The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1938-03-31
DRAWN UP TO APPEAL TO THE

on the toes of any appreciable portion of the
voting public, party platforms are in reality
Iauner meaningless documents excepting
dul ing the campaign when even a misplaced
comma can develop into quite political
issue.
The Farmer-Laborites were rather new
at platform building a few years ago and
got into several serious mixups by saying
too much. Last week the work of preparing
the 1888 declarations was in safe and sane
hands and the finished product has declared
only what traditions of the party demanded
declaring, with modern additions as obvious
ly necessary.
The writer's were particularly adept in
avoiding use of the word communism"
while making a strong declaration for
American traditions" and against "undem-
ocratic Influences"
Many of the clauses are obvious bait to
large vote groups, such as the suggestion
that reliefers be paid in cash, that old age
and other pensioners be treated more iber-
ally, that homestead exemptions be increas-
ed and that chain store taxes be further in
creased. Among others, farmers are tossed
that well gnawed "cost of production" bone
and labor is promised full support in it's
struggles for higher wages and shorter
hours, continuing the present policy of the
party. One resolution even advocates pay
erS.
The platform has it's weak points. The
civil service and loan shark planks seem
loosely nailed in view of the last legislative
session, but everything considered it is
frank declaration of party aims, most of
them acceptable to majority of members.
Other platform writer's will have difficulty
drafting document as acceptable to men,
bers of their parties.
SUCCESS OF THE All CLUB MOVE
ment is not judged so much by how many
youths are enrolled as by the number who
complete their projects and remain in the
organization over a period of years, improv-
| ing their work with experience and train
| ing.
1t is compliment to local club leader
ship, therefore, to compare figures on Red
wood county membership with state aver
ages and find our clubs eXcelling in almost
every classification.
| Thirty-fve per cent of the girls in club
work here have been members four years or
like age, compared with state figures of 26
per cent. Twenty-seven per cent of the boys
here qualify in like group, against state
average which also is Is per cent. Forty
per cent of our All club boys are 16 years
old or over and 35 per cent of the girls of
like age, compared with state figure of 26
per cent for boys and % per cent for girls
| The average club age here is almost Is
years, second highest among counties of the
state.
There are II clubs in the county with
500 enrolled, an average of 29.4 per club
compared with the state average of PAT.
One weakness might be pointed out in that
our "a adult leaders have an average of 2O.8
members each, well above the state figure
of 1871 but this deficiency is made up by 38
junior leaders, one for every Ii members
against the state average of one for each
1872.
Club work is doing very well in Red
wood county and deserves every bit of the
support it has received.
SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS IN RED
wood county have taken a vote, at the recent
township elections, on the question of
whether the voters and taxpayers wanted
the county commissioners to publish the
names and amounts of relief aid given in
the proceedings of the commissioners each
month. In one instance the vote was 10 to
1, and in another it was 20 to 1, in favor
of letting the taxpayers know where the
money goes, how much and who gets it.
Withholding this information from the
proceedings was authorized at state head
quarters OF the relief department under
liberal" control. All such proceedings re-
mind us of the peculiar thing that when
asked to express themselves specifically on
many of the acts Of the administration the
| farmer taxpayers vote against liberalism"
But when it comes to voting for the whole
conglomerate mess, as promulgated by the
party, they vote for it.-Windom Reporter.
1T WAS INEVITABLE THAT THE
unemployment program should become a
political football. Before the plan has hard
! ly been put in force, movement is on foot
to increase the payments from tax funds
to unemployed workers and remove the 16
weeks limit on annual benefits. If getting
rid of the money is problem, why not re-
duce the levy on already harassed employ
ers, or pay them for their struggles with the
numerous blanks the administrators have
wished on us?
OFFICERS OF ORGANIZATIONS
visited by outside play promoters anxious