interested in bettering their lives through governmental action.

First political involvement
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg was asked to respresent police and firement in their fight to avoid pay cuts during the Depression about 1929 or 1930. He was successful and became a spokesman for working people and farmers--especially the Farmer's Union and the Milk Pool. Roland Kannenberg active in his brother Ernest's Assembly campaign in 1928.

Roland Kannenberg's own campaigns
Scope and Content Note: In 1930, ran against Henry Ellenbrecker for the Assembly as a Progressive Republican. Kannenberg lost, but ran a strong campaign. In 1932, he ran against Senator Otto Mueller in a recall election. Kannenberg felt money beat him in 1932.

Election to the State Senate
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg declared his candidacy against Mueller immediately after his defeat, and ran an extensive two year campaign. District at that time included Lincoln and Marathon Counties.

Origins of Progressive Party
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg's campaign coincided with third party rumblings in Wisconsin and the nation. Kannenberg spoke around the state with such national figures as Gerald Nye and William Lane of North Dakots, Clerence Dill of Washington, and James Reed of Missouri. Kannenberg supported the emerging Union Party with William Lemke of North Dakota as presidential nominee [Union Party only active in 1936]. Urged government support for those in farm bloc and labor that needed it.

Organization of a Progressive Rally
Scope and Content Note: Rallies would bill a national speaker and their state and local speakers. Kannenberg spoke several times with both of the La Follettes.

Kannenberg's role in organization of third party
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg played a major role, realizing that the two old parties were owned like a piece of beefsteak by the great money powers. In contrast, Progressives made do with small donations from working people. In 1934, Kannenberg's successful Senate campaign cost $26.10 for printed materials and newspaper ads. Instead of money his campaign stressed meeting the people and delivering a message. His biggest issue was the mortgage moratorium bill which was passed after a tough fight in the Senate.

Other Senate issues
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg urged broadening of access to higher education promoting University extension. Supported the Wisconsin Development Authority, bringing elecrical power to rural areas and small municipalities. These issues aroused the opposition of money -- and money was very strong in elections. Supported Roosevelt when he was right and opposed him when he was wrong. Opposed plowing under of crops because distribution was the problem, not overproduction.

Progressive support during the 1930s
Scope and Content Note: People came from miles around to attend political meetings and Kannenberg often made 3 or 4 speeches in a day. People came because they were in trouble and looking for solutions. Progressives used the powers of government to put people to work so they could feed their families and educate their children. The Progressive Party was a good party and it was too bad it could not stay together.

Kannenberg's philosophy of government
Scope and Content Note: Worried about contemporary lack of concern for the cause of the poor. Kannenberg's social philosophy rooted in Cristian ethics -- “He who helps the least of mine helps me.” His concern as Senator was to help the poorest of poor. The alternative could lead to mindless violence of poor against wealthy [Mr. Kannenberg wants to stress he does not advocate such violence, he only sees it as a frightening possibility]. There were several examples of this type of violence during the Great Depression. The American nation needs a restoration of Christian philosophy of protecting the poor or hard times are ahead.

End of Tape 1, Side 1

Introduction

Huey Long
Scope and Content Note: Phil La Follette's national efforts did not compare well to Huey Long's efforts in regard to helping the poor. Long promised to confiscate the profits of war and not allow the rich to get richer while the poor gave their lives. Once wars were no longer profitable, they would no longer be fought. Kannenberg says that Walter Graunke of Wausau was to be Long's running mate in 1936. Kannenberg sponsered resolutions in State Senate wishing. Long a quick recovery after the shooting and then offering condolences to his family.

Other third parties
Scope and Content Note: Farmer Labor party in Minnesota, Non-partisan League and Fusion party in New York all advocated redistribution of wealth in United States. Maldistribution of wealth continues to be major problem in country and the world today.

Huey Long
Scope and Content Note: Long was not a fascist, but a great leader. He had great concern for poor people and was passionately opposed to war. Problems with money often lead to war.

Union Party
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg campaigned for Lemke through the Fox River Valley. Lemke was not as strong as Long and did not advocate a redistribution of wealth to the extent Long did. People were looking for a leader, but Lemke did not impress. Some other Progressives did not have strong enough program. Kannenberg campaigned for Lemke in the hope that the Union party would develop strong party such as Huey Long's.

Phil and Bob La Follette
Scope and Content Note: Both La Follettes truly committed to the common man. Not as dynamic as Huey Long or some of the others. When Kannenberg convinced La Follette (Phil) that a bill was a good bill, La Follette would support him. Bob La Follette was a good man, but somewhat alone in the Senate, because of the opposition of wealth.

Walter Graunke
Scope and Content Note: A great orator who helped lots of people. He earned his money as a lawyer working hard, but he donated lots of his money as a lawyer to the cause.

Samuel Sigman and David Sigman
Scope and Content Note: Dedicated labor people, but primarily for the organized groups that hired them.

Tom Amlie
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg spoke several times with Amlie and remembers clearly Amlie's philosophy of production-for-use. Kannenberg spoke on behalf of Farmer Labor Progressive Federation but did not have close relations.

Gerald Boileau
Scope and Content Note: Congressman from Wausau and Kannenberg campaigned with him during several elections. Kannenberg saw Boileau a few weeks before he died in 1981 and suggested that they get back and bring Progressive ideals.

Tom Duncan
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg and Duncan did not always agree, but remained friends. Duncan opposed Kannenberg's University extension plan. A very able man.

William Evjue
Scope and Content Note: Also differed on University extension. Kannenberg implies Evjue was parochial Madisonian but concludes that he was a good liberal.

1937 special session
Scope and Content Note: Kannenberg disagrees with criticism of Progressives “ramming” program through, arguing that when legislators were only making $100 a month they did not want to waste time down in Madison, Kannenberg and other Progressives knew that enactment of Progressive program would bring out the money power of the opposition, but they did not realize how much.

Overall impact of Progressive Party
Scope and Content Note: Great service to the country. Pushed Roosevelt into many of his liberal laws and so helped prolong the life of this country. Modern liberals do not compare well.

End of Tape 1, Side 2. End of Interview