The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-12-25
Another Letter From Senator Hamer.
Milaea. MINI. December %.

Another Letter From Senator Hamer.
Milaca, Mimi, December ~.
To the Editor of the Union:
The Milaca Times, in it's last issue,
repeats it's slur sabout Senator Hame1
being dependent on some particular
banker, the coaGhings of some partlcu-
lar banker for what she must say" to
the public, and if the senator were not
so dependent he might see things diff
ferently. The Times seems to know
a great deal about the individual re.
lationships of The senator, and must
have the service Of some agent special
1y adapted to securing that kind of in.
formation 81 It was previously told
it's readers that this same relation OF
dependence existed during the last ses.
sion cof the legislature; hence the SEN
ator's record is consistently "antl.
farmer" and it has even published
statements that imply, at least, that
his official acts are characterized by
venaIity. This last item is reserved
for future considerations
After the appearance in the Times
of so much that is of 1ibelous character
we believe that the time has come
when in justice to others and ourself
we should do some plain speaking.
First-While we do not know who
the banker-referred to by the Times is,
we wish to say that the responsibility
for all that we have written rests upon
oursef; so no banker should be blamed
for it. Further, we personally feel
fully competent to handle any situation
that the Times vilifcation activities
may precipitate.
Second-We now declare that with
one exception no banker or other per-
son in this Legislative district made
any attempt to attach strings to the
senator. That one exception lis Mr..
Sholin, president of the Security State
bank, Milaca, and who became presi-
dent of the Times Publishing Co. a
short time before the legislature con-
vened. Mr.. Sholin was one of small
clique which tried to steer the senator
into situation in which they hoped to
tie him up, hand and foot, and get him
so entangled that any resistance to
their demands would be futile. Mr..
Sholin was to perform the operation
while the others were to hold the sub
ject or victim. Did they succeed? Ask
Mr.. Sholin. Yet it is his paper that is
splitting out its venom about our be-
ing an "easy mark" and a subservient
tool for vicious schemers; and all this
receives the tacit approval of Mr.. Sho-
lin and the other members of the board
of the publishing company.
The immediate purpose OF the plot
above referred to was to command sup
port for the workman's compensation
bill. so called, but when all efforts end
ed in failure they could still vow ven
geance The punitive measures
planned would have to be applied by
local agencies in the senator's home
district of course. The platform and
the press must be utilized to create and
stimulate public sentiment favorable
for drastic treatment of the represen-
tative who is guilty of such inexcusa-
BILE conduct as not supporting that bill.
Exaggerated claims have been made
for the bill, and professions of interest
in employees affected, but in many
nothing more than hollow pretensions.
This is particularly true Of the person
mel of the Times Publishing company,
in part at least. This will appear more
clearly from the following:
Some Of the members of the board
of the Times Publishing Co. are also
members Of the board of the Milaca
Live Stock and Produce Co. Mr.. Sho-
lin and Mr. Thilquist are serving on
both boards. Possibly others. The
last named firm employs number Of
men, and at one time the firm insured
it's risk, as authorized by the law in
this state That insurance expired a
good while ago. think in April, 1919.
The compensation provided for under
the law in case of injury becomes a
preferred claim the same as unpaid
wages. The amount of the compensa-
tion is sixty-six and two-thirds of the
wages at the time of the injury, and to
continue for longer or shorter period
according to the severity of the injury,
not to exceed 300 weeks.
In the business conducted by the
Live Stock and Produce Co., viz, the
shipping of live stock. the handling of
oils. gasoline, ETC.. with all due care
accidents are possible which would put
the firm under such obligations that it
could not possibly meet except by in
surance Of the risk. This would de-
prive the employees Of the compensa-
ton due to them at time when they
would most need it, and would also be
dishonor to every shareholder in the
concern These men cannot plead ig-
norance Of the conditions because some
years ago, when the writer served with
them on the board of the farmers
creamery. this matter was brought to
our attention, and, after learning what
the conditions were, the board insured
It would seem, too. more than likely
that the business of the Times Publish
ing Co. is in the same situation With
the same men in both concerns the
same policy probably governs.
When the league was making such
campaign for that bill, it lilly became
the active participants therein to be
so guilty of this matter themselves.
and being so guilty it lily became them
to conduct campaign Of abuse such
as The Times has DONE
What then would be the difference
under the law as the bill proposed, so
far as it affects these firms as en-
plovers?
First-Instead Of dealing with an
l.: