The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, February 4, 1918, Page 13

- session conditions Frazier’s War Message to the Legislature! Farmer Governor of North Dakota Makes Great Patriotic Appeal — “Help the Government,” His Slogan session assembled: Since the adjournment of the regular have developed which are unparalleled in the history of our country. We are in the great- est world’s struggle and our govern- ment is making the most extensive and the most costly preparation ever known in the world's history for the successful prosecution of this war. In- ENTLEMEN of the Fifteenth’ ‘ : legislature in extraordinary . ternational law and treaties must be kept sacred. All nations of the world must be protected against future wars by the establishment of democratic forms of government that will truly be by, for and of the people. Autocracy, plutocracy and militarism must be put down. The United States is in this war for principle, justice and democ- racy. And the great problem of the American people today, is to win the war as soon as possible. All resources of the nation are pledged for that pur- pose. The people of North Dakota are doing their part and the state must co-operate with the nation in order that the best results may be obtained. Many of our boys- are now on the battle front—many more are in train- ing camps and still moie are ready to " go. These boys are making the su- _supply of food products. preme sacrifice, and it is the patriotic duty of every citizen to back our army in every way possible in order that they may accomplish: - the desired results as quickly as possible. And the best support we can give them is insignificant when compared with the sacrifice that they are making for us. NATION LOOKS TO NORTH DAKOTA FOR FOOD " FOOD PRODUCTION — One “thing that is absolutely necessary in order to win the war, is to have a sufficient And this na- tion is looking to North Dakota as a great agricultural state to.do her share towards furnishing this supply. Our people are willing to do all in their power, but owing to poor crops in parts of the state it is impossible un- ) der the present laws to procure suffi- . cient seed and feed to insure a good crop acreage for next spring. SEED BONDING LAW—The princi- pal object in calling this special ses- sion was to amend the county seed bonding law to make it meet the pres- ent needs. The amount of*seed and feed to each farmer should be raised so that all available land may be put into crop. Further provision should also be made to protect the county against loss of payments. And provi- sion should be made that where neces- sity demands, feed may be provided as soon as possible. MORATORIUM—I would also recom- mend that some provision be made to protect the rights of our soldiers and sailors who are in the service against loss from law suits or other legal pro- ceedings during the duration of, and for a reasonable time after the war. COUNCIL OF DEFENSE — Last April the war department urgently re- quested the appointment of a state council of defense to co-operate with the national defemse council. Such a council was appointed and, I believe, they have performed good, .faithful work, and I recommend that such council be legalized and that an appro- priation be made to take care of their necessary: expenses and to re-imburse the present council for the money they have been required to expend. STATE ' MILITIA — Our nationg.l ‘guard has been called into the federal service, leaving the state without any i et e AR e e A B P AL A R S ALt e papers of the nation. organized military protection, and I therefore recommend that an appro- priation be made for the purpose of providing a state militia. In view of the fact that there are now several home guard organizations in the state, I would recommend that all such organizations be incorporated, as far as possible, into this organized militia and placed under the proper military authority of the state. PROHIBITION - AMENDMENT — Congress has passed what is known as the national prohibition amend- ment, and its adoption by the various ‘state legislatures is necessary in order that it may become effective. This is a war measure that, if adopted, would not only conserve the food supply but would also conserve the manhood of our nation. And as North Dakota was the first state to be admitted with con- stitutional prohibition and has always been considered as a progressive pro- hibition state, I heartily recommend that this national amendment be rati- fied at this session. STATE GRAIN INSPECTION—It is recommended that the state grain grading law be amended to make the This is the message delivered by Governor Lynn J. Frazier of North Dakota to the extraordinary session of the North Dakota legislature, assembled at Bismarck January 23. The fine spirit of patriotism that it urges, the deep devotion to the nation and the spirit of unselfish service that are shown in evéry line, entitle this address .of the farmer governor to rank with the best state Read it—then clip it out and save it. grain inspection a department of the state agricultural college and thus re- lieve the state railroad commissioners of its supervision. CARE OF INSANE PATIENTS—On account of the higher per capita cost of maintenance at the state hospital for the insane, I would recommend that the amount paid by the counties for the care of their insane patients be raised from $18 to $24 per month. And on account of the failure of crop on the farm operated by the state asylum, , that the state treasurer be authorized to give the board of con- trol a reasonable credit for the ex- penditure of money necessary in the maintenance and up-keep of the insti- tution. LAY ASIDE PARTISANSHIP IN NATIONAL CRISIS BANK DEPOSITORS’ GUARANTEE LAW—At the regular session of the legislature a bank depositors’ guaran- tee law was enacted but no appropria- tion was provided. It is therefore recommended that a sufficient appro- priation be made at this time that this _law may be put into operation. ON TO THE PROMISED LAND —Drawn expressly for the Leader by W. C. Morris v : - PAGE THIRTEEN CANCELED CORPORATIONS — Several hundred corporations have had their charters cancelled by failing to make the required reports. 1 would recommend that they be allowed to reinstate by paying a reasonable pen- alty and making the necessary reports. 1 believe that these measures are all that the emergency at this time re- quires to be considered. It is my earn- est desire, as I am sure it is yours, that this special session be of as short dur- ation as possible. Any unnecessary delay in adjournment will be a waste of public money, and I respectfully call on each of you at this time when we are facing serious and extraordinary conditions to lay aside all partisan or factional feeling and give your undi- vided, patriotic service to the best in- terests of our state and our nation. LIE IS BRANDED Editor Nonpartisan Leader: So many reports are being publish- ed in state papers which are opposed to the League, to the effect that I am a supporter of Mrs. Kate Richards O’Hare, and that I congratulated her after her trial and conviction at Bis- marck, that I thought it might be well | to state the facts in the case, not for the benefit of the ‘“kept press,” but for the benefit of any who might be misled by these malicious statements of the hirelings of big business. I HAVE NEVER MET MRS O’'HARE; I HAVE NEVER SPOKEN TO HER; 1 HAVE NEVER ATTEND- ED ANY OF HER MEETINGS:; I HAVE NEVER READ ANY OF HER LITERATURE. The only time I have seen Mrs. O'Hare was during her trial at Bismarck, where I was summoned by a subpoena of the federal court to give evidence for the defense bearing upon political conditions at Bowman. - This was the only evidence I was capa- ble of giving in the case. If obeying a summons of the federal court is suf- ficient grounds for being denounced as “a defender of sedition,” as the Bis- marck Tribune branded me, then I plead guilty. 1 well know that the attacks of the “kept press” which are being made against me are designed to injure Governor Frazier, who did me the honor to appoint me to membership on the state board of regents, and to discredit his administration. I must admit that I have not felt angered by these false and malicioug;_ reports, because th'ey are made by men driven mad by the success of the Neon- partisan league, the greatest demo- ¥ cratic forward movement in the his- | tory of this or any other country, and | the most concrete expression in this | country of what we are now fighting for in Europe. Rather, have 1 felt somewhat amused, knowing full well that “whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.” GEO. A. TOTTEN, BUYS NITRATE FOR FARMERS Government buying of nitrate ferti- lizer for the use of farmers has been added to other government activities that have developed during the. last vear. The United States department of agriculture recently bought 100,000 tons of nitrate in.Chili, and is now ready to deliver the first 18,000 tons. Shortage of ships is all that has pre- vented the delivery before.. While no price has been fixed, the department announces that it will be as low as possible, perhaps $75 per ton at sea- board with freight to be added. The sales will be made directly to farmers for cash. R SSORRAS !