The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-08

Jud. N. D., May 4, 1917.
Hon. Lynn J. Frazier,
Governor of North Dakota,
Bismarck, n. d.
Dear Governor: The press report of
your speech delivered recently in
Cooper Union. New York city. con-
tanned this paragraph: 1.-THE farmers
of North Dakota in the fall of 1915
sold their potatoes for 75c and SOC per
bushel, when at the time. potatoes
were selling in Kansas City. and Chi
cago for $3.50 and $1.75 per bushel."
(You do not state whether this latter
price was wholesale or retail.)
The very fact that you are the gov
ernor of this state. also as they all
say. farmer governor, you should be
in a position to know the facts. and
therefore. the above statement hav-
ing been circulated throughout the
whole country would naturally, COM
ing from you. be taken as an absolute
fact. Now, did you make this state
ment for any particular reason other
than that you were misinformed as
to the facts? Do you know these tc
be facts? viz: That what potatoes
were sold last fall for 75c and SOC pei
bushel were sold before digging time
Do you know that more potatoes
froze in cellars throughout this state
than were sold at these prices? Dc
you know that after digging started
that practically no potatoes were solo
under $1.00 per bushel? Do you know
that since Jan. l practically no pota-
toes could be bought here for less
than $500 per bushel. yet the stock ii
ample and to spare? Do you know
that one man in your home commun.
ity has 900 bushels Of potatoes fol
sale and recently refused $500 pei
bushel for them?
Do you realize that when you tel
the government commission investi.
eating food conditions about the ex.
tremely low price paid tho farmer:
of North Dakota for their products
and infer that huge profits have beer
taken by the middlemen, you are max.
ing charge that has no foundation II
fact?
You tell the government food com
mission and congress, the farrnel
wants only a square deal. Who is j
that is not giving the farmer square
deal? You will say, of course, it's thu
middlemen and stock gamblers. d.
you know that city merchants have
been raking the whole country fo
food products, offering fabulous prices
for the same? Would they be doint
this if they had stock on hand
bought at the low prices you CLAIM
the producer was forced to take las
fall? You certainly cannot be misin
formed ass to these conditions. II
which case, your motive before thu
New York consumers and federal fooC
commission must be Interior, in tina
you are influencing support for poll
teal faction, dominated by few mel
who are either ignorant of economit
annHiAiny1e nx. aYir Ilxy entity nf of
tempting to mislead the country. On,
of your editors told me recently, tina
in his opinion, Mr.. Townley would b'
the next elected president Of thii
country.
DO you know sir that no movement
political or otherwise, has succeeded
permanently, wherein the basis of thu
organization of such movement wal
founded upon misrepresentation Dit
it ever occur to you that no create
crime against our government can ex
list, than the attempt to poison thu
minds of our people through misrep
as tos create class hatred, suspicion
and discomfort? Your propaganda;
has spread over this state in thu
last year or two, wherein a hun
dred or more speakers have travelet
throughout the state leaving in thei
wake a feeling of envy, suspicion
selfishness and discomfort.
| During the campaign it seemed t
me your talks were reasonable, new
ertheless, would you not be founi
guilty after a fact, for encouraging
and abetting this propaganda?
Do you know, sir; that Christ wa
crucified upon the cross for maintain
ing a stand for righteousness, an,
therefore. His adherence for hate
envy and selfishness?
Do you know that we have an ele
ment. yea, one organization tina
would cruelty this people. BY steadil