The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-13

ties TO the amalgamation decided to go
il alone. This had the effect of bridging
the chasm that had divided the Demo-
cratic party before the fusion and make
II a stronger entity than ever. AS a
matter of fact II was the salvation OF
the Democratic party in this State. 1t
gathered new life and momentum, and
now, despite the fact that it is not likely
10 have much success in November it is
stronger than IL has been for years.
Labor Backs Christensen.
Here in Sioux Falls and up in Huron.
Mitchell. Aberdeen and WATERFOWL, such
local labor leaders as Dan Jones and
Mike Mccartney (the former president
OF the State Federation of Labor had
called meetings of union officials and
decided to back Farley Parker Christen-
sen and the Farmer-Labor platform.
The Non-Partisan League called a con-
Yention in Mitchell and asked the labor
leaders to attend and listen There it
was argued that the wholly unique pri-
mary law of South Dakota had prevent
ed the usual party raiding by which
the Non-Partisan League had captured
the Democratic party in Colorado and
Montana, and that the consolidation OF
labor and the Non Partisan League was
the sole chance of the latter's success
here
The Nom Partisan League agreed to
support Christensen for President On
the other hand the labor leaders ac-
cepted Mark 7. Bates, a Mitchell far
mer. as its candidate for Governor. Tom
Ayres, secretary TO Andrew f.. Lee, the
only Democratic Governor South Da-
kota ever had (back in 1880, was de-
cided upon for the United States SEN
ate. Ayres, u virile writer of liberal
economies and politics. was prominently
identified with the Farmers Alliance
and the Knights of Labor. Together
tho>1abor leaders and the Non-Partisan
Leaguers presented a complete ticket
members Of the Legislature. three Rep
resentatives in Congress, and so on.
And the ticket is wholly representative
Of the amalgamation.
While Ayres does not complicate the
Senatorial fight TO n great extent. his
presence adds TO the briskness thereof.
The Democrats nominated n Sioux Falls
lawyer, Ulysses Simpson Grant Cherry,
who appears 10 have as many personal
enemies as Gov. Norbeck. r. O. Rich
ards, one OF the few men in the world
who understand the South Dakota pri-
mary law, and that only because he
wrote it. filed Independently for the Sem
ate against Norbeck. The main plank
all the ardent advocates of light wines
and beer are promising TO vote for him.
l.. J. Manbeck, another Republican, has
filed independently for the Senate, but
Mr.. Manbeck's platform consists OF but
single plank-to insist that The United
States Government build bridge over
the Missouri River.
Closed shop Becomes Issue.
In the meantime the labor leaders
we're going about the State declaring
that the principal of the closed shop
the backbone OF the union labor sys-
tem--was the only issue for workers to
consider. In Sioux Falls the issue is
real The Building Trades Council and
the contractors and lumber merchants
are involved in a finish fight. The
council accuses the lumber people of
combining to control prices and dis
tribution OF building materials.
Mike McCaffrey says that the lumber
dealers decided TO break up the building
trades organization by refusing TO sell
lumber to any contractor who would not
agree to maintain an open shop. The
Il mber dealers say that this is no more
unfair than for the Building Trades
Council to refuse to use building ma
terials unless the contractor agrees 20
hire non-union labor only.
From q purely political standpoint all
Il IL argument loses Importance when
the numerical strength of labor in South
Dakota is considered. The boss farmers
seeing bumper crops of corn on their
acres, are not moved to tears by the
insistence that union regulations govern
hired help. The farmer insists that
day's work comprises every hour OF
dawn, daylight and twilight necessary
IA. no hpfn he t1tt
ard frosts set in.
The farmers chief interest in the
master is his own schedule of fair prices.
The Nom Partisan League insists that
IL has at least 5000 votes that can be
delivered en- bloc. The most impartial
surveys Of the labor situation show that
organized labor cannot muster more
than 10000 and that is giving labor
the best of IT, And when it is consid-
cred that It Is lkely that nearly 100000
votes win be cast in November in South
Dakota, the effectiveness Of the labor
and Non-Partisan League strength. or
Farmor-Labor party, to bS technically
correct cannot be considered a serious
menace to either of the two old parties.
I. can be seen that the Non-Partisan
Leagues candidates, even with the sup
port OF labor. can far exceed the vote
they are conceded and yet fall far short
or victory.
Drys Indorse G.. o. p. Ticket.
The State Anti-Saloon League has in.
dcrsed the Republican ticket. South
Dakota went dry in July, 1917, and
while the women were not enfranchised-
here at that time and consequently dill
not vote on the question, they cam
paigned the State in great numbers on
behalf OF the prohibition law and the
Endorsement of the Anti-Saloon League
is looked upon as a decided help to Nor
beck and the entire Republican ticket.
irasmuch as the women vote In Novem-
Der. Otherwise the woman vote is likely
to distribute itself in much the same
way that the male vote has done.
Since Gov. Cox toured South Da-
kota recently the Democrats have taken
their cue from his attitude and are
maintaining that the League of Nations
Is the only real issue in the nationa.
fight. However, 1t is very difficult to
find real enthusiasm about this issue.
SO far as issues are concerned the M
tional fight is but a minor consideration
when compared with the local battle.
HARDING LEADS cox BY
Or o0T I'M Elm Doll