The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1934-01-19


to the reins, back to the trail.
"As your papa / come 10 you to-
night seriously and in some Why's
ead," cooed Simpson, as he strut
ted around the platform. "YoG
have one of the greatest Farmers
Unions in the country, yet If
had been ignored and treated by
other states as by Nebraska I
would have resigned long ago.
have had no support from your
state headquarters in putting over
the national legislative program"
Glaring at the state president
Keeney for a while, he turned 70
the audience and asked. cam l
not entitled to all the support Of
the Nebraska organization"
A minority showed their hands.
But the. Nebraska leaders were
spanking mad. Keeney had failed
for reelection as national VICE
president at the recent convention,
defeated by the steam-roller Of the
Simpson machine. Harry c. Par
menter, you may remember, was
I clipped into national leadership.
But he was pushed out Of his JOB
| as director in the Nebraska dis
trict by 2 to vote.
This "papa" stuff burned the
ears of Nebraskans. So it was de-
cided to air the whole matter. An
investigation committee of IA was
elected to inquire into charges Of
alleged Misrepresentation of funds
on part Of national secretary E. E.
Kennedy, and John A. Simpson,
national president, which aleo IN
volved Milo Reno.
Echo Of Oh Fight
Squabbling in the high camp Of
|, farm leaders" had been under cur
Z rent for some time. At the ma
tional convention in Omaha last
month Simpson struck A. w. Rick
er, editor of the Farmers Union
Herald of st. Paul, and ousted the
delegate from the hall, in spite ot
his credentials, which Nebraskan;
characterized as a "disgcacefu
episode"
n "Papa" Simpson seemed to
r think that the Nebraska Farmer
Union paper should print all of hi
speeches. But editor L. S. Herrol
complained that for lack Of spac'
Il most of it, or something mon
valuable, would have to- be omit
ted, and they could not afford II
increase the cost of the paper. Hi
last radio address would have re
z quired four of the eight pag'
20 paper, he said.
d With its large cooperative inter
ests, the Nebraska organization !
p regarded as one of the most pros
= porous, paying approximately a.
" 600 annually to the national treas
le ury, officers, said. 1t was voted t
y, suspend dues pending the invest
. cation.
eI Bert Graft, Bancroft, name
al after the national convention t
u inquire into affairs of the Illinoi
70 union of which E. E. Kennedy
Kankalee, H., now national sec
= rotary, was once secretary, "a
- pressed the fear that the Nebrask
i union may be split as in Illinois
vi Kentucky, and Iowa, and tbs
rump organizations be recognize
in place. -
H. G. Keeney was unanimousl
reelected for the 10th time a
- state president. Red-baiting Pa
menter got the boot, while nj
Us successor, John Henthorn, Auror'
- announced, "I'm conservative" 3
nc didn't believe in farm strikes, b
a. a. stated.
ed Sohlefcik on Committee
10 OF the committee to investigai
nd the accusations involving SlmpSo
Kennedy, Reno ct al, ]. J. Sche
- cik, Alliance, represents the fir
- district. He is also state pres
:. dent Of the Holiday Association
s :, Nebraska, madison Co. Plan),
- real rank and file leader.
L. Charges and counter charg
- flew in the convention hall befo
;th the resolution was adopted to i
=. vestigate. Apparently reluctant
.,,t wash their dirty linen in publ
vet the wearied delegates force
use the issue to a head despite ii
diplomatic manoeuvers of "lea'
Continued on page p