The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-03-04
The Non-P artisan | League

we are here beginning discussion
of the Nonpartisan league. The dis
cussion, however, is to be carried on
by others, not by us. What we have
to say about the league will be said
in the editorial column, not here.
Neither can we vouch for the truth
of the statements that may appear in
this department as the discussion pro-
crosses. Undoubtedly there will be
exaggerations. Probably these ex-
aggerations will not be limited to one
side of the question. 1t is reasonable
to suppose that the ardent supporters
of the league will be ruled as much
by bias and prejudice as are the ar
dent opponents Of the league.
That the reader may readily under
stand the arguments for and against
the league it is necessary to know
first of all the show" and the "why"
of its existence. Concerning the
causes which led up to the formation
of the league there seems to be little
dispute. Supporters and opponents
Of the league are apparently agreed
that the farmers of North Dakota had
real grievances and were justified in
organizing for redress of those
grievances. The parting of the ways
comes in passing judgement upon the
accomplishments of the league. It's
leaders claim its record is one of
notable achievements for the good of
the people of North Dakota; its op-
ponents claim that under the leader
ship of A. C. Townley it has departed
far from its original aims and pur-
poses and today North Dakota is held
in the clutches of a great political
machine more powerful and all to-
gether more sinister than ever was
the old political machine Of the cor
porations.
This week we are devoting as much
space as we can to the leagues own
statement of the causes which let to
its organization and what in general
way it has accomplished. The fol-
lowing is taken from the pages of an
official league publication entitled,
where the People Rule-North OAK
ota, the Nonpartisan League State"
"North Dakota is an agricultural
state. According to the 1910 census
|89 per cent of the population is rural,
living either in the country or small
villages. It is one. of the greatest
wheat producing states in the Union
and the greatest producer of spring
wheat. While oats, fax, barley, corn,
and other crops are grown, the wheat
crop, both in acreage and value, is
more than all the others combined.
"Hence the marketing Of wheat is
of the greatest Importance to the
North Dakota farmer. The wheat
market Of the Northwest has been
absolutely dominated by the Mime
apolis Chamber of Commerce. The
farmer has had nothing to say about
the price for which he must sell his
wheat. This has been governed by the
speculations carried on by the cham
Der of commerce.
"The farmer has nothing to say
about the grading Of his wheat.
Grades were sent out to grain buyers
by the Minneapolis chamber of COM
merce. His wheat was arbitrarily
graded down and the price lowered
and "his not to reason why, his but to
plant and plow.". His wheat was
locked because it contained a few
wild oats or a few mustard seed, all
of which have commercial value.
It is estimated that the farmers of
North Dakota lost in an average crop
year over $20,0OO,O00 in thu, loss. Of
by-products alone. Add to this the
loss by grading, the commission
charges, freight and elevator charges,
to say nothing of the price fixed by
the Minneapolis chamber of COM
merce and you can readily see why
the farmer is deeply interested in tho
marketing of his wheat as he is in
making two blades grow where one
grew before.
1.-THE farmer tried to have some,
thing to say about the marketing of
their wheat by building elevators to
handle their own wheat. They found
that this helped some. It saved the
profit Of the local buyer. But it did
not touch the Minneapolis chamber
of commerce and its monopoly of price
fixing, grading etc. Only a terminal
would give the farmers chance to
compete in the world market.
elbow the farmers built their Equity
cooperative terminal elevator and
their fight with the chamber of COM
merce is a long and tragic story. Suf-