The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-24
FARMERS UNION
LEADERS OPPOSE
CONSUMPTION

i WASHINGTON Representing the
National Junior Council of the Farm
ers Union Juniors, as we'll as severa
of the other Union organizations, Mr.
Handschin, resident secretary. of the
Farmers Union Legislative committee
submitted statement to the senate
committee on military affairs in op
position to the Burke Wadsworth Com.
pulsory Military Training bill. If en-
acted, this measure would make every
male person between the ages of IS
and IS liable to CONSUMPTION for COM
pulsory military training.
Characterizing the proposal as an
attempt Ito whip up a war hysteria
in this country" Mr.. Handschin stated
that ''the motives behind this bill are
far from American" He declared
that there is no reason for passing
such a bill at this time and that there
| is no likelihood of any invasion of
our country.
Though it was earlier thought the
bill was being introduced primarily
as a trial balloon" the presidents
recent endorsement of the measure
makes it more serious threat and
gives it full administration backing.
"The farmers in our organization
and the farm youth" said Mr. Hands
chin, "believe that unless the wealthy
of this country, the privileged and
powerful families and their corpora
lions are made to bear their fair share
of national defense and shall make no
personal profit out of common misfor-
tune, that we shall repeat the dis
astrous experience of the World war,
in which the profits and privileges of
the wealthy led us in to a needless
slaughter of the common people, while
those same economic royalists furth-
cred their power and wealth at the
expense of the people,"
Below are some of the statements
made by Farmers Union representa-
tives who strongly opposed passage
of the CONSUMPTION bill.
National Junior Council unalter-
ably opposed to all compulsory mill
tary training. Use every opportunity
possible to testify in opposition to this
bill. We are depending on you to
make strong statement in opposition
with unanimous endorsement of the
National Junior Department" Gladys
Talbot Edwards.
"South Dakota Farmers Union board
in session opposes unanimously Burke
Wadsworth Compulsory Training bill
nd ride inv
of America in European war. Urge
your strong opposition - Paul G.
Erickson.
"The Colorado Farmers Union sup
ports your opposition to the Burke
peace time military train
ing bill "-Harvey R. Solberg.
81 wish you would file on behalf of
the North Dakota Farmers Union a
Vigorous protest against the enactment
of the Burke Wadsworth Compulsory
Training bill. We know of
no emergency at this time of sufficient
to justify any legislation
by congress such as is contemplated
in S. 4164 and H. R. 1912. Repre-
sent the North Dakota Farmers Union
in most vigorous opposition to this |
legislation. Glenn ]. Talbot.
I'VE oppose the -Wadsworth |
bill as first step into military dictator
Mary 10 Uphoff.
$4,000 women and youth protest |
the passage of Burke Wads-
worth bill in all its features. Com
pletely opposed to plan whereby youth
will be compelled to enter military
raining Mildred K. Stoltz.
1--WE are backing you in testimony
against BurkeW adsworth Compulsory
Military Service bill."-Esther Ekblad
agree with you in opposing COM
,ulsory military training. Our boys
should be guaranteed the democratic
light to make that decision. Mrs.
Bredehoft.