The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, January 28, 1918, Page 10

sty it # £ & 3 | “annual meeting of the Gram Growers Cheer Farmer Govemor Support for Government and Opposition to War Profiteers Feature Resolutions of Big Tri-State Convention HE nineteenth annual convention of the Tri-State Grain Growers’ association, com- posed of farmers of the two Dakotas and Minnesota, was held in Fargo January 15, 16, 17 and 18, with an attendance of between 1,500 and 2,000. It was an enthusiastic and successful meeting throughout, with the largest crowd of the conven- ,tion assembling Thursday, January 17, to. hear Lynn J. Frazier, the farmer governor of North Dakota, speak on the subjects of “Consolidated Schools’ and “Farm Organizations.” Governor I:‘razier was greeted with enthusiastic applause when he declared, ers’ organizations: ‘“There has been a good deal of unjust criticlsm of farmers’ organizations. In fact, hard as it is to believe, in some places their meetings have been broken up. It seems impossible to believe that such conditions can exist in this country. Free speech is just as important now as it was the day the constitution of the United States was adopted. There is something wrong when peaceful meet- ings are broken up and peaceful assembly and discussion of subjects of interest to the farmers are prohibited. Farmers and laborers get together and talk a little politics, and then what we call the kept press labels it as sedition. There is a great need now for the use of common sense and some deep thinking and ‘we should be careful what we say and do. This applies to others as well as to the farmers. “Our patriotism, in the last analysis, will be measured by the work we have done and when the end comes the farm- er will not be found lacking in actual ac- complishments in ‘helping to win the war.’ “It's up to the com- mon people to unite now, and then there will be a broader de- mocracy after the war and the govern- ment will be run for the great masses of people and not for the special interests.” Governor Frazier gave a big boost to the con- solidated school movement. GRAIN GROWERS AND EXCHANGE ELECT OFFICERS The grain growers’ association elected the fol- lowing officers: C. B. Waldron, Fargo, North Dakota Agricul- tural college, re-elected president; G. W. Rand- lett, Brookings, director extension department South Dakota Agricultural college, vice-president; - 'W. C. Palmer, Fargo, North Dakota Agricultural college, secretary. Concurrent with the convention was held the Equity Co-operative ex- change, which increased its -capital stock from $500,000 to $1,000,000, and elected the following officers:. President, John M. Anderson, St. Paul, re- elected; vice-president, Magnus Johnson, Kimball, Minn.; secretary-treasurer, G. A. Thiel, ‘St. Paul; directors re-elected, F. B. Wood, St. Paul, and J. C. Bergh, Hendrum, Minn. Reports of the officers showed the exchange to “.be in excellent business condition, with net profits "..for the past four months of more than $35,000. Resolutions adopted both by the Grain Growers and the Equity emphasize the patriotism and loyalty of the farmers. In the words of the Equity exchange resolution: “We especially pledge ourselves - to the mighty - task of feeding our armies and the toilers of the ! 1.7 nation, by planting every acre we can reach and e hanzesting every bushel we can gather." { in speaking of farm- . The Equity exchange also resolved: *“I'hat grain gambling must go; that the market place must be fair and free; that corporations for gain shall no longer exercise public functions nor profiteers masquerade as patriots unchallenged; that producers -in the country and toilers in the towns shail be free to co-operate together.” FOR REAL PATRIOTISM; NOT THE P-A-Y KIND ~ Resolutions both of the Grain Growers and the Exchange commend Governor Frazier and his fellow state officials of North Dakota for the couragedus stand they have taken for the pro- ducers of the state. 2 The Equity also commended Congressman John M. Baer of North Dakota for his efforts to secure federal aid in the seeding crisis, and Dr. E. F. Ladd as North Dakota grain inspector and J. A. McGovern as his chief deputy for their “great service to the * grain growers of the Northwest.” A summary of the Grain Growers’ follows: “We realize more than ever the necessity of or- resolutions Four of the grade Herefords sold through the Equity Co-Operatnve Livestock exchange as “Kosher" beef. " The fine condition of these cattle shows plainly in the picture. ganization and co-operation for the benefit of both producer and consumer; “Condemn excess profits, and ask the government to place a fixed price on all standard commodities; “Request that excess profits of certain millers on by- pioducts be stopped; - ANTI-FARMER PAPERS PUT IN TRUE LIGHT “Thank Dr. Ladd for fight made for farmers of country before national price-fixing commission; also for protecting their rights in grading and docking; X “Condemn newspapers that have . been libeling North Dakota, its officials and people by claiming they are not loyal and patriotic, and express con- fidence in state administration and in the people of the state, who are still willing to sacrifice for de- mocracy; ‘“Pledge our support and our all to defend the lofty principles promulgated by President Wilson January ‘8, 1918, in his address to congress: . “Ask privilege for farmers of direct individual importation of high-bred or pure varieties of wheat. from Canadian growers, and urge the United States food administration to endeavor to have order pro-- hibiting such importation rescinded; “Urge on. national government issuance of ‘such orders as will lead to complete eradication of bar- berry bush in north central portion of United States, suggesting Denmark's eradication act as model; “Indorse - sentiment prevailing ‘everywhere i’or re- instatement of J. H. Worst either by North Dakota" / board pf regents or ,the leglslature ‘to’ some con- - spicuous and honorable place in agricultural devel- opment work in state; ; “Earnestly request approval by states of federal suffrage amendment in recognizing important ser- vice women have rendered the government in present great crisis.” FARMERS WILL WORK TO WIN THE WAR The Grain Growers’ resolutions were signed by C. P. Peterson, George W. Dixon, Magnus Johnson, E. A. Bowman and Theodore Andrews One of the principal addresses of the convention was that of President C. B. Waldron, and in this address, as in others at the various sessions, the importance of the farmer doing his best to help win the war was emphasized. “It is not now a question of profits,” said Presi- dent Waldron, “but a question of whether we and those who are united with us in the struggle to maintain human rights shall -survive or perish as free and independent peoples.” Then -President Waldron told of some °of the farmers’ difficulties in-his part of the great task of making the world safe - for democracy. For in- stance, the seed situ- ation: “It is in some respects the most serious that the people have ever had to face.. The seed wheat " situation is not so seri- ous but that it can be taken care of locally. True, there are regions of considerable extent where not enough wheat was grown, but within a hundred miles or so.good seed can be obtained IF THE NECESSARY FI- NANCIAL ARRANGE- MENTS CAN BE MADE.” _ President Waldron said " that the seed oats situ- ation is far more serious as less than half of the North Dakota counties produced enough for their own seed, not taking into account the amount re- quired to carry stock through the winter. : “If the usual acreage of oats is sown,” he declar- ed, “it will be necessary to import seeds from outside points.” The speaker also spoke of the serious shortage of seed corm, and was also recommended. President Waldron said in conciusion: “The farmers understand perfectly well that they cannot legislate themselves into prosperity (only the favored“few have arrived there by that route), but they do feel that a more equitable system than that under which, they are laboring could be de- vised to the advantage of themselves and most- of the other people. FARMERS ARE WORKING FOR BETTER SYSTEM B “In the present crisis there is no indication that the farmers are contemplating or attempting any- thing that will make the nation less efficient, but on the other hand they would. like to 'see agricul- ture put upon a basis that it can safely carry the burdens that are to be laid ,upon it. “This will require not only the highest etfort of the farmers themselves but the intelligent co-oper- ation of the whole people and the active support of those in authority.” “Wars are no longer fought between armies -as in the days of Napoleon, but war is fought. between great bodies of people; nation against .nation, and the nation having the greatest sup- ply of ‘food, munition, money, machinery and ' : “btains as. manifést in her technically - trained scientists wins the war for these are the forces - wlth which the army contends." recommended the sowing of~ - speltz .as a fodder- crop wherever possible. Barley 8