11/10/78

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND
Scope and Content Note: Born in Bone Lake (Polk County) in 1910 on family farm still owned by Dueholms. Sons now own land around farm also.

EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: First at Bone Lake school; in 1918 La Follette School built. At the time most modern school in northern Wisconsin; had indoor plumbing. School named for Robert F. La Follette, Sr. at a time he was being hung in effigy at the university for anti-war stand. Dueholm went on to three years at Luck high school; didn't receive diploma because had to quit. Father (Marius) gone from farm a lot.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Scope and Content Note: Ten children in all but half died in childbirth.

WORKS FULL TIME ON FARM BEGINNING IN
Scope and Content Note: Also worked for neighbors and relatives. In 1930, Marius elected to the legislature, and Harvey ran farm thereafter. Marius died in 1936.

DESCRIPTION OF FARM
Scope and Content Note: Small dairy farm. Marius also drove Barron woolen wagon for three months each fall. Got $100 a month plus room and board for himself and the team. Income needed; also helped Marius get acquainted with people before he ran for the legislature.

AFFECTION OF MARIUS FOR THE LAND
Scope and Content Note: Loved the land; one of the last conversations Harvey had with Marius was about that love for the land. Used to let freshly plowed soil run through his fingers. Harvey inherited that affection; deplores depletion of land that goes on far too often in farming. Land should be properly taken care of so it can produce crops 100 years from now.

MOTHER'S FAMILY
Scope and Content Note: Came from Denmark in 1874. Mother born in 1881 a mile and a half from place Harvey lived in 1978. Mother's family name was Jensen; many lived in Milltown area.

MARIUS DUEHOLM'S FAMILY
Scope and Content Note: Marius emigrated from Denmark in 1890 at the age of 9. Grandfather's brother already established in Bone Lake and provided money for family to come to the United States. Marius at age 14 had to help support family after father died.

WOOLEN WAGON
Scope and Content Note: Instead of following other farmers into the woods to earn money during winter, Marius drove wagon for the Barron Woolen Mill; sold socks, jackets, scarves, shawls and yard goods while buying wool from farmers. Started in 1906 with a borrowed horse. Territory included western and northern Polk County and western Burnett County. Continued route for 11 years; made many friends throughout the area. Area heavily Scandinavian and his being Danish helped him succeed. Consequences of war forced Marius to quit wool wagon in 1918.

END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Scope and Content Note: Always interested in politics; traveled around area with father who was a strong La Follette Progressive. In 1920, Marius Dueholm one of the few who voted for Eugene Debs.

KU KLUX KLAN ACTIVITY IN POLK COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Quite a few Klan members in Polk County even before Al Smith's 1928 presidential campaign; upset Marius Dueholm.

POLK COUNTY POLITICS
Scope and Content Note: Basically Progressive Republican in rural area townships while villages tended to be “old-line Republican.”

PARTY ORGANIZATION
Scope and Content Note: No formal organization of Progressive Republicans in the 1920's and early 1930's. In 1930 and 1932, Marius Dueholm elected as a Progressive Republican; in 1934 elected on Progressive Party ticket. Harvey Dueholm also joined Progressive Party and Young Progressives at this time. After demise of Progressive Party, Harvey not a member of a political party until 1954 when he joined Democrats. At Portage convention in 1946, he supported Robert F. La Follette, Jr.'s move back into Republican Party.

HARVEY DUEHOLM'S POLITICAL BEGINNINGS
Scope and Content Note: Paul Alfonsi talked him into running for sheriff on Progressive ticket in 1940. Lost primary, but in looking back, feels loss a blessing in disguise. In 1942 he ran for town chairman but lost. In 1945 elected to first public office when he won town chairmanship. Was hard on wife because she got complaints, too. In 1956 ran for the Assembly and lost by 350 votes. In 1958 rode in on Gaylord Nelson's coattails, beating Lowell Nelson, who had defeated Dueholm in 1956. Margin of victory again 350 votes.

CAMPAIGN STYLES OF MARIUS AND HARVEY DUEHOLM
Scope and Content Note: Both went door-to-door. Rural areas then almost completely farmers, whereas now many more non-farmers.

MOTIVATION FOR WANTING PUBLIC OFFICE
Scope and Content Note: Major qualification is the desire to serve. Most offices cost more than they paid. The activity interested him.

WIFE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD PUBLIC OFFICE
Scope and Content Note: Hazel Dueholm always very cooperative and helped him. She would get upset when he did but would often Booth him when he got very mad.

IMPACT OF REDISTRICTING
Scope and Content Note: Up to 1954 Polk County an Assembly district by itself; then Burnett County added. Hurt Dueholm in 1956 but helped afterward. Farmington taken away in 1974 and part of Barron County added to the district.

CONCEPT OF ONE MAN-ONE VOTE
Scope and Content Note: Doesn't work out because of differences in voting turnout.

END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 2

11/13/78

INTRODUCTION

WALKS 15 MILES TO BUY MACKINAW COAT

FATHER FIRST ELECTED TO WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY SEAT
Scope and Content Note: Harvey drove Marius to Barron, where Senator Anderson ran a clothing store, to buy Marius a suit. Marius on return remarked on the difference between that drive and how he used to settle accounts with Ben Willet Company at the end of the season; would walk to Luck, catch “The Glide” at 2 a.m. to Dresser, then catch the train to Barron to settle up the account, and finally return by reversing the process. Took two nights and one day.

RECOLLECTION OF GEORGE JOHNSON
Scope and Content Note: A mulatto whose mother was Mrs. Fred Johnson; father escaped slave Jim Whitehead. George Johnson loved by everyone--but no one wanted daughter to go out with him. Would do odd jobs; cut Dueholm's hair.

MRS. FRED JOHNSON
Scope and Content Note: Came from Denmark in the 1880's with a man named Olson and two sons. Fred Johnson the hired man on the farm.

COMMENTS ON JIM OLSON
Scope and Content Note: Married a German from Milltown and became a mail carrier. Disappeared one day about the time of a bank robbery, although no known connection between events.

COMMENTS ON CHARLIE OLSON (“RED OLLIE”)
Scope and Content Note: Spent much of his life in jail.

MORE ON GEORGE JOHNSON
Scope and Content Note: Marius Dueholm first saw George at age 11; later they became next door neighbors. A veterinarian in town took George with him to Texas in 1918; first time George had to confront Jim Crow. George later married, went into the Army, and died of influenza on a ship just before it reached Liverpool.

THE FRED JOHNSONS
Scope and Content Note: Mrs. Fred Johnson died in 1935; Dueholm recalls he was seeding grain, and Marius chastised him for not going to pay last respects. Dueholms had always helped out Fred Johnson with his work; wife would then give them candy and sweets.

GEORGE JOHNSON'S FATHER
Scope and Content Note: Marius Dueholm got to know him while driving the wool wagon. Would always ask Marius how his boy, George, was doing. Showed that George always had a place in the community.

DUEHOLM'S MOTHER'S FAMILY, ESPECIALLY ELSIE JENSEN
Scope and Content Note: Harvey's mother had four brothers and two sisters. One brother, Otto Jensen, lived in Apple River township, and Elsie was his oldest daughter. Otto Jensen died in 1922 of cancer, and a neighbor, Abel Tendrip, helped the family out. In 1925, when Elsie was about 20, she was going out with Alf Bard, a lay preacher. A lover's quarrel ended up in a shooting incident.

END OF TAPE 2, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

MORE ON SHOOTING OF ELSIE JENSEN AND SUBSEQUENT TRIAL OF MURDERER

END OF TAPE 2, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

DUEHOLM EXPERIENCE WITH HOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE (HUAC)
Scope and Content Note: Gaylord Nelson's secretary, Eunice Kaplan, accused by HUAC of being a Communist. Nelson called for disbanding HUAC; Republicans in the state Assembly and Senate sponsored resolution memorializing Congress to increase appropriation for HUAC. Dueholm one of only 11 to vote against resolution.

FATHER JAMES GROPPI'S MARCH TO, AND OCCUPATION OF, STATE CAPITOL
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm felt Groppi's march was wrong, but that legislature overreacted. Dueholm one of 18 to vote against resolution calling for Groppi's jailing. When fuss made over damages, Dueholm stated that special interest lobbyists caused more damage to the carpet than “mother marchers.” Dueholm proud of these types of stands and votes.

BLACK STUDENT OCCUPATION AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH
Scope and Content Note: Legislature passed resolution praising the president of UW-Oshkosh for way he handled the situation; Dueholm objected.

IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL ISSUES
Scope and Content Note: “Right to Life” a current emotional issue. This issue, and those discussed earlier, are most important to Dueholm personally. If keep track of people back home, one view probably will not defeat a legislator.

GUN CONTROL ISSUE
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm almost defeated in 1968 because National Rifle Association (NRA) accused him of favoring gun control. He didn't oppose registration but felt there should be no cost. Would not only protect people but make it easier to recover stolen guns. If a person writes in disagreement, legislator should write back to explain position and provide additional information as well.

DUEHOLM PROUD OF ALWAYS CARRYING HIS HOME TOWN

FIRST DAY IN LEGISLATURE
Scope and Content Note: Scared; not feeling well but very proud. Found Marius's old seat. Family was there. Friendship began with Dave O'Malley and family that day.

FUNCTION OF LEGISLATOR
Scope and Content Note: Represent both your own. area as well as people of the state. Important to inject your philosophy of government into the process, and to represent constituent concerns with the bureaucracy.

ROLE OF LOBBYISTS AND STAFF
Scope and Content Note: Lobbyists have role that is legitimate despite their negative image; legislator must be careful how he uses them. Lawmakers who claim that legislators don't need so much staff tend to be those who let the lobbyists do their legislative work. State better off using staff.

OVERALL ROLE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE
Scope and Content Note: Do what people can't do for themselves. Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfus's contention that the least governed people are the best governed people is “poppycock.” Older a country gets the more government it is going to have. In this country that is true because we have been the most wasteful country in the world. Role of legislature should be to prevent the depletion of our soils and resources. Dueholm's biggest disappointment in legislative career is failure to enact land-use program. Another concern legislature should face is the influx of foreign money and “big money” in general buying up farmland.

END OF TAPE 3, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

DUEHOLM'S CONSTITUENCY IN NORTHERN POLK COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Primarily Scandinavian. Swedes, Norwegians and two factions of Danes split along theological lines. Many of the people in early years held on to their original language; now original language not taught at all.

OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS IN POLK COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Include large concentration of Irish Catholics around Centuria; French Canadians, Germans, Swedes and Norwegians in southern part of county.

BURNETT COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Almost all Scandinavian and strictly agricultural until recently.

EFFECT OF REDISTRICTING
Scope and Content Note: Little effect on the makeup of Dueholm's Assembly district until 1972, when redistricting brought in Barron County. Larger labor vote there than in Polk or Burnett counties.

ORGANIZATION OF DUEHOLM'S CAMPAIGNS
Scope and Content Note: In 1956 Allen Kinney and some people from Douglas County came in to organize Democratic Party in Polk County; took party away from a radical group. Campaign itself was door-to-door, main-streeting and some advertising. Both Dueholm and Kinney lost that year, and they split the unpaid bills. In 1958 both were elected, Dueholm to the Assembly and Kinney as district attorney.

EFFECT ON DUEHOLM OF TAKING ASSEMBLY SEAT
Scope and Content Note: Didn't run until he could afford it. Even then some sacrifices by family. After the boys left farm, he sold the cattle.

END OF TAPE 3, SIDE 2

11/15/78

INTRODUCTION

“OATS” DUEHOLM
Scope and Content Note: When Republicans controlled Assembly, Dueholm compared one of their proposals to an incident where he had mistakenly mixed in some horse droppings with some hand-dipped chocolate he gave to a girl friend. There were too many oats in those chocolates. Byron Wackett called him “Oats” Dueholm from then on.

DUEHOLM AS CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE ON REMEDIAL LEGISLATION
Scope and Content Note: Committee eventually introduced 60 or 70 bills in one session; became sort of a joke. One day Dick Peterson of Waupaca asked Dueholm a question about a bill concerning the Public Service Commission's (PSC) right to remove an obstruction in navigable waters. If Peterson came to Polk County, he replied, tripped over one of his jokes, and landed in a creek, the PSC could--after a hearing--remove the obstruction.

WILLIS HUTNIK FROM NORTHERN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Hutnik was shaking his head at Dueholm's stuttering one day; Dueholm pointed out that he had a horse that used to do that, and they had had to shoot the horse.

OLEOMARGARINE
Scope and Content Note: Charles Smith from Milwaukee asked what Dueholm knew about margarine. Dueholm responded that his wife had once won some margarine on a Twin Cities television show. Used it to smear on cows' scratched teats and as rectal suppositories.

MORE ON OLEOMARGARINE
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm characterized margarine as a prostitute, not a substitute: to propose legalizing oleo and taxing it to fund research on the dairy industry is like legalizing prostitution and taxing it to fund research into why there are so many bachelors in the country.

REPUBLICAN BOOTH AT THE WORLD'S FAIR
Scope and Content Note: While Dueholm was making fun of the Republicans on the Assembly floor, Cy Bidwell from Columbia County objected that Dueholm was out of order. Dueholm kept on, then Robert Haase from Marinette also objected. Dueholm complimented Haase for his public speaking, adding that if he (Dueholm) could take a six-week course in public speaking and Haase a six-week course in public interest, they would be equal.

ROBERT HUBER AND OLEOMARGARINE
Scope and Content Note: Huber in favor of legalizing yellow colored margarine; Dueholm felt he was not listening to Dueholm's position. Dueholm said that Huber reminded him of a banker back home who had a glass eye; it was so closely matched to the natural eye that the only difference was that you could see a drop of kindness in the glass eye. But Dueholm finished by saying that Huber had no glass eye.

WARREN AND ROBERT KNOWLES
Scope and Content Note: After Warren Knowles elected Governor in 1964, he found it impossible to keep his campaign promise of not raising taxes. His brother, Sen. Robert Knowles, said to trust no man, though he be a brother, if his campaign says one thing and his tax bill another.

SALES TAX CONTROVERSY
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm originally campaigned against a sales tax. When Gaylord Nelson was Governor, the legislature reached an impasse over what type of bill to enact, and Dueholm was appointed to a compromise committee which recommended a selective sales tax. Bill Ward from St. Croix County, still opposed, pointed out that the members had to sleep with his conscience. Dueholm responded that if Ward would take his conscience and put it in the jar where he normally kept his teeth and slept with his teeth, he would wind up with a better voting record.

BILL PROHIBITING THE TEACHING OF SEX IN SCHOOL
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm spoke against the bill at a hearing and later received an irate letter from a constituent protesting his pro-sex and pro-contraceptive views. Dueholm wrote back thanking the man for the sexiest letter he had ever received, pointing out after he had read the letter he suspected that the man's father probably wished he had known more about contraceptives after seeing his son grow up.

GOVERNOR'S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm received a letter accusing him of gutter politics because of opposition to the Governor's Highway Safety Program. Dueholm replied by explaining his opposition, claiming that legislators sometimes get involved in gutter politics because it's the only way of contacting letter writers like him.

ANTI-PORNOGRAPHY BILL
Scope and Content Note: Bill would establish a committee to tour the state and examine available pornography. Dueholm added an amendment allowing only those 65 and older to serve on the committee to avoid corrupting the morals of the young. The amendment passed, and it killed the bill.

A NIGHT OUT WITH JUDGE ALLEN KINNEY
Scope and Content Note: Kinney and Dueholm went out to dinner, later met some local officials from Polk and Burnett counties, and proceeded to Madison's Dangle Lounge. The management demanded a 75-cent cover charge; Dueholm refused, claiming they were a group of Republican legislators out on a drunk. After entering, Kinney realized what kind of a place it was and left because it was no place for a judge.

BILL WARD
Scope and Content Note: One of the least influenced by lobbyists. Former Sen. Mark Catlin became a lobbyist after his legislative career ended but usually only had cat and dog bills. He did have one bill--to allow dancing in taverns--that Ward supported. Dueholm remarked that he never thought he would see the day that Bill Ward would dance to Mark Catlin's tune.

END OF TAPE 4, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

DUEHOLM'S CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Didn't do so well in the village of Luck; not sure of the reason.

ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: The Republican (David Paulson) won because the people were so used to being served by a horse's hind end that they decided to keep doing it even though they had to switch parties.

SHOPLIFTING BILLS
Scope and Content Note: Never voted for any of them, not because he had any sympathy for the shoplifter, but because he felt the bills gave too much power to the store owner. Eventually, after getting hell from all the merchants while not receiving one letter from a shoplifter, he finally supported passage.

A GAYLORD NELSON STORY OFTEN ATTRIBUTED TO DUEHOLM
Scope and Content Note: Charlie Christopherson, after Democrats first won at Clear Lake, went around saying that for years the Republicans had been lying, cheating and stuffing the ballot box. Thank God, this year we beat them at their own game.

A TONY EARL STORY OFTEN ATTRIBUTED TO DUEHOLM
Scope and Content Note: Gervase Hephner, to try and impress farmers, would often brag about how he had more cow manure under his fingernails. When he would speak on the wrong side of an issue, Earl would respond by concluding that Hephner had been chewing his nails again.

SOLAR ENERGY TAX CREDIT
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm supports solar energy but opposed a bill providing tax credits because it would help the rich who didn't need the help. Thought the state ought to subsidize those who switched over to wood. Admitted he had switched over to oil when no longer home to hold the door open when Hazel carried in the wood.

WOOD SPLITTING DONE COOPERATIVELY BY DANES
Scope and Content Note: Danes would get together at night after the women got done with the milking; would go farm to farm where the men would play cards and children would hold lanterns so women could split the wood.

REPUBLICAN PHILOSOPHY
Scope and Content Note: The Republicans have held the view going back to Herbert Hoover that if you help the wealthy, enough will trickle down to help everyone. Reminded Dueholm of how they used to feed the birds by feeding the horse more oats. Republicans also believe that everyone should get the same amount of ice; only thing is that the poor get theirs in the winter.

EARLY EXPERIENCES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Scope and Content Note: Very nervous speaker at first. Remembers one meeting where Senate candidates Holger Rasmusen (Rep.) and Fred Moser (Dem.) and Assembly candidates Lowell Nelson (Rep.) and Dueholm all spoke. The others talked about their family history, but Dueholm finished by saying that he would mention his qualifications as legislator, not as a proven sire. In view of the greater population growth of Dane County, compared to Polk and Burnett, he thought we ought to keep the proven sires at home and send the legislators to Madison.

PAY RAISES
Scope and Content Note: Fought all of them and took all of them, but has changed his view somewhat. Once he went to a Joint Finance Committee meeting to debate pay raises and pointed out that it was hard for people in Polk and Burnett counties to see how $3,600 was not enough for a part-time job when the average income up there was less than that. Sen. Mark Lipscomb asked if Dueholm's income was so low, how could he send a son to the Harvard Law School. Dueholm responded that he had had scholarship help, but that they didn't talk about it much: for years the Dueholms had earned an honest living, and the boy's mother still didn't know he was in law school--she thought he was a bookie in Las Vegas.

FAMILY ALL HELPS WITH CAMPAIGNS
Scope and Content Note: Sons and their wives would come home and help. Youngest son, Dave, started when he was ten or eleven years old.

DUEHOLM SPEAKS AT DANE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC MEETING
Scope and Content Note: After he spoke there, Dave O'Malley said, “You can see why I always support spending more on education for northern Wisconsin.”

GAYLORD NELSON ON DUEHOLM
Scope and Content Note: Nelson said it was too bad that Dueholm couldn't speak to every audience in the state. The adults would see that it didn't take that much to be a legislator, and the kids would see what would happen if they didn't further their education.

DUEHOLM SPEAKS TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Scope and Content Note: Spoke often to them in 1960's; didn't mind long hair. Found it good to listen to them.

PROPERTY TAX ON BOATS
Scope and Content Note: Opposed removing property tax from boats, but lost the issue. His stand very misunderstood. One of his opponents accused Dueholm of having no sympathy for the poor man. He knew a man who had a $4,000 income and an $1,800 boat. Dueholm replied that the man didn't need a tax exemption; he needed a psychiatrist.

COUNTY FINANCES
Scope and Content Note: Comments on struggle to readjust the way Polk County handled its money

HARRY BAKER
Scope and Content Note: A conservative family friend in the real estate business who told Dueholm there ought to be more statesmen in the legislature. Dueholm replied there ought to be more honest men in the real estate business.

END OF TAPE 4, SIDE 2

11/30/78

INTRODUCTION

CAUCUS PRACTICES
Scope and Content Note: Explains differences between open and closed caucus. Legislators now tend to play more to the press, some are afraid to talk at all, but on the whole, hasn't made much difference. Was a political issue for some time; was responsible for Norm Anderson defeat. Before opening them to the press, legislators would caucus two or three times a week and discuss the substance of bills. Now, three weeks can pass without caucusing as individual members learn more about bills on their own.

CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATION OF INDIVIDUAL OFFICES
Scope and Content Note: When Dueholm first arrived in 1959 session, only committee chairmen had offices and staff, but they often shared their offices. By 1978, chairmen had own offices and members shared offices. Among advantages were that members able to communicate more; disadvantages were that members communicated less among themselves.

ROLE OF WIFE, HAZEL, IN DUEHOLM'S OFFICE
Scope and Content Note: After first elected, had problems trying to keep farm operating while in Madison. Disposed of dairy herd in 1965. In 1967, after youngest son graduated from high school, Hazel began accompanying Harvey to Madison. Helped him with constituent problems and clipped newspaper articles. She never received any salary.

EXTENT AND TYPES OF CONSTITUENT PROBLEMS
Scope and Content Note: More in 1978 than when he was first elected because people more informed that representatives do this. Intervened with bureaucracies for the benefit of constituents. Types of problems did not change, just the numbers. Always treated the problem as a problem regardless of whether or not constituent was a supporter or an opponent.

TYPES OF THANKS FROM CONSTITUENTS
Scope and Content Note: Most very appreciative but occasionally others not pleased. Legislator should never go into the business expecting thanks; thanks an extra. Relates several other instances of constituent problems.

END OF TAPE 5, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON CONSTITUENT PROBLEMS

ENDORSES CABINET FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Scope and Content Note: Recounts anecdote about problems dealing with Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) lack of accountability.

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A LEGISLATOR
Scope and Content Note: Being first elected to the Assembly and carrying 75 percent of his own township. Getting the mineral tax enacted. Reviews legislative history of mining tax bills over the years, culminating in 1977 session.

MINING COMPANIES' LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
Scope and Content Note: Hired Democrats as lobbyists, including two former Democratic Party chairmen. Dueholm said they were careful not to hire Catholics who would have had to go to confession all the time.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS OF LEGISLATIVE CAREER
Scope and Content Note: Failure to enact decent land-use bill. Farmers should not feel that they can use land any way they please just because they own it. Should not turn good farmland into residential areas. Must not give up our wetlands. Is absolutely ridiculous that we waste these God-given resources. Marius Dueholm's use of the land an example to Harvey Dueholm.

END OF TAPE 5, SIDE 2

12/1/78

INTRODUCTION

VEHICLE INSPECTION BILL
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed; a bonanza for auto dealers because bill would have required twice a year check.

ANTI-SIN TAX
Scope and Content Note: Sales tax on cigarettes suggested for funds to buy up wild land for recreation uses. Alfonsi tried to kill the program by prohibiting more purchases until improvements had been made in existing areas.

SCHOOL AIDS DISTRIBUTION
Scope and Content Note: State money to support education to help poorer communities. Opponents, mainly Republican, fought it all the way but finally voted for it and claimed credit for it.

TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY BILL
Scope and Content Note: Allowed electric cooperatives to retain areas-they had originally opened up.

CRITICIZES ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOBBYISTS FOR BEHAVING LIKE PRIVATE UTILITIES
Scope and Content Note: Electric cooperatives fought Marty Schreiber in 1978 because of his doubts about nuclear energy. Example of one-issue politics.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HYPOCRISY
Scope and Content Note: Wanted local, not state, government control over taxing businesses, but then they wanted to exempt their own property from property taxes.

CONCERN OVER CORPORATE FARMS
Scope and Content Note: Another disappointment of legislative career was failure to enact strong anti-corporate farm legislation.

GAYLORD NELSON'S NATIONAL PROGRAM AGAINST CORPORATE FARMS
Scope and Content Note: Unsuccessful also; wealth continues to increase control over farmland across the country.

PROBATE REFORM
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm strongly in support. Remembers strong lawyer opposition. Enabled people to probate simple estates without expensive legal fees.

JUDICIAL SALARIES
Scope and Content Note: Generally opposed salary increases, but realizes some perhaps justified.

PROJECT SANGUINE IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm strongly opposed, as was Gaylord Nelson.

OPEN HOUSING BILL
Scope and Content Note: Bill crossed party lines. Adrian Manders opposed it; Dueholm supported it saying what a shame it was people could not have been born color-blind. Neighborhoods varied more on the basis of income, not race.

END OF TAPE 6, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

SALE OF COLORED MARGARINE
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm in favor of the prohibition of sale, but it became an unpopular issue as non-farmers became more numerous throughout the state. Relates stories revealing true nature of margarine.

EVENTUAL REPEAL OF REGULATION AGAINST SALE OF COLORED OLEOMARGARINE
Scope and Content Note: Chairman of Agriculture Committee, strong Farm Bureau supporter, sponsored the bill. At the bill signing, everyone dressed in yellow, and Governor Warren Knowles signed it with a yellow pen. Repeal hurt dairy farmers.

COMPULSORY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Scope and Content Note: A Captain Bollenbach, who supported all these patriotic bills, testified in support of the bill; supported the idea of requiring the pledge once a week instead of every day because to do it daily would cheapen it. Dueholm responded by asking that such an unpatriotic person be ejected from the hearing. One legislative supporter, Thomas St. Angelo, from Barron County, was challenged by Dueholm on the floor of the Assembly to recite the pledge; he could not.

ARTIFICIAL FOOD COLORING
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed because it didn't help agriculture, only the processors.

MINIMUM WAGE
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm felt opposition to a minimum wage was ridiculous. Never hurt the farmer. Minimum wage not just for big labor; union labor was seldom involved with minimum-wage jobs.

DUEHOLM'S REPUTATION AS “DRINK WET-VOTE DRY.”
Scope and Content Note: Admits it, as he drank his share and seldom voted with the tavern industry. Supported closing taverns on Election Day, but legislature voted to keep them open.

COUNTY BOARD REAPPORTIONMENT
Scope and Content Note: Voted against own party not because he was against one man-one vote but because he was against reducing size of the board. Meant decrease in the interest in local government by citizenry.

REPEAL OF GAMBLING LAW
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed the repeal even though he sometimes gambled himself. If gambling allowed, the rackets would get involved, and corruption would result.

REPEAL OF STATE MEAT INSPECTION
Scope and Content Note: Governor Lucey wanted to repeal it since it was redundant with the federal government inspection programs. Meat processors lobbied for continuation, since they used state approval as an advertising method.

CHIROPRACTOR BILLS
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm did not know whether bills were right or wrong, but physicians 90 percent anti-Democratic in their politics. Support of chiropractic bills more a shot at the “doctors' lobby” than support of principle. Notes political power of chiropractors in defeat of Governor Martin Schreiber.

LAETRILE
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm originally in favor of legalizing it, but increasing rightwing involvement changed his mind. Never saw laetrile prevent death from cancer, and Dueholm afraid people would use laetrile as substitute for regular medical treatment.

TEACHER'S BILL (SB 15)
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm always known as strong supporter of public education, but had doubts about SB 15. Not as bad as administrators thought; not as good as teachers thought.

END OF TAPE 6, SIDE 2

11/15/78

INTRODUCTION

ADRIAN MANDERS
Scope and Content Note: Very opposed to open housing and supportive of margarine. Dueholm and Manders also clashed bitterly over parochial school support.

JOANNE DUREN
Scope and Content Note: Vicious in opposing those who disagreed with her on any specific bill; would introduce many bills at other's request. But Duren would be friendly at a personal level.

PAUL ALFONSI, REPUBLICAN
Scope and Content Note: Had served with Marius Dueholm as a Progressive, but differed because more radical than the elder Dueholm. Alfonsi had connections with Communists in Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) during the 1930's. Ran for Governor as Progressive in 1940 and lost; ran for Congress in 1942 as Republican and lost. In 1958 he was re-elected to the Assembly as a Republican. In the 1930's he was far left, a radical, but by the end of his career, he was a very conservative Republican. Remained good friend despite political differences.

WILLIS HUTNIK, REPUBLICAN
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm, Hutnik and Sen. Rasmusen often rode together to Madison; Dueholm and Hutnik would argue the entire trip.

CURTIS McKAY, REPUBLICAN
Scope and Content Note: Ultra-conservative attorney.

ROBERT MAROTZ
Scope and Content Note: Former Republican Speaker, but Dueholm knew him as lobbyist for liquor industry.

ROBERT HAASE
Scope and Content Note: Republican floor leader; taught law at University-of Wisconsin-Madison. Dueholm and Haase clashed over a bill Haase was pushing while running for judge; Dueholm was chairman of Welfare Committee. Dueholm considered Haase a top-shelf legislator.

JERRIS LEONARD
Scope and Content Note: Never knew where he stood; very close with lobbyists. Later got a job in Nixon administration and fit in very well.

ROBERT KNOWLES
Scope and Content Note: Differed politically but had respect for each other and got along except during campaigns. Knowles once said that Dueholm's stories were too earthy for him.

WARREN KNOWLES
Scope and Content Note: When Knowles was Governor, he would have problems with Republicans, and Dueholm helped both Knowles brothers against the more conservative Republicans. Help not sought often because the Knowles's thought Dueholm's help probably more of a hindrance than a help.

HUGH HARPER
Scope and Content Note: A Progressive who returned to Republican Party and became very conservative.

GLEN POMMERENING
Scope and Content Note: Father of the sales tax. Sales tax probably responsible for the surplus that defeated Democrats in 1978.

JOHN SHABAZ, REPUBLICAN
Scope and Content Note: Floor leader, very capable attorney and very hard to debate. Not very friendly but very ultra-conservative and very effective leader for the Republicans.

BYRON WACKETT
Scope and Content Note: Very conservative Republican but a true gentleman. Dueholm and Wackett became good friends. Messengers talked well of Wackett, and one could learn a lot about fellow legislators by talking to messengers.

ALVIN O'KONSKI
Scope and Content Note: First elected in 1942. Always gave whichever party was in power the devil, especially the Secretary of Agriculture. Story of dedication of Fabertech Corporation factory in Amery which Dueholm, Howard Cameron and O'Konski attended. Always very good at constituent service.

END OF TAPE 7, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

MORE ON ALVIN O'KONSKI
Scope and Content Note: O'Konski met woman on the street whom he had helped find the father of her child. O'Konski would keep track of everyone he helped and make use of them during campaigns. Made political mistake in running in 1972 against Dave Obey after reapportionment.

VERNON THOMSON
Scope and Content Note: Defeated for Governor by Gaylord Nelson in 1958 and by Alvin Baldus for Congress in 1974.

REUBEN LaFAVE
Scope and Content Note: Always with lobbyists. Pushed bills on retirement that gave legislators good benefits, which Dueholm voted against.

GORDON ROSELEIP
Scope and Content Note: Only reason Dueholm ever thought about running for Senate was to answer Roseleip. Roseleip was for God and Country and very strong for veterans' rights. Wrapped himself in the flag and often tripped in it. Roseleip once said, “It's time to grab the bull by the tail and look it in the eye.” He once flunked butter/margarine taste test; Dueholm countered by saying he never thought much of Roseleip's taste anyway. Dueholm disagreed with his definition of patriotism, but Roseleip was certainly a character.

TOMMY THOMPSON
Scope and Content Note: Scrapped with Dueholm constantly but came to admire each other. Thompson always first to welcome Dueholm back from the hospital.

CHESTER DEMPSEY
Scope and Content Note: Conservative senator, originally a Democrat but switched to Republican Party. Never voted for a budget. Accused of never being affected by the Depression, Dempsey was alleged to have replied that he had too been affected: he had to foreclose on two widows. A bachelor lawyer.

JON WILCOX
Scope and Content Note: Ultra-conservative who became good friend of Dueholm's. Dueholm and Wilcox clashed bitterly over Father Groppi's march; Dueholm grabbed Wilcox on the floor with television cameras going.

ALLAN ROBERTS
Scope and Content Note: Attorney who practised law constantly and did law work at his Assembly desk. Ghost-voting scandal involved Roberts when he voted all day during a special session but was not at the Capitol. Shabaz defended Roberts and moved that Roberts be given a leave of absence and his vote be expunged. Issue given statewide press which helped defeat him.

ALEXANDER WILEY
Scope and Content Note: Gaylord Nelson beat him in 1962. He had been a long-time senator whom Republicans unsuccessfully always tried to defeat because Wiley would win the primary. By 1962 he was a little weak from age.

END OF TAPE 7, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

WILLIAM W. WARD
Scope and Content Note: Known as “Bill” or “Old Salt.” Introduced Dueholm to Democratic leaders at a meeting in Eau Claire. Keith Hardie, Lee Mulder (later with Wisconsin Farmers' Union), Allen (“Jerry”) Flannigan (assistant floor leader that session, an alcoholic who fell off the wagon and died in 1965 session) and George Molinaro (very liberal at first but became more conservative). This Eau Claire meeting voted to support Molinaro over Robert Huber of West Allis because Huber had voted for resolution praising Joseph McCarthy at his death. Later, Dueholm came to like and support Huber as Huber became more liberal.

ROBERT BARABE
Scope and Content Note: Quiet guy on the floor. Roomed in Belmont Hotel next to Ward and Dueholm, and the three would debate.

WILLIAM WARD
Scope and Content Note: Great speaker at the spur of the moment. Could give the opposition the devil, then go over and tell them what they should have said.

DAVID O'MALLEY
Scope and Content Note: Good legislator, wife very progressive. O'Malley family was old Irish Catholic Democrats, not all old Progressives.

JOHN R. HANSEN
Scope and Content Note: Good liberal but defeated after one term.

FRANK NIKOLAY
Scope and Content Note: Had come up into Polk County to organize Progressive Party. One of 11 to vote against HUAC resolution. Always took a forthright stand.

DAVID OBEY
Scope and Content Note: Defeated a Republican when he was in his early 20's and was effective from the beginning. Honest and hardworking. Elected to Congress in 1969 special election.

BEN RICHLE
Scope and Content Note: A real character who walked with a cane but at parties would not need his cane. Very conservative. Once argued against a bill, then voted for it, claiming he knew how to vote so he would be re-elected.

KEITH HARDIE
Scope and Content Note: Floor leader, then defeated for Senate; became a United States Marshall before losing that job to Nixon. Then lost a special election for Assembly.

MICHAEL EARLY
Scope and Content Note: A very interesting, witty guy. An alcoholic, a hard worker, in the plumbing business; fairly wealthy. Also one who became more liberal as time went on. Appointed to Department of Veterans' Affairs; when John Moses came back, went to Emergency Government.

FRED MOSER
Scope and Content Note: Well read and good friend. Dueholm replaced Gaylord Nelson at a Moser campaign event in 1964.

GEORGE MERRIL
Scope and Content Note: Progressive and Democrat. Rode with Dueholm and Howard Cameron to Madison.

THOMAS ST. ANGELO
Scope and Content Note: Rode with Dueholm to Madison after he defeated Merril. Ultra-conservative Republican both personally and politically. His brother, Louis, was a Democrat.

MORE ON FRED MOSER
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm respected Moser's intellect. Remained close friends of Dueholm family.

NORMAN ANDERSON
Scope and Content Note: After losing a primary in 1958, he was chosen chief clerk and did as fine a job as Dueholm ever saw. Elected to the Assembly in 1960; 1976 defeat a real tragedy. Defeated because of the secret caucus issue and Madison Capital Times' opposition.

END OF TAPE 8, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

JOHN PRITCHARD
Scope and Content Note: Had served and roomed with Marius Dueholm in the 1930's; still there when Harvey Dueholm elected in 1958. Had been a Progressive, went to the Republicans in 1946, then switched to the Democrats in 1958. Chairman of Agriculture Committee.

ALVIN BALDUS
Scope and Content Note: From Menominee. Rode with Dueholm to Madison until Baldus elected to Congress in 1974.

LEO MOHN
Scope and Content Note: Elected in 1970. Quiet guy who voted right and knew all the bills. Defeated in 1978.

ANTHONY EARL
Scope and Content Note: Elected to the Assembly after Dave Obey elected to Congress. Very capable attorney; soon elected Majority Leader. Defeated by Bronson La Follette for Attorney General in 1974 and then became Secretary of DNR. One of several capable attorneys Dueholm served with.

ISAAC COGGS
Scope and Content Note: Very capable but started drinking heavily and began missing a lot of time. Widow, Marcia, now serves in his seat.

RAYMOND LATHAN
Scope and Content Note: Not very capable.

LLOYD BARBEE
Scope and Content Note: Hardworking, sincere legislator who introduced a lot of unpopular legislation.

WALTER WARD
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm does not take Ward very seriously. Does not do himself or his race any good.

PROBLEMS OF MINORITY LEGISLATORS
Scope and Content Note: Low voter turnout means less minorities in the legislature. Since most live in cities, the city council and county board elections attract more attention.

THOMAS FOX
Scope and Content Note: Met him in 1968 or 1969. A young attorney, he was elected Assembly chief clerk for 1970 session. His father, Jerry Fox, a Democrat, served in legislature with Marius Dueholm in 1930's. Fox one of the few Democrats elected in 1932 who stayed liberal. Most were post-office Democrats and very conservative. Democrats formed a coalition with Republicans in 1938 to defeat the Progressives. Democrats just as conservative as the Republicans which is why Dueholm voted with Bob La Follette, Jr. to rejoin Republicans in 1946. After leaving the legislature, Tom Fox practised law with Elizabeth Hawkes, then became chairman of the Natural Resources Board, and then worked for Governor Martin Schreiber.

WILLIAM JOHNSON
Scope and Content Note: Elected to the Assembly in a special election in 1965 to replace Jerry Flannigan. Johnson a strongly pro-labor man but not as liberal on other issues as Flannigan. Johnson developed heart problems; Dueholm would run into him at the hospital.

HERBERT GROVER
Scope and Content Note: Grover reminded Dueholm of his father-in-law, either “sugar or crap.” He would either be with you or fighting you very hard. Grover left the legislature to teach and was appointed to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.

JOSEPH SWEDA
Scope and Content Note: Elected in 1962 from Lincoln County. Became very active right away and always helped the party. Later appointed to the Highway Commission.

HENRY DORMAN
Scope and Content Note: Senator from Racine; very able legislator and very good liberal. Worked with Dueholm on the mining tax. Was defeated on an issue that was blown up out of all proportion--daughter used his credit card to make a few phone calls.

END OF TAPE 8, SIDE 2

12/1/78 and 12/18/78
Note: There is a discrepancy with the dates listed in the abstract. Tapes 9-11 were recorded on 12/1/78 and 12/18/78; however, it is not clear which dates fall on which tapes.

INTRODUCTION

SCHOOL BOARD LOBBYING
Scope and Content Note: Members of “school board lobby” would call Dueholm to complain about teachers organizing. Even old union people would oppose teachers' union. Dueholm was never a member of a union, but he did not think that teachers should be second-class citizens.

BANKING REFORM
Scope and Content Note: Governor Lucey introduced legislation that would allow the state to borrow money from municipalities, which would in turn get a return. Previously, municipalities had simply put their money into checking accounts which drew no interest. Legislation strongly opposed by the banks; Dueholm responded that he had more people than banks in his district.

LIQUOR CREDIT BILL
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm supported repeal of law requiring village clerks to force tavern keepers to pay their bills to liquor wholesalers.

MORE ON THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY BILL
Scope and Content Note: Allowed electric cooperatives to keep the areas they developed. Dueholm a strong supporter of the electric cooperatives, though he is often disappointed in their managers and lobbyists.

MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION
Scope and Content Note: Even though Dueholm from rural area, he supported easier-annexation policies for cities.

BUDGET COMPROMISE
Scope and Content Note: Republicans wanted a sales tax, but Gaylord Nelson vetoed their budget. Republicans controlled the legislature, and they killed Nelson's budget. Dueholm member of compromise committee which finally instituted a limited sales tax.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO ALL LAKES
Scope and Content Note: Opposed by wealthy property owners, but Dueholm always supported it. DNR took position that it would restock lakes with public access.

MORE ON HUAC
Scope and Content Note: Gaylord Nelson attacked HUAC after it had accused his secretary of being a Communist sympathizer. Conservatives in the legislature sponsored a resolution praising HUAC. Dueholm one of 11 who opposed the resolution.

DISMISSED TIME FROM SCHOOL FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm voted against it on practical grounds.

LEGALIZATION OF BINGO
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed it because of a fear of the rackets coming in and taking over.

BANK TAX
Scope and Content Note: Personal property held in a bank was exempt from property tax. Dueholm supported efforts to repeal that exemption but was unsuccessful in getting two-thirds support necessary to change banking laws.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE OBSCENITY
Scope and Content Note: In 1963 session, a bill proposed to set up a special committee of legislators to travel around the state to investigate obscenity. Dueholm opposed the bill and proposed an amendment requiring all members of the committee to be 65 and older. The amendment passed, and the bill died.

END OF TAPE 9, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

LEASE EXTENSIONS IN DEVIL'S LAKE STATE PARK
Scope and Content Note: In 1963 legislation proposed to extend for ten years private leases in the park. Governor John Reynolds vetoed the bill; Dueholm voted to sustain the veto.

MANDATORY DISPLAY OF FLAG IN SCHOOL ROOMS
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed this bill in 1963 session.

REAPPORTIONMENT
Scope and Content Note: Attempt by Republicans to effect reapportionment, bypassing Democratic Governor. Dueholm opposed.

TAVERN CLOSING ON ELECTION DAY
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm supported keeping taverns closed. Liquor interests wanted them kept open, and they won.

LAND ACQUISITION BY DNR
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed efforts to intrude legislatively on DNR responsibilities for land acquisition.

OPEN HOUSING
Scope and Content Note: Open housing bottled up in committee in 1967. A lot of misinformation spread about this issue.

SCHOOL AIDS
Scope and Content Note: Democrats attempted to increase school aids in 1967 session; Governor Knowles objected. Compromise reached which gave some increase. Democrats increased school aids more after Knowles left office.

FARMERS' UNION
Scope and Content Note: On the right side of such issues as more school aids, restriction of corporate farming. Democrats generally score high and Republicans low on Farmers' Union roll-call summaries.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Scope and Content Note: Accused Democrats of being bad for business. Chamber roll calls showed low Democratic scores and high Republican scores, although their opposition did not bother Dueholm. Chamber always called for local governments to pay higher percentage of cost than the state, but then they backed a bill exempting their own property from taxation. Dueholm ridiculed such bills.

BILLBOARDS AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
Scope and Content Note: Regulation of billboards different from regulating books because there was no freedom of choice about looking at the billboards. Dueholm supported Lady Bird Johnson's campaign to clean up billboards.

PROBATE REFORM
Scope and Content Note: Bill Johnson's bill to simplify probate was strongly opposed by attorneys. Dueholm supported the reform measure.

ELECTION CONTROVERSY INVOLVING RUSTY OLSON
Scope and Content Note: Olson lost an election and recount; Republicans in the Assembly overrode the election and voted to seat Olson.

MANDATORY TEACHING OF SUBJECTS IN SCHOOLS
Scope and Content Note: Chamber of Commerce introduced a bill to teach comprehensive economic courses from first grade on. Dueholm opposed the bill and other bills that mandated teaching Americanism; saw danger in mandating values and felt problems of definition. Dueholm feels a ruined plot of land is obscene, but not a nude body.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm opposed license requirements for such professions as barbers, plumbers, real estate and morticians.

STATE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL BOARD
Scope and Content Note: Strongly supported vocational schools, but felt they should be treated just like other higher educational facilities, not put back on the local taxpayers. Should have tuition and loan programs just like universities.

END OF TAPE 9, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

MORE ON VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
Scope and Content Note: Can help those on welfare to learn a skill and get a job.

END OF TAPE 10, SIDE 1
Note: There is no Side 2.

INTRODUCTION

GAYLORD NELSON
Scope and Content Note: Personally closest to Dueholm because Dr. Antoine Nelson, Gaylord's father, and Marius Dueholm both active political Progressives. Both Gaylord Nelson and Harvey Dueholm active in Polk County Young Progressives. Nelson ran for Assembly as a Republican in 1946 but lost in the primary. Then ran for state Senate in 1948 in Dane County and served until elected Governor in 1958. Very ambitious program as Governor; if anything, his weakness was too controversial a program. Sales tax controversy in 1960 session; an issue in Nelson's 1962 campaign.

JOHN W. REYNOLDS
Scope and Content Note: Attorney General under Nelson, he ran against the sales tax. Was a good Governor but was defeated after one term by Warren Knowles. Appointed to federal judgeship. Reynolds also went back to the Progressive Party years; while his father and brother went into the Republican Party, he became a Democrat.

WARREN KNOWLES
Scope and Content Note: Knowles ran on issue of “had enough taxes” and almost immediately found out he had to raise taxes. Knowles had trouble with his own party even though he always tried to defeat Democrats. Republicans fought Knowles bitterly in his last term but really defeated themselves. Lt. Gov. Jack Olson beaten by Pat Lucey.

PAT LUCEY
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm got along with Lucey even though Lucey and Nelson split strongly during Nelson's term as Governor. Lucey very good to Dueholm and his wife; a very strong Governor, but maybe not such a good politician. Very able to field questions but not that good at meeting people.

MARTIN SCHREIBER
Scope and Content Note: Did not have much time but did not make any mistakes. Sad state of affairs when a man can be defeated because of a state surplus. Surplus was caused by the Republican sales tax, not the income tax. Appropriate that Rep. Steve Gunderson his right-hand man because Gunderson is a used car salesman. Schreiber a very warm family man. Voters in Dane and Milwaukee counties will regret not supporting him more strongly.

END OF TAPE 11, SIDE 1
Note: There is no Side 2.

12/19/78

INTRODUCTION

MARIUS DUEHOLM SETTLES IN TOWN OF BONE LAKE, POLK COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Harvey Dueholm's father, Marius Dueholm, emigrated from Sonberg, Denmark, at age nine; worked in Polk County woods until 1898 when, at age 17, he bought 80 acres of land. Farm comprised east half of northwest quarter of Section 27 in Township 36 of Range 16; later considered to contain the least waste-land, most productive soil of any 80-acre homestead in Blue Lake township. Purchase price of $320 lowered $20 to compensate for two- or three-acre pond, which actually constituted an asset; cows watered there in summer months. Marius in 1906 married a Jensen whose parents had homesteaded land one-half mile from Dueholm's acreage in 1874. Marius Dueholm and bride moved into partially completed two-story 18'x18' house with small basement in late summer 1906. Two screened porches and full basement included in 16'x16' addition constructed when Harvey Dueholm six years old. Harvey Dueholm one of ten children, five of whom lived to adulthood.

MARIUS DUEHOLM EARNS ADDITIONAL INCOME
Scope and Content Note: After marriage began driving wool wagon for Barron Woolen Company three months a year, just as did his brother-in-law, Jens Jensen. Later, the many contacts made while driving wagon for 11 years proved politically useful.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DUEHOLM FAMILY LIFE
Scope and Content Note: All cows and horses named; animals meant much to Marius Dueholm. Family retained such Danish customs as coffee every afternoon and gift exchange on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day. Recalls father's wish to be buried under the “basket tree”; indicative of Marius Dueholm's love for his land.

MARIUS DUEHOLM BUYS ADDITIONAL LAND IN
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm accepted wife's objection and refused $1,800 sale price for 80 acres east of homestead in 1918. Purchased 105 acres west of farm for $3,900 in 1920 when he realized expansion necessary. Steadily cleared additional acreage for cropland.

HARVEY DUEHOLM BEGINS FARMING AND MARRIES
Scope and Content Note: Harvey Dueholm assumed increasing responsibilities on parents' 185 acre farm as Marius Dueholm became politically active. Marius Dueholm died of cancer in 1936; Harvey expanded barn in 1937. Purchased another 80 acres with house and barn east of parents' farm for $1,700 in 1938. Paid carpenter 30 cents an hour to repair fire-damaged house; moved in with bride, Hazel Smith, in 1940.

DUEHOLM PURCHASES PERMANENT FAMILY HOME; FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS MOTHER AND SISTER
Scope and Content Note: War-induced construction supplies shortage meant Dueholm unable to rebuild barn on parents' farm which burned November 10, 1943. Purchased 80 acres just north of parents' farm; had barn and “very comfortable” house after addition built in 1946. Dueholm paid all bills incurred by mother and ill sister, who remained on original family homestead.

ADDITIONAL LAND ACQUISITIONS
Scope and Content Note: In 1957 purchased 80 acres about two and one-half miles from 345 acres already owned; included about 25 acres of field land. After land purchases of 40 acres in northeast quarter of Section 28 in 1961 and 60 acres in Section 21 about 1963, total farm acreage stood at 525.

DUEHOLM SELLS DAIRY HERD IN
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm elected to state Assembly in 1958 but with help of his four sons, “farming went very well” until fall of 1964 when experienced hired man quit after an argument with Dueholm's brother. One buyer bought dairy herd in two installments in 1964-65 after Dueholm realized farm a money-losing operation. “It just felt like part of me went at the same time” when cows sold for average of $200 and heifers for about $45 at private sale.

LAND USE SINCE HERD SALE
Scope and Content Note: For a number of years, Dueholm bought cattle in spring to be sold in fall; neighbors rented land, mostly for hay. Dueholm and wife gradually gave all land, except 80 acres, to their four sons jointly. Only two sons continue to farm part time.

COMPOSITION OF MARIUS DUEHOLM'S DAIRY HERD
Scope and Content Note: Primarily “native” shorthorns and grade Guernsey cows; never purchased a pure-bred cow. Recalls cows bred at neighbor's farm for $2 to $5.

END OF TAPE 12, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

DESCRIPTION OF FARM LIVESTOCK
Scope and Content Note: Marius Dueholm generally kept three horses and never more than 19 head of dairy cattle. Brucellosis (Bang's disease) entered dairy herd in early 1920's, but “the herd surprisingly didn't deteriorate too much.” Harvey Dueholm lost majority of two herds because of Bang's; recalls 26 of 36 cattle confiscated by government officials testing for brucellosis in 1937. Calf pneumonia frequently killed calves born in winter months.

DUEHOLM BEGINS MILKING REGISTERED GUERNSEYS
Scope and Content Note: First registered heifer purchased as oldest son's 4-H calf about 1950. Registered Guernseys comprised one-third of dairy herd when sold in 1964-65.

COMMENTS ON THE RISKS BULLS INVOLVE
Scope and Content Note: After several anecdotes which illustrate the dangers of keeping bulls, Dueholm concluded that artificial insemination has saved many lives. Dueholm used both bulls and artificial insemination in later farming years.

FARMING TECHNIQUES CHANGE IN
Scope and Content Note: Three-year crop rotation of corn, oats and hay, with no fertilizer except manure, used until county extension agent suggested grassland farming about 1940. “Never made more money farming in my life” because could farm “very cheap(ly)”; e.g., received $1,500 from American Soil Conservation Service (ASCS) for not raising corn; limed fields and raised alfalfa; put up hay and grass silage; sprayed herbicides and “drilled” rather than “checked” corn so less erosion occurred.

MORE COMMENTS ON LIVESTOCK
Scope and Content Note: In addition to cattle and horses, raised a few chickens and kept two sows which both had litters each spring and fall; sold piglets if litter size exceeded 14. Recalls began raising horses “about the time that we should have gone out of it;...(but) we liked horses too much.”

TRACTORS
Scope and Content Note: Most area farmers used tractors before Dueholm purchased Ford tractor in 1942; paid $1,120 for tractor, cultivator, plow, lights and pulley. Purchased second Ford tractor in 1948 when no other make available; Fords were “cheap” and “handy.” Seldom used small Ford tractors after purchased John Deere Model A in 1949 and a powerful International Harvester 300 Utility in 1954.

MILK MARKETING IN BONE LAKE AREA
Scope and Content Note: Early Bone Lake Cooperative Creamery burned Christmas Day 1914. Cream delivered to rebuilt Bone Lake Cooperative Creamery three miles from Dueholm farm until 1937, when Land O'Lakes Creameries, Inc. constructed a drying plant and accepted whole milk. Dueholm joined other Guernsey dairymen in protest of Land O'Lakes' failure to pay according to butter-fat content; marketed cream to Four Corners and Turtle Lake Cooperative creameries and retained skim milk for hogs. Later sold whole milk; butter creameries later on disappeared completely from Polk County.

END OF TAPE 12, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

MORE ON MILK MARKETING
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm shipped milk by can to private Four Corners factory and Turtle Lake Cooperative Creamery; began marketing to Land O'Lakes Creamery after bulk tank installed on farm in 1957.

DUEHOLM MARKETS GRADE A MILK
Scope and Content Note: Extensive mastitis outbreak in dairy herd cost Dueholm thousands of dollars and postponed switch to Grade A operation until January 1953; “should have started before that.”

LIVESTOCK MARKETING
Scope and Content Note: Hogs and cattle generally shipped through Luck Cooperative Shipping Association by railroad to Farmers' Union or central South St. Paul stockyards. Stock haulers trucked from area farms to St. Paul beginning about 1930. Told several anecdotes to illustrate cattle buyers' questionable buying methods; “they didn't go around the country for their health.”

ELECTRIFICATION IN BONE LAKE AREA
Scope and Content Note: Marius Dueholm provided $200 for development of Luck Light and Power Company in 1921-22 but initially refused to purchase $150 transformer. Gasoline engine and kerosene lanterns used until $4.50 minimum electric service began in 1937. Marius Dueholm one of last area farmers to grant Wisconsin Hydro Electric Company, which purchased Luck Light and Power in 1930, right-of-way for cross-country Cumberland to Pine City highline. Recalls eventual $350 cash settlement succeeded Depression-related area bank closures. Some area farmers later joined rural electric cooperatives; Dueholm supported rural electric cooperative objectives, but never joined.

ETHNICITY OF BONE LAKE AREA
Scope and Content Note: Predominantly Danish, with some Norwegian and Swedish.

AREA INHABITANTS POLITICALLY ACTIVE
Scope and Content Note: Most area farmers, some even before naturalization, voted in every election. Recalls Marius Dueholm, naturalized in March 1902, consistently voted.

LUTHERAN SECTS PREDOMINATE IN BONE LAKE AREA
Scope and Content Note: Three area Lutheran churches included two Danish and the Norwegian Zion Lutheran church in northern Bone Lake township. “Singing Danes” and “Praying Danes” appellations used to distinguish between the two Danish congregations. Church attendance greatly increased after the two small Danish churches merged in 1960's; Zion church remained separate. Recalls Marius Dueholm one of few in area to vote, for Catholic candidate Alfred Smith in 1928 U.S. presidential election; indicative of widespread anti-Catholic sentiment.

END OF TAPE 13, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION EXTENDS INTO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm never thought about it while attending school, but “we were really going to parochial schools.” Each school day during World War I began with singing of “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

COMMENTS ON AREA PREJUDICES
Scope and Content Note: Anti-Catholic sentiment led to short-lived Ku Klux Klan activity in Luck-Milltown area; “didn't amount to anything” and died out by 1928. Indians employed by area farmers to clear land, but not considered equal to whites. Some anti-Semitism expressed as Adolph Hitler came to power in Germany but not a widespread or long-lived prejudice. Neighbors generally tolerant of each other.

COMMENTS ON HAZEL SMITH DUEHOLM'S ANCESTORS
Scope and Content Note: Hazel Smith's mother opposed marriage to Progressive, Lutheran Harvey Dueholm, frequently referred to as “Noisy” Dueholm, because Smith family traditionally “Republican first and Methodist second.” Hazel's father a long-time Clam Falls mail carrier; grandfather Rodney Smith the first Polk County highway commissioner; great-grand- father homesteaded in Town of Lorraine in 1874, an area reserved exclusively for Civil War veterans. Maternal great-grandfather a Civil War veteran who moved to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania.

AREA SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Scope and Content Note: Impromptu visits between neighbors supplemented by barn dances, house parties, local debates, discussions led by the county extension agent, and meetings of area Parent-Teacher Associations and Luther Leagues. Neighborhood children generally visited on Sundays.

ANECDOTE ILLUSTRATES ANIMAL HANDLING MAXIM
Scope and Content Note: Never considered dropping a run-away animal's lead rope.

DUEHOLM FAMILY SHOPS IN LUCK
Scope and Content Note: Most often bought groceries at N.J. Christiansen store in Luck; seldom patronized Bone Lake store. Woolen goods purchased from Barron Woolen Company; other clothes mail-ordered from Sears-Roebuck and Company. Recalls Marius Dueholm very money conscious but a “very, very good provider”; often bought fresh fruit.

FEED GROUND AT AREA MILL

END OF TAPE 13, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

WHERE MEN GET TOGETHER TO TALK
Scope and Content Note: Talked when met on the road. Recalls trips to Luck very long because Marius Dueholm stopped and talked to everyone he met.

LIQUOR CONSUMPTION DURING PROHIBITION
Scope and Content Note: Some “home brew” made, but men didn't drink in presence of women, and no women drank. Frequent barn dance fights perhaps attributable to “moonshine's” high potency.

BONE LAKE TOWNSHIP ROAD MAINTENANCE
Scope and Content Note: High degree of revenue sharing with state government meant roads well maintained, even though swamps prevalent in Bone Lake township. Recalls Marius Dueholm believed 1920's poll tax a justified tax although some area farmers refused payment as protest. Describes snowplowing procedure with horses and first day on road maintenance crew.

FEDERAL WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION (WPA) AND FEED-LOAN PROGRAMS DURING
Scope and Content Note: Some area farmers paid federal feed loans by earning $5 a day doing WPA road improvement work. In 1936, Dueholm used horse team for cash-paying road work rather than doing fall plowing.

IMPACT OF DROUGHT DURING
Scope and Content Note: Except for 1935, drought throughout 1930's beginning in 1931; “it wasn't only the price was bad, but the drought was so bad (in) those years.” Recalls Marius Dueholm bought oat hulls and paid $24 a ton for two tons of hay after only four loads cut in 1934.

WISCONSIN FARMERS' UNION ORGANIZES IN EARLY
Scope and Content Note: Widespread foreclosures meant “nobody could be too radical”; lynchings sometimes proposed. Recalls American Society of Equity president George A. Nelson's opposition to Farmers' Union changed to enthusiasm once aware of his own imminent foreclosure. Many “conservative” Republicans in Town of Bone Lake never joined Farmers' Union; Equity and national Farmers' Holiday Association remained active.

COMMENTS ON WISCONSIN FARMERS' UNION PRESIDENT KENNETH HONES
Scope and Content Note: Marius Dueholm believed Hones misrepresented state legislators and dispersed poor advice.

COMMENTS ON WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL
Scope and Content Note: Land O'Lakes Creameries, Inc. director Jens Jensen opposed the Wisconsin Cooperative Milk Pool but most area farmers, including Marius Dueholm, withheld milk and cattle from market during three 1933 strikes. Strikes had only limited success but “couldn't blame them for holding their milk” because “nobody was getting hardly anything.” Relates how one large neighborhood family survived the Depression.

END OF TAPE 14, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

DUEHOLM JOINS WISCONSIN FARMERS' UNION IN
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm helped Farmers' Union field man H.S. Halverson, a former lumberman with Marius Dueholm, recruit several other area farmers after he had joined himself.

COMMENTS ON WISCONSIN FARMERS' UNION DIRECTOR HERBERT MITTELSDORF
Scope and Content Note: Frequently testified on neighbors' behalf at 1930's foreclosure mediation board hearings; later criticized by neighbors helped for being too radical. Disagreements with Guy Clark and Kenneth Hones perhaps stemmed from red-baiting charges.

FURTHER COMMENTS ON KENNETH HONES
Scope and Content Note: “By and large, Ken Hones did some pretty good work.” Cites difficulty of heading any farmers' organization because farmers basically conservative and independently minded.

COMMENTS ON WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION “OPERATION NORTHWEST” MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN
Scope and Content Note: Although many friends became Farm Bureau members, Dueholm didn't join when approached because his philosophy conflicted with that of the organization. Dueholm believed U.S. government had right to enforce good conservation methods; favored city annexations. Believes recently enacted farmland preservation legislation a “speculator's paradise.”

COMPARES FARMERS' UNION TO FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Farmers' Union believed “what's good for the country is good for the Farmers' Union”; generally took a broader view of such issues as state aid for education than the Farm Bureau. Dueholm became a stronger Farmers' Union member after witnessing organization's lobbying efforts with Wisconsin legislators.

DUEHOLM STRONGLY SUPPORTS ZONING LAWS
Scope and Content Note: Most farmers opposed to zoning, but Dueholm opposed to seeing good farmland, land “that should be feeding people 300 or 400 years from now,” being used for housing developments.

COMMENTS ON NATIONAL FARMERS' ORGANIZATION (NFO)
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm joined NFO but remained a member only for short time. Agreed NFO somewhat successful in publicizing farmers' problems, but “they're really anti-coop” and resemble Farm Bureau in their opposition to government intervention. Recalls one NFO meeting at which Cong. Alvin E. O'Konski spoke.

COMMENTS ON NFO BEEF WITHHOLDING ACTIONS IN
Scope and Content Note: Dueholm would have withheld cattle if had still been farming then.

END OF TAPE 14, SIDE 2

12/20/78

INTRODUCTION

COMMENTS ON THE FUTURE OF WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE
Scope and Content Note: “I'm afraid the family farm is really in trouble” because big debts encouraged by United States tax system and high land prices and interest rates are the norm. Possible late 1970's trend for “family corporations” to reduce very large dairy herds to more manageable size of 50 to 60 head.

RELATIONSHIP OF REGIONAL COOPERATIVES TO LOCAL COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Regionals should share locals' responsibility for credit over-extensions because they encourage the practice. Emphasizes that although U.S. cooperatives have grown, they still have only 1-2 percent of total farm business.

BIG BUSINESS FARMING REPLACES FAMILY FARMING
Scope and Content Note: Number of farmers in Bone Lake area decreased from about 120 to 20 as farm size grew and farming increasingly became “big business.” Speculates that in the United States, where “the day of the poor farmer is past,” farm policy may someday emulate that of Scandinavian social democracies. “Farming is cold now.”

TREND TOWARD CAPITAL EXTENSIVE-LABOR INTENSIVE FARMING OPERATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Increasing numbers of farmers made transition from labor extensive farming to large investments in land and equipment after witnessing apparent success of farmers who earlier had switched to capital extensive operations. Dueholm believes father-son friction the “worst” consequence of the trend.

SOCIAL CHANGES IN RURAL SOCIETY
Scope and Content Note: When people worked together, they “were responsible for each other.” Farmers cooperated in filling silos, breeding animals, threshing grain and sawing wood, and “were all part of a neighborhood” until such equipment as silage choppers, combines, chainsaws and oil furnaces signaled a changing rural lifestyle. Now there are few neighborly visits. Social changes began when farmers had money and opportunity to buy more machinery and land after World War II. As urban workers began to buy small farms to live on, but not to work, and numerous retirement lake cottages were constructed, social activities no longer centered around school and church. “We've lost our neighborhood.”

MODERN LABOR-SAVING MACHINERY FAILS TO GIVE FARMERS MORE FREE TIME
Scope and Content Note: “In order to make it easier, we had to work harder.” Questions whether it is actually “easier on a man” to bounce all day on a tractor instead of walking behind a horse-drawn plow.

END OF TAPE 15, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

VOTING PATTERNS IN BONE LAKE AREA
Scope and Content Note: Irish-Catholics and Democrats from the Woodrow Wilson era comprised the few Democrats, “post-office Democrats,” in each town. Area “liberals” voted for Progressive Republicans. Area voters strongly supported Republican Herbert Hoover in 1928 and Democrat Franklin Roosevelt in 1932.

COMMENTS ON THE La FOLLETTES
Scope and Content Note: Philip La Follette and Robert La Follette, Jr. both campaigned in Bone Lake area, unlike their father, Robert. Recalls Marius Dueholm heard “Old Bob” speak in St. Paul.

SOCIALIST PARTY SPLITS PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICANS IN
Scope and Content Note: Socialist Party organized separately in 1934; Bone Lake area voted Progressive Republican. Socialists rejoined Progressive Republican Party in 1938; conservative Progressives swelled Republican Party ranks. Dane and Polk counties at one time registered highest Progressive Republican vote in Wisconsin; changed during World War II, because “as people got a little bit more money, they got a little bit more conservative, too.”

LABOR UNIONS SLOW TO ORGANIZE BONE LAKE AREA COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Recalls union strike at a Turtle Lake cooperative in 1950's, but area not affected by union attempts as elsewhere in Wisconsin in late 1930's.

COMMENTS ON ROBERT LA FOLLETTE, JR.'s CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: Robert La Follette, Jr. rejoined the Republican Party because he believed the Progressives, who had not recovered from Philip La Follette's 1938 gubernatorial defeat, could get control of the Republican Party. “Probably a mistake.” La Follette defeated because of his short campaign and by low voter turnout for August primary election.

EVOLUTION OF WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Scope and Content Note: Wisconsin Democrats historically conservatives; e.g., a Democratic-Republican coalition helped defeat Progressive Republicans in 1938; most Democrats “hated” FDR and the New Deal; many young Democrats of the 1930's later became Republicans. Democrats of a “liberal philosophy” gained statewide attention in 1948 when Carl Thompson, a “very capable young man,” unsuccessfully ran for Governor and Gaylord Nelson, a former Republican, defeated Progressive Republican state Senator Fred Risser, Sr. Not until after 1954 did Polk County Democrats gain “respectability” as increasing numbers of successful farmers joined the party. Dueholm first elected to Wisconsin Assembly in 1956; Polk County Democrats even better established after William Proxmire won the 1957 special U.S. Senate election.

COMMENTS ON WILLIAM PROXMIRE'S ELECTION
Scope and Content Note: Low voter turnout helped Proxmire win in 1957 just as it had contributed to Robert La Follette, Jr.'s 1946 defeat. Dueholm believed Proxmire “never appreciated as much as he should what the Farmers' Union did for him.”

FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE “NEW” DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Most liberal Democrats were former Progressive Republicans; conversely, Progressives who remained in Republican Party became “ultra-conservatives.”

COMMENTS ON U.S. CONG. LESTER R. JOHNSON
Scope and Content Note: Johnson, first elected in 1953 special election, “not an ultra-liberal” but a “very, very shrewd politician and a hard worker.”

WISCONSIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS IN
Scope and Content Note: Party helped and led by such leaders as Lester Johnson, Carl Thompson, Gaylord Nelson and William Proxmire.

COMMENTS ON POLK COUNTY ELECTIONS
Scope and Content Note: Democrats won all political offices except state Assembly seat. Dueholm speculates on why Republican candidate won the Assembly seat.

COMMENTS ON POLITICAL INCLINATION OF VARIOUS FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Farm Bureau members generally Republicans; in Polk County--but not Burnett or Barron counties--Farmers' Union members almost exclusively Democrats; NFO members historically Republican until disagreements with Governor Warren Knowles' Republican administration led to practice of voting according to candidates instead of political party; Associated Milk Producers, Inc. (AMPI) members a mixture of Democrats and Republicans.

END OF INTERVIEW