Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-29

n 7AVING done everything else al
I'LL most, the jitneys now have gone
and gotten a man into Congress.
He is John NJ. Baer Of Fargo, N. D.. car
i: toonist, nephew of the late James Whit
Non-Partisan League, an agriculturists'
political organization which is making
rapid strides in the northwest.
Just now the greatest hold of the or
ganization is in North Dakota, where it
is generally conceded it controls both
branches of the state legislature. Eff
forts are being made. however, to or
ganize the party in other states, par
ticularly South Dakota, Minnesota and
be power in politics even greater than
was the Farmers Alliance or other
agriculturists political organization of
bygone days
But that is getting away from the
jitney and how it helped elect Baer to
Congress. So, in goes a swig of gaso-
line. a few cobs, a snort of water and
all the other supplies necessary to get
ting jitney running, and then out
with the whole story.
A little more than three years ago
the farmers Of North Dakota were TAX
ing their politics about like most farm
ers in other states. They sent men off
to the state legislature who promised
after having been fed on boned capon
and wined on sarSaparilla, or whatever
1t Is that is handed out down at Bis
marck. which is dry" they frequently
home the bacon in the form of terminal
elevators and other things that the
farmers wanted. the legislators came
back from the capitol Juggling airs and
huge watch chains. grips full of bills
introduced. but not passed. and hopeful
expressions, such as Better luck next
time"
Finally the farmers got good and
tired Of this next time" stuff and they
decided to instruct the legislators.
Whereupon they held an election and
advised the statesmen, by a vote of
about four to one, that they wanted a
huge terminal elevator. so they could
handle their crops and not be at the
mercy of the private elevator owners
Again the legislators sailed off down
to Bismarck and again they came back
with the same sad tale-nothing doing.
Whereupon loud and continuous cries
state and the farmers decided to do
something. Rushing to their barns they
lifted the calf crates off the rear Of
their tin lizZies, shot a few drops of
exhilator into the tanks and began to
whiz up and down and across the state
organizing the Non-Partisan League
Its purpose was principally to obtain
the said terminal elevator, but gem
eTdlly TO Release the honest tlller of
the. soil from the thraldom of machine
politics.
A. c. Townley of Fargo, who was
candidate for the socialist nomination
for Vice President several years ago,
was one of the leading workers. AL
though socialist, he was primarily
farmer. it is declared, and took great
interest in the work of organization for
the good it would do the men back
home.
The organizers did not mince words
about their purpose. There had been
so much mincing by the professional
politicians that the farmers were
satiated with honeyed mincemeat and
they welcomed some plain statements
from the organizers.
We are going down to Bismarck
with a lobby and see If we can't get
through some Of this legislation we
have been demanding" the organizers
said. Come through with Sc and you
will not only be one of US. but you will
help strike the shackles from the
wrists of agriculturists of the state
Furthermore, we will issue a publica-
ton. telling exactly what we are doing,
giving you valuable Information about
running your farm and containing use
full household hints for the wife and