Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-06-29

has not purchased new plant as yet,
and the permanency of the paper alto
gether depends upon the patronage to
be given the paper by the local bust
ness men.
We do not know the author Of the
following, but he is entitled to be con-
sidered poet laureate until after har-
vest:
Planting Tonight
Many are the backs that are weary to-
night
From using the spade an;! the hoe;
Many are the men who are straining
their sight
Watchin" for the stuff to grow.
Planting tonight, planting tonight,
Planting in the old backyard.
Most folks are willing that the gov-
eminent take over the coal mines, op-
crate them and sell and distribute the
product. All the arguments against
government ownership and regulation
of public utilities and public resources
like waterpowers and deposits of min
erals are fast going by the board un-
der the stress Of tremendous nation
al emergency. Private control of the
railroads has shown its inadequacy AMI
the very papers that were most afraid
of government interference want the
government to go farther than the wild
est dreams of granger legislators.
The Saltwater prisoners subscribed
nearly $4,000 to the Liberty loan. 1t
10 to be hoped that men who are thus
willing, without compulsion to help
their country, who, deprived of liberty,
desire the political liberty for others
which they themselves have temporari-
y or permanently lost, may be given
the opportunity, at least in some cases,
to redeem themselves by direct service
under the flag, now impossible under
the rules of the army and navv depart.
nents. A good many Of those who
subscribed, it may be said further, are
act citizens of the United States.
The Iron Range is somewhat in the
imeiight on account of the number re-
fusing to register for the draft, not a
great number in proportion to the to-
tai number, but not at all strange in
view of the propaganda carried on
here. The law must be obeyed, and
ne men who violate it must be shown
that il not the right way to correct
unfair industrial conditions, if they
exist, as many believe they do. Apart
from this matter Of the draft, which
the federal government can take care
Of firmly and justly, there is the mat
ter of agitation by labor organiza-
lions, and we note in some quarters a
demand for decisive action. This is
proper where the evidence shows trea-
sonable intent, but corporation mag
Mates ought not to be allowed under
cover of patriotic need in time of
stress, to use a club over organized
labor that they never would, have in
times of peece. Labor is standing by
the nation in every respect. It de.
6erves" square deal and should be
content with nothing else. =
Much of what the Non.partisan
league demands is in our Judgment
fair and for the benefit of others as
we'll as the farmers, and much Of what
is said as to exploitation and the use
favored classes is true, as everyone
knows. The political protests Of diff
ferent kinds in this state for many
years SHOW CudC there was reason IO1
the changes favored, and many Of
those changes have come about. Wha1
there is good in the plans of the league
will remain, and there is much. If il
has unwise leaders as we'll as wise, il
there are self-seekers as we'll as honest
and altruistic men in the organiza
ton, if some suggestions are unwist
and impractical while others are Of
great value and necessary for the vel
fare Of the state, the league does no
differ|in these respects from othe Hroii
teal organizations. It will be vast,
Of time to abuse it, and much more
sensible to seek to understand it ant
the conditions which make it possible
If our farmer friends get together t,
achieve certain definite ends and they
make mistakes, they will not be ex
empt from the bad consequences; OF
the other hand if they succeed in Sc
curing in helping themselves they vii
also help the other inhabitants Of tn,
state. Let their proposals be exam
lined fairly and judged impartially.