Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-05
SOME EAcI3

James m. Pierce, pubdsher~of Ihe
Iowa Homestead and member of the
Iowa Council OF defense, has become
associated with the Nnnpa, tisan
league. Other agricultural journals
in Iowa are opposed to the orgamza-
tion,. but Mr.. Pierce apparently has
seen fit to espouse it. In doing SO 10
is masking his efforts. stosa degrea be-
hind an attack on the GreHter Iowa
association.
The Greater Iowa ASSOCIATION has
taken an active part in opposing the
Nonpartisan league and it is impor-
tant for the good Of the state that its
Efforts and its aims be not mismder.
stood. Had the governor of Iowa and
the defense council possessed the
moral courage to take the same ac-
ton that has been taken by the de-
Tense councils Of Ninne8uGa, Nebras.
ka and Wisconsin it would not have
been necessary for any private or
semi-pubtic organization to do so.
Last fall the attention of the. GOV.
ernor and the chairman Of the>Aafenss
council was called to the plans of the
NonpaHtisan league, which included
an invasion Of Iowa. They did moth
ing. FreQnmuy during the winter
the subject has been brought TO, their
attention, and not only have they
done nothing to offset the work Of the
Nonparusan league but they have re-
fused definitely TO take action.
Citizens Of Iowa who have no. con-
nection with the Greater Iowa asso-
citation and who were inpelled wholly
by . desire to protect the stzte from
the influence of the organisation
which already has brought diSepute
to North Dakota and Minnesota. made
repeated pleas to the governor and
the defense council s.cmiFman. These
were ignored.
Then the GTea4r10Ua aksocfattun.S
officials, some Of whom are members
Of the defense council, undertook thu
campaign on which they are engaged
now. The assoc1Atim's treasury Il
paying the expeWe Of the campaign
and the fight against the Nonparttsan
league Is being mMae openly. It Is
opposed as q socialistic and danger
Gus political organisation by the ou3y
statewide association of business men
which includes members representa-
The Greater Iowa association Is an
organization devoted to the better
ment OF Iowa. On that Platform Il
fss recruited as menhe8 represenD,
tive Iowa farmers, manufacturers,
bankers, retdbeFs, joboexs, travelling
statesmen. clerks. wage eaEnarS, min.
isters and men mum prAc4lczlyesesy
honorable wak OF LIE. A St1umg pD-
portion Of the memheuz1np - made Up
of farmers, which il enflrely uuper,
since farming is 1os1Sgnosb1xAun1
business.
Regardless of anyehnga<heronates
Iowa association may he dime IN
the past or may do IN the A1He, its
fight in opposition to The Ncapareisan
league is sufficient Justification hH its
existence. and II it had been msan-
lied for that purpose alone II wUfld
have drawn its strength and f1nsllc7sa
support from just such men az ara
found on the" assocfatisn's member
ship roll.
These facts are set down here BY
way of making clear and PLAIN the
reason why private efforts had to be
aHerted in defense Of hwa when the
pol7ticA considerations caused the
governor and the defense council to
withhold their hands. In view OF Mr.
Pierce's record in the past. it Is not
surprising to find HIM befriendfng the
Nonpartjsan league at this time. The
tie between him and 'the Nnupazk1Bas
league leadea8 Is 2n~Rt cnzn D
On their incuuslste1cy and 01er nd
! u sincerity. H. hagnah DA