The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1918-05-17
INTERESTS TRY TO ].
SUPPRESS LEAGUE
Big Business Stirs up Violence IN
Efforts to Head off Nom
partiSans.


Unable to meet the National Non.
partisan League on the ground OF
honest economic argument, and I'M
able also to defend its own exploit
tation, Big Business in Minnesota is
trying to stop the rapid growth OF
the farmers organization by torment.
ing mob violence and persuadin2
petty local politicians to promulgate
absurd DEGREES and illegal orders
which forbid free speech and peace.
full assemblage in open defiance to
the United States constitution.
This un-American conspiracy ap
parently Is melted by certain Big
Business heads--who are panicky be.
cause they see their profits threat.
ened-and is tactily encouraged by
the governor of the state. who refuses
to enforce the law and upholds lesser
officials who themselves connive at
law-breaking or even participate In
this illegal violence.
Profiteers inclte Lawlessness.
This carnival of violence has been
brought about by the complete over
throw of the Big Business political
machine In North Dakota. Minnesota
profiteers whose pocketbooks would
be hit If the League carried out its
promised program Of state owned
-four mills, elevators, packing plants
and other public utilities are prepared
to fight to the, last ditch to preserve
their profits.
Violence has been melted against
peaceful, law-abiding citizens of Min
nesota, who dared spread the
Leagues doctrine of economic eman-
cipation. League members have been
mobbed for attempting to exercise
their right OF peaceful assemblage.
Schools, churches and public halls
have been denied farmers and labor
ers. Sheriffs and gangsters have
trampled the constitutional rights Of
citizens of this, state under their feet,
and have dispersed meetings and ma
liciously arrested members Of the
League. Trumped-up charges have
been lodged against them and they
have been held in jail like common
criminals. The tools of Big Business
have hesitated at little short of
murder In their campaign Of intini-
dation
Press Dlstorts Truth.
The subsidized press has in no in-
stance carried a true account Of the
condition Of affairs in Minnesota. 1t
calls the League a disloyal insti:u-
tion and its members pro-German. It
Is silent on the memorable response
the League made to the Liberty Loan,
the Red Cross and the Y. M. G. A.
fund. North Dakota, where the farm
ers are In complete control, oversub-
scribed its Liberty Loan quota 73 per
cent. The same press ignores the
patriotic response made by the
League members when their country
needed men.
The most insidious attack that has
come from the hostile press have
been the false. statements that farm
ers throughout Minnesota were op-
posing League meetings and request
ing the various county peace officers
to stop the gatherings. The con-
trary has been true In every In
stance. In the counties where the
League has been prosecuted by a
few self-appointed custodians Of the
public welfare storm OF protest has
come from the farmer population.
The farmers want the League. They
realize its benefits. In spite of the
organized effort to destroy 1t, they
voluntarily come into the organiza-
ton and array themselves against the
ranks of the privileged interests.
When Big Business attempts to
quash the National Nonpartisan
League by intimidation Of members
and an unlawful use Of the states
police power against League speak
ers, It should turn to history for prec-
edent. No great movement has been
crushed by persecution. Christianity,
he abolition OF slavery, and the fight
for political democracy all suffered
from the attacks of their enemies,
but In every case the moral force OF
a great idea triumphed over the pet.
ty despots who opposed all change.
The National Nonpartisan League,
like these other great movements,
has made enemies 1t is, however.
to be commended upon the character
Of the enemies 1t has made, and like
these other great movements of his
tory will succeed despite all opposi-
ton.
The attempt Of Big Business to
wreck the League can have but one
result. That Is victory for the League
ticket on June 10. The farmers and
workers of Minnesota will unite
against their common foe, and VIC.
lent and illegal efforts will only
cement this allegiance.
Taking Them at Their Word.
For years the farmer has been told
what he should do to be successful,
how much mora b0 aho,rId raise hon,