The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, March 3, 1919, Page 4

4 14 . much, that the I. W. W.s, ~ terminal Reads Kep't’Préss—Knows League Is Bad Ex-President Taft, After Publicly Denouncing Farmers, Admits He Has No Information—Has No Remedy for Special Interest Evils BY W. W. LIGGETT ~JILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, for- States, several years ago was asked a question. The question - was asked when millions of men were out of work in this coun- try, with starving women and children depending upon them, and no work in sight. The Mr. Taft was: “What is such a question asked of man to do?” “God knows,” said Mr. Taft. Mr. Taft, now touring the United States to ask support for a league of nations, was asked a simi- lar question ‘the other day by a representative of the Nonpartisan Leader. Mr. Taft had given an interview in Minnesota, saying that the Nonparti- san league farmers were all wrong and likening them to the I. W. W. When he reached Bismarck, N. D,, on his tour, Mr. Taft was asked by a repre- sentative of the Leader if he doubted that the farmers of the Northwest suffered great injustices and had real grievances. “I don’t doubt it in the least,” said Mr. Taft. “I feel sure they had real grievances. That seems to be generally admitted.” “Then what remedy do you suggest to right these * grievances?” the news- paper man asked. “I can’t tell you,” re- turned Mr. Taft, shrug- ging his shoulders. “Cer- tainly I have nothing to suggest offhand. But I know that public owner- ship is not the right method.” ; It was the “God knows’” reply over again. Mr. Taft based his opposition to the League chiefly on the ground that the League favored pub- lic ownership. With a sublime disregard of the fact that the TUnited States, during the war, had to resort to public ownership and opera- tion, and of the success ‘of such public enter- prises as the United States postoffice, city water systems, the great elevators in Canada, at Seattle and New Orleans, Mr. Taft said: LEAGUE LIKE POPULISTS “I don’t believe in any form of public owner- ship. It has failed where- ever it has been tried and it always will fail.” Mr. Taft admitted that he had classed the Non- partisan league farmers with the I. W. W.s, but said he didn’t really mean it. What he had meant to say, he explain- ed, was to class the Non- partisan league with the Populists. But the for- mer president indicated that he didp’t think the correction amounted to resorting to violence, and the Populist farmers, seeking a remedy through the ballot, were really just about the same, and ‘that the Nonpartisan leaguers were like both of them. The reason that the in- terview from Mr. Taft was sought was because, during his stay in Min- mer president of the United - Special privilege and his little assistant, the kept press, getting ready for 1920. They got a bad scare and there grinding an axe as typical of the methods used. The ant processes of the ballot, but as in the past will resort to lying, They are getting ready. some reputation like W. H. Taft are induced to act as: J But these men papers are saying: “The theory of I. W. W.ism finds an analogy in the Nonpartisan league, but wait until those farm- ers of North Dakota begin to pay the bill for their support of Townley’s program. At present they don’t seem to understand how impossible it is to lift themselves by their bootstraps, but they will learn.” When Mr. Taft reached Bismarck, the next day, the newspaper man boarded the train and asked and was given an interview in Mr. Taft’s private com- partment. Mr. Taft was asked first about the state- ment quoted above. “Yes, I made substantially those statements,” he said. “Where did you get your information concerning the Nonpartisan league?” the newspaper man asked. “Why, from the newspapers,” Mr. Taft replied, with the utmost of frankness. “Do you believe the newspapers have fairly and accurately represented the movement ?” was asked. “I have.no reason to question their statements,” he replied. - : “Did you see Fred H. Carpenter while you were in Minneapolis?” asked the reporter. (Mr. Car- penter is the head of the Lincoln Republican club ~ . GETTING READY FOR 1920 ] Drawn expressly for the Leader by W. €. Morris. have been working hard since the last election Cartoonist Morris has them i-farmer- gang will not abide by the orderly mob-violence, intimidation and frame-ups. One of their methods is well illustrated by the story on this page. Men of phonographs for the slanders about the e farmers. is more to come. are simply spoiling theniselves with don’t realize that the farmers are awake. PAGE: FOUR - nedpolis, Mr. Taft was quoted in the Twin Cities .and was concerned in bringing Colonel Roosevelt to the Twin Cities to attack the League and in at- tempted bribery of League organizers, exposed - several months ago in the Nonpartisan Leader). “Oh, yes, I talked with Mr. Carpenter and his brother while I was in Minneapolis,” answered Mr. Taft. “I know them very well. I don’t remember discussing the League with them. I might have, but I don’t remember it if I did.” “Do you really think there is an analogy between the I. W. W. and the Nonpartisan league?” the re- porter asked. “Someone told me the I. W. W, sympathized with the League,” replied Mr. Taft, “and I know the I. W. W. are-stronger in Minneapolis than any- where else except in Seattle.” “Who told you this?” - “I have forgotten just who it was.” “Was it one of the Carpenter brothers?” “I really don’t recall,” said Mr. Taft, a trace of annoyance clouding his countenance. “Anyway, it is not material. I know that this organization stands for principles of employing the state’s credit to finance certain public utilities. That is wrong. That is foolish. You will find you have made a great mistake. “I don’t believe in any kind of public ownership,” concluded Mr. Taft with great emphasis. “It has failed wherever it has been tried and it always will fail.” “Do you deny that the farmers of the Neorth- west labored under great economic . injustices and had legitimate griev- ances, particularly in the matter of markets?” Mr. Taft was asked. “No, I don’t doubt it in the least,” he answer- ed with great candor. “I feel sure they had, That seems to be generally ad- mitted.” “Well, then, what rem- edy would you suggest to right those griev- agces ?” the reporter ask- ed. NO SOLUTION TO OFFER “I can’t tell you,” re- turned Mr. Taft, shrug- ging his shoulders. “Cer- tainly I have nothing to suggest offhand. But I know that public owner- ship is. not the right method.” “Men who have studied - the problem for 26 years and who probably have a more intimate knowl- edge of these peculiar - conditions than you have, think it is,” answered the reporter. “Since you have no remedy of your own to propose how are you so sure that theirs is the wrong one?” - “Let me tell you some- thing, young man,” an- nounced the ex-president with evident indications of annoyance, at the same time laying his heavy hand on the re- porter’s knee. “Prophecy is dangerous, but I will make a prediction: In 10 years from now the name of the Nonpartisan league will be an anathe- ma. Thank God,”" he continued with great earnestness, “you are go- ing to confine your dan- gerous experiments to one state. 1 feel sorry “(Continued on page 13) 4 orRr2cy League. They <