REASONS FOR IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN WISCONSIN IN AND
Scope and Content Note: With advent of Robert La Follette around 1900 and demise of Democratic party, major political battles fought in primary elections between stalwart and progressive Republicans. Continual struggle within Republican party for control of central committee, platforms, and legislative policy. Liberal Democrats tended to support La Follette since Democratic party a hopeless minority until 1932.

AREAS OF DEMOCRATIC STRENGTH IN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Conservative Democratic areas in lakeshore region of Milwaukee and Green Bay. Democrats had brief resurgence in 1914 when Paul O. Rusting of Mayville elected Senator because of split within progressive ranks between former governor Francis McGovern and La Follette.

STRENGTH OF SOCIALISTS IN MILWAUKEE DURING
Scope and Content Note: Socialist strength in Milwaukee peaked during World War I, but remained important in 1920's. Drew support from labor and German population; during 1920's regularly elected party members to state legislature. Recalls how party augmented legislative salaries for members because of low legislative pay.

SOCIALISTS SUPPORT PROGRESSIVES IN STATE LEGISLATURE
Scope and Content Note: Despite potential division between ideology and pragmatism, socialists were well-disciplined; generally supported progressives.

KYLE MEETS LA FOLLETTE BROTHERS THROUGH YMPA
Scope and Content Note: Worked with YMPA in Whitewater and Madison after reading about it in Capital Times. See also 2:1, 23:15.

YMPA “FLYING SQUAD” CAMPAIGNS FOR LA FOLLETTE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Note: See also 2:1, 15:30.

KYLE MEETS PROGRESSIVE PARTY LEADERS DURING CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: YMPA activities gave Kyle opportunity to meet many progressive party leaders.

KYLE CAMPAIGNS FOR BOB LA FOLLETTE, JR. IN
Scope and Content Note: Kyle asked to campaign in small towns for Young Bob's 1928 campaign.

KYLE'S UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: Economics degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1928; took law degree in Washington, D.C. a decade later.

CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Kyle assistant campaign manager who began on the day following graduation from University of Wisconsin in 1928, after having worked for state legislature two semesters in 1925 and 1927. Stalwarts and progressives fought over delegates to presidential convention; progressives backed slate headed by Senator George Norris.

CAMPAIGN MANAGERS
Scope and Content Note: Lawyer Leonard Sheehan managed spring presidential primary campaign; Sam Sigman ran Young Bob's September campaign.

ANECDOTE ABOUT SAM SIGMAN
Scope and Content Note: Sincere and dedicated liberal, although long-winded. Recalls Sigman gave less than inspirational speech in Iowa county; first interrupted and finally stopped by temporary chairman Chris Ellington.

PROGRESSIVE PARTY ORGANIZATION FOR CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Young Bob had chaired State Central Committee since 1922, but no continuous headquarters maintained in Wisconsin after he went to Washington. Party loosely organized; list of supporters rarely up-to-date.

KYLE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRECINCT ORGANIZATION
Scope and Content Note: Kept “black book” with lists of dependable people in every precinct except Milwaukee. Kyle tried to keep black book current; tried to establish progressive organization in every precinct, but rarely succeeded.

ISSUES IN CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Industrialist George Mead ran against Bob, who as freshman senator had maintained low profile. Presidential election the real issue as Bob refused to support Hoover.

PHIL LA FOLLETTE'S ROLE IN CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Able, forceful speaker always in demand. Had finished term as Dane county district attorney, involved in family strategy sessions.

ELECTION STAFF ORGANIZATION
Scope and Content Note: Sheehan and Kyle, and later Sigman and Kyle, managed office with aid of several Madison volunteers. Sheehan and Sigman talked with visitors; Kyle worked on black book and correspondence. Main contact through precinct workers and prominent state party speakers; little money available for radio or billboards.

CAMPAIGN SPENDING IN
Scope and Content Note: Progressives Solomon Levitan and Henry Huber pooled campaign resources with other progressives. Doubts more than $35,000 spent despite later investigation.

KYLE'S SALARY AS ASSISTANT CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Scope and Content Note: Approximately $100-$150 monthly.

COMMENTS ON HERMAN EKERN
Scope and Content Note: As progressive committee chairman signed most correspondence. Well-known in Norwegian community; complemented Beck who was a “wet.”

IMPORTANCE OF PRECINCT WORKERS IN
Scope and Content Note: Relied upon to gauge level of support for progressive candidates, to arrange meetings and to place advertising.

DEPENDABLE STATE PROGRESSIVE PARTY SUPPORTERS
Scope and Content Note: Included Charles D. Nelson of Rice Lake, Clough Gates of Superior, Max Heck of Racine, the Dick brothers, and Herbert L. Mount of Milwaukee, Roy Empey of Green, Tom Hayden of Fond du Lac, Louis Maloney of Stevens Point, Dr. Adam J. Gates of Tigerton, and John Englund of Wittenberg in Shawano county. All former supporters of Old Bob.

SOURCES OF FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROGRESSIVES
Scope and Content Note: Candidates usually contributed $500 or $1,000; state party supporters added small amounts. Some out-of-state money from such businessmen as William T. Roe of Freeport, Illinois, and Indiana manufacturer Charles R. Crane. George Middleton obtained some money through New York contacts.

ANECDOTE ABOUT KOHLER AND HEIL PRODUCTS
Scope and Content Note: Kyle built house in Whitewater in 1939, specifying that no Kohler or Heil products be used.

STATE CONTRIBUTORS TO PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Not many big ones. Included Walter Corrigan and Gustav Dick of Milwaukee, Charles Nelson and Clough Gates. Solomon Levitan not particularly important as fund-raiser.

COMMENTS ON JOE BECK AND HIS PRIMARY RACE
Scope and Content Note: Elected to Congress in 1920 from La Crosse, defeating John Esch. Remained in Congress until 1928. Lost to Walter Kohler in gubernatorial election. Ran good campaign; helped only by a neighbor. See also 3:1, 07:25.

COMMENTS ON WALTER KOHLER
Scope and Content Note: A bland and dignified-looking newcomer to state politics. Relied heavily on billboards during campaign. Believes Kohler first candidate in state to use air travel.

STALWART REPUBLICANS SPEND $100,000 in CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Kohler and fellow industrialists first to spend over $100,000 in state campaign. Progressives felt election “bought.” Bill Evjue a chief complainant in suit against Kohler for violating Corrupt Practices Act. Judge ruled voluntary committee and not Kohler responsible for expenditures. Set precedent for limitless spending despite Corrupt Practices Act. Stalwarts later countersued, hiring unknown lawyer Arthur R. Berry of Milwaukee who charged progressives also spent $100,000 and manipulated figures to prove case. Sigman, Kyle, and progressive candidates called as witnesses. Judge found no basis for charges.^[1]

WHY KOHLER WON GUBERNATORIAL RACE
Scope and Content Note: Kohler won southeastern industrial counties because of lavish financing and indifference of labor, many of whom voted socialist. German-Americans in southeastern region and Fox River Valley also supported Kohler.

PROGRESSIVES UNITED IN AFTER TWO-YEAR SPLIT
Scope and Content Note: Phil La Follette, Alf Rogers, Fred Holmes, William Evjue, and Charles Crownhart established directional and ideological consensus. Problem in 1928, aftermath of 1926 gubernatorial election in which stalwart Charles Perry opposed progressive Herman Ekern, occurred when ambitious Secretary of State Fred Zimmerman decided to run, straddled the fence, got some progressive backing. Stalwarts dropped Perry, backed winner Zimmerman.

MORE ON ZIMMERMAN ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: By 1928, Zimmerman alienated both stalwarts and progressives; stalwarts found Kohler; progressives disillusioned with Zimmerman. Episode had little effect on strengthening party discipline.

PROGRESSIVE PARTICIPATION IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: State progressives “sat on their hands.” Stalwart platform endorsed Hoover and Curtis, although Ekern elected chairman of state central committee.

PROGRESSIVE SUPPORT FOR AL SMITH
Scope and Content Note: Some progressives, mainly friends of Senator Blaine, formed voluntary committee in Madison to support Smith.

STATE ELECTION IN
Scope and Content Note: Kohler elected governor, progressives elected to other constitutional offices; progressive majority in assembly, stalwarts won senate. Almost no Democrats in either house.

SUPPORT FOR AL SMITH IN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Dry progressives mostly opposed Smith; no flareups over Smith's Catholic religion, although such groups as Norwegian Lutherans probably influenced by religious issue.

COMPARISON OF PHIL AND BOB LA FOLLETTE JR
Scope and Content Note: Phil's legal and debating background made him an experienced, relaxed speaker. Bob effective and sincere, but less at ease. Both intense, active men, conservatively dressed in ordinary business suits for speeches. Phil highstrung and dynamic, Bob suave and diffident. Old Bob more of a spellbinder.

SOCIALIST GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE HERMAN KENT WINS PROGRESSIVE VOTES IN
Scope and Content Note: Many stalwarts distrustful of Zimmerman; progressives didn't like him. Kyle voted for Kent in protest against Zimmerman, and believes as many as 10,000 progressives did likewise.

KYLE BECOMES PERMANENT MEMBER OF YOUNG BOB'S STAFF
Scope and Content Note: Bob retained Kyle after 1928 election to keep a permanent Madison office, mostly to maintain Wisconsin contacts.

KYLE MOVES TO WASHINGTON, D.C., AS LA FOLLETTE STAFF MEMBER
Scope and Content Note: Moved to Bob's Washington office in 1930, although still responsible for Wisconsin contacts. Fellow staff members included researcher Paul Webbink, Grace Lynch, and Rachel Young.

COMMENTS ON PAUL WEBBINK
Scope and Content Note: Webbink's full-time research position unique among senate offices. Accumulated materials in quiet, professorial manner, but did not advise Bob on policy or programs.

BOB'S REGULAR CONSULTANTS
Scope and Content Note: Included brother-in-law Ralph Sucher, Basil Manly, Ed Keating, fellow senators Robert Wagner and George Norris.

DESCRIPTION OF BOB'S WASHINGTON OFFICE
Scope and Content Note: Plain, institutional furniture.

OFFICE ROUTINE
Scope and Content Note: Kyle and appointments secretary Rachel Young screened visitors. Kyle advised Bob on Wisconsin matters but no on legislation; drafted responses to letters. No surveys conducted.

BOB'S DAILY SCHEDULE
Scope and Content Note: Arrived at office about 9:00, read until Senate convened at noon, usually for two or three hours. Returned to office to read mail.

BOB'S REPUTATION AS A SENATOR
Scope and Content Note: Maintained low profile. Cultivated contacts made while secretary to father and became known as a “senator's senator.” Took firm stands, but probably more influential and accomplished more than father because rarely involved in fights. Informed on issues and knowledgeable about the workings of the Senate.

BOB'S IDEOLOGY
Scope and Content Note: Rarely deviated from father's course. Member of Senate progressive group; supported Norris on public power issues and Wagner on labor issues.

STATE CAPITALISM
Scope and Content Note: Not sure what Bob meant by state capitalism. Not socialism; rather government sponsorship of needed programs.

BOB'S REACTION TO CRASH AND ITS AFTERMATH
Scope and Content Note: Conscious of problem, but not in position to develop programs. New Deal legislation later grew out of ideas of La Follette, Robert Wagner, Gerald Nye, Henrik Shipstead, George Norris, Hiram Johnson, and James Blaine.

PEOPLE OUTSIDE WASHINGTON WHO INFLUENCED BOB
Scope and Content Note: Always in touch with Phil; remained friendly with Bill Evjue. Bob & Evjue agreed on most issues, but little direct communication between them.

KYLE'S MOVE TO WASHINGTON
Scope and Content Note: Excited about move, but did not anticipate so difficult a trip. Drove east in January on icy, occasionally flooded, mountainous roads. Thrilled to drive down Pennsylvania Avenue. Stayed at The Senate hotel until found rooms in old brick row house near Congressional Library.

KYLE SEES PRESIDENTS
Scope and Content Note: Attended parade in Alexandria to see Hoover; later saw Taft lying in state in Capitol.

ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION IN WASHINGTON
Scope and Content Note: Explored; visited fraternity brother in Hyattsville; attended theater. Little night life.

KYLE'S TYPICAL DAY IN BOB'S OFFICE
Scope and Content Note: Arrived about 8:30 to examine mail, most of which was routine. Saw Bob only occasionally. Searched for various documents. Day usually ended about 5:00. Paid $150 monthly; spent $6-$10 weekly for rent.

DESCRIPTION OF WASHINGTON IN
Scope and Content Note: More public space than Madison; Pennsylvania Avenue crowded with old brick row houses; much area around Capitol run down.

SCANDALS IN WASHINGTON IN
Scope and Content Note: Little attention paid to personal lives of government officials. No crusading newspapers then; Drew Pearson and Robert S. Allen's “Merry-go-round in Washington” focused on bribery and special interests. Believes Congressional “monkey-business” kept outside the office. Some Senators might be considered dumb or lightweight.

EFFECTIVE SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS
Scope and Content Note: Power companies, National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, some trade associations. Labor poorly organized. Most contacts made directly in office; little cocktail party lobbying. Bob had no special interest connections, although Ed Keating generally had Bob's ear.

KYLE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH BOB
Scope and Content Note: Strictly professional.

KYLE'S EARLY INVOLVEMENT WITH PHIL LA FOLLETTE'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Kyle returned to Madison after Phil announced his candidacy in June 1930. Kyle had kept progressive ties strong through contacts with legislators and by updating black book. Also wrote column for liberal Whitewater newspaper, later expanded to others.

CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ABOUT KYLE'S NEWSPAPER COLUMN
Scope and Content Note: Weekly column reporting on legislature and actions of individual legislators also appeared in John Englund's Wittenberg Times; Charles Leicht's New Lisbon News. Wrote occasionally for Capital Times about Kohler and stalwart efforts to repeal progressive legislation, referring to “Kohler forces.”

KYLE UPDATES BLACK BOOK
Scope and Content Note: Progressive legislators such as Arthur Hitt of Alma helped to update black book. Black book a leather-covered one inch-thick loose-leaf book.

PROGRESSIVE SUPPORT FOR PHIL
Scope and Content Note: Phil's candidacy for governor a hope but not a foregone conclusion in 1930. Kyle found great progressive demand for Phil after Zimmerman, Ekern, and Beck proved to be disappointing.

KYLE'S RELATIONS WITH STATE PROGRESSIVES
Scope and Content Note: Kyle as “nuts and bolts” man able to get along well with progressives and most progressive legislators, most of whom were anxious to rally around Phil in 1930 after losing two previous campaigns. Most felt Kohler stood for little while “country was going to hell in the Depression.”

PHIL'S ATTITUDE TOWARD SPECIAL INTERESTS
Scope and Content Note: Phil believed government under Kohler in hands of special interests, particularly Wisconsin Manufacturers' Association. Kohler's agency appointments conservative and amenable to business. Some appointees more reactionary than Kohler, such as Charlie Budlong of Marinette, Wallace Engels of Racine, and Oscar Morris of Milwaukee.

OBSERVATION ABOUT CONSERVATIVE CONTROL OF STATE SENATE
Scope and Content Note: Senate until 1970's controlled by conservatives, except perhaps during term of Governor McGovern. Governor Blaine had control of Senate briefly, but lost support because of prohibition stand. Phil as governor contended with insurgents Phil Nelson and Democrat Arthur Zimny.

IMPORTANCE OF CARL THOMPSON IN DEVELOPMENT OF WISCONSIN REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN
Scope and Content Note: Thompson's reapportionment plan changed complexion of Senate. Passed by Republican Senate partly with support of individual Republicans whose districts were preserved or strengthened.

PROGRESSIVE ISSUES AGAINST KOHLER AND STALWARTS
Scope and Content Note: Effective La Follette issues included opposition to chain banks and chain stores, although Kohler not personally involved with those. Kohler's major disadvantages were do-nothing record and worsening economic and social conditions. Phil recognized as dynamic young member of state's best-known political family.

PHIL SUPPORTS OPEN MARKETPLACE
Scope and Content Note: Supported concept of open marketplace; such make-work programs as railroad grade crossings.

GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Phil used some radio, but campaign waged principally by brochures, party leaders, contacts, local meetings, and stumping. Headquarters included clerical staff and some volunteers.

FUND-RAISING
Scope and Content Note: No organized fund-raising; perhaps an occasional county picnic.

NEWSPAPERS WHICH SUPPORTED PHIL
Scope and Content Note: Capital Times, Whitewater Press, Wittenberg Times, New Lisbon News, cooperative paper in Frederic, some weeklies. Limited support from Milwaukee Journal. Labor newspapers took no political stand.

NEWSPAPERS WHICH OPPOSED PHIL
Scope and Content Note: Oshkosh Northwestern, Milwaukee Sentinel, Janesville Gazette, usually the Beloit Daily News, Wausau Record Herald, Kenosha News. Stressed progressive lack of loyalty to President Hoover and its disruptive influence on the Republican party.

PRIMARY CAMPAIGN BUDGET
Scope and Content Note: Phil's primary campaign cost less than $5,000, most of which came from Phil himself. Money spent on postage, brochures, salaries, and rent.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS TO PRIMARY CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Some outside money from such contributors as Rawleigh, Charles R. Crane; wealthy progressives as Milwaukee lawyer Walter L. Fischer, and Walter Corrigan. Individual mail contributions from around state averaged five or ten dollars.

REASONS FOR THE LA FOLLETTE SWEEP IN PRIMARY
Scope and Content Note: Lost only seven counties out of 71, five of those by less than 500 votes. Reasons for sweep included a well-known, articulate, and energetic member of the La Follette family, and Kohler's colorless administration. Issues played minor role compared to other factors.

BOB LA FOLLETTE CAMPAIGNS FOR BROTHER
Scope and Content Note: Stumped for Phil during most of campaign; married Rachel Young after primary.

PROGRESSIVES SEEK WOMEN'S SUPPORT
Scope and Content Note: Actively recruited women; both La Follette wives campaigned. Several women with important positions in the party included Rose Meyer of Sauk City, secretary of the state central committee after Phil's nomination; and Mrs. Erick Johnson of Burnett county, candidate for delegate to the 1928 presidential convention. Women held half the positions on the state central committee. Isabel La Follette spoke mainly to women's groups.

WOMEN IN OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES
Scope and Content Note: Women increased participation in stalwart and Democratic politics, though not as actively recruited as by progressives.

PARTICULARLY ACTIVE PROGRESSIVE WOMEN
Scope and Content Note: Rose Meyer of Madison, Mrs. Erick Johnson of Burnett county (wife of an assemblyman), Mrs. Esther Haas, Miss Marjorie Johnson of Madison, Mrs. John C. Campbell of Dodgeville. Last three were good speakers.

PROGRESSIVES IN CLARK AND TAYLOR COUNTIES
Scope and Content Note: Progressives had no trouble with rural leftists in politically independent Clark and Taylor counties. Recalls communist dominated cooperative in Brantwood, Price county.

PROGRESSIVES CONTROL REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE IN 1930 GENERAL ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: Progressives held all major committee positions in 1930. Phil wrote platform, Evjue was vice-chairman, Kyle executive secretary, Rose Meyer secretary, and Joe Padway, former socialist senator from Milwaukee, was treasurer; raised funds in Milwaukee. Democratic vote improved slightly, but La Follette coasted to victory.

KYLE APPOINTED PHIL'S SECRETARY
Scope and Content Note: Phil appointed Kyle secretary in early-December 1930, at same time as Ed Littel, who chauffeured Phil during campaign and wrote press releases, was selected to assist. Kyle's amicable relationship with Littel led to life-long friendship.

GOVERNOR'S STAFF
Scope and Content Note: Young staff included Sam Becker of Milwaukee and four secretaries hired by Kyle, and a messenger, Sam Pierce. Littel took many of Phil's letters personally.

KYLE'S AND LITTEL'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Scope and Content Note: Littel wrote down Phil's ideas, made contact with key advisors, took some letters. Kyle ran office, answered most letters, and received visitors.

COOPERATION BETWEEN OLDER AND YOUNGER PROGRESSIVES
Scope and Content Note: Older progressives worked easily with Kyle and Littel, known from earlier campaigns. Fred Holmes, Charlie Dow, Herman Ekern, and Alf Rogers had ready access to Phil. Charles Crownhart died early in Phil's term.

PHIL MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF WISCONSIN BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Scope and Content Note: Phil early decided to hold meetings with chain-bankers and industrialists at executive residence to improve understanding between the governor and businessmen.

COMMENTS ON JOHN GAUS AND OTHER UNIVERSITY ADVISORS
Scope and Content Note: Gaus an especially close associate of Phil, relied more on him than on other university people such as Ed Witte, Harold Groves, The Rauschenbushes, Edward Ross, and John Commons.

MORE ON MEETINGS WITH BUSINESSMEN
Scope and Content Note: Phil sought to understand businessmen. Kyle attended some dinner meetings, recalls no wives present, pleasant atmosphere. Recalls representatives from the First Wisconsin bank chain and Kearney & Trecker Corporation. La Follette's goal not to armtwist, but to collect ideas from various sectors of the economy to help deal with the Depression.

COMMENTS ON WILLIAM BLAKE
Scope and Content Note: Active participation with progressives confined to brief period in PMPA while at university 1923-1926. Helped Kyle get job with chief clerk of senate F.W. Schoenfeld in 1925. Blake, slightly built native of Fox Lake, dropped out of law school to become Presbyterian, later Methodist minister. Active involvement in politics ended, but liberalism resurfaced later in book he wrote on history of Methodist church in Wisconsin.^[2]

PHIL ATTEMPTS TO DEVELOP PROGRESSIVE PROGRAM
Scope and Content Note: La Follette's meetings with business and labor leaders helped him define progressive program.

PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE LEGISLATION IN
Scope and Content Note: Major achievement of 1931 special session. Governor's address to legislature, stressing principle of joint cooperation, as gesture to businessmen, probably influenced by Gaus.

KYLE AND ED LITTEL WORK WITH LEGISLATORS
Scope and Content Note: Progressives dominated assembly, but not senate. Kyle and Littel constantly contacted legislators about Phil's programs; Kyle knew many legislators from the past.

KYLE'S WORK WITH LEGISLATURE DURING
Scope and Content Note: Typist in 1925; took civil service exam in 1927 and appointed journal clerk by stalwart chief clerk Oliver Munson. Recalls at that time only men could be clerks; no senator had a personal secretary.

KYLE'S AND LITTEL'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN
Scope and Content Note: Earlier legislative contacts helped Kyle and Littel work with legislators on Phil's proposed programs. Littel worked on legislation to be introduced, wrote special correspondence and some documents. Kyle had duties similar to those of press secretary, supervised outer office, and met with visitors.

MORE ON CONTACTS WITH LEGISLATORS
Scope and Content Note: Met individually or in groups with legislators to discuss pending bills. Both Kyle and legislators initiated meetings.

PHIL LA FOLLETTE AS A PERSUASIVE GOVERNOR
Scope and Content Note: Skillful at changing opinions, appealing as governor and leader of party of principle. Respected for own worth and as member of highly-esteemed family.

COMMENTS ON SENATOR PHIL NELSON, DOUGLAS COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Neither stalwart nor progressive, supported La Follette because of progressive constituency.

COMMENTS ON SENATOR ARTHUR ZIMNY OF MILWAUKEE
Scope and Content Note: Democrat who voted for progressive bills in return for favors in his district.

PHIL MEETS WITH LEGISLATORS
Scope and Content Note: Met with progressive legislators an average of twice weekly. Little conflict with veteran progressive legislators who were ideologically compatible.

HOW PHIL HANDLED PATRONAGE
Scope and Content Note: Delayed decision for contested positions. Recalls Phil once saying, “If you're in doubt what to do, do nothing.” Usually appointed party people except for some experts such as David Lilienthal for public service commission, for which La Follette received some criticism, and Harold Groves to tax commission.

WHY DAVID LILIENTHAL APPOINTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Scope and Content Note: Possibly John Gaus influenced Phil's decision to appoint Lilienthal. Kyle left shortly after Lilienthal arrived; didn't get to know him. Recalls James M. Landis also considered for public service commission position.

COMMENTS ON HAROLD GROVES
Scope and Content Note: Taxation specialist in UW-Madison economics department. Phil probably had known him socially. A progressive, had served in assembly and senate prior to tax commission appointment. Dealt infrequently with legislators.

LITTLE PROGRESS DURING FIRST REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Scope and Content Note: Kyle not discouraged with slow legislative process.

TYPICAL DAY IN GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHILE LEGISLATURE IN SESSION
Scope and Content Note: La Follette checked bills on desk for signature or veto, then spent time with legislators and advisors such as Gaus. Took care of routine correspondence, made decisions. Kept outside speaking engagements to a minimum.

TOM AMLIE'S CAMPAIGN FOR CONGRESS
Scope and Content Note: Amlie, Elkhorn lawyer, started campaign in September after the progressives' summer nominating conference. Tom Morrissey an effective organizer for Amlie, especially in Walworth county. Nominees besides Amlie and Kyle included the widow of Congressman Henry Allen Cooper, Stanley Slagg of Rock county, John T. Corbett, Railroad Brotherhood representative from Beloit. Amlie won handily and progressives united behind him. Stalwarts remained divided.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Scope and Content Note: Major achievement a public works program of highway overpasses to help deal with unemployment; more accomplished during special session. Railroads supported construction of “La Follette's Rollercoasters,” as did the railroad brotherhoods.

EFFECTIVE LOBBYING GROUPS IN MADISON
Scope and Content Note: Railroad brotherhoods, League of Municipalities, teachers, and several farmers' organizations.

FARMER SUPPORT FOR PHIL
Scope and Content Note: Most support from Farmers' Union, Farm Bureau.

CONTACT BETWEEN PHIL AND BOB
Scope and Content Note: Constant telephone contact; relied on one another for advice.

OLD BOB'S PORTRAIT
Scope and Content Note: Phil probably moved it into his office.

ISABEL LA FOLLETTE'S DECIDED INFLUENCE ON PHIL
Scope and Content Note: Great confidence in her political judgment.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHIL, LITTEL, AND KYLE
Scope and Content Note: Did not ask Littel's or Kyle's opinion often, but genuinely interested in their reactions.

TOM DUNCAN REPLACES KYLE
Scope and Content Note: Change made at beginning of special session, not as profound as it seemed despite Duncan's socialist background. Duncan had legislative experience, was able technician with knowledge of finance and state budget. Littel stayed until end of Phil's first term.

DUNCAN HELPS PHIL'S PROGRAMS PASS LEGISLATURE
Scope and Content Note: Legislative experience and knowledge of state budget especially helpful with banking and unemployment bills.

DUNCAN'S RELATIONSHIP TO SOCIALIST PARTY IN EARLY
Scope and Content Note: Duncan tired of being low paid socialist legislator. Appearance and approach more like a banker than a “raving” socialist.

DUNCAN'S RELATIONSHIP WITH LA FOLLETTE AND LITTEL
Scope and Content Note: Duncan's presence did not change relationship between La Follette and Littel.

BACKGROUND OF TOM AMLIE
Scope and Content Note: Non-Partisan League organizer from North Dakota. Liberal while attending UW-Madison law school, practiced first in Beloit, then Elkhorn. Depression made him a pessimist.

AMLIE'S CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN,
Scope and Content Note: Kyle organized personalized campaign, less dependent on mail, in a five-county district which included conservative Waukesha. Used some radio. Contacts made through black book and some of Amlie's old World War I connections. Local labor leadership and workers especially important in Racine and Kenosha. Stalwart split between Racine lawyer Thorwald M. Beck and state senator George Blanchard of Edgerton and Amlie's concentration on Depression problems resulted in Amlie victory.

KYLE'S ROLE IN AMLIE'S CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Met more people personally than in past campaigns. Besides campaign secretary Tom Morrissey helped in spare time. Campaign run from storefront headquarters in Elkhorn.

PEOPLE WHO INFLUENCED AMLIE
Scope and Content Note: Sister Rosalie and brother-in-law Walter Morton, professor at UW-Madison, a Beloit newspaper editor, and Francis Wendt of Racine, later mayor and county judge.

AMLIE'S RADICALISM
Scope and Content Note: Politically between La Follettes and socialists; more willing than the La Follettes' to experiment with new and broader programs.

KYLE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH AMLIE
Scope and Content Note: Discussed ideas regularly with him, especially after election. Amlie a big, slow, affable, easy-going Norwegian; could disagree with him and still be comfortable.

AMLIE'S WASHINGTON OFFICE
Scope and Content Note: Amlie, Kyle, and secretary shared one office.

AMLIE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD SELECTED NATIONALIZATION
Scope and Content Note: Open-minded about use of some non-partisan league ideas at national level, but little confidence that time had come for nationalization.

AMLIE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
Scope and Content Note: Distrusted him, doubting his liberalism. Roosevelt's patrician background and campaign promises, more conservative than his eventual programs, influenced Amlie's opinion.

AMLIE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CONGRESSMEN
Scope and Content Note: Compatible with intellectuals like Jerry Voorhis of California and friendly with Fiorello La Guardia of New York. Most Wisconsin congressmen more conservative than Amlie, who established rapport with Jonathan Bingham, later a congressman, son of a conservative Connecticut senator.

AMLIE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD FATHER CHARLES COUGHLIN
Scope and Content Note: Interested in Coughlin's then liberal ideas, subscribed to his newspaper. Not fooled by Townsend plan.

WASHINGTON POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IN EARLY
Scope and Content Note: New congressmen like Amlie and Voorhis aware of changes coming, but other congressmen more conservative, less aware of Depression's effects.

BONUS ARMY
Scope and Content Note: Kyle accompanied Amlie on several visits to Bonus Army encampment. Rough camp, some tents but mostly shacks with primitive sanitary facilities. Amlie strongly supported soldier's bonus, which never passed. Recalls Amlie's constituency had little reaction to Bonus Army.

AMLIE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THIRD MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Amlie clearly articulated disgust with Republicans and distrust of FDR. Felt Democratic Speaker John Nance Garner lacked interest in Depression. Amlie anticipated farmer-labor coalition.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AMLIE AND SENATOR ROBERT LA FOLLETTE
Scope and Content Note: Occasionally discussed third party idea with Bob; little overall communication between them.

WISCONSIN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ATTITUDE TOWARD THIRD PARTY
Scope and Content Note: About half of delegation discussed idea.

KYLE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THIRD PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Sympathetic to Amlie's objectives, but political reality made him a restraining influence on Amlie.

AMLIE LOSES IN STALWART SWEEP OF WISCONSIN PRIMARY
Scope and Content Note: Lost because of worsening Depression, and mass movement of regular Democrats and unaffiliated Republicans to the Democratic party in the primary.

END OF TAPE 8, SIDE 1
Note: There is no Tape 8, Side 2