THE ORGANIZATION OF RURAL INTERESTS 561 



LEADERS ATTACKED FOR DISLOYALTY 



Politicians, of course, do attack the National Nonpartisan 

 League. They see that the league is about to take control of 

 States other than North Dakota. They do not like this. They 

 see that they cannot break down the league's principles. They 

 have to break the league down in some way, however, or they 

 will cease to control. So they attack its leaders. They call 

 them names. They say they are "crooks" and "Socialists." 

 They have even charged the league with being disloyal to the 

 United States Government. 



The charge seems to have been founded on certain thoughts 

 expressed last spring by league men as to the conduct of the 

 war. These are the thoughts: 



Profiteering should be eliminated. 



When the price of wheat was fixed it was urged that the price 

 of all necessary commodities be fixed in proportion. 



It was urged that a definite statement of war aims be made, 

 and what those aims should be was suggested. 



It was urged that the principles of man conscription be applied 

 to wealth ; that the war be financed, first, from the pockets of 

 the men best able to spare the money. 



REALLY WITH PRESIDENT WILSON 



Now observe : 



The National Government is doing all that it can to eliminate 

 profiteering. 



It is also urging upon Congress that prices be fixed on all 

 necessary commodities. 



The President has stated our war aims, and his statement 

 does not differ materially from the aims suggested by the league. 



Thus, three of the four thoughts for which league men have 

 been called disloyal are also the thoughts of the national Admin- 

 istration. The fourth, wealth conscription, has been urged by 

 many prominent men who have not been called disloyal. The 

 fact is that in the matter of the war the National Nonpartisan 

 League stands squarely with President Wilson. 



