The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, June 1, 1916, Page 10

" Liability Story a Crude Hoax Simpson of Dickinson Gives League Member Opinion; Tale of Individual Responsibility Is Pure N onsense OFFICE OF L. A. SIMPSON ~ Attorney and Counselor at Law Dickinson, N. D. May 18, 1916. Mr. George F. Hunt, Beach, N: D. Dear Sir: I have your letter of even jate, which letter was written by you }s a member of the Nonpartisan League »f North Dakota and which letter has teference to the financial liability of subscribing members to that organiza- lion, enclosing clipping from FARGO COURIER-NEWS and printed from of sgreement and subscription which you signed. I have gone over carefully the printed form of application which you say the applicants signed to become a member of the organization. It is my opinion that by the signing of that paper which sets forth that the Fmount you are paying is for a spec- ific definite purpose, you do not bind yourself financially to the payment of debts incurred by the League. Under the terms of this paper your member- ship in the League expires December 17 1916. I should say without hesitation that the claim of liability of individual members by the signing of the applica- tion mentioned (which claim you state lo me has been made by opponents of. your organization) is pure fiction. Any farmer or other member, in my ppinion, who signs the paper assumes no liability in connection with the Nonpar- tisan League further than the amount which he agrees to pay, which amount ts limited in the application. . The program of the organization sets forth in effect that it is not an organiza- tion for profit. 3 FARMERS OF STATE DO WELL TO ORGANIZE It would seem to me that the farmers of the state have the same right to or- ganize for their mutual protection that other citizens of this and other states have. I know of no reason why farmers should be criticised for such organiza- tion. ' My experience as a member of the legislative assembly of North Dakota for about sixteen years has been that while the average legislator has always expressed a desire, and did intend to enact legislation for the benefit of the farmer, well knowing that. North Da- kota was an agricultural state, and that whatever legislation is for the benefit of the farmers must necessarily be for the benefit of its entire population, that the members of the various legislative as- semblies have been handicapped in a measure because the farmers them- selves have not been organized and have had no definite program outlined seeking legislation for their mutual advancement and protection. ORGANIZATION LIKE LEAGUE WAS NEEDED YEARS AGO It is my belief that if an organization / all for the League. MAKE A CLEAN SWEEP Farmers’ Cause Will Win Because it is 4 Right Edltor Nonpartisan Leader: I have read and-studied the condltxons of the farmer and have seen the accus- ‘ation_of- the press combine which aims to destroy the farmers’ just organization. Anintelligent man-will shudder-.to see the present-conditions. - The iron grasp that the select few ‘have upon the farm- ers must be loosened and shaken off. = " 'Now, when the farmers seek justice, and a fair pay for their:work, and when effort is put forth to organize, we sud- “ denly ‘hear the guns of the “press “combine” shooting ‘destructive words, § ‘ ’.Bpreadmg' ‘doubt and susplclon through % along the lines of the present Nonpar- tisan League had been organized years ago and honestly conducted by reliable and competent men, who were familiar L. A. Simpson, noted Dickinson Attorney, who holds individual members are not liable for the League’s debts. WITH VERY few exceptions the farmers of this vmlmty are If the rest of the townships in Cass county are as interested as Wheatland and Buffalo townships we are all right. —CARL F. RAKOW the state with the hope of lnllmg the farmers’ organization. We know they would kill Justlce and deprive the farmer of his reward, and goad him back into- sexrfdom if poss_ible. Bet let us hope the farmer has been fooled long enough.. . . 1t is peculiar if any editor with com- mon sense can not see that the welfare of the farmer is also the welfare of the state and nation; yes mdeed the welfare of even the-editors. ‘When the farmer asks for a square deal-he is ridiculed and'looked at as a “greerihorn,” but may ‘the time be here that * these: “greenhorns” will make a housecleamng, and establish the king ‘of justice on his proper throne.” “But- why do the press squea.l when the ..Q...........................0.Q.....O.................O The following letter and opinion is by L. A. Simpson of Dickinson, one of the most prominent lawyers and legal authorities in the state. herewith reprinted was written to a League member who had inquired of Mr. Simpson the real truth about the story of individual liability of members of the League as printed in unfriendly newspapers. ° [ ] ° ° The letter § [J ° [ J ° [ J ° with the needs of the agriculturist, it would have tended much toward the advancement of the farmers of the state, and would have placed the agricultural industry on a much firmer financial and ' substantial basis than it is at the pres- - ent time. In every session of the legislature . practically all other interests have had ; their agents present looking to their welfare, by legislation, of the various : interests they represented, while at the : same time no organized effort was being put forth in the interests of the farmer, ° Prof. J. H. Worst, late president of the ' Agricultural college, and Prof. E. F, Ladd, present president of that insti- tution, have recently stated facts which clearly demonstrate where the. actual tillers of the soil of this state, the men whose calling is the basis of all our wealth, have been deprived during the past years of millions of dollars of money which was rightfully theirs. It is beside the question whether they have been honestly or otherwise thus.deprived The fact remains they have lost that amount of money collectively, and large- ly because of lack of organization. STRONGER THE LEAGUE MORE WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED It is certainly true that the stronger the organization the farmers have the greater things they will accomplish. For instance, one of the principal things for which the League, according to its program, is contending, is state hail in- surance. Such a deapartment was established by the legislature of 1911 and certain laws amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, have been en- acted by the legislature since then. As surance. of the legislature in 1911 I voted for the establishment of this de- partment. I believed in it then and I believe in it now, and it is my belief also that if the great body of farmers of this state would patronize such department more generously that it would add from five to ten dollars per acre in actual value to every cultivated acre in the state. Irrespective of whether the present officers of the League in charge continue, - or.should others_take their place, I be- lieve with such cooperation among the farmers the organization cannot but be for the mutual interest of every citizen interested in agriculture in the state, and I hope to see the organization further extended and perfected and managed to the end that the actual tiller of the soil shall receive such legislation and such benefits as he is actualy entitled to re- ceive, and I am of the opinion that under present condittons, which we attribute heretofore wholly. to the lack of cooper- ation and organization, he has not re- ceived the full value of his services and investment. Yours very truly. PR IR J M. Weimer says he has got $100 worth of. satisfaction for his $6 already. isn’t it? _ Pretty good bargain for a six-dollar sucker, farmers organize? : For the farmer real- “ izes that the Big Biz sees thetremendous strength which lies in the farmers’ or- ganization, hence it becomes the “most dangerous’ polxt:cal machme of North Dakota.” : " Yes it is dangerous to corruption and injustice. - It is dangerous to crooks and gamblers. ~ The danger consists -in bemg “honest to secure a’ square deal. ‘We all know that truth is always dangerous ‘to falsehood. Truth, right and justice have never been known to be defeated, and if the farmers’ organiza- tion' has sprung from: these’ Springs of virtie how can they be defeated? - Let us hope. that this movement will sweep - the:state clean of con'uptlon —R, WORK. I AM WELL pleased with the League and the Leader.—L. W. LARSON. . THERE IS NO other snch -paper . in oiir _home as the Nonpartlsan ‘Leader. My husband ‘and I’ are more mterested in reading the Leader than we are in reading a letter. luck and BRAUN. THE COURIER-NEWS, Herald. Tribune oppose the League - on the ground that it is a political In past yeras they have not shed ' themselves' by machines. The real it will throw ‘a old gang mag We' wish you ‘much successF-Ml}S.\ EDWARD W A RES