The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-02-26
NOnparHSanS Plan Senate Contest

tered largely on four states. Wis.
! consin, Minnesota, North Dakota
| and Washington. In other agricul.
tural states, duo to insufficient mons
bership and ineffective organiza
tion, the league will not attempt to
exercise any great influence.
Drives for Increased membership
are under way now in tho states
where the major battles are to he
| fought. The membership Zee has
been reduced from SIS for two
years to Si2; or SO n year. Condi-
tlons in agriculture throughout the
/ country have resulted IN widespread
| discomfort, but many OF the farmers,
who might otherwise join, feel they
cannot afford even the reduced
membership charge
Representatives oh the league,
now in Washington, state that so
far only one senatorial candidate in
the four states Is certain 20 have the
support Of their organization. lie IL
Senator Robert NJ. Lafollctte Of
| Wisconsin, whose term will expire
March 4 next. and who must stand
for recollection this fall.
In other states there are candl-
dates who are certain to have the
opposition of the league, but the
ones TO be supported have not been
selected.
Lafollctte's Views.
Lafolette does not agree with all
the Views Of the league, but his opin-
ions are much more generally In line
with the desires OF that organiza-
tion than any other member OF the
senate with the exception OF Sena-
tor T.. +. Ladd of North Dakota.
4. - =.
the Endorsement of the league.
Right now Iafollette is alternating
some OF the agricultural support by
declaring that the wages OF railway
employees proportionately are not as
high as they were before the war
and should not be reduced further.
Many farmers believe that railroad
rates on agricultural products cam
not be lowered until wages OF rail-
way employees are further reduced.
Perhaps the most interesting fight
from the league standpoint Is de-
veloplng In North Dakota, where
that organization Mt 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 n death sentence,
failed TO realize that the recall sue
ceeded by an average OF only 4,50O
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 J.
McCumber. who is seeking re-elec-
tion. 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 McCum-
Der has refused 10 go back home
ard fight the league whenever 1t be-
came an issue in any campaign.
Has Kept "IIands OFF"
The fact that he has consistently
maintained n hands OFF, policy
when tho league was under fire
from many sides is regarded as
practically his sole attraction for the
eague members. On the other hand.
former Senator A. ]. Gronna of
North Dakota, who was chairman
fthe important agriculture COM
mittee OF the senate. and consistently
voted with his seat mate, Lafollette.
has the active opposition of the
league. Gronna was deeply offended
Two years ago when the league
turned him down for Senator Ladd.
Since that time. so It Is under
stood here, Gronna has been defi-1
nitely aligned with the stalwarts of
North Dakota. who have been seek
ing TO beat the league at every turn
OF the road.
Chief Justice A. NJ. christensen
OF the North Dakota supreme court
is looked upon as likely contender
with Senator McCumber and for
mer Senator Gronna for the repub-
lican senatorial nomination In that
state this year.
II the league does not definitely
line up for McCumber. 1t is believed
by many republican politicians In
North Dakota that christensen
would stand a better show than
either Gronna or McCumber.
May Back Frazier.
Christensen was candidate for
the chief justiceship in the same pri-
mary in which Gronna was defeated
by 5000 votes two years ago. Chris
tiansen won his fight that year by
1900. which Is taken as an indica-
tion that even then. before Gronna
began his open fights on the league,
he was much stronger with the !
voters of his state.
There Is a possibility that the non
partisan league will ignore the |
three republican aspirants for the |
and bring out the re-
called governor. Lynn Frazier. Be
cause of the plight of the North |
Dakota farmers and their inability |
TO sell their farm products at any
price, radicalism Is on the increase. |
In Minnesota, as in North Da-
kota and Washington, the only thing
certain is who the league will not
1t will not support Sena-
.or Frank b, Kellogg OF Minnesota,
who Is seeking reelection. Kellogg
IL an old line organization republic