The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, May 24, 1917, Page 2

L] - T S e . all progressive men. e e mes— Could Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot? Representative F. A. Hoare Recognizes Anti-League.Legislators Behind the Grand Forks “Anti-Socialist” Union - - Ray, N. D., April 19, 1917, Editor Nonpartisan Leader: At this time when the opposition to the farmers’ League is so: strong, when the different plans to disrupt our or= ! ganization are being formulated, I . think perhaps a few lines: from the dif- ferent legislators may be the means of helping some who, are doubtful:. While we were at the legislature we saw and knew some such schemes would be i tried by those who. oppose the League: The stand-pat element have been try- ing in: every possible way to find a word, a sentence, or place that will i damage the organization that bids so fair to better conditions for the farm- ers and laboring people within our state. They have sounded many plans and at last come to the conclusion, the word Socialist will do the greatest damage so they organized the anti- Socialist party. First I wish to call your attention to the class of men that has been called in to make up this organization. There was a certain class in politics that held sway within the state, up to the time’ our League became strong enocugh to elect its ticket. Some of these men held over in the senate. A few were elected where the League was not strong. These hold-over senators in company with a few who were elected in the last election blocked our work in the legislature. Had it not been for those men the farmers would have ac- complished what they intended. THEY ARE WELL KNOWN ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE Now secure a list of names in this “anti-Socialist” organization. and you will find the names of the legis- latorss who so strongly opposed the League measures. There is more to their schemes than appears at first sight. They represent their intentions as trying for the benefit of the state. We know who they intended to benefit while the legislature was in session. | Back of it all is not the idea they wish to. have appear. It is not Socialism they fear. They are afraid for their own political future. There are two things they can see, one is the death of this organization that they may live politically, and the other is the life of the organization and _their death politically. This is the same old fight—the com- mon people in opposition: to the polit- ical gang that has ruled in time passed. Do not be misled. These men who were instrumental in bringing about conditions under which we tried to live and prosper and found it a flat failure, are the same who are in this new movement tq kill the only hope the farmers ever had. The League legislators who saw their way of working in the last session know how bitterly they are opposed to the League. They did not work for better legislation as much as they worked to prevent League men from putting through anything tiat would strengthen the League. THEY COULD HAVE AMENDED HOUSE BILL 44 They tried to bring discredit upon the farmer legislators. Take House Bill 44 for instance. If the senators did not like it, why did they not (if they considered the common: people’'s reeds) amend it as they thought it should be and try to pass it? Why did they say the majority in such ques- tions could not be trusted to act (could tkey be trusted when the majority elected them)? why compare;the farm- ers -and other sane voters. whe go to make up the majority, with an:excited mob that can not be depended upon? i ‘Why do they fear this organization? .| *Cnly because they fear they.may suf- . fer in a political and financial way. The tactics they are using are the same they have always used against Lincoln (and al- most every progressive man since) has been termed a Socialist agitator. If it were not for those so called *“Social- ist agitators” we would never get out of the old rut, but would sink: deeper in. it as time goes on.’ The way we . farmers should look at it'is this. We have the Nonpartisan League: organi- zation and through. this' organization we carried the state of North Dakota in the last election. We had a certain program to carry out but were pre- vented from accomplishing what we wished by a few who were already in office, elected under the old regime, Two years hence we will have the same voting’ strength, the farmers can ecarry the: electian and place in office enougit men: to accomplish what they had hoped for when they joined the League. Now: how foolish: it would: be for us: farmers to falll gut of the ranks and thus: lose all chance of reaching the goal: we have fought so hard for. Here is the situation. Success is assured as long as we stand firmly together. If we separate we must lose. Who will be at fault? We control the vote and can carry the election. If we do not the farmers: andi no one else willl be guilty of accomplishing their down— fall. These tactics gur opponents are Let’s Finish the Job Dear Sir and Neighbor: At a meeting held in our town hall we were appointed by our neighbors: to act in the interest of the Farmers' Nonpartisan Political League. Now we come to youw in the spirit of true friendship and ask.that yow join us in our efforts of completing the farmers’ program which will be to ydur interest as well as ours. By the. farmers’ vote we might be able to elect some of our men but we can not put up a fight against Big Business unless: each and all of us contributes his: share to com- plete the work that we find necessary to- do. We have helped each other to elect our men. Now we must also help them fight for us, if not we can not win out. Norway became independent in 1907 because they all stuck together. All the Swedish common people would not support the Swedish Big Biz if they wanted to fight Norway. They helped each other out and there was no war, no loss of life, no mourning for the loss of loved ones in battle. No war ex- pense to pay and best of all each coun- try we find now to be getting along better because the cemmon people in both countries stuck together. We can not build churches without money, we can not run our schools without money. We can not run our tawnship without money. You raise wheat that is worth $1.75 per bushel He Has Stood the Test Editor Nonpartisan Leader: Having been a member of the League ever since the organizer first made his appearance in. our neighberhood I thought it might help some if I were to drop a few lines and tell of -the satisfaction: that the farmers of this section feel with’ the men who were mentally able to form and run their superb organization; also have lots of praise and good feelings for the mem- bers of the legislature from our district who so ably stood by their platform and proved themselves worthy of the trust imposed upon them by the people. and only get $1.00 for- it, and after it is made into flour you pay the same price for that flour as if it were made from No. 1 hard wheat. Dr. E. F. Ladd says it is just as good flour and very little more middlings from it. If you raise $1750 worth of wheat and the wheat trust only pays you $1000 for it, doesn’t it them: Iook as though they stole $750 from: you? Are you willing to put out $8 per year to help us get the state to own and operate terminal elevators and flour mill and packing plants so that this robbery will be stopped? Are you willing to put up money to keep thieves from stealing your - wheat? If your wheat only weighs 40 pounds per bushel and they pay yvou $1 for it, why do they take 60 pounds from you when they are only paying you for 40? Are you nnt willing to help us keep the farmers in the legislature to make laws: to pro- tect you from this robbery? Are you with us? Are you helping yourself or the fellows who steal fronmx you? Now think it over neighbor. We hope you have your wife and children at heart. It is they who will be mostly benefitted by this protection: Very truly yours, OLE MATTSON, Chairman, H. P. HALVERSON, B. OSTBY, Committee for Grandfield Twp., Eddy Co., N. D. able to do, however, and that is to ex- press the good feelings' we have for the man who stood the test and proved beyond all matter of doubt to have been sincere in his convictions. Leng may the name of LEynn J. Frazier be proclaimed as the advocate of right and justice. Let us hope and work so that the League will be: able to: gontinue to be the one great means whereby the peo- ple of the United States, may be re- lieved of the oppression and slavery" under which they are now trying to exist. ROY. €. ‘HARTGROVE. B ——— S, FOR TOWNLEY'S PLAN Editor; Daily News: Three cheers and a tiger for A. C. Townley! I agree with: him on all the questions he pre- sentsi. He says let the government take over all lands held by land gamb- lers or speculators at present prices. It would put more families on the land, for the land monopolist will not now improve his holdings. He can sell to a better advantage without buildings, as buildings are not taken to account with most farmers that want to farm the land. They don’t stop to figure what the buildings cost. - F. BICKNESE. FINDING THE VELVET Editor Nonpartisan Leader: It is no wonder the milling interests are opposed to. .the League program. When I was in the depot the other day the agent said to me he had just talked with one of the train crew who had come straight up the line, and said he could buy flour at Morden, Manitoba (Canada) for $5 and a few cents (I have forgotten just how mueh) when it was selling here for $7.60 per sack. Pretty good profit—$2 per sack, over and above the milling profit, with wheat on the free list and Canada en- gaged in war for over two years. GEO. H. STEAD. WOULD MAKE IT STRONG Editor Monpartisan Leader: ¢ In the near future we are going to have a debate in Layton township on the question “Resolved that the League is a Menace to the Stdte.”” If you have some good material on this question we would be glad to get it. We would like to make this debate as strong as we can for the League. The opposi- tion is digging in, and doing every- thing they can against the League. B."W. BROCK. EQUITY INDORSES FRAZIER Newhburg, North Dakota. Newburg: Local Union Society of Equity, Inasmuch as the Co-operators’ Her- ald recently published an editorial, censuring Governor Frazier's action in vetoing the fake Senate Bill 84, Therefore be it resolved that we, the members of the Newburg Local union of the American Society of HRaquity unanimously denounce the .said edi- torial and heartily approve Governor Frazier's stand, and Furthermore' be it resolved that the Co-operators’ Herald and M. P. John- son he requested té withdraw and re- tract their statements made in said issue of the Herald. Committee: : JOHN JI..FOSSUM MICHAEL . EGGAN L. SHAFFER Attested: 5 WM. SLATTERY, Pres. ALEX HILIL, Sec’y. CHAFES AT LAW’'S DELAY Editor Nonpartisan Leader: From the time I first subscribed for the Leader, I have been a careful reader and an earnest supporter of the cause. Hspecially have I been inter- ested in your articles of criticism of our courts. ; Now I have been over four years n our courts, and have been to the su- preme court once, and headed for the supreme court again, and never once have we been able to get our main case tried on its merits. I would have been done long ago if my attorney had not been determined to see justice done, if such a thing were possible. It cost us $100 for our transcript to the su- preme court. C. J. WILBUR, \ “and laboring people? using are the same as. they have used from the beginning. Why sheuld they affect us more now tham prior to the last election? Yow may Hhesitate on account of the orgamizatiom dues. Why should! you? Where cam yeu find an investment so likely ta yield such Heavy returns as: this sixteen dollars may? EVERYBODY SATISFIED BUT THE GANGSTERS: How seldom: do: we: hear & man who has paid his fee complain. I have yet to hear one League man complain. The complaints come from those who would give many times sixteen dollars each year if by so doing they could break up the League. We have many friends in the different cities in all lines of business. There are many dif- ferent natures. Some can see the needs of others and have the welfare of those needy ones at heart. Others see the needs but their selfish natures domi- nate to such an extent they can not deny themselves in any way and there are some who can not see farther than their own little affairs. We have many of these men in the League who can see and who have their hearts in the proper places. ‘ Have these opposing factions held any sympathy for those who needed it? Has any effort been made up to the time of the Nonpartisan League to better the conditions of the farmers Then I ask you to weigh the matter carefully and de- cide if it-is. not worth while and have not those who oppose us selfish motives? Why neglect our duty longer? If we have not decided to stick to the end, we may be the one to bring about conditions that will averthrow the only opportunity the farmer ever had to exist in ‘a decent and respectable manner. The papers that back this so called anti-Socialistic . movement are “the same papers that> backed the element in both houses that was opposed to the g 3 ] - League program.: There is' one thing that we are un- The farmers in this legislature who were trying to do something for the farmers in the state were ridiculed by these papers. Their work was made light of. They were called ‘sheep.” The caucus where they schooled them- selves and worked industriously was declared a menace, Now these papers come to the farmers and ask them to support a movement by which they wish to oust certain “Socialist leaders.” They ask us to oust the leaders’that by so doing we may carry the League with it and slip back into their power. ‘Why, if they particularly opposed the' leaders, did not they confine their abuse to the leaders and not the farm- ers in the legislature? Unlimited space was given the opposers of the farmer legislators in each issue of these papers and how many times did we find the farmers given a word only in ridicule and sarcasm. These legisla- tors the farmers sent in many in- stances were of the same party ag the editors of these papers, men who were honest in their convictions and put forth extra effort to work out a line of legislation that would benefit our state, vet there was no mercy shown. Here is the whole essence of the matter., Their slogan is “Kill the League” and if we, as farmers, are ‘not wide awake the result may be as-they wish. F. A. HOARE. N.\W. FARMSTEAD IS OFF Editor Nonpartisan ‘Leader: The following neotice was found in - the Northwest Farmstead and I don’t think the gentleman knows just what the Nonpartisan® League stands for or he would not make such assertions as he has in his paper. For if the farmers: had to do their own getting. together they would not get very far and that would cost them lot more than the $8 a year and they would not have anything when.they got through. Now the gentleman must remember that we very near all quit our paper here for just such remarks. “It is a simple matter for the farm- ers in any of our northwestern states to unite to control the nomination. of candidates- of all parties. Then, who- ever is elected, the farmers’ interests win out. The plan is'an~old one, origi- nated by the farmers’ political league in the east years ago. Where farmers constitute an overwhelming majority, . they can easily accomplish desired re- sults. It hardly seems necessary for each farmer to put up $16 for this pur- pose.” 9 L. R. MAY. —-*——————————____________ : TWo :