The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1936-04-03

gross to pass legislation limiting
the power of the Supreme Court
SO that the Court could not declare
social legislation passed by Con-
gress unconstitutional.
Shun ''Red" Batting
Another weakness is that there
was no sharp anti-fascist resolu-
ton, putting the party squarely |
and positively on record against
reactionary forces in America.
Both Governor Olson and Senator
Benson mentioned the necessity Of |
fighting against fascism in their
speeches. The resolution which |
passed opposed dictatorship in the
| United States and called for the
unfolding of all our Democratic
rights. Progressives were amazed
that an amendment calling for in
sorting the word Fascist" before
dictatorship should have been voted
down.
A very healthy sign was the fact
that at no time during the con-
vention was the "red scare" raised.
In fact, both Olson, and Senator
Benson made special pleas in their
speeches and in their statements
in advance Of the convention
against red-baiting.
| The streamer headline of the
convention issue Of the Minnesota
Leader, official paper of the Min
Inesota Farmer-Labor party reads:
"Shun Red-Baiting,' FL Urged"
Gov. Olson is quoted as saying:
II think the last organization to
engage in any red-baiting ought
to be the Farmer-Labor Associa-
ton. Let Mr.. Hearst and Mar
tin Nelson (Republiran candidate
for governor in 1934) and the
American Liberty League do the
red-baiting."
Benson in Appeal for Unity
Similarly, Senator Benson, the
nominee for governor stated: 1--WE
are not an opportunist party, one
which swerves to the right at the
; slightest provocation, for the sake
of political expediency. We have
been the victims of red-baiting; 1
appeal to Farmer-Laborites not to
themselves become red-baiters.
This is a double edged sword, and
if we resort to it, we will in the
end pay a heavy penalty. We ex-
pect support only from those who
subscribe to our program and be-
lieve in our detectives, and we
: should attribute intellectual hon.
esty to any man or woman who
pledges support to this prgram."
In his speech to the convention,
Gov. Olson pointed out the united
front Of all progressives. "This is
. a great political, social and eco
nomic movement" he said, whose
: roots are in the economic organi-
e cations Of the producers, farmers
: and workers. There is it's strength.
In accepting the support of an or
g ganization we don't propose to
g question the members concerning
: their race, creed, political or eco
l. nomic views. We refuse to be in
: any way like Hearst"
. The second day of the conven-
g ton did not adjourn until five
o'clock In the morning. Even then
e some go resolutions were not re-
y ported to the floor, and it was de-
2 cided to empower the State Com
II mittee to pass on them.
a Amongst these resolutions is one
9 calling for the utilization of the
Y Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party
with the American League Against
War and Fascism. Mr.. Waldo
McNutt, the national field orga-
nicer of the League, was given
time on the first day to address
. the convention concerning the
s Leagues fight against War and
n Fascism.
e Up to the last moment, Hialma]
Is Peterson, the present Lieut.. Cover.
nor, ran for the nomination fol
: y Governor. Before voting on Che
u nomination, resolution was intro
duced calling for placing two can.
= dldates on the primaries, provid
y ing two received more than 20 pel
cent of the vote. This resolution
J; y was overwhelmingly voted dowr
= by division vote.
Withdraws From Race
Upon announcing the outcome n
the vote on this motion. Peterson
quickly took the platform and an
nounced his withdrawal from IN,
PQaa ~ Can@~.IS~ a.