New-York tribune., 1918-02-01
Non-Partisan League Ready
to Conduct Radical Cam.
paign This Year
State Owned Railroads
Government Banks and Ele.
vators Part Of Programme
Outlined by Leaders
Especial Correspondencel

Especial Correspondence
ST. PAUL, Jan. 31.-With the CONF
pletion early this week Of the organiza-
ton in this state Of the Farmers Nom
Partisan League, drive has been
started to capture at least twenty-five
members Of the national House Of Rep
rcsentatives at Washington. North Da-
kota is already in possession Of the
league politically, and aside from this
state great strides have been made IN
organization among the agriculturists
in Montana, Idaho and Oregon. The
movement is extending as far south as
Texas.
Among the things that the farmers
ownership of railroads, elimination
permanently of the middleman and
Federal control Of shipping. While
these are the more important issues
upon which the fight at the polls will
be waged, there is q rapidly develop
ing sentiment for state-owned ele-
vators and banks, as we'll as govern
ment-controlled newspapers. that Will
Print only such news as the league
deems best for circulation.
The attitude of the organizers Of
the movement, so Ear as the war is
concerned, is best shown in the resolu-
tions which have just been adopted in
Oregon, which received the unanimous
vote of the leaders. In part they read
as follows:
"Resolved, That we consider the win
ming of the war the all important
work, that we pledge our lives, our
fortunes, the lives of our sons and
our sacred honor to fight for victory.
Resolved, That we oppose the use
cf money and labor on any work that
does not have for it's immediate pur-
pose the winning OF the war; and be
it further
Resolved, That while the war is 60
ing on, and for ell time thereafter,
it is our duty to keep our eye on the
people of thefruits of their honest
labor"
Oregon's Demands Outlined
The. chairman of the Oregon Cen
trail Committee named Il sub-commit-
tree which presented a report setting
forth the main objects sought in the
way of legislation, and this was adopt
ID unanimously. The chief points
are:
Establishment Of single house
Legislature. consisting of not more
han thirty members, to be presided
over by on officer elected at large,
who shall also be the Lieutenant Gov
ernor.
utilization Of the states natural
resources and public utilities for the
common good.
Establishment of an effective state
marketing system.
"A state law that will embody the
antl-lnjunction features of the Clay
ton amendment to the Sherman anti
trust Law.
Compulsory compensation, applying
10 all gainful occupations'
An interview with Congressman
Baer, of North Dakota, sole representa-
i've at Washington of the, Farmers
League, printed here to-day, said:
1T is astonishing how little interest
Washlngton now has in the farming
industry. When it comes to business
it is different Business is organized.
Business comes to Washington and
gets not only credit but cash-for ship
building and munition making l have
no complaint on that score--but want
the farmers to do the same thing.
Food War Necessity
Food is just as necessary as muni-
tions and ships. We face great short
age of food crops this year. We need
a billion bushels Of wheat. We are
not going to get it-and we are not
even going to try to get it, for much
land suitable for spring wheat will lie
idle. After two bad crops the farmers
are without cash or credit. They can't
buy seed. 1t is just as necessary and
right for the government to provide
money for seed to these farmers as it
was to provide money for shipbui1ding.
Yet official w Washington cannot see it
because the farmers are not organized.
"The war has done much for the
farmer. While he feels that the gov
wheat. should also fix the price Of cot
ton, steel, lumber, shoes and clothing
the things he has to buy-he is not
in mood for much complaining. The
railroads have been taken over, the
middlemen cut out and the problem of
ship congestion solved. If these steps
we're necessary in time Of war, the
farmers contend they arc just as
necessary in time of peace. and they
to the old way of doing things"
Speakers To Take the Field
1t was pointed out to-day by one of
tho local leaders that before the ap-
preaching campaign is under way speak.
crs Of prominence will be sent through.
out the West and Northwest to appeal
particularly to the agriculturists
North Dakota will be used as All object
lesson, and recital of the achieve
ments there will be made to further
the claim that the farmers should be
better represented in Congress.
Tho Dakota Legislature, which il
controlled by the farmers, is to be used
as an illustration Of the plans of the
new movement to take state control
accused of catering to the corpora.
tons and the moneved interests.
Planned to Destroy Ship