The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, June 17, 1918, Page 13

. ‘ 4» S T e Unite, Says Head of the Farmers’ Union If the Men on the Land Do Not Pull Together, They Are Going to Be Left in the New Deal After the War, President Barrett Declares FARMERS EDUCATIONAL AND CO-OPERATIVE UNION C.'S. BARRETT Prosioent OF AMERICA Uniow City Ga OFFICE OF PRESIDENT NATIONAL BOARD OF OIRECTORS b . M. S, CHMN.. Tann A. ¥V SWIFT. VicE-PREIIOENT L. M' RHODES, CH HUNTINGDON TaM BAXER OnguON _A. C DAVIS. SEC -TRCAS. - GRavaTYe Ams . BOWLES. Sa~ciots. VA J. L SHEPARD, Grzenssono, FLa. €. H GUSTAFBON MtaD Neen UNION CITY. GA.. April 19/18 The don. H L. Lousks, ETTY politics is causing some - Watertown. S.D. temporary leaders of that great organization, the Farmers’ union, to fight the National Nonpartisan league. The anti- League activity of petty of- ficers of the Union is not up- held by the national president of that organization. This is ' shown by an exchange of letters that recently took place between H. L. Loucks, former president of the National Farmers’ alliance, and C. S. Barrett, national president of the Farmers’ Educational and Bro. Loucks: ) \ ' I am mighty sorry to know 5f the friction peforred to in your letter. I tried for quite a while to keep it down. I fully agree with you when you say the farmer has wore at stake than anyone else, at least the changes will affeat the farmer more than anyone else. I would be mighty glad to ses all the farmera together ready for the big work. There is a greater need for farmers to get together than ever before, andif they don't get’together they are Folng to be left behind in the new deal.that 1is Cb-Operative union, commonly known as the Farm- ers” union. i ¢ In North Dakota the Farmers’ union and the Nonpartisan league are working hand in hand against the common enemies. In South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and other states, thousands of members of the Farmers’ union have joined the League also, and only a few pettifogging officers _ feel any hostility toward the movement. In a letter to Mr. Loucks of Watertown, S. D., staunch Nonpartisan league supporter, Mr. Barrett, national president of the Farmers’ union, deplores the friction that has arisen in South Dakota and a few other states: between the Union and the Nonpartisan league.. As a personal friend, Mr. Loucks wrote him of the anti-League activity of some state officers of the Union. In his letter to President Barrett, Mr. Loucks wrote as follows: “Dear Brother Barrett: “It is a long time since I heard from you, and I have intended writing you, for in these times of rapid- developments of policies and changes, which after the war will affect agriculture more than any other industry, I think that those of us who are giving our whole time and thought apart from war problems to advancement of our class interests should keep in touch with each other. “Of course I no longer represent any farmers’ organization, my ambition I%Eher being .to har- monize and aid in the co-ordination of effort of all, that our efforts may count. : “You know how I feel\towards you personally. I even remembered you in my book which will yet prove a textbook for the next great farmers’ movement—see page 155. -“I encouraged you coming into South Dakota before you were ready. “Since your state Union was organized I have tried to get them to organize within my reach that I might be able to join, so as to meet with them occasionally. 0%, : “I want to see you take. your rightful place in the great national movement now rapidly develop- ing. I have regretted very much to note the fric- tion developing between the Farmers’ union and the .Nonpartisan league and it is to that I want to direct this letter.~ I saw it rising in this state and got in touch with Brother- Ricords in hopes that I might remove any cause for criticism‘ THE THREE: NEEDS - OF THE FARMERS d s “I have noféd the trouble in Kansas and Ne-b braska and feel that I should make a special ap-. peal to .you to investigate and if possible_eliminate the friction, which I feel is wholly unnecessary. " “There are three necessary steps to be taken before we can secure' agricultural emancipation from unjust discrimination and taxation. X “First: The educational, social center in country schoolhouses for acquaintance, education and rec- reation—the community center. This should be encouraged, and preserved as a system by itself. “Second: Out cof that grows as naturally as “_water running down hill the thought, ‘What can we do to help ourselves financjally ?’ and with that grows the co-operative idea of buying and selling, a legitimate proposition that should be encouraged. “This, however, can be much better done by a distinct organization as taking in a larger terri- tory, but it should not be permitted to supplant the sure to cgome after the war. T am always glad to hear from you, think of you often. Praternally yours, This is a reproduction of the letter from C. S. Barrett, the broadminded national president of the Farm- ers’ union, to H. L. Loucks, long active in farmers’ movements. Mr. Loucks, who lives in South Dakota, called Mr. Barrett’s attention to the jealous opposition of some of the smaller officers of the Union who are knocking the Nonpartisan league. “Farmers should get together,” said Mr. Bar- rett. p little parent organization—the country schoolhouse. “The first step is usually encouraged, or coddled by everybody, because apparently harmless. =~ " “But the second step has always been bitterly ~ opposed by special privileged beneficiaries, and always will be. ; "But, there is not and should not be any antag- ‘onism as between the two systems; rather they should co-operate heartily together. THE LEAGUE FILLS 7 AN OLD NEED “With these two in successful operation, it again is perfectly natural for-¢hgse who are being edu- cated by association and co-operation to realize that co-operation at the ballot box to remove the - unjust discriminations and taxation is absolutely essential. That ig the third step. “This also requires a separate.and distinet or- ganization, and to do the work planned must be absolutely independent ‘of any outside influence. . “Becausé of this -necessity “has- grown up spon- taneously the National Nonpartisan league, and because of its effectiveness in action, it is meeting with an almost incredible campaign of abuse, mis-- representation and persecution. This“alone should and doés commend it to the farmer who has been thinking, and the invitations from other states ~have come in much faster than the ‘organization can supply . organizers for. “Among other things, as was to be expected, they aim to create a suspicion of jealousy on the part of present nonpolitical farmers’ organizations, on the theory that it will displace, or destroy, the present organizations. What interest did they ever take in assisting to encourage, or build up such organizations in the past? i “This sudden zeal'is, in itself, sufficient cafise for suspicion. - “But, more potent, perhaps, are the offers of po- litical recognition for which too many will fall. ’ “This I know from personal acquaintance and experience, that with rare exceptions, there never has been a more loyal bunch of men organized than are the members of the League,-and if it comes to a choice between the League and their other farm- ers’ organizations, they will stand by the League. “Although not eligible to membership, I wel-. comed the first League scout to the state. Spent a day with him, visiting prominent, well-to-do farm- / PAGE THIRTEEN “l have tried to prevent this oppcsition.” ers, every one of whom agreed to join without hesitation. “I have become personally acquainted with most of the national officers, and I want to assure you that I am astonished at their success th getting such a group of able, sincere, efficient men together as they have done. They are making good, and making good because they are taking no chances with the men they employ as organizers. You would be astonished at the precautions they take before entploying an organizer. “They ignore and refuse to accept an active politician. - “The candidates for office receive no encourage- ment. - “I have been personally acquainted with the South Dakota state managers, and many of their organizers, and there is not one of them in whom I would not place absolute confidence. " SUCCESS FROM JOINT EFFORT “Their books are open to the-inspection of any member, and indeed to men who. honestly want to know, with the view of aiding if found right. “I' know that this is their poiicy in each state and at the' national office. “I write you this fully because I want you per- sonally to succeed. “I want your organization to succeed.. " “I want the cause, which has been my lifework, to succeed. “This matter is .of sufficient importance to you and your organization that you should satisfy your- . self as to the merits, or demerits, of the League, ‘and for that purpose I would urge that you make a visit to St. Paul for a personal investigation. I am sure that you.will yreceive a cordial welcome, and will feel well repaid for your visit. “They have not asked, or even hinted for me to write you, for they are not aware of our long ac- quaintance or our personal friendship. “I have written more it your interest, and the ‘welfare of -your organization, than that of the’ League, which continues to grow rapidly. “With best wishes for your continued success as ever, Ffaternally yours, G s 3 4 : “H. L. LOUCKS.” ' . A copy of Mr. Barre‘t’s fraternal reply is shown - on this page. ./ : ;