The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-03-11
TheNon-P artisan League.

/
(The following interview appeared
in the columns of the Milwaukee
Journal in its issue of February 16
1920
Unless an early and united effort
is made to show the farmers of Wis
consin exactly what the Farmers Non
partisan league has done in North
Dakota and what the effect of its
rule has been, the league will capture
political power in this state and re-
peat its legislative program here.
This statement is made by M. P.
Johnson, Tolley, N. D. one Of the three
men who started the league and VINO
served as railroad commissioner dur
ing the first league administration.
Mr.. Johnson was retired on account
of his refusal to follow the dictation
of the league leaders who gained con-
troll over the league. He is a practic-
al farmer and director of the Ameri-
can Cooperative association. He has
spent several days in Milwaukee at
tending to association business.
1.-THE nonpartisan league was start
en- early in 1915 at my home" said
Mr.. Johnson. ga. E. Bowen, L. p.
Richardson and discussed plan for
organizing a nonpartisan movement
among farmers to overthrow the
political machine that then ruled
North Dakota and obtain legislation
that was needed by the farmers. We
wanted system of terminal elevators
owned by the state or by cooperative
companies. We wanted laws that
would assist in the betterment of mar
keting conditions,
81 was then president of the North
Dakota Equity society. At the state
Equity convention in Bismarck in
1915, the league plan formulated in
my home was endorsed. Mr.. Mowen
was engaged as an organizer.
"In April A. c. Townley saw the
possibility of the league plan and i'm
duced Bowen to follow him. No or
ganization had been formed and it
was easy for Townley. to assume
charge. He raised the dues from $3.50
to $500 year, then to So, put or
ganizers at work and soon had an or
ganization of which ne was the head.
:. "At this stage there was practical
ly no opposition to the league. Its
program was moderate and consisted
of demands in behalf Of the farmers
which were generally recognized as
fair and just. Business mon did not
oppose the league. In fact they sup
ported it financially in the first CAM
paign.
"Under Townley's control the league
program was rapidly extended far be-
yond its original limits. AS now pro-
posed it means community ownership
of practically everything. Many Of
these state projects are impractical
and have had the effect of driving
capital from the state. A law taxing
moneys and credits of foreign cor
portions had such a disastrous eff
feet that it was repealed.
Changes have been made in the
state government, elective officials be-
ing made appointive until the cover,
nor thru his appointive power has be-
come car. Gov. Fraser is only
rubber stamp for Townley. Carpet
Dagger theoriests have been imported
and placed in important positions.
The. state industrial commission, for
instance, consists of the governor,
secretary of agriculture and labor,
two elected officials, the other three
mentioned being appointed
."This commission. has almost un-
limited control of public funds, has the
right of eminent domain and the right
to. buy, sell and lease property for
business uses by the state. With this
power in the hands Of inexperienced
theorists the finish Of the state in
dustries is not hard to guess.
"Taxes have increased from so to
200 per cent. In one case the Office
expenses for a one-man commission
which replaced three-man commits
sion have. increased $4,000 a.year.
The league is starting all sorts of
cooperative enterprises. Stock in these
is sold to league members and notes
given in payment. These notes are
then handled through the farmers
banks organized by the league. The
whole thing is sample of high finance
that some day will come down with a
crash.
"Townley is dreamer, but the
league has shrewd and brainy leaders
among its ieutenants, and altogether
it is a wonderful machine. In spite
of the impractibility and failure of