The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, November 1, 1917, Page 4

aer Reports His First Session Nonpartisan League Congressman Reviews Doings of the Sixty-Fifth Congress—Biggest Appropriation in History Authorized for the War This is a picture of North Dakota’s congressman, elected by the farmers of the Nonpartisan league, BY J. M. BAER, Member of Congress ™} WING to the fact that the first | session of the Sixty-fifth con- gress was a ‘“war session”, ing to the conduct of the war were considered. Consequently but lit- tle advancement has been made along industrial and political lines. Following the special election in July I was sworn in as the representa- tive of the First North Dakota district on the tenth day of August, 1917, hav- ing been elected by the Nonpartisan league. At three minutes after twelve my brother congressman, Mr. Young of North Dakota, arose and said: “Mr. Speaker, I desire to state that Mr. Baer, congressman-elect from the First district of North Dakota, is pres- ent and ready to be sworn in.” The Speaker in a loud voice said: “All right; bring him up the alley.” | had a mental vision of the St. Paul stockyards, down the run- ways of which | have often watch- ed resisting calves dragged to their doom. | immediately pictured my- self, the first Nonpartisan ever elected to congress, as the unini- tiated calf, led down the aisle to political slaughter. You know the apostles of “Big Busi- ness'” always try to blacken the char- acter of any man who tries to support the rights of the pcople. They fear such men, who bocome a great menace to their business. In their minds, A. C. Townley is one of the most dangerous characters in the country. Such fear- less men, in times of war, they attack as ‘‘disloyal” and “unpatriotic.” GALLANT FIGHT MADE BY N. D. DELEGATES As I have stated, very little indus- trial advancement has apparently been made during the session just closed. Nevertheless, when we consider the economic changes made, through the operation of the food bill, we can not deny that advancement was made along these lines, up to the time when only those measures pertain- . | [ 4 North Dakota League farmers sent Baer to congress, but he is really a representative in congress of the entire League, in all states, pending the time when these other states will send League congressmen to Washington. Baer here reports what was done in the first congress in which he sat, just adjourned. It is a brief, modest, first-hand view of the facts, You ought to read it. R N e e e e ot et DR ST | the committee and the conferees be- gan to strike out steel, cotton, and nearly all products except wheat. Here we see the great power of political con- trol. Because the farmers of the nation did not have sufficient prestige to in- fluence the food control committee they were unable to have thls last product— wheat—taken out of the bill, or to have other necessaries left in, so that every- one would receive a square deal, with the price of all products fixed on a similar Basis. This price fixing of wheat was the principal issue involved .after my ar- rival here. You have read in the Leader of the gallant fight that was made by Dr. Ladd, Senator Gronna, Congress- man Young and other delegates from North Dakota on this action. We did everything within our power and ener- 8y to keep the price above the actual cost of production. Carefully compiled statistics and other available material were laid before the committee, in or- der that they would not lack for infor- mation. I still believe that our efforts resulted in obtaining a much better price for the farmers than would have been fixed if we had not put up such a vigorous fight. Much headway was made because of the fact that the farmers in several states did have an organization—the Nonpartisan league —and were feared ‘to that extent. CONGRESS STUCK BY PRESIDENT WILSON The next and most important issue to which I have devoted a great deal of time, is the effort to make excess profits pay for the war. My remarks which have been printed in the Con- gressional record, embody my efforts along this line. The amount of money appropri- ated by this congress is so far he- yond the comprehension of the average person that | can only quote the words of Speaker Clark in his closing words to the house: “l doubt very much whether any other congress from now until the day of judgment will ever vote as much money in one session as we have voted. | hope not. Every dollar that the departments have asked, or the president has made it appear they needed, they have got.” One should not refrain from a word of comment on the spirit of congress in granting appropriations and enacting legislation. Congress responded whole- heartedly and ungrudgingly to evéry demand made upon it by the executive, Republicans as well as Democrats have supported the administration and stood behind the president. 3 It is a notable fact that most of the PAGE FQUR T s { . taken exclusively for the Leader. larger appropriations and loan au- thorizations were voted without a roll call. In view of the approaching cam- paigns, this was doubtless a wise pre- caution. MILITARY DEVELOPMENT ON BIG SCALE STARTED One of the most far-reaching fea- tures of legislation was the control placed by congress upon the liquor traffic. The manufacture and importa- tion of distilled liquors is forbidden and the president is empowered, in his judgment, to seize every gallon of spirits already manufactured. He may also prohibit the brewing of beer, or modify it, or lessen the alcoholio strength. Military development on a huge scale was of course authorized. An import- ant feature authorized is the expansion of scientific aviation and its applica- tion to military uses. A billion dollars will be used in this branch alone. Development of the American merchant marine on an unprecedent- ed scale through direct government control, is authorized and follows a thirty-year fight in congress for the upbuilding of this service, This feature of war legislation will live in the future, because it is one of the first steps on the part of the government towards govern- ment ownership which will doubt- less be retained after the war is over. Thus our country will be assured of better facilities for handling grain and other agricultural produets, facilities which we have not enjoyed in the past, when great shipments of grain have frequently been held up at the ports for lack of tonnage, until the price depre- ciated and the farmer suffered a éonse- quent loss, A BIG APPROPRIATION TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCTION The insurance bill, providing com- pensation and insurance for soldiers and sailors was another important (Continued on page 17) - - [} O ey 8 ——— ———S ) i