The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, February 24, 1916, Page 8

P A e A S T EIGHT By Leader Staff Correspondent Minot, Feb. 19.—The 1916 annual convention of the North Dakota union of the American Society of Equity is history. It came to Minot, saw and conquered and today folded its tents and went away. Some 350 delegates, representing the thousands of North Dakota- farmers who year by year are carying the battle for economic freedom further and further into the intrenched camp of big business, will carry back to the rank and file of the cooperators of the state a new en- thusiasm, new ideas, reports of new progress and a renewal of the spirit of fraternity and loyalty which one day will win, through a unity of farm- ers, for farmers, the full share of the wealth they produce to which they are entitled. ! The 1916 convention, called to order February 16 by President M. P. John- son of Donnybrook, was more than a review of past battles won; more than a great meeting of farmers to discuss marketing and kindred economic problems. It was the state Equity buckling: up its loins and rolling up its seevles for another year of fight- ing, with the proposed Equity pack- ing plant the new weapon with which to turn back to the producers a fair- er portion of the results of their _toil. | Cooperation Real Thing Much has been said- about cooper- ation; much has been done by cooper- ation. But it is more to the Equity than a slogan. It is a real thing, a thing that lived and breathed at this convention. It could be seen and measured at the Minot meeting, its strength could be computed—it was at once a reality, a material thing, and a sacred principle day by day gaining converts. The convention emphasized the fact that cooperation is more than dollars and cents. It proved cooperation was adherance to principle and justice, regardless of dollars and cents—in spite of immedi- ate loss and disadvantage. In its resolutions, in the new work it set on foot, in its taking accounts of past performances and in its clear- ing of decks for carrying the econ- omic battle forward, the convention just adjourned reflected the spirit and purpose of cooperative progress in North Dakota, and it wrote large on the horizon of every North Dakota farmers the promise of success and a new order of things through cooperation. Back Packing Plant The convention backed up and in- dorsed the action of the committee of Equity men which, on its own init- iative, inaugurated plans for a cooper- ative packing plant, and it called on the consumers of North Dakota to support the enterprise—farmers are already back of it in sufficient num- ber to assure its success from the pro- ducers side of the question. The convention by resolution urged upon the people of the state as a whole that this packing plant means to consumers a reduction in the cost of living, as well as more profits to farmers. The delegates emphasized the fact that the day is passing when middlemen and gamblers in products of the soil on the great exchanges can deceive the consumers into the belief that farmers are responsible for the high cost of living . While the committee on the pack- ing plant plan recommended that the shares be fixed at $50 each the dele- gates reduced it to $25, in order to make it possible to take in a greater number of shareholders, especially among consumers, thereby securing their support and interest in the suc- cess of the movement. In this, as in many other things, the delegates. re- fused to have committees and officers dictate measures, but insisted on dis- cussing reports and recommendations and making their own majority will felt in no uncertain terms. The committee on the proposed new - plant, J. B. Rasmussen, chairman, rec- comended a small plant at first, with the idea of eventually establishing other plants, which idea was approv- by the ionvention. The convention also adopted the report of the com- mittee recommending a strong cam- paign for the organization of new live stock shipping . associations, to furnish feeders for the packing plant. No location for the enterprise was discussed, this being left to the com- mittee now having it in haud. The committee on live stock also reported the need for more cooperat- ive farmers’ stock shipping associa- tions. R. S. Stair of Maxbass was chairman of - this committee. That those who have undertaken the organ- ization of the stock company to build the plant need not give time ‘and money without hope of reimburse- ~ ment, a motion was made from the THE NONPARTISAN LEADER Great Farmers’ Organization Dedicated to Securing Ego— nomic Freedom of Producers Holds State Convention at Minot----Cooperation Given Another Big Boost---- Indorse Nonpartisan League, its Program and Paper. § floor and carried naming a committee whose duty it will be to raise money for the expenses of the packing plant committee. This finance committee consists of E. G.Quamme, Louis Nolti- mier, Grant S. Youmans, C. J. Lee and J. C. Leum. . ’ Plan Farmers’ Special ; One of the things put under way which has been some potential possi- bilities was a motion of C. J. Lee of Valley City, adopted by the conven- tion, outlining a scheme to send a spe- cial train of North Dakota farmers to Washington, D. C., at the time of the next presidential inauguration, March Even Dozen League Boosters Here Dedrick S. Wahl of Bowman, N. D., is a real family man and he’s proud of it. What’s more he’s a booster for the Farmers’ Non- partisan Political League and musters an even dozen of boosters right in his own family. The above picture shows Mr. Didrick, his wife and 10 children. (Don’t forget to count the one in the gocart). “I think our party is all right,” writes this farmer. “I think we will have better times after we get our officers in the business. I like the editor and his paper. 4, 1917. This would be a pleasure ex- cursion and vacation for farmers wanting to spend money this way and might, the conveniton believed, show politicians at the national capi- tal that North Dakota farmers are flesh and blood and mean business. The convention also made Grant S. Youmans of Minot its special rep- resentative to discuss rural credits and other legislation with the law- makers at Washington. Mr. You- mans goes to the rational capital soon for the Equity Rural Credit associa- tion of which he is manager, and wiil act as lobbyist for the state union of the Equity as well. Condem Bill The Moss-Hollis rural credits bill received an unmistakable jolt at the hands of the convention. “We are opposed to this bill in its present form as offering no relief to those who are in need of rural credits legislation,” said one of the resolu- tions of the committee, adopted by the meetinig. “This bill tends to fast- en the grip of the bankinginterests more securely upon the rural com- munities of our land and we urge upon our representatives in the house and senate an aggressive opposition to the bill.” ! The resolutions committee consist- ed of Fred Julian, chairmtn, C. B. Joos, secretary, C. J. Lee, John Mec- Intyre and F. H. Delger. Resolutions it rcommended which were adopted included the following: "Adopt Resolutions Approving the ap%)intment of Louis D. Brandeis as United States supreme judge and urging North Da- kota senators in congress to vote for his confirmation. Approving a plan for establishing a buying and selling agency on the cooperative plan by the Equity, be- ing the foundation for a farmers’ store system. ! Indorsing national prohibition and + equal suffrage. Condemning "the government crop - reports as inaccurate and misleading and charging they are made in the interests of market manipulators I think it is a good eye-opener. I hope you push this good thing right along and I wish you a happy New Year. I herewith am sending a postal. card of my family. 11 are- boosters for the Nonpartisan League.” and gamblers and asking farmers and others to disregard them. Censuring the attorney, general of the United States for his ..a.lleged neglect of official duty in failing to bring action against the Chamber of Commerce of Minneapolis and Board of Trade of Chicago, after evidence had been laid before him showing that these organizations were operating in violation of the anti-trust laws of the United States. Declaring that the best interests of the people would be served by so extending the functions of the postal savings banks so as to enable them to do a general banking business. Want- Arms Embargo Demanding legislation prohibiting the exportation of arms and muni- tions of war, thus tending to shorten the European war. Deploring the present plans and agitation for preparedness and de- manding government manufacture of arms and munitions used by the army and navy and approving “such an army and navy would enable the proper policing of the country and its waters and protect and defend our country and its citizens.” Approving . government ownership _of railroads, telegraph and telephone lines, merchant marine and iron Tuines. The committee on legislation con- sisted of Grant S. Youmans, chair- man, and the following members: Louis Jenson, John M. Arseth, George Gilhertson, A. E. Walley, W. A. Hag- erman, C. B. May, A. E. Bowen, W. A. Remfron, C. F. Huston, P. M. Casey, Anthony Walton and E. G. Quamme. The: committee’s report recommending the passage of the fol- lowing resolutions was adopted. “Whereas, no two authorities are agreed as to what constitutes a fair and just rural credit system, and “Whereas, the banking fraternity will corrupt any legis] ation that might have a tendency to furnish re-. lief to the farmers, and . “Whereas, the national governmen should function for the good of all by owning and operating all the indus- tries upon which the people as a whole are dependent, ; “Therefore, be it resolved: First. That the functions of postal savings' “banks be extended ‘ general banking business, and that so as to do a the rates charged the public be just high enough above the rate paid de- positors to cover - the - expenses /of handling the business. “Second. That we are absolutely * opposed to the so-called preparedness 1 program now. before congress. We oppose: such ag;‘eparedneas because it ineyitably leads to war, the very tlu'ng which it is sit;fiposed to prevent, an we are especially opposed to the pres- ent preparedness program because' it 5 T wd Making It Hot for “Big Biz"--State Equity Meets is an attemgt to fasten a heavy tax upon the public for the benefit of the munition manufacturers. “Third. - That we demand that the government manufacture all muni- ions of war. “Fourth. That we are opposed to the Moss rural credit bill now before congress, because this bill is a delib- erate and premeditated attempt on the the part of Wall street bankers to fosten upon the farmers a coun- terfeit rural credit law, one that would retard the getting of favorable rural credit laws for years to come. “Fifth. That in so far as the mar- keting of farm products is a national problem, we demand of the federal government the establishment of pub- lic warehouses in the different sec- tions of the country where the pro- ducts of the farm can be stored and handled, thus insuring farmers the highest prices for their products and. at the same time offering to the con- sumer his necessities at a greatly re- duced cost, and we further demand federal grading and inspecting of grain and farm products. “Sixth. That we are opposed to the reciprocity law offering to grant free entrance of grain from Canada into the United States when said offer is accepted by the Canadian government. That we deem this law to be detrimental to the interests of the farmers in as much as it tends to depress grain prices in our coun- try so long as this law is in force and the offer stands open for accep- tance by the Canadian government. We, therefore, demand that this law be immediately repealed. . Indorse Brandeis “Seventh. We demand that the government own and operate rail- roads, telephone and telegraph sys- t ems. “Eighth. We recommend to our senators in congress the indorsement by them of Louis L. Brandeis for justice of the supreme court. “We further recommend that inso- far as our attention has been called by congressmen to the fact that the recommendations of the farmers and other organizations of the pro- ducing class would receive closer at- tienton if at the time the recommen- dations_are made, bills embodying the said recommendations were sub- mitted to them, we, therefore, rec- ommend to this conyvention that the * attorneys of this society be employed to draft bills for putting into opera- tion as soon as possible the laws so recommended.” 5 Select Casey The convention reelected P. M. Casey of Lisbon as director of the state union and placed A. L. Max- well of Turtle Lake on the board to succeed J. E. McAdoo of Turtle Lake. The board of directors met later and elected M. V. Boddy of Schafer as secretary, to succeed J. M. Anderson, who declined another term. M. P. Johnson of Tolley was reelected to the g}'esidency of the state union and P. .- Casey of Lisben to the vice presidency. o' The platforms of the progressive element of the Republican and Demo- cratic parties in North Dakota were indorsed, as were the progressive candidates in each party to the na- tional party conventions and the pro- gressive candidates in each party for state committeemen. A COLLEGE FOR THE PEOPLE We are gratified to announce to our readers at the opening of the new year that the People’s College, organ- ized by the workers of the world, is building up rapidly and making bril- liant progress in its correspondence courses and in ‘every department of its- excellent work. The .college is maintained by the College Union, con- sisting of a membership interested in - and pledged to working class educa- tion, each member paying a dollar a ear for a period of five years for a ife membership, during which he or she receives the College News, the monthly publication, filled with vital matter relating to the education of the masses as a means of their emancipation. ; . The People’s College is tainted by no ruling class subsidy and subject to no restricting or contaminating influ- ences whatsoever. It is in the fullest sense a people’s school. Tt is owned by the workers themselves and the truth is taught and the facts are “sought without fear or favor. : Every worker in the land, however remotely he may be situated, can become a member and give himself the benefit of a thorough course of his own choosing by correspondence, by addressing THE PEOPLE’S COL- LEGE, FORT ' SCOTT, KANSAS. -This is the school of the toiling and groducing millions' and it is destined ' 0 b%::qme the great st school in the i i x worl e b b