The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1933-09-29
Calls for Debt Cancellation
and Tax Exemption for
Poorest Farmers
HITS SHERIFF SALES
Protests Intervention in.
Cuba; Sends 2 Delegates
to Anti-War Congress
Reported by a Student of the
School on Wheels

OSOOD /, M ] II n-ElRnIyl
farmer delegates from all
over Minnesota attended the
state conference of the Min
neSota United Farmer League
held here Sept. 16 and IL.
Alfred ITALIA, national secretary |
of the United Farmers League
opened the conference by explain /
ing the effects of the Roosevelt
New Deal on the poor and middle
farmers, whose conditions are be-
coming worse and worse under the
provisions of the Agricultural Ad-
justment Act. Tiala pointed out
that only a compact, fighting or
ganizational front of all toiling
and exploited farmers opposed to
che Wall Street rebber barons, can
save the homes and families of
these millions.
Reports from many Delegates re-
vealed the desperate condition of
the farmers of Minnesota, who re-
ceive practically nothing for their
cash products, and are burdened
with high taxes, impossible inter
est payments on their debts md
are threatened with foreclosures
and evictions this winter.
The state organization of the
United Farmers League which was
set up at the conference is a big
step toward consolidating this
fighting front of farmers.
Tells of Children Being
Stolen
Frank Murtland, a militant
farmer of Bemidji, Beltrami coun-
ty and his wife, came to the con-
ference with the story of how
the Farmer-Laborites of Beltnami
county had robbed him and his
wife of their three children the
day before.
| The fact that the children were
taken away just after Murtland
had lead a militant demonstration
for relief, proves that the purpose
of the officials was to try to break
the fighting spirit of the members
of the United Farmers League. A
resolution was passed by the Con-
ference demanding that the chill
dren be returned to their home at
once, otherwise mass pressure
would be brought to bear from all
over the state against these Off
Gals.
Ed Bauman of Clearwater coun-
ty also exposed the Farmer-Labor-
ties of the stcte who under pres
sure from the United Farmers
League were forced to promise
free feed and relief to the drought
stricken farmers. They then held
! up the relief for six weeks, and
finally demanded that the farmers
give personal notes in exchange
) for this "free" relief. The United
Farmers League in Clearwater
county, will protect the farmers
against collection of these bills
wher thew fall due.
Demands Adopted
The conference unanimously
. adopted a series of fighting de-
, mands for cancellation of debts,
back taxes, and tax exemption for
poor farmers, and a moratorium
for all farmers who derive their
, livelihood from their own labor on
their farms; for the abolition of
! sheriff sales and seizure of live
! stock or produce far payment OF
debt, etc. Numerous resolutions
, were passed, including protects
against the breaking up of the
Washington State United Farmers
: League conference by vigilantes.
! against Intervention in Cuba, in
; support of the Pennsylvania Dairy
farmers who under the Leadership
: of the United Farmers Protective
! Association are preparing to strike
against the milk marketing agree.
ments, for recognition Of the So
Wet Union, and promising broad
mobilization for the Farmers Sec.
: ond National Conference. very
e important were two resolutions ad.
: dressed to certain mortgage hold.
I ers of two poor farmers.
Solidarity was pledged to city