The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1918-01-24

something to the detriment of business
interests generally.
Methods of organizing appear TO
vary according to the locality. In
North Dakota the scheme was to op-
crate working band of organizers in
each county, headed by captain. usu-
ally a socialist. These men are pro-
vlded with Fords or other cheap auto
mobiles and personally solicit mem
bers They also hold picnics and other
get-together meetings of farmers and
have good speakers who tell of the
things the league will do for them, In
the German communities they utilize
German organizers. In Swedish local
tiles, Swedish organizers, and so on.
Dues for the first year in North Da-
kota were So; for the second year 50;
for the present they are now trying to
collect SIG for two years dues. For
operations in Montana, Idaho dues are
SIG per annum and are being collected
two years in advance.
Explanation is made that the dues
are used for the payment of organic
ers, general publicity and other ex-
penses. In North Dakota captains
were employed at a salary of $3.50 per
month The organizing solicitors are
sometimes paid a salary and commits
sion, but more generally commission
of rs per cent.
Subscription to the national paper
of the organization is IS per year This
accounts specifically for 80 out Of SIC,
leaving 81 for campaign and other ex-
penses. In this connection it should
be noted that in a great majority of
cases no commissions are paid on re-
newals of membership which makes
IS additional available for the treas
ury. 1t should also be noted that the
Nom partisan league is voluntary
organization, not incorporated, and
hence there is very little responsibility
at the head Of the organization for the
funds beyond the statement as to how
they are expended. In other words the
leader and his associates have abso-
lutte control of an extremely large fund
that they apparently do not have to
account for.
In 1916 the North Dakota Non-par-
tisan league elected all the state Off
GERS, except the state treasurer, in
Guiding judges of the supreme court.
1t elected SO out of 113 members of
the house of representatives and Is
out of rs senators. Only ne-half Of the
senate is elected in each election in
North Dakota, so the Non partisan
league did not control the senate, hav-
ing but IS of the 40 votes in that body.
Practically nothing is now being
done to oppose the national Non -parti-
statements tending to discredit its
leaders, except in the state of Mime
sofa where certain definite action Is
being taken.
So far no direct political alignment
has been made with the principal pol
itical parties, although in places where
the Non partisan league has not at
tanned sufficient strength for a ticket
Of its own, it has usually identified it
self with the dominant party.
The North Dakota Non-partisan
league owns and publishes the Fargo
New Leader" a daily paper. The Ma
tional Non partisan league publishes a
weekly magazine known as the Mon
Partisan Leader" This is issued from
the Fargo, N. D. Office and while it's
are mainly general, each is
sue has a particular supplement de-
voted to the state in which it circu-
lates.
The league owns and operates four
banks in North Dakota and has sub
stantial interests in IA others. 1t has
organized company to conduct CO.
operative stores.
The recent election of ]. M. Baer,
as congressman from North Dakota
indicates that the league has gained
considerably in strength. Baer polled
more votes than the other four candi-
dates combined.
The Non partisan league is opposed
to war, to CONSUMPTION and to sending
men abroad. 1t also opposed the first
Liberty loan, assuming the same at
titude as the socialists. Congressman
Baer published articles last fall, using
about the same arguments as the
Peace league has on these questions.
How VanderIip Treats Employees.