Series: Clifford Krueger
Physical Description: 52 minutes 
Scope and Content Note: Interview conducted February 18, 1981, concerning Lincoln County politics in the 1930s-40s, political fund raising, Krueger's reasons for joining the Republican Party in 1946, and other topics.

Introduction

Leaders of the Progressive Party in Lincoln County
Scope and Content Note: John Schewe, a self-educated farmer, and Mrs. Angie Hildebrand, the Party Secretary and very active in community affairs in Tomahawk, most prominent leaders. The Progressive and Republican parties were well-organized at the precinct level though the Democrats were not.

Young Progressive element
Scope and Content Note: Beginnings of Krueger's own political involvement. Young Progressives did basic organizational work: raised funds, distributed tabloids and sponsored events. One summer (1938) Young Progressives put on 3-day carnival show which raised $1200 for county and state Progressive parties.

Progressives oust Republicans in Lincoln County courthouse
Scope and Content Note: Carry all but two offices: county clerk and register of deeds.

Fund raising techniques
Scope and Content Note: In addition to the carnival (probably in 1938, since Young Progressives were not formally organized in 1936) the Young Progressives traveled around the county organizing card parties--essentially providing entertainment to all corners of the county on behalf of the Progressive Party.

Relationship of Lincoln County Party to state Progressive Party
Scope and Content Note: Due to the circumstances of the Progressive Party's birth, the relationship was very close. Much of the $1200 raised at the carnival in 1938 was given to the state Party.

More fund raising
Scope and Content Note: In 1936, Lincoln County Progressives raffled off a Pontiac and made about $800. In 1938, they had the carnival.

Father (Emil Krueger) elected sheriff in 1936
Scope and Content Note: Figures known statewide campaigned throughout the state. Tabloids were campaign documents. Young people distributed them to save postage. They distributed them near churches on Sundays, but were careful to never pass them out on church property itself.

Father's political career
Scope and Content Note: Ran as Republican in 1934, but lost. In 1936, was elected as Progressive re-elected in 1938. Prohibited by law from running in 1940.

Loomis and La Follette very active in 1940 campaign
Scope and Content Note: Krueger ran for Lincoln County treasurer; state speakers very active. Krueger speculates rigorous campaign activity could have led to Loomis' early death (in 1942 after election as Governor).

Role of state speakers in Progressive campaigns
Scope and Content Note: State speakers would draw large crowds. Other Progressives who did this type of thing: Sol Levitan (State Treasurer), Ted Dammenn (Secretary of State), and Ralph Immell (Phil La Follette's Adjutant General). Immell became a force himself. He was hard-working in solving problems throughout the state and had lots of contact with constituents. Usually more than one speaker at this type of event. Progressive congressmen participated as well--Barney Gehrmann and a “railroad man” from La Crosse [Gardner R. Withrow].

Impact of Amlie-Ekern 1938 primary in Lincoln County
Scope and Content Note: Memory vague but thinks Ekern probably stronger in that area. Amlie regarded as too liberal and some thought he was even a communist.

Communist activity in Lincoln County in late 1930s
Scope and Content Note: Some communists in Lincoln County. Some claimed to be communists just to attract attention. There were Latvians, Lithuanians, and Russians in the county and Emil Krueger as sheriff had to keep an eye on them for the FBI. A lot of this the product of fear and hysteria. Never had to send anyone back to Russia.

End of Tape 1, Side 1

Introduction

1940 gubernatorial primary
Scope and Content Note: Krueger and Young Progressives supported Paul Alfonsi who was from the area and a good speaker. But in general election, Young Progressives committed themselves to Loomis.

Loomis' rumored commitment to run as Republican in 1944
Scope and Content Note: Krueger always felt that the Republican Party should be the Progressive Party. One of the troubles with the Progressive Party was that it was viewed as the La Follette Party. Loomis' election marked the beginning of new or at least different blood into the party.

Degree of unification among candidates
Scope and Content Note: Very unified; strong emphasis to vote straight ticket. 1936 strong effort by state party to recruit candidates and encourage competition at county level. Wanted to make strong showing in the primary.

Krueger's role in Young Progressives as liason between County Party and Young Progressives
Scope and Content Note: Even as a candidate, Krueger remained active in Young Progressives. Affiliated with state Young Progressives, which was largely dominated by University crowd from Madison. One of the state-wide conventions was in Merrill. Young Progressives in Lincoln County remained very close over the years. They were nucleus of Krueger's beginning in politics.

Krueger's political campaigns in 1940s
Scope and Content Note: Elected alderman in Merrill in 1946 as preparation for 1946 State Senate race. One of the reasons he ran for county treasurer in 1940 was to prepare for 1942 State Senate race. State Senate always the goal.

Emil Krueger's impressions of 1938 National Progressives of America (NPA) convention at Madison
Scope and Content Note: No particular comment. Emil Krueger not as interested as his son in Progressive movement. Had Emil had steady employment he probably would never have run for sheriff. Tiny remembers pictures of the convention, the symbol and Republican criticism.

Krueger's reasons for entering Republican Party rather than Democratic Party after dissolution of Progressive Party in 1946
Scope and Content Note: Real Progressive Movement was in the Republican Party and Republican Party is big enough for diversity. La Follettes were not anti-business, just against injustice. Democrats were as bitter enemies of the Progressives as the Republicans and sometimes more so. The Democrats took advantage of Progressive "limbo" after 1946. Krueger had to fight to get back into the Republican Party. Bob La Follette Sr. would turn over in his grave if he knew Progressives had joined Democratic Party.

End of Tape 1, Side 2. End of Interview