Askov American., 1938-04-07
Preamble.

preamble.
The Minnesota Farmer-Labor Associa-
ton meets in convention in 1888 In per-
iod of great historic importance: Another
economic crisis faces the Nation MIL
lions of men and women capable and anX.
lous to work are denied employment ana
the right to enjoy a decent standard OF
living. Thousands are being added daily
to the relief rolls. Farm produce prices
are. such that thousands OF farmers are
losing their farms. and still one-third OF
the people of the nation are i'll fed. Mil
lions are in need of clothing and other
personal necessities. while factories pre-,
pared to produce such necessities stand
idle because of failure to produce profits.
Untold thousands must exist in novels
while skilled workers stand iaie put Tsaay
pendent business men are going bankrupt
or out of business because the purchas-
ing power of the farmers and laborers
has been cut to a minimum. Professional
people are suffering because the masses
are unable to pay them for their services.
Youth is denied the opportunity of full
and normal life.
We recognize it as our duty and priv
ilege to propose a platform and adequate
program that will materially assist in re,
storing to the people of the state and
nation the right and opportunity of hv-
ing conditions befitting American citizens.
We. also realize that in the solution of
social and economic problems confronting
the state it will be necessary to adopt
forceful and vigorous measures and to
pioneer in the field of economies and make
Throughout the world the democratic
rights of the people are being challenged
International morality has virtually dis
appeared and militaristic governments are
threatening another world war
In this critical situation the Minnesota
Farmer-Labor Association pledges itself
to carry forward the peoples demands for
democracy, social justice, economic secur-
lty and peace.
We recognize that the issue between the
people and the selfish few who control
their economic and social life. is daily
becoming sharper. Reactionary forces are
becoming more bold in their efforts to
defeat progress. They are now openly
resisting the demands for adequate wages
tenure and cost of production for the
farmer an adequate measure of relief and
social security for the needy, protection
of the independent merchant against un-
fair competition. an equitable system of
taxes levied in accordance with ability
TO pay, and the efforts to make the courts
responsive to the present needs of our
people.
In this campaign the industrial over
lords in their alignment with political re-
action, are attempting to hide their faces
under the mask of liberalism.
The American people have inherited
tradition of democracy and liberalism.
This tradition actuated our forefatherS
in 1776. it carried the American people
through the great struggle for democratic
rights during the days of of Jefferson tfn1 nas and
Abraham Lincoln. the fight against human
slavery.
The same tradition sustained the Amer
lean people in their fight against pre-
datory wealth under the leadership of
such men as the elder Robert M. LaFol-
lette, Charles A. Lindbergh. and Floyd
The Farmer-Labor Association reaf-
firms its faith in liberal. democratic Amer
lean traditions. 1t maintains its position
as the party of democracy and representa-
tive government, and in these days when
democracy is threatened in every nation.
announces its intention to defend our
democratic American rights against those
who would destroy them by setting up
autocratic dictatorial forms of government.
We therefore denounce every effort to
Introduce intolerance and undemocratic
influences into our social system, dicta-
torial methods into our governmental
structure, and propaganda inimlcal to
American ideals and traditions.
The Farmer-Labor Party is pledged to
enact into law the progressive demands
of the people. This program is embodied
in the following proposals;
Legislation BY Congress.
AGRICULTURE
Individual ownership of farms and farm
homes should be encouraged by rehnanc-
ing the farmer at low rate of interest
(Frazier-Lemke Bill and to adopt pro-
gram fixing fair minimum price-based
on cost of production-on major agri-
culture commodities needed for the home
market and at a fair exchange value with
such protective devices as may be neces-
American farmer.
A farm program which will provide
for financing of land purchases by ten
ant farmers.
We advocate the decentralization of the
bureaucratic control of the Federal Land
Bank by the the Farm Credit AdministratiSn f iS,n
Federal Land Bank be restored to the
farm borrowers.
Federal crop insurance on all major
Reduction in freight rates on agricul-
tural products.
Weed control and eradication program.
LABOR
An adequate wage and hour bill; full
support to labors right to bargain col
lectively by an appropriation sufficient to
insure the effective operation of the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board.
INDUSTRY
Liberalize Reconstruction Finance Cor
poration loaning policies to permit loans
to small business at low interest rates.
TAXATION
We advocate reduction of taxes on small
incomes and small business. taxes to be
levied in accordance with ability to pay,
so that wealth pays the proper share
toward the upkeep of government: con-
tinuance of corporate surplus and un-
divided profits taxes; no tax exempt secur-
tiles; in the protection of the lndepend-
ent merchant we favor the passage of the
Patman Chain Store Tax Bill.
PUBLIC WELFARE
We advocate greater Federal response
bility for both direct and work relief:
no relief or WPA cuts SO long as need
exists; continuation of PWA; extension
of social security program to include other
groups where practicable; also at highest
prevailing wage and elimination of pau
per's oath.
PEACE
We advocate cooperation with all forces
genuinely seeking peace in their efforts
to promote peace; we are opposed to en-
tangling alliances and to increased arma-
mentS, such as large navy bill before
Congress; we favor naturalization OF all
war munitions plants and the drafting
of wealth in time of war: we would pro-
hibit the sale of war materials to ag-
gressor warning nations: forpld american
ring nations engaged in war for the pur-
pose of making war; we advocate the
defeat of the Sheppard-May dictatorship