The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1920-10-29

Any farmer can readily see that the name
The Farmer-Labcr Party-is a misnomer
mere effort to appeal to the farmer vote.
As far as getting results are concerned, any
experienced farmer knows that the radicals
who control the party could not or would not
do much for the farmer. If they could ac-
complish anything at all. 1t would more likely
be inimical to the farmers interests.
There is SO much in the Farmer-Labor
platform that smacks of the I. w. W. that it
10 natural to assume that the whole move
ment is fostered by l. w. w. sympathizers.
The aims of the l. w. w. and the Farmer
Labor party in many respects are identical.
They spring from the same source. The prin-
cipal difference between the two organizations
: is simply that the Farmer-Labor party pro-
poses to effect their Communistic, Socialistic
changes by political methods, while the |. w.
w. favor industrial revolution.
Planks of the Farmer.Labor Party plat
form are briefly considered below.
In their Program of Legislation" they
propose the creation of q State Labor Depart
ment, broadening the power of the Labor
Commissioner; equitable revision Of the cleo
ton laws; producers. consumers and credit
banking co-operatives and system of city
and state marketing; just and equitable revi-
sion OF the tax code: endorsement OF the bone
dry act; better support for schools, and other
proposals equally indefinite in character.
some of which are touched upon herein.
Like mixing oil and water is the effort of
the Farmer-LabOr Party leaders to unite the
voting strength of the Labor Unions, the So
cialists. the l. w. w., the Nonpartisan League.
the Railroad Mems Welfare League and other
organizations and factions presenting SINH
larry divergng objects
THE PLATFORM
% Immediate and absolute restoration
Of free speech, free press. peaceful assem-
blage, and all other rights guaranteed under
the constitution. Repeal of the criminal syn
dicalism act and release of all persons con-
victed or imprisoned under this act"
WHAT IT MEANS
The constitution has not been amended All
citizens have the same right now they ever
had for free speech and peaceful assemblage
to consult for the common good, but what the
Farmer-LabOr party really asks by its pat
form is that the restriction be removed which
makes all persons responsible for the abuse OF
the right of free speech.
And here is the criminal syndicalism law
which they want repealed:
Whoever shall organize or help to organ
ize give aid to, be member of or voluntarily
assemble with any group of persons formed TO
advocate, advise or teach crime sedltion, Vlo-
lence. intimidation or injury as means or
way of effecting or resisting any industrial.
economic social or political change
shall be guilty of felony"
In other words, the Farmer Labor party an
nounces that it is not in sympathy with the
provisions of our constitution and our laws
which provide peaceful and legal methods OF
erecting change. are not satisfied with the
initiative and referendum. but ask that the
field be cleared so that mob rule. violence,
anarchy, revolution may be invoked to AID
their class demands.
AS far as we are advised, no farmer, no
member of the Grange has ever been ar
rested. much less convicted for violating the
criminal syndicalism act. Neither do we
know of any member of organized labor VINO