The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-03-11

plan of procedure in this work is to
appoint district chairmen, who in
turn appoint county chairmen, who in
turn appoint local chairmen. The re-
suit is an organization of officials inn
posed from above. The advocates of
the federation, with limited means at
their command, have been organizing
farmer-labor clubs and obtaining with
great success the Endorsement for the
federation plan by labor Organiza-
tons, cooperative societies and ad-
vanced political groups.
To date the race has been very
much in favor of the party, based on
the economic interests of the workers.
Active labor has bodily Endorsed the
Federation idea. The labor delega-
tions to the Federation and Pike con-
ventions can be counted upon to stand
practically solid for it. ME- enthu-
siasm of labor for this kind of or
ganization has been understandable.
The Fourth, Fifth and Eighth con-
gressional districts embracing Min
neapohs, st. Paul and Duluth, will
send almost solid delegations for the
Farmer-Labor Federation.
Organizers of farmer-labor clubs,
have encountered unexpected enthu-
siasm for the Federation among the
farmers. The practically unanimous
report from almost every district
visited is that the farmers consider
that the Non-Partisan League has full
filled it's mission and should give way
to constituent organization Of farm
ers and industrial workers: In every
part Of the state where the old league
members have had an opportunity
they have joined the clubs supporting
the federation. The Ninth district
farmers and workers called conven-
ton several months ago and I'M
animously Endorsed the federation.
Fifty delegates out of go in this con-
vention were farmers.
Pixies Convention at St. Cloud.
Mr.. Pike called a convention in the
Seventh district in January, for the
purpose of turning the tables on the
federation advocates. The convention
did exactly the opposite to what he
desired and turned the tables on him.
There are ten congressional districts
in the state. Six of these, at least
seem sure for the federation idea.
The Federationists have at least an
equal chance in the other four. If
there is anything like fair representa-
ton and conditions in the conventions
the Federation plan or some other
constituent organization of the real
workers will surely result.
But fair and equal on conditions
are just what Chairman Pike has
guarded against in his convention.
When Mr.. Pike announced his inten-
ton of calling the Federationist COM
mitteemen and leaders conferred with
him for the purpose of having the
proposed conventions at the same
place on consecutive dates, so that
the question of the organization of
the Farmer-Labor Party would be
settled once and for all. Pike seemed
to accept this challenge. He readily
consented to consecutive dates and
then after the Federation supporters
and Non-Partisan League leaders had
announced the place as Minneapolis,
suddenly announced his place OF
meeting at St. Cloud. st. Cloud is
80 miles from Minneapolis. Mr.. Pike
undoubtedly feels sure that hundreds
of delegates cannot be moved intact
80 miles in one night.
Discriminating Against Workers.
This is not all. Pike has announced
in this call that the basis of repre-
sentation shall be one delegate in
each county for every 1000 votes
cast for Magnus johnson and one
delegate at-large. There are 83 coun-
ties in Minnesota predominantly rural
and three predominantly industrial.
In the three industrial counties at
least two-fifths of the population is
centered. These counties under the
Pike plan will send only 81 out of
379 delegates. There are more wage
Oarners in Minnesota than farmers ac-
cording to government statistics, but
Pike would give the industrial work
ers only about one-fourth Of the dele
gates. The rural counties will send
33 delegates at large, while the in
dustriaI counties will send only 8
delegates at large. 1t is palpably a
plan to GUST labor and its radical"
theories from the progressive" move
ment of Minnesota.
Despite these handicaps, the lead
ers of the real farmer-labor move
ment Of Minnesota are confident that
their forces will appear even in Pixies
convention in sufficient strength to
carry the day.
HH~ D~no-ooko L.