The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1918-05-17
LOYALTY RINGS At
LEAGUES SESSION
Nonpartisans Loudly Cheer Each
Reference to Nations
Leaders in War.

Patriotism was the keynote Of the
three-day conference held at ST. Paul
last week between the organized
farmers of the National Nonpartisan
league and the union workers of the
city.
At every mention of President VIII.
sons name. the delegates rose to
their feet with wild cheers and they
left no doubt through all their express
sions that they are squa"ely behind
the government in their support of
the war.
Early In the convention a stirring
message assuring President Wilson
Of the loyalty of the Northwestern
farmers was read to the convention,
acclaimed by tumultuous applause, and
then wired to Washington, D. c.
Later q message from Herbert Hoover
to the farmers was read TO the con-
vention and loudly applauded.
Herbert Hoover's telegram and the
presence of William Kent, now mem
Der OF the Federal Tariff commission
and formerly congressman from Cali
fornia, showed that the United
States government has no doubt
about the frenzied attempt of Mime
sofa politicians to brand the leagues
leaders as disloyal.
Kent Represented Government.
William Kent was sent to the con-
vention by George Creel. head of the
Bureau Of Public Information, when
Francis J. Heney, in charge of the
packers Investigation, was unable to
come. Mr.. Kent told the farmers and
workers that he represented the
President and that he would return
with the assurance that the Nonparti-
san league was loyal.
Other speakers brought cheering
praise from men high In the councils
OF the national administration.
letter was read from George Creel
which stated that Despite attacks,
! believe intensely In the loyalty of
the Nonpartisan league. have done
all In my power to protect 1t from
unfair assault" and Mrs. Huldah
Harold Balm, wife Of Capt Robert
Thurston Balm, navigation officer In
the United States navy, brought the
audience to its feet with cheers when
she announced that she had come to
the conference with the approval Of
her husbands commander-in-chief.
Another speaker, Rev. s. r. Max
well Of Denver, said he had a letter
from President Wilson which was so
! personal that he could not read it,
but which declared that the Non,
partisan league sis absolutely, div
inely and majestically American
Sneers of Papers SIIenced.
Even the subsidized Twin City
dailies, which day after day tried to
distort and misrepresent the doings
OF the convention, were silent in the
face Of this evidence. These papers
sneeringfy said 1t was "only camou-
fage" when the farmers and workers
opened their sessions with the sing
ing of "The Stars and Stripes" and
America" but they did not dare to
jeer when the word was brought from
washington that the national ad
mfnfstration considers the Nonparti
son league loyal.
The whole convention was a con-
vfncing demonstration Of the patriot
ism OF Nonpartisan league members
and officials. Not by words alone.
but by deeds the farmers disnloved
their loyalty, for their resolutions
again cheerfully agreed in the price
OF wheat set by the President for the
1918 crop, only asking In return that
all other commodities be treated upon
the same basis and calling upon
Congress to enact legislation that
will enable President Wilson to ex-
tend his price-fxing policy and pre-
vent profiteering in other industries
Profiteers Greatly Alarmed.
incidentally. this action in regard
to price fixing legislation explains
why the Nonpartisan leaeue is so
bitterly assailed by the Special In.
terests and their subsidized newpa-
pers. The profiteers fear that the
leagues recommendations will he
carried out and IL this is done thew
foresee drastic reduction in their
present swollen dividends This ex-
plains their frantic charges of dis.
loyalty. They are trying to discredit
the league and to divert attention