The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1934-01-12

SNoNA oNAO4 W Vic AO4nC VI Tile
creditor who was a rich farmer.
This farmer got scared and
reached an agreement with the
farmers committee, which handled
the case, whereby the sale was
called off.
The UFL participated in a re-
lief march to Duluth and demon
strated against a foreclosure. This
they were not able to prevent be-
cause of the armed thugs mobi.
liked against them.
An active part was taken in the
recent milk strike on the Mesaba
Range. Here the striking farmers
won a victory in winning a raise
of 30 cents hundred pounds for
their milk. The UFL county or
ganizer, RENO Tanttila, was ar
rested as a result of his activities
during the strike, and charged
with the destruction of 60 cents
worth of milk and milk bottles.
Another charge was placed against
him, of assault. This arose out of
the fact that Tanttila was forced
to defend himself from one of the
scabs who attempted to run in
milk through the picket line. It
is very clear that the creameries
against which the strike was d.
rected are determined to get mill
tant fighters out of the way so
that they will not be able to agi-
tate and organize the farmers
against their exploiters, these
monopolies.
The. st. Louis county UFL also
participated through its Secretary
in carrying through a successful
fight against a sheriff sale in
Carlton county. In this case 200
farmers seized 10 cows, a team of
horses, and farm property that
was to- be sold at public auction
(the creditor was a grating stock
dealer from Iowa) and returned it
to the rightful owner, a poor
farmer.
Besides the major struggles,
many local struggles have been
carried on around local = issues.
While the UFL has been carry
ing on these successful struggles
we find that organizationally it is
practically on the standstill.
This must be corrected, we must
build organization as a result Of
our struggles.
The lack Of finances have great
ly hindered the work of building
the UFL. 1t is evident that with
out adequate income it is impos-
sible to function properly. It is
necessary to provide, food, cloth.
ing and transportation for the
Secretary. This has been impos.
sible with the present income. Or
this point the conference decided
to appeal to all UFL locals to
raise funds for the county com
mittee.
Due to the fact that the Execu
tive Committee has not functioneC
properly. A new Executive Com
mittee was elected. The new Coun
. ty Committee was given authority
| to draft new members between
conference in place of those thaI
fail to carry through their tasks
as an Executive Committee mem
Der should.
The building Of a mass circu-
latiOn for the new amalgamated
Farmers Weekly was stressed
by the county organizer, as well
! as spreading the literature put
, out by the National COMMITTEES
Of the UFL and Farmers Ma
: tiOnal Committee for Action.
The conference endorsed the pro
posal of the County Committee t,
organize a demonstration befor
, the City Hall of Virginia when tn
trial of RENO Tanttila, Count,
, Secretary comes up Jan. IL at 1
a. m, to demand that all charge
against him be dropped. Tw
, charges were placed against hir
: as result of his activities durin
the recent milk strike on tn
Mesaba Range.
Also a resolution was adopted
] and sent to the Carlton count,
e authorities demanding that tn
+ charges against Tanttila be dror
t ped, which arose out Of the fax
t that he spoke at a meeting wher
: the farmers seized property ths
o was to be sold and returned it I
4 the rightful owner, a poor farme
Il Resolutions were adopted on tn
Scottsboro boys, one demandin
: the release of the heroic Germa
Communists, one against contra,
labor on county jobs in st. Lou
Z county.
: There was a certain laxity
; the UFL locals in failing to +,
: spond to the call to send del
gates to the conference. The rel
I resentation was rather small.
{ was decided that the New coul
), ty Executive Committee will b
Il expected to do their utmost
:, building the UFL, also that eve1
= member Of the UFL is responsib
e for the organization. By evel
+ member of the UFL putting h
: shoulder to the wheel we can e.
e pect that out next conference w
have q larger renrasenta4in,n