The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-08


back to The Leader office"
Worked For Governor
"You were only there q month";"
mo. When the sales tax campaign
was on Senator Erickson asked me to
go back and also when the governor
was away at the conference Of COVER
nors at Des Moines. I have been there
most of the time since"
What kind Of work have you been
doing in the governors Officer"
MY chief work has been In regard
to the moratorium"
Did you ever talk to the governor
in reference to your work on The
Leader or the solicitations"
"Never."
did you know of the solicitations
in the federal emergency relief Of
fices?"
mo"
what do you know about the Sc
lection OF an editor for The Lead
err"
Senator Erickson was looking for
an editor and knew Oscar Buttedahl
and recommended him.
did you have anything to do with
the soliciting Of funds"
"Yes."
What was the understanding be-
tween you and Erickson as to whom
you were to solicit?"
AT the conference with Erickson
previously referred to- he explained
what was TO be done. He said was
to 60 out as a representative Of the
Nonpartisan League to raise money
to be used for any purpose the organ
ization saw tit. understood that the
primary object was to establish q
newspaper
Went To See Vogel
Chaput said he had made the
rounds Of the state offices. At the
offices Of the highway department, he
said he went first to see Highway
Commissioner Frank vogel.
Erickson had told me to contact
the head Of the departments first. He
said he would not tolerate any pres
sure being used and that the main
qualification for the Job was tact
l called on Vogel and explained the
proposition. He said he would sign
but was busy and I could come back
later. He said could solicit the en-
ployes provided did not disrupt the
work Of the office, otherwise would
have to see them after hours"
Chaput described his meeting with
Vogel in the office and told how Ham,
pie was called In and in turn brought
various employees to have the PROPOSE
ton of subscriptions outlined to them.
Hample was introduced to him, Cha
put said, and an office was picked
out into which employees were brought
In pairs, and subscriptions were ask
ed.
when I contacted the employees, ]
had q sales talk worked up. / believe
gave the same sales talk to all the
employees. I generally introduced my
!, self to them as representative OF the
Nonpartisan League. said was
raising funds for the organization,
that the organization was trying to
raise funds to take care Of past debts:
to raise funds for future political
wars and to establish q newspaper. ]
told them the organization was inter-
ested in reviving the old 'Nonpartisan
Leader
Stressed Need For Paper
Il also told them there was need
for q newspaper representing the ad-
ministration in q true light. told
them some years ago the Nonpartisan
organization had So newspapers but
that now. with the exception Of small
country weexlies. the rest Of the news
papers were either actively or passive
ly against the organization.
II told them the farmer had car
ried the brunt Of the battle for the
past is years and was no longer able
to carry on the battle.
II told them I felt they were state
employees who benefited directly
through the administration and should
cooperate with the administration IN
carrying out the fight.
Then explained The Leader
proposition which was an agreement
whereby employees agreed to give five
per cent Of their annual salaries and
In return received subscriptions fog
every dollar pledged.
II always emphasized the latter
part Of the agreement, which wa
they agreed to 60 out and sell sub
scriptior,s. told them did not want
them to take the attitude that We
wanted their money; I said We want
| ed their cooperation. I illustrated II
this way: Suppose you get 500 PEI
month. Five per cent Of your salary
will be go. You pay 3l6 every three
months. We turn over to you 60 SUBJ
scription blanks. and I believe that Il
you are for the administration you