The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1944-05-12

dated April z, 1914. A copy of that
resolution is attached.
'sIn addition, we have no official
knowledge of what the National Post
War Conference has done at MEETINGS
to which we were not invited. Press
dispatches indicate that the confer
ence has already committed itself
against such great public works as the
Tennessee Valley Authority. We are
for the IVA yardstick and integrated
regional development idea wherever
and whenever it is needed.
Won't Join Cartel
"The National Farmers Union would
not Join a cartel of major economic
and social groups established to
mould national policy apart from the
constitutional, democratic processes.
The method of education, organiza-
ton, and conduct of some members
of your group indicate that it is such
la cartel.
"You limit the membership to major
economic and social groups. Yet bust
ness and capital appear in a number
of uniforms and faces, while labor has
two organizational representatives
and real dirt farmers are offered
single place.
sThe makeup of the National Post
War Conference predetermines its pol
icies.
1--WE note that your letter does not
state the purpose of the conference,
but from other sources, we learn that
the conference statement, issued Feb.
10, 1914, states an intent to assist in
solution of the many serious problems
which comfort the nation now and
later
1--WE recall that the National Asso-
citation of Manufacturers, of which
you are a past president, and which
employs the National Postwar Con
ference secretary, Mr.. Noel Sargent,
supported the successful campaign to
abolish the National Resources Plan
ming Board last year.
Business Gone On Strike
eve detect thread of consistency
between that campaign and the recent
letter from Robert M. Gaylord, presi-
dent of the National Association of
Manufacturers, to Donald NJ Nelson,
chairman of the War Production
Board, declining membership in the
WPB's Advisory Committee on Civil
liam Policy.
ain going on strike against the
federal governments effort to plan
resumption of civilian production in
the public interest, President Gay
lord gave emphasis to the MANS
publicly announced campaign to
chance the climate of the U.S.A.
The MANS support of abolition of
the National Resources Planning
Board and the NAM presidents re-
fusaI to serve on a governmental
committee on postwar plans, to-
uether with the NAM'r initiative in
the organization of the National
Postwar Conference, suggests that
a stacked private planning group,
cunninsIy including but submerg-
ina some peoples organizations, is
benu promoted as a substitute for
free public debate and responsible
action, by the peoples representa-
tives after full examination of
points of disagreement as we'll as
points of agreement. Such a course,
if persisted in, can quickly become
a conspiracy against the public in
terest.
"Since the establishment of machin-
cry for democratic government more
han $50 years ago. many have advo-
lated it's overthrow or subverslon, but
n vain. This will continue to be true,
believe, but vigilance is required.
Dancer To Democracy Seen
"At present, the greatest danger
to our democracy is from within,
from among groups that seek to
control and dictate to the peoples
representatives. Should such group
as you plan succeed in obtaining
domination of public policy, we
would have rule by a combination of
special interests. That, of course,
is fascisn.
~ know of nothing potentially
more dangerous to democracy in the /;
United States today than the organ
ization you are forming. To me, |
and to the elected and responsible
officials of the National and State
Farmers Unions, it is potential
uper-government. Peoples organI-
cation are invited to participate, but
are SO out-numbered and out-voted
as to guarantee domination, direc-
ton, and control by the philosophy L
and schemes of the group which
conceived, initiated, and Starts it,
after destroying one governmental
agency, and declining to participate
in another.
sincerely yours" I
JAMES G. PATTON, President {
NATIONAL FARMERS UNION.