The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-25
RIVAL FACTIONS
In EQUITY Will
CLASH AT ANNUAL
STATE MEETING
Valley City Convention
Likely to See Nonparti-
san Drive on johnson
WOULD REPUDIATE
FRAZIER ATTACK
Split Dates From Cover
nor's Veto of State Ter
minal Elevator Bill

The annual convention OF the
North Dakota Society Of Equity viii
be held in Valley City on a date not
yet definitely fixed, but 1t probably
will be about the middle or latter
part of February.
Valley City was picked by the ex-
ecutive committee Of the North Da-
kota union at q meeting held In
Fargo, and February s was fixed as
the date.
It was later learned that the date
conf1icted with another big meeting
in Valley City. and a change was
made.
While nothing is definitely known
of the plans Of the Equity leaders, 1t
is considered likely that the conven-
/. ton will develop more or less
political significance. In North Da-
kota, the Society OF Equity has been
forced into secondary position by
activities of the Nonpartisan league,
and last spring, when M. F. Johnson
president of the Society OF Equity,
and member Of the state railroad
board. issued an interview scoring
the action of Governor Lynn Frazier
in vetoing the Equity's terminal ele-
vator bill, things developed with
rapidity. Mr.. Johnson's attack on
the governor was followed by q more
or less bitter denunciation by The
Co-Operators' Herald OF the Non
partisan selected state executive.
For~some time past, however, The
CO.. o-Operators' Herald has not been
given over to any further criticism
of Mr.. Frazier, and in very recent is
sues, the publication has carried
special articles to show how state
ownership aids cooperation" The
Nonpaftisan, 1t might be stated In
passing, strenuously advocates state
ownership, while the true Equity
man Ia, for co-operative effort as a
means of solving the ills that both
bodies see in the body polite.
Promises Real Excitement.
II the forthcoming state conven-
tion OF the Society Of Equity devel-
ops any particular political signi-
flcance, the Valley City convention
should be exceedingly. interesting
In the ranks OF the Equity men, there
is no slight schism. That portion OF
the Equity group represented more
or less by NJ. r. Johnson, OF Tolley;
A M Baker. OF Fargo: G. y Lee oi
| Fargo, M. Teigen of Omemee, Va ID.
1 is- arrayed against another group
headed by Pat Casey Of Fargo. presi-
dent OF the Equity Operative
Packing company; Anthony Walton
OF Minot, another packing company
promoter, and several others, who
stand with the state administration
Mr. Walton was one OF the leagues
floor leaders In the house OF repres-
tentatiyes in the last session of the
last legislature, while Mr.. Casey, In
addition to being president of the
Equity Packing company, a 81 100000
corporation that is building a pack
ing plant near Fargo, was assistant
sergeant in the house OF
Representatives in the last session OF
the assembly, and now is q mem
Der Of the state board Of control
under appointment by Governor
Frazier
object TO Use Of Name.
Friction between the two Equity
elements has been more or less pro-
nounced throughout the year. The
proposed use of the name Equity,
in connection with the Fargo build
ing project that has resulted in the
erection OF q five story business and
apartment building at the corner OF
| Second avenue and Roberts street
was opposed by the Casey group
while, likewise, the name equity
was also objected to in connection
with the establishment Of a cream
cry project in Fargo.
Would Rspudiato Johnson.
The Nonpartisan group in the
Society Of Equity Is ready to stand
for the entire program Of the Non
partisan league, while Mr.. Johnson
heretofore a power in the Equity, Is
strongly opposed to certain features
The Nonpartisan political directors
are practically certain to make the
coming Valley City convention the
occasion Of q test that they will
turn into q reputation Of Mr.. John
sons position on the terminal bin ii
they succeed In adopting resolutions
endorsing the governor for his stand
on the terminal bill.
The terminal elevator bin in ques-
tion granted a 100000 appropria-
tion, and provided that the governor
name a commission. which commits
sion was given the power to buy
terminal elevators, building terminal
elevators, or investigate the question
Of whether or not such elevator was
feasible.
There were no restrictions upon
the commission, and no set program
was outlined. The Nonpartisan
league president, A. G. Town1ey, de-
cided that the bill wouldn't do
even after its practically unanimous
passage by the last legislature, and
Governor Frazier accordingly at
tached his veto.
The act brought an immediate
denunciation from President Johnson
OF the Equity, taken up by the edi-
tor Of The Co-Operators' Herald, but
there was no follow up from the
Equity paper. Nonparffsan influence
within the Equity successfully head
ing on any further attack upon the
executive. For some time past The
Herald has been a vigorous support
er Of the governor and the state ad-
rninistration.
Il