The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, April 8, 1918, Page 13

) R a + 1 2 3 . Kent, former representative . of North Dakota; Great Farmers’ Rall Organized Labor and Tillers of the Soil Open Their Campaign to Win Minnesota . at St. Paul Massmeeting—City Workers and Farmers Pledge Loyalty organized workers of the cities and the organized farm- ers of Minnesota pledged their loyalty to the United States government and to each other in tgle most extraordinary po- in the state of Minnesota, the week of March 18, at St. Paul. ‘The rally in the great St. Paul audltorlum was held after the adjournment of the regular delegate convention ‘of the National Nonpartisan league, at which candidates for state offices were indorsed by the accredited representatives of League members. President A. C. Townley of the League obtained ‘the ‘mutual pledge from the city toilers and the farmers at the closing session of the rally, attended by nearly 7,000 people. Pausing at a dramatic moment in his address, Mr. Townley said: “Farmers of anesota, is there. any hatred in your hearts toward organized labor?” The building shook as the men from the country roared back “No!” - * “Those of you who pledge your allegiance to the workers of the city will stand.” Thousands ' of Minnesota - farmers Jumped to their feet. The applause which greeted the action was tumultuous. “Workers of the city, if you likewise pledge your allegiance to the farmers of Minnesota, please stand.” Thousands of labor unionists, striking car men among them, leaped on chairs, waved their hats and yelled. I NOTABLE SPEAKERS HEARD AT RALLY Near the front of the hall, a few steps from the press-tables, a man in the uniform of the St. Paul ‘Street Railway company, with a tiny baby in his arms, stood, his wife beside him. Tears rolled down the man’s cheeks unheeded. The workers of the city and the farmers of the state will “stick.” The demonstration was complete. There were eight sessions of the campaign rally, each notable in itself. Speakers of national promi- nence addressed the meetings, among them William in congress - from California and now a member of the Federal Tariff commission by appointment of President Wilson; Mrs. Hulda \Harold Bain of California, wife -of Captain Robert Thurston Bain, chief of the United States bureau of navigation; Judson King, sec- retary of the Popular Government league, Wash- ington, D. C.; Walter Thomas Mills of Berkeley, Cal., noted author and publicist; Governor Frazier Gilbert Hyat of the United States department of labor, Washington, D. C:; Albert Blair of New York, noted Chautauqua lec~ turer; James Manahan, former representative in congress from Minnesota, and A. C. Townley. Minn ;@%@# litical campaign rally ever held - ‘and operate industries where there There were many other speakers, lecturers of the League, men prominent in Twin City and Du- luth labor union circles and, most important of all, men who had been indorsed at the League conven- - ‘tion as candidates for state offices. Former Congressman Charles A. Lindbergh, the League candidate for governor, made his opemng speech in the campaign at the closing session of the rally. He was accorded a tremendous ovation. At the afternoon meeting on the closing day of the campaign rally, resolutions were read and adopted. These resolutions give the best answer to a prostitute press and lying politicians and hirelings of big business, who have dared asgert that the National Nonpartisan -league is pro-German. RESOLUTIONS DECLARE FARMERS’ LOYALTY Phrased in dignified language, the resolutions, drawn up by a committee of farmers and labor unionists, open with this statement: “We and each of us hereby renew our pledges of loyalty and devotion to our common country and reaffirm our unalterable determination to work always for its best and highest interests and for the permanent welfare of its. people, our fellow citizens.” After deahng at length with a program of eco- nomic reform the resSlutions touch upon the out- rages against League members and officials in Min- - nesota carried on under the disguise of patriotism. The individuals and the officials who have taken part in this lawless campaign are branded as “un- iscrupulous agitators.” The section of the resolu- tions - dealing with this -subject closes with the paragraph: / “Yet while we condemn these derelict officials and these fomenters of disorder, we urge our. fellow citizens not to be drawn into resistance of authority and not to make the mistake of opposing violence - with violence, but steadily to maintain the dignity of good and peaceful American citizens, while at the same time with firmness they continue to ad- vocate and to uphold those things which they be- lieve to be right, to the end that they, at least, may not be the cause of any embarrassment to the na- tion in its time of stress. Thus will the blame for -such divisions and disorders as have occurred in this state be placed squarely where it belongs,. and not with the organized workers or the organ- ized farmers.” The . resolutions include proposals as follows: That congress give the president power to fix prices on other com- modities than those on which prices have been fixed. That the federal government act as dealer in the distribution of necessaries - of life through the parcel post. : That the government take over is excessive profiteering. part of ‘the great erowd ‘that: attended the nnion laborsNonpartm league rally in St. Paul tliat marked the opening of the nohhcnl ,campaixn ta from the politicians and special interests. The photo was taken the second night of the rally, when the meeting was in charge of the labor- un " of the state and the audience heard labor speakers nf promi!\enee. The St. Paul auditormm is a vnst nmplutheater and no camera eonld take in all the hall ; slww _the entire erowd on one photog;'apluc plate. s O 4 ’-.'../‘u %l Tk - PAGE :rmnmx " That all wages on government contract work be | fixed by agreement between the government and ' workmen, Indorsement of the principle of organization. Praise for striking street car men for being will- ing to submit to federal mediation. Declaration against child labor and closing schools in war time and in favor of building new schools, wherever necessary. Extension of food market regulation after the war. More effective stlmulatlon of agriculture. Indorsement of the Baer bill. Appointment of farmers to office in federal agri- cultural and food departments. Government ownership of packing plants. Government ownership of flour mills. Condemnation of Shields bill. Increase in war profits and income taxes. Appeal for regular and large contributions to Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and Knights of Columbus | war _funds and purchase of Liberty bonds. Recommendation for state soldiers’ moratorium law and for other legislation to take care of sol- | diers’ families and to prepare for profitable em- ployment of soldiers when they return. Commendation of organized labor for its support of government in the war. FRAZIER REPLIES TO GOVERNOR BURNQUIST The Minnesota situation was a dominant theme | in the rally. The League has been misrepresented : by a campaign of slander all over the state. League organizers and officers have been mistreated, il- | legally arrested and jailed and meetings in 19 counties have been unlawfully suppressed. There | was much to be said on the Minnesota situation and the speakers handled the various questions _fearlessly. Governor Frazier of North Dakota replied . to Stirs Minnesota. ST W NS T D Governor Burnquist, who had reJected with insult | the invitation of’the League to address one of the ! sessions of the rally. “Any American citizen, any man in pu'bhc office, who uses his official position to brand his political opponents and loyal citizens of his .state as dis- ' loyal, is a hypocrite of the worst type,” said the ! farmers’ governor of North Dakota. Organized labor had charge of the program at * the session the evening of March 20. The. street car lockout, which has existed seventeen weeks, »despite attempts of the president’s. mediation com- MR s S, P ST A5 Y D B BT N S PR S & T e TN R PR T A v R L b & e R 'YH?auTnhmeaam)w—ulmme RS BRI Y R SR T L o R G PR E v gy nns oo > T aanTe T TB