The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-18
.HTTTHERETATLEUS
And MIDDLE men
In NONPA ARTISAN
MEETING MONDAY
Merchants Given Attention
By President Townley,
Of League
ASK NATION TO =.
TAKE CONTROL
Would Handle Other In
dustries On The Same
Basis As Wheat

President A. C. TownIey, of the
Nonpartisan league speaking at the
farmers and producers conference in
Fargo Monday afternoon, devoted
himself largely to the question Of
war profits and also devoted some lit
tie attention to merchants and busi-
ness men.
That it doesn't require much abili-
ty to be a merchant, was Mr.. Town
ley's contention, and he emphasized
that 1t was easy to buy broom for
Csc and sell it for so cents.
Mr.. Townley maintained that mer-
chants buy at wholesale and sell at
retail-the difference between their
profit, represents what they live on.
But the farmer, said Mr.. Townley,
is compelled to sell his produce at
wholesale, while he buys at retail
and still makes a living.
Mr.. Townley also paid his respects
to a Fargo business man, whom, he
charged, had, earlier in the day, been
accosted by farmer with a request
for directions to the Nonpartisan
league headquarters.
The mana merchant, or business
man, or an employe-in a local busi-
ness house, was cited by Mr.. Town
ley as having declared, II don't know
where the Nonpartisan headquarters
are. but the l. w. w. headquarters
are upstairs" the inquirer being di-
rected to the league headquarters.
That the Nonpartisan league had
been trying for two years to educate
the business men of North Dakota
that IL the farmers could save $751;
900, 900 a year, 1t would be better for
the business man but Mr.. Townley de-
clares there were some who still
couldn't understand that
Referring to profiteers, Mr.. Town
ley gave himself over to rather
lengthy discussion OF their position
in the nation today, and he declared
the Nonpartisan league stood ready
to help the government get rid OF
them. That profits and patriotism do
not go together was Mr.. Townley's
contention.
That the government. by establish
ing a price Of 1920 at Chicago for
wheat, had adopted a principle which
1t should apply all down the line, was
his plea, and he maintained that the
farmers were getting none of the war
profits az this time.
Resolutions adopted at the evening
meeting, I'm brief, include the follow
ing features: @
Declare that the present price Of
wheat means a. net loss to the farm
ers of $1.10 on each bushel raised in
the state.
Declares farmers willing to make
this sacrifice, and pay this tax to
help the nation during the war, and
ask the government to fix prices on
farm. machinery, coal and other
necessaries of life.
Asks that the government take over
these agancies.
ASK that government place seed
what at same price as wheats are
now sold, plus a reasonable storage |
charge and interest on money invest |
I'd.
Ask change in the grain grading |
system, charging present method Is
unfair to producers.
Points out that difference in price |
II certain grades is IA cents a bushel
Ind that actual cost of cleaning, ana |
.hus bringing higher grade, is only
| cent a bushel.
Ask that the government loan money /
% farmers at the same rate of in
crest and on the same security as
We loan it to our allies.
Presented resolution by stockhold-
,rs of Equity Cooperative exchange,
ldvising government that body Win
handle grain purchases at actual
,ost.
Propose that government limit prof
t OF elevator companies to eight per
,ent.
Evening Meeting.
At the evening meeting, fairly at
ended, there were several speakers,
including Lynn Thompson, Socialist
member of the Minneapolis board OF
ducation; Mrs. Jacob Panken, OF
yew York city; "A. G. Townley, Cow
rnor Lynn Frazier, and 0. M. Thorn
son.
Congressman Baer told the farmers
hat the Nonpartisan league was
making big strides nationally
Lynn Thompson took up the theo-
v that they have been playing up
.gainst each other" as between the
and consumer, holding that
me class had been deliberately pitt
ed against the other in times past,
tut he believed a better day was
oming.
That organization Of producers and
OF consumers would ul-
imately work a plan that will result
a the elimination Of the middle men,
nd bring better returns to the pro-
.ucer, and lower prices to the con-
umer, was his prediction.
At the close of the meeting Cover
lor Frazier made an appeal to the
to suppoFf The Red Cross
ampaign, now under way in Fargo.
Praise For Peace Council Stand.
Governor Lynn j. Frazier of North
Dakota, was extolled by Mrs. Jacob
oanken OF New York city, speaking
donday afternoon. for extending the
and OF welcome to the Peoples
'eacs Council TO hold its meetings
n North Dakota after Governor
3urnquist Of Minnesota had refused
o harbor the paci1sts.
Mrs. Jacob Panken was brought TO
fargo from New York city. to talk
n the subject OF The Masses and the
Eigh Cost OF Living. basedson actual
Inspection of conditions among the
consumers. II was tie latter part OF
er address which commended the
ction ~ the governor Following
er address, Governor Frazier, who
asserted that 1t is mighty
ard to be patriotic and hungry at
be same time"
I'VE are told that our hope Of
eating Germany is to starve its
eople until they compel the kaiser
8 bend or break" said Mrs. Panken.
IL we expect this Of the people Of
iermany, what about our own work
Re- who are starved ? Where viii 10
sad7 They can no longer be fooled.
hey know the truth. When the
roriEer In industry and the worker
! agriculture realize their common
lterest. no problem viii be dtfh-