Evening star., 1934-12-23

earlier-that he accepted the proposal
to publish the Griggs County Sentinel
Courier. Six years later he was ap-
pointed to the Senate and went to
Washington to take his seat in the
greatest deliberative body in the
world"
In the meantime Nye's advice was
sought by the Non-Partisan Leaguers
in the publication of newspaper in
Bismarck, the capital. Notwithstand-
ing his youth he had become known
all over the State. In 1924 he was
pursuaded to become a candidate for
Congress from the second North Da-
kota district He went into the cam
paign merely to make it possible for
the Progressives-that was the year
the late Senator Robert M. La Fol-
lette Of Wisconsin sought to set up
a new party and was himself its
candidate for President-to have a
complete ticket in the field. He was
defeated.
Senator Ladd of North Dakota had
supported La Toilette for President,
although he and other Nom Partisan
Leaguers had rated themselves as Re
publicans. Indeed. the Non-Partisan
League rather took over the Repuh-
lican party in North Dakota, although
there was a bitter. stand-pat group
which always fought the league.
Vacancy in Senate.
La Toilette died in 1925, and so
did Senator Ladd. The question rose
whether the Governor of North Da-
kota could appoint to fill the vacancy
or whether he would have to call
special election. Many of the Nom
Partisan Leaguers urged Sorlie, the
Governor, to appoint, feeling that in
this way they could be sure of having
a Senator of their liking. The Cover
nor hesitated, but In the end met
with group OF candidates and their
friends to make his decision. Nye
had already indorsed half q dozen
men who had asked him to do so.
He had no thought of receiving the
appointment himself. At the meeting
in Bismarck, Gov. Sorlie said he did
not believe he could select q candi-
date who would be satisfactory to all
the Non-Partisan Leaguers. He sug-
gested that they write out their in
dividual first and second choices and
hand them to him. When all the
ballots had been placed in a hat, the
canvassed them himself with many a
chuckle. He never did make known
the result Of the informal ballot.
But ne asked a couple of the candi-
dates to meet with him in his Office
the next morning. And incidentally
he asked Nye to come along.
When they called on the Governor
he told them he had made his choice.
Before I make the announcement"
he said, II want you and you and
you," pointing to the candidates and
to Nye, Ito agree that you will sup
port my appointee.
Nye, who had no suspicion he had
been considered for the place. agreed
instantly, and the others followed
suit.
bombshell, declaring he would ap-
point Nye.
Hard-Fought Battle Won.
His appointment to the Senate was
merely the beginning Of The battle
for Nye. When he came to Washing
ton. he found that there was a strong
movement to deny him seat on the
ground that the North Dakota law
made it necessary for the Governor
to call special election to fill the
vacancy. In fact, he came to Wash
ington Ion shoe string" That he
won, and was seated by the narrow
vote of Al to 80, Is Just another
example of the fate which seems to
have showed him constantly forward.
Since then he has been twice elected
to the Senate and he is serving his
tenth year in that body. Only re-
Gently Senator McNary of Oregon,
leader of the little band of Republi-
cans still left in the Upper House,
said that he would appoint Senator
Nye to be chairman of the Republican
Committee on Committees. In that job
Nye will have to pass upon the as
signments of Republicans to the
standing committees of the Senate.
He is the first Progressive ever to
have had this Craftsmanship handed
to him.
For number of years Senator Nye
has been interested In the question
of war munitions and the makers
thereof.
Il noticed" he said, "that every
time big program for the Navy or
the Army was about to be advanced,
there was always talk of war between
the United States and Japan, or an
other nation. I wondered who was
back Of such propaganda"
WArked With Peace Units.
He wicked with representatives of
peace societies on resolution for an
investigation of the munitions makers.
But not until the last session of Con-
gress did he introduce it, believing
that the time had not come When
he did put 1t In he pushed hard for
its adoption.
IF the United States Government
acts to take the huge profits out of
munitions making and restricts the
sale of arms and munitions, won't
that just leave q luscious business to
the foreign manufacturers" Senator
Nye was asked.
"Oh, I believe that If we act to
take these profits out of war other
nations will be forced to follow suit"
replied Senator Nye. "Other peoples
are not blind"
Nye is clean cut. He keeps his head
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