The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-02
FARMERS
LEGISLATURE
IN SADDLE
CONTINUED FROM page one.)

$50 (COntlnued frOH page One.)
outside his own community till a few
weeks ago. Wood is but 80 years old,
a clean cut, earnest young man. who
looks upon the Nonpartisan league as
an instrument for the betterment Of
living conditions in North Dakota
not for the farmers alone. but for all
of her people.
In. the. house of representatives. the
nomination of Mr.. Wood for the
speakership was backed by the full
strength of the league caucus.
In the same manner, the verdict Of
the caucus employment committee
will be ratified before the adjournment
of the house for the afternoon.
Lieutenant Governor Kraabel was
conducted to the rostrum by a COM
mittee Of senators, delegated by the
senate.
It was the second time that Lieu
tenant Governor Kraabel has occu-
pied the post, presiding over the SEN
ate in the session of 1913.
Nation Watches Session.
Because of the unique Circumstance
es under which the present legisla-
ture convenes, the attention of the
entire state, in fact, the attention of
the entire nation. Is focused on the
developments here.
The watchword of the Nonpartisan
league In its. organization work
throughout the northwest has been to
watch North Dakota"-and the peo-
pie are looking upon this states ex-
periences.
Tremendous Membership Drives.
That the Nonpartisan league, which
has absolute control of the house of
representatives, executive department
and the judicial department Of the
state government, has made success
full membership drives in Minnesota,
Montana, South Dakota and Nebras-
ka, is the information coming from
q high league official.
In Minnesota, It is understood that
between $4,000 and $4,000 members
have been enrolled. Nebraska is said
to be a fertile field for organization
work, as are South Dakota and Mon
tana.
Expect to Make Ammunition.
The league expects the North Da-
kota legislature to provide it with
new organization material 1t expects
the assembly OF this state to put into
operation the program outlined by the
league, which relates principally to
the state ownership of various public
near public utilities. IL
Successful In this state in carrying
out their pledges, the league would be
made stronger outside the state.
New Campaign in State.
Unsuccessful in carrying their pro-
gram to completion, the leaguers are
to make a new political
drive in North Dakota. declaring that
1t would be even more vigorous and
far reaching than the campaign just
closed
It is not two years since the Nom
partisan league was organized. II
had its birth in the so-called roll
call" meeting staged In Bismarck dur
ing the 1915 session OF the legisla-
.ure. when the terminal elevator fight
was under way.
Bowen and TownIey Start It.
In that meeting, at which the late
George Lotus was q central figure,
Albert e Bowen, former Socialist
candidate for governor OF North Da- |
sota, and now prominent league or
ZaniZer who was today made clerk of |
he house of representatives made |
he first statement Of the plan to or
zanize nonpartisan political associa-
ion
league as It is today con-
Itituted. was present at that meeting /
stationed down toward the rear Of /
he hall. and as Mr.. Bowen expounded 1
he principles of the new party from /
he platform. Mr.. Towniey studied the
eject
Mr.. Townley was satisfied that the |
serm had been sufficiently developed |
o sprout, and the league was placed
inder way.
The First Three Members.
NJ L YnI,Wanw - Tsrf1r~se - +
iay q state railroad commissioner,
vas one Of the first three signers of |
he league roll.
Howard Wood. today elected speak