8/31/77

INTRODUCTION

PROGRESSIVE PARTY IN
Scope and Content Note: Kyle served as secretary of Progressive Party conference held in Milwaukee before 1944 primary elections. Difficult to recruit candidates; Alexander Benz drafted to run for governor; Harry Sauthoff for U.S. Senate. Grass roots defections took place: Harley M. Jacklin announced as Democrat for state senate and John Pritchard and George J. Woerth announced as Republicans for state assembly. Strenuous effort made to prevent other defections.

EVALUATING THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Informal discussions at Party convention in summer of 1944 revealed strong pro-Republican sentiments from heavily Progressive Northwest delegates, region traditionally Republican except for support of Roosevelt. Pro-Democrat Progressives argued Roosevelt's political record concomitant with party platform.

GENERAL ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: Progressive Party lack of success further demonstrated the need to combine with another party; intensified sentiment to align with Democratic Party.

ACTIVITIES PRELIMINARY TO PORTAGE CONVENTION
Scope and Content Note: Informal committee organized in early-1945 met to evaluate future of Progressive Party; Kyle not a participant until organizational activities for Portage Convention well under way. Attended a meeting in March and was assigned responsibility for staging the convention. Kyle's close previous involvement, yet immediate Party detachment, probably influenced committee to select Kyle for convention arrangements instead of state chairman, Glenn Roberts.

KYLE SUPPORTS PROGRESSIVE PARTY AFFILIATION WITH REPUBLICAN PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Envisaging no advantages in alignment with Democratic Party, Kyle felt positive accomplishment most possible through Republican Party.

ORGANIZED LABOR LEANS TOWARDS DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Such labor leaders as Biemiller favored Democratic Party affiliation.

KYLE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Although Democrats increasingly attracted liberals, especially young Progressives, a strong conservative element persisted. Kyle feared the Democratic Party “could not elect anybody in Polk County and we had to have Polk County.”

KYLE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUNG PROGRESSIVES
Scope and Content Note: “Solid people,” “level headed kids,” sprang from liberalism prevalent in University of Wisconsin student body. Aware of contributions of former generation of young Progressives; sought guidance; freely expressed ideas. Kyle questioned their good judgment once, when they backed Paul Alfonsi for governor in 1940.

COMMUNICATION WITH BOB LA FOLLETTE BEFORE PORTAGE CONVENTION
Scope and Content Note: Little contact between Bob and Wisconsin Progressives. Kyle confidently guessed Bob's favoring a move toward the Republican Party. Recalls Bob's comment that Democrats “were always fighting like a bunch of Kilkenny cats.”

PRE-CONVENTION CONCERNS
Scope and Content Note: Kyle aware of probable preponderance of Democratic-leaning delegates from urban counties; accepted it as “part of the democratic process.” Threat of long-winded speeches thwarted by adopting five-minute rule.

END OF TAPE 15, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

ENFORCING FIVE-MINUTE RULE AT THE PORTAGE CONVENTION
Scope and Content Note: Kyle feared small minority of delegates favoring retention of Progressive Party and led by the verbose Walter Graunke would not abide by the five-minute limitation. Recalls how he manipulated Graunke to establish the rule. Kyle cautious to recognize speakers of all points of view while scrupulously remaining neutral.

MORE PORTAGE CONVENTION
Scope and Content Note: Delegates orderly, courteous, and respectful. Bob La Follette tried to remain inconspicuous and near the end presented convention's only formal speech. Favored Republican Party affiliation, somewhat influencing final delegate vote.

GRAUNKE FAVORS RETENTION OF PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Graunke a “dissident” and “purist” who greatly admired Old Bob. “Sincere advocate” of progressivism, but not practical “planner.”

BOB LA FOLLETTE'S SPEECH AT PORTAGE CONVENTION
Scope and Content Note: After speeches and discussion, Bob presented the only formal speech during the convention. Well-received and probably influenced vote of small number of rural and previously uncommitted delegates.

KYLE'S UNDERSTANDING OF POSITION OF VARIOUS CONVENTION DELEGATES
Scope and Content Note: Meeting lasted until 5:00 or 6:00; Kyle quite aware of young Progressive pro-Democratic stance from information relayed by family members; labor's pro-Democratic position obvious since 1940.

OBSTACLES TO REPUBLICAN PARTY AFFILIATION
Scope and Content Note: Kyle's previous campaign involvement helped him realize labor and young Progressive factions would continue to oppose Young Bob's Republican affiliation. Farmers, especially from Northwest region, expected to follow Bob into Republican Party.

KYLE AS BOB'S CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Scope and Content Note: Believed in Bob; felt his state-wide contacts would well represent Bob, occupied in Washington. Established campaign headquarters soon after Portage Convention; campaign strategy similar to previous elections, using “black book” as basis for contacts. Deeply resented campaign smear of Democrat Howard McMurray, citing newspaper advertisements exploiting isolationist war sentiments against Bob battling in primary against Joseph R. McCarthy. Hurt Bob's labor and interventionist vote. Democrat-leaning young Progressives remained loyal to Bob in 1946 campaign.

REACTION TO IMMELL'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Kyle dissatisfied with Immell, but supported him. Immell, offensive and ungracious to “a cooperative and amiable” Goodland, damaged Bob's campaign. Immell urged to run for lieutenant governor “pallbearer,” but refused. Immell strongest gubernatorial candidate among progressives, but Kyle remembered Immell's political wheeling and dealing from earlier days.

END OF TAPE 15, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

BOB'S REACTION TO IMMELL
Scope and Content Note: Supportive from sense of obligation because of Immell's early affiliation and strong support for Blaine and Phil.

KYLE VIEWS OF AND CONTACT WITH JOSEPH R. MCCARTHY
Scope and Content Note: First aware of McCarthy during district attorney campaign in Shawano County in early 1930's [in 1936] and in 1944 primary against Wiley. By 1940's McCarthy's true nature apparent in exploitation of his military career, fact distortion and intimidating behavior. Recalls being introduced to McCarthy in elevator of Atheran Hotel in Oshkosh during state Democratic convention. Next met McCarthy in Washington while a cooperative lobbyist.

FACTORS INFLUENCING RESULTS OF PRIMARY ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: Well-organized McCarthy campaign; McMurray's damaging anti-Bob advertisement; Bob's endorsement of Immell; labor vote; Bob's lack of personal participation in campaign. Personal, old fashioned “stomping campaign” by Bob might have changed results. Little could be done to offset Tom Coleman's pro-McCarthy efforts and communist element of CIO discrediting and deceiving Bob. Bob's decision to stay in Washington until the Saturday before the election to concentrate on passing Senate reorganization bill, combined with unenthusiasm for campaigning, was damaging. Recalls singularly unenthusiastic labor meetings; lack of enthusiasm at Oscar Mayer plant and Madison Labor Temple.

COMPARISON BETWEEN OLD BOB AND SONS
Scope and Content Note: Old Bob a farm boy from Town of Primrose, Dane County, who worked way through university and built political support through personal contacts. Spent substantial time in Washington, but had “reservoir of good will.” Bob and Phil grew up in Washington; entered politics with “golden spoon in their mouth” and approached campaigning differently than their father.

PHIL'S INVOLVEMENT IN PRIMARY CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Not actively involved in Bob's campaign; no effort to include him in campaign strategy, perhaps due to his defeat in 1938.

EFFECT OF BOB'S PRIVATE INVESTMENTS ON ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: Recalls no impact on campaign of Bob and wife allegedly earning approximately $25,000 in investments in addition to Bob's senatorial salary.

EFFECT OF BOB'S STAND ON SPANISH CIVIL WAR ON CATHOLIC VOTE
Scope and Content Note: Recalls none.

LABOR VOTE IN PRIMARY ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: Some non-communist CIO locals supported Bob, but communist sympathizers had control of state CIO and its publications to oppose Bob. While state AF of L leaders actively supported Roosevelt and were miffed by Bob's turn to Republican Party, these “Democratic politicians” did not have network of mobilized support nor personal influence to alter outcome. More significant was local labor leadership which “sat on its hands,” citing example of Madison Trades and Labor Council. Passing of such leaders as Ohl and Handley in state AF of L possibly had effect on the election, although Ohl and Handley as socialists never contributed that much to Progressives.

CAMPAIGN ALTERNATIVES IN
Scope and Content Note: If any single factor could explain election outcome, it would be Bob's absence, although the 5,000 vote margin suggested several operative factors. 'Old-fashioned' series of campaign speeches and additional radio publicity might have helped, but all depended on Bob's presence in Wisconsin. Kyle felt Capital Times did effective and admirable job exposing McCarthy; possibly progressives should have collected newspaper articles for distribution outside Capital Times limited circulation area in addition to leafleting across the state. Campaign con- strained by small ($10-12,000) budget and overconfidence on part of Bob's friends both in Washington and in Wisconsin.

END OF TAPE 16, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

KYLE'S POLITICAL AFFILIATION DURING AND AFTER CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Unenthusiastic after 1946 primary election; possibly voted for McMurray in general election, but might have voted for a good socialist candidate had there been one. Continued to vote in Republican primaries immediately after 1946 election while former Progressives held county offices; gradually turned towards Democratic Party although not party member until early 1960s. Supported Immell in 1948 gubernatorial primary election; in general backed his trusted friend Carl Thompson; voted continually for William Proxmire.

KYLE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH PHIL AND BOB AFTER
Scope and Content Note: Occasionally encountered Phil on street in Madison; recalls no communication with Bob.

KYLE'S REACTION TO PHIL'S SUPPORT OF DOUGLAS MacARTHUR
Scope and Content Note: No respect for an ego-inflated MacArthur; did not participate in presidential primary, nor was he persuaded to vote for MacArthur. Phil had developed admiration for MacArthur while working on MacArthur's staff.

KYLE'S REACTION TO BOB'S DEATH
Scope and Content Note: Surprised and puzzled; agreed with Judge F. Ryan Duffy that Bob's suicide against his nature. Last saw Bob after 1946 primary election before Bob returned to Washington.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PROGRESSIVE PARTY IN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Progressive Party uniquely equipped and qualified to advance a program of liberal legislation, e.g., rural electrification, various public works projects, Wisconsin Agricultural Authority, state labor law. Economic depression instrumental in success of the Party and its programs; permitted a coalition of special interest groups (e.g., farmers, organized labor) which would not have developed during economic prosperity. Cites examples of how labor and farmers responded to economic depression. Failure of Progressive Party in Wisconsin due to increased emphasis on the abilities and power of Roosevelt and the national New Deal rather than on the La Follettes and the state Progressive Party.

INFLUENCE OF LA FOLLETTES IN PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Ambitious and possessive power-seeking leaders; success in maintaining centralized control in Progressive Party evident in leverage over FLPF and influence over candidate endorsement.

ROLE OF FLPF IN PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Not highly successful vehicle utilized by socialists, labor and farmer leaders, and some professional intellectuals to influence direction of Progressive Party. Efforts to endorse candidates failed, but instrumental in moving Phil farther to the left.

FLPF IMPACT ON SOCIALISTS
Scope and Content Note: Helped remove Milwaukee socialists from ballot.

KENNETH HONES AND FLPF
Scope and Content Note: Generally supported social legislation initiated by Biemiller; influential in getting support of rank and file Farmers' Union members to affiliate with organized labor and FLPF.

END OF TAPE 16, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

REFLECTIONS ON THE LA FOLLETTE TRADITION IN WISCONSIN POLITICS
Scope and Content Note: “Rebellion against...control of government by special interest groups;” begun at turn of the century with Old Bob's attempt to regulate railroad corporations; carried on by Phil and Bob and present Democratic Party. Established Wisconsin as a front rank and consistent leader in tradition of liberalism comparable only to Minnesota and North Dakota. Sustained La Follette success resulted from Wisconsin's ethnic composition; Norwegian, Finnish and German immigrants imported a distrust of government and the Norwegians, especially, implanted a strong cooperative movement.

DIRECTION OF LIBERAL TRADITION IN WISCONSIN SINCE
Scope and Content Note: Gradually inherited by Democratic Party. Liberal Republicans including older progressives in Legislature and occasional young Party members, have failed to produce any material results.

LA FOLLETTE TRADITION CONTINUES
Scope and Content Note: Battle against special interest groups remains key issue, exemplified in Wisconsin's struggle for tax reform. Kyle optimistic about efforts for further tax reform.

END OF TAPE 17, SIDE 1
Note: There is no Tape 17, Side 2.