Evening star., 1934-10-28
MAJOR PARTIES LINKED
IN MINNESOTA ELECTION
Both Republican and Democratic Forces Flaunt Com.
nnunism Issue Seeking Uproot
Farmer.Labor Faction

so-calIed test of strength, Of course
without in any way doubling the hon
esty Of the procedure.
The vote was based on ballots
mailed automobile owners as listed
through the registration cards in the
Office Of the secretary of State.
After the result had been an
nounced, officials of the United Min
nesota Voters, which sponsored the
poll, issued a sensational statement
containing alleged proof that an at
tempt had been made to swing the
vote to Gov. Olson's favor with thou
sands OF safe ballots.
The Governor, meanwhile, kept his
silence, apparently choosing not to
dignity the charge with his oficiaI
acknowledgment.
Regan Attacks Finding.
The United Minnesota Voters As
sociation, which was created, its
hackers said, to pave the way for q
fusion candidate to oppose Gov. Olson,
announced after the poll had been
completed that the result indicated
the voters preference for Nelson, the
G. o. P. nominee This provoked a
bitter attack from the camp of Regan,
the Democratic standard bearer.
There seems to be but little doubt
among unbiased observers that had
the Olson opponents been able TO join
forces they probably would terminate
the Olson reign, but the three-cornered
race weakened the attack so sharply
that the Governor and his adherents
very likely will Withstand the incessant
criticism maintained since his party's
platform was adopted last March.
The Republicans, through their
superior support by the Conservative
State press, have hammered relentless
ly at that party document, which calls
for Specialization Of industry with the
State operating the key industries in
a scheme to establish q cooperative
commonwealth.
Free Text Plan Hit.
As the campaign nears an end the
G. o. P. campaign managers have
shifted the attack to that part Of the
platform authorizing the State to print
public school text books and distribute
them free to the pupils who now
generally purchase their supplies from
the same sources that serve other
States.
The administration critics contend
that this is an attempt to instin Com
munistic propaganda into the school
system and they have been trying to
capitalize on a recent shake-up in the
State Department of Education, which
placed DR.. John G. Rockwell, profess
sor Of sociology at the University Of
Minnesota, at the head Of the depart
ment.
Gov. Olson's reply 10 the textbook
charges typifled his defense OF the
platform. Our purpose" he retorted
in a campaign speech at Rochester.
lis merely to have the State print the
textbooks and distribute them free to
the pupils. Our opponents say we
want TO write the textbooks ourselves.
This is plain falsehood and they
know it, We intend to use the books
selected by the educators, just as they
are now. Certainly the present Sys-
tenn Of selecting textbooks could not
be called Communistic.
Unfair Profits Charged.
"The real reason there is so much
Misrepresentation by the opposition
about our textbook program is that
| the powerful book trust makes eXor-
| bitant profits from the sale Of school,
books. We want to eliminate this un-
fair charge We want to provide the
| books free so that that load will be
| lifted from the parents, many of whom
cannot afford to carry it under pres
ent conditions.
"And for this our opponents call us
Communists. The Republican party
always has raised some bogus alarm
! like this when any one has attempted
to cut the unfair profits of the wealthy
interests that supply its campaign
/ funds"
Thus the Governor again struck the
keynote Of his defense of the plat
form. proposing drastic governmental
changes which the document states
are necessary because of the collapse
of capitalism. The old system, 1t re-
lates, must be abolished 'in a peaceful
and lawful manner" in favor of "a
complete reorganization of our social
structure into a cooperative common
wealth" which will bring economic
security and prevent a prolonged per-
iod of further suffering among the
people
Gov. Olson has indicated support
Continued On Ninth Page.)