The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-06-18

the committees had to overcome.
First and worst was the threatening
clouds in the forenoon, which carried
out their threats and developed a
steady drizzle all the afternoon.
Chairman E. L. Morgan of the
! County Triple Alliance presided and
was ably assisted by the several COM
mttees having charge of the affair.
1t was basket picnic and beside
we'll filled baskets of eatables
brought by the picnickers, there were
sandwiches, coffee, milk and other
good things obtainable. There was
the beautiful lake of pure water, bev-
erages in bottles galore, but not a
drop to drink"
The picnickers busted themselves
as best they could in the morning
hours and ate their lunches.
After lunch speaking was an
nounced and the big crowd of men
and women gathered to hear the
message Of the Triple Alliance and
| Nonpartisan League offer better
things political to the people.
The speaking was interspersed
with excellent band music by the
"Kiddies" OF the Draper Orphans
home Of Des Moines, Washington,
and greatly enjoyed by all.
The Speaking
H. H. Stallard of Yakima was the
first speaker. He spoke for the Non
ltisan League and it's aims and
showed by the example of North Da
kota that its work in that state was
of the most pronounced benefit to
the people. He showed the futility
of depending upon those whose bust
ness it was to exploit the farmers
and workers and milk dry the
wealth-producing class. Mr.. Stall
lard will again address the people of
this county when he makes a tour of
Western Washington in July and
August
VIM. Bouck, Master of the State
Grange was then introduced. He re-
counted the long years of eXploita-
ton by the "ruling class" the partl-
san politicians of the old political
parties, of the agricultural produc-
ers of this county. He showed how
they had been received by profess
sions of patriotism and "American-
ISM" and kept the farmers separ-
ated from the industrial workers of
the cities, and how the latter had
been given the same poisonous medi-
cine by the doctors of the special
interests. BY these tactics the parti-
san politicians and their supporter
big business" had kept the agricul-
tural and industrial workers, natural
allies, divided while in all these years
the spolsmen had reaped a harvest
of unearned gain. They had taken
lions share of the wealth produced
by labor of all kinds and left to the
producers only enough to sustain life.
The time had come when this condi-
ton can and must be changed. Mr..
! Bouck was listened to with rapt at
tention by his big audience, which
showed its appreciation by not being
boisterous, but that kind of applause
which showed approval and convic-
| ton.
Oliver T. Erickson, that well
known exponent of public ownership
of the public utilities, member for
years of the Seattle City Council,
made a short incisive speech on the
rotten political conditions. Mr..
Erickson gave the audience good adj
vice which was received in good
grace.
r. j. Faussett, chairman of the
Snohomish County Committee of as.
and C. J. France, executive secretary
of the Seattle Port Commission, also
of the Committee of AZ, were pres
ent.
: Mr.. France made a short speech
declaring the purpose of the Com
), mittee of As to cooperate with the
Triple Alliance in this state as il
| would cooperate with progressive
| movements in other states.
He then introduced Robert Bridges
Father of the Seattle Port Dis
trict," who made the concluding
speech of the day.
Mr.. Bridges spoke on "Co-opera
tion," urging the necessity of politi
cal action to secure it's full benefits
He covered a wide range of happen
ings in the political field since thu
state was admitted to the Union. HI
showed how the people had beer
robbed Of their birthright in the mat
ter of tide lands granted to Wash
ington as they had been to othel
states on admission to the Union
Corporations and grasping individu
ais had been given the tide lands b!
the dishonest political gang-com
posed of state officials, executive ant
legislative, from governors down. Mr.
Bridges vigorously urged cooper
alton by the agricultural and indus
trial producers that they might OBJ
tain their just dues and secure /;
return to constitutional government
4 l. IL 4,
constitution for taking from the citi
zenry the right of free speech, fire,
press and freedom of assembly. H,
had recently visited North Dakoti
to inquire into conditions in tina
state and came home enthusiastic
over the achievements of the Non
partisan League. Taxes had beel
greatly reduced by taking tax bur
dens off of farm improvements ant
placing them on the lightly take,
nonresident land owners. (The stat
would now be much less heavily
taxed it if were not that the people
had shouldered the burden of prop
erly remembering the returned eX
service men as has no other stat
in the Union.-Ed.) The state
/ owned mills, elevators and ware
houses had made it possible TO
| farmers to market their products a
larger profit than in other state
/ while it reduced the cost of thes
| products to the consumers. Thu
farmers are aided in buying farm
machinery and building farm hous
es by long time loans and low rate
Of interest. The city worker receive
like aid in home building. The banl