The Arvada enterprise., 1917-11-15
Non.Partisan Bub.
BILE Has Bursted

League bubble seems to have
bursted and all OF the politicians
who had anything to do with it
are now getting out from under,
realizing that they have been
made the victims of scheme not
only to rob the farmers right and
left, but to promote the cause of
Germany by solidifying an organ
ization which could furnish aud
fences for the German propagan-
distS who come forth in the guise
of pacifists, but who in reality arc
avowcd enemies to Amcrica's
cause. Not only that, but there
is every reason to believe that
two-thirds OF the money bilkcd
from the farmers has gone or was
intended to go into a fund for
aiding the German spy system in
the United States. Either this or
it has been the scheme of a small
coteric of men over in St. Paul to
make fortunes at the expense of
the unsuspecting farmers of the
country.
In this connection we have on
our desk lengthy letter from
Senator Agnes Riddle, one of the
political victims, who handles the
subject without gloves, and upon
learning that there is as yet alb
solutcly no tangible organization
in existence, has started in to
make the promoters show their
hand. Senator Riddle is worried
because her name has been used
as one of the members of the cN-
ccutivc committee in Colorado,
when there is not and never has
been such an executive commit
tee. The names of ]. NJ. Collins,
president of the Farmers Union,
and John Morris. master of tn,
Colorado State Grange, were also
used in like manner. Workers
have been out over the state, We
are told. soliciting memberships
in the organization on tn,
strength Of their names, and j:
now develops that whereas these
persons were induced to allow
their names to be used, believing
in the principles ostcnsibly to b,
advanced by the new organiza-
ton, and being assured that a.
soon as enough memberships had
been procured meeting would
be called and a permanent organ
ization, to be known as the Colo
radc Branch of the National Non.
Partisan League, should be per.
fcctcd. That was in August ol
this year.
However, as time went on ant
progress was being made, ~
meeting was called by the ST
Paul promoters, and il was alst
discovered, according to Senator
Riddle. that every dollar sub
scribcd by the farmers was bcin,
Immediately sent to the St. Pau
office. Mrs. Riddle immcdiatcl,
protested. and was politely in
formed that she had no voice i,
the matter.
After consulting with othc
members of the executive com
mittcc." Mrs. Riddle took the in
itiativc and called meeting a
the Albany hotel and procccdc,
to organize the National Non Par
tisan League Of Colorado and i'm
mcdiatcly demanded the book,
OF the 81, Paul office, which re-
fused to turn them over. Find
ing that there was no incorporai
ed organization in existence, bu
that only three men were the re
prcscntativcs of the organization
injunction proceedings were i'm
mcdiatcly started with the full
consent Of the executive commit
tee.
After this action the leader il
the fight, Senator Riddle, wa,
surprised and chayrincd to fin,
that two members Of the com
mittcc, Mcssrs. Collins and Fer
guson. dissenting. although the,
had agreed to everything but a,
hour before. These gentlemen
claimed to have effected an agree
mcnt with the ST. Paul aggrcga
ton. and asked that the injunc
tion proceedings be dropped. An'
thus our tale is ended until new
Developments arise. which ac
cording 10 Mrs. Riddle. will BE- ;
vcritablc explosion soon. In III,
meantime. she bids all farmers I,
beware.