Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-01
THE LEAGUE PROGRAM

] : There has been a good deal Of discussion of late as
70 what constitutes the real program of the Nonpartisan
eague. Several members of the state administration
have declared their objection to certain measures en-
.cted BY the last legislature, and yet maintain that they
IRE loyal members of the Nonpartisan league. They
,bject to these measures on the ground that they do not
constitute parts Of the league program to which it is
! Tnaintained the majority of the members of the legisla-
ture were committed. Just what is the league pro-
IIram!
IL In a statement from Simon j. Nagel, a members of
the state board of control appointed to that position
~ Governor Frazier, the league program is declared to
'onstst Of a state owned elevator, a flour mill, a cold
Storage plant, rural credit bank, and compulsory hail in
.urance. Mr.. Nagel, like other state officials. opposes
.ome Of the bills recently enacted, yet he was consid-
red a good enough Lacquer to be appointed to the pres
mt position by Governor Frazier.
r. A glance over the history Of the Nonpartisan league
Fill convince many unbiased persons that Mr.. Nagels
urinary is substantially correct. During the first year
t the life of the league the policies to which that organ
sation became committed were quite frequently and
thoroughly discussed on the platform and in the press
ey prominent representatives of the league management
ind the list given by MI. Nagel is substantially the list
Hhich was then proposed. During the campaign of last
lear no additions were made to this list until after cleo
on. No mention was made publicly of a revolution in
Educational organization. Nothing was said of combin-
tpg in one body authority over the educational, correc-
I'VE and charitable institutions of. the state. Nothing
tas said about the legislation Of a newspaper monopoly
ss1to existence; nothing was said about concentrating
!. Iontrel of the tax measures of the state in the hands
II one man. Nothing was said about re-districting the
tate for judicial purposes and making unnecessary adj
ritions to the number of district judges. Nothing was
laid about placing in the hands of travelling agents a
aalnd of 100000 for the alleged encouragement of i'm
MShtsration- Nothing was said about plunging the state
h,to the general banking business. yet, bills covering
III these things were sprung upon the legislators, forced
through the caucus by the arbitrary methods familiar
p those who dictated the proceedings, and passed BY
we legislature Several state officials, all Of them league
sITnembers and elected to the support of league voters
5ahve protested, against one or more of these measures,
haiming them to BE not part of the league program, ana
therefore that their opposition to them involves no dis
tkyalty to the league or antagonism toward its principles.
Sire these men right or are their facts within the knowl-
Scage of any league member to indicate that they are
4 tMsrong? 1t. seems that an answer to this question is
sbeeded. before the leaguerz can follow the precedent sof
s..3er s~oeaety.ain their denunciation of these members as
3waitors to the cause.