Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-04-13
NORTH DAKOTA MAN
BRINGS \ MESSAGE
Ray Mckaig Explains the Aim and
Work of the NOn-Partisan
League

Ray McKaig of North Dakota. who
has won the title of the John the
Fantist of the Partisan league
movement, was in Pullman We6nes-
day afternoon and gave an address
at the Theatorium. Because OF tho
storm and the bad roads, few farm
ers were in town and the audience
was small, but all thoroughly appre-
ciated Mr.. McKaig's clear and force
full exposition OF the new political or
eaniZation, which has attracted thu
attention of the whole country. He
said, in part:
The history of the farmers revolu-
ton in North Dakota politics is
story of the worm that turned. BY
an actual count of population. the
farmers are in a majority in that
state. For years the minority has
ruled. One gang after another has
controlled the state. but every gang
in spite of its promises has been
more or less connected with the in
visible government. Human nature
could stand it no longer. BY stick
ing together the farmers precipitat-
ed the greatest political turnover
this or any other state has eXper-
fenced for many years. They showed
in,
As farmers they planned every de-
tail even to the taking away from the
gang the state political machinery.
They swept out of power at the last
election any politician that had the
faint OF the old gang on his person.
What are the farmers going to do
with the government in North Da-
kota? AS far as possible they pro-
pose to bring New Zealand to North
Dakota. New Zealand has stood for
years as a type of commonwealth
which uses its state power to help
farmers cooperate. North Dakota
voters have tried for years to get
their business and political leaders
to cooperate with the farmer.
One party after another has tried
to solve the marketing difficulties of
the farmer. Even lower rates of in
terest have been promised. But the
farmers lacked responsible organiza-
ton, Four years ago the senate
leader of the movement to get a low
er rate of interest on farm loans
never received one telegram from
any farmer commencing such A
course. On. the other hand, the SEN
ator leading the opposition had over
1000 kilograms and letters from
banks and spectators, asking to
block such a measure. A legislator
was a brave man indeed. who dared
TO speak in defense of the farmer
Organized greed played no favorites
and demanded political obedience
III the milking of the farming inter
ests The farmer has been the play
thing of the politician and the prey
OF big business. The elevator com
bines, strong corporations and land
spectators have slipped some very
raw deals that can never be ex-
planned.
We know by the most careful of
Investigations that the fraud on the
farmer By unfair grading of wheat
is the wrong done him daily by the
absolute control of the wheat mar
ket We read that today the Chlca-
go Board OF Trade sold wheat at
Sl.5o per bushel That means that
wheat is sold at delivery in the
month of May tor $3.50 per bushel.
Not bushel of wheat is transferred
Not one grain even is actually sold.
But one gambler in the pit in Chi
| cago under the disguise of a pretend
ed business transaction TO be made
IN May bets with another gambler
that the price will be at least $50.
That bet, therefore. becomes the gov
| efAing wheat price of the nation.
On that bet is based the actual price
or real wheat al our elevators. On
that bet is built the sale price OF ey-
cry sack of -four, On that bet is
based the actual price Of every loaf
OF bread. Is ii not mons,rous