The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-15
EQUITY HOLDS.
STATE AID BEST.
SOLUTION OF THE.
MARKET EVILS.
] m p portant Distinction
Drawn by Society in An
nual Convention
SEE NECESSITY
FOR THE LEAGUE
But Insist That Economic
Program Should be De
Veloped by Equity
lRv H D. PauIson.l

(By H. D. Paulson.)
Valley City. N. D., Feb. 15.-The
North Dakota. union of the American
Society of Equity, in resolutions
adopted at the annual convention in
Valley City yesterday afternoon,
declared its belief in the proposition
that the problems of marketing farm
products can best be solved by the
farmers themselves, operating through
their own institutions under the pro-
lection and guidance of the govern
ment, and also government nnanclaI
assistance.
The economic program outlined by
the Society Of Equity is in marked
contrast with that proposed by the
leaders of the Nonpartisan league,
who are demanding state ownership
OF the marketing agencies.
The Nonpartisan league, however,
comes in for endorsement at the
hands of the Society Of Equity, which
declares "a farmers nonparttsan
league is absolutely essential to en-
able the farmers to operate in the
political fleld,-while the Society Of
Fouity. together with its affiliated
business organizations, is carrying
into practice the principles Of CO.
operation"
Among we'll informed Society of
EQUITY men, practically all of whom
are also members of the Nonpartisan
league, the resolution with respect TO
state and federal aid for cooperative
farmers enterprises, was interpreted
as expressing the wishes of the So
called true co-operators" among the
North Dakota farmers, as against the
program OF state ownership employ
ga by the Socialist leaders of the
.Nonpartisan league on which to build
their onganization,
The Resolutions.
The two features of the resolu-
4ions that go most vitality to the
society's economic and political poll
icy, follow: i.
''Resolved, that whereas, the chief
difficulty in the operation Of Coop
erative institutions has been mat
ter of financing. and that such DIM
culties have been practically over
come by the farmers of Alberta and
saskatchewan through financial as
sistance from the government of its
provinces, we urge that a similar
plan of operation be put in force in
the United States; and that such
federal and state legislation be en-
acted as will authorize the govern
ment to advance loans on approved
Recurity to farmers cooperative
corporations such as elevators. -four
mills, warehouses, packing plants,
etc, engaged in marketing farm
products and in converting these
products into table use. We believe
that the problems of marketing farm
products can best be solved by the
Farmers themselves operating
through their own institutions under
the protection and guidance of the
government, and also the govern
ment financial assistance.
'sWhereas, 1t has come to our at
tention that certain individuals,
newspapers and corporations, through
tnsinuation, misinformation and 9TH
erwise, are trying to create dissen-
sion between members of the Society
of Equity and the Farmers Nonpar-
tisan league, now
Therefore, be 1t resolved, that we
condemn any such action.
"We believe that there should be |
no strife or competition among
farmers organizations that are OPP
Grating in the interest Of the pro-
ducers and consumers, to the end
that they may be brought closer to- |
pether for the exchange of their /
products. "A farmers nonpartisan |
league is absolutely essential to en-
able the farmers to operate in the |
political field. while the Society of |
Equity together with it's affiliated |
business Organizations, Is carrying |
into practice the principles of CO.
operation. Both are essential, and |
both are deserving of the support |
of everyone. There should be no
strife or competition between these
two organizations"
johnson Out Of Presidency.
When the board of directors of the l
society met shortly before midnight L
last night, M. p. Johnson, president
OF the society for seven years and
against whom Frank b. Wood, Of st.
Paul, head OF the livestock shipping
department Of the Equity Co-opera-
tive exchange and the vice president
OF the National Ronpartisan league, i
made such a determined fight, retired
from the presidency.
M r. Johnson declined to stand
for re-election as president, his work
as railroad commissioner requiring
Gil of his time and attention. Mr..
Iohnson remains on the board as a
director, and will continue to work
for the upbutlding OF the society as
his time permits, is the manner in
which the board announced Mr..
Johnson's retirement i'm a statement
given to the press through r. M.
Casey, vice president Of the society,"
Anthony Walton Of Minot. promin-
ant in Equity circles for many years
and a league leader in the house Of
representatives in the last session Of i.
the state legislature, was elected II
president to succeed Mr.. Johnson.
II, M. Casey was reelected vice
M. ". Boldly OF Fargo,
was reelected secretary and treas
urer, and Jean Boldly, assistant secre-
tary and treasurer.
elimination Of Hard Battle.
Mr.. Johnson's retirement was the
Of hot fight that has
been under progress for some time,
Ever since Mr. johnson placed him
self as opposed to the establishment
bv the Equity Cooperative exchange
bf the livestock shipping department,
and since he so severely criticized
Governor Frazier for his veto Of the n
terminal elevator bill passed by the
|aef anRpu1bI certain elements with