Monday, Sep. 29, 1930
Wisconsin's Dynast
Last spring Philip Fox* ("Phil") La Follette, 33, Republican Progressive, brought a court action against Wisconsin's Governor Walter Jodok Kohler ("of Kohler," plumbing tycoon), Republican stalwart, to oust him for excessive campaign expenditures. The action failed (TIME, May 26). Last week Philip La Follette successfully disposed of Governor Kohler in another way when he defeated him in the Republican primary for the gubernatorial nomination by 120,000 votes. With the nomination equivalent to election "Phil" La Follette will enter the Madison State House just 30 years after his late great father, Robert Marion ("Fighting Bob") La Follette, to carry on the Progressive program of a democracy of small communities, municipal control of power & utilities, eradication of chain banks, chain stores.
Last week Son Phil proved that the La Follette name is still potent in Wisconsin. With much of his father's gesturing manner, shockheaded appearance, oratorical skill he, supported by his elder brother, Senator Robert Marion ("Young Bob") La Follette, swept the state in a swift-paced campaign. He attacked Governor Kohler for being an ally of President Hoover's, "a friend of monopoly." Against him the stalwarts cried: "Dynasty! Oligarchy! Too much La Follette !" Much was made of unemployment and the industrial depression. After the primary Kohler managers explained their defeat: "The burden of carrying Hoover."
Following announcement of his victory last week Nominee La Follette went to the family homestead, Maple Bluff Farm near Madison, there acted as best man at his Senator-Brother's wedding (see p. 56). The bride: Rachel Wilson Young, since 1924 secretary to the Robert La Follettes, -- father & son. So sudden were the marriage plans that the Senator had to obtain special abrogation of the Wisconsin five-day application law.
Not present to share the brother's festivities was their mother, elderly, fine faced Mrs. Belle Case La Follette, who accompanied, advised, both "Fighting Bob" and "Young Bob" when they won elections. She did advise Son Phil, at a family gathering in Atlantic City last spring. All summer she has been closeted in Washington writing a biography of her husband.
Observers now speculate on the possibility of Brother Phil joining Brother Bob in the Senate in 1932 by displacing the present Progressive incumbent, Senator John James Elaine. Repeated was the slogan: "A La Follette has never been defeated in Wisconsin."
*Named for the family physician, now 90, who delivered him.
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