The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-06-29
FARMER WINS.
OKLAHOMA FIGHT.
By EARNEST R. CHAMBERLAIN
Federated Press Staff Correspondent.

By EARNEST R. CHAMBERLAIN
Federated Press Staff correspondent
OKLAHOMA CITY. = With the
election of Ira Finley, Reconstruction
league legislator and Socialist, as
president of the Oklahoma State red
GRAFTON of Labor and the dissolution
of an injunction brought to preVent.
George Wilson, newly elected head OF
the Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege, from taking his office, the farm
er-labOr forces of Oklahoma nave won
the two most important tests OF
strength with the conservatives since
the election of j. G.. Walton as gov
ernor.
George Wilson was formerly direct
or of extension work in the North Da-
kota Agricultural College and late
prominent organizer in the Nonparti-
san league in North Dakota and Kan
sas. He returned to Oklahoma and
was for time manager of the Farm
er Labor Reconstruction league. Ev-
cry farm and labor organization IN the
state demanded his appointment to
the head of the A. & M. College. The
American legion, groups OF alumni
and the powerful Ku Klux Klan or
ganization, heretofore dominant IN
Oklahoma's schools, opposed him. 10
the opposition rallied the hOstotfWheat
cotton and produce buyers who feared
Wilson's teaching Of cooperative or
ganizatiOn to the farmers.
Attempt to retain Khan control of
the state university and A. q M. col
lege was made by the outgoing gov
eTnor when he made appointments to
the board of regents. Governor Wal
ton, however, appointed new regents
for both Institutions. Immediately
StrattOn D. Brooks, labor-baiter, re-
signed as president Of the state uni
versity to become president of the IN
lversity of Missouri, where a vigorous
attempt is being made to check liber-
allsm among the student body.
Eskrldge, outgoing president of the
A. q M. college, did not accept his
fate so meekly He hired as attorney
! the once campaign manager of the
Khan candidate for governor. He or
/ ganized crusade of students who
marched 500 strong to the capitol to
protest Wilson's appointment. The
robed and hooded students burned
/ wilson IN efngy.
Governor Walton, defying the threat
of mob violence, declared if necessary
he would place Saltwater, the seat OF
/ the college, under martial law.
Then came court action. Eskridge
alleged conspiracy on the part Of the
board of regents and Wilson to pre-
went an audit of the books of the
/ financial secretary, a Wilson supporter
who they claimed was short, 100000
A temporary injunction was issued
but on motion by the state was dis
solved.
When Wilson took over the school
he found a red flag at the top Of the
flagpole
Wilson's plan is to take over the
college farm of 1000 acres, and rur
it as a community enterprise, giving
students practical experience. He will
make the farm support the student
body so that pocr students can at
tend and earn their way by working
on the farm. Meals will be prepared
by the home economics students. Meat
will be raised, slaughtered and served
by students. The extension service
VIII be pushed and the farmer taught
the value of cooperative marketing
and purchasing.
The fact that Wilson with a life
record of constructive farm teaching
has no degree, is being used to dis.
credit him. Some papers have de-
clared that he "can hardly read"
With Finley at the head Of the State
Federation the FaTmer-Labor league
is laying extensive plans. Oklahoma
needs a fair election law. A thirC
party is an impossibiIity under the
/ present election law, which places tn,
entire election machinery in the hands
of the dominant party. A fair cleo
ton law will be voted on in a referen
/. dunn this summer or fall.