The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-07-09

the Firemen's band, introduced Mr.
Hanson to the large assembly.
Mr.. Hanson spoke in a forceful
and convincing manner and his
audience gave him the closest at
tention during his talk of little
more than an hour. He outlined
the aims of the Progressive move
ment and without in any way abus-
ing the older parties told why it
had become impossible for him long
er to remain in the Republican
ranks. His remarks indicated that
he had given close thought to the
economic questions of the day. He
told how his parents, together with
many others from European cOun-
tries, had emigrated to the United
States in order to enjoy the free
dom and avail themselves of Op-
portunities denied them in the con-
gested conditions of their native
land. Later. when the eastern states
became more thickly populated at
| tentiOn was again turned westward
to the apparently limitless possibil-
tiles of the land of the setting sun.
Now. however. the west is repeating
the experiences of the east, and
there is no other west to which to
turn.
While Mr.. HansOn's program in
cludes more efficient government in
all departments, he especially en-
| phasizes the necessity Of providing
some more favorable means of Sc
| curing the money necessary for
the development of the natural re-
sources of the state of Washing
ton. He pointed out that of the
millions of horse power of water
In this state but 2 per cent. Is util-
lied, and that there are at the
present time 2O,OOO,00O acres of
land idle within the state of Wash
inton. He produced statistics to show
that in the year 1912 there was
shipped into this state $5.OOO,OOO
worth of hogs; $7,0OO,O00 worth of
cattle; $6,OOO,0OO worth of eggs;
81. 100000 worth of sheep; $4,000,
900 worth OF dairy products; that
out of every four pounds of butter
used in this state three pounds are
imported, and that we ship in
nine out of every ten pounds of
cheese we consume. He believes that
relief from the pressure of present
economic conditions lies in bringing
the 2O,000,O0Q acres of unused
land in the state under cultivation
SO that we may raise larger per-
centage of the food we consume,
and this he proposes to do by max
in it possible for the agricultural
ist to secure per cent. money as
he is able to do in some of the for
eign countries. In order to achieve
this, Mr.. Hanson advocates farm
ers' loan system through oan ex-.
pansion of the postal savings banks,
at present so restricted in their
scope as to be practically useless.
He holds that his plan would In
no way work an injury to the pri-
vately owned banks, and that 1t
would result in immense benefit
to the farmer who requires long
time loans at low rate OF interest
in order to make it possible for him
to proceed with the development OF
his land.
Mr.. Hanson told how the railway
companies had secured 100000 a
cres of free land from the govern
ment, which land is unsurveyed and
untaxed, and he advocates the sur
veying and taxing of this immense
acreage in this state in order that
the taxes of the man with the little
home or small farm may be reduced.
Ole Hanson's proposals for bet
tering the condition of the produce
ing class of the Nation give evidence
of careful thinking, wide expert
! ence, a thorOuh knowledge OF the
needs of the people generally and
of this state in particular. and
sincere desire to be useful to them.
He stated that If elected he would
demand the enactment OF natiOnai
laws similar to our state laws re-
lating to eight hours for women
workers, employers liability, child
labor legislation, ETC.. Without ma
tional legislation. he pointed out,
this Progressive state is placed un-
der an economic handicap and that
condition must be changed in or
der to secure prosperity and fair.
field for the employer as well as
the employe. His entire address had
the ring of true Progressive.
At the close of Mr.. Hanson's
mastery address. meeting OF Pro-
! eressives was held at which 1t was
unanimously decided to inform the
state central committee that it was
the belief of Whatcom County FRO
gressives that a state convention OF
/ the party should be held some time
in August, and that all Progressives
that could attend should go and act
as delegates, and that those present
at the state convention should cast
the vote of Whatcom county as ap-
portiOned to the county by the
state committee.
After the meeting in an informal
talk with members of the Progress
i've party of this county, Mr.. Han
son made the following statement:
'"The Progressive party in the state