The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-05-09
MIN0T PLATFORM

Following is the platform adopted
at the conference held in Minot, on
Wednesday, when candidates were en-
dorsed to oppose the Nonpartisan
ticket in the Republican primaries.
We, the citizens of North Dakota
from various sections of the state
| and of various political parties and
factions representing the sentiments
of large numbers of people in our
respective communities assembled in
mass meeting at Minot, N. D., this
first day of May, 1918, having the
welfare of our state and it's people
at heart, deem it our duty in view
Of the deplorable political and econ
omic conditions in the state and ma
ton to appeal to the people to be
committed to the following political
and economic program until the ends
sought have been substantially OBJ
tanned.
First and foremost there must be
unconditional loyalty; our federal
government must be given the most
unqualified and vigorous support in
the prosecution of the war; every
citizen responding promptly and gen.
erously to every call for aid, service
and sacrifice. No consideration of
business, partisan politics, personal
friendship or other individual inter-
est must be allowed to divert our
attention or consume our energy or
resources so as to contribute in any
way to the prolonging of the war a
single hour longer than is necessary
to gain complete victory for world
democracy. The solution of all Sec
ondary problems of local or state
government, economic or social, are
of secondary Importance to the mat
ter of now determining by armed
force the right Of civilized nations to
solve their own problems in their
own way. e.
We condemn H. B. a. and all ef-
forts to amend our state constitution
without fair submission of each
amendment separately to the voters
of the state or by the regular pro-
cess of constitutional convention to
be provided for by the legislature at
the proper time.
We recommend that an effort be
made by the legislature to provide
means by which all American citi-
zens in government service in foreign
countries be given an opportunity to
vote on all matters to be voted upon
at the general elections.
We favor regulations for grading
grain on the basis of the milling
value OF wheat and that prices be
based on the same and be regulated
from time to time according to the
varying cost of productions so as
to insure to the former. the fair return
proportionate. We urge the most
careful consideration Of propositions
to initiate, foster and support such
political action, legislative enactment
and constitutional revision as may
be required to produce government
that will, at all times, be sensitive
ly responsive to the will of the ma
jority. Provide for a nonpartisan
ballot for the election of all coun-
ty, state and legislative officers; a
practical workable initiative, referen-
dunn and recall; state hail insurance
by means of an acreage tax; exemp-
ton OF farm improvements from
taxation; support of the federal farm
loan act; state or federal develop
ment of our natural resources; state
or federal ownership, aid or control
OF such public service utilities and
industries as may be determined by
majority of the voters of the state
from time to time, as being neces-
sary in order to have an efficient
public service and to prevent public
service agencies and industries
from being monopolized by private
interests for an unfair private gain,
NO such undertaking, however
should be entered upon without pro-
vldlng for a civil service test for all
employees, also providing for such Sc
curing and guaranteeing of bond is
sues, payment of accruing interests
to protect\ public institutions. re.
sources and credits against anv loss
or harm that might come from ex-
perimentiing with government own
ership or operation of public service
utilities or industrial enterprises.
| we express ourselves as opposed
to all forms of gang control in our
body, polite, and believe that the
people OF our state will not, know.
lng!y, want to give absolute con.
troll OF our government to a gang
consplring to lead us into a brand
OF socialism that has no reverence,
for the divine; and who officially de
clare the war to be "crime aeains
the United States and the nations O.
the world" and who urge their elect
o., s7A!4e4usss1de1 eA!4s1s15eI o.
vote against all proposed appropria
tons or loans for military, nava
ana other war purposes"
We likewise believe that the farm
ers Of our state will not knowinpl,
want to continue, at the head of an,
farmers organization, q gang of mer
who, while enthusing us for govern
/ mental reform, have unjustly AM
treacherously utilized our enthusiasm
to undermine our state credit, und
important work of the Society o
! Equity and the farmers union. +
the interests Of agriculture, and ar
now promoting personal interests an
! private corporations that have n
parallel in the gold brick industry O
our state. We urge upon the voter
OF every legislative district in Mort
Dakota that men be brought GU
| regardless Of party lines as cand;
dates for legislative positions who's
loyalty is unquestioned and who arr
| in the main, in sympathy with thi
program and will pledge themselve
| to not be party to any unit rule
or secret caucus" interfering wit