The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1934-02-16

ly. As l understand it they were
arrested by the Kosciusko county
officials for melting the farmers
Of that county to protest the sale
Of a farm which was reported to
belong to Mr.. Clarence Gearhart.
l have given the close atten-
ton to this situation and have
been advised that the Federal Land
Bank of Louisville offered to grant
an extension of time to Mr.. Gear
hart if Mr.. Gesrhart's sisters, who
are joint owners of the farm with
him. would sign the papers asking
for the extension. AS l understand
it, the sisters of Mr.. Gearhart re-
fused to sign the papers, taking
the view that they had no equity
in the farm, that the mortgage on
the farm was greater than the
farm would bring at a sale.
l have been informed that Off
Gals of the Federal Land Bank of
Louisville talked over the long dis
lance telephone with Mr.. Gearhart
on the morning of the sale giving
him this information. / have been
further informed that he had the
same information each time he
made application to the Federal
Land Bank for an extension of
time.
If the owners of the farm, in
Guiding the sisters of Mr.. Gear
hart as well as Mr.. Gearhart would
not ask for an extension. the Land
Bank could not do anything except
sell the farm. The sale was not
illegal and the property could not
be returned to Mr.. Gearhart under
any condition inasmuch as Mr..
Gearhart was never the owner of
the property. He held a one-third
interest in the farm.
Undoubtedly, the facts of this
case have been misrepresented to
you and to those who Joined in
protest against this sale. l have
found that the Federal Land Bank
is most liberal in its dealings with
the farmers in this state.
Very cordially yours,
Paul v. McNutt.
In his letter to the Governor,
Mr.. Brensdal protested sharply
against the arrest of the three de.
PENDANTS. He demanded that they
be released Immediately and -un
conditionally.
Brensdal also protested agains'
the foreclosure of farms in th'
state of Indiana generally.
In his answer the Governor o.
Indiana is not at all concerned
with the arrest of Alfred Tiala
his wife, and Jesse Ham. He say
nothing as to what is going t.
happen to them, whether they ar
to be freed or sentenced. The Gov
ernor does not even point out Of
what charge the three have beel
arrested. "Inciting the farmers t
protest the SALE" certainly is n
legal charge.
>. inasmuch as Mr.. Gearhar
(the farmer) was never the owne
of the property. He held a one
third interest in the farm" tn
property can not be returned t
the farmer, the Governor says.
In other words farmers equit
in his farm is not worth a cor
tinental in the opinion of tn
Executive of the State of Indiana
This attitude and opinion of til
Governor is a challenge to tn
farmers in Indiana and to all I'll
members of the UFL whose leaC
ers the state authorities are sti
, keeping in Jail. Indiana farmer
, will organize SO much stronger
defend their rights to stay on the
farms. They will continue to figl
+ for the immediate and unconditiol
. al release of the three prisoner
! In these efforts they will |
supported by farm organization
/ and Individual farmers all over tt
country who will continue to poi
r in their protests to Sheriff Pc
son, Judge Vanderveer, Governo
McNutt and President Roosevelt.