Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-26
BURTNESS IS
KEPT BUSY AT
TOUR MAKING
To be in Richland County
Tomorrow-To tour Cass
and Trail Counties.
Lernke Gets Another Re
quest to Resign-J. r. Glib
son, St. Thomas Makes It.

With Olger B. Burtness. republican
nominee for congress from the First
North Dakota district, addressing en-
thusiastic meetings in the northern
part Of the district, and with head!
quarters daily receiving a large num-
Der of letters pledging support, the
campaign is 10Y well organized and
has made a very encouraging start.
Mr.. Burtness spoke today at Osna-
brock and Milton and tonight will go
through Grand Forks en- route to
Richland county for a two-day tour.
Friday, he will tour Trail county in
an automobile and will spend Satur-
day in Cass county.
p. o. Thorson, chairman of the re-
publican campaign committee. is re-
ceiving a batch of letters from lead
assuring the headquarters that they
will support Olger B. Burtness and
vote for him at the special election
on July 10. From every indication the
attempt of State Chairman Lemke to
get republican endorsement by stealth
for John NJ. Baer. socialist democrat.
styling himself as a republican, has
not succeeded. OF II ballots received
so far, e6-are for Burtness. four for
H. Aaker as second choice. The ballots
were mailed yesterday SO the commit
teemen have not yet had much time
to send in their replies.
Numerous letters have been receive
ed at the Burtness headquarters and
the correspondence in no uncertain
way states what the letter writer's
think of Attorney Lemke's attitude.
Mr.. Lemke himself at his office in
that he resign the office Of state
chairman Of the republican party
which he, according to many Of the
correspondents. so openly and brazen-
ly has betrayed.
A typical letter Of this kind is one
which was received today by Chair
man Thorson from John r. Gibson of
st. Thomas. It reads, as follows:
mi. P. o. Thorson,
Grand Forks, N. D.
Dear SIR
II received one of Mr.. Lemke's
circulars and wrote him, as follows:
William Lemke, Fargo. Dear Sir
1t seems to me that you have lots of
nerve to sign yourself chairman of
the republican state central commit
tee, and support this man. j. NJ. Baer,
for congress.
"'Do you not think it would show
more manhood on your part to resign
this Office. The republican party nom-
mated Mr.. Burtness. not the Nom
partisan party. This Mr.. Baer has al
ways been known as a democrat, and
his stay in the First district Is of such
short duration that he is not entitled
to any republican votes.
You are too poor a republican
Mr.. Lemke to be chairman Of the state
committee. Be a man. step down and
through the party that nominated
him. Respectfully. J. r. Gibson"
In spite of the willingness of re.
publican speakers to take the stump
for Mr.. Burtness. headquarters finds
it difficulty to supply the demands
that are coming in at a tremendous
rate. 1t will be absolutely impossible
for Mr.. Burtness himself with the
short time at his disposal to cover
more than a part of the dates which
his supporters want him to fill. Head.
quarters. however, supply the best
speakers available in order to meet
the demand that is constantly com.
ing in. n the various county com.
mittees are efficiently seconding the
efforts of the district committee. Thu
stump campaign will be we'll unde,
way by the end of the week.
I'm a general way the situation
looks very promising" said Chairman
Thorson this afternoon. II have Root
reasons to believe that the farmel
members Of the league, ~resenting tn,
nomination of Mr.. Baer, and. NOR,
particularly, the a. in which he wa,
nominated, are looking with favor OF
III candidacy Of Mr.. Burtness. Ant
while I do not want to be quoted a.
making n prediction at this stag,
Of the game. I will say this much tha
Mr.: Baer has got to go on all four
II he wants to get in ahead Of Mr.
Burtness." -
Olger B. Burtness is speaking to
day in Richland and Sargent coun
ties.