The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-03-17
S 7 A C { is SET
FOR U NIFTY ATT
June 18TH meet
Last Step Taken by
St. Cloud Convention
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chairman Boldus Of the Nonpartisan
League whom Pike, chairman of the
official Minnesota Farmer-Labor Par
ty. had tried at the beginning of the
session to foist on them, they might
have succeeded in postponing the
endorsement or even in splitting the
convention. The progressives were
on guard however and the attempt
did not succeed. The reactionaries
had planned to present a resolution
denouncing the Communists which
had been prepared by Mahoney of
Washington and thus divert atten-
tion from the major issues. Without
their chairman they had not the
courage to make the attempt and
after Mahoney Of st. Paul had told
his namesake Of Washington that he
was ga dirty, lying disturber" the lat
ter gentleman subsidized.
The progressives in Minnesota are
Jubilant over the elimination of all
friction and all eyes are now on June
II.
Emil Holmes of the World War
Veterans addressed the convention in
behalf of the military prisoners and
received its endorsement for his reso-
luton urging amnesty for them.
Numerous resolutions dealing with
all phases of the farmer-labor move
nsent were passed by the convention
among them a condemnation of the
management of the Veterans Bureau
and number denouncing war.
Complete Unity Established.
Complete unity has been estab-
lished between the workers and
farmers of Minnesota thru the
Farmer-Labor Federation. The last
obstacle to this unity was removed
late this afternoon when the dele
gates to the non-partisan league
convention here threw their reac-
tionary officials overheard and voted
to join the Farmer-Labor Fedora
ton representing the interests on
the political field of all economic or
CARNATIONS of the workers and
farmers in this state. No develop
ment of greater significance in the
Farmer-Labor movement in America
has taken place within the last de-
cade. The decision of the Non-par-
tisan League delegates came after
the Townley machine had exhausted
every effort to prevent favorable ac-
ton. Magnus Johnson and Hendrick
Shipstead were induced by the
Townley machine to denounce the
Farmer-Labor Federation as a Com
munist organization; every device
calculated to prejudice the farmers
against radicals and labor men was
used; 0. M. Thomson, of Benson,
henchman of the Towiiiey machine.
read extracts from the DAILY
WORKER, but without any percep-
tible effect upon the farmers who
wanted unity with the wage work
ers, were determined to get it and
did get it. Some of the most re-
markable speeches ever made in
gathering Of this kind were deliv-
cred by farmer delegates to whom
the desire for unity with the or
ganized workers was stronger than
the influence of leaders whom they
had trusted.
Old Prejudices Shattered.
The Minnesota farmers represent
ed by the Non-partisan League Con-
vention have, by this decision, shat
tered for ali time the belief
advanced by obstructionists that
farmers are afraid to trust their
fortunes to an organization COM
rrising both groups of exploited
workers.
There was a great demonstration
in the Farmer-Labor Federation
convention when their negotiation
committee returned with the news
that the farmers had decided to be-
come part of the unity organization.
A speaker was on the floor talking
on an important organization ques-
ton, but all business was suspended
for ten minutes while the delegates
stamped and cheered, leaped on
chairs and tables, threw their hats
in the air and yelled themselves
hoarse. Tension rsiaxed immediate
ly and it was evident then that the
workers had almost given up hone
of complete unity; they acted like
children relieved of threat of pun
lSnme0I anu gave NHtT tHoilVHS
full plav. Even the dignified Will
liam Mahoney, chairman of the
Farmer-Labor Federation Conven-
tion, yelled till he was red in the
face, and his grey hair completely
disarranged. Too much credit for
the decision of the farmers con-
vention cannot be given to Charles
e. Taylor, of the Montana Farmer
Labor party, and dad" Walker. Of
the North Dakota Farmer-Labor
party; they knew personally many
Of the delegates and more than any
one else were responsible for coun-
teracting any prejudice that might
have been aroused by the red bait
ing Of the machine element. It was
necessary for the Townley machine
in order TO poll any kind Of note
against unity to collect delegates
from paper organizations such as
women's auxiliaries and county
groups having no existence. Des-
perate efforts still left them several