davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
HOLDING OF 'HOST-
AGES" In STRIKE Is
DENOUNCED

The conditions on which Vurlen Orr
and Luther Wise, railway strikers
serving terms in the Arkansas state
nenitentiarv for alleged sabotage,
have been granted Burroughs" by
Governor Thomas G. McRae are char
acterized by the American Civil Lib
critics Union as unprecedented in aur
history" The release of the two men
was one of the points included IN an
agreement Just reached at Harrison,
Ark, between striking shOpmen and
the Missouri North Arkansas Rail
road; they were released on "fur-
Tough" and will not get full pardons
unles the terms of the agreement are
kept by the Union.
''The holding of hostages by a state
government" Prof. Harry F. Ward,
chairman of the Civil Liberties Union,
said, "is an extraordinary procedure,
and certainly unprecedented in our la
Dor history.
eff the men are innocent, as the
facts of their case indicate, they
should be given full pardons. On what
ground has their freedom been made
dependent on the carrying out of a
strike agreement? Assuming that
the agreement were net adhered to,
would Governor McRae then jail two
innocent men?
"Since when has a governor been
given the right to barter with the
freedom of human beings to force set
Element of a strike? Whatever agree
ment may be reached by the parties
to a strike, which is a purely private
quarrel, it should have no bearing on
case of men charged with a specific
crime.
Corr and Wise pleaded guilty be
cause a mob-the same mob which
had lynched E. c.. Gregor the night
before-was waiting outside the court
house. Their sentences of 7 to 10
years would have been cut short long
ago by any governor courageous
enough to act on the simple and evil
dent facts. Governor McRae has made
himself virtually an agent of the rail
road and has condoned for months a
shocking state of violence because it
was organized in the railroads is
interest"
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
DEMOCRAT Is
VICTOR in SENATE
WITH INSURGENT AID - CUM
MINIS BUSTED AND SMITH PUT
IN PLACE.

Washington, Jan. IA democrat,
Ellison ID. Smith of South Carolina,
was elected today by the senate as
chairman of its interstate commerce
committee, one of the ranking COM
mittees of the new republican con-
greSs.
-Four insurgent republicans and two
farmer-labOr senators threw their sup
port to- Smith, thus not only breaking
a deadlock which has existed since
December 10, but also giving the coun-
cry convincing manifestation that
their control of the balance of power
IN the senate Is as complete as is that
OF the republican insurgents in the
house.
-Four republican insurgents and two
tarmer-labCr senators from MinnesO-
ia, johnson and Shipstead, switched
from Couzens to the democrats and
made possible his election The in
surgents We're Brool1hart. Iowa; Fra
zler and Laid of North Dakota, and
La Toilette, Wisconsin.
Senator Bruce, democrat, NARY
land, voted for Cummins to the last.
On the 32nd and final ballot of the
deadlock, Albert B. Cummins of Iowa
who had the endorsement of the re-
publican organization for reelection.
received only 20 votes, against SO for
Smith, and six for Senator Couzens.
republican. Michigan, who had been
the third choice of the insurgents.
Smith received only one vote more
than the necessary majority Of the "a
senators voting.
With the deadlock broken, the or
ganlzation Of the 68th congress is
complete, except for an expected fight
over the office of senator president
pro tenn.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
FARM FORECLOSURES
AND BANKRUPTCIES
I'm GREAT RISE in IT,

Washington, D. C.-The United
States Department of Agriculture has
Just completed special inquiry into
the conditions of the farm population
in the Is corn and wheat producing
states. The survey shows that more
than 813 per cent of the owner farm
ers In Is corn and wheat producing
states lost their farms with or with
out legal process between 1920 and
the spring of 1923. Besides, more
than 10 per cent of the owners in fact
temporarily insOlvent but held on thru
the leniency of their creditors.
The investigation shows that in this
area, the upper Mississippi valley,
$500 owner farmers lost their farms
thru foreclosures or bankruptcy; 5000
lost their farms without legal pro
cess; and 10,400 farmers held on thru
the leniency of their creditors.
Of 26,O0O tenent farmers in the area
covered, 1900, or more than q per cent
lost their property thru formal pro-
ceedings; 1000 or mere than z per
cent, lost their property without legal
tormality; and $500, or more than 21
per cent, were spared such losses only
thru the leniency of thier creditors.
Applying the percentages of losses
obtained in this inquiry, to the 1920
census figures for owners and tenants
IN the states covered, it is estimated
that out of atotal of 2,289,OOO owesr
and tenant farmers more than 100000
lost their farms or their property thru
foreclosure or bankruptcy; over 1922
600 lest their property without legal
proceedings; and nearly $4,000 re-
tanned their property merely thru the
leniency of creditors.
The loss of farms by owners was
relatively more numerous in Montana.
North Dakota, Colorado, and South
Dakota. In the East North Central
States, the farmers were not sa hard
hit. Losses of property by tenants
were also relatively more numerals in
the western states.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
What VIII the Winter Bring
for the Working Masses?

Our financial and business papers
are now full of forecasts and outlooks
Tor the coming year. Optimism reigns
supreme in these printed columns.
Yet, here and there, there is a strong
undertOne of caution.
But when one stops perusing these
regular Wall Street New Years greet
ing and analyses the last official au-
thentic reports on the economic con-
dltlons in the country he gets a chill.
The winter ahead has nothing but
wintry prospects for the working
masses
An analysis of the production fig
ures should make every worker sit nm
and think-and act. According to the
latest findings of the Federal Reserve
Board the production of basic com
modltles and factory employment de-
creased in November Production in
oaslc industries decreased about 2 per
cent In December the production
OF pig iron fell 2 per cent, the humber
OF active cotton spindle hours is TODAY
about 100000 less than year ago
and fell over 100000 in November
alone. In terms Of plant capacity
steel-sheet production, according to
the Department Of Commerce, in No
vember stood about 81 per cent as
against n per cent in October and 81
per cent of year ago. The produc-
ton of automobiles, pneumatic tires.
southern q western pine lumber, face
brick, and the number and expenditure
OF building contracts awarded in 27
Northeastern States all decreased in
November.
With the fall of production unem-
ployment is increasing. The shOD-
craft workers are being dismissed bv
the thousands. The number of fac
tory employees and the weekly nav
roll are falling in New York State
An examination of the last reports
compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank
OF Philadelphia and the Department
OF Labor and Industry, Commonwealth
OF pennsylvania, is especially instruc-
tive. These reports indicate that ont
OF 6ol plants in 80 industries of the
manufacturing state there was a de-
crease OF II per cent in endowment
a fall of "a per cent in the total
wages, and a drop eff z in the aver
age wages in the month of November
as compared with October. In as Sc
parate industrial cases, wages showed
81 decreases against Is increases dur
ing the month.
And in the last Babson report we
find the following significant state
ment:
Unemployment may lower wages.
reports. received from State and Ma
1onal Employment offices generally |
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
The Gold Dust
Twins of Politics

A noted student of politics once
said, in discussing the Democratic
and Republican Parties, that the ele-
plant and the donkey feed at the
same trough-Wall Street pools.
When the observer made this char
acterization, he hit the nail squarely
on the head. An examination Of the
personnel of the national committees
of the Democratic and Republican
Parties shows plainly and with suffl-
Client clarity to- dispel the illusions of
the worst skeptic and doubter about
the fact that the dominant parties of
todayare owned body and soul by the
fmanciers and manufacturers.
On the Republican National Com
mittee there are IL lawyers, 8 bank
ers;; 5 capitalists; 4 professional pol
itical bureaucrates; who tell the
world that they are farmers but who
are in reality wealthy farm magnates;
3 merchants; 2 real estate men; 2 in
surance men; 2 engineers; 2 stock
raIsers, z newspaper magnates; / in
yestment dealer; l public utilities
director; 1 lumber man; and one each
IN the theatrical sugar and mining
business. Here we have a hundred
per cent control of the Republican
Party by business elements and their
allies.
The situation with the Democratic
National Committee is precisely the
same. Here the lawyers number 20;
bankers 8; publishers 8; manufacture
ers 3; capitalists 2; merchants 2; coal
operators /; farmers, lumber men,
oil magnates, and doctors
one each. Again we have not a single
worker on poor farmer on the control
ling committee of this Party.
These facts and figures establish be-
yond any doubt the fact that the Re
publican and Democratic Parties are
the Gold Dust Twins of the country's
politics.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
Millionaires
Escape Taxation

The country has been flooded with
propaganda in behalf of the Mellon
to save the millionaire bankers and
bosses millions of dollars. A very
large portion of the Congressional Re
card to date is filled with greetings.
testimonials, and demands Of various
Chambers of Commerce and manu-
tacturerers' associations indorsing the
Mellon proposals.
1t is rather strange to note that
while all our congressman. and Sena-
tOrs-with perhaps a half-dozen ex-
ceptlonS at the most-haVe been very
industrious in letting the country hear
their masters voice from the Con-
gressicnal rostrum, very little effort
has been made to put check to the
vicious practice pursued by the big
capitalists to rob the United States
Treasury of hundreds of millions of
dollars in unpaid taxes.
According to the latest REPORT of
the National Association of Real Es-
tate Boards at least S54,OOO,OOO.OO 900
was beyond the reach of the tax col
lectors last year. Thirty-five billion
dollars of this gigantic sum was ex-
empt personal property of which by
Tar the largest portion was tax ex-
empt securities. William Rockefel-
Ter, fer example, put away about go
per cent of his wealth in, Federal,
State and municipal securities so is
sued as to make it impossible for the
tax collector to reach it. The amount
OF wealth escaping taxation thru var
lous bookkeeping, clever accounting.
and legal manipulations, represents
almost One-fifth of the total national
wealth
In view of the growing burden of
taxation it is very important to the
workers and farmers that the Govern
ment dlscontinues protecting the mil
honalre criminal tax dodgers. In the
last decade the total national tax has
increased 27 per cent. Over seven
billion dollars were paid in taxes in
1872. Every person ten years of age
and over of the gainfully employed
paid at least ITO dollars in 1922 to
meet taxes. But the rate at which the
mighty bankers and industrialists
have robbed the Treasury of hundreds
OF millions of dollars has kept pace
with the increase, The Commissioner
OF Internal Revenue reports that in
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1923.
the income and profits tax collection
fell 10 per cent.
One might ask: Why is it that the
Government is SO swift and vigorous
IN its persecution and prosecution of
people Who are guilty of stealing a
trltie here and there and yet does not
do anything at all in the wav of stop-
ping the big millionaire thieves? WHY
IS It that the severest possible sent
ence is handed out to persons who
might be compelled by hunger to
steal a loaf Of bread and yet the max
mum protection is rendered to those
who rob the country of millions of
dollars annually?
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
FRANCE IS FACING
BANKRUPT REALITIES
BY j. w. T. MASON
Written for The United Press

w TlCUeN Tor Inc OnlJGQ Gf6SS
The sensational fall of the franc
marks the collapse Of Premier POin-
cares efforts to dominate Europe and
single handedly crush the Germans.
The pyramid of power in Paris is tot
tering. France is face to face with
a bankrupt's realities.
The suddenness of the crisis is due
to less of confidence in the Poincare
ministry by French business men and
tinanciers. They are selling their do
nestle securities and are investing in
dollars, anticipating the deluge. Their
mad scramble to get from under has
had an artificial effect in depreciating
the franc before its time.
Hoped to Stave 1t OFF.
Premier Poincare hoped to stave off
the debacle until after the French
elections next spring to safeguard his
political futurey The panic now under
way, hOweveFT may get entirely out
OF hand and compel a ministerial
change almost over night.
The signs in Paris are the same as
they were in Berlin at the beginning
of the collapse of the mark. France
has begun to arrest foreign specula-
tors as Germany did; there are hur-
ried meetings of financial officials;
closing of exchanges is threatened;
market quotations are beginning to be
withheld. All these activities are
meant to create an impression that
cOnspiratOrs are at work artifciallv
to drive the franc down.
As a matter of fact, only enc cause
can depreciate any nations CURRENCY.
1t is the same cause that DESTROYS an
individuals credit. 1t consists of pay
ing. out more money than is being
taken in. The French government is
not paying its way. Taxation is not
sufficient to meet expenses. The de-
ticit for the coming year is estimated
at 12,000,000,0OO francs.
Still Lends Money
Yet in the face of this poverty
stricken sign, France has just loaned
3O0,O0OOOO francs to Czecho-Slovakala
and 4OO,OOO,O00 francs to Poland to
bind those countries to her as military
allies. This is the Poincare policy of
matching empty Golfers with prepare
tons for another war.
Collapse has been evident from the
first, for Premier Poincare is Ike a
merchant who has added a story to
his building to equal each years de-
felt.
By some temporary Juggling, it is
barely possible the French government
may arrest for the moment the francs
fall. But whatever device be taken
can car only have temporary effect.
There is no permanent cure for France
except to increase taxation and reduce
the war indemnity to a sum Germany
can pay. The longer this is delayed
the worse will be the eventual cata-
strophe.
The best sign that it may not be
long delayed is the desperate effort of
French capital to get out of the coun-
try as German capital fled from Ger
many at the sign of the lettering
mark. French fnanciers realize the
inevitable is upon them and the poll
tlclans must soon take notice. For in
une background is M. Clemenceau, who
predicted it as it is happening.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
In The Wake Of The News


indicate an increasing demand for
jobs and diminishing number of Jobs
to be offered applicants. Unemploy-
ment is developing. The outstanding
industries are: textiles, railroad shops
and building in localities where the
winter has set in.
The workers have not yet forgotten
the serious crisis of 1920-21. Then
millions Of workers were walking the
streets, out CT work and out of hope
Starvation was the lot of many. The
fierce open shop drive followed
Wages was slashed to the bone. The
unions were smashed.
Now is the time for the workers ia
organize and prepare against the mis-
cry of unemployment and the degrad-
alton of smashed labor organizations
The workers must help themselves
Organized power is the only language
the employers, who have all the gov
ernmental and financial resources at
their command, understand.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
MONTANA SENATOR
BACKS RED CAUSE,
RAPS U. S. POLICY
WHEELER SAYS HE FOUND RUS
STA TRANQUIL-CLAIMS AL
LIES FINANCE WARFARE.

Baltimore Failure of the United
States government to recognize Soviet
Russia was vigorously attacked by
Senator Burton K. Wheeler, Of Mon
tana, in an address yesterday before
the Baltimore open forum. Senator
Wheeler assailed Secretary of State
Hughes action as "disloyal to Ameri-
can tradition and statecraft," declared
the brusque refusal of the govern
ment to negotiate was an ineXcusable
insult, and urged recognition as a
prerequisite to world peace.
Describing his recent journey to
Russia, the Montana senator said he
found that country as normal as any
other, and that the tranquility was in
startling contrast to the pictures
painted by the propagandists.
Capitalistic powers in the United
States, the senator continued, have
filled this country with a false propa-
ganda about Russia because the Sow
ct government forbids their making
huge concessions grabs and exploit
ing the Russian people.
eff these rich American explOiters
were permitted to go in and exploit
the Russian people, the propaganda
would change at once in favor of rec
ognition," he declared. eve should be
urged to join hands with this great
people across the sea and at last even
the White House in Washington
would hear of it."
STARVATION AND HARDSHIP
IN RUSSIA, HE SAID, WE'RE
CAUSED NOT BY THE "REDS" OF
RUSSIA, BUT BY THE ARMIES OF
GENERAL KOTCHAK, FINANCED
BY THE ALLIES.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18

Farmers Republic is meeting with
failure. The best proof of the COM
plete disaster that has overwhelmed
the efforts of Hughes to overthrow
the Soviet Government is established
by the latest trade figures of the Rus
sian Republic.
For the first time in many years
Russian exports have become really
an important factor. With the good
harvest of 1922 grain exports were
resumed. Butter, eggs, sugar, match
es, jax, barley, are also being export
ed in increasing quantities. The in
crease in the main branches of export
has been as follows in past year over
1922: Grain 131 per cent; oil 116 per
cent; fax 115 per cent; sugar 100 per
cent; cotton 148 per cent; linen 178
per cent; and silk 1874 per cent.
We could go on and on to cite proof
that Soviet Russia is succeeding in re-
building her country despite the eff
forts of her enemies of the Hughes
Daugherty type to hinder her About
twenty countries have already tender
ed Russia various degrees of recog-
milton. England and Italy, France
and CzechO-Slovakia are in the midst
Of arrangements for complete recog-
milton. After the American masses
overthrow their British exploiters and
oppressors it tOok-the United States
at least eleven years before the first
sign of stability was evident in the
country. In view of the almost in
superable obstacles thrown in the path
OF Russian reconstruction the Russian
workers and farmers are meeting
their herculean tasks with remarkable
success.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
GEN. DAWES WARNS OF
PENDING DISASTER

PARIS-Brig. Gen. Charles G.
Dawes statement that imminent dis
aster IS facing Europe unless com
mon sense is crowned king" shocked
the reparations commission from its
complacency Monday.
IL also startled official circles and
alarmed the financiers into a realiza-
CiOn OF the nearness of danger.
zen. Dawes said that all the world
mas seen the economic life Of Germany
eeIDolng away. With it the credit Of ali
the European allies suffers, because
the world realizes that if the Germans
lose their capacity for work, Germany
roses 3e55, her capacity to pay reparations.
Inc re-establshment of German
productivity is the starting point of
european prosperity he said.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
FRANCE TO KITE
TAXES TO HALT
DROP IN FRANC
By WEBB MILLER
Staff Correspondent The United Press

PARIS-AlI taxes in France are to
be raised 20 per cent and the severest
measure of economy in public services
put into effect, as part of the cabinets
program of financial adjustment to
bolster up the franc
The program, which also includes
adJournments Of all projects and pen
slons and business, will be introduced
IN the chamber of deputies Thursday.
Franc Gains Little
The franc reacted Tuesday in anti
cipation of desperate government
measures and gained a bit, being
quoted at 22.42 to the dollar shortly
before noon, compared with the close
Monday at 22.76.
Bankers, among whom alarm spread
swiftly as the bourse saw near panic
scenes and there seemed on limit to
the francis drop, expect that the de-
preclated exchange may continue to
gain slowly, if the governments
measures prove effective. If not, it is
believed the slump will be resumed.
The chamber of deputies gave Pre-
mier Poincare's government vote OF
confidence late Tuesday, 1888 to 189i
an question of drastic government
measures to arrest the fall of the
franc
New York Franc Quotation
NEW YORK-F'rench francs were
quoted on the exchange here Monday
at $0O4312.
The franc normally is sO.193O.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
FORD MOTOR HOLDING SOON
TO PASS BILLION MAIN,
PROFITS TREMENDOUS
Experts in Wall Street Figure Weaith
of Flivver Maker at ASTOUNDING
Total.

New York, Jan. 9.-Experts IN Wall
Street. who have for a year Wondereu
what the total stock of the Ford MOI
or company was worth today, hazard
ed the estimate $84O,OOO,O00 and said
they believed it would total S1,6O,OOO,-
900 within another year. -
The computations were based on
the public valuation Of the Ford Mot
or company of Canada, profits per car
made by the dominoion corporation
and one in this country, the former
earning SOS a car and the latter $67,
and the market valuation Of the Can
adian stock, which is $425 a share.
Comparing the value of the Cana
dian stock the profit per car there and
the valuation of the company with the
profit per car here plus the United
States production they express the
first definite information the financial
district ever has had about this plant.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
MINUTES OF REGULAR
MEETING OF BOARD WILL i
BE PRINTED NEXT WEEK

The Producers News had plan
. ned on printing the minutes eff
t9e regular meeting of the Board
. OF county Commissioners which
met on Monday, January 9th, but
II seems that they are not ready
YET; They viii appear next week
II they are ready by that time.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
BIRTHDAY PARTY

= A surprise birthday party upon Mrs.
). l: Klovstad occurred this afternoon
at the home of Mrs. Klowstad. Those
participating in the affair are Mrs.
y. A. Moe, Mrs. D. J. Olson, Mrs. r.
=: York, Mrs. Louis Moe, Mrs. L. s.
Olson, Mrs. Jens Gronvoid and Mrs.
Alfred Oswald. Cards were the form
OF entertainment and a delicious lunch
was served.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
ESTRAY TAKEN UP

Came into my pasture about MAY
10, 1923; one 2-year steer; one 2-year
Ihelfer, both red poll. Owner may
nave same by proving property, pay
ing for pasture, care and for this adj
T. nj. Olsen, Dagmar, Section 24-32-
So. O.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18

LOST Grey Mare, Lazy R left
Jaw. L Light Mare, white face, 90
over Bar on left shoulder. 1 Grew
Gelding, 90 over Bar on left should
er: VI Mare Colt, 90 over Bar on
left shoulder. One 5-yr. old Dark Grey
Mare, 90 over Bar on left shoulder.
RODNEY SALISBURY,
S'-OI' Sheriff
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18
Russia S Favorable
Trade Balance

The attempt of our Standard Oil
Secretary eff State Hughes to isolate
Soviet Russia and to line up the wbnie
world in an economic and political
boycott against the first Workers. and
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18

Try a Want Ad-It brings Results
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1924-01-18

TO BUY-Clean Cotton
rags, free from buttons, hooks, etc.
Inquire at Producers News Office.