Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-02-17
NOn-Pdrtisdns Plan Senate
Contests in Western States

Washington. Feb. 16 (SpeciaD.-
National non-partisan league activ-
tiles in senatorial fights this year
will be centered largely on four
states. Wisconsin. Minnesota, North
Dakota and Washington. In other
agricultural states. due to insuffi-
cient membership and ineffective
organization, the league will not
attempt to exercise any great influ-
ence.
Drives for increased membership
are under way now in the states
where the major battles are to be
fought. The membership fee has
been reduced from SIS for two
years to s12. or Sc year. Condi-
tions in agriculture throughout the
7untry have resulted in wide
= read discomfort, but many of the
hrmers, who might otherwise join,
feel they cannot afford even the re-
dueed membership charge.
Representatives of the league,
now in Washington, state that SO
far only one senatorial candidate in
the four states is certain to have
the support of their organization.
He is Senator Robert NJ. La Fol-
lette of Wisconsin. whose term will
expire March A, next, and who must
stand for reelection this fall.
In other states there are candi-
dates who are certain to have the
opposition of the league, but the
ones to be supported have not been
selected.
la FolIcttc's Views.
La Toilette does not agree with
all the views of the league. but his
opinions are much more generally
in line with the desires pf that or
ganization than any other member
of the senate with the exception of
Senator T.. r. Ladd of North Da-
kota, who was elected two years
ago with the Endorsement of the
league.
Right now La Toilette Is alien
ating some of the agricultural sup
port by declaring that the wages
OF railway employees proportionate-
ly are not as high as they were be-
fore the war and should not be re-
duced further. Many farmers be-
lieye that railroad rates on agri-
cultural products cannot be lower
ed until wages of railway employees
are further reduced.
Perhaps the most interesting
fight from the league standpoint is
developing in North Dakota, where
that organization at one time con-
trolled all the major state offices,
but lost them last year in a recall
election. Many persons. who pro-
nounced the recall a death sem
tence failed to realize that the re-
call succeeded by an average of
only $500 votes out Of 100000 cast.
Advices received in Washington
are to the effect the league is likely
to support there one of the most
conservative republicans in the en-
tire United States senate. Porter ].
McCumber, who is seeking re-elec-
ton. A combination of circum-
stances has brought this strange
situation about. McCumber's views
and those of the league are under
stood to be about as far apart as
they possibly could be. yet MeCum-
Der has refused to go back home
and fight the league whenever 1t
became an issue in any campaign,
Has Kept "Tiands Off"
The fact that he has consistently
maintained a "hands Off policy
when the league was under fire
from many sides is regarded as
practically his sole attraction for
the league members. On the other
hand, former Senator A. ]. Gronna
of North Dakota. who was chair
man of the important agriculture
committee of the senate. and con-
sistently voted with his seat mate,
La Toilette, has the active opposi-