210 AGRICULTURAL DISCONTENT 



1920, when an attempt was made to secure the campaign services of 

 La Follette in Minnesota, he refused on the ground that the Thompson 

 campaign was occupying much of his time. This campaign meant "a great 

 deal to him personally. There can be no question that the foundation is 

 being laid for a bitter fight against the re-election of Senator La Follette 

 two years hence. Should Thompson be victorious in this fight it would, 

 of course, give La Follette a tremendous advantage." 62 La Follette's aid 

 was sought largely because of his influence with the Scandinavian and 

 German voters, his stand on the war having made him very popular with 

 the latter group. 63 Furthermore, it was felt that an appearance by La Fol- 

 lette in the Twin Cities would lead to a press attack on him because of 

 his war record, and thus redound to the benefit of the League. That the 

 League in Wisconsin in 1920 was in a disorganized state and dependent 

 largely upon the strength of La Follette was attested to by Emil Pladsen, 

 the Wisconsin secretary and manager of the Nonpartisan League, in a 

 letter to Teigan : "We are at our wits end in the matter of devising some 

 real practical and efficient plan for getting the state re-organized." 64 



Shortly thereafter, these same League leaders expressed the view that 

 La Follette was "doubtful as to the stability of the League." Zumach also 

 felt that La Follette was uncertain of the political wisdom of tying up 

 with the League : 



It seems to me that they [the Progressives] have adopted a policy of watchful 

 waiting to see whether the League will succeed in its re-organization. From 

 conversations I have had with the Senator, I am sure that he is favorable to the 

 idea of a new party; in fact, he told me some time ago that he would attempt 

 during the next year to lay the foundation of such a new party. Conferences 

 of Progressive Senators, Congressmen, newspaper men and prominent leaders 

 have already been held to discuss this very proposition; at least, so the Senator 

 informed. 



I am quite certain that the Senator's ambition is to become a candidate for 

 the presidency of the United States, and that his only hope in so doing is to 



sives because of Berger's opposition to the candidacies of Elaine and Thompson. 

 The small showing of the Progressives in Milwaukee was attributed to Berger's in- 

 fluence. Zumach to Teigan, September 27, 1920. 



62. Zumach to Teigan, October 13, 1920. 



63. Teigan to Zumach, October n, 1920. 



64. Emil Pladsen to Teigan, October 29, 1920. 



