The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-26

CONTINUED from page one.l
Rudolph A. Gd9ee of Long Prairie. who
upheld the negative OF the PROPOSE
ton: Resolved, that the farmers OF
Minnesota should join the Nonpartisan
league" !.
Attacked by Mr.. Lee on the ground
that the movement is socialistic and
it's leaders socialists, Mr.. Randall ad-
mitted the charge as to himself and
MADE no denial as to others.
Defends Political Organization.
81 have been and am Socialist" he
declared, though / am not member
Of the Socialist party"
He defended the league as q poHtl-
cal organization of farmers to give
the farmers control Of their own out
put, through state-owned elevators,
Hour mills, packing plants and cold
storage plants. Political parties, he as
serted. are q mere device OF special
interests to keep the farmers fighting
among themselves.
Mr.. Lee declared that farmers are
solving their own problems already by
successful cooperative enterprises,
and that the leagues program OF
state socialism would put these. enter
prises all out of business. The league
breaches popular rule, he charged, but
doesn't practice it, for its officers run
things as. close corporation, and re-
sent every effort to give their acts
publicity.
Deserted Farmers. Says Lee.
Mr.. Lee charged the league heads
with deserving interests OF the farm
ers in North Dakota and in Mime
sofa, citing the defeat Of the cent
fare bill and /. w. w. bill in the North
Dakota. house, and the inactivity OF
the league in the tonnage tax fight in
Minnesota. He alleged political mo-
tives in each case.
Mr.. Randall countered this by in
viting a. committee Of three farmer
league members to come TO st. Paul
and investigate the league. They Were
to be named by the chairman, who is
a member OF the league. The inVltation
brought no response.
Exploitation Charged to system"
Progressive legislation farmers have
secured in Minnesota Mr.. Randall
termed as Crumbs" and said farmers
want the whole loaf. The system,
he declared, is exploiting the farmers.
'The I. w. w. is a product of the
system" he said. The first thing you
know we will all be !. w. W."
Mr.. Lee tainted his opponents with
staying in the clouds and urged him
to come down to earth" and meet the
issue.
listened to with the closest attention
At the chairman's request there We're
no Interruptions, and applause was
liberal for both speakers. The major
ity in the audience were league mem
bers, but the other side had warm
partisans. judging by the response 70
Mr.. Lees hardest shots.
Hall Nearly Filled before Talk Opens
Community hall, seating capacity
500, was practically filled half an hour
before the debate, by farmers. nearly
ali of them members Of the Nonpartt-
san league. This is one Of the hrsi
counties in the state reached last veal
by league organizers, and they claim
more than 900 members In Todd coun'
ty out OF the 2,700 voters.
The challenge to debate was made
bv Mr.. Randall TO Mr. Lee, who ac-
cepted and let the league arrange the
meeting. w. McKellip, a farmer OF
Little Sank. and a member Of the
league presided. BY agreement, eacl
speaker was given 10 minutes. speak.
ing alternately in five divisions Mr.
Randall opening and closing.
Farmers Drive Miles to Debate.
In spite Of heavy roads, farmers
drove in from a radius Of 20 miles
District court. which is in session. re-
cessed to attend the affair.
~ s. Randall, speaker for the Non.
partisan league, Is a former Seattle
man who came first to North Dakots
to help organize the state. and last
summer to Minnesota as q state or
ganizer His home Is now in Mime
apolis.
Rudolph A. Lee, who supported the
negative. is editor Of the Long Prairie
Leader.
Standing room only was the rule
when the discussion opened. Less thar