The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1934-06-14
CAMPAIGN AGAINST
FRAMEUP STARTED
CONTINUED from page u

sible for discrimination and IA
vOritism in Emmons county.
More witnesses had been secured
by the state but were not put on
the stand for fear that their testi-
mony would be favorable for the
defendants. Our witnesses num-
bered II.
mo evidence was submitted sup
porting the riot charge except that |
three of the States witnesses claim |
that we had used force and VIC
lence in resisting the deputy sher-
iff, Fisher. Under cross-examina-
ton Fisher himself admitted that
he had only had a friendly argu-
ment with Hoff.'
Farmers Have Rubber Arms
"Some of these witnesses stated
that one farmer had struck at the
deputy and that another one had
clawed at him. When asked by
the attorney how far from the
sheriff these farmers were stand
ing, they answered.: 'Abou- six
feet. When asked whether the
farmers had rubber arms that they
could reach that far, they said:
Yes, they have
| Neither the Judge nor the jury
of businessmen were interested in
the evidence of our witnesses.
They convicted US in order to set
an example and thereby discourage
all efforts to uncover graft and
discrimination in Emmons county"
The meeting On January 20 had
been called to protest favoritism
and demand an investigation. The
sheriff had been notified and it
was taken for granted that the
court house could be used for that
purpose since it had been used for
many other meetings.
When the crowd had gathered,
the sheriff burst in: 81 have orders
to stop this meeting, no meeting
here today" Jonathan Hoff then
, demanded to see the sheriff's or
! ders. Fisher had none and insist
ed that his "word was authority
, enough"
'STO He'll With Constitution"
When Hoff defended the right tC
hold this meeting and commenced
= to read the American Constitution
? putting particular emphasis on th'
amendment guaranteeing the RICH
of free speech, free press, and the
right to assemble and petition th'
government for redress of griev
: ances Sheriff Fisher shouted: ct
hell with your constitution" ant
placed Hoff and shortly afterward
the four others under arrest.
! Farmers and workers of Mort
L Dakota are protesting the out
$ rageous frameup and demand tina
the defendants be given a new
d trial and that Judge Barry's de
: cision be reversed. When Barr,
d pronounced the verdict he stated
e "The only way to put brains int
your head is to put you in jail.
: Committee Calls for Protests
d The defense committee is CALM
upon farmers and workers of Mon
- tana and South Dakota to join /
the protest and fight the Fascis
methods of the contractors. an
sheriffs and lawyers and judges G
Emmons county who are defendin
their rule of graft and cowuptio
lie against the Indignation and attac
e of farmers and workers.
lie The State Defense Committee, {
which w. A. Harris is chairma
and A. Stanr, treasurer, is askir
all farmers and workers organize
Is tons to send protest resolutions t
R. District Judge Barry, Mandan, \
la D., States Attorney Thurman
n Wright, Linton, N. D., and to Go,
j. VIM. LANCER, Bismarck, N. D.
n "The issues involved are worth
ut of support of all organization
n groups and individuals who no
e at heart our most elementary civ
in rights of free speech, free pres
d. and the right to assemble peacabl
n This conviction tramples the!
lie rights into the dust and may we
re become a precedent for the gel
lg eral application of the "gag rul,
of in North Dakota, the committe
'e- states.
The Call sent out by the commi
"A tee, also appeals for the financi
We support of organizations and inc
of viduals in order that an appe;
N may be secured and the attempt
the Fascist forces of Emmons col
to ty to browbeat and jail worke
&C. and farmers for insistence on the
of constitutional rights be defeated.
of Collection lists have been issu
ne and all contributions and col
ny munications should be sent to t
nr State Defense Committee. P.