The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1917-09-29


the county work farm, for the
next sheriff Of St. Louis county
is the rather pretentious program
that is being prepared just now.
The Dry folks are credited
with being back of this move
ment. The men behind it may
be powder dry but the Dry COM
mittee is not responsible for the
plan for that committee takes no
part in politics outside Of push
ing the Dry cause, itself. In the
spring election the Dry commit
tee refused to endorse any candi-
dates for office, although all the
members of the organization, as
individuals, had a strong per-
sonal choice.
If Dry folks are back Of Fred
Wards interests, it must be a
select little bunch, a sort Of in
ner circle of "Kingmakers,' for
there are some few such among
the Dry leaders.
The Ward boom is flourishing
in the hinterland. Most of the
farmers tributary to the county
work farm are reported as strong
for Fred Ward for sheriff. Much
Ward talk can be picked up
aound the city market place on
Wednesdays and Saturdays.
All those who have been asked
to express themselves, declare
that Fred Ward would make a
grand sheriff. Not knowing him
personally, the Rip-saw has no
personal opinion in the matter.
Fred Ward is a Minnesota pro-
duct. He is a graduate of the
College of Agriculture, Univer-
sity Of Minnesota. For year
he YVES in charge Of a correc-
tional school for boys at St.
Charles, Illinois, an institution
fashioned something on the plan
of the st. Louis county work
farm.
Mr.. Ward came to Duluth a..
agricultural agent, a position he
held a year. When the work
farm was established in 1913,
Ward was put in charge and a
fine record has been made there.
Fred Ward is represented as a
man Of high moral courage and
ideals. He is represented as be-
ing the soul Of business honor
and man who believes that laws
are made to be enforced but en-
tirely in keeping with the prin-
ciples of real civilization, not by
brute force. He is brainy and on
the top wave Of public popu-
larity.
This Ward boom, if not frosted,
is likely to have deep influence
on St. Louis county politics.
The boom of Robert D. Nc
Kercher for sheriff is likely to
look like a sausage skin if Fred
Ward stays on the track to the
bitter end and he is not consid-
cred man who looks back afteS
putting his hands to the pillow
"Uncle Bob" is the chosen can
didate Of the head of the politi.
cal department of the local U. S.
Steel Corporation interests. Opin.
ions in that department are not
unanimous as to McKercher. One
clever subordinate bluntly told
the chief medicine-maker that
McKercher was no good for the
Wolvin building interests but
the head medicine-maker insisted
on taking him up. It will be a
hard blow to the big Chief if he
fails to score. for his heart is
set on the sheriff's office. He
has boosted that the interests in
the Wolvin building would get
the office for him. He has looked
on the position of chief Of police
as a mere stepping stone to the
bigger and better office, if his
many statements to friends, long
weeks ago, really meant anything.
With a fine record for biting
and buffing the I. w. w. during
the iron range labor troubles, the
more militant element around the
Wolvin building has considered
the HE land Chief as the candy
boy. What the Big Interests lack
in actual votes, they have felt
able to make up in money and
Marmon cars. But, in these troub-
lous times, a corporation proposes
and the voter disposes. Some
day that fact will seep through
the crania of the head medicine
men up there.
John Meining's friends declare