The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1938-12-01
AMONG THE BIG QUESTIONS IN

AMONG THE BIG QUESTIONS IN
Minnesota politics today is, who will unite
the shattered Farmer-Labor forces and re-
build the party. That it must be rebuilt If
the state is to have an opposition party is
almost certain, since Democratic unity ap-
pears to be an imposSiblity.
Normally Governor Benson would be
the nearly unanimous choice for the task in
view of his position and availability but his
lack of talent as cOnciliatOr, evident
throughout his administration and particul
arly during the campaign, virtually ellmln-
ates him as a candidate. Hjalmar Petersen
has unusual political talent and large fol-
lowing, built on sincere belief in his integ-
rity After remarking that 'he cleared the
way for Harold Stassen to become the next
governor of our great state The jackson
Pilot, one of the states few Democratic
newspapers, added editorialy last week,
"Hjalmar Petersen has contributed to the
cause of good government more than any
other public man in the last decade"
Against Petersen, however, will be ar
rayed the wrecked but still vindictive ma
chine; eX-jObholders who are unappreciative
of Hjalmar's contribution to good govern
ment.' Other possibilities include Senator
Shipstead, who has concerned himself more
with the states business than its politics
and probably will continue to do so, and
Senator Lundeen The latter's labor backing
would be some handicap, however, in placat
ing farmers whose revolt against leadership
from that division of the party was so pro-
nounced November 8.
1t is unfortunate that Farmer-Labor
convention is scheduled in January. A few
more months might heal many wounds, still
raw and give the lieutenants, sergeants and
corporals of the party-upon who any
reconstruction must depend-a better pros
pectuS.
Essential to any political convention is
clearcut set of complaints on the opposi-
ton party. In January the Farmer-Labor-
ties will not have a single legitimate objec-
ton. Stassen was elected on decidedly lib
eral platform, his legislators are commit
ed to his program. Until there is double
cross, the true liberal-uninterested in par
ty labels-has little to complain about.
After the session, regardless of now
honest the Republicans are in carrying out
their promises, there will be some basis for
objections, some slipups to be magnifed in
convention resolutions. More important is
the possibility that some new leader may de-
vclop in the legislature minority groups,
some liberal, preferably from rural district
and relatively new in politics, who can unite
and encourage the scattered forces, even as
Stassen led the COP out of the wilderness.
THERE ARE SEVERAL TIMES EACH
year when the average citizen sincerely
wishes the city would adopt the community
chest idea and relieve itself of considerable
bother. Among those times are: the Red
Cross roll call, the Christmas Seal drive, the
Salvation Army campaign and the Boy
Scout Drive, all in progress or recently COM
p1eted.
There are several advantages to the
community chest idea. Foremost, it would
clean up the years drives in one sweep, a
complete sweep in which every citizen would
be given chance to contribute instead of
picking On an easy few. Division of the
funds could be made by a representative
board, which would first investigate what
the organizations were getting in Individual
drives. Persons could designate their entire
gift to certain organizations, but perhaps
should be discouraged from doing so.
Any funds raised beyond quotas could
be held for emergencies or for the next year
or melted out, after investigation, to the in
Vulnerable smaller charities which call so
often, with the stipulation that it is in lieu
of solicitation. Some organization could do
Redwood Falls great favor by attempting
promotion OF the community chest plan.
AND ON THE SUBJECT OF SOLICIT
ing for everything at once, why wouldn't the
Civic and Commerce association be wise to
figure its needs for year, divide them
equitably and collect the full quota in one
trip?
- Q
LEADERS OF RIVAL LABOR OR
CARNATIONS guilty of provoking strikes for
purely jurisdictional reasons in nation ex-
pending every effort and awesome amounts