The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, December 16, 1915, Page 8

e s T EIGHT THE NONPARTISAN LEADER League Orm Rousing Meetings Are Held by League Speakers in Many Towns--Farmers Are Enthusiastic and Determined To Fight---Bankers Forced To Come Across——-Dates for More Meetings For some time The Farmers’ Non- partisan Political League has been contemplating holding public meet- ings in the towns where the mem- bers could gather and hear discussed the principles and doings of the League. For weeks bankers and mer- chants in many places had been throwing suspicion on the League and were whispering that it was a fzke and that members would never get returns for their - member.-hip fees; some bankers had even gone so far as to urge members not to pay their postdated checks and refused to pay them when members would deposit money in the banks for payment. So it was determined to beard the ene- my in what he thought was his own stronghold, tell the farmres of the League and its doings and, the oppo- sition to it of those who had for years sought to make the farmers their business and political tools. Puts Editor in a Hole. The first meeting was held at Pet- tibone on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 7th, and a gathering sufficient to pack the large hall at that place was present, some of the farmers driving as far as 25 miles to hear the speak- ers. Deep interest was manifested by all those present and an enthusi- asm was aroused for the League and its work that will spread all over Kidder county; the farmers realized that the stories circulated about the League were false and that the League “did come back” and would bring results beyond expectation for the small membership fee. At this place a newspaper was found which had constantly jeered at the farmers because they sent out of town to buy goods bztter and cheaper than they could get from the merchants advertising in the local paper, and because one of the speakers referred to that fact, this paper, The Petti- bone Spectator, came out in its Dec. 10th issue and attempted to ridicule "the speaker and square the editor; this editor could not stand to have the truth told, but if the experience has put some sense into his “‘imex- perienced young head.” so much for his benefit; if not, then the farmers of the county ought to know what to do when such a paper opposes their interests instead of staying with the farmers upon whom such newspapers and business men feed. Beards Banker in His Den. Tke next day a rousing meeting was held at Robinson, with a large and enthusiastic crowd. The farmers had gathered with their doubts and fears, particularly aroused by the banker at that place—G. R. Meyers, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants bank, but they departed for their homes with confidence and high hopes. This banker sent all the postdated checks sent him for collection back, marked “bank won't pay on this paper.” About 100 checks were presented for him to pay, and he not only declined to pay any, but ordered the repre- sentative of the League out of the bank; another demand was made on him for payment after the repre- sentative had been identified by one of the bank’s prominent depositors, but again the cashier refused to cash the checks, only picking one from the number which he said was good and paying it. Later another visit was reid to the bank, with the request that the cashier indicate on each check the reason for nonpayment. The cashier was not so blustery on this visit, he had had time to think the matter over and to realize his duty as a banker under the laws of this state and nation. He decided to pay 30 of the checks where the members had for more than a month deposited money to pay them. Others he claimed had no funds on deposit, while out of the whole he could find but five checks upon which pay- ment had been stopped because of the stories that had, been circulated against the League. At the meet- ing one man was found who issued a check which the banker had mark- ed “no funds” and he had a deposit slip which showed that he had given the banker the money six eweks be- fore; another whose check had been marked “signature unknown” had $150 on deposit at the bank that very dsy; snother one whose check was msrked “no funds” had in the neighborhood of $5,000 in the bank; many others were of like character, and quite a number of these men whom the banker had slurred as men who had given checks and had made no preparation to’ pay them, paid their money to the League repre- sentatives at the meeting. So the farmers of the surrounding territory know just what is wrong with things at Robinson and, the reason for the ‘ knocking” on the effort of the farm- ers to get together by themselves and organize for their own protec- tion. The banker wants all the money in the bank for his own use and he hates to see the farmer use a little of it for his own good: There are several such bankers who are interfering with the work of the League and the members of tha League are becoming acquainted with them. Thursday afternoon the biggest meeting of the series was held at Tuttle, the farmers and some of their wives coming for miles around. The three speakers talked, for more than two hours, inspiring the farmers to depend on themselves, the League and the Leader rather than the bank- er and the merchant, for advice as to what was best for him and so in- terested were they that they were slow to leave. There were some doubters here also, as we found an- other banker who thought his mis+ sion in life was to act as guardian to the farmers and safeguard their money against any use except his, but he cannot longer influence any of the farmers-against the League. Cof- fee and sandwiches were served and a picture of the large crowd taken for publication in the Leader. Friday and Saturday afternoons just such enthusiastic meetings were held at Wing and Regan and the farmers were thoroughly.aroused to the League and its principles and ob- jects. The whole series of meetings were successful, begun in the places of bitter enmity upon the part of those who fear the League, and the farm- ers were given confidence ‘such as they did not have before in their own organization and political move- ment. . Dates For More Meeings. Similar meetings are being arrang- ed for in many towns of the state, the places and dates from Dec. 13th to Dec. 23rd being as follows Deering, Monday, Dec. 13, 2 p. m. Glenburn, Tuesday, Dec. 14 2 p. m. Mohall, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2 p. m. Sherwood, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2 p. m. Lansford, Friday, Dec. 17, 2 p. m. Newburg, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2 p. m. Upham, Monday, Dec. 20, 12:30 p. m. Granville, Monday, Dec. 20, 1 p. m. Antler, Manday, Dec. 20, 1 p. m. Kramer, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2 p» m Westhope, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1 p. m Towner, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1 p. m. Omemee, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2 p. m Norwich, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 1 p. m. Souris, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 1 p. m. Rugby, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2 p. m. Burlington, Thursday, Dec. 23, 1 p. m. DesLacs, Monday Dec. 27, 1 p. m. Leeds, Monday, Dec. 27, 1 p. m. Hillsboro, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1 p. m. Tagus Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1 p. m. Walford, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 1 p. m. Stanley, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1 p. m. Rolette, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1 p.m. Buxton, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1 p. : Thompson, Thursday, Dec. 30, 1 g, - Thorn, Thursday, Dec. 30, 1 p. m. Churches Ferry, Friday Dec. 31, 1 p. m. Lunch will be served free at each of these meetings and the farmers are urged to come out in large num- bers and to bring their wives (fon the women should be as interested as the men in their welfare on the farm), families and nonmember neighbors. It is the desire of the officers of the League to prove to the membership that the organiza- tion is sound and can and will ac- complish its purpose. Remember the dates and see that you attend -the meeting nearest to you. A} The State News in Pointed Paragraphs Four cars of stock were shipped from Lorain last week. e J. H. Wishek, of Ashley, will see Congressional honors from the Third district. It is reported that a Democratis daily paper will be stated in Fargo, soon. ; The Presbyterian church at Souris has been equipped with a new set of oak pews. ’ : The Presbyterian church at Souris has been equipped with a new set of oak pews. . Hans Mougen of Benson was opera- ted on for appendicitis at a Fargo hospital last week. Carl Semmler , county auditor of Mercer county, may be a candidate for state auditor. , “No; I hardly think I shall have time this afternoon,” replied the doc- tor. “But why do you ask?” Giles Ketchum, near Mohall, lost three fingers one day last week by getting his hand caunght in a feed mill. . H. J. Hanson, A. L. Taralseth, John Lem and A. Rosendahl, of Eidsvold, were delegates to the Equity conven- tion at St. Paul. . . .The Peabody Farmers’ club has built an addition to the barn at the central school so that it now houses thirty-six horses. : “Well,” replied his anonymous ques- tioner, “I’ want to send my little daughter downtown for some. thread if you are not going.” S It is reported that J. W. Riley, Cass the Senatorial foga against Hanna and county superintendent of schools, will be a candidate for State Super- intendent of Public Instruction. B. F. Spalding, former chief jus- tice of the supreme court, of Fargo, it is reported, will be a candidate for Congress in the First district. Albert Vettress, son of Kelvin Vettress of Rolla, got his arm broken last” week, while cranking a gas en- gine at the farm of Rev. K. T. Straud. Albert Vettress, son of Kelvin Vet- ress, of Rolla, got his arm broken last week, while cranking a gas en- gine at the farm of Rev. K. T: Straud. ; ! : : Miss Carrie Lyford, specialist ~in home economics of the bureau of ed- ucation, Washington, D. C., visited the normal school at Valley City last week. : A gas well was struck on the farm of Mr. Heringen, near Glenburn in Prescot township, one day last week. The gas was found at a depth of 100 feet. Seven car loads' of stock were shipped out of Litchville in one day last week. It was the biggest ship- ment of stock ever made from Litch- ville in one day. : 2 Barnes County has a coal mine. While digging a well on the Harvey Pray farm. three miles north from. Valley City a vein of coal three feet thick was discovered. e -Rumor_ is pergistent that. 0. J.. Seiler, of Bismarck, will seek either ¢ McCumber or Congressional honors against Cong. Young. Minot sent a large delegation of business men, and county officials to the farmers’ convention at St. Paul, to work for the coperative packing plant at the Magic City. At a recent meeting of the public library board of Bottinean, Miss Alice Hart of the high school faculty, offered her services and, was accepted as_librarian-for the current year. Twenty years ago the 'Bostorvml Clear- ing house consisted of fifty-five. mem- bers. - Today there are only twelve. Even the bankers are being broke by the bankers. Washington dispatches have it that Congress .will extend the emergency stamp act to December 31, 1916 and then recess from December 18 to: January 3rd. The main thing is to keepy the finance coming in. Eidsvold’s Equity club is planning to build a farmer’s elevator at that ‘place. A meeting to discuss the mat- ter was held last week. A. Rosen~ dahl resigned as president of the club and T. T. Cleven was elected in his_place. : 52 “Mayor L. S. Platou, of Valley City, is head of a large committee, elected at a large gathering of businessmen last week, which will work for the location of the cooperative racking plant at the city on beautiful Chey- The 5-year old son of F. A. Cleve- land, of Kildeer, was playing with fire‘ last week and in atiempting to ?xtmguish a burning stick by stick- ing it under bed covers almost suffi- cating his little sister who. was in bed. No damage was done. Miss Zora Centerwall, who was teaching school at Missouri ridge, near Williston, was shot in the foot and ankle one day last week. A shotgun held by Leonard Poe, one of her pupils, was accidentally discharg- ed. The wound, though severe, will not result in the loss of the member. Stockholders of the Loan Star Ru- ral Telephone company of McHenry county held a meeting at Aug. Gron- dahl’s residence last Monday. It was decided to hold a special meeting at Glenburn, Tuesday, Dec. 21st, for the- purpose of voting on the question of dividing the company. The quarterly meeting of the Bur- leigh county organization of the Farmers’ = Educational Union was held at Union hall at Bis« marck Friday the 10th. Prof A. P, Hollis af the state agricultural col- lege made an address and a commit- . tee 'was appointed to interview State Auditor Jorgenson on the matter of. having the schedule of assessments relative to farm property changed. -The farmers claimed that the elabor- " ate sheet for farm property, as coms = . pared with city property, is a diss. . crimination agpist them, = Cooperative