MYSTERIOUS MR. OBSERVER " 163 



contributor upon current topics. He was well poised 

 and, as legislative reporter for the Manitoba Free Press, 

 Chipman had made something of a reputation for him- 

 self on both sides of the political fence as a man who 

 endeavored to be fair and who upheld at all times the 

 traditional honor of the press. 



By training and inclination Chipman was in com- 

 plete sympathy with the Farmers' Movement in 

 Western Canada. Away east, in the Valley of 

 Evangeline, near Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, he was 

 brought up on a farm, learning the farmers' viewpoint 

 as afterwards he came to know that of the big men in 

 the cities. He believed in co-operation, his father 

 having been a leader in every farmers' organization in 

 Nova Scotia for more than twenty years. 



It was not long before the young editor's influence 

 made itself manifest in the official paper of the Western 

 farmers. He saw many ways of improving it and 

 organizing it for the widest possible service in its field. 

 Editorially he believed in calling a spade a spade and, 

 being free from political restrictions, Chipman did not 

 hesitate to " get after " politicians of all stripes when- 

 ever their actions seemed to provide fit subject for 

 criticism. 



By the time the Commission Rule difficulty arose the 

 Guide had increased its weekly circulation by many 

 thousands. The new editor seized the opportunity for 

 " active service " and waged an effective campaign. The 

 Grain Exchange finally restored the One-Cent Com- 1\ 

 /mission Rule and never since has it been dropped. 



, Meanwhile, however, hostilities broke out anew in an 

 'unexpected direction. They took the form of " letters " 

 to the press and they began to appear in five papers 

 which were published in Winnipeg two newspapers 



