Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-03-31
IGNORED BIZ THE LEAGUE.

During the hearings before the house committee on
agriculture at Washington tn January on the subject OF
future trading, almost every angle of that subject was
touched upon. Men from all over he United States visited
Washington to present their views to the committee and
their own peculiar standpoint as producers OF or dealers
in grain. Many different opinions were expressed as to
the desirability Of legislation prohibiting trading in tu-
lures In some cases it was held that future trading
basis for transactions makes possible the carrying Of a
great crop of grains and foodNuf{s at q smaller margin
between the price paid to the producer and that which
the consumer must pay than would otherwise be possible
Others expressed exactly the contrary opinion and urged
that future trading. especially of 4 speculative nature. be
prohibited by law. The grain exchanges were censured
ton, Tor their modification, and for their continuance un-
changed. There is scarcely a view entertained by those
who are familiar with grain growing and grain trade
which was not expressed before that committee. Farm.
changes conEresmen were examined. Farm bureaus
and cooperative organizations were represented in per-
son and by lengthy documents setting forth their views.
The only conspicuous farmers organization which
seemed TO have no interest in the subject was the Nom
partisan League. That organization had its birth in =
desire to reform marketing conditions. That desire wide
by skillful organizers and was made the basis Of the
League. During is entire existence, the leaders of this
organisation have emphasized the importance Of remedy
ing market conditions. Nevertheless, when this subject
was before congress for adjustment, and when Invitations
were extended to all who were interested to supply to
the con1ittee In charge information for its guidance,
the Nonpardsan League alone of all the important farm .
ers' organisations was conspicuous by its absence.
This is not an nolatsd oass. When the government
pres.ttxinE conanittse was to establish q minimum price
for wheat durtns the summer Of 1917. the Nonpast!s.n
i14asse again ignored the whole subject and instead Of
presenting the oass Of the farmers Of North Dakota to
the sove4nmsatal body. eontented itself BY conducting =
~baek-fire At hosnA SO tar a. the League was concerned.
tho prtce-fziag committee had no information that the
farmers Of North Dakota cared what price vas placed
on their products. $40. .
The nesHgence of the LeaEue managers in this mat
ter called forth this statement from consrsasnnsa Nc
Isufhlin Of Michigan, . member Of the hours committee
on agriculture. during the recent hearings on future trad
lag:
! remember q number Of years ago whom they
were framing the tariff bill here. there was some
gentleman who was very active and having . great
deal 70 ny. and one member Of the house said:
Jut what y II that you gentlemen want7 What are
you 6ytag 70 dor One OF them hid: why. / don't
kssw asythdng about tariff. We ass just trying to
raass hsn. That - not simply . story: that Il what
actually oceusrsd.
1hat ssssns 70 ~ forth the stnstion q II applies 70
the manaSsss Of die Nonpastian Lesgue. They desire an
lhsue upan wtdch 70 oon6uet . popu,ar AGITATION, With
ont sssh aAstOpe tbatF a~seupa&jss vosId b sans, ana
1nAkAsNsA <has-ss@asA - ~ DIST makss
SsNsss WssfA wAAs ~ thsa. E#s