THE STORY OF THE 

 NONPARTISAN LEAGUE 



CHAPTER I 



THE BEGINNINGS OF THE GOLDEN 

 NORTHWEST 



ONE night in October, 1919, and I think 

 it was the 19th of the month, five farm- 

 ers dined at a restaurant in Washington, D. C. 

 It was a good enough place, rather noted for 

 moderate prices and a varied menu, which 

 was why the farmers chose it. They ordered, 

 with design, a dinner of staple viands, and, as 

 it came to table, measured or weighed or 

 closely estimated each dish; so much of bread, 

 so much of potatoes, so much of butter, so 

 much of meat, so much of sugar, and thus to 

 the end. 



With paper and pencil they recorded each 

 amount and, at current prices at the farm, 

 the net sum the producer received for each 

 dish they consumed. When all was done, 

 they called for their bill. It was $11 .95, ex- 

 clusive of gratuities. 



