Subseries: Erich Lenz, 1983 May 26
Note: Access online.

INTRODUCTION

POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Scope and Content Note: Helped organize and work for the Farmers Coop Oil Company in Merrill in 1931. Elected to Midland Cooperatives Wholesale (MCW) board of directors. Served four years, until 1942 or 1943. Also served as secretary of MCW. Became first secretary of Wisconsin Association of Cooperatives (WAC) in 1945 in Madison. Served until 1948. Then bought half interest in Hanley Implement Company in Sun Prairie.

PERSONAL HISTORY
Scope and Content Note: Born in Danzig (now Gdansk) in 1908. Came to U.S. in 1921. Spent three years in concentration camp in Siberia. Returned to Germany in 1918.

FARMERS COOP OIL COMPANY
Scope and Content Note: Managed oil coop until 1945. Formed coop because farmers needed good inexpensive merchandise. Coop expanded to other goods in 1938 or 1939, e.g. groceries. Opposition from oil companies, hardware store, grocery store.

MIDLAND COOPERATIVES WHOLESALE
Scope and Content Note: Describes elements of coop--four gas stations, etc. Does not know who appointed him secretary.

WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Minimally involved in formation of WAC. Lenz operated only in Lincoln County. Various agricultural groups, and a few city coops in the later years, wanted to form a state organization to attend to their political needs. City coops needed to align with the more numerous agricultural coops to exert influence. Not much conflict between the two groups. Meetings on WAC held in different districts. Superior had a large grocery coop. Coop movement active in all parts of the state. State divided into five districts. Lenz attended meetings all over the state.

WAC INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS
Scope and Content Note: WAC very politically active. Lenz supervised two people who lobbied in state capitol. Lobbying issues--taxes, bills affecting farmers. Does not recall which legislators were sympathetic. Lenz helped get legislation passed concerning health.

WISCONSIN FEDERATION OF COOPS
Scope and Content Note: After Lenz retired he worked for WFC for eight years as manager and sales consultant. Two coop groups merged to become the WFC. Had no difficulties with the Council of Agriculture, which later had financial problems.

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION
Scope and Content Note: Was a member, then quit.

END OF TAPE 15, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF COOPS
Scope and Content Note: Anecdotes about Lenz's function as executive secretary of retaining coop members.

POLITICAL AFFILIATION
Scope and Content Note: A Democrat. Had good relations with Bill Evjue. Met Truman, Wallace. Voted for first time in 1928--Progressive on state level, Democrat on national level. Supported Progressive movement to Democratic Party. Refused to run for office. Was asked to be State Treasurer--refused.

THE DEMOCRATS AND THE COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Lenz spoke at district meetings in support of Democrats. Coop members generally supported Progressives' movement to Democratic Party. Lenz knew both Bob La Follettes. A majority of farmers were coop members--support of Democrats spread by informal personal interaction. Both Democrats and coops supported dividend taxation, support of farmers.

WORLD WAR II AND FARMERS
Scope and Content Note: War affected many farmers. Farmers divided on isolationist issue. Anecdote about Republican farmer in Lincoln county who voted Democrat.

THE YOUNG PROGRESSIVES
Scope and Content Note: Lenz held coffee for Nelson. Nelson ran very clean campaign. Knew Carl Thompson, Thompson supported coops. Knew Jim Doyle.

POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF COOPS
Scope and Content Note: Instrumental in electing certain Democrats. Worked closely with organized labor.

PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Scope and Content Note: Very poor. Completed eighth grade. Went to business college in Merrill.

WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF COOPS
Scope and Content Note: Jack Tyler succeeded Lenz as executive secretary. He often conferred with Lenz, made few changes. Lenz's staff consisted of one woman and two men (lobbyists and organizers).

END OF INTERVIEW