The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-26
{, N0N-PARTiSANS ARE
 IMPORTANT FACTOR
 IN THE NORTHWEST
dentiaI year the league ticket VIC
 have a better chance. GROWTH OF LEAGUE
(Continued from Page one)

GROWTH OF LEAGUE The league has made some progress in Minnesota in the last two years, but not enough to afford it's supporters much hope. Two years ago, with only two candidates for governor in the re- publican primaries, the league cast is per cent of the vote This year, taking the vote for lieutenant governor as the basis, there being only two candidates in that race. the league cast AZ per cent of the votes. But it had been freely predicted that this year the league would capture the republican party in Minnesota.
 Meanwhile the old parties have found way to weaken the league in North Da- kota, the only state it controls, where it's majority has been cut to 6o00. and where it has lost three state officials and one congressman. What has already hap pened to third parties is happening to the league. Third parties are first denounced by the older parties. Then their best ideas are appropriated by the old parties. In North Dakota this year the repub- licans adopted the league programme sub stantially, and they ran three former | leaguers for office. In Minnesota the re- i publicans frankly admit the justice of
 many of the farmers complaints, and they plan to encourage farmers cooper
 ation organizations and, give such or
 ganizations standing upon boards of trade
 as means of offsetting the league pro- gramme of state-owned grain elevators and other state-owned marketing machin- cry.
 NEARBY STATES | From this point it is possible to learn
 O. the political prospects in other nearby states where the Non-Partisan League IS strong. The representatives of the league here are aware of the leagues plans else-
 where In North Dakota the intention of the league members is the same as Tn Minnesota. They are largely German and Scandinavian farmers. Most of them have always been republicans nationally and those who have are opposed to the foreign policy of the Wilson adminis- tration.
 The league members in North Dakota like the league members in Minnesota, are expected to vote for Senator Hard ing There is no doubt about his car rying the state and the reelection of Gov
 erpor Frazier, the league candidate for governor. In South Dakota the situation is different. The primary laws there have forced the Non-Partisan League into the open as a separate party.
 | The league members cannot longer fight in the republican primaries for the control of the republican party. The result is that the league of South Dakota is SUD- porting Christiansen, the farmer ,aoor candidate for President. Unlike the league in the other states, 1t sent a delegation to 1.-the third party convention in Chicago and affiliated with the movement started there.
 | The league in South Dakota is not as strong as 1t is in North Dakota and Min nesota It is said to have about 2V<V
 members, allowing for sons, daughtsrs and wives of members. Perhaps this means 5000 votes. It is thought a large proportion of these votes were formerly lrepublican. If they can be all delivered l to Christiansen, South Daxota will prob ably be a close state both on the national ticket and on the United States senator , ship Some republicans from South Da- lkota believe that the democrats have a | chance to carry South Dakota. But IL
 will probably be difficult for the league 10 throw it's full strength in South Dakota
 to Christiansen.