The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-08-27
ENDORSEMENT OF.
THIRD CANDIDATE.
HAS STRING TIED.
TO IT BY LABOR.
Nonpartisan-Labor Candi-
date Must Veto Prohibi-
ton Measures
EVANS is CHOSEN
CONDITLONALLY
Is DRY" Now But Is Civ
en- Opportunity To
Change His Views

Minneapolis, Aug. 27.-David H.
Evans, of Tracy, has been provision
ally Endorsed for governor by the
state labor political conference. He
was recommended by joint COM
mfttee, representing the labor meet
ing and the Nonpartisan league.
Tom Davis Of Marshall was Endorsed
for attorney general. Mr.. Evans in
dorsement for governor was voted
by the labor delegates with con-
dition attached.
He indicated today that he will
comply.
Mr. Evans had informed the labor
committee that on the liquor ques-
ton he is dry" This precipitated
q fight in the conference when the
committee made its report recon-
mending him for governor. The in
dorsement finally was voted with
string to it, Mr.. Evans is required
to promise that If the legislature
passes a statutory prohibition bill,
he as governor will veto 1t. Mr..
Evans had left for home before the
vote was taken.
In Tracy today, Mr.. Evans said he
on the question until he meets with
the committee appointed to inter-
view him.
Thinks People Should Decide.
''As 1 look at it now" Mr.. Evans
remarked, Il would say that If the
people passed on the question, that
should determine it, for the present
at least.
Il was not asked to subscribe to
any special program, but was ask
ed by the committee where I stood
on prohibition. 1 told them that I
was a dry"
J. A. Watkins Of Minneapolis and
William Mahoney of ST. Paul COM
pose the committee named to get
Mr.. Evans statement for the labor
delegates. Mr.. Evans said today
he will return to the twin cities in
a day or two and will confer with
them. 1t Is believed his statement
will satisfy the labor contingent.
Their argument is that If constitu-
tional prohibition fails this fall. the
legislature ought not to make the
state dry by statute.
Wheaton Not to Withdraw.
Fred f. Wheaton. Democratic
nominee for governor, who returned
yesterday from conferences with
Democratic leaders in Washington,
said that reports of his withdrawal
are "all bosh," and that he will stay
in the race to a finish. He went
over the situation late yesterday in
a conference of state committee
leaders at his home and determined |
to make the run despite the third |
ticket movement.
Mr.. Evans, the Independent can
affiliated with the anti-Lynch fac |
ton. His name was urged on the |
labor conference by Tom Davis OF
Marshall, and though both men are |
from the same county, they were |
made the two nominees. To make |
them candidates the league and la
Dor combination will have to get
petition signed by 1000 voters who
did not vote in the June primaries.
Fodgson Refuses to Run.
Mayor Laurence c. Hodgson Of St.
Paul was first choice of most Of the
delegates to the labor conference. He
had sent word that he could not
make the run, but some of them
We're so insistent that it was neces"
sary finally to produce a statement
from Mr.. Hodgson's physician, say
ing that his health would not permit
him to make a campaign.
In Session Over IL Hours.
The convention was in session
more than II hours, at Labor Tenn
pie, St. Paul. At the outset a fight
developed over seating delegates
from the railroad brotherhoods.
which are not affiliated with the
state federation of labor. After four
hours Of fighting the railroad men
were admitted and this settled the
fate of the Wheaton movement. At
ter Mayor Hodgson had been elimin
ated as a possibility, committee
of seven was named to meet with
the Nonpartisan leagues committee
and agree on a candidate for gov
ernor. The Nonpartisans had list
of several names, including John
Lind, Magnus Johnson, Of Meeker,
county, and Tom Davis and David
H. Evans of Lyon county. 1t was
finally agreed to indorse Evans for
governor and Davis for attorney
general. Mr.. Evans was called be-
fore the committee. His statements
were satisfactory until it came to
the liquor question. Mr. Evans said
he had always favored prohibition.
The committee decided to recon-
mend him anyway but when it's re-
port came before the labor confer
q
was a battle over the prohibition I
question. While the debate was on ID
word was sent to Mr.. Evans to come
before the conference but he al /
ready had taken an evening trainl
for home. Tom Davis went before I
the convention and made a strong I
talk for Evans. The Endorsement
was then made, on the condition
stated.
Democrats Varied In Support.
Leading volunteer Democrats said
today that they may decide to sup
port Evans If he goes back on his
prohibition principles in any way.
Mr. Evans is hardware merchant
at Tracy and a. wan Of large wealth.
He wars formerly a Populist, then a
Democrat, and was Democratic can
didate for congress in the Second
district.