Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-12-10

Gifted by the business recovery. These
men and their families need more
adequate food, clothing and shelter.
They must be given an opportunity to
earn regular union wages on a public
works program or else to produce the
things they need. This can be ac-
complished by self-help cooperatives
financed by the government or by sub
sidized use of idle productive ma
chinery in private plants. These fam
lilies for the most part live under in
tolerable housing conditions in tene-
ments and novels where tuberculosis
disease and crime are bred. Society
pays a huge price for such conditions
and should be interested in seeing
the government carry on large hOus-
ing program especially in the low
rental field. Farm tenantry must be
attacked by adequate financial back
ing for resettlement program.
1t is extremely important that we
concentrate on legislation protecting
civil liberties as means of prevent
ing fascism. We must use every eff
neutrality legislation, extending re-
ciprocal trade treaties and cooperating
in calling an international conference
for the adequate ALLEGATION of raw ma
terials.
Finally we must press for coOpera-
tive and public ownership on a wider
scale than elsewhere advocated. Swed-
en- by slowly but surely extending the
area of coOperatives and public owner
ship, has destroyed those forces which
are most active in cOrrupting the body
polite in other lands. We must push
for public ownership of munition
plants, natural resources, public utili-
ties and possibly the two hundred
largest corporations with their mono
poly control and setting of prices,
thereby also preventing concentration
of wealth in the hands of few and
the creation of these periodic depres-
sions. This program of legislation
will be definite step toward new
economy of abundance based on pro-
duction for use.
The joint committee of twelve of
the Wisconsin Progressive party and
the Minnesota Farmer-Labor party
will meet probably on Saturday, Dec.
II. to consider unified program OF
legislation for these two states, thus
greatly benefting by common expert
ence, publicity and strategy.
In Minnesota the state convention
in January of the Farmer-Labor As
ISOLATION will largely concentrate on
adequate legislation for the state. In
as many other states as possible we
can also promote conferences for pro-
gressive social legislation similar to
the successful Minnesota conference
for progressive social legislation held
year ago. All labor, farm, unem-
ployed and progressive groups in each
state should be invited to send dele
gates for the purpose of considering
proposed bills covering public owner
ship of the electric utility, civil serv-
ice, adequate old age pensions, unem-
ployment insurance and relief legis-
lation, youth act, legislation pro-
tecting labor and farmers. etc.
Early in January this joint commit
tee should hold a conference in Wash
ingtOn, d. c., of the Minnesota Farm
er-Labor congressman, the Wisconsin
Progressive congressman and other
Progressives in the two old parties
to perfect the organization of bloc
in Congress that will caucus together
vote together, and promote the legis-
lation suggested above, thus drama
tizing for the country the Farmer
Labor and Progressive program.