The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, March 25, 1918, Page 10

oo e e At e e e g o A A A et e , - Using Patriotism to Fight the Farmers s About a Letter Sent Out by Big Business Representatives in the State of Washington—Employers Show What ‘‘ America First”” Association Really Is | HE Leader and the farmers have no fight with a gen- uine patriotic or loyalty organiza- tion. They will boost for and co- operate with any such organization. But when a body of men call them- selves a “patriotic” organization for the purpose of fighting the farmers and their organizations, and in aid of politicians and the big interests that are . trying to prevent the farmers from organizing, it is a different mat- ter. The Leader is frank to say that it will expose any so-called “patriotic” organization which is merely a camou- flage for the enemies of the organized farmers or organized labor. Therefore we call attention to the circular letter reproduced on this page. The persons whose names ap- pear on this letter and who are re- sponsible for its circulation among business men of the Pacific North- west are as follows: . AT THE EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON 501 Central Building Officers: 0. D. Colvin, Pres. J. J. Donovan, Vice-Pres. W. J. Grambs, Treas. Geo. F. Russell, Manager B. W. Sawyer, Secretary Seattle, Wash., Dec. 28, 1917.. TO OUR MEMBERS: - ; ; Your attention is called to the menace of the NON-PARTISAN LEAGUE, which is at present making a membership drive among the farmers of the State of Washington. s el : ~ The program of this League is Single Tax, Government Ownership of Railroads, Telephone and Telegraph Lines; unlimited state control. of public utilities; publicly owned and operated packing plants, flour mills, grain elevators, banks, and insurance companies; the manufacture and sale of farm implements by the State; state aid and control of marketing facilities for farmers, ineluding co-operative buying- and distribution, complete control of state and county offices, including the legislature,supreme and superior courts., 4 . 7 The Non-Partisan League originated in North Dakota—A. C. Townley and D. C. Coates are its chief promoters—and is being. formed as a part of the newly organized National Party. Mr. D. Coates is now General Manager of the party's affairs. This menace was considered so grave that a meeting was held in San Francisco on December 6-7-8, which was participated in by representatives from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, and representatives from this Association were in attendance from the State of Washington. At that meeting it was decided to form the Western Branch of the AMERICA FIRST LEAGUE in opposition to the Non-Partisan movement. 5 The America First League has headquarters in Minneapolis and the Western states determined to organize along the general plans adopted in Minnesota. : In accordance with this plan, the State of Washington will be organized by counties and will be allied with the other Western state organizations. In the issue of the WASHINGTON STATE WEEKLY of Friday, Jan. 4, will be published an article dealing with the Non-Partisan League, which will give you general information regarding the purposes of this organization and the menace that it presents to property rights. Very truly yours, George F. Russell Manager. 0. D. Colvin, vice president and general manager, Seattle Car & - Foundry company, a company, we suppose, which has substantial war contracis with the govern- ment. W. J. Grambs, assistant to the president, Puget Sound Traction, Light & Power company; a cor- poration allied with Stone & Web- ster, a mammoth power company on the Pacific coast, with branches and subsidiary com- panies throughout the country. Barton W. Sawyer, secretary Industrial Association of Wash- ington, now the Employers’ as- sociation, an organization of big - business men that fights organ- ized labor and progressive legis- lation wanted by the people. J George F. Russell, secretary- ‘ treasurer J. S. Goldsmith com- pany, manager Industrial Asso- ciation of Washington, now the Employers’ association. The Gold- smith company are exporters-and importers. C. - 8 The "Employers’ association which sent out this circular and intends to use the name of patriotism to fight the farmers in their efforts for democ- racy and justice in the United States, - is heavily financed by big business ; ‘and exists to fight organized labor, ' with which it has had several battles in Washington in recent years. It has opposed and often succeeded in kill- ¢ ing progressive, social and economic . legislation in Washington. i The circular letter reproduced here- ' with says that the Nonpartisan league is a menace. It -is—to these gentlemen and most everything they stand for. - The fact that they con- ! spider it a menace is the best argu- : i ~ment possible that the League is a genuine peo- i ple’s organization. But the dastardly part of this Ietter is its H proposal to organize a so-called patriotic as- ("~ sociation to fight the farmers. Farmers! on n the pretense of loyalty to the country you love itk and serve, these interests intend to fight you - : and your organization. These interests deny GFR RLD - This is an exact reproduction of a typewritten circular sent out by the Employers’ association of Washington, an or- ganization that has béen and is fighting organized labor in Washington. This letter reveals the fact that the Amer- ica First association of Minnesota was organized to fight the Nonpartisan league in the name of patriotism, ‘Read the accompanying article for a fuller explanation of this dastardly attempt to block reforms and prevent, in the name of loyalty and patriotism, political action that is a “menace” to big business. : ; told' that it was a genuine patriotic organization and that it was not intended to fight you. The Leader at that time expressed doubts about the honesty of the “America First” association. We suspected it because nearly every old political gangster in Minnesota held a.prominent office in it. Nearly every editor fighting your League be- longed to it and was pushing it. Now we have - Stops F arm - Paper { : Geraldine, Mont. Editor Nonpartisan Leader: ; S AR AR 5 S . that this is your country and that you are loyal to it. Only big business—big business that fights both organized labor and organized farmers—can be patriotic and loyal, this letter ‘says. This is THEIR country, but not “YOURS, these sinister -plotters say. How do. you'like that? ! R ‘When the “America First” association was or-’ “ganized last fall in Minnesota, you farmers were 1 o e A o A o i s TR e A Bt S A5t b e i a5 e o 45 proof of what the “America First” association is. A branch is to be organized further west, to do just what the Minnesota branch is doing, this letter says—fighting you and your organization in the name of patriotism. ; .The Leader is ready and willing to give its hearty’ ~suppert to any. and all genuine.patriotic .organiza- . tions, but e will continue to expose every attempt to use the'flag as a covering behind which anti- - farmer interests. hide intheir war on the .people. _PAGE TEN - 1919, - I am inclosing a clipping from Farm and Home, published by Herbert Myrick, Chicago, Il1.,, ‘taken from the February issue. ' Thanks to the League! Through it we learn to know our farm papers:-bet- ter. My subscription to Farm and Home expired " automatically upon reading this and I have also although my. subscription was ‘paid to January, - e Y