Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-04-12
CHAIN BANKERS
Will FIGHT FL.
Do Not Like Investigation
and Program, Ayers
Teigan.
Hot Campaign Looked for
Due to Definite Farmer
Labor Platform.
BY HENRY G. TEIGAN

The Farmer-Labor platform seems
to be troubling our Republican and
Democratic friends considerably. The
reactionary papers are constantly
talking about it.
1t is to be another smash Social
ism" campaign. Many Minnesota vot-
ers will recall the campaign of 1920
when j. A. o. Preus and his satel-
lites conducted campaign on that
issue back in 1920. To be sure, 1t
was a dishonest campaign and was
not one based upon the Farmer-Labor
platform. This time the platform it
self is being discussed though there
will, of course. be plenty of misrep-
resentation regarding the implica-
tions of the platform.
Not Much Change.
In last weeks letter l attempted
to show that the Farmer-Labor plat
form has not changed materially dur
ing the past twelve years. And that
is the fact. Nevertheless, newspaper
editors are attempting to show that
there is marked difference between
the platform of 1894 and those Of
previous years.
For the sake of our old party
brethren l want to quote a portion
of the declaration of principles of the
Farmer-Labor Association of two
years ago. 1t will enable Republican
and Democratic editors to get true
slant on the situation and cause them
to get over their nervousness as to
the Farmer-Labor plan to establish
a socialist state.
See 1882 Platform.
In the 9th paragraph OF the Farm
er-Labor Associations declaration OF
principles occurs the following Ian
guage:
1T (Farmer-Labor Party aims
to rescue the government from
the control of the privileged few
and make it function for the use
and benefit of all by abolishing
monopoly in every form, and to
establish in place thereof a sys-
tenn of public ownership and op-
Grafton of monopolized industries,
which will afford every able and
willing worker an opportunity to
work and will guarantee the en-
joyment of the proceeds thereof
thus increasing the amount of
available wealth, eradicating un-
employment and restitution and
abolishing industrial autocracy."
The only real difference between
the platform of two years ago and
that adopted at the recent state con-
vention is in the language used.
Moreover, no intelligent voter is so
stupid as to believe this program can
be enacted into law by the next State
Legislature. Constitutional changes
will be necessary. The voters will
have to pass upon the proposals.
While it may be true that old party
politicians regard constitutions as
mere scraps of paper, the same can
not be charged to the Farmer-Labor-
ties. In every instance the Farmer
Labor party has endeavored to fol-
low the constitution in its endeavors
to bring about necessary economic
and political changes.
Chains Fight FL.
Farmer-Labor party leaders are
fully aware of the fact that they are
facing bitter fight in this cam
paign. The money bags of the chain
banks will be in evidence as the
campaign progresses. And this would
have been true regardless of the
Farmer-Labor platform. The investi-
cation of chain bank organizations by
the State Security Commission and
the attacks of Governor Olson and
other Farmer-Labor workers upon
public utility companies have aroused
the enmity of these plunderers of the
people to all things designated Farm
er-Labor.
Buckler Wins Endorsement.
The 9Th district congressional con-
vention held at Erskine last Satur-
day endorsed State Senator r. T.
Buckler for representative in Con-
gress. Buckler won by a small mar
gin over A. c. Townley, founder and
former president of the National Nom
partisan League.
Mr.. Buckler has been a loyal sup
porter of the Farmer-Labor cause
since the party's inception back in
1918. He has been an active coop
orator in the party's affairs during
all these years.
TOwnley's Great Service.
Mr.. Townley is known to progress
sives throughout the nation. There
can be no doubt that he has contri-
buted more to the cause Of progress
fin the United States during the past